Jill and Richard met through mutual friends … “I had just returned from pilot training in Adelaide, Australia and Jill had returned from Bahrain where she was working as a flight attendant. The spark was always there but it took us a few months more before we finally got together. That happened when were dressed up in our 70's gear at an ABBA take-off concert and we just liked each others groove!”

It took another seven years before Richard gathered up his strength to propose to Jill. Richard surprised Jill with breakfast in bed and told her to pack for a night away with an afternoon in the country and a formal evening dinner. “I was so nervous during lunch (at a quaint little pub) that she nearly started to suspect something was up. After lunch, I took her to the beautiful Amberley Castle in Sussex. Her jaw hit the floor as we drove up the long driveway to the castle where we were to spend the night. Our room overlooked the drawbridge and grounds and as Jill sat admiring the view I dropped to one knee. She said "What are you doing?!" to which I replied "What does it look like?" At that she started to cry! “We celebrated with champagne and rang all our friends and family to allow them to share in the great news. Later that night we dined in an old hall, surrounded by tapestries, paintings and suits of armour. Very cool!”

Only the couple’s closest friends and family were invited to their wedding, and because they traveled so far, the couple arranged a long lunch at Tokara the day before the wedding.

On 29 November 2007, the guests met Richard at the pre-ceremony area at Clouds Estate in front of one of the cottages at the edge of the vineyards. They were handed boxes of confetti and then took their seats for the ceremony looking out over the Helshoogte Pass and the Simonsberg and Groot Drakenstein Mountains.

Jill was driven to the ceremony area by Aleit who played (by chance) one of her favourite songs "Dream a little dream" by Louis Armstrong. Jill was escorted down the aisle by her father, Harry, as Moon Riverwas played by the Aleit Music and Entertainment’s Classical Trio. Jill and Richard were announced husband and wife under a gazebo decorated with butterflies, a chandelier, ribbons and sparkling crystals – perfectly in line with the Vintage Wedding Theme.

After the ceremony, Gary Deacon’s Jazz Duo led the newlyweds and their guests back to the Villa through the vineyards. Much fun was had here, as the guests were invited to pose on a chair and take each others photos with a Polaroid Camera. After the signing of the register Jill and Richard walked out and up onto the piazza, which had yet more stunning views, and were showered in rose petals by their guests. A quick chat with all the guests was followed by having their photographs taken. Meanwhile, the guests were treated to Haute Cabrière Rosé, and delicious delights such as: floating champagne flutes topped with a Namibian Oyster, Parmesan and Sage disks topped with deep fried Butternut and Almond Ravioli, with a Sage Butter drizzled over at the last minute by waiters from silver dispensers, Sesame Seeded crispy Duck Pancakes and Thai chicken Satay dipped in Coconut Milk … all with the background vibe of live swing tunes.

After the photographs, Mr and Mrs Wilford entered the reception to Jean-Paul Young's Love is in the Air … and so the party started! The VIP couple and guests dined in candlelight with everyone seated at one long table that was fantastically decorated. The décor was enhanced with seasonal open roses popping out of lampshades, complemented by lots of romantic candles, old historic books and lacey patterns. Guests were spoilt with Brandy Flamed Crayfish Tails served on a Baby Leaf, Wild Rocket, Watercress and Mango Salad. This was followed by Pea, Asparagus, Lemon and Mint Risotto garnished with deep fried Ginger and drizzled with a Soy Reduction. After the speeches the main course consisted of Beef Fillet medallions, fresh Basil, crispy Parmesan disks, Roasted Aubergine and Tomatoes with a red wine jus, roasted baby Potatoes, grilled Asparagus and fine Green Beans.

Guests were then led outside and under the Piazza, which was lit up with mood lights and adorned by fairy lights. Jill and Richard soon joined them for the cutting of the wedding cake. Then it was time for the first dance and “we attempted the social foxtrot to Natalie Cole’s Orange Coloured Sky. The guests partied until the early hours of the morning with dancing and some spectacular Karaoke renditions that included Robbie Williams’s Let me Entertain You and Hey Jude by The Beatles!

"The evening was wrapped up with a short dip in the pool, Jill fully clothed in her wedding dress and myselfsans suit! Oops!"

“On returning to our room we discovered it had been decorated with all our lovely flowers from the wedding and all the place names, menus etc had been collected for us too. It was too late to open the bubbly, so this was saved for our honeymoon. The Aleit Team rocked once again. A very special end to a wonderful day!”

Aleit and his team’s commitment to the wedding were tremendous and all their efforts were rewarded with a wedding that literally blew the couple’s friends and family away: “They haven't stopped talking about it and people have been heard to say that it was THE dream wedding!”

“The attention to detail was beyond belief and the day was full of so many highlights for us....from the minister Mark, the photos in the vineyards, the beautiful menu's and that stunning table-setting. We could go on......! We do feel that we should pass on to you how much we valued our coordinator’s contribution to things. She was a model professional and we believe she shows the kind of attention to detail that sets people aside from the crowd. She never once complained, said "I can't do", did everything and gave her best at all times. She's an absolute gem. We won't hesitate to recommend Aleit to anyone we meet and I think our family and friends will all do the same. They were all stunned by the whole day and will never forget it.”

Advice to future Brides and Grooms:

• Spend some money on your shoes. If you get a comfortable pair they are worth every penny!
  Check and double check your dress. One of the eyelets had broken on my dress so I couldn’t completely hook up my puddle. I had to hold my dress up all night so I could dance!
• The best advice I was given was to try and take in as much as possible, as it all goes so quickly. I made sure I looked at the petals in the aisle, my friends and family during the ceremony, the table decorations and flowers during dinner and my guests as they danced and sang the night away.
• Relax and enjoy your day. Laugh, smile, eat, drink, dance and be merry, with Aleit’s help it truly is the best day of your life!
• Grooms - Try your whole outfit on the month before the wedding. I hadn't realised I'd lost weight and so my trousers and shirt were too big! I'd also advise that you slow EVERYTHING down to about a quarter of normal speed. Otherwise you could miss so much of your biggest day.

12 July 2006 will always remain a special date for Menét and Jacques. This newlywed couple met through a mutual friend whilst living in London. Menét’s friend shared a house with Jacques and these two met when Menét came round one Saturday afternoon to visit.

They started chatting and discussed a variety of topics … “to this day we still have a good laugh about everything we discussed as the issues raised were those normally talked about by a couple already in a relationship, such as a modern marriage, politics, aspirations and childhood.”

When leaving, Jacques whispered something in her friend’s ear, Menét later found out it was a cheeky comment made about her “cute butt”!

After some nagging on Menét’s friend’s part, Menét allowed her friend to give her number to Jacques and their first date was hot chocolate at the Starbucks in Wimbledon. This was 21 September 2006, and to this day they always pop in at that same Starbucks and have hot chocolate at the same table!

In December 2006 Cape Town called - Menét had to go home for a friend’s wedding, and the plan was for Jacques to also go to Cape Town in February 2007 to meet the parents. In between Menét being at home for Christmas and Jacques going over in February to meet her family they received her mom’s ‘blessing’ to get married. They decided that they wanted to get engaged back home, in Cape Town, with all their family to share in this special occasion.

Menét then started looking for that special ring and had one made by Charles Creig. “Unbeknown to me, Jacques and my mom had conspired to have the ring ready a week before I was expecting it to be finished. Jacques and I then went to visit his family on their farm in the Kouebokkeveld districts, near Ceres. It is a beautiful farm nestled in the Cederberg called ‘Nuwerus’. On our five month anniversary Jacques asked the big question, ring in hand, which was completely unexpected!”

15 December 2007 started off quite hot and humid, and luckily Menét provided all the lady guests with parasols which came in very handy. Guests started arriving just before 16:00 and enjoyed pre-ceremony drinks on the lush green lawn area in front of the Vrede en Lust’s pool house which was next to the Ceremony area. A classical quartet led the way from the parking area to where the drinks were served butler style

Menét’s arrival was announced by Pachelbell’s Canon in D played by the Classical Quartet. A special touch to the ceremony was Jocelyn Mallon’s reading of “Blessing of the Hands” to the couple.

After the ceremony the couple was whisked off to the Manor House for the signing of the Register followed by having their photographs taken … “The extreme heat subsided and whilst Jacques and I were taking our pictures some thunder clouds came rolling in. The rain stayed away and then we had the most beautiful sunset!”

To keep the guest occupied during this time, they were treated to pre-dinner drinks and canapés on the lawns between the Manor House and pool. Canapés included Floating Champagne Flutes filled with Blush Sparkling Wine and topped with a Namibian Oyster and a Poached Apple Compot, Parmesan and Rosemary Shortbreads topped with Slow Roasted Tomatoes, Olives, Danish Feta and Basil Pesto, Edible Strawberry Daquiries and Bloody Mary’s, Salmon “Roses” – thin strips of Smoked Salmon, wrapped around Sushi Rice, topped with Cupi Mayo and Caviar and Sesame Glazed Chicken Satay served in a Spicy Red Curry and Coconut Milk Shooter.

Soon after, the reception was kicked off with the arrival of Mr and Mrs Toerien, accompanied by the sounds of Natalie Cole’s Everlasting Love. Starters were then served that included: Malaysian Style Laksa Broth served in a shot glass, served warm. Three Peeled Prawns on a skewer, served alongside a small Shredded Chicken Salad served with Baby Salad Leaves and Rice Noodles, Coriander and Sesame Seeds. “Ten minutes after all the speeches were done, it started raining, ever so lightly, and just enough to give you that fresh rain smell, it lasted for only five minutes … like I say, we were blessed!”

After dinner, guests were moved over to the after party area and the newlyweds opened the dance floor to Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars.

The cellar, situated next to the reception area, was transformed into an after party area for all the guests. A checkerboard black and white dance floor was positioned in the center of the room, with modern lounge furniture arranged on either side of the square. Four large circular pink satin, covered in black lace, lamp shades were suspended above the dance floor, while three large black crystal chandeliers hung very low above each daybed. All of this offered a warm, inviting, beautiful, colourful glow to the room.

Menét reminiscence … “I was surprised and very pleased that the day started out so peacefully and relaxed, as time went by and the ceremony came closer I was filled with such excitement. I think back with a great big smile on my face and with such contentment and joy in my heart and Jacques feels the same. When we think back we feel extremely blessed, the day offered us everything we were hoping. I felt so pleased with the way in which the décor, flowers, food and cake turned out and everything was to our liking.”

Menét’s best moment was when she and Jacques had a moment to just take, what seemed like a leisurely stroll, up the path leading to the reception venue. The nearer they came to the venue the more excited she became, hearing the laughter of their friends and family was just so special. Standing next to Jacques and knowing that they were about to take their first steps as husband and wife and ‘presenting’ themselves as a newly married couple to everyone who is so important in their lives was just so memorable. “I was so proud to stand next to Jacques and to be his wife. My second best moment was walking into the venue is just having this overwhelming amazement at how the décor was more than perfect - it was exquisite!”

Jacques’s best moment of the day was at about 16:40 on 15 December 2007 when he saw Menét walking down the aisle. “I realised that – that’s not just any person, it’s my wife to be, my soul mate. It was like seeing her for the first time, so pure and gorgeous.”

The Aleit team made us feel part of a family, they cared not only for our wedding needs but went that extra mile and cared about our wellbeing. They have the ability to recognise what is important to you as a couple and they have an understanding and appreciation for your individual taste and requirements.

“The most extraordinary thing for me about the Aleit team is that never throughout my 10 months of dealing with them did they ever make me feel like just another bride and that they were coordinating just another wedding. At times I would forget that they had other weddings to worry about. The enthusiasm and motivation made the whole experience for us so much more fun, thank you for showing us that.“

For their honeymoon Mr and Mrs Toerien spent a week in Wilderness and stayed at Zanadu Bed & Breakfast, a treasure of a place right on the beach, with their own private balcony, direct access to the beach and swimming pool. The views were spectacular and their most memorable day was swimming in the ocean for hours with no one around … “Being in Cape Town itself was already a holiday for us both, as we got a break from the horrible London winter!”

Advice to future Brides and Grooms:

• Consider having either an event before or after the wedding (or even both as we had done) as this will allow you to spend more time with your family and friends over the course of the weekend so that, on the big day, you don't have the feel guilty for not having been able to get around to all your guests, and not having to worry about them leaves more time to focus on each other. We had a 'spitbraai' the evening before the wedding which was a great opportunity for both our families to meet and on the Sunday afternoon after our wedding day we had planned a picnic and enjoyed some left over wedding cake!
• Brides, learn how to move confidently in your wedding dress by wearing it a couple of times before the wedding day, I would especially recommend rehearsing your first dance with your dress on, it will make such a difference.
• Get a coordinator … it takes all the worries off your shoulders!

Their first vision of each other took place whilst out in their local town, just before Christmas in 1997. Claire and Lee were both out with friends and ended up in the same bar and as the evening progressed, they started to converse with each other. There was a mutual attraction straight away and by the end of the evening, Lee kissed Claire (the ever gentleman) on the cheek (only) on her departure. Claire thinks back: “As I walked away, I remembered telling my friends that I fancied Lee. After that night we kept bumping into each other until we officially became a couple in January 1998.”

Eight amazing years later Lee arranged a surprise get away to London (the couple lived in Worthing, West Sussex). Claire had no idea … “Everything was a shock. Lee had booked my time off work and presented me a new evening dress and shoes for our meal that night. After spending a tourist day in London, we checked into Claridges, a top London hotel. Later the evening we dined in Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant at Claridges (where Gordon nearly ruined his surprise by congratulating me before Lee had popped the question). He produced a stunning diamond ring and asked me to marry him. There was no hesitation - I did shed a tear or two though before saying yes.”

Both the ceremony and reception was held at Le Franschhoek and 19 February 2008 turned out to be a lovely sunny summer’s day. 16:00 announced the arrival of the guests and all enjoyed some pre-ceremony drinks like Red and White Sparkling Grape Juice and Spring Water with Fresh Mint and Lime. Lee and his Best Man joined in and a classical trio rounded off this pretty picture near the fountain on the lawns.

Not long after, the Bride made her appearance to the Classical Trio’s version of Mercy Me’s I can only imagine. The ceremony was something all will remember and Lee’s mother did a special reading for her son and the new addition to the family, Claire.

Claire’s best moment of the day was the ceremony … “Walking down the isle with my dad and seeing Lee there - he looked so gorgeous. It was such a happy yet emotional moment. How fantastic was it to have so many of our family and friends gathered around us to witness our marriage. Kevin, our minister, personalized the ceremony and made it extremely special to us. This put our nerves at ease. A perfect setting and I wish I could do it all over again.”

Lee echo’s Claire's sentiment about his favourite moment of the day … “I remember the anticipation, waiting to catch a glimpse of her in her dress. I felt proud and overwhelmed by how beautiful she looked. I thoroughly enjoyed our union. Making our commitments to each other in front of our friends and family will live long in my memory.”

The newlyweds then went off to sign the Register in the Hotel whilst guests awaited them outside the entrance with hands filled with fresh rose petals and seasonal herbs. A solo sax player kicked off the proceedings whilst guests enjoyed some pre-dinner drinks like Olive Tapenade, Zucchini with Sun Dried Tomato, Chicken Satay, Shrimp Spring Roll and Shish Kebab.

A Jazz group announced the start of the reception and guests were escorted to their seats. After all were welcomed Mr and Mrs Matthews made their “grande entrance” to the sounds ofBesame Muche and swapped the traditional “cutting of the cake” with a “biting of the cupcake”!

Soon after, delicious starters were served consisting of Pine Nuts, Soft Boiled Eggs, Roasted Quail Breast and Tarragon Dressing to produce Salad Dianna.

Pierre Jourdan Cuvee Belle Rose Sparkling Wine anounced the starting of the speeches, which were followed by the Main Course being served: Seared Impala Loin & Wild Mushrooms, Cappoletti with Venison Ragout, Root Vegetables & Wilted Greens.

For those who needed more energy before the dancing started – dessert was offered (Lemon Zest Tart) and all guests cheered and clapped when the couple opened the dance floor to Shania Twain’s You’re still the one.

“The wedding day exceeded our wildest expectations. The creativity and attention to detail was magnificent. The day was perfection and we savoured every minute of it. We wouldn't have changed a thing.”

Once the newlyweds had left Le Franschhoek, they flew to the Kruger National Park for a truly African Safari. The luxury continued as they stayed amongst some of the most beautiful landscapes and wildlife imaginable. They had their own lodge complete with a pool, hammock, game ranger and butler. They also managed to see the Big Five but “breakfasting with the hippos and bathing under the stars” were particular highlights. From there Mr. and Mrs. Matthews flew to Mauritius for some pampering and relaxation. They stayed there for a week and while Claire read her books, Lee was off wake boarding and enjoying the various other water sports on offer. Claire and Lee also celebrated their ten year anniversary in January 2008!

“Aleit and his team were amazing, everything they organized was so personalised and special. They really listened to what we wanted and executed our wishes with precision and expertise. Their interpretation of our ideas far exceeded our expectation.“  

Advice to future Brides and Grooms:

• Our advice to couples are that you need to relax and savour every single moment of the day! It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience...