Marneli & Jacques Wedding at Makiti Wedding Venue

A Beautiful Love Story as written by Marneli

“How to describe my wedding day. A day filled with laughter, crying, love, sadness, stress, fun, so many emotions in one day. I wouldn’t describe myself as one for a fairytale wedding. I have always wanted it to be more real than that. And it was.. And yes technically it looked like the fairytale wedding. And yes I have my Prince charming. But that day I really cannot even put into words.

The day started when I woke up after having only 4 hours of sleep because that previous night, one of my bride’s maids only did my nails after 10 at night and us girls were sitting outside chatting for hours.

So I was tired but excited. The last few days leading up to the wedding was quite stressful.

.. Not because I am a perfectionist.. (anything but)

But because my 2 mothers in law were and that freaked me out. That being said I have to give them all the credit for making the wedding run as smoothly as it did. The whole day is somewhat of a blur to me. Because I have never experienced how one day flies by so quickly. All I remember before the actual wedding was that in 3hours we tried to set up everything in time before my groom arrived. Murphy’s law, he arrived and we weren’t done and so I had to leave everything in the hands of my girls and family. I then started getting ready, and I guess there it slowed down a bit because, for some reason, there was an incredible amount of calm and peace that washed over me. My sister started doing my hair and makeup, and she managed to turn me into this beautiful being, someone I didn’t know, but liked very much. And when I got into my dress, I was shocked at the perfect reflection in the mirror. So it was a good start… And all of a sudden it was time, for my dad to see me and to give me away. That’s where the sad part comes in because to see how my dad cried, made me realize that this is it, this is the moment when I am no longer his to look after. After 24 years of preparing me for life. Today my life changes.”

“We were waiting for what felt like forever to go to the chapel. But from the bridal suite I could hear the jazz, I could hear people talking and that made me excited. Soon enough we were there and all I could think of was what my soon to be husband is thinking. I think it’s quite surreal when you realize that someone has chosen to spend their life with you beside them. I think it’s a wonderful privilege to be able to share a friendship and a love with someone like that!

Anyway, I chose to walk into the church with Josh Groban’s when you say you love me playing in the background. I must say that day, it was the most fitting song because when the doors opened and I saw my Husband’s face, the world stood still. I stopped breathing and I felt like it was just him and I in that room. I have never seen him cry the way he did that day. I have never felt his love so deeply like that day!! I wanted to run to him. I guess it was like a fairytale, but filled with way more emotion which made it so real! The ceremony was short but beautifully done, by my dad of course, who is a Minister of Religion. So again it was filled with emotion until he took out his pellet gun when he asked my husband if he will love me and cherish me forever. My dad is one for terrible jokes, but he pulled it off as we all laughed. Soon enough, we were married and we kissed and life as I knew it changed. My wedding was amazing. There was jazz music at Makiti wedding venue, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, fairy lights, wine, all our friends and family were there with us and we even tried to do our best Argentinian tango for our guests. After many dance lessons, we failed properly, but it was the best time we had as we couldn’t stop laughing! My dress even broke before our dance! But with all the fails of the evening, it was the best time I ever had, and it was the best start to my life as a Coertze!”