So you’ve seen this web address on the invite and after some deliberation and procrastination, you’ve finally decided to see what it’s all about. We presume that the main reason for your trifling, would have been the simple monotony of reading a “wedding blog”. With that said, we hope that this blog will keep you at least mildly interested. However, if you do consider abandoning your effort, please remember that the fact that you are reading this page means, at the very least, that you were invited to our wedding. If you are not invited to the wedding and are still reading this, then you may want to search deep within your soul and ask yourself “why”. Why was I not invited and why did I peek at that invite that was clearly not addressed to me?

The main purpose of this blog is to clarify the details of the invite. Shan and I were concerned that the somewhat sarcastic tone of the wording may have left some of you wondering. Therefore, in case you are unclear about some of the details, here is the clarity which you so desperately need:

• The references to “presents” and “presence”, is just a pun. We had a laugh when phrasing it and we hope it tickled your funny bone too. Nonetheless, you may be inclined to think that a lavish gift is expected. Far from it! Your “presence” will be our “present”. There is absolutely no expectation of a gift. Most newlywed couples are starting a brand new home together. We are not. We are both well into our thirties and are really just joining two homes rather than establishing a brand new one. All we want, is for you to have a blast with us.
• The invitation makes two references to Shantal being late. Let me be unambiguous about this. Shantal is the only one with a late-arrival-permission-slip. You, and your family or your plus-one, must be on time. That is 14:45 (a quarter to three in the afternoon) for the ceremony and 18:00 (six o’ clock in the evening) for the reception. Don’t fret though; we will make every effort to stick to our schedule. Nothing is worse than having to wait around for the wedding couple.
• We really don’t expect you to cancel your Christmas and New Years Eve plans. In case you were wondering!
• The reference to a “party” is more than a just reference. Bring your dancing shoes, pants and hats!
• Don’t worry too much about the location of the chapel and the Azalea Room. Both are on the Randpark Golf Club premises and they are within walking-distance from each other.
• Please respect the RSVP date. This should go without saying; but we need to finalise numbers. Late RSVPs will be received with a wrinkly frown.
• No! You cannot bring your uncle’s-wife’s-brother’s-daughter along. The venue can take only so many people and we had to even leave out some close friends. Please understand!
• We have included children in the guest count. If a surprise child happens to be born between the RSVP time and the wedding, please just let us know and we’ll be glad to hear the gossip. Oh, and of course, make the necessary catering arrangements.
• Kids, of all ages, are welcome. The more they have fun the better for us. We want them on the dance floor and everywhere else, having just as much fun as the adults. But maybe not in the bar! We will be catering specifically for kids, both at the interlude and at the reception. A child minder will be on duty.  Hopefully, this will allow parents some respite to enjoy the party.

Now that we have clarified some of the critical details of our invite, we can expand on the more trivial aspects. The “sassy girl next door” and the “ultimate nerd”! Really? This may have left you wondering. Consider it… Shaldon, this awkward guy with thick-rimmed specs! It should invoke images from a sitcom with a title relating to the creation of the universe. Nothing more nerdy than that! Shantal, the tough girl from just down the road, whose heart no guy ever really managed to capture! Not until now, that is!

Now, what is it with all these references to the city, specifically Johannesburg? You may have gathered by now that the wedding has a “city” theme. But then, it is the city of gold, Joburg! Not even one of the world’s romantic cities like Prague, London, Paris or New York. So why the city and why specifically the “City of Gold”? Well, Johannesburg is the city where we met and where we had some of our most epic dates. It is the city where I proposed and where we danced to music from our favourite bands. It is; where we fell in love. Staring at the skyline, it may strike you as dark and sinister.  A city with a painful history and many latent issues! But, if you really search, a city with character and a distinct personality will reveal itself. It is with this in mind, that we chose the city of Johannesburg as the theme of our wedding. And anyway, I think you will find it a welcome relief from the recently popular garden or country style weddings.

Finally, we plan on breaking tradition. The theme and the quirky, rather casual, wording of the invite have eluded to this. We promise, you will be intrigued by some of our nonconformity. However, some of the normal rules still apply. Ladies, only the bride may wear white. Men, do not try to outdo the groom with your suit. Normal wedding etiquette applies, up until the end of the reception that is. After that anything, within legal limit, goes. Most importantly, for you that is, have a great time! Nothing would make us happier than everyone enjoying themselves. Yes, we are spending energy to make everything perfect and compliments on the food, decor or Shantal’s dress (not optional) are welcome. But most importantly, be blessed and have a blast.