October 9, 2007
By George Matlala
ON a gloomy, rainy Friday afternoon the Johannesburg Botanic Gardens was abuzz with wedding bells; people were singing and dancing and cars were hooting, for Mr City and Miss Parks were getting married.
But after the pastor pronounced them Mr and Mrs City Parks, the overwhelmed bride was somewhat reluctant to kiss the groom.
Mr City (Sydney Nkosi) and Miss Parks (Lucretia Beukes) were the main characters in a simulated wedding held to unveil the Chapel Garden at the Johannesburg Botanic Gardens on Friday, 5 October. Present at the ceremony were Luther Williamson, the managing director of Johannesburg City Parks, and businesses and event organisers in the wedding industry.
Luther Williamson, the MD of City Parks, was a guests at the 'wedding' to launch the Chapel Garden
Williamson said City Parks had developed the garden to accommodate at least 80 bridal parties on a weekend. It contains indigenous trees and flowers, and had benches, footpaths and an altar. It will complement the Sima Eliovson Floreum, where receptions can be held, and the Rose Garden, a picturesque venue for photographs.
Designed to accommodate weddings from all cultures, the Chapel Garden was the most affordable venue, he noted, inviting Joburgers to tie the knot there. A structure will also be built for when it rains. "The garden is going to be bigger."
Williamson called on people to consider the environment when planning their weddings, saying an environmentally friendly ceremony could contribute to the fight against global warming.
To book the Chapel Garden for a wedding, contact City Parks' events department on 011 712 6600. Booking must be at least 21 days in advance, and the agency is still looking into booking fees. The bridal party must supply its own marriage officer.
For the wedding launch celebration, Amaya Wedding provided the bride's dress and jewellery; the bridesmaids' dresses and jewellery were courtesy of Glitz and Glamour; and Top Hat sponsored the suits for the groom and his best man.
The Johannesburg Botanic Gardens is home to some of the finest plant collections in the world, including succulents, indigenous and exotic trees. Its Rose Garden has more than 4 500 different hybrids of roses, while the Herb Garden contains a collection of culinary, cosmetic and medicinal herbs.
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