I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that I love all the weddings I feature here on Cap Classique. Because, let’s be honest, I have been blessed with some seriously unfreakingbelievable prettiness on this blog (and trust me, there’s lots more in the honey jar). But sometimes I don’t realise quite how MUCH I love a wedding until I’m busy putting the pictures together and I start to get butterflies thinking how gorgeous it is and how much you guys are going to love it. Which is exactly how I feel about Chené and Andy’s wedding at Natte Valleij. When I start throwing around words like ‘vintage romance’ and ‘secret garden’ you know it’s going to be beautiful, and boy is it ever. The details are just beyond gorgeous (my favourite is the hanging birdcages – WOW) and the bride and groom look like they stepped straight out of a fashion shoot. It’s pretty much perfect, so get ready to fall in love too! Oh, but first I get to introduce you to Chené and Andy’s photographer. Abigail Klopper of Abigail K Photography is not only an up-and-coming Cape Town snapper, but she’s also leading the way in getting the wedding industry up on their social media. This is one savvy chick, and I’m very excited to have her here on the blog!

Right. On with the goods.

Chené and Andy have the cutest ‘how we met’ story. They say you meet someone when you’re least looking for them, and that was just the case! Chené had recently broken up with a long-term boyfriend and was doing the whole single thing, and after a night out with a girlfriend ended up in a club at 2am. Andy was sitting at the bar “looking bored out of his mind”, but still managed to turn Chené’s head with his handsomeness. Next thing you know, they’re on their first date, three weeks later they’re on a plane to Japan (as you do), and they moved in together on their return. As Chené says: “When you know, you know!”

Chené and Andy are based in the UK and one sunny Saturday they headed up to London for the day. Andy steered them in the direction of jewellery district Hatton Gardens. Chené assumed they were just browsing for lovely vintage jewellery, until Andy suggested she try on a stunning antique (circa 1910) diamond ring. There and then, in front of the jeweller, he proposed. Aaaah!!

Because the bride has a large family, the couple decided to get married in South Africa and found Natte Valleij in Stellenbosch by chance. Just like the ring (and each other) it was love at first sight as they felt it had such a lovely rustic, romantic charm – like their own little secret garden. However, everything had to be hired in externally, which Chené describes as a logistical nightmare, but one that was so worth it!

Chené’s mom and aunt took on the planning (“We were so lucky, they are amazing!”) and were given the brief ‘vintage eclectic romance’. Chené’s aunt already had lots of vintage pieces at home, and the two ladies used these in addition to buying and hiring quite a few more. They had chandeliers, couches and other vintage trinkets in the gardens (LOVE THIS) – Chené’s mom even made the beautiful bunting herself.

The awesome Flowers in the Foyer took care of the florals, even managing to find peonies all the way from Bethlehem in the Free State! Chené says: “The flowers really made such an impact – beautiful, delicate and  vintage.” About the wedding overall she adds: “In retrospect it was a lot of hard work,  but worth it. Best day of our lives!”

Best day of their lives. Who could ask for anything more?!

Big thank you to the lovely couple for allowing me to feature their very special day, and to Abigail for allowing me to use her pictures. You can find even more of them here.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue: Natte Valleij (Charles Milner 021 875 5171) | Catering: Rina Lotter (083 284 7168/ 021 876 3036) | Co-ordinator: Helen Leonard of Agape Weddings | Ceremony: Ds Johan van de Merwe, NG Studente Gemeente (082 940 3319 / 021 883 3458) | Photography: Abigail K Photography | Flowers:Flowers in the Foyer | Stationery & Decor: Elsje Designs
| Additional Decor: Doodles Laser Cutting and Engraving (021 852 0457 [email protected]) | Hiring: Ten of Cups; Fiori di Sorrento | Bride’s dress: Monique Lhullier, Browns Bridal London | Bridesmaid’s dresses: Traffic People | Flowergirls dresses: Monsoon | Bride’s makeup: Lyndal Fitzgerald | Hair & bridal party makeup: Ida Webster) | DJ: Louis of LMH Productions (082 545 0771) | Music: Maretha Hattingh (072 523 4577 [email protected]) | Barman: Godfrey (072 101 7423) and Sanet (073 4070 916) |
Cake: The Birdcage (Beate Strydon: 082 330 6605 / [email protected]) | Cleaning service: Marvelous Maids (Michelle van Wijk [email protected])