covenant of marriage and the vows. Two days before the wedding we had tables and chairs arrive that we had hired at a bargain, along with crockery, cutlery, glassware and linen. In a large clearing in the garden we arranged the tables and chairs. Everyone chipped in to help where they could. We had friends and family volunteer to help us the day before our wedding to make entrees, salads, desserts and other culinary preparations. All were so blessed to be a part of our day and in contributing their love gifts. Right, that was the catering sorted. The cake, a most delicious and gorgeous cake, was a gift from one of our guests. She was going to make one but at the last minute could not, so she commissioned one of her confectionary friends to make one for us. For the flowers a good friend or ours made beautiful arrangements as her gift to us for the tables. Another of our acquaintances was in the business of entertaining kids, and for a nominal fee was only too happy to get some exposure. She had all sorts of activities for the kids to do – the little angels were under a large tree and running through the garden having fun all afternoon filled to the brim with all manner of sugary delights. My fiancé managed to order a dress online well ahead of the wedding just in case it was a disaster, but it was gorgeous and great value for money (Under R1500). I had a new double breasted suite that I had only worn once before, so I had it dry cleaned and bought a new tie and sash to match the wedding colours. The rings – my mom gave me my grandma’s old engagement ring. She had fingers like sausages and was almost a bangle on my fiancé. I had it resized and polished up like new. For myself, I still wear my inexpensive stainless steel ring today. It could be white gold or titanium but it is a sign of a covenant and certainly not the main ingredient. Another of our close friends, my best
40 Brides Essence.com - Issue 9