Leatitia & Nicholas - Mode - Professional Wedding Stylist

a wedding for jacaranda good morning angels

There are few words that can describe the immense love we saw and felt the day Nicholas and Laetitia got married. Their story is one of hope, faith and most importantly, love. And what a romantic wedding it was!

Nicholas, a young chap at 33, proposed to his sweetheart Laetitia last year and much to his delight she said yes! They’ve been saving up to have the wedding of their dreams ever since he popped the question. And then, sadly, they were dealt a heavy blow. Nicholas was diagnosed with spindle cell neoplasm cancer. He found a lump in his back and underwent several tests that led the doctors to this diagnosis. Unfortunately, the cancer was in his spine, his liver, lungs, stomach, muscles and brain. The diagnosis was grim, and the road ahead a tough one. Things had surely changed so much in such a short time. However, the one thing that remained was their love for each other and their commitment to see it through together.

One of their friends wrote in to Jacaranda Good Morning Angels in the hope that they could be assisted in some way. What transpired was a call to Wedready who in turn contacted MODE to see if we could assist with flowers for the day as they want the couple to get married the Saturday (4 days away!) in their back garden.

Here’s the thing…there are way too many amazing people we know in this industry for us to just do anything small. I was on a call with Elli from Turquoise Squirrel Patisserie as the request came in and we both just jumped at the chance to call in as many people as we can to make this as special for them as we could manage in such a short time. What transpired was nothing short of miraculous and special, a romantic wedding day none of us will ever forget. A full wedding planned in 4 days for a couple so deserving.

A plan unfolds

I connected with Leatitia and asked her what her original styling choice was for her big day. She told me they love the royal colours and call each other King and Queen. (my heart!)

So, we went full steam with that special request and created a table worthy of royalty with deep blues, crimson reds and touches of gold. The elegance oozing from this tablescape was one for the books!

Floristry Studio created incredibly beautiful floral arrangements for the table and knocked our socks off with a bouquet of imported anemones, dyed deep blue hydrangeas and crimson roses.

The Venue on Leslie is the ideal location for an intimate celebration and their patio was the perfect spot to set this up!

and then more joined…

Storybook designs (who called me after they heard that MODE was organising the wedding to kindly offer their services) created a very special booklet for each guest that they could keep containing letters from Nicholas and Laetitia to each other and a note to their guests expressing their gratitude for all they’ve done for them throughout the rough times. Elli contacted Andrew Draper who didn’t hesitate to provide the most amazing food for the guests and Elli herself created a dazzling three-tier geode cake in the royal colours. A romantic wedding coming together!

Overgaauw Wine Estate donated their top of the range wines for the evening (including their signature Tria Corda 2016 vintage!) and Clear World Suppliers supplied all the San Pellegrino soft drinks and waters for the evening.

The night was serenaded beautifully by Jody Mayhew and captured exquisitely by Anne Grace Photography at the lovely garden venue called Venue on Leslie in Fourways.

THE BRIDE & GROOM GET SPOILED

The gorgeous bride had to have a special dress, so Mimie Bridal Atelier came loaded with options for Laetitia to try, but the first dress she tried on is the one she fell in love with! And boy, did she look amazing!

Nicholas, looking so handsome, was dressed in suit graciously given to him by Eurosuit in Rivonia!

Private M Collection, true to form, made Laetitia look absolutely beautiful (and Nicholas told me afterwards how he was stunned at her beauty when she walked down the aisle toward him!)

Orbit rings even donated the wedding rings and they were escorted to the venue by a wonderful gentleman called Dries from Classic Rides Za in a very cool 1939 Chevrolet!

AND THEN THEY SAID I DO…

To say that it was romantic wedding is an understatement. It was magical! I wish you all could have seen how amazing Nicholas was. He’s battling the symptoms of his diagnosis, sitting in a wheelchair most the day, yet when he was to take his place at the alter and wait for his bride he GOT UP AND WALKED down the aisle to the front! His resolve to do what he wanted to do for him and his bride was humbling and breathtakingly beautiful. When Laetitia came in to view, they locked eyes and you can tell in that moment, no-one else existed. It was like she floated all the way to him and they just hugged and cried embracing each other. This was a moment where love was visible. Not just felt, but seen.

They exchanged heart-warming vows, placed their rings on each other’s fingers and became husband and wife. Our hard work and sleepless nights had paid off. We gave them a small memory to cherish, something for them to look back on and smile. Photos and memories that will last forever.

Tony Robbins once said, “a life of significance is one that is in service to others.” How true that is. We all felt it that day. The circle of gratitude between us all. The connections we had were made deeper, and the ones we didn’t have were now formed. Through tears we came together and joined in the faith fight with Laetitia and Nicholas, for his health yes, but also for their love. For them to make a statement that no matter what…they choose each other.

RIP DEAR NICHOLAS

Nicholas passed away on 8 June 2021. His loving wife adored him, and his family loved him intensely. We will never forget being a part of your magical day dear friends. May God grant you the peace and strength you need going forward. And Nicholas, what an honour to have met you! You will never be forgotten.