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How we met:
Nyal (pronounced Nile) and I met through an online dating site! We were friends at first, although Nyal was very persistent in his quest to win me over.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
We had spoken about marriage before and had earmarked Thatchwoods restaurant as a venue, so he used this as a guise and suggested we just try their menu. After our meal, we took a stroll outside and walked up the stairs to the pagoda (where wedding ceremonies are conducted).

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
The next thing I knew he was down on one knee and asking me to marry him with tears in his eyes and a beautiful custom-made ring. I said yes immediately, though I was so nervous that I started laughing – poor guy!

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
The date:
17 December 2011, Thatchwoods Restaurant, Homeleigh Farm, Kragga Kamma Road in Port Elizabeth .

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
Behind the scenes information about the wedding planning process:
I did all of the wedding planning and decor, with a lot of help from the proprietor of the venue – Christie Handley (she’s just fantastic!) .

Our colour scheme was olive green, dusty pink and grey with a distinct South African feel to decor, stationery and menu.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
We chose Thatchwoods, because Christie and Roy (the owners) came highly recommended – for food, service and ambiance of the venue. Of the other venues that we had looked at, their pricing also suited our budget and the look and feel of the venue added to the South African-ness of the wedding.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
For the guest table centre-pieces, I ordered readymade bunches of Proteas and mixed it with wild flowers and fynbos. These were cut and separated into posies and hand tied with twine by myself and my folks.

The flowers were then placed in large rose bowls with river stones in the bottom. Around the centre pieces were a combination of tea lights resting on river stones in glass holders, and wild African lavender sprigs on river stones in rose bowls.
The bridal table had King Protea heads on river stones in hurricane vases, with the damask overlay. The bride and bridesmaid’s bouquets were both made by the bride as were the buttonholes for the gents.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
In keeping with the home-grown theme, favours were split into ladies’ and men’s favours with each receiving something distinctly South African.

Ladies received two sample products from African Extracts Rooibos, www.africanextracts.com , (kindly sponsored for free by them) and a handy household hint printed on white linen paper in the same font as the other stationery.
We really just clicked as friends and discovered that we both have the same values, morals and similar upbringings. This laid a great foundation for us.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
We placed alternate black and white photographs of ourselves as babies at each guest setting, with marker pens on the tables for guests to write a message on the back. They made for hilarious reading!

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
Gents received a small packet of biltong coupled with some braai tips also printed above. These were all packaged in green and pink paper bags (bought). The bride designed, printed and packed all the favours.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
How he proposed:
It happened on Valentine’s Day 2011. We hadn’t planned anything but Nyal phoned me in the afternoon and asked if we ‘should we just book something?’ and I agreed.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
All of the stationery, from invitations, to menus, thank yous and so on, were designed and printed by the bride – with everything bearing the signature King Protea watermark of the wedding.

Image credit: Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer
Suppliers:
Cake – The Baking Shop, 278 Main Road Walmer, PE, 041-5810509, www.thebakingshop.co.za
Flowers (supply only) – JA Floral Distributors, 3972 Willow Road, Fairview, Port Elizabeth, 0413672561
DJ – Clive Ho Tong, 082 490 6053
Photographer & Videographer – Henry Dillon and Michelle Hofer, www.weddings-now.com
Suppliers continued:
Dress – imported from China
Suits – Heinz in Style, 45 3rd Avenue, Newton Park, PE, 0413652707
Bridesmaid’s dress – made by her mom
Fabric – Mayfair Fabrics, Fig Tree Park, Charlo PE, 0413686754
Stationery – paper from Papermaster, Cape Road, PE www.papermaster.co.za
Table overlays – Angelic Wonders, Kragga Kamma Road, PE, 041379 5331, www.angelicwonders.co.za
Click here for more bride galleries
Did you tie the knot in 2011? Then send in your love story (200 – 300 words) and pictures (no more than 15) to chatback@women24.com and you can stand a chance to become our next bridal couple of the year
Click here for more bride galleries
Click here for more bride galleries
Did you tie the knot in 2011? Then send in your love story (200 – 300 words) and pictures (no more than 15) to chatback@women24.com and you can stand a chance to become our next bridal couple of the year!
Click here for more bride galleries
Did you tie the knot in 2011? Then send in your love story (200 – 300 words) and pictures (no more than 15) to chatback@women24.com and you can stand a chance to become our next bridal couple of the year!

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