Erin & Jonathan | Big Canoe

Big Canoe Wedding

I LOVE these two and their story! Here it is from the Bride: Jono and I met through work originally, at the onset of a training week away. Erin was a little jet-lagged, as she had arrived in South Africa only days earlier. Jono had just returned from a stint working in the US, and was all too keen to relive the moment. We danced the first night and talked about our mutual love for music, sharing culture and the Lord, and it was magic from there! A few weeks and many casual outings later (about every day after we met), we decided that this thing was a bit more serious than casual outings and we were rather smitten with one another!

A date here, a kiss there, and we were hooked for the long haul. After a trip to Capetown to play tourist and really get to know each other, we were apart for the holidays for the one and only time – Erin freezing in Colorado for her brother Jared’s engagement, and Jono getting sunburned in Durban with his family.

Since Jono and I live in South Africa, his December proposal was a warm one and he proposed outside in a garden with balloons tied to the trees. Each balloon had a letter attached describing the attributes of love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and how our love fit right into the picture of Love as God had intended. He got down on a knee and I said yes! After celebrating for a moment, he asked if I wanted Champagne, and someone with a familiar accent offered champagne to us from behind me. It was my dad – in South Africa – a million miles from where I thought he was – and dressed in a TUX! Jono had flown my entire family down and organized for them to be at the engagement. It was perfect and lovely and absolutely shows again and again how much this incredible man cared for me and how well he knows me!

Wedding Photography: Carla Gates Photography | Ceremony Location: Big Canoe Chapel | Reception Venue: Big Canoe Clubhouse | Floral Design: Gardenia Floral Design | Makeup Artist: Claudia Mejerle | Hairstylist: Claudia Mejerle | Furniture Rental: Party Time Rentals | Invitations: Erin Gray & Martha Dugger | Wedding Cake: Cecelia’s Cakes | Caterer: Big Canoe Clubhouse | Videographer: Jarrod Cecil | Ceremony Music: Highballs – Meredith | Band: Highballs – Meredith | Car Rental: Michael Chazen | Wedding Dress By: David Tuterra | Wedding Dress From: Treasures Formals & Bridal | Bridesmaid Dress By: Pisarro Nights | Bridesmaid Dress From: Nordstrom | Groom’s Suit By: Hugo Boss