Real Weddings: Renate & Anton

Name of Bride: Yolandé Loots
Occupation: Financial Manager
Name of Groom: Danie Loots
Occupation: Consultant (IT)

How did you meet: We work together

The proposal: Danie took me to Rand Airport and arranged for us to go flying in Harvard aircrafts
doing aerobatics. We were flying side by side – I could see him through the little window – when
he proposed over the radio. When we landed he presented me with the ring and we had
champagne! What a fantastic experience . . . and a total surprise to me!

What theme or atmosphere did you create on your Big Day: I tried to create a feeling of intimacy
and simplicity. It was a very small wedding.

How did you meet: through friends at a party.

The proposal: In the Kruger park during the resort black out. Candles and an ipod on his knee on the patio in the middle of the bush.

What theme or atmosphere did you create on your Big Day: Black and white elegance with a splash of 3 main colours – red, yellow and purple. Spunky and beautiful!

What was unique about your wedding? We had a music undertone in our theme with vinyl’s for the seating plan hung from a tree, confetti cones made from old music book paper, filled with the 3 different coloured rose petals.

Describe your Wedding Dress:

Slim fit, with a small one foot train. Folded chiffon overlay for the top with crystal clear and black beading. A stunning vine of flowers dropping from the top of my waist to the floor, in black lace and continuing around the back of my train slightly. The back was cut low with 3 connecting straps. I wore a medium length netted vail with white encase diamantes running around the edges.

Describe your Wedding Cake:

The main ideas was cup cakes in silver cups, white icing and then divided into the 3 main colours – red sparkles with 3 black hearts, yellow starts and silver glitter, purple sprinkles and purple butterflies.

My little cake was plain white with a black and grey paisley ribbon around it with 3 of the main colour roses on it and a small icon of a boy and girl kissing on a bench.

The Best thing about being a Bride:
The feeling of elevated love, glamour and seeing everyone come together to make it such a special day! The wonderful bond you add to your many layers of your relationship.

The Best thing about being a Groom:
Although you don’t get as much attention as the bride, it sure is a great feeling having everyone there for you just as much. The best part of the whole journey is seeing the bride take up the entrance to the chapel… completely breathless experience. And lastly having the opportunity to address everyone with a speech where you get to express all your feelings and gratitude

The proposal: Clifford arranged for a long weekend away for us as a surprise to Bath, England (we were living in England at the time). We stayed at the most beautiful Manor house. He arranged the best room, and made dinner reservations at one of the best and most popular restaurants in town for us that evening. I didn’t have to do a thing. As we were getting ready for dinner that evening, he started getting very fidgety and looked distracted. He then asked if I wouldn’t mind just taking a seat for a minute. He proceeded to tell me how much I mean to him, how much he loves me etc. He then said he had something for me, went and got a little box out, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife! I was so happy and so surprised! One of the happiest days of my life!

What have you learned from this experience: Do what is best for you and your partner, not what everyone else tells you to do! It is your day after all!

Any advice you would like to give other bridal couples? Don’t worry about all the small things going wrong, no-one but you will notice them! Listen to the professionals (at The Moon and Sixpence), they have experience and know what works and what doesn’t. Spend some money on a good photographer; the photos are all you have left when the day is over. Enjoy your day as much as you can.

Renate & Anton

Renate & Anton

Wedding Date: 2nd October 2009

Farthing Venue

Photos by: Custo

What theme or atmosphere did you create on your Big Day: Gentle, almost vintage feeling with soft dirty pink shades.

What was unique about your wedding? My guests said the thing that made the wedding unique was firstly the holy atmosphere in the chapel. We were also complimented on our first dance, the venue and our speeches as they were truly from the heart!

Describe your Wedding Dress: My dress was perfect! The dress was a white ball gown of raw silk with flowers on the left hip. Some lace was also used in the left part of the dress.

Describe your Wedding Cake: I had an amazing cake which was done by Ivy! Three layer chocolate cake with fresh roses!

The Best thing about being a Bride: You feel like the most beautiful women on earth!

The Best thing about being a Groom: You get to marry your dream girl!

Highlights/Special/Funny incidents of the day: The whole wedding was perfect there were absolutely no flaws! The staff of M&S was amazing!!!!! We had one funny incident though; while we were cutting the cake in the center of the dance floor I could not remember which of the layers were dummy layers. We started cutting the lower layer but felt some resistance. We kept on smiling and tried not to look too worried. We eventually got the right layer and are still laughing at those few stressful seconds!

What have you learned from this experience: Planning a wedding is a lot of work but definitely worth all the effort! I also learned that if you trust that God has put you and your husband together your wedding day is the greatest day of your life! Any advice you would like to give other bridal couples? Dont just focus on the wedding day and all the planning make sure you and your fiancé work on the future of your marriage by doing pre-marital courses and making sure he definitely is the one!