How To Enjoy Your Own Wedding Day? Don’t stress yourself, keep it simple and breathe.

Some of you already saw a few pics from our wedding in Cape Town. We got married on a perfect day in December before Christmas. I knew Daniell is the right for me, it was never a question. After 14 weary relationship he is the one he let me feel always secure, comfortable and just good. I know he loves me the same way like I love him with all our good sides and bad sides. That’s why I said YES when he asked me to marry him almost a year ago. 

For the wedding we wanted to keep it simple. That’s why in Daniell and me awakened a plan to get married on our next trip to Cape Town. We thought to get married in one of the most beautiful places, which we also have a special connection with, appeared to be a wonderful opportunity, especially if we have the chance to get married at the beach.

Even if your wedding is just with five people, it can be something special. We wanted to celebrate just with our witnesses and of course with the Pastor. We found a really sympathetic german-speaking evangelical pastor (Walter Schwär). He is born and raised in South Africa but he studied many years in Germany. Our good friends Nina and Manu, they were at the same time in Cape Town, were to kind to be our witnesses.

The place where we decided having our wedding is, where else should it be, at the beach. Because both of us have always a special connection to the ocean. 

The Day Before

The day before our wedding we met us with the Pastor in the Restaurant Hemelhuijs  just to know each other. We hat a nice but for me  a little emotional talk and we decided to keep the ceremony secular open but also with some christian details (it was my wish). After that we met Manu and Nina to have lunch in the Raw&Roxy Restaurant. It’s a very good raw and vegan restaurant in the Breestreet. Pretty stuffed Nina and me went to a beauty salon and we enjoyed a manicure, pedicure and a back-massage. Dani and Manu went to the Barber-Shop to get Dani’s beard done and they enjoyed a back-massage as well. 

Thanks to Nina’s search in the Internet we found near Breestreet a very nice and professional wedding florist called Aspen Flowers, where I ordered a wonderful wedding-bouquet for me and a bridesmaid-bracelet for Nina, which you can see on the pics below.

Finally at home we took a cup of south african red wine and after that we all became drowsy and decided to sleep early, so that we are well rested and fit for our big day.

Preparing For Our Big Day

“Today is the big day.” This was my first thought when I opened my eyes really early in the morning. I knew we had some  things to prepare, that’s why I got up early. I took a shower and made Breakfast for us. At 11:00 I had an appointment at the hairdresser together with Nina because we both wanted our hair done. It went really well because the hair stylist of the hair salon “The Lobby Hair Shop” styled my hair exactly what I had in my mind. I was so happy with the hairstyling. It was perfectly bridal with a beachy boho touch.

Meanwhile at home Dani got a bit nervous. But luckily Manu was with him and they did a lot of fun. Like what is your favorite wedding-song and how to iron your own wedding shirt if your future wife isn’t there… etc.

After the hairdresser Nina and me picked up the wedding-bouquet and bracelet. My expectations were exceeded by far when I saw this marvelous bouquet, which they created for me. As well the bracelets for Nina was so lovely. As soon as we got everything we had to hit the road because we had to be home in time. Thanks to Nina I could manage everything, because I was still fitting with a flu, that’s why I was quite lost this morning.

Finally at home we just had one hour left to dress up and have the make up done. Dani and Manu left some minutes before we arrived so that the girls can get dressed without Dani has seen me. I was exited because finally I could wear this lovely dress. I bought the dress 2 month ago from ASOS. I found this dress and the suitable shoes in the online shop of Asos. For me it was just perfect because I didn’t want to wear a really bridal dress. I wanted to keep in beachy and summer-like. That’s why I chose this one and combined it with a light creme colored scarf and velvet sandals. Everything fitted perfectly together even the the jewelry.

For Dani’s outfit we chose a mauve colored shirt, a brown suit west and he specially bought these Red Wing boots. The hat was unfortunately very dificult to wear because it was quite windy. But no matter, he looked so fabulous in his outfit.  

Dani didn’t saw my dress before. So he didn’t know how I look like. He went with Manu an hour before to our wedding location, which was the beautiful beach of Llandudno next to the Hount Bay. They wanted to check the adequate place for the ceremony and Nina and me hat the opportunity to get dressed alone.

On the way to Llandudno

When we finished the final touch of our styling Nina and me drove with a friend of us, who was so kind to take some pictures during the ceremony, to the wedding location. The way to Llandundo was endless and I started to get a bit nervous. But Max distracted me quite well while the long drive to Llandundo. It was the longest car ride of my life.

When we arrived we had to wait a little bit at the car and again I started to get nervous. Almost there I can’t wait anymore. Then after endless 15 minutes waiting Manu was coming and together we went down to the beach.

Arrival At The Wedding Location

Down at the beach we had to go to the right first and when I came around the corner, Dani saw me in the wedding dress for the first time. And from far away it seemed that he started to cry, which also caused me to cry. Manu guided us to the place where we gonna do the ceremony. They found a wonderful place on a rock formation that we were surrounded by the ocean. As you can see at the pics. But to get there, we had a little rock climbing, so it was better to taken off my shoes and walked barefoot over the rocks. This was the moment when I could calm down a bit. Because it was quite tricky to get to the side of my future husband. But, of course, I made it!!!

The touching speech

The Pastor, Walter Schwär, did a wonderful speech and we were very touched. He said, it’s good if we allow each other some free space to grow and become stronger in our new adventure “the marriage”. Because a young tree also needs enough space to grow and to become strong. The more space the tree has, the bigger and stronger becomes. Our marriage is also something new and fresh, it needs time and space to grow, too. 

Honestly I can remember not that much of the speech, because in hindsight it felt like I was in a tunnel and didn’t catch the whole speech. This parable was the only thing I can remember. That’s why I believe that it could be important for us or maybe just for me.

My Words To Dani

The pastor gave us also some space to speak some words to each other. I started with some words what Dani told me once at the beginning of our relationship. I actually planned much more than what I finally aid. But this was exactly the same what Dani would like to say to me. Two people one thought. I left it with these few words, because it’s better than a sweeping declaration of your love. I think, this showed us that we are connected! Poor Dani, he started crying again.

The Blessing & The Ring

After that we changed my engagement ring to the other side of the hand and we got the blessing from the Pastor. What was kind of important to me. Since I have learned  in my childhood and youth to belief in God.

First Kiss as Mr. and Mrs Bohnhof

Although the speech was very beautiful and touching, it seemed endless for me but finally he said the relieving sentence:

“And now is the time, you are husband and wife!”

And we were allowed to kiss us.  

Happy Faces

When I opened my eyes I saw so many happy faces and we were looking forward to speak a toast with a glass of fresh white wine.  

Let’s Send Our Wishes To The Sea

But first we have threw some real rose leaves into the ocean to send our wishes for our future into the sea, so one day we gonna find them again. Like I said it at the beginning, as surfer we have a very strong connection to the sea. We spend a lot of time at this wonderful place and so we hope that we gonna find our wishes one day there! Since we had received so many rose leaves from the florist, everyone could throw so many wishes in the sea as they wanted. As you can see, it was so funny that all of us did it. 

Cheers….!!!

The sun came down more and more and we could enjoy such a nice time with a beautiful light and a gorgeous surrounding. The white wine tasted very good as well.

Shooting At The Beach

After that funny round with a good talk and many laughter we went to the beach to take some pictures. We are so thankful for Max, that he has agreed to take the wedding photos. Because normally he isn’t a wedding photographer. He is a very talented fashion photographer. That’s why we got the best wedding photos ever. I chose some of the most beautiful ones. And I hope you can imagine how this wonderful day was for us.

Just Relax And Breathe

After that wonderful hurly-burly we have set ourselves in the sand, just to hang around and enjoy the sundowner. We also saw some nice wave rides. Because the wave of Llandudno is amazing. 

Happy And Hungry

When the sun sank into the sea we left this beautiful place. Unfortunately, but we got to go because everyone was so hungry. We drove back to Cape Town, wehre we visited a french Restaurant “LA Mouette”. I reserved a table the day before.  To celebrate this special day and also because we were really hungry, we opted for the five-course meal including wine accompaniment to each course. It was the perfect dinner for the occasion. The food was fantastic and very delicious. Especially as we had a great time with our friends and witnesses.

Our Wedding Song

Happy and a little tipsy because of each glass of wine of every course, we all started to sing our wedding song on the way home. Which was a suitable ending of our big day. And here again because it was so great:

… Reachin’ out, touchin’ me, touchin’ you

Sweet Caroline…oh oho ohhhhh
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I…

~ Neil Diamond

Some Thoughts

But now I would like to finish this post with a few last thoughts:

Having somewhere to go is HOME

Having someone to love is Family and Friends

Having both is BLESSING

In this sense…

Loads of Love

Katy

Big thanks to:

Manuel Grafenauer und Nina Brenner for such great witnesses.

Pastor Walter Schwär for the touching speech.

Max Matissek for the awesome photos.

Aspen Flowers for the beautiful bouquet and the bridesmaid bracelet. 

Asos for the wonderful dress.

The Lobby Hair Shop for the awesome hairstyling.

Text and Styling: Look2ocen