Weddingbee Blog

Well hello there hive! I can’t say what a pleasure it is to greet you as Miss Lightning, It’s an honor and a privilege to contribute alongside the hive’s group of wonderful and inspiring bride bloggers. Stormy Cape Town, you say? Well yes, I’m halfway across the world at the Southern tip of Africa where the two oceans meet. It’s the middle of winter here and my favorite time of year. Bartholomew Diaz named the area the Cape of Storms in 1488 and even today as we settle in for a cold weekend, the phrase reigns true. So with my love of the cold and the cities tumultuous weather, what better name to go by than Miss Lightning!

I moved to this beautiful city when South Africa became a democracy in 1994. My parents lived here before I was born and after many years abroad decided to return to what had become the Rainbow Nation. I’m still a California girl at heart and whenever I can I return home to catch up with friends, family and my beloved Milano cookies.

While living abroad I met Mr Lightning through mutual friends we made at the University of Cape Town. Fast forward two years and I find myself engaged to and madly in love with this kindhearted soul. Our whirlwind romance may have been short and surprised many, but when you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start now. And that’s just what we’ve decided to do!

Set to take place in a refurbished icon in the Harbour of Hout Bay, a suburb on the scenic coast of the Cape, will be our vintage retrospective wedding inspired by our mutual love of oldies rock ’n’ roll.

It’s not always been easy planning a wedding in South Africa, a country still struggling with a past and far removed from the industry advances of the West, but it’s a challenge I’ve taken on whole-heartedly as despite all it’s troubles, it’s become my second home. I may not have the convenience of ordering online (shipping being a small fortune) or a host of innovative vendors and suppliers on my doorstep, but I’m convinced that anything can be accomplished under any budget if you put your mind to it.

I’ll be setting out on a DIY extravaganza over the next few weeks and can’t wait to share this once in a lifetime experience with all of you. Right now however, I’m planning on cozying up to Mr Lighting on our tiny couch (cold weather does wonders for canoodling).