24 MARCH 2018
How did you first meet?
Daniel and I met through our work – we both work for the same company.
Tell us a little bit about yourselves as a couple…
We are not a normal couple. We are a bit of crazy, a little nuts and a lot in love! We complement each other so well and bring out each other’s strengths. We always encourage one another to do our best whether it is being a good friend, husband, wife or parent to our kids.
When we fall and have our moments of weakness we lift each other up and are always there to support and appreciate one another. We each have our imperfections but together we are perfect! We are a force to be reckoned with when we are together and the love we have for each other is like no other.
He is my King and I am his Queen, now and forever!
What quality do you most admire about each other?
Daniel is the most loving man I have ever met. He loves unconditionally and is an amazing husband and father. He knows how to calm me down and makes me laugh until my tummy hurts. He always strives to put a smile on my face and always has words of affirmation for me. Daniel is very driven and puts his family before all else. I admire him for his strength, his passion and his heart.
{Daniel} It’s hard to say as Jenna only has good qualities but, if I have to single out one, it would be the way she loves – it’s beyond unconditional, like there’s a never ending pit of it. I am truly blessed.
Tell us about the proposal…
Daniel proposed to me at the Oyster Box Hotel on April 27, 2017. He took me our for dinner on a date night and popped the question at the restaurant. It was very romantic and unexpected. He was so nervous though, I could see how on edge he was at dinner and the whole week beforehand. It was a very special night!
How long was your engagement?
11 months
Did you find it challenging to find your perfect venue?
Yes. We were on a bit of a budget and had to originally look for another venue as we could not afford Lythwood, but after debating about it we eventually decided to bite the bullet and go to the venue I have always wanted to get married at.
What made you decide on Lythwood as your wedding venue?
Lythwood is an amazing place to get married at and there is so much on offer and so much choice when it comes to the wedding. The Chapel is quaint and so romantic, the outdoors area for reception is so unusual and beautiful. It really makes the whole day so magical and stunning.
We loved everything at Lythwood, from the accommodation and the stunning rooms, to the people who work there. The grounds are so well looked after and maintained. We loved that it is so quiet and personal.
We also loved the fact that, when you book your wedding, Lythwood gives you options on where you can get married and where you can hold your reception. You are not restricted in any way.
Lythwood did everything they could to give us our fairytale wedding.
Describe Lythwood in 3 words…
Majestic. Classy. Enchanting.
Did you have any special details and décor? Tell us…
Yes, we based the décor on a theme: Fairytale wedding, Beauty & The Beast! Reason? I loved that love story and the story behind it. Never judge a book by its cover.
What did you find most surprising about planning a wedding?
The stress and how much everything costs.
How did you deal with any planning stress? Do you have any tips or tricks?
We hired a wedding planner and she helped us a lot with the ideas we had. We basically left it all in her hands.
What did you find the most challenging part of planning your wedding?
Working within a budget. We changed our venue at the last minute – Lythwood accommodated us but we changed all the vendors helping us on the day. That was a real challenge!
What was the most fun detail of your wedding to plan?
Doing dance lessons and going Wedding Dress shopping.
What did you learn about your husband/wife during the planning?
Daniel does not do well with multitasking!
{Daniel} That I would be totally lost without Jenna!
What did you learn about yourself?
I am a lot more relaxed than I thought I would be. I was marrying my best friend and the man of my dreams, so everything kinda fell in place.
What’s your number one piece of advice for couples just starting to plan their wedding?
Don’t let others influence your decisions. Your wedding is about you and your husband. Do what you want on your day and don’t allow family or anyone else try and change your plans. You can please everyone but the people that matter the most will be there standing by you on your special day. The day is about you and not everyone else.
What would be the one thing you would recommend that a couple spends good money on for their wedding?
A professional photographer to capture your special moments and/or a Videographer.
Tell us about your dress, from buying it to how you felt in it on the day…
My dress was a disaster… I found a dress and paid a deposit. My dress apparently had to be imported. So, a month before the wedding the Bridal company told me that my dress was not going to arrive on time. They had reassured me a month prior that all was on track for my dress, so I took them at their word and did not stress about it.
A month before the wedding I was informed that they had lost my dress! Mayhem! I had to take time off work and go and look for a new dress with my mother. I was lucky to find a new dress at a boutique in Morningside. The dress needed a few alternations but was achievable. I received my dress the week before the wedding.
I loved my dress, it was unusual and meant for me.
Give a brief description of the morning of your wedding – how did you feel, who were you with, what did you do?
I woke up with my Bridesmaids and my 9-month old baby boy. Although we were awake at 6:00 in the morning I was excited to get the day going and to see my man!
During the morning we got a knock at the door and I received a gift from Daniel. He had written me a letter and spoilt me rotten with perfume and a beautiful set of diamond earrings. I also sent a gift with my Maid of Honour to give to Daniel.
We just chilled in the morning in our chalet… had breakfast and spent time with my baby boy Reegan. We then started getting all the formalities on the go with regards to hair, make-up etc. The morning felt like it dragged a bit because I could not wait to see my husband-to-be. The Bridesmaids and I drank champagne and had lots of giggles and laughs together.
{Daniel} It was nerve-racking and exciting at the same time. My groomsmen and I chilled and drank beers at the dam and had our pre-wedding photos taken. We had to make a plan to replace the ties we left at home!. The suit pants that we ordered were too small – why would you go to a fitting when some groomsmen said that they know their sizes! We made a plan and all ended well at the end of the day. You know, men just being men!
Tell us a little bit about your ceremony… for example, did you write your own vows and, if so, what made you decide to do that?
We did write our own vows. We had been through a tough year with our little baby boy and I wanted something that was going to be more personal and directed at my husband and I wanted Daniel to know that the promises I was making to him were for the rest of our lives as well as the love I had for him. We had a very basic ceremony but it was divine.
Tell us about the moment your saw your Bride/Groom for the first time?
I could not wait to get into the Church to see Daniel! I had not seen him the whole night and day which is very rare for us. I was so excited to see him and give him a kiss and hug. The moment I saw him was so amazing, it was like a wave of calm came over me. I did not see anyone else in that Church once I had locked eyes Daniel… he was my all. It was like we were in a bubble and no one else around us mattered. He looked so handsome and so nervous but had such loving eyes.
{Daniel} It was magical – the best memory of my life! I know every man says that they have never seen their Bride look so beautiful and yes, Jenna looked amazing, but I have never seen her look so content with life, so happy. She left me breathless… she looked absolutely perfect.
And your reception?
Our reception was outside in the Avellini tent. It was a lovely reception, everything we had wanted. It was such a busy evening and time just flew by.
What was the most memorable moment of your wedding for you?
The whole day! And seeing Daniel for the first time.
{Daniel} Kissing Jenna for the first time as my wife… wow!
In hindsight, is there anything you wish you had done differently – an aspect you would have left out, something you wish you’d done or perhaps something that didn’t turn out the way you had planned?
The only regrets I have about our day is that we did not get many family picutres and I was not very happy with our DJ. Also we ran out of time and could not do some of the stuff we wanted to do, like spending more time with our guests but, at the end of the day it was a lovely evening, the weather was perfect and my heart was happy.
Name one to three things that were a “must have” for your wedding – that were worth spending your money on…
Videographer. Décor. Venue.
Where did you go on honeymoon and for how long?
We had our son with us so we just went to Bushmans Neck for a week.
Describe newlywed life in 3 words…
Amazing. Blissful. The unknown.
{Daniel} Happiness. Blessed. Love.
Wedding Suppliers
Photographer: Darrel Collins Photography
Videographer: KZN Wedding Video
Wedding Dress: The House of Couture Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bianca Warren
Suits: Suit Yourself
Hair: Tamsin Lancaster
Make-up: A friend, Megan Shepard
Décor & Flowers: All Seasons Weddings – Natalie Groves
Wedding Cake: Kupcake Heaven
Wedding Stationery Design: All Seasons Weddings – Natalie Groves
Wedding Planner: All Seasons Weddings – Natalie Groves