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Kat and I have known each other for 11 years. We however, didn’t get along when we first met. I guess it was an age thing. She was in her early 20’s and I, in my late 20’s. After a bad break up and realizing that I wanted someone worthy of my love, I registered with the internet dating site “Love to Meet”.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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I am not a very outgoing person and be quite picky so this was the perfect platform to meet someone with “sussing” them out first. I also have a 10 year old daughter so meeting someone who is willing to accept her and the fact that I am a devoted mother, in no easy feat.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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I saw Kat’s profile the first time I logged on and I knew she was the one. I didn’t recognize her from those years ago though. We decided to meet for coffee. We were both very nervous and didn’t know what to expect but it was magical.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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We started dating from that day and 2 weeks later Kat moved in with my daughter and me. It was an adjustment for us all but we grew as a family. Kat proposed on 24 August 2011 with a power point presentation with a beautiful love song, got down on one knee. At the end of the CD it said “will you marry me?” and of course I said YES.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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It is one thing for families to accept their daughters being gay (which our families do), but it is an entirely different thing telling them you are getting married! Kats family is Italian old school and mine is deeply South African.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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My parents accepted it but chose not to be at the wedding while all of Kats parents, siblings, nieces and nephews were excited from the moment we told them and said they wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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We wanted an intimate wedding, celebrating our love and commitment not just between us, but as two moms with their daughter. Our Priest Fr Oliver helped tailor a ceremony that focused on our spiritual journey together as well as our love for each other and those around us. After all this is how we live our lives every day.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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Kat designed our invitations, we shopped together for everything and we got dressed together the morning of the wedding. Our photographer and close friend Bella Bacanni did a photo shoot the evening before with photos of me just for Kat. They were sexy and tasteful. This was a special present for my bride to be.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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My mother-in-law bought me perfume and jewellery for the day, while my sister-in-law gave me “something old” to wear. Another sister-in-law baked our beautiful red velvet cake and our best friends drove us for the day.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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2 days before our wedding it snowed in Johannesburg! My dress was a halter neck so you can imagine how cold it was. Our ceremony was held at our priest’s premises with 22 of our family and close friends in attendance.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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I cried the whole time as did many of our guests, were married at 10am on 9 August 2012, being Women’s Day which is a significant day for all South African women. The reception was a lunch at Fahrenheit Restaurant in Edenvale. The owners were fantastic and treated us and our guests like royalty. The food by far surpasses anything I have ever had.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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We were seated in a private room with log fires burning which set the mood. They then set the tables beautifully, organized our menus, flowers and champagne. Nick (one of the owners) even had a celebratory drink with us. What an amazing place!
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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After the reception we spent the night at Emperor Palace and went on honeymoon at Mabula Game Lodge.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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Our wedding was a moment in time that will last a lifetime-just like our love for each other. I love being Mrs Ruocchio, waking up to my darling wife every day and the fact that I get to live our love story.
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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here for more bride galleries
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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Click
here for more bride galleries
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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Click
here for more bride galleries
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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Did you tie the knot in 2012? 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!
Image credit: Bella Bacanni
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