Finalists to be unveiled at glitzy cocktail do

VALENTINE’S week is the perfect time to choose the newlyweds who have made it through to the final 12 couples of The Herald Bride and Groom 2012 competition. A team at The Herald this week is interviewing and photographing the 12 finalists chosen from an entry field of 415 couples to win a prize package worth R90 000.

Thunzi Bush Lodge in association with the Function Warehouse and 3 Fat Fish catering will host The Herald Bride and Groom gala cocktail finale on March 14, where the 12 couples who are our finalists will meet the judges and sponsors.

The first round of judging was based solely on wedding day photographs but at the finale the judges will be looking at the loving bond between each couple.

Don’t miss La Femme next week for an insight into how each couple met, what makes their relationship special – and how you can be a winner by helping us to choose The Herald Bride and Groom 2012.

You can learn a little more about the couples vying for fabulous prizes through a series of profiles to run in The Herald next week. After reading through the pen- sketches of each couple, the public and panel will place their stamp of approval next to their favourite. One reader, who votes for the winning couple, will be chosen at random to win a prize package consisting of:

ý Four-star luxury accommodation at Thunzi Bush Lodge, which includes one night in an enchanting private wooden chalet comprising en suite full bathroom (oval tub for two and glass shower), waffle weave dressing gowns, mini Lindt chocolates, tea, coffee and biscuits tray and a king-size bed overlooking your private deck with views of the indigenous forest and wetland.

The overnight stay will include a hearty breakfast as well as a romantic gourmet afternoon picnic

• A Defy 20-litre manual microwave (white) to the value of R599, courtesy of Defy;
• A R1 000 gift voucher from Havilah Designer Jewellers;
• A photographic shoot to the value of R1 000 from Pro Design Photographers;
• A treatment and blow dry service to the value of R405, from Ultimate Stylists;
• A bouquet of flowers from Malone’s Florist to the value of R300;
• Photograph processing on Kodak Supra Endura, professional lustre paper with a 200-year archival life span, to the value of R510.30, from Kodak Express Photo Excellence; and
• A three-month E-edition subscription to The Herald and Weekend Post.