exclusive BY LIESL ROBERTSON Springbok rugby player JP Pietersen and playing Megan Weir-Smith tied the knot in his hometown of Stellenbosch recently. for We got an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the star-studded keeps black tie event. FAIRY LIGHTS LIT UP THE VERANDAH AND THE TREES OUTSIDE egan first met her longtime beau MEGAN AND HER MOM, COLETTE JP Pietersen 10 helped them realise what they have years ago. Back in each other. ‘We are just such good in 2005, Megan’s friends,’ says Megan. ‘I think being sister Cara in Japan made us realise that we are introduced her boyfriend (now meant to be. We just work. Even Mhusband) Dusty [Noble] and his though we live in a foreign place cousin to her family, and younger sis with no family, just a few friends and Megan took an instant liking to the hardly any English, we manage to tall, soft-spoken cousin. ‘He is the have the best time and laugh at our- MEGAN AND HER kindest, most relaxed person I have JP AND MEGAN selves a lot.’ JP couldn’t agree more. DAD ROLAND WALKING ever met,’ she says. ‘He does so ‘My career isn’t easy and there are WALKING DOWN ACROSS THE THE AISLE much for his family and those around LAWN AT a lot of lows, but Megan keeps me LOURENSFORD him; it drew me to him instantly.’ TO JOIN THEIR positive when things aren’t going The feeling, says JP, was mutual. GUESTS well. I couldn’t ask for a more beau- Planning a wedding from Japan ‘It was love at first sight for sure. I tiful woman with such a big heart.’ was no mean feat. ‘It’s especially hard knew very early on she was going to JP popped the question in Cape with the time difference between be my wife.’ The two stayed good Town a year ago. ‘He surprised beautiful!’ After a romantic dinner, Japan and SA!’ says Megan. ‘Our friends for a few years and ‘the rest, me with two nights at the Twelve JP surprised her with some bubbly planner (also called Megan, from as they say, is history,’ laughs Megan. Apostles Hotel,’ says Megan. ‘I had back in their room. ‘He was playing Wedding Concepts) was amazing; we Since JP plays for both the Sharks no idea where we were going and our song while I was unpacking my managed to do most of it via Skype, and the Panasonic Wild Knights, he downplayed the whole thing, bag, and then he called me over and email and Whatsapp. Planning it with they are currently splitting their time saying a sponsor had given all the proposed right then and there! I was JP was fun – it’s like a little project between KZN and Japan. Although Springboks a night away somewhere. so surprised. It was such an amazing you have for a few months, and you it has been tough being away from He knew I wanted to go there – we moment and very private – just learn a lot about each other and what home, the time away has ultimately always drive past and it looks so perfect for us.’ you both think is important. We’ve 38 Fairlady|Month 2015 Fairlady|September 2015 39 FAR LEFT: THE NEWLYWEDS FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS LEFT: MEGAN AND JP WITH (FROM IN GREEN AND WHITE LEFT) JP’S SISTER JOHNELENE, WERE SUSPENDED ABOVE HIS MOM RYNETT WITH HIS NIECE THE TABLES CAMERON, HIS SISTER TERRY-JILL AND DAD JOHN Stellenbosch and Somerset West is relatively close, with a lot of accommodation nearby.’ And, as they had chosen a date that usually spells rain and dresses and boning. The one I chose, wind in Cape Town, they needed TOP RIGHT: ESCORT by British designer Jenny Packham, a venue that could provide shelter. CARDS HELPED easily beat all the others – it had the ‘They have the most beautiful glass GUESTS FIND THEIR SEATS most beautiful detailing I’ve ever doors at the venue that showcase the RIGHT: CHEERING THE seen and I felt special the moment stunning view, which we loved.’ NEW COUPLE I put it on. I didn’t want to take it As the couple live in Ota (an hour ENJOYING THE SPEECHES off! I got Chanelle Botha, a designer outside of Tokyo) for six months of FELLOW RUGBY friend of mine in Durban, to make the year, they wanted to bring a bit PLAYERS JEAN DE VILLIERS (RIGHT) a three-layered tulle cathedral-length of Japanese flavour to the day as AND TENDAI veil and she found a vintage ivory well. ‘We brought 1000 off-white MTAWARIRA fur bolero for when it got chilly.’ paper cranes, traditionally good luck (THIS PIC) WERE AMONG both always said we wanted a black The bridesmaids’ embellished for Japanese weddings, and the décor THE GUESTS tie wedding – we love to dress up ivory dresses were bought online and team put them up to symbolise our and so do our guests. JP was very delivered to Japan. ‘I was so nervous new home,’ says Megan. involved with the décor and look and ordering them online but they arrived The two chose what turned out to feel of the day, but his schedule is so a few days later and were perfect,’ she be a perfectly sunny day in the dead crazy that he only managed to see the says. ‘They were flattering on all of of winter. ‘JP had two Saturdays off venue at the rehearsal the day before!’ my beautiful bridesmaids and com- in 2015 so we didn’t have much of For her dream dress, Megan went plemented my dress. I wanted them a choice in terms of dates!’ laughs all the way to London. ‘Giorgia, one to look like goddesses and they did.’ Megan. ‘But winter was perfect for JP WITH HIS GROOMSMEN: COUSINS DUSTY AND HOWARD, FRIENDS KIRWIN AND FREDDIE, AND PAGEBOY HUGO. MEGAN WITH HER BRIDES- of my bridesmaids, booked a few For the venue, they had some our décor preferences and dress MAIDS: HER SISTER CARA AND BEST FRIENDS GIORGIA, ROSALYN AND dress appointments in London when very specific requirements. ‘We code, so it all worked out perfectly.’ crucial, as we are foodies and our KENDALL, WITH FLOWERGIRL CAMERON I went for the Springboks’ end-of- chose Lourensford for a number of While the couple went off to take guests were big eaters!’ With a year tour in 2014. I tried on so many reasons. We love the winelands, but pictures, the 140-odd guests played three-course meal and a late-night different dresses. I wanted something didn’t want it to be too far away from lawn games and mingled. ‘Good snack station, that was no problem! comfortable that would skim my body, the airport. Also, JP’s family lives in music was important for us, so we Many of JP’s fellow rugby players as I’m not a fan of super-structured had entertainers for pre-drinks, a were there, among them Frédéric reception DJ and a late-night party Michalak, Bismarck du Plessis, Scarra CHEESE, COFFEE AND CHARCUTERIE STATIONS, DJ. Lots of delicious food was also Ntubeni, Tendai Mtawarira, brother- AS WELL AS HEATERS, in-law Dusty Noble, Lwazi Mvovo, BLANKETS, LIVE MUSIC Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers. AND A GIN BAR KEPT THE GUESTS HAPPY ‘Seeing my handsome groom’s face at the end of the aisle brought tears to my eyes,’ says Megan. She also recalls a moment after the ceremony which she’ll never forget: Meg walked down the aisle, I was so are together, that’s all you need. We ‘As we were walking over the lawn happy and excited, I couldn’t wait.’ have spent a lot of time apart over with the sun setting over the moun- He loved their first kiss as man and the years so it means a lot to us.’ tains, we looked up and saw all our wife, ‘and our first dance was also JP and Megan are off on honey- favourite people under the fairy lights super special. I was on cloud nine!’ moon later this year. ‘We’re excited having a ball and waiting to embrace JP and Megan opened the dance to start our new adventure as husband us. It was surreal!’ Although he admits floor to the sound of ‘Lay me down’ and wife, and live a life of travels and to being so nervous he couldn’t sleep by John Legend and Sam Smith. fun together,’ says JP. As for starting the night before, JP has a hard time ‘It’s just a beautiful song that says no a family – ‘that will have to wait until ✤ PHOTOGRAPHS: CHRISTINE MEINTJES. COORDINATION & DESIGN: MEGAN KENNEY FROM WEDDING CONCEPTS. PHOTOGRAPHS: CHRISTINE MEINTJES. COORDINATION WWW.LEKKESLAAP.CO.ZA FLOWERS: OKASIE. HAIR: RETO STYLE LOUNGE. MAKEUP: DYLLAN MORAIS. ACCOMMODATION: choosing just one highlight. ‘When matter where you are, as long as you we live on one continent per year!’ 40 Fairlady|Month 2015 Fairlady|September 2015 41.