A year and two months ago North Coast Courier Bride of the Year, Chanè Robertson’s dream came true on May 25 when she married her high school sweet heart, Arrie Robertson, at Collisheen Estate in Ballito.
The couple had attended the same high school in Barberton, near Nelspruit, and shared the same circle of friends.
They first laid eyes on each other at Chanè’s sixteenth birthday party.
After matric, Chanè left to study in Pretoria while Arrie stayed behind to work, but they always kept in contact.
A few years later Chanè visited her hometown and Arrie, who finally asked her to be his girlfriend.
They dated long distance during her final year of studies before they both moved to Ballito. A year later they moved in together.
Four years later Arrie popped the question on top of a mountain in the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
The proposal was a noteworthy conspiracy.
Arrie and Chanè’s sister, Cherise Minnaar, created a fake competition whereby entrants could win a helicopter ride and picnic on top of a mountain for three people.
One afternoon while at The Galley restaurant in Ballito the waiters handed out fake competition flyers to Chanè who entered the competition along with her sister and then boyfriend.
Minnaar pretended to win and invited Chanè and Arrie to join her on the trip.
“On Sunday, October 28 2012, we all went to Virginia Airport for our helicopter ride to the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Once there we set up the picnic. Arrie asked me to stand with him for a photo. He went down on one knee and asked me to marry him. My sister got it all on video,” said Chanè.
Chanè said she had enjoyed the planning of the wedding the most – the whole process was smooth sailing.
“I was not stressed at all. I told myself no one really knows how the day is supposed to be, so I am not going to get stressed by the little things. I made sure I enjoyed every little moment because it only happens once in your life.”
“Everything happened the way I wanted it to and it was just an absolutely amazing day.”
The highlight of the wedding was walking down the aisle and being given away by her father and meeting her groom at the alter.
“My husband had tears in his eyes. It was the moment I realised we would be together for the rest of our lives.
“After marriage things do feel different. We are more loving and if there ever is a problem we sort it out immediately. We have really become best friends – he is my husband now and not just any guy. It feels more secure and it just keeps getting better.”
The couple is now off to start a new adventure together in Cape Town.
The North Coast Courier Bride of the Year will be spoiled with a romantic dinner for two at Boulevard 44 Boutique Hotel and a couples massage at the Mangwanani Spa.
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