Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
As I mentioned last time, Mr Lightning and I are celebrating our first year of marriage this weekend. Times have been a bit tough of late and it resulted in us having to forgo any fancy anniversary celebrations. But it is this exact predicament that formed the basis of my sentimental first anniversary gift.
We all know the first anniversary is paper, but I wanted to think outside the box for Mr Lightning. Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
As I mentioned a little while ago, Mr Lightning and I have been a little MIA thanks to a VERY large project… the building of our first home!
While it’s all fully functioning, it is quite literally a blank canvas. Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
(me and Mr Lightning celebrating the opening match with our friends)
My dearest hive, oh how I have missed you! It seems every time I’d sit down to write, or comment after reading another bee’s wonderful post, everything comes hurtling towards me. In the time I have been absent I renovated a run down old cottage for me and Mr Lightning with the help of my Dad, a retired architect, moved all of our belongings to this wonderful new place we now call home… and perhaps the biggest reason for my absence… there was a little bit of World Cup madness in my very own city! Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
While my recap posts are nearing their end, I still have a few memorable pictures to share. These pictures in particular truly represented the fun we had on our wedding day and I am so glad I fought to have the booth at our wedding in the first place (it isn’t very common here in South Africa). I highly recommend you try to have a booth at your wedding, whether professional, DIY or Polaroid… I promise it’s these you won’t forget! Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
With the formalities over and the dance floor officially opened, my family and friends let their hair down under the disco lights. My photographer later told us that our dancing pictures were some of the most entertaining that she had taken. I’ll let you take a look at the mischief we got in to! (On a side note, many of these pictures were taken during a particularly passionate Grease Lightning rendition which might explain the clapping, etc.) Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
After our nervous first dance shuffle, I headed on over to Papa Lightning to ask him for an impromptu father-daughter dance. I had already selected Frank Sinatra’s The way you look tonight and I think he gushed a little at the unexpected gesture (lets just say he’s not familiar with all the wedding traditions). While Papa Lightning also stepped on my feet and dress, it was one of my favorite moments of the evening. Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
When Mr Lightning and I thought about our first dance we hadn’t really gone beyond choosing a song. We wanted to take some lessons, and only when we actually started walking to the centre of the restaurant to open the dance floor did we realise that we hadn’t actually done anything about it. We sheepishly made our way to middle and as the first words of the Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice began to play, we pretended there was no one else in the room and shuffled around in a series of silly circles.
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
After making it legal, Mr Lightning and I were left to spend a few moments alone. We sat in the empty hotel lounge, slightly speechless, overwhelmed, and more in love than ever before.
Holding hands as husband and wife, we headed back to the restaurant to greet our family and friends. The response we received was truly heartwarming. After months of feeling a little misunderstood by those we held closest, we were finally met with the support and compassion we had craved during our engagement. Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
Hello hive! I’m so sorry for my absence but with the wedding behind me I’ve been hard at work organising our chaotic little apartment after work and so the blogging has been somewhat neglected. But I’m back to finish my last recaps as well as a few projects I didn’t get to share before the big day.
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
After a whirlwind of family portraits, I disappeared into a hotel room with my bridesmaids to wait patiently for the remaining guests to be seated.
After an anxious 15 minutes, my father collected me at the door and we walked towards the restaurant. As the first few beats of Ben E. King’s Stand By Me began, I followed the glow of lanterns held by my lovely ladies to meet the gaze of friends, family, and towards the far end, Mr Lightning. Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
We arrived at Hout Bay Manor just in time for some bridal party and family photographs. We had intended to do some of these at the Lightning family home, but getting 6 girls ready in time proved impossible, and so I had to leave for our Long Street portraits before everyone was ready for pictures.
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
After leaving the beautiful Cape to Cuba we walked down Long street (much to the curiosity of passers by). Unlike the portraits taken in the restaurant, the shots that followed were urban and slightly grungy, a complete contrast to our attire and the occasion. The result? Some of our favorite photographs from the day.
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
And so the time has finally come to share our very special portraits. Mr Lightning and I live in the heart of downtown Cape Town and we could think of nowhere better for our photographs. Less than a minute away is Long Street, one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse streets the city has to offer. It’s home to a number of nightclubs, markets, vintage stores, and some of our favorite restaurants. When our original photo venue options were unavailable to us, we headed to two quirky establishments as a backdrop to our portraits.
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
When I thought about the moment that I slipped into my gown, I envisioned it all going slowly, time almost standing still as I pulled the straps over my shoulders and tied the buckles on my shoes. In reality, it wasn’t quite like this, but it was special to me, nonetheless. My bridal portraits reflect a calm, happy, and confident me and I felt every bit the way I looked.
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
With the venue decorated, I headed home just before 12PM with two bridesmaids in tow. We’d spent a lot longer at the venue than I had expected and were already behind schedule. And so, with a final deadline for all girls to be ready by 3:30PM, the Lightning family home became a madhouse of curlers, makeup brushes, nail polish, undergarments and half drank glasses of champagne. Read more…
Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer ScientistEngagement Date: December 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Hout Bay ManorAbout Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
As I mentioned last time, Mr Lightning and I are celebrating our first year of marriage this weekend. Times have been a bit tough of late and it resulted in us having to forgo any fancy anniversary celebrations. But it is this exact predicament that formed the basis of my sentimental first anniversary gift.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
With the formalities over and the dance floor officially opened, my family and friends let their hair down under the disco lights. My photographer later told us that our dancing pictures were some of the most entertaining that she had taken. I’ll let you take a look at the mischief we got in to! (On a side note, many of these pictures were taken during a particularly passionate Grease Lightning rendition which might explain the clapping, etc.)
After our nervous first dance shuffle, I headed on over to Papa Lightning to ask him for an impromptu father-daughter dance. I had already selected Frank Sinatra’s The way you look tonight and I think he gushed a little at the unexpected gesture (lets just say he’s not familiar with all the wedding traditions). While Papa Lightning also stepped on my feet and dress, it was one of my favorite moments of the evening.
After making it legal, Mr Lightning and I were left to spend a few moments alone. We sat in the empty hotel lounge, slightly speechless, overwhelmed, and more in love than ever before.
Hello hive! I’m so sorry for my absence but with the wedding behind me I’ve been hard at work organising our chaotic little apartment after work and so the blogging has been somewhat neglected. But I’m back to finish my last recaps as well as a few projects I didn’t get to share before the big day.
After a whirlwind of family portraits, I disappeared into a hotel room with my bridesmaids to wait patiently for the remaining guests to be seated.
We arrived at Hout Bay Manor just in time for some bridal party and family photographs. We had intended to do some of these at the Lightning family home, but getting 6 girls ready in time proved impossible, and so I had to leave for our Long Street portraits before everyone was ready for pictures.
After leaving the beautiful Cape to Cuba we walked down Long street (much to the curiosity of passers by). Unlike the portraits taken in the restaurant, the shots that followed were urban and slightly grungy, a complete contrast to our attire and the occasion. The result? Some of our favorite photographs from the day.
And so the time has finally come to share our very special portraits. Mr Lightning and I live in the heart of downtown Cape Town and we could think of nowhere better for our photographs. Less than a minute away is Long Street, one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse streets the city has to offer. It’s home to a number of nightclubs, markets, vintage stores, and some of our favorite restaurants. When our original photo venue options were unavailable to us, we headed to two quirky establishments as a backdrop to our portraits.
When I thought about the moment that I slipped into my gown, I envisioned it all going slowly, time almost standing still as I pulled the straps over my shoulders and tied the buckles on my shoes. In reality, it wasn’t quite like this, but it was special to me, nonetheless. My bridal portraits reflect a calm, happy, and confident me and I felt every bit the way I looked.
With the venue decorated, I headed home just before 12PM with two bridesmaids in tow. We’d spent a lot longer at the venue than I had expected and were already behind schedule. And so, with a final deadline for all girls to be ready by 3:30PM, the Lightning family home became a madhouse of curlers, makeup brushes, nail polish, undergarments and half drank glasses of champagne.
