How long have you been in the wedding service industry, and what inspired you to start your business?

I have successfully planned and coordinated weddings since 2012 and have always been passionate about organizing a magical wedding celebration. I love the process of planning the wedding months in advance, calming the nerves, and defusing the stress for the bridal couple and their parents.

What types of wedding services do you provide, and which one is your speciality?

I offer a complete wedding planning package or an ‘On-the-day’ coordination package. My speciality is destination weddings, working with couples who reside abroad or elsewhere but want to get married on the Garden Route.  

Can you describe the process you follow when working with couples/brides to plan their wedding?

At the outset, it’s vital to get to know the couple, who they are as individuals, who they are as a couple, and what their visions are. After identifying their expectations, I arrange their Big Day for them while they are far away and are unable to always see and meet with all the needed service providers. I will handle all the details, working alongside creative service providers from conceptualization to completion to ensure that the vision of the bridal couple is achieved. 

What sets your services apart from other providers in the industry?

I want to provide my clients with a very personal experience regarding the guidance and knowledge they need and the encouragement and support they require through the process. Therefore, I do not overcommit to more than one wedding per week.

Are there any trends or unique ideas currently seen in the wedding industry?

Monochromatic colour themes, neutral colour palettes, timeless romance, and washed-out hues are currently very trendy.  

How do you ensure you understand and fulfil a couple’s vision for their wedding day?

No one enjoys discussing money, but it’s imperative, to begin with a realistic budget and discuss it together with the bride and groom and then move on to the most important aspect of their day, whether it is food, wine, flower styling, or music. The style of the wedding impacts a couple’s budget. 

What challenges do you typically encounter when working on weddings, and how do you overcome them?

Many emotions are dealt with when planning a wedding; patience, kindness, and understanding different personalities and dynamics go a long way in keeping the planning process calm.

Can you share a memorable wedding experience or success story from your career?

We once set up a wedding ceremony in the magnificent Tsitsikamma forest, the guests all seated beneath a canopy of trees waiting for the bride’s arrival, and a lone horse arrived and weaved his way between the floral arch and the marriage officiant, a complete surprise for our team. Still, the guests had thought it was part of the plan.

What advice would you give to couples just starting to plan their wedding?

Set your budget from the beginning and focus on the ceremony and the reception; both are equally important. Time spent planning a wedding as a couple allows them to explore family traditions, cultures, and expectations; it’s the beginning of a new journey blending two families into one, and it is a meaningful moment in a couple’s life. 

How do you stay current with the latest trends and innovations in the wedding industry?

I attend bridal expos and networking workshops and follow design trends of the world in fashion, house interiors, and technology. 

Do you have any recommendations for couples working with a tight budget?

Consider setting a wedding date off-season or on a weekday rather than a Saturday. Another thing that can be done is to use in-season flowers for your floral arrangements. Lastly, open bars cost a substantial amount; consider a signature drink for your guests, and run a cash bar afterwards.

Do you particularly enjoy working with any specific wedding themes or styles?

A timeless theme, incorporating different aspects of a glamorous wedding, a fairytale wedding, and a bohemian wedding, a combination of exciting touches identifying the couple’s individuality. 

How far in advance should couples book your services, and what is your availability typically like?

A destination wedding should be booked 18 months to 2 years in advance; you are then guaranteed your preferred venue, photographer, and musician. An extra-long lead time will allow guests to plan their trip.

What type of support or communication can couples expect from you during the planning process?

Generally, my clients become my friends; we communicate through phone calls, WhatsApp, emails, coffee dates, and Zoom meetings, as most couples live abroad. We have good conversations about wedding planning, social issues, love, relationships, and life. We develop a bond as they learn to trust me.

Why the Garden Route? How did you end up here, and what makes this region so unique for weddings?

Our family relocated to the Garden Route in 1998; the wedding industry had yet to boom back then. However, the ecological diversity offers couples a magnificent beach wedding, a verdant green lush forest wedding, or a safari game park wedding. On top of that, the Garden Route climate is mild, with almost no wind, making it perfect for outdoor weddings. The last few years have seen an increase in semigration to the Garden Route (people from other parts of South Africa moving here – Gauteng, Natal etc.), and the general population has grown. Plus, we have the added benefit of international visitors wanting to host and celebrate their marriage on the Garden Route. Generally, the couple’s plan includes interactive activities outside of the wedding day, which makes the region even more attractive for couples (and their guests).