Lizelle and Martin

Lizelle and Martin met at a wine tasting in the cellar at Val de Vie. Little did they know, it was actually a blind date! Says Lizelle, "without our knowledge, the meeting was planned by the winemaker and his wife." The couple immediately hit it off, and one Friday afternoon Martin asked Lizelle to meet her at their house, then still under construction. "He proposed in the living room of the house. Very special! He invited friends and we toasted our engagement at the Polo clubhouse. My favourite horse was there and a new Tiguan with a big bow and flowers!"

Their wedding day was a spectacular occasion, held at Val de Vie Polo and Wine Estate in the Paarl-Franschhoek winelands. Martin describes it as his dream venue - not only does it boast an enviable location, it also reflects his lifelong passion for polo and horses. The ceremony began in the late afternoon at Franschhoek's charming Dutch Reformed Church, and was a moving experience, with a full choir leading the hymns and an organist filling the church with a symphony of sound. After the ceremony guests moved on to Val de Vie for pre-reception drinks, where they also savoured decadent canapés and enjoyed a few games of croquet and boule, as well as a live polo match!

The reception was held inside the estate's manor house and had an elegant white on white decor scheme. Two long tables were set with the finest linen, while decor features included fabric drapes, soft lighting and arrangements of white and off-white large open garden roses. As a Hungarian trio played vibrant melodies, the newlyweds and their guests feasted on dishes like mustard and rosemary crusted beef fillet medallions with seared wild mushrooms, sautéed fine green beans and crisp potatoes wedges. After the feast, guests were led by the couple into a secret room that had the chic ambience of a city cigar lounge. To add to the surprise, a live ballet performance provided enchanting entertainment, marked by its graceful style and execution. Once the couple had cut the gorgeous wedding cake (a moist chocolate truffle cake covered in ganache and roughly wrapped brown chocolate), they opened the dance floor and showed off their moves with aplomb. It was a memorable celebration - guests danced the night away and indulged in huge platters of canapé-style desserts, such as buttery shortbread hearts, caramel and honey pecan slices and chocolate cupcakes with orange chocolate ganache. Lizelle describes her favourite moment of the wedding as walking down the aisle, with Agnus Dei being played, and seeing her soon-to-be husband. "Thank you Aleit and team for making our dream day a reality."

After all the celebrations on 18 October 2008, the couple enjoyed a luxury safari in Tanzania, at Ngorongoro Crate Tree Camp and Lake Manyara. They later relaxed on Mnemba island - one of the ultimate destinations for honeymooners. Today they're enjoying every minute of married life. As Lizelle puts it, "the best part is waking up together every morning!"

• Minister - Fred May
• Accommodation and Honeymoon - Dream Destinations
• Chef - Dish and Food Social
• Bar - Urban Tonic
• Organist - Gerhard du Bruin
• Jazz Duo - Gary Deacon Solo
• Singer - Magdeleen Minnaar
• Hungarian Trio - Gabor or Narina
• Ballet Show - Bianca Baxter
• DJ - Aleit Music and Entertainment
• Stationery - Elsje Designs
• Gifts - Aleit Shop
• Florist - OKASIE
• Lighting - Something Different Concepts and Shows
• Photographer - Jean-Pierre Uys
• Videographer - Vicky Goslin Video Productions
• Waitrons - Urban Tonic
• Hair and Make-up - Candice-Leigh Arnott
• Hiring - Hireworx

Related Information

•  Cape Town Weddings
•  Cape Town Real Weddings
•  Cape Town Wedding Specials
•  Cape Town Wedding Competitions
•  Cape Town Wedding Planners