The day we've been waiting for!

Nici, her dad, the two gorgeous bridesmaids and Pierre (honorary bridesmaid) walking down the bush-aisle –
Kothbiro
Ke luru do ketaa-lha
Om maam pum imjya
Kothbiro
Ke luru do ketaa-lha



Pierre's reading: Excerpt from The Art of a Good Marriage by Wilfred Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say I love you at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end
with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.


Nici and Mat, in taking this step you are performing an act of faith, promising to love and believe in each other for the rest of your lives. Marriage offers you an opportunity to find and bring out the very best in each other. And to create a spirit that is unique to yourselves . You are committing yourselves not only to each other, but also to each other’s families. Your respect for this relationship will bring you a full and balanced life.


I, Nici, take you Mathew, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do us part.

For the rest of my life, I promise to trust you and respect you, encourage and support you - always as you are and not as I would wish you to be. I promise to work at our love and always make you my priority in life.
I give you my hand, my heart, my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.

With this ring I marry my best friend. I take you, Nici with great pride, to be my wife, and I promise to love you always

Wedding Registry

Just in answer to everyone's questions re: wedding gifts! Of course it's needless to say that we are just so excited to have everyone there on the special day, but if you did want to give something we have created a wedding registry in Australia (with small pressies and larger pressies, some of which have been broken down into smaller amounts so people can purchase part of a pressie...). The link is http://www.weddinggiftsdirect.com.au - then you just enter either Wilkinson or Williams to find the list.

Don't forget!

One month today until the big day!!! With Sean and Kel having stopped by in Joburg for some New Years festivities on their way to Nairobi it feels like the first of the wedding guests have already arrived! Things are ramping up, the wedding planner and co are in full swing, and Mat and I are chatting almost daily ticking things off our various lists!
Which made me think - please don't forget the essentials for the bush:
- a torch with batteries
- mozzie stuff
- malaria prophylaxis if you're going to take it
- sunscreen
- binoculars (if you have them!!)
No doubt we'll think of more things before too long - but in the mean time HAPPY PACKING!!!

On my way!!

All packed and ready to go! What a week - finished my exams, enjoyed a wonderful girls' night, a few last goodbye braais and dinners, drinks on board Nick's new boat and one last visit to the Winery. Now it's a sad goodbye to Mathew and to those who won't be at the wedding - but to the rest of you... SEE YOU IN SUNNY SOUTH AFRICA!!



For those coming over from overseas, please don't forget to get your jabs updated (Hepatitis, Typhoid...), and to make up your mind about taking malaria prophylaxis.

Can't wait till February!!

Less than 3 months!

Less than 3 months to go, and in one way I wish the big day was tomorrow, but in another these last months have been some of the happiest of my life and I am quite content looking forward to February 6th!
What with family pouncing surprise visits, Mat organising surprise birthday celebrations and everything else that is keeping us busy in Sydney, we have hardly had time to dent our mounting "to-do" list! But never fear, once my final exam is over (next Wednesday!) and we have our costumes sorted for Mat's annual Christmas party, Girls' night is a memory and the final dress fitting is done, Dad and I will be on our way to South Africa, leaving Mat to enjoy the Sydney Summer. I can't wait to see family and friends - although not seeing Mat for 6 weeks before the wedding is taking "not seeing your fiance before the wedding" a little too far!

August update

We can't believe it's half way through August already - it seems like we only got engaged yesterday! In between work and studies, family visits, boys' weekends, new additions, stripes, operations and book publishings - the planning for the big day is coming along! The venue is booked, the dress is being made, the marriage school is organised, and Mat has even started writing his vows! The wedding planner is creating the bridesmaids' dresses and the boys are deciding on colours. I for one couldn't be happier!

So far the majority of overseas friends (from as far abroad as San Francisco, Bogota, London and Australia-wide) have booked their flights, and are planning on travelling in and around the country before and/or after the wedding. Most are staying in the 2 camps next to Giraffe Camp from the Friday until the Monday after the big day. There are a few links on previous posts for accommodation in the area, none of which are too far from the venue.

See elsewhere on the blog for links on what to see and do in and around Hoedspruit, ideas for road trips around the country, day trips out of the major cities, a map, and webpages with practical tips for SA. Alot of this information can also be found in your passport invitations.

We hope you're getting as excited as we are! Only 176 days to go!!

Directions to the wedding venue!

HOW TO GET THERE BY CAR - Recommended route by car

Distance:- Johannesburg to Buffaloland Safari's Camps = 525km
-N4 to Belfast
-R36 to Ohrigstad and Strijdom tunnel
R531/R527 to and through Hoedspuit to T junction
Turn right Klaserie direction
After 23km turn left into Guernsey/Casketts Rd
After 4 km turn right into the gate of Moltlala Game Lodge where you will be assisted further



HOW TO GET THERE BY AIR

Scheduled flights - SA Express Airways
From JHB International Airport daily
Transfers from Eastgate Airport to the camps are available

HOEDSPRUIT TRAVEL GUIDE Valley of the Olifants Limpopo, South Africa

Kamagelo Tourist Centre in Hoedspruit
© Kwa Thabeng Bush Lodge

Hoedspruit borders on the Kruger National Park and lies in the heart of the central Limpopo lowveld. Hoedspruit is conveniently situated to explore the many game lodges, game reserves and other attractions and activities in the vicinity.
Here towering cliffs meet endless expanses of bushveld, where vast plains of marula, acacia, combretum and mopane woodlands accommodate a wealth of wildlife and stretch as far as the eye can see. It is said that the town acquired its name when, after a long trek over the mountains into the heat of the Lowveld, one of the pioneers removed his hat and threw it into the cool waters of the Sandspruit River and decided to stay. Visitors to the Hoedspruit area can choose to stay in exclusive private game reserves, or in various game lodges, bush lodges, self-catering chalets, bed & breakfasts holiday resorts, or secluded camping sites. Many of the reserves bordering on the Kruger National Park have had their fences removed and now form part of the greater Kruger National Park resulting in huge traversing areas of unspoilt wilderness. The area offers wonderful wildlife experiences and excellent game viewing in the tranquillity and natural beauty of the African bush. The town’s Eastgate Airport has been earmarked for upgrading to an international airport and will make this fascinating area even more accessible to domestic and international visitors.


Various rehabilitation and breeding centres are found in the area. The Hoedspruit Research & Breeding Centre on the Kapama Reserve is one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in the country. The centre places particular emphasis on the breeding and maintenance of cheetah in captivity and also provides a safe haven for orphaned and sick animals. Guided tours bring visitors into close contact with several of the Big Five, as well as species such as the endangered wild dog, serval, caracal, African wildcat, ground hornbill and vultures at the vulture restaurant. Close on 80 cheeath can be viewed. The centre is located 20 km out of Hoedspruit on the road to Klaserie. At the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre injured wild animals and raptors are rehabilitated and reintroduced into the wild. Several successful breeding programmes are in operation. The centre caters particularly for the ‘Magnificent Seven’ - to bird enthusiasts these are the martial eagle, black eagle, crowned eagle, tawny eagle, bataleur, African fish eagle and the giant eagle owl. Daily guided tours are available. The Tshukudu Game Lodge is renowned for its lion breeding programme started 16 years ago which has resulted in close on 270 lions being reintroduced into various game reserves throughout the country. Located on a 5 000-ha reserve, guided game drives and walking trails are available. Game include the Big-Five and general plains game such as gemsbok, as well as close on 220 bird species.


Other attractions in the area include the Swadini Reptile Park on the Strijdom Tunnel road and the Nyani Tribal Village where guided tours are offered. Opportunities for adventure safaris in the area are plentiful. Options include rafting, abseiling and hiking in Big Five country. The splendid scenery also lends itself to mountain biking and 4x4 trails. Microlight flights offer an excellent way of enjoying the beautiful countryside. Another exciting new activity are the Elephant Back Safaris one can experience at Kapama Private Game Reserve.

Woohoo!

We have been blown away by how many people have already started making arrangements to be there with us on our special day - Maree and Geoff from Perth, The Bawden family from up the coast, the Sydney crew - Chris, Sean and Kel, Jackie R., Jackie K, Steve, Alice, Rohini, Rohana, Terrie are all booked and ready to fly! The Australian contingent is growing by the day!! And Sarah is coming from San Fran, Nicci from London, and Nina and Nicolas from Bogota! This is going to be the most special wedding in the world!

For accommodation in Hoedspruit - Valley of the Olifants (Elephants)
http://www.sa-venues.com/searchnp/hoedspruit.php

Cheap Flights from Sydney

So you should all have received your passports by now, and hopefully you're getting as excited as we are!
For those of you travelling from Sydney, Malaysian Airlines has brought out a special for the month of June only - Sydney Joburg return for $1450! This is an unbelievable price, and definitely worth taking advantage of!! Book it on Malaysian Airways direct.
https://book.malaysiaairlines.com

We have chosen the Venue!

So why in South Africa?

Because we know you will love it! And what better excuse to start saving now for the flights, to travel such a long way, to commit to a date so far in the future, to start looking at hotels and places to stay and things to do and planning for the trip of a lifetime, than to attend our wedding? Now is the BEST time to buy air tickets as all the airlnes have specials on and there are some amazingly well-priced tickets on sale right now!

The date you have to mark in your diary right now is 6 February 2010.

The venue for the wedding is Giraffe Camp, a beautiful little private camp in a game reserve close to the border of the Kruger National Park in Limpopo, South Africa. All the guests will be staying close by in any one of a huge choice of places -- varying from the most luxurious private game lodges to the loveliest and simplest and cost affordable little guests houses and B&B's.

Welcome to Mat and Nici's Wedding Blog!

Yup! The date is set and the venue has been decided!

We have decided on 6 February 2010 and it will happen under a Marula tree (yes, that's where the delicious Amarula comes from!) in the bush in South Africa.
But don't worry! There might be the odd giraffe or warthog gatecrashing the wedding, but hopefully no lions or elephants to spoil the fun!

You will be receiving a passport for your trip soon. Please study this carefully as it contains all the information you will need to get you to our wedding.

Why South Africa? Why not just around the corner in Rose Bay or Whoop-Whoop? Well, this is how we decided........