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Amy Kirby and James Pearce have set the date for their big day at Hudson’s for November this year.
The bride-to-be is a 5th year medical student at Stellenbosch University while her fiancé consults as an actuary. We asked this blissfully happy couple to tell us their story so far.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
How did you meet?
We met during mid-year exams in 2014 through a mutual friend and started a study group together. Amy was serious and would study from 7am to midnight. James was not as serious but appreciated that a seat was always saved! Amy was a coffee drinker and while James didn’t touch the stuff, he always joined the coffee runs for the conversation. Amy was incredible and James was super friend-zoned! We didn’t have the sparks, the fireworks, the butterflies. What we did have is a healthy friendship, shared values, and a continually growing respect.
Fast forward to September 2018. Amy is hiking Lion’s Head for her birthday and James is in the party. As we stood on top and watched the sun fall away our blindness began to fall away with it. Over the following weeks contact was constant and the reasons to chat were innumerable. Amy went to Europe for six weeks and while we were apart we individually ironed out the kinks in our hearts. James picked Amy up from the airport on her return and within 24 hours the foundation of respect had ignited into a fire of love. By Friday morning we were dating and within a month marriage was on the table. We never knew something could feel this right. We’re deeply in love, have a permanent crush and remain overwhelmed with respect.
What’s your engagement story?
After five and a half months of dating, on 24th of May, Amy collected James from Durban airport at midnight after his flight was delayed by three hours. What Amy didn’t know was that James had just picked up the ring and that it was now sitting in his pocket. As Amy started up the sat nav James calmly said, “don’t navigate home. We are going on an adventure to Ballito and I have a picnic in the boot.” Amy was ecstatic! (even though it was midnight!) James took Amy on a beautiful walk on the beach. We dodged a few waves that crashed into the rocks, but thank goodness James had planned it all out: it was low tide and almost full moon. We set up the picnic on an isolated area between the rocks. We sat on the picnic blanket and within minutes James went down on two knees and excitedly blurted out, “Amy, I want to live with you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?” Amy answered within seconds, “YES!”
How did you go about venue hunting?
With only six months to plan a wedding finding our venue was the first priority. We researched using the little pink book and compiled a shortlist. Our criteria were: the number of guests that could be accommodated, location, price, what was included and availability. From the list of 25 venues, only five were ideal for us. We visited three over one weekend, Hudson’s being one of them. By the end of the weekend, we loved Hudson’s so much that we wanted to dibs it before anyone else could! Seeing the other venues made us realise how different each venue is and confirmed how much we loved Hudson’s. It gave us the flexibility in numbers, was ideal for people staying in Cape Town and those flying in and fitted our budget nicely. We loved the family vibe from the staff and really enjoyed the fact that they offered a stress-free day.
Do you have any advice for couples still looking for venues?
We advise emailing as many venues as possible and making an excel document to compare. Exclude venues that are not ideal for you from the outset rather than visit too many. It’s a fun time of your life! Take pictures, have a coffee, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a memory you won’t forget.
What part of your wedding are you most looking forward to?
Our marriage is something bigger than ourselves. On the 24th of November we will point to eternity and vow to represent a supernatural love to the world. We will make promises that cannot be kept in our own strength. We will dance with a joy unexplainable and everyone present will witness the beginning of a new family. Our happy ending is Christ. This is the mutual mission we believe in and this is why we know we’re on the same team.
We can’t wait to host Amy & James’ big day. To get excited about planning your wedding with us get in touch to schedule a viewing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Read other interviews in our meet the couple series:
Stephanie & Conrad[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]