Angelique Turner And Andrew Gregory
Wedding Date: September 6, 2014
Location: Moholoholo Ya Matti, Limpopo, South Africa
THEIR STORY
Angelique was just about to leave Dubai when she met Andrew. She’d been here for six months on business, and on her leaving brunch she got talking to a handsome stranger. The next morning she had to fly back to Australia.
Like many modern couples separated by distance, they fell in love over Whatsapp and Skype. By October that year Angelique had packed her life into a suitcase and to come back to Dubai. Three years later Andrew proposed on top of a mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, close to his family’s home in the Lake District, UK, with the most beautiful ring Angelique had ever seen. “I was so overwhelmed with the ring and the setting that I couldn’t really understand what was happening when he got down on one knee,” she gushes. “I still don’t remember hearing anything he said. Total sensory overload.”
The pair married in South Africa as Andrew’s parents have a property in the Kruger National Park – “We wanted our closest friends and family to have a trip that they’d remember for a lifetime, so we organised a three day safari before the wedding.” The following day they all gathered to hear Angelique and Andrew exchange vows at the Blyde River Canyon.
Planning a destination wedding wasn’t without its challenges but thankfully Andrew’s parents were on-hand to help. The result was a relaxed but glamorous wedding, filled with flowers and candles. Deciding to ditch the traditional marquee reception, they danced under the stars. “I wanted to complement rather than compete with the nature around us,” explains Angelique. “The main thing for us was for it to be fuss-free, natural and to reflect us, as well as the beautiful surroundings we were in. It was perfect.”
They’re now looking forward to their next adventure together – travelling around America for their honeymoon.
THE WEDDING
Location: Moholoholo Ya Mati, Limpopo, South Africa, on the edge of the Kruger Park. “We went in a convoy of mini buses on a memorable road trip giving the guests a chance to see the South African landscape.”
Number of guests: Intimate at 80.
Theme: A little vintage and a little gold.
Dress: Vera Wang for the ceremony and BCBG for the reception.
Accessories: Dolce & Gabbana and Kate Spade.
Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana.
Wedding rings: Cara for the wedding bands and a custom engagement ring from MDC Diamonds in New York.
Bridesmaids: Ostrich feathered dresses from Coast.
Flowers: “Jeanel from Pebble and Lace created a vintage look by incorporating carnations, ranunculi, freesias, berries, lilac sprays and tea roses into the arrangements. She even painted the succulents gold to pick up on the gold theme,” says Angelique.
Music: The entrance song was a string version of God Only Knows by The Beach Boys and the newlyweds exited the chapel to I Wanna Hold Your Hand by The Beatles. Their DJ played hits for all ages into the night.
First dance: Say That You Love Me by Fleetwood Mac.
Food: A traditional African style spread. “We wanted simple, home style locally sourced fare with great meat. Exactly what the region is known for.”
Favours: Instead of typical favours the couple treated guests to an African experience. The day after the wedding they all went on a game drive followed by a beautiful candlelit dinner in the bush.
Cake: A gorgeous three-tiered cake from a local baker called Susan Marais.
Unique touches: “We had a cheetah named Bullet come to visit us on the wedding day so our guests could meet him and take photos,” says Angelique. He lives at the animal rehabilitation centre near the venue and they made a donation to the centre for his appearance. “He was definitely the star of the show!”
Honeymoon: The outgoing pair have planned a honeymoon around Coachella Music Festival in California in April. In-keeping with the wedding theme, they will be staying in a safari tent. “We’ll also be going to the Austin Food and Wine Festival in Texas and doing the whole Vegas thing,” says Angelique. “We are an action and adventure couple so whenever we travel we want to experience something new and exciting.”
ANGELIQUE’S TOP TIPS
• Do it your way. It should be a reflection of who you are and your relationship. Surround yourself with people you love and nothing can go wrong.
• Don’t get caught up in the details. Wedding planning is a slippery slope and before you know it you’ll be in rehab for a Pinterest addiction. Cover the basics before you start sourcing handmade lace from France to wrap your bouquet in.
• Follow your instincts. The biggest thing for us was to work with vendors that we liked. You’re going to share some emotional moments with these people so make sure your have an instant spark with them from the beginning.
LITTLE BLACK BRIDAL BOOK
Florist: Jeanel
Photographer: Nadine Van der Wielen
Make-up: Angelique did her own make-up
All hair: Lorna Butler
Bridesmaid makeup: Sarah Jane
Videographers: Derryn and Terrence Orpen
Wedding website: Riley & Grey
