One of my favourite couples to date @ one of my favourite venues, Shepstone Gardens.
Brett is the Johannesburg Zoo Veterinarian whilst Miona, herself a Photographer, also does Graphic designing.
My first meeting with Brett & Miona was at the Johannesburg Zoo, very different from the “Coffee Shop” scene but ever so interesting. Brett took me through the hospital & introduced me to the animals he was treating at the time.
Miona helps Brett when she is not busy with her passion photographing wild horses in Namib dessert which is exactly where Brett & Miona met.
Whilst Miona was on a photographic project following the wild horses of the Namib, she went with some friends to Spitzkoppe to camp and do some rock climbing. Brett spent 2 weeks prior on a boys climbing trip at Spitzkoppe too. Both were convinced that they were through with relationships and took solace in the desert, but as Murphy would have it or should I say Cupid, with briefly meeting, 1 month later Brett insisted that he fly up to visit and get to know Miona better…
Miona says “ At the end of one of our last emails, Brett added one line to the bottom of our otherwise platonic emails “You have such a calming effect on the world around you”. Then I knew, I just knew…This was love”
Within a year, Brett asked Miona to marry him, how could she resist his dark stubble beard and blue eyes when he smiles. There are so many reasons and she could write an essay “How do I love thee, let me count the ways…”
Brett only has amazing things to say about his wife “She always makes me feel like the most awesome person under the sun and we are able to share such beautiful days together”
With good back scratches from Miona and Brett serving the best cappuccino in bed every morning, what more could a could ask for J
Tim,
Once again, thank you for being a kick ass 2nd Photographer and partner in crime, for your awesome photos and assistance on the day.
Some of his photos are included below.
Brett & Miona,
The words beautiful, friendly, carers and lovers of nature and wonderful souls are just a few ways I can describe how I see the two of you. Every little detail of your wedding showcased a who you are and how you live life and that is what I will always hold dear.
Thank you for entrusting me with the memories of your magical day, meant the world to me 🙂
Please be sure to scroll past the Suppliers Details to see some of the breath taking photos Miona has taken of Wild Horses…
Suppliers details:
- Venue – Shepstone Gardens in Houghton – The most helpful and lovely people. It was like getting married in a real fairy garden!!!
- Décor – Shepstone Gardens is so magically beautiful that I went with a simplistic and rustic look. Our theme was gardening as our surname is ‘Gardner’ and we love gardening as well. I conceptualized most of the décor and made it by hand with the help of family and friends. All the stationery I designed thanks to me being a graphic designer as well as a photographer.
- Catering – Shepstone Gardens provided us with a list of trusted caterers and we chose one of them. Delicious food!
- Brides Dress – My dress was made by an old friend of my mother’s, Marianne Fassler. It was beyond anything I could ever dream of!!!
- Bridesmaids Dresses – Bridesmaid dresses were twistwrap dresses, they looked great and fitted the budget perfectly!
- Groom Suit – Brett and I went through so many nights of searching for ideas. We certainly didn’t want a formal suit at our ‘Gardner’s’ wedding day. We got him some suspenders, a bow tie and a waist jacket and later we had a photo shoot with our wellington boots and gardening tools. We had such fun!! And besides, Brett looked so gorgeously handsome!!
- Hair & Make up – One of my best friends and one of the maids of honour (I had both my closest friends as maids of honour) is an award winning hairdresser, lucky me!! Nobody else would ever have done a better job. Make-up was a girl called Kirsten. She was absolutely fantastic!! 082 570 7252
- Music – I remember both my sisters being upset at their weddings because the music was bad. My oldest sister recommended a very good friend of hers. He does DJ-ing just as a hobby and for the love of music, I will never forget the last song as Brett and I walked down the stairs to leave “Dancing with tears in my eyes…”. We also had a accordion player for after the service playing ‘Amelie’ like (french) music on the lawn while the guests had cocktails and canapés. Sergio, an Italian gentleman. Highly recommended!! sergio@duo2000.co.za
- Videographer – A friend of Brett’s youngest brother who was studying at film school at the time.
