My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

We had known each other through a mutual friend for some time. When I moved to Pretoria we met up again on a chat group and started having our own private chats, nothing hectic, just general stuff.
On the 31st of December the same year, Xolani invited me to a New Year's party he was organising. I had two of my friends sleeping over and when he came around to confirm if we were coming, one of my friends told me that she thought we'd make a cute couple.
I just laughed it off. At the party, though, sparks started flying and we spent the rest of the festive season together.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

A while back, a colleague introduced me to a lady who makes the dresses.
I saw a picture of my dress on her wall. I told her that I had never seen a gown that captured my heart as much as that one and that I would come to her when I decided to get married. When we set the date, she was the first person I called.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

The venue was a place called The Pineville Junction, in Pinetown KZN.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

We tied the knot on the 5th July 2008.
I had great support from my friends and family. I spoke to them before the wedding and made sure that they knew exactly what I wanted.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

My eldest sister was in charge of the catering, a friend was in charge of the d?r and with a few other friends they made the venue look heavenly.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

When I was planning my wedding I thought that it would be more of a traditional wedding. But...

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

...I soon discovered that traditional in western culture meant something else.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

I also realised that one does not really need loads of money.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

I married on a small budget and I was happy that I planned thoroughly beforehand. This ensured that I stuck to the money I had.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

Want to be our featured bride of the week? Send your story and pics to chatback@women24.com

My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

The cake was made by Yasmin, a lady from Sydenham in Durban.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

I went to her with something else in mind, but when I saw the hut shaped cake she had made before, I changed my mind. She is the best and very reasonable.

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My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

Want to be our featured bride of the week? Send your story and pics to chatback@women24.com

My wedding snaps: Samke Shinga

I was on cloud nine the entire day, because I was finally marrying the man I love with all my heart and soul.

Compiled by: Meagan Karstens

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