MAGIC IN THE BUSHVELD

Former Miss SA Adè van Heerden wed the love of her life, Alex, in a three-day extravaganza in the wild

- JOHANÉ SCOTT

IT’S the morning of her big day. She wakes early and sips a cup of coffee in bed, listening to the soft drizzle outside. The rain doesn’t bother her – in fact, it calms her.

But her serenity doesn’t last long. It’s time to get up – the hairstylist is waiting and there’s plenty to do.

Former Miss South Africa Adè van Heerden (30), a medical doctor, is marrying the man of her dreams, Alex Forsyth-Thompson (33), a financial analyst from Johannesburg, and a three-day extravaganza for 75 guests is about to kick off.

The festivities will all take place at Mdluli Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park and as the hour draws closer, the morning drizzle gives way to glorious sunshine, bathing the venue for the ceremony – a large rock with views of the bushveld – in golden light.

“I started crying even before I got to the pathway,” Adè, says. “Alex had the biggest smile on his face. He couldn’t keep his eyes off me throughout the ceremony.”

The couple exchanged wedding bands on the rock – hers is an 18-carat yellow gold band with 0,1-carat oval-cut diamonds, his a 4mm, 18-carat yellow gold band.