Not Your Average Unions

The UmhlangaFebruary 28, 2022

I’m such a wedding person. I love weddings and anything to do with them. And when I heard about these two out of this world weddings – I was so excited to share them with you all.

 

THE WEDDING UPON A MOUNTAIN TOP

MIKE + KIRSTY BAKER

After nine years of being together, Kirsty and Mike decided it was time to tie the knot. “We always felt people spend too much money on weddings,” Mike explains. “We are both big outdoor enthusiasts and so we wanted a day with our special people doing what we do. Sharing a day in the life of “us”,” he further describes. Mike and Kirsty wanted a wedding that was true to who they are, without the fluff. “A raw and authentic experience that we will never forget,” he explains. On the Wednesday before the big day, Mike turned to Kirsty and suggested that they get married that weekend. Being mountain lovers, they wanted to get married on top of the Drakensberg Mountains, but they wanted their guests there too! This would mean embarking on a 17km hike for Mike, Kirsty and their guests, to the top of Tugela Falls with chain ladders and a steep climb. “Honestly speaking, we weren’t sure if the family could make it up, but we said if you want to see us get married, we will see you at the top!” Mike joked. So, they packed the dress and suit in their backpacks.

Once they reached the peak, they quickly got changed and officiated their nuptials on the edge of the Tugela Falls, overlooking sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg. Kirsty’s brother, Timothy Wiggill, snapped some pictures for the newlyweds. By total sheer luck, the couple met a fellow hiker and adventure photographer on the trip who also helped with photographs. “We were pretty spoilt in this aspect of the wedding,” Mike gushes. After a slow hike back down the mountain, the group of adventurers returned to their accommodation at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge, cleaned up, ate some delicious food, shared a few drinks, and reflected on what was an epic few days spent together.

 

ENGAGEMENT-TURNED-SURPRISE WEDDING

BRADLEY + MEAGAN HULLEY

Bradley and Meagan fell in love with the idea of a wedding that best represented them as a couple: free-spirited, non-conformists, intimate and full-of-fun! The couple wanted their wedding to be in the spirit of their relationship and a celebration of their union. With their current given circumstances and a limited budget, it forced them into trying to find a way to achieve an engagement party and a wedding within their limitations. The answer was to combine them and what better way than to surprise everyone! It destroyed all unrealistic expectations weddings these days have created and gave them a perfectly intimate, beautiful celebration which was held at Meagan’s uncle and aunt’s home in Mount Edgecombe Estate. “Our guests thought that they were coming to our engagement party. When they were arriving, I was upstairs getting into my wedding dress and with me was my mom, sister, little daughter and all of our cousins. We were sneakily watching from a window when my uncle announced that they were all there for a wedding. All of us together watching the reactions of our guests was probably one of the top moments for me. Walking down the aisle and seeing my husband-to-be and our little girl in front of me, wow! I don’t think there are enough words to describe how proud and happy I was. The overall energy from everyone there that day was electric and full of unconditional love and for us, that just meant the whole world,” Meagan explains.

 

Meagan wore a simple, yet elegant, dress made by Bianca Warren. Meagan’s veil had her late father’s nickname embroidered onto the fabric so that he was with her while she walked down the aisle. The Creativity Lab took care of all the decor and set up a beautiful arch which became the focal and gathering point for photos and formalities on the day. One of their biggest highlights from the special day was that, a week before the wedding, their families surprised them by booking the uber-talented photographer Courtney Warren who captured their day flawlessly.

 

 

Words by: Carla Louise Gailey