Real Wedding at Morgansvlei {Sheyenne & Reynhard}

Details, details, details. I know I go on about them all the time, but really, it only takes one or two really lovely ones to engage the imaginations of your guests and make your wedding stand out (too many and it can just feel fussy). The clever use of detail is exactly what today’s wedding (photographed by the ever-fabulous Judy Stofberg of Just Judy Photography) manages, for me. Simple neutral colours and classy indigenous flower arrangements are set against floaty fabrics, beautiful metalwork and one of the best guest book ideas I’ve seen in a while (not to mention the perfect cheese cake). And how incredible does the bride look? She’s got that whole poised/elegant/serene/joyful Audrey Hepburn thing going on – seriously, this is how we all hope to look on our wedding day. In fact, I think poised/elegant/serene/joyful pretty much describes the whole wedding. Enjoy!

From the bride:
Reynhard and I met in 2007 and got engaged 5 months later, although we only got married in April 2010. It is one of those feelings you cannot describe but we just knew that we were going to get married. Our relationship is based on respect, communication and trust. We have the same interests but also respect each other’s private time.

We got engaged in Tulbagh in a tree house – the most beautiful setting ever. It was a rainy night and I didn’t know where we were going but when we got to the top of the stairs I found myself standing on a tree house patio overlooking the vineyards. I turned around and saw roses, champagne, snacks and a bubble bath. Reynhard is a romantic so I just assumed he was treating me, but he asked me to marry him that night and it was perfect!

We started looking for venues everywhere except in Tulbagh – then one day my mom and I drove through there and came across Morgansvlei. It was perfect – everything we wanted. A huge hall with French doors that open to the large dam, mountains hugging the valley, and accommodation for our families on the farm.

Reynhard and I both absolutely love the outdoors – hunting, camping, 4×4, fishing, etc. – so we wanted to bring natural colours and a bit of Africa into our wedding. We kept everything organic with browns, greens and white, and used fynbos (indigenous flowers and greenery) as the smell immediately calms us and gives the feeling of being in the bushveld. We also had African drums for the cocktail hour and this created the perfect setting.

We wanted our wedding to be a feast to remember, so it started on the Friday night with family and friends, where we had a braai (BBQ) at the pool, and the party never stopped until the early hours of Sunday morning. My mom did most of the decor and made our cake, and my husband made the steel chandeliers.

We chose not to have a guest book, but instead decided to provide wooden hearts for each guest and they wrote their messages on the hearts. We are going to use these on the table we are making for our braai area.

We loved every second of our wedding but some of my favourite things were the horse and carriage my mom and dad arranged, my dress, the message at the ceremony, the wooden hearts, our wedding cake (different cheeses stacked on top of one another), the overall atmosphere and the privilege of having all our parents present and healthy. If I think back now I can feel everything – my dad taking my hand, my mom looking at me with pride… everything was so precious. This is one day in your life where you want to remember every second, so my advice is to take it slow and absorb every moment.