Nicole Wore Elie Saab and Suzanne Neville For Her South African Wedding
“I loved my experience with HRB from start to finish. Helen is so warm and honest, and she understood what I wanted in terms of look and feel. I trusted her throughout the process wholeheartedly. Even despite me living overseas, she was so accommodating in scheduling appointments and fittings to work with my short visits to Sydney. She really was there for it all - even putting my dress in the boot of the car when I went to collect it that final day!
Honestly, I might need to talk to my husband into having some sort of anniversary party just so I can relive my HRB process. I’ve been looking at the latest range of dresses Helen’s bringing in – and the new season pieces are making me fall in love all over again!”
Bride & Groom: Nicole & Josh
Planning & Styling: BNT Management (collaboration with Anne Mann Celebrates)
Gown: Elie Saab from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Accessories: Elie Saab Veil, Aquazzura heels, my mother’s diamond earrings
Bridesmaids Dresses: Rachel Gilbert
Flower Girl Dresses: Annie Bell Boutique
Venue: The Manor House, Quoin Rock Wine Estate
Photography: Blumenthal Photography
Videography: Soda Films
Floral: Fleur Le Cordeur
The post wedding event details Shabbat dinner for all our guests
Gown: Bespoke Suzanne Neville from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Accessories: Aquazzura heels, Chanel handbag, Jennifer Behr Earrings
Venue: Waterford Wine Estate
How did you and your husband meet?
For years and years, I kept on saying, “the drums of Africa still beat in my heart…” Then, as if it were written in the stars – my heart led me home in the summer of 2016, where I met Josh in Cape Town and fell in love. We endured an on/off long-distance relationship for a few years, until I finally took the plunge and moved to South Africa to be with him in February of 2020. Unbeknown to us at the time, Covid was about to spiral – and just three weeks later the President of South Africa locked us down, and Australia locked us out.
There, in our very small, unfurnished, empty apartment - where the option to leave home was off limits, our social lives were halted, and travel was restricted; we were put in a situation that could make or break us. Fortunately, we had so much fun and really thrived as a couple.
How did he propose?
Fast forward 2 years, Australians were finally allowed to travel, and my mom visited us from Sydney. Josh asked her, my dad and stepdad’s permission to marry me – and at a casual lunch in his parents’ home to my complete surprise, he proposed. It wasn’t what he had planned as he wanted to propose in Cape Town a few weeks later; but the importance of having a member of my family with me after so long took priority, and it was simply perfect.
What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
The process of getting a dress made from scratch wasn’t for me. I’ve always been a lover of high fashion, even working as a personal shopper and stylist when I lived in London; and I always wanted my dress to be the creation of an esteemed designer. Before I even had a boyfriend, I knew I would find my eventual wedding dress at HRB. Helen has the most incredible and most thoughtfully curated selection of top end gowns – it was a no brainer.
I had such a clear vision; my wedding gown was the first I tried. I’m a jeans and white t-shirt girl and always wanted my wedding dress to reflect that and to feel like an elegant ‘white t-shirt’ … very simple, classic but modern, no beading or lace, ‘less is more’ aesthetic. The fabric and fit were my priority, and nobody does this better than Elie Saab. In my opinion the quality, detail and craftsmanship of Elie Saab is unrivalled – so much so, it actually felt as if Mr Saab had made this gown especially for me. It was so perfect.
I was also lucky enough to wear a bespoke Suzanne Neville dress the following night, to our post-wedding Shabbat. A crisp white corset adorned with feathers and flowers – it was the perfect piece for a romantic dinner in the winelands.
What was your vision for your wedding day?
I’ve always wanted a wedding that was tasteful and understated. My vision was to incorporate my love of luxury style with the natural landscape that Cape Town and the Stellenbosch region is known and loved for. I chose soft colours for the floral and décor. A butter yellow baby’s breath chuppah, couches adorned with various Missoni printed cushions – and Missoni zig zags running throughout the wedding… on the tablecloths, bars, dance floor etc. I wanted the venue to speak for itself, with the décor and abundance of floral to just accentuate the already magnificent setting.
The custom linen lamp shades that filled the roof of the marquee only further accentuated the romantic feel we were going for.
Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
I was fortunate enough to 1) know exactly what I wanted and 2) have a mom who is a leader in the event and wedding planning industry – so I didn’t have to look anywhere! My mom and I are so in synch and had lots of chats and discussed what I wanted and how it could be executed. The fact Josh and his parents trusted us both 100% made it even easier – as we could make all the decisions without having to run them by anyone.
In terms of initial vision, I think Josh and I drew inspiration from the setting and from our love of the country in which we were getting married. Our goal was for our wedding to reflect us as a couple – from the look to the feel, to the vibe. Everything was so perfectly executed to enable this; and from our guests’ feedback, I think we nailed that goal.
What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
We started planning probably 8 months ahead of the actual wedding day – once we had confirmed our most important overseas family members could all travel to South Africa to be there with us on our chosen date.
I would say the journey was quite seamless, except for the fact we had to manage cross-city and cross-continent hurdles. It was the logistics that posed the biggest challenges for us. Josh and I lived in Johannesburg, chose to get married in Cape Town and use suppliers from there, and my family and our wedding planner (my mother) were all in Sydney – as were the chosen caterers, photographers etc. The international time difference was frustrating and there were many early morning / late night zoom calls throughout the organisation period.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
We wanted to incorporate some of the Sydney suppliers and professionals who work alongside my mom in the industry, and who have literally known me since I was a little girl and watched me grow up. To fly everyone across the globe is both logistically and financially challenging so we had to make choices. Big decisions pay off. Our day would not have been the same if not for the hard work, skills, and attention to detail that the Sydney contingent brought.
What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
There were two moments that really stood out for me. The most unforgettable of all was without a doubt the moment Josh and I saw each other for the first time. There is a custom in Jewish religion whereby the bride and groom separate for a week before the wedding, with no communication.
On the wedding day, I got ready with all my female friends and family and the important women in my life, and Josh did the same. We then made our way to the Bedekin; the veiling ceremony – which takes place right before the chuppah. After a week apart and all the built-up stress and excitement, and without being able to talk to or see each other, our closest friends and family sang us to that moment where we locked eyes and were reunited. It was beyond special. The Bedekin is always my favourite part of any wedding; and the love, happiness, atmosphere and spirituality that emanated ours will stay cherished in my memory always.
The moment we walked into the marquee was also a highlight. You can plan and plan so that the song is perfect, the room looks perfect, everything is perfect. What you can’t plan is the energy from your guests and the vibe they bring. As we walked in, the entire room of guests swarmed into the middle of the marquee and surrounded us in a mosh pit – and what was meant to be one entrance song turned into a ten- or so-minute rave before we even sat down! The mood was absolutely electric, and I remember Josh and I looked at each other and said “what is going on!?” It was unbelievable.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Not a thing. Our wedding day was so perfect. It was incredible feeling the love from family and friends and each other – and the vibe was better than we could have even imagined. It was electric because our wedding was one hundred percent, authentically us – and nothing was contrived or forced in any way. We made sure to stay true to ourselves as a couple and the things we love and put value on; and this was felt in every way.
In terms of my experience as a bride – they say you want to look back in 20 years at your wedding photos and have no regrets. I know this will be the case… not to mention I felt like an absolute princess in my dresses!
Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
In terms of the dress – whether you go in with a vision or not, make sure to choose a dress that feels true to you. My advice is to not try to be different on your wedding day – and to not choose ‘a trend.’ It’s possibly the most important day to date where you should look and feel wholeheartedly, entirely you.
In terms of the wedding – so many of our married friends told us to take a moment at the wedding, walk away, and look back at what we had created. We made sure to do this – and it was unbelievable to see the joy, love and enthusiasm that surrounded us. The day goes so fast; and this moment enabled us to just pause, and take it all in.
More significant though I would advise any bride-to-be to remember that the wedding day is just one day – it’s the marriage that is most important. Try not get worked up about small details and focus on the big picture and exciting future ahead. It is all about love after all.
