Real Bride

#EnzoaniRealBride: Melanie & Graeme

A warm and summery urban rooftop wedding in South Africa

On a warm and beautiful South African summer day in March, Melanie and Graeme celebrated their love in a gorgeous rooftop ceremony with family and friends. Read on to see how Melanie and Graeme found love across distances short and far, how she knew he was "The One" -- and how she unexpectedly found her perfect gown in her Blue by Enzoani Islesboro wedding dress!

THE DRESS

I had come to Bridal Wardrobe in search of a very specific dress which I had in mind. As I got to Bridal Wardrobe, the lovely assistants knew exactly what I wanted and brought out the perfect dresses. I absolutely loved all of them. However, my mom (who had flown across the country to be with me for this day) had seen the Blue by Enzoani Islesboro dress on display.

When she pointed it out, I thought to myself, this dress is vastly different to the dress I had in mind. But I listened and tried it on to make her happy. Well, that was that, and we were all speechless when I tried it on. We all fell in love with the back of this dress – there are no words for it! Mothers always know best, especially my mom (and she never lets me forget!).

Bridal Wardrobe also understood my love for elegant, long lace sleeves. They did all they could to create a custom-made lace jacket I could wear for the ceremony and remove for the party. The lace was stunning and sourced locally.

THE LOVE STORY

Gray and I didn’t have the most romantic start. I was his supervisor for two years, and in that time, it was a very platonic work relationship. We’d get to the client; greet each other, put our headphones on and work. Two years later when I had rolled off the client, we had work drinks one Friday evening. Gray and I started chatting, and all of a sudden, it was like we were getting to know each other for the very first time. That evening, we never left each other’s side. I guess I was so comfortable with Gray as he had seen me at my best and worst – that there was absolutely nothing to hide, no games to be played and no pretences. That morning at 3am, we found ourselves in a cocktail bar talking about absolutely anything and everything, while the waiters packed up around us.

Two months later, I was seconded to Washington DC for 6 months. Gray and I didn’t really know what to do at this point and just took it day by day. During my time away, we spoke every single day. At one point, I got offered a permanent role overseas which really shook Gray. Gray made the decision to be with me wherever I went. I knew at this point he was the one, to drop everything and be with me.

Fast forward another four years, and we were living happily in Johannesburg. I have an undying, very confusing love for the Irish (I don’t have a drop of Irish blood) and vowed that one day we needed to spend St Paddy’s Day in Dublin. So Graeme and I packed our bags and we were on our way to Ireland in March 2016 to celebrate the greatest day of the year. Shortly after St Paddy’s Day and exploring Ireland, Graeme had a surprise up his sleeve for our last night. He had booked a night at the most beautiful castle in the Irish countryside. I felt like a princess. He led me through the private rose garden (I must admit he did get us lost, and at one point, we found ourselves in the kids' play area). At the end of the garden path was a gazebo filled with fairy lights, champagne, canapés and more roses. At this point, Gray (who was shaking and had completely lost his inability to speak) got on one knee and asked me to be his wife. The moment when your favourite human proposes to you in your favourite country at your favourite time of year is indescribable.

Almost exactly a year later, we celebrated our wedding at Shine Studios, a rooftop venue overlooking the exquisite Johannesburg CBD.

THE WEDDING DAY

Two very special moments stand out for me which will be with me for the rest of my life:

1. Exchanging our heartfelt promises to each other in front of the people we love. Hearing Gray pour his heart out to me while simultaneously promising a lifetime of champagne and puppies just can’t be explained in words. Gray is not emotional to begin with, so seeing him cry during our vows was incredibly special. One of Gray’s vows in particular stood out for me when he said, “I vow to always enjoy the little things that make our relationship what it is, to be the person who you teases you and who you can be silly with. And I don’t want a 'death do us part' because I’ll be with you forever, wherever we are.”

2. Gray and I disappeared for 15 minutes during the reception to be alone. We watched on lovingly at people who had come to celebrate with us and just took it all in. In that moment, we just embraced each other and gave each other our worlds. I’ve never felt so happy and in love – we still speak about this moment and it will live with us always.

MY ADVICE...

1. Try, if you can, to write your own personal vows for each other. This will be the most special memory that will stand out for you (and everyone else) on your wedding day.

2. About two weeks beforehand, Gray and I made a list of the family photos we wanted on our wedding day. We gave this list to the photographer, co-ordinator and maid of honour. This was really efficient and cut down family photo time immensely. I recommend this if you have a large family. It leaves more photo time for the two of you.

3. Things will go wrong. Don’t sweat the small stuff – the show must go on. I only learnt weeks after the wedding that the entrance to the venue building was jammed and the guests had to be ushered through the supplier delivery gate entrance – a little more industrial themed than we bargained for!