Fate played an enormous role for Pamela and Gerhard to finally say their vows to each other on 18 November 2007. It all started when a friend of Gerhard’s took the initiative to go and say hi to Pamela (on Gerhard’s behalf) at a farewell party in Ireland. “I then went to support my friend”, was Gerhard’s ‘excuse’! Pamela and Gerhard started talking for a little while, but regrettably Gerhard had to leave soon after. A few weeks later, Gerhard was planning a holiday in Egypt, but a sudden bug caused him to stay right at home, AND for him to attend his company’s Christmas Function. Pamela turned out to be the bar lady, recognised Gerhard of course, and the two started talking again.

“After a while I managed to gather up some courage and asked her for her phone number. She said no … BUT she said she will take mine just for in case I am some stalker, so I left my number.” Gerhard then learnt how if felt to be on the receiving end of waiting for a phone call! Poor Gerhard also found out that he was not the only one who fancied Pamela - the barman who worked with her that night of the Christmas party saw Gerhard in action, and ensured that his number was torn up before the end of the evening! Two weeks after this, a friend at Gerhard’s company handed over Pamela’s number to him! Apparently Pamela saw the friend in town one evening and recognised him from the party and asked him to giver her number to Gerhard! Of course Gerhard tried her number right away and this lead to them having their first date!

Time passed and eventually the very important question was asked on a Christmas morning! Gerhard fooled Pamela by putting the small ring box inside a much bigger box, and went down on one knee, pajamas and all!

18 November 2007 for this couple was, and we quote: “Wonderful! Everything happened so smoothly and we had a GREAT time”.

Pamela and Gerhard wanted a beach ceremony, and this took place at Kwaaiwater Beach in Hermanus. A white freeform tent was brought in for the ceremony accompanied by white Wimbledon chairs to round off this pretty picture. Guests enjoyed chilled bottles of mineral water while being entertained by a Classical Trio. After the guests were seated, Pachelbel’s Canon in D announced the arrival of the Bride. According to Pamela and Gerhard, the best moment of the day was when they were standing on the beach saying “I do”, but otherwise the entire day was a once in a lifetime experience for them. The ceremony was followed by the confetti ritual on the beach, where after all the guests were taken via shuttle service (with some bubbly of course) to Clouds Estate, just outside Franschhoek.

The guests were pleasantly surprised by African Warrior Dancers on their arrival at the venue. Sparkling wine and canapés were served on the lawns, while everyone awaited the arrival of Mr and Mrs Heyl! Canapés included King Prawns wrapped in Phyllo with Sweet Chilli Sauce, Miniature traditional South African “Pampoenkoekies” tossed in Cinnamon Sugar, Bruschetta topped with Cream Cheese, Pesto and Cherry Tomato and Chicken Skewers served with an Indonesian Style Satay Dipping Sauce – a type of Afrikaner meets Europe menu that got the party started!

Before the newlyweds were to arrive, the guests were escorted to the reception area where everyone got a chance to have their face painted in true African style. Shortly afterwards, the Bride and Groom entered to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and thus kicked off the start of their reception. Platters of Antipasti were served as Starters, which were followed by all the speeches.

An extensive and delicious main course followed, which consisted of Supreme of Chicken Marinated With Lemon and Rosemary, Roasted Medallions of Beef Fillet served with a Classic Béarnaise Sauce, Fillet of Norwegian Salmon served With Smashed Petit Pois and Mint, Drizzled with Lemon and Olive Oil, Chargrilled Mediterranean Vegetables, Moroccan Flat Bread and Spinach Tomato Salad.

For the guests who still had some space so spare, a delicious variety of dessert platters awaited them, which included: Amarula Crème Brûlée Served in Individual China Pots, Peppermint Creams, Lemon Curd & Blueberry Tarts and Diamonds of Belgian Truffle Cake. This was complimented by an Irish Violinist for background music.

For Pamela and Gerhard’s first dance – the Aleit Team had an after party area set up in the Manor House at Clouds Estate, where they opened the dance floor to Counting Crow’s “Mr Jones”. Everyone was then lead outside to be surprised by a significant display of Fire Spinners as well.

By then the party was in full swing and before pumpkin time, guests were treated to some wedding cake and coffees.

“The thing that stood out the most about Aleit and his team was the friendliness and the fact that they went out of their way with our logistical adventure. Attention to detail … honestly, everything you did was great!”

Advice to future Brides and Grooms:

A project at work was the main cause that Alison and Riccardo started working together, and it was a success in more ways than one! Soon after the project ended, Riccardo invited Alison for a drink to “celebrate their recent success”, and since then not much time was spent apart from each other!

Riccardo proposed very early one morning in bed. Alison says: “He was ruffling about in the sheets and I didn't know what on earth he was doing, and then suddenly out popped this ring. I almost fainted with surprise - we had an awesome, unforgettable day.”

On 13 December 2007, Alison and Riccardo declared their love to each other at the quaint little church, St. Mary’s on the Braak in Stellenbosch. “Nimrod” from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, announced the arrival of the Bride which was beautifully played by the Classical Trio.

After the confetti ritual on “The Braak”, shuttles transferred all the guests to the High Tea pre-dinner drinks area on the Bride's father's small holding, Wedge Corner.  Dad's months of hard work to have the garden in perfect shape, really showed. While the guests enjoyed various delicious canapés in true British Style High Tea fashion, the newlyweds had their photographs taken in the beautiful luscious surroundings. Canapés included Floating Champagne flutes filled with Vodka laced, Sweet Chilli Prawn Skewers, Tandoori Chicken rolled into Buttery Mini Rotis with Roasted Butternut, Feta, Harissa and Coriander, Seared Sirloin rolled and stuffed with Rocket, Roasted Rosa Tomato and Caramelized Onion, served on a fork, Parmesan and Rosemary Shortbreads topped with slow Roasted Rosa Tomatoes, Salsa Agresto and Goats’ Feta, Sesame Seeded Crispy Duck Pancakes, Spring Onion, Plum Sauce and Cucumbers, Sticks of Game Biltong in glass Boxes on Cocktail Tables, Crisp Wonton Triangles topped with rich Salmon Confit and Popping Candy, Spinach, Feta Shallot, Paprika and Nutmeg Phyllo Cigars, Sesame Glazed Chicken Satay served in a Spicy Red Curry and Coconut Milk Shooter. Guests also took the time to write wishes of good wealth and fortune on the floral pin board displays.

The reception followed in a true fairy tale style, on the tennis court, a few steps below the pre-dinner drink area. The dinner area was completely transformed into something wonderful, from the lighting to the magnificent clear spam marquee that was erected. With a crowd of 150 guests, the festivities were sure to kick off quickly, and the Master of Ceremonies soon welcomed everyone present. Alison and Riccardo made their entrance to the croonings of Louis Armstrong’s “It’s a Wonderful World”.

After the starters, which consisted of Individual Roast Chicken, Butternut and Feta Tart served with Salad Greens tossed with Avo, Peppered Feta and Toasted Pine Nuts, the speeches commenced. Sorbet was served shortly after to ensure clean palates, which was followed by Black and Green Pepper Crusted Beef Fillet Medallions with a Rich Red Wine Reduction, Chunky Crispy Rosemary Potato Wedges in Thai bowls and Fine Green Beans.

Shortly after the dance floor was opened by the newlyweds with Tom Jones’s “Sex Bomb”. All the practice and professional classes paid off – this was definitely the opening dance of the season!

A Cheese table and coffee station were available afterwards for indulgence, as well as delicious platters of wedding cake served to the tables. 12:00 also announced a midnight snack being served to everyone: Boerewors Rolls with Spicy Tomato Relish.

Alison and Riccardo reminiscence … “Our wedding day was one of the most extraordinary days of our lives. We had anticipated that it would be hard work, but we hadn't anticipated how much fun it would be and how wonderful it would be to have all the people that we love in one place.”

The best moment of the day for them, was walking out of the church … Alison remembers: “I was so happy that we had actually got married without me dissolving in a huge pool of tears. It was a mixture of happiness and relief and excitement all rolled into one!”

“Our wedding wouldn't have been even half as good without the Aleit group. Their attention to detail was astounding - they added beautiful touches that everyone noticed. We were freed up to worry about family and relationships rather than the actual workings of the wedding, which helped make the day of the wedding so special (and also the run up to the wedding). We would not have managed without them. The food at our wedding was fabulous - it was the best food that we had ever had at a wedding. A lot of our friends absolutely loved the music that the DJ played (we noticed that our coordinator was doing quite a bit of organising there - much appreciated!!)”

 Advice to future Brides and Grooms:

• Try and go into the week before your wedding healthy and rested - that last week is so hectic that you are frazzled by the end of it.
• Leave for your honeymoon the very next day! By the time your wedding is over you really will want to put your feet up just with your new husband and nobody else.