After 14 years of first friendship and then dating, Louw and I couldn't wait to finally tie the knot at our wedding venue, Die Woud in Caledon. It really was our dream venue and our suppliers out did themselves in every aspect.
Despite the wedding being in the middle of one of the Western Cape's worst droughts in years, we experienced a massive downpour for most of the morning. Regardless, our spirits were high and by some miracle, 45 minutes before the ceremony, the rain stopped and the sun made an appearance, allowing us to get married in the forest among the trees with the sound of the now gushing stream running past us.
Our theme was "Enchanted Forest" so while we had the rustic elements we had a lot of glitzy elements to tie it all in. The whole day was spent eating, drinking, laughing and dancing with friends while we celebrated our love.
Louw and I met 15 years ago, while he was working at the Billabong Shop in St Francis Bay and I was there on holiday. He was 16 and I was 18 but the moment I walked in the door, he had my heart.
We dated for a bit but the long distance proved a challenge and we decided to remain friends. We stayed in touch and I visited and said when the time was right the universe would make it possible for us to be together.
In November 2010, as luck would have it, Louw got offered a job in CT. Over the next 3 years, we moved in together and got engaged. Unfortunately, some circumstances, including Louw working overseas, led to us pulling the plug on the wedding and breaking up. Six months later we got chatting again and realized that we had actually both missed each other and still loved each other dearly so decided to give us another try.
In August 2016 we decided we should give a walk down the aisle another try and Louw smiled and said: “Well I guess it’s your turn to propose then”. So I did! He had been away visiting his family and when he got home, I went on one knee and asked him to marry me and presented him with a ring. He then proceeded to go down on one knee too and reached into his pocket, pulled out an engagement ring and said, "Only if you'll marry me!" We both laughed and cried and then began the wedding planning.
Die Woud is in perfect harmony with nature nestled between established oak trees and majestically tall wattle forests.
I actually own a wedding and events company called Blue Bird Events so I planned everything myself. I have great relationships with suppliers who I have worked with over the years and we were thrilled to finally all be working on my big day.
Die Woud is in perfect harmony with nature nestled between established oak trees and majestically tall wattle forests.
