did it. We scanned the local news ads for specials. By now you realise that we were going the “self-catering” route. Don’t be afraid, read on. When there was a great saving to be made on bottled water, soft drinks, wine and “not the fizzy French stuff in bottles made from fermented grapes whose name we cannot mention because it was not made there”, we stockpiled. We bought enough wine to have 1 red, 1 white and 1 sparkling wine per table, with enough soft drinks to last the entire feast. There was a fantastic special on whole lamb so we bought 1 and the butcher managed to cut the whole lamb into chops, bar 1 or 2 little pieces. We bought boerewors (strange long sausage that really rocks) on special and froze it. Some pork chops were on special and we stockpiled a few kgs. We
arranged with our local supermarket that made roasted chickens to make 10 for us for the day at a special price. The same supermarket also made special rolls for us at a great price. When you negotiate with people and tell them something is for your wedding then generally they will try and assist you. We had a cash bar with free mixers for those who wanted hard tack (strong liquor, or drinkypoo). My fiancé’s aunt stayed on a little small holding out in the countryside and a few weeks prior to the wedding we went and laid some grass and other plants and flowers to neaten up the area where we would hold the ceremony. Everyone stood – no chairs, but the ceremony was concise and lasted 20 minutes. No hymns, no lengthy sermons, just a good short message on the meaning of the
Brides Essence - Issue 9
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