Will you Marry Me Next Week?

Here’s the story about Peter, my brother, and his wife, Imke’s engagement and how they planned their wedding in less than one week!

The whole family was excited to go down to Port Elizabeth for Tommy’s first birthday party. Tommy is Peter and Imke’s son and he is chubby-cheeked, full of smiles and oh-so-cute! The invites were sent and the weekend itinerary was planned a month before the big birthday…

And then Peter threw a spanner in the works.. Or rather, a ring! The Saturday before Tommy’s party Imke thought they were going for a Fat Frank Clothing Photoshoot. Then during this photoshoot on the beach, while Imke changed her shirt, Peter also changed Tommy’s outfit. Peter then did his and Tommy’s balancing act by balancing Tommy on his hand. Tommy always looks so chuffed when they do this. That’s when Imke read Tommy’s shirt which said: “Mommy, will you marry Daddy?” And Peter got down on one knee and popped the question… Will you marry me….? Next week!?

They decided to get married that Saturday because everyone was already going to be there for Tommy’s birthday party! That really was not much time to plan a wedding. (while still planning a first birthday party.) But Imke rose to the challenge and together they planned an intimate and awesome wedding. They really didn’t forget anything and they made things happen. (And friends and family members had to start happening too! It was very enjoyable.)

Peter asked the pastor who married them to marry them before Imke knew they were getting married. So he had a bit of a heads up. Imke was so lucky when she started looking for a wedding dress. Johan Wolmaraans, a well known dress designer, who she had previously modelled for, made a dress during lockdown for nobody in particular and when Imke saw it she loved it and and when she tried it on it fit perfectly. Johan just made a few minor tweaks to make the dress look totally “wow!”

Peter had a small bachelors and Imke’s bridesmaids all had matching shirts for before the wedding and beautiful matching outfits and shoes for the wedding. Monique organized delicious food platters for the wedding party for while they were getting ready. (I know that platter was delicious because there was luckily some snacks left over which I helped ‘clean up.’)

So, on Saturday, Tommy’s party was at the complex’s pool area from 10 until 12. It was a mexican fiesta themed party. I absolutely loved the fiesta shaped cookies! And Leo loved the cake a little bit too much because he ate so much he was sick.

After Tommy’s party, we all helped to organize the final things before the wedding started. The ceremony and reception took place in front of their house in the complex. Natalie made a doughnut cake which looked very pretty and the doughnuts were delicious. The flowers, the arch, the bouquets, the music, the seats, the tables were all in place… For a while… And then the wind started blowing… Or rather howling… But, miraculously, as soon as the ceremony started the wind stopped and the weather and our hearts were calm.

Imke looked stunning as she walked down the isle to the song: A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.

The pastor’s message was good. I was just a bit preoccupied with quieting Natey who was singing ‘ten green bottles’ at the top of his voice while Pastor Aiden was speaking. And attending to Leo who eagarly announced that he needed to wee and after that proceeded to fart loudly while the pastor was praying.

Tommy (with his uncle) then brought the rings to Peter and Imke. They then planted an olive tree while David sang “What are Words” while I accompanied him on the piano. After the official signing of the papers, their first dance was danced under the stars while the guests held star lights. Heartfelt toasts and speeches were made and then it was time to eat some snacks, kuier and chill. There was craft beer and Jane doe (vodka lemonade drink) on tap! And some water and RedBull to keep everyone going.

All the guests received customized Fat Frank socks as favours! Really amazing how that was organized with such short notice. The socks have a silhouette image of Peter, Imke and Thomas on!

There were also so many people who helped to wash up and clean up afterwards!

Well done Peter and Imke for pulling off such an exciting weekend! It was really very special and very momorable. Thank you to Shawn Marsh from Grand Group Media for a lot of the photos I have used for this post.

Oh, and I forgot to mention Peter ran a 21km race the morning after the wedding!

“Want to do, Can do!”