And so on December 19th, my wedding day finally came. I woke up that morning feeling excited, calm and beyond ready to marry the love of my life. I had checked with all of the suppliers the month, week and a few days before that all was on track and it was, so I had no reason to stress. My entire 2014 was dedicated to the planning of my wedding. We’d waited a long time (10 years) for this day. My good friend and bridesmaid begged me to relax earlier in the week after I wasn’t eating properly and barely sleeping. “Just let everything else go. As long as your dress, make up and hair are on point, nothing else matters”. Well, as with every wedding there was drama in mine. And it wasn’t with the cake, or the decor. It was, of all things, with my hair. The stylist (from Candi and Co.) was three hours late, which had a domino effect on everything in my wedding. If you don’t read the rest of this post with the detailed story below, just know that I do not recommend them for any service due to their unprofessionalism.
Apart from that, everything else went well. The decor was perfect, the cake was the most chocolatey thing people had ever tasted and my radiant orchid vision of a wedding was realised. And it didn’t rain!! Despite the threat of it several times throughout the day, it was like the sun came out and walked down the aisle with me. It was a beautiful day with my favourite people and of course, the man of my dreams 🙂
My Bridal Hair
As you know, I spent the majority of last year desperately looking for my wedding style. But by June I was nowhere. I loved about 6 different styles and every week it changed. That’s when I got in touch with Candice, the owner of Candi and Co. I had a meeting with her in August to discuss my options and she made me feel confident they were the ones to do the job. This was a big thing. I take pride in my hair and don’t trust just anyone to handle it. I went for two bridal trials with the chosen stylist, Tatenda, and on the second day we hit it perfectly. I almost cried.
You’ll see above some photos from the trial. Tatenda washed, treated, blow dried and straightened my hair to create a more slick pony. She secured my headpiece with pins and used my hair in front to cover it. She then loosely twisted some Marley braid (she used two packs) to create the mega bun and wrapped that around itself, securing with pins. On the day, she used wool to sew it together.
So it was set. I confirmed with Candice that they would do my hair for my wedding. I was so relieved. From September until December 17th, I had been in touch with Candice as with all of my other suppliers to make sure all was on track. I had sent out a call sheet with the venue’s address, and the time Tatenda was to come to the hotel. I repeatedly asked Candice for Tatenda’s personal number for my records but never received it.
On the day, everything was going well and all the relevant people arrived on time. I was supposed to start my hair at 9am to be done by 12pm so make-up can be done before my bridal shoot at 1pm. At 9.30 I started getting worried and that’s when two of my bridesmaids, Nanzia and Phum began calling Candice’s phone and the salon. Nothing. No pick up. WhatsApp messages were delivered but there was no reply. By 10.30 Candice started rejecting the calls. I was in a panic. I had no comb, no hair products, nothing. But in 4 hours I had to walk down the aisle and my hair was a mess. I walked into the bathroom, looked in the mirror mustered up the courage not to cry and said to myself aloud “so after all of this, you’re gonna end up doing your own hair”. And off I went. Hotel shampoo and conditioner were all I had. My sister in law had to rush to me with all of her hair products whilst Phum and Nanzia were trying to get a hold of the stylist and Candice. Nanzia drove all the way to my house whilst continuing to try to get Candice and the salon. She finally spoke to Candice at around 11, who nonchalantly said the stylist was on her way, she just had transportation problems. In the meantime, a groomsman drove to the salon to see what was going on and if they were closed, as they weren’t responding. They weren’t closed. There was Tatenda doing someone else’s hair. This was 11.30. When he asked her what was going on and why she’s 2.5 hours late, she was blank. She said that Candice had never confirmed with her that she was doing my hair.
Tatenda arrived at the hotel with her assistant stylist and Candi and Co’s manager at 12pm. Three. Hours. Late. They began doing my hair at 12.30 as I was in make-up and so livid I originally didn’t want them to touch me. By then, I had already washed, blow dried and had much damage done to my hair for lack of products and tools. Phum and Nanzia convinced me to let them do it so I wasn’t stressing about my own hair. Because of this 3.5 hour delay, I missed my bridal shoot, walked down the aisle late, the photo session was rushed as natural light was decreasing, the reception started later and we only had one hour to dance as opposed to three. We also have to pay the photographer several thousand rands to cover her overtime cost.
I’m sharing this story with you because while it’s important to praise good service it’s just as important to share appalling service. Up until this day, Candice and her team collectively don’t have an explanation for such a massive mess up. I want to make it clear that Tatenda styled my hair beautifully and exactly how I’d wanted it. I do not blame her for the disaster of the day and hold Candice and her management responsible for it. I revoke all endorsements I’ve given to the salon. They are unprofessional and unreliable. Using them especially for such an important event will only lead to heartache. That was my wedding day and there is nothing they could do to make up for it. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. I’m sad that I’m ending this post with such a story but I’ve always been honest on my blog and I believe this should be no exception.
Thank you for reading.
My wedding suppliers:
Dress & Veil – Olivelli
Shoes – Forever New
Venue – The View Boutique Hotel, Auckland Park
Photographer – Darrell Fraser
Decor (including flowers, lights, chairs and carpets) – Novello Designs
Make Up – Sam Scarborough
Cake – Vanessa Smith of Maxmilliano’s
Officiant – Stefan Zeelie of Weddings Galore
Sound and DJ – Mangi Mbileni & Kyle Lazarus
Wine from Moreson Estate from Franschhoek, Cape Town
You are gorgeous on your wed pics. Where did you buy your jewelry (headpiece, earrings..)?
Thanks you for your answer 🙂
Only reading this now. I'm getting married next year and reading this story is giving me heart palpitations! Nonetheless, you looked beautiful . A belated congratulations on your wedding. I'm looking for pretty and neat styles for my wedding. Thanks for the informative site 🙂
You looked amazing!
😀 Thanks!
It was a beautiful wedding and you are a beautiful couple. All the best. I'm sorry about your salon mishap.
Thank you Ruth 🙂
ULIPENDEZA SAANA
Asante!
What a beautiful, detailed and oh so intimate wedding. The food was on another level. So on point. You looked STUNNING Aisha. So many great memories!
Zai
Thanks sis 😀 x
Congratulations Aisha O! You were a stunning bride! So sorry for the nasty hair experience..it's despicable and unacceptable..despite the craziness I'm happy your day was picture perfect and I'm sure you have many beautiful memories of the day..happy married life to the Os! God bless!
Hi Keria, thank you for your wishes!
So sorry for all the stress you had to deal with on your wedding day, but I must say that your photos are exquisite!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Breathtaking, the two of you, the wedding party, and the dress, make up, hair all gorgeous. All of it. your sense of style, charm elegance, taste– lovely. Congrats to you and yours.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Jae
im sorry about your experience,but kuddos for being a lady and not letting it spoil your day (shame on candice ,she ought to bury her head in the sand in shame….lol) .Congrats once again and all the best in your marriage.
Thank you Hazel!
Aisha, (I hardly ever comment) going through your wedding story and photos brought smiles to my face. I can literally feel the love, the joy and peace in knowing you are going to spend the rest of your life with someone you truly love. The best is what I wish you both. God bless you and yours.
Glad that the salon's unprofessionalism didn't stop your day from being glam.
Well, thank you for commenting on this one and your well wishes 🙂
Where do i start from? God bless your marriage,as for the saloon i just kept imagining how you felt waiting those hours wow,i will literally start shaking lol.
Thank you 😉
What a gorgeous wedding! Who designed the stationery?
Thank you very much. I designed everything – it's what I do for a living 😉
Congratulations on your big day Aisha! You looked stunning and I'm wishing you and your husband a lifetime of happiness together.
I'm still quite shocked at the hair drama on your big day though. Their behaviour was highly unprofessional and it doesn't sound like they even offered an apology. No one has to go through an ordeal like that! I actually had them in the back of my mind as a salon to check out when I'm in JHB again, but I don't think I will now. Thanks for shedding the light on how they really operate.
Blessings to you and your husband from the Far East 🙂
Hey Eleanor, thanks for your comment and well wishes and I'm glad you're not considering the salon anymore. It's an unfortunate loss on their part. Hit me when you do come, would love to chat!
you wedding was sooo beautiful and you looked gorgeous, hair, dress, make up…. WIN!
Sorry about the hair drama.
Thank you!
You looked absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing your wedding photos 🙂 Congrats to you and your hubby.
Thanks Lulu!!
Just beautiful!!!
Do you mind saying the designer of your dress?
Thanks. It's a Maggie Sottero dress.
Congratulations i have been waiting to see the pics. I always enjoy reading your blog and sorry for the hair drama. It would be wise for them to consider compensating you. I can imagine the stress they put you through. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Linny, thank you for reading.
wow, Aisha, your wedding was amazing, loving everything, color palette on point
🙂 Thank you
I have no words.. Your photographer did an amazing job! You looked so beautiful Aisha. I loved how colourful the whole wedding experience was. Wishing you and yours a wonderful married life! 10 Years is not beans!
Lol @ "10 years is not beans". Thank you for reading my story and sharing the love!
You looked absolutely gorgeous Aisha! I love your wedding pics – stunning! Congrats to you and your husband.
Thanks so much!
So beautiful!!!!many blessings to you and your hubby, so glad you put salon nightmare aside and glowed in your pictures!
Thank you Blessi 🙂
You looked amazing my dear. I got married on the 25th of Jan and had planned to use Candi and Co also. But my trial was terrible, the stylist was quite awful so I decided against them. Instead I used the lady who has been doing my hair since pre big chop. I was very happy with her work. The reason I wanted to use Candi & Co is because I thought they would be more professional but that's not true at all. I'm so sorry they added to the stress of ur big day.
Hi Busisiwe, I read your comment with a heavy yet relieved heart. It's unfortunately not the first time I've been told since I published my wedding blog post that Candi and Co.'s service wasn't on point. There are quite a few of us unhappy customers out there. I'm so glad you dodged the bullet of using them on your day and you were happy with your own stylist. A bride's hair is everything and I'm relieved you got someone reliable.
I also used Sam Scarborough for make up, no one does black skin better 🙂 I forgot to thank you for sharing all those natural bride hairstyles. Mine was inspired by one or a combination of the pics you shared. You truelly were a gorgeous bride.
She is AMAZING! I'm glad you also used her. I'd love to see your pics if you wouldn't mind mailing me some? Thank you for your comments 🙂
I was looking up wedding hairstyles and came across your blog!!! My eyes are still blurry as I type this! Your wedding is beautiful!!!!!!!!! I'm very unhappy that the hairstylists tried to mar a perfect day but they are past tense!
All the best, love , fun and joy in your future together!!!
nappilynigeriangirl.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading my story Hadassah.
Your wedding pictures are beautiful! your hair even gorgeous! as for the salon, i'm appalled! they could have been an hour late but 4? you should charge them for the extra hours caused by their delay for the photographer! i hope they are reading this. As a makeup artist myself i will learn from this to ensure my brides stay withing their time. Congrats once again. Love from Ghana
Thank you Annette. I would have loved to have had them compensate me for the photographer's overtime. As a professional, you should definitely take note of my experience and endeavour to not be the supplier who drops the ball on the bride's most important day of her life. It is what she will remember you for and reputation is everything! I wish you the best 🙂
Beautiful wedding, beautiful souls… All the best and enjoy your marriage with every single fibre of your body!
Thank you!
Congrats so so try about the hair drama. I had my wedding in December as well but my hair dresser was perfect.she said she would come at 7am and she arrived at exactly 7am and did a perfect job. It was http://ink361.com/app/users/ig-416088596/barbarakamanga/photos
And all this got me so emotional…..
everything looks awesome despite the drama u passed through! wish I could have seen the cake..lol
We've only seen one pic of the cake and it wasn't great quality. But it tasted amazing 😉
lovely wedding, and every thing turned out great. congrats and be happy and blessed.
Thanks so much!
What an awesome wedding, I love love love the explosion of colour and the celebration of your natural YOU. You looked absolutely amazing and your happiness in uniting with the love of your life was well captured on every picture. May you forever be one….
Thank you for the lovely comment 🙂
Wow lovely wedding, congrats! And the turned out perfect it seems despite the drama…
Wow lovely wedding, congrats! And the turned out perfect it seems despite the drama…
Thank you!
Girl!!!!! First of all, all that matters is you're now one with the love of your life. And you looked AMAZING in the process. The picture of you guys on the grass? I teared up!
Now. As for that salon. GOOD FOR YOU for putting them on blast. I would write on their facebook page, tweet, help, whatever to tell the world how much of a mess they are. They need to be giving you free services for the rest of the year. Chai!
But alas, your wedding was beautiful. Congratulations!
Girl!!! Lol, thanks for reading and the love! The pic of us on the grass is one of our faves. We still have to see the full album from our photographer, can't wait. The salon: I had to be honest with my experience so that another woman doesn't go through the same heartache. I'll mail you privately just now about this 😉
Congrats on your wedding. Wishing you a blessed married life!
http://youtube.com/DiscoveringNatural
Thanks lady! So happy to hear from you 😀
Why do I have tears in my eyes?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
You looked so beautiful!!! The hair turned out gorgeous, minus your stylists' unprofessionalism (join the club though – my makeup artist showed up 4 hours late, and my aunt and cousin had to beg me to let her into the room). Your dress was beautiful. You guys are such a good-looking couple! The henna tattoos! I mean, where on earth do I even start and finish!!!
Do you mind if I borrow some of your pictures for a bridal profile on you for African Naturalistas tomorrow? Please say yes!
Berry Dakara Blog
Heya, thanks so much for the comment. You may of course use some photos. Please make sure to credit and link back to my blog. Thank you so much for your support and being a dedicated reader. Much love!
Thanks a lot!!! Here's the link, and trust me, there are like 10 links back to your blog 🙂
http://www.africanaturalistas.com/2015/01/african-naturalistas-bride-aisha.html
Just read it. Thank you so much for sharing it on your page!
I'm sorry about how candi and co messed up your day, but it was beautiful. And you looked lovely. I wish you all the happiness in the world.
Thank you so much. I enjoyed my day, I couldn't let Candi & Co mess it up completely.
Hongera dada! You looked amazing!
Asante dada!
Congratulations. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Your photos are beautiful and when I see girls marry with their natural hair it makes me happy too. I'm going to marry with my natural hair if it pleases God.
I apologize for the mistakes, I do not speak good English.
And your English is just perfect. 🙂
Thank you Fatima! I understood your comment perfectly 😉
Lovely wedding. Super stunning!
Thanks Solo 🙂
There is much that happens in the back room before the final walking down the aisle am glad u didn't let their unprofessionalism ruin your day, congrats hun.
Waoouuu it's a beautiful wedding!!!!! Congratulations 🎉
Thank you Sissa!