“I’m honestly in the industry of making unforgettable memories for people. For my day job, I help plan one of the biggest festivals in our country. As a photographer, I capture people’s moments. As a florist, I get to take something beautiful and transform it into your dream arrangement. Even as a social media content creator, I get to transform companies according to the vision they have for themselves. It might seem like I do too many things, but to me, they are all connected.”
Multi-skilled Chané van der Westhuizen talks us through her journey as marketing and media coordinator, florist, photographer, business woman and an overall powerhouse for content creation.
“I have been working since high school, helping my mom with her business and I have been working multiple jobs ever since. I’ve loved photography since I was 14 and I opened my florist shop in Bloemfontein, Wildflower Floral Studio, years later. We sadly closed down due to Covid but I have since started my own business again.”
Her business ‘SheCreates’, is a local, female and queer-owned designing platform.
“We provide services like social media marketing and design, wedding stationary design, brand guide creation, and drawn illustrations. Recently though, our best-selling product has been our curated wedding planner. These planners have a customisable option for brides to have their wedding colours and names on. They date back to a year before your wedding and include venue comparison checklists, responsibilities, wedding day checklists, a month-to-month guide for 12 months before the wedding, a menu planner and so much more. These 15-page e-planners are a lifesaver and every bride should have one.”
As someone who has helped many brides plan their perfect day and been a part of the logistics of wedding planning in multiple avenues, Chané has now found her partner and is planning her own walk down the aisle.
“My fiancé is incredibly intelligent, professional, and of course beautiful. I’m the artsy flower girl but the one thing we have in common more than anything, and the thing that made us both fall in love, is our shared sense of humour.”
“In terms of wedding planning, I’m that girl who has been dreaming of their wedding day their entire life. I know which flowers, dress, playlist and guests I want. Obviously, the first challenge for any bride will always be budget. Finding the perfect dress until you see the price tag, making the perfect Pinterest board and then getting your first quote.”
As a bride to be, she explains that there are many things to think of as it is difficult to determine what the most important part of your wedding is.
“Other than the people and the beautiful woman I am marrying, for me, it’s the flowers and the photographer. A bit of a cliche since I do both of these, but it’s the truth. I am choosing my wedding date around the time of year my favourite flower is in bloom. If that season was snowy or incredibly hot, I’d probably change my dress cut before I changed my flower arrangement.”
She says that choosing flowers for your wedding is quite a personal decision.
“I have done a wedding with white sunflowers and blue thistle, and I’ve even had to dye blue orchids and lilies. For both of these brides, there was a very personal reason for their decision and though everyone had their doubts it fit so perfectly into the rest of their weddings.”
Chané walks us through her step-to-step with brides when it comes to choosing a floral arrangement.
“If a bride comes in for a consultation not knowing what flowers to choose, we take it step by step. I would ask them to go make a Pinterest board of some flowers that they think are beautiful, we all know how easy it is to get hooked!”
“I will also ask for a colour pallet of their wedding decor and venue. If they want something a little more romantic I will go through the meaning of some flowers with them until they find a message that fits their special day. For instance, the Lily says “I dare you to love me”. The orchid symbolises thoughtfulness, making it the perfect flower for a distant lover.”
As for her advice on marriage, she says: “Communicate! Always, always, always talk to your partner.”
Text: BONOLO MOLOI Photo: GYPSEENIA LION
