Bride of the Year had a ‘snot and trane’ wedding
The lucky winner and her husband look forward to married life
HAVING entered the Bride of the Month Competition just for fun, the Kempton Express/Pick n Pay Bride of the Year 2013 winner, Hanli van Wyk, was pleasantly surprised when she bagged the grand prize.
The 23-year-old got married to the love of her life, Herman, on November 2 last year at a Boma wedding in Zambezi Point.
The two live in Terenure and Hanli teaches grade RR at Laerskool Edleen, while her husband owns a company based in Kempton Park.
“We met in 2005 at the 4×4 track in Chloorkop where she was with her family. I took one look at her and said she would be the girl I would marry. I asked her for her number and we started dating two months later – with no breaks,” laughed Herman.
Hanli recalls the day he proposed in Knysna. He had planned a romantic getaway where he would pop the proverbial question.
“Although nothing worked out as he had planned, it was the most romantic proposal ever. He took me to a private beach and it was just the two of us and he asked me to marry him,” she beamed.
Herman said his wife could not contain her emotions and would break down each time they would have to tell a friend or family member about their engagement over the phone.
“You would think it was a funeral the way she cried. I ended up having to take all the calls of congratulations from everyone as we made the announcement via BBM. Every time she would pick up the phone and talk to someone, she’d start crying,” he smiled.The tears continued to their wedding which could simply be described as a “snot en trane” affair. Herman could not contain himself when he saw Hanli step out of the car and walk towards him.
“I started crying and she started crying too. I eventually tried to stop looking at her as she walked towards me,” recalled Herman.
They chose to exchange their own vows which made them tear up even more; Hanli could hardly get through hers without crying.
“We look forward to everything that married life has to offer – the house and starting our own family. Although I’m looking forward to raising a rugby team, I think we’ve settled on two – hopefully twins.
That R10 000 Pick n Pay voucher will definitely come in handy,” smiled Herman.
The couple also agree that the key to a happy marriage is communication and trust.
“We fight for each other and not against each other because in 50 years’ time we’d like this to be as special as it is now,” smiled Hanli.
