Team PenguinLovesBunny – Mario and Jessica Wallace
WEDDING BLISS: CELEBRATING OUR CONTEST WINNERS
The love story of Mario and Jessica Wallace
We took the time to chat with our latest Treasure Hunt winners, Mario and Jessica Wallace, of team #PenguinLovesBunny, who have captured the hearts of everyone with their adventurous spirit and joyful energy. Excitingly, they are set to tie the knot on 17 August 2024 at the stunning Toadbury Hall, a venue that perfectly complements their love story. Join us as we delve into their beautiful journey, filled with laughter and love, and discover why entering our Treasure Hunt competition might just lead you to your own unforgettable adventure!
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELVES?
“Mario and I live and work in Randburg, where we both work from home. Mario is a software developer, while I serve as a business systems analyst. We share a passion for dog training and have recently begun volunteering in that area. Mario loves paintballing and coding—perfectly aligned with his career—while I enjoy scrapbooking and tackling challenges, which reflects my profession. We are proud and devoted pet parents to our beloved dog.”
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU MEET?
“We met in January 2020 at our first jobs when we were both still developers. Although, fate has had its funny way, because soon after found out that we attended the same university, yet we never met. We first started talking and became friends, and soon after we fell in love and started dating.”
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
“Mario is aware of my deep love for animals, so he made sure to incorporate one into his proposal. For our third anniversary, we visited an elephant sanctuary for an unforgettable elephant interaction. He had secretly coordinated with the caretakers to have the elephant present the ring. They cleverly suggested capturing more photos of us with the beautiful elephant. As we were posing for some extra shots, the caretaker instructed me to turn around. It was then that the elephant handed the ring box to Mario, who was kneeling on one knee, ready to ask the most significant question of our lives together.”
WHY DID YOU ENTER THE COMPETITION?
“We decided to enter the competition to understand the true elements of a wedding. What better way to gain insights than to meet all the vendors in one location, while having the chance to win some great prizes? Wedding and Lifestyle truly shines in this area, not only by offering fantastic, sponsored prizes but also by showcasing a diverse array of vendors for every aspect of a wedding. This approach not only provides couples with multiple options but also helps them find the ideal vendor that aligns with their style and budget.”
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE COMPETITION?
“The clear answer is winning a wedding! However, in a more whimsical sense, it’s like discovering the diamond when the sunlight hits it perfectly, creating another reason to believe we’re destined to be together. The fact that the sponsored wedding date is August 17th, just a day after Mario and I had planned to tie the knot on August 16th, feels like yet another beautiful sign. What else is there to say? It all just seems meant to be.”
HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN YOU WERE ANNOUNCED AS THE WINNERS?
“It was surreal – a feeling of our world being turned upside down. When we saw our lock had opened, it took us a minute to fully comprehend that it was us! We think that we will only fully comprehend what we won on our wedding day.”
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT THE WEDDING PLANNING PHASE? WERE THERE ANY SPECIFIC VENDORS THAT REALLY STOOD OUT FOR YOU?
“While planning our wedding was undoubtedly stressful—like any wedding planning can be—we found it a bit easier since many of our vendors were chosen for us. The vendors that made a strong impression on us include Anuyou, The Beat Dance Studio, Evergreen Visuals, B-Merch, Toadbury Hall, Laser Adventures, Klippenbosch Spa, The Big Day Cake Studio, Roots Design, Photoboothing, and Cream Cheese Premier DJs. We’re confident that on our wedding day, we’ll be even more amazed by the exceptional work of a few additional vendors!”
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
“Starting the wedding planning earlier!”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO COUPLES THAT WANT TO ENTER THE COMPETITION?
“Don’t underestimate a treasure hunt! Also, don’t forget to enjoy the challenges designed to bring you closer together. The harder it seems to find the answer, the more complicated you are making it.”
