Oftentimes, love finds us when we least expect it, through the most serendipitous twists of fate. For Nadia Gardner and Bert Grogor, their story began at another wedding on the glistening banks of Lake Como. An event so enchanting, South African-born Nadia explains, that it could have been plucked from the pages of a fairy tale.
“I had known the groom, Jordan, since I was 11 years old. We went to primary school together in Johannesburg and our families had been close for years. But despite all that time, I never knew he had a cousin who lived in my adopted home city, Dubai – until the night of his pre-wedding dinner,” Nadia tells Dream Weddings. “The lead-up to the wedding was a whirlwind. I had been so late to RSVP, unsure if my Schengen visa would arrive in time. By some miracle – and with the help of a friend – it came through in just two weeks.”
At the pre-wedding dinner, the bride Amanda, introduced Nadia to Bert. “He was warm, charismatic and to my surprise, single – one of the few guests in attendance without a partner. The next day, we spoke again at the pre-wedding lunch. By the time the ceremony began, fate seemed to be working its magic, and we were seated next to each other. Then came the dance floor. As the music played, we shared a dance, and in that moment, something clicked. Maybe it was the romance of the Italian night, the twinkling lights reflecting on the lake or the undeniable chemistry between us. But when we shared a kiss, Jordan’s father – who had known me since childhood – smiled knowingly and said, “Maybe you’ll become a Grogor one day!”
What started as a chance meeting in Italy turned into something truly special when Nadia and Bert returned to Dubai. Their connection deepened with every conversation and every moment spent together.
“Looking back, I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but it was intrigue at first conversation. When I first met Bert at the pre-wedding dinner, I was more surprised than anything. I had known the groom for so many years, and yet I had no idea he had a cousin who also lived in the same city as me. It wasn’t one of those cinematic moments where time slowed down and violins played in the background. Instead, it was a gradual unfolding – an easy conversation over lunch, a chance seating assignment at the ceremony and that first dance together under the twinkling lights of Villa Bonomi,” Nadia reminisces, admitting that each interaction felt effortless and natural, like pieces of a puzzle slowly falling into place. “And then came the kiss on the dance floor, which was playful, unexpected, and in hindsight, the beginning of something extraordinary. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it was something even better: the kind of connection that sneaks up on you, deepens with every shared moment, and before you know it, changes your life forever.”
Bert proposed nine months later during a holiday in Scotland, a destination that is deeply cherished by the bride. “Edinburgh was the first city I lived in as an expat. Scotland has always felt like a second home. My brother’s wife is Scottish, and over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the Highlands and its breathtaking landscapes. This trip was Bert’s first visit and we spent three unforgettable weeks travelling through the country, immersing ourselves in its magic.” On the couple’s final morning in Edinburgh, Bert suggested they go for breakfast. To get there, he insisted on taking a scenic route up the Vennel Steps, a location made famous by the television show One Day, where Dex and Emma’s love story unfolds. As Nadia reached the top of the steps, she noticed photographers lingering nearby, but she assumed they were taking photos of the city bathed in the morning’s golden light. “One of them kindly offered to take a photo of us,” Nadia recalls, “and as I turned towards Bert, he was down on one knee, holding the most magnificent three-carat oval-cut diamond ring. For a moment, time stood still. Shock, joy and overwhelming love washed over me all at once. I had never seen Bert look more certain of anything in his life. It was the easiest ‘yes’ I have ever said.” Bert had secretly arranged for the photographers to capture the special moment.
“We eventually made it to breakfast, but I barely remember the food – only the feeling of absolute happiness, the weight of the ring on my finger and the knowledge that my life had just changed in the most beautiful way. It was, without a doubt, the most unforgettable morning of my life. Bert also told me that he sought my brother’s approval. My father had passed away earlier that year, and Bert knew how much it meant to honour my family by seeking my brother Zaid’s approval.”
The couple meticulously planned their dream wedding in just three months. From the moment they got engaged, the bride was resolute in her desire to celebrate their union on November 11. “There’s something incredibly special about 11.11. Its numerological significance represents new beginnings and divine alignment. And with 2024 being the Year of the Dragon in Chinese astrology – one of the most auspicious years to start a new chapter – I knew it was meant to be.”
Choosing the location was just as intentional. The couple wanted somewhere breathtakingly beautiful yet easy to reach from Dubai. The Seychelles, with its pristine beaches, turquoise waters and untouched natural beauty felt perfect. A friend recommended Anse Lazio Beach. “I then searched for the closest luxury hotel and found Raffles Seychelles, which, as luck would have it, was also in the north of the island. This was another perfect sign. I’ve always been drawn to Feng Shui, and in 2024, the north was where luck and abundance resided. It felt like the universe was guiding us every step of the way,” Nadia shares. Every detail of the wedding was infused with meaning, be it astrology, numerology or Feng Shui.
On November 11, 2024, amid an intimate gathering of 20 of their nearest and dearest, the bride made her way down the aisle, accompanied by her brother. It was a moment imbued with a profound sense of emotion and remarkable beauty. The heartbreaking loss of her father earlier that year had cast a shadow, yet the presence of her brother Zaid by her side as she embarked upon this new chapter served as a poignant reminder that love, family and enduring connections prevail.
As Nadia and Zaid walked down the aisle, the bride noticed a magnificent rainbow stretched across the sky, painting the moment with an almost otherworldly glow. “I knew instantly it was my dad. His presence was there in the colours above us, in the warmth of the sun and in the gentle breeze that carried us forward. It felt like his blessing and his way of letting me know he was with me, walking beside me in spirit. There were tears, of course, but also so much love. And as I reached Bert, standing at the end of the aisle, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. My father had led me through so many moments in life, and in this one, I knew he was still guiding me.”
The bride and groom crafted their own vows, eloquently articulating sentiments that arose directly from their hearts, encapsulating the intense love they have nurtured and the future they aspire to create together. Nadia expressed that Bert was her most cherished gift – one she firmly believes was bestowed upon her by her late father. Meanwhile, Bert disclosed how Nadia had inexplicably transformed his life, inspiring him to perceive the world with greater compassion, navigate existence with patience and welcome each day with a sense of wonder and gratitude. The ceremony was imbued with intimacy and overflowing with love, precisely as the couple had envisioned.
As they blissfully ascended the aisle, their hands and hearts entwined, the newlyweds embarked upon their new life together, accompanied by the stirring strains of Viva La Vida by Coldplay. It was a most exquisite crescendo – joyous, triumphant and teeming with vitality. “As the music played, we walked forward, not just as two people, but as one, ready to embrace everything the future held.”
For the reception, the couple and their guests dined on the beach under the stars. A banquet table stretched along the sand, set beneath a fragrant floral canopy overflowing with blooms that mirrored the hues of the Seychelles sunset. “We wanted our guests to feel completely immersed in the natural beauty around them, so they were encouraged to remove their shoes, grounding themselves in the warmth of the earth beneath their feet.”
As twilight descended, the flickering glow of candlelight danced across the table, crafting an intimate and enchanting ambience. It was more than just a dinner; it was a shared experience filled with laughter, heartfelt toasts and the soothing sound of waves gently caressing the shore. As if the universe wanted to bless the couple with yet another unforgettable moment, a gentle rain began to fall. Rather than disrupting the evening, it added a touch of magic, as though nature itself were celebrating the bride and groom. The hotel promptly provided oversized umbrellas, and instead of scattering, the guests embraced the moment, engaging in conversation, laughter and toasting beneath the delicate rainfall.
“There was something so special about having an intimate celebration. It allowed us to truly connect with every single guest and to soak in every moment and feel completely present. It wasn’t about grandeur; it was about love and the people who have been a part of our journey. Looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
GOWN & VEIL: Casablanca Bridal at Vanilla Studio
SHOES: Amina Muaddi
ENGAGEMENT RING: Cara
WEDDING BANDS: Manish
HAIR & MAKE-UP: The Glam Team
GROOM’S SUIT & SHOES: Hugo Boss
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER: De Waal Rautenbach
VENUE, PLANNER, FLORIST, CAKE & CATERING: Raffles Seychelles
