I can’t look at this wedding album without tearing up. And I’ve looked at it a lot. Andy and Nicole are very dear friends of ours. I met Nicole back in 2010 – Andrew and I had just started seeing each other and he held a housewarming party where he invited all of his old mates from Empangeni to join us up at the farm. Nicole and I clicked straight away – she is just one of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet. It may just be impossible not to click with Nicole. We’ve been tight friends ever since, bonding over a mutual love of red wine, running, solving the world’s problems… and more red wine. Nicole is also one of the most beautiful creatures you’ll ever lay your eyes on. And Andy ain’t half bad either – being of the surfing, spear-fishing, kite-boarding variety – he comes standard with a six pack and dreamy blue eyes. The two really are made for each other and when Nicole called me after our own wedding last year (where her and Andy caught the bouquet and garter, of course) to tell me she was pregnant with the chubby little pumpkin we now all call “Critter”, I couldn’t have been more ecstatic – until she told me they were to be married in June 2014 in Mozambique! Then I really hit the roof. I knew it was going to be an amazing wedding in every way. How could it not be with two such amazing individuals who are so loved by the family and friends?
The wedding was nothing short of what I expected – it was even better. It was a very emotional wedding for everyone, but was fuelled by the deepest love and tons of belly-aching laughter – a small wedding of family and close friends, which made it all the more special. And Nicole also brought their newest member of the family along – she found out she was pregnant with the “baby bump” two months before the big day! Old friends and new hung out from start to end and it really was such a great relaxed and happy vibe. The actual wedding was held at a beautiful private beach house in Ponta Malongane, which was nothing short of spectacular – the gorgeous decor and sweet details just added to the gloriousness of probably the best beach wedding ever. After the ceremony, we all made our way to a local Mozambican restaurant down the drag for dinner and speeches, and then headed back to the house for dancing shenanigans and the most delicious wedding cake. I ate a lot of those chocolate shells. The tequila came out, people jumped into the swimming pool and stumbled around the dance floor and it was just lovely. It really, really was. I said to Nicole afterwards that it was the best wedding I’d ever been to, and she very kindly said, “after yours, of course.” And I was like…. “Oh ya, mine was pretty cool too!” Haha, sweet thing.
I couldn’t wait to see the photographs from this wedding! Not only because of all the beauty I knew they’d hold, but because Wes and Stace from The Shank Tank were behind the lens, as well as the styling and decor. Remember the Vintage Vineyard styled shoot Chè and I did a couple of months ago? Remember that video that made you tear up? Yep, that was the clever work of Wes and his pint-sized wife, Stacey. I was so chuffed when I heard they were doing Nix and Andy’s wedding and let me tell you, they did not disappoint! These photographs were up on their blog yesterday and I immediately asked Nix permission to post them (thanks my poppet for saying yes – I know how you are about your privacy xxx). So enjoy. Feel the love. Soak up the beauty. And let your heart be broken by the cutest little Critter and the pure, deep love of a beautiful young family. Oh goodness, I’m welling up again… Cheers you all! Enjoy 
Nix and Andy – shmaak you stukkend. X
If you’d like to see more of this stunning Mozam wedding, visit The Shank Tank by clicking here.
Decor & Styling by Stacey Cruickshanks. Hair & Make-up by Donna Pronk. Music by DJ Dyl.
