Last week, I was thrilled to bring you a traditional Xhosa wedding, and today I get to showcase another double celebration, including a joyous traditional Zulu wedding. I love seeing this gorgeous couple in their traditional garb (actually, I'm more than a little jealous of Slindile's costume changes, since she also got to rock a princess dress and a hot little cocktail number for her reception at wedding number 1!). The two ceremonies couldn't have been more different - one with an elegant peaches & cream palette while the other bursts with colour, but what they have in common is a sense of vibrancy and delight, and the biggest smiles from bride and groom. Chantel of Vita Bella Photography did an amazing job capturing both happy days, so you'll understand why this is a bumper, photo-filled post!

Most people would never think of meeting their life partner on Facebook, but we did, on a common friend's page. I (Siphile) saw Slindile in one of our friend Bulelwa's photos - I was seeing her for the first time in my life, but I had an unusual feeling about the person in the photo. I then started enquiring about her from Bulelwa and another mutual friend, followed by a decision to make contact with her just to get to know her. After numerous interactions, we discovered our families knew each other very well and that made us want to meet in person. When we did, we just fell in love with one another! She knew that I was her Adam, and I knew that she was my Eve. The Proposal
One day we went shopping and passed a jewellery shop and decided to check out some rings. He made me try on one of them, just for fun. We left the shop and as I went to have my nails done, he snuck out and went back to the shop. Later that evening he insisted on going out for dinner to the same restaurant where we had our first date. Surprisingly, we were seated on the same table and served by the same waiter who served us on our first date. Totally oblivious to what was going on, we had dinner and when dessert menus came, mine said: "maNdwalane, will you marry me?" I looked up and he was down on one knee, with the ring I had tried on earlier... and the rest is history!

You can see more from both these fabulous weddings on the Vita Bella blog ( traditional wedding | Christian wedding).

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Photography: Vita Bella | Videography: Video Occasions
Venue & catering: The duBoirs | Cake: All Things Food SA | Flowers & décor: E by A | Stationery: Fuchsia Wedding Designs | Bride's dress: P alesa Mocuminyane's House of Fashion Stars | Bride's shoes: Benjamin Adam | Hair: Slungile Mnyandu | Makeup: Futhi Gcaba | Bridesmaids' dresses: Tshidi Molea | Groom's attire: Tidy Tucs Tailors | Entertainment: Philani Ngidi & Soul Divas