Feclity & Mark : Steenberg Golf Estate

I don't quite know where to start......

I guess I love all my brides so much because I don't have a daughter of my own. Brides-to-be become my adopted daughters during the time we spend together planning flowers/decor.

"Its a long story, bokkie..." , as Felicity mum always says. Here is the short version. Felicity was my first real "daughter" and I have watched her grow up from a shy teenager to the confident woman she is today. Our acquaintance with Felicity ended up in a wonderful friendship with her family and they are all extremely special to us. I always joked and said that when Felicity and her sister, Jess got married I would retire. Who would have guessed that they would both marry 3 months apart? Don't worry I am not retiring as, if anyting, their weddings inspired me to keep going for at least another season or two.

In December 2014 Felicity and Jess came to Cape Town from London, where they currently reside, to spend Christmas with their family. Unbeknown to the two sisters two diamond rings travelled with their respective boyfriends and within a 24 hour period they were both engaged. It was very exciting. Quite a shock for their parents who realised they would be hosting 2 weddings. I think Felicity, being the elder of the two, pulled some rank and it was decided that she would be married shortly before Christmas the following year. The rest of the holiday was spent venue hunting etc. I had an opportunity to have a short discussion with Felicity about her vision for her wedding day before she returned to London.

Felicity chose navy blue, white and red as her colour scheme. I had to be really careful with the decor as we didnt want it to look like Independence Day! I welcomed Melissa, Pretty in Stains on board to design stationery using navy blue as the predominant colour. Mark is an enthusiastic cyclist so we decided to incorporate this aspect into the stationery/decor. Melissa designed the most gorgeous escort cards, individualised menus and Mark & Felicity chose to have the names of various places they had lived instead of table numbers. Slowly a picture started to emerge. As the wedding was close to Christmas I decided to use wreaths to surround glass cylinder candle holders as these would be great for special guests to take home and use for seasonal decor. Some rectangular tables were added to add interest and variety to the overall decor effect. Navy blue and white striped runners were added to the long tables with flowers in a selection of white ceramic vases. In order to pick up the stripes I added a Sweet Temptation toffee wrapped in navy blue and white striped paper as a bonbonnieres for each guest. They added a nice finishing touch. We needed to find a balance, not too much Christmas, not to many stripes to end up with a nautical look! I think all the chosen elements worked well together in the end and the decor was elegant but also punchy. The flowers were beautiful red and white roses, white lisianthus, white snapdragons, red button crysanths and indiginous greenery.

Mark and Felicity were married at Christ Church Constantia on the 21 December 2014 by the same minister that had christened Felicity. Very special. The ceremony was lovely with Mark's father praying a special blessing over the couple. Felicity's sister, Jess, was her only bridesmaid and looked elegant in a long navy blue dress. Felicity, took my breath away in her stunning Pronovias dress. I have seen many brides but Feliclity's dress suited and fitted her so well (thanks to Lynette Botha a seamstress supreme who did some last minute alterations). Detail on her dress was really lovely. The aisle was decorated with mini wreaths finished with navy blue and white striped ribbon. Bouquets were predominantly red roses.

The wedding was relaxed and filled with love and joy. Wil Punt, Peartree Photograpy took stunning pictures. Wil, I don't know how you manage to be able to be in so many places at once. You captured each and every element of the day.

I love my job so much. Each and every flower arrangement for each and every wedding is filled with blessings and an outpouring of love. However, being part of this wedding was a special joy. Felicity, you have married a true gentleman and I am so happy for you. I trust that you will both be part of my life for many years and I look forward to sharing many more special occasions with you.