Carla and Neethling's wedding

Date of wedding: 5 February 2010
Venue: Franschhoek Church and Kleinevalleij, Western Cape

How did you meet?

We met almost five years ago at a mutual friend’s party. We became good friends when we realized that we have a lot of the same friends and common interests. When I went to live in Belgium for a year, Neethling and I both realised we might like each other. When I got back to SA we went to Namibia for a friend’s wedding and on the way back we stopped at Du Toits Kloof Pass and Neethling asked me to be his girlfriend.

How did he propose?

For our six-month anniversary we went to my family’s holiday house in Cape St Francis. One morning we went for a walk on the rocks, and Neethling took out a blanket and we had coffee and rusks and watched the sunrise. Then he took out a small box of Smarties. We’d played this game before - each colour represented a question. Yellow was for friendship, purple for the past, brown for the future and red for love. Neethling took a red Smartie and said ‘will you marry me?’ I thought this was part of the game, so I said yes immediately. He saw I wasn’t registering and asked me again, and told me he was serious. I started crying and he took a ring out of his pocket. It was one of the most special days of my life.

How did you decide on your venue?

My parents attended the first wedding at Kleinevalleij, and my mom knew that I’d fall in love with it. When Neethling asked my parents’ permission to marry me, they booked the venue in advance. When Neethling and I went to have a look, we LOVED this venue with its absolute simplicity, scenery and stunning setting.

What was the style or theme?

I wanted to create a romantic atmosphere, and have our wedding really represent ‘us’. I love soft colours but also wanted a fun element. Our wedding was really a team effort and everyone helped. My mother’s friend Lucia did the flowers and decorations, and really understood my style and knew what would make me happy. She and my mother made small silver and gold photo frames with baby prints in sepia of Neethling and me for the tables. I loved that idea and knew that she understood the romantic and vintage theme I wanted.

The flowers

My mother made my bouquet. It was a small posy with tuberoses, which are the same flowers my grandmother had in her bouquet. It was special to me because my mother has a passion for flowers and spent so much time making the perfect bouquet.

Favourite moments / highlights

Driving in the wedding car with my dad and father-in-law from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek – a 1948 Chrysler that Neethling’s grandparents had used for their wedding. Another special moment was walking to the church where my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother got married. And, of course, our first dance.

My advice to brides-to-be

Your wedding day goes by so fast, so take everything in. Get enough rest the night before and drink a nice cup of chamomile tea before you go to bed. Smile and have fun. Also, make sure everyone that is a part of your big day knows where they are supposed to be. We had a rehearsal at the church a week before the wedding and I made a checklist for the bridesmaids, best men and MC. That will help you to relax and enjoy your special day.

Bride’s little black book

Flowers & table decorations: Lucia Streicher from The Ivy League; eluciastreicher@gmail.com, 072 380 6903
Catering: Linda Marie Bruyns from Heart Worx; linka@telkomsa.net, 082 647 8131
Music: Philip le Grange from Audio Life; info@audiolife.co.za, 072 298 9973
Videographer: De Wet van Rooyen from Mandelbrot Films; 021-886 7476
Photographer: Lizelle Lotter; hello@lizellelotter.co.za, 076 548 1007
Dress: Robyn Roberts; robynroberts@uninet.co.za, 021-686 1378
Shoes: Ninon Louw; 0846803995
Bridesmaids dresses: Hip Hop
Hair & make-up: Helga Bridal; helgabridal@telkomsa.net, 084 7069190
Cake: Nicole Meyer from La Fete; nicola@lafete.co.za, 082 499 5599
Stationery: Jan Solms from Fanakolo; jan@fanakolo.co.za, 082 492 4327