WEDS&HONS 6 3/11/09 14:31 Page 51
ttglive.com
weddings & honeymoons knowledge
South Africa report
Safari-tale wedding
Katie and Simon Gibson won the South African wedding of their dreams in TTG’s Safari
Bride competition, with Somak, The Mantis Collection and South African Airways
W
e set off for South Africa after fire. The team took care of our every need
a hen party at a South African and were amazing with our two daughters.
restaurant in Putney and a
burlesque dance lesson. The Big Day
After an uneventful flight we arrived at St There was no rigid plan on whether we would
James Hotel on Kalk Bay, south of Cape get married in the bush or in the lodge or at
Town, eagerly awaiting our 5.30am shark- what time. On the morning of the wedding
dive the next morning. We had an amazing day itself, we still managed to fit in a game
view of a great white from the cage, but not drive – how many brides can say that!
everyone enjoyed the choppy seas and My dress had survived the travelling
rotting bait! Later that day we took the cable without a crease, and when the hairdresser
car to the top of Table Mountain. arrived, so did champagne and canapes.
My eyes were welling up as I walked onto
The Big Five the terrace strewn with rose petals and
Then it was on to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve decorated with white ribbon. Tracy, the
and our first ever safari. Beautifully designed wedding coordinator, had added these things
with king-size beds and private decks, as surprise personal touches.
Dwyka Tented Lodge was out of this world, The minister, Chris, spoke to us and about
as was the scenery. Our ranger was knowl- us as if he’d known us all his life. His re-
edgeable and fun. We went on game drives laxed and friendly manner put us at our
to see elephant, rhino, giraffe, and the famous ease, but it was impossible to be too formal
Sanbona white lions. He also took us on a as my tiny bridesmaids ran up and clung to
walking safari – a great adrenalin rush! my leg as we were taking our vows! Posing next to a fresh kill (top) and cutting the cake on safari (above)
We then drove to Shamwari. We stayed in After the wedding, we went on a game
Sareli Lodge, the newest of Shamwari’s game drive as a married couple! We now have a delicious, and we ended the day with an im-
lodges, and in three days we managed to fit photograph of us as a married couple stood promptu disco.
in five game drives and one wedding! behind four cheetahs eating a recent kill - My wedding experience might not suit
For the early morning drives we packed not your everyday wedding pic! someone looking for a rigid, formal wedding,
woolly hats, and gloves. I will never forget Under the full moon we met everyone on but while I left with a new husband, I lost
speeding over wild lavender and bouncing the hilltop for wedding cake and candlelight. some of my heart to South Africa.
down steep dips to catch up with our It was much more romantic than I Read more about Katie’s fabulous
quarry. We came close to warthogs, could have imagined. The four- wedding day on
ttglive.com
both black and white rhino, a leop- course meal that followed was ■somak.com
ard and buffalo, as well as zebra, ■mantiscollection.com
antelope, and hippo. After ■flysaa.com
evening drives we returned to
hot chocolate in front of a log
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