A new years proposal, two wedding dresses lovingly made by mum, custom serviettes,
a couple of kegs of beer and a whole bunch of trust in the right professionals, brought Brad + Kendyl’s incredible wedding to life.
With a twist on the traditional and a bout of bohemian flair, Kendyl, or “Barbie” as she is fondly known in the industry, married her Brad in what has certainly become, the wedding of the year.
Being one of Nixon Make-up’s top artists, Kendyl is no stranger to weddings and the ins and outs of a wedding day. We got to pick her beautiful brain and today she is shares with us what it was like being on the other side, what its like being the bride.
Photography by the amazing Eileen from Brightgirl Photography
Hooray: Please tell us about yourselves
Kendyl: My name is Kendyl and my husband’s name is Bradley Benjamin. We have both lived in the same town our whole lives and we met at the local gym one random evening – we had both been training there for years and had never bumped into each other!
Hooray: Tell us about your proposal
Kendyl: I was taken by surprise!! We made a deal, no Christmas prezzie exchange in 2016 due to a very busy year end, but we decided to do a New Years dinner out and get each other gifts. I nearly cancelled his big plans due to a very busy day but he persisted! It was a gorgeous summer night on the Umhlanga beach front at the quaint restaurant “IL Maurice”. We had the deck to ourselves – it was lovely. Brad is very romantic so this wasn’t out of the ordinary at all, he always spoils me. We had a lovely dinner, typical laughs and food envy, then we decided to exchange our gifts. He opened mine first (I was shocked at his disinterest in my gift – I thought it was a goodie!!!). Excitedly, he said it was my turn, and the regular size gift box gave nothing away, as I opened the ribbons and found a ring box inside and Brad on one knee, my heart just exploded!
He asked me to be the rest of his life, his future, his Mrs. Benjamin.
Hooray: Being in the wedding industry, how did this change your wedding planning process? Did any of your ideas/ideals change seeing what other brides had done or chosen?
Kendyl: Absolutely! However, I was excited to feel what it was like on the other side of the wedding service provider team. I have had many wonderful brides over the years but have also seen the stress of wedding planning and what it can do to your wedding vibes! I decided early on to take the chilled approach and pick my battles! The rest I left to my husband!
Hooray: What was the one non-negotiable of your wedding?
Kendyl: Cocktail style dinner. David Yapp as DJ. Eileen on photos. Crystal Barn as the venue….. and a couple of kegs of beer!
Hooray: How did you choose your photographer?
Kendyl: My dearest friend Eileen. I was totally comfortable with her. Brad adores her and she understands us as a couple before anything else.
Hooray: Be honest, how many hours did you spend on Pinterest?
Kendyl: Not one! We made a list of priorities for us that makes a good party and went from there. Decor and such was delegated to special friends.
Hooray: Tell us about your custom serviettes! We LOVE! Where did you get them?
Kendyl: THEY WERE EPIC!!! They were gifted to us by our very good friend Viki. She had them printed in Cape Town and delivered as a surprise gift! She knows us so well!
Hooray: Tell us about your bridesmaids and groomsmen?
Kendyl: We decided to have no bridesmaids or groomsmen. We wanted a party more than anything and something a little nontraditional. Our friends and family however were amazing and took on some of the “traditional” duties anyway. Which proves, they don’t need a label or a title – they know who they are and what needed to be done.
Hooray: What role did your parents play in your wedding? Did they contribute financially?
Kendyl: Brad’s parents were very kind and were able to assist with a portion of the costs. My Grandmother, who has passed, left a small sum for me which I put into the wedding budget. Brad and I, very lovingly, then saved the rest of what we needed to make our special day happen.
Hooray: The biggest hurdle you faced planning your wedding?
Kendyl: Realising that the only opinion that I needed was mine and Brad’s and learning that you can’t please everyone!
Hooray: Obviously your make up was incredible and we can imagine was one of the most important parts of your day. Did you and Linds do a trial? Or did you know what you wanted from the beginning?
Kendyl: Of course it was very important! I trusted Lindsay with it and the overall look – my only request was for red lips and glitter! She is amazing at creating the perfect look for your wedding day so the trial was mainly an opportunity to drink Prosecco and get hysterically excited!!!
Hooray: You had TWO dresses! INCREDIBLE! Tell us more!
Kendyl: My amazing mom, Lynn, made my beaded ceremony dress – it was hand sewn with love and laughter! It was deliciously fully beaded and sequined which made it very heavy. As I LOVE to dance, I was worried about it getting ruined, so I persuaded my mom to make the second one for me. It was on standby and not a definite but thanks to David Yapp it was an absolute must!
Hooray: You seem to have this bohemian vibe to your wedding, mixed with a bout of traditional flair. How did you guys settle on this combination?
Kendyl: We didn’t have any plans as such. I am more the boho-glam type and Brad is very traditional. We simply made a list of what each other’s perfect wedding would need and did a combination of everything! Thanks to Lex she pretty much nailed it!
Hooray: You had quite the dream team of professionals, did you just let them do their thing, or did you have a specific vision you wanted them to bring to life?
Kendyl: Brad and I could not have had such a spectacular day without them! I like to think I was quite easy but sometimes a lack of vision is difficult so after a coffee date or two, they could get our vibe.
**Some advice, these peeps know what they are doing, let them guide you- we were so thankful for every ones advice!**
There are so few surprises on your wedding day! It’s a wonderful thing to walk into your reception room not knowing how it looks….. and then WHAM! We were stunned at how beautifully Lex and the Crystal Barn team had translated our vibe into décor!
Hooray: Advice you would have for future brides?
Kendyl: It’s thrilling to mix a bit of tradition with a bit of yourselves…. Don’t take everything so seriously!
Hooray: The one thing you would change about your wedding if you could travel back in time
Kendyl: I would not change a thing. The whole weekend was divine and we often wish we could do it again and again!
Hooray: The best moment of your wedding day?
Kendyl: Brad and I were looking at each other and holding hands when our Pastor said “I now pronounce you husband and wife”. I felt like I had been waiting my whole life to hear that!!! It was dreamy!
Kendyl, thank you so much for sharing your amazingly beautiful day with us.
It sounds like it was everything you dreamed of, and more!
We wish you and Brad many years of love and happiness!
Magic Makers:
Venue: Crystal Barn
DJ: David Yapp
Decor: Surreal Eventing
Make Up: Nixon
Dress: Bride’s Mum