Calvin and Mckenna Jackson tied the knot on The Glades Farm in KZN earlier this year. McKenna opted to wear a gorgeous red wedding dress (made by her mom) on her special day and it was – wow! Whilst there was not a direct theme on the day they planned the wedding around the red dress. As long as McKenna could remember she wanted a red wedding dress, she wanted something that she could wear again, so it was decided! The day was filled with DIY details that the couple mostly did themselves in the year before the actual day. Kate Martens Photography sent us lovilee images of the day to share.
How did the couple meet?
At primary school, Calvin wrote a letter to me when we were 10 to ask me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. He then gave me a ring and a necklace with a wedding and engagement ring on. Then a replica of the ring eventually became my engagement and wedding ring. I moved to the UK and we stayed friends seeing each other when I came back on holiday. 12 odd years later he made the move to ask me out again. I then moved back from the UK to be with him.
Tell us more about the proposal?
Calvin proposed on his grans farm by the dam. It was such a perfect day. The sun was shining and we took a walk around the farm with the dog in toe. Calvin used the ring I kept all those years. We both knew it was coming but he was still nervous. I couldn’t have asked for a more special location or day. His gran means the world to him and she got to be the first one to know.
DIY details
We made the save the dates. They were planters with a seed kit for guests to plant their own Love Trees and to watch them grow in the run up to the wedding. We cut square pine posts into squares and drilled a hole into them. I then stenciled M+C and the date of the wedding with a heart on the front. We then put together little seed packs with soil and seeds. With a wraparound label that also comes off for the fridge. This had instructions on how to look after the plant and also guest information for accommodation etc.
We made the candle holders on the tables. Calvin’s aunt’s friend had cut down a guava tree in her garden. We chose the branches we wanted and they were cut up into pieces. My uncle Russell then helped us drill the holes for the candles in his workshop.
I designed and printed all the stationery. My mom and I made the paper cones for the feather confetti out of old book pages. We twisted them into cones and glued them. We then filled them with guinea fowl feathers from Calv’s grans farm. We also got all the foliage for the tables from Calvin’s grans farm. And the Proteas from Howick Protea farm. My bridesmaids and I then tied all the bunches together with string and laid them on the tables. So I didn’t need vases. It made life easier and looked really cool.
As favours, we bought enamel mugs then put hot chocolate in little bags with marshmallows and a thank you label. It was so easy and everyone loved them because it was winter and it got very chilly at night. We also made the name tags, we sprayed plastic animals white and tied a little label around the neck with the guest’s name and table number.
Our focus was our guests, we wanted them to feel thought of and special. Everything that was on the tables they were free to take home with them. Even the little box of blankets we had and the books for the table numbers.
Do you have any advice for other couples planning their wedding?
Do as much as you can well in advance, it takes the pressure off. If you are trying to save costs then definitely do as much as you can yourself and ask family to help. They will all be more than happy to help. It left more money to spend on great food and an open bar. Everyone always says don’t sweat the small stuff, but it’s very true. Everyone is there for the two of you and to be part of your special moment. So keep it simple! You don’t really need half the decorations or flowers you think you do.
Other lovilees that made the day possible
Dress: Mother-of-the-bride (Dell Cameron)
Shoes: Kurt Geiger in the UK
Hair: Macheila from Hairitage
Make Up: Odette from Skinworx
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: All different bought in the UK
Groom’s and groomsmen Suits: Suit Yourself (Durban North)
Decor: Myself and Calvin made everything
Flowers and Bouquets: I did my own bouquet and the bridesmaids helped do theirs. Flowers from Howick Protea farm and foliage for tables from Calvin’s grans farm.
Catering: CHC Catering
Cake: My neighbour Sue
Stationery: Myself
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Comments
So bright and nice