Monique & Enrico

Monique’s best friend introduced her to Enrico at a beer festival in Franschhoek in 2016. They were soon inseparable. After going out for almost three years, Enrico organised a picnic at one of their favourite Franschhoek wine farms, Hidden Valley Wines. This was in March 2020. “I was busy cutting a French loaf when he suddenly asked me to stand up. I did, and he went down on one knee. This was such a shock that it took me two weeks to comprehend what had happened!”

She describes the couple’s wedding venue, Belair Pavilion, as “absolutely breathtaking. When I first saw the lush gardens, picturesque views and dramatic water feature, I fell in love with it.”

“When I first saw the lush gardens, picturesque views and dramatic water feature, I fell in love with the venue”

As the wedding was to be held in autumn, Monique wanted a long-sleeved, open back dress for the ceremony. “I found the perfect gown on Robyn Roberts' Instagram page. It was the first dress I tried on. I couldn't imagine anything better than that dress!”

What can she tell us about the wedding? “I'm still not sure my words will adequately describe the emotions we felt on our special day. Our wedding day was elegant, simple, intimate and a lot of fun. It was everything we ever dreamed of. I definitely had my dream wedding. We had a perfect wedding day and I wouldn't change a thing.”

Monique says the highlight of her Big Day was Enrico’s wedding speech. “I was completely surprised by his speech,” she says. “I wasn’t expecting him to be so emotional and to speak such sweet words. Hearing the promises he made to me and the vision he has for us melted my heart.”

Standing next to each other as husband and wife made her feel “completely blessed,” she says. “I truly married the man of my dreams.”

Monique’s advice for a bride-to-be? “Book your service providers as soon as possible. Don't wait until the last minute to start planning. Also, using a wedding planner/

coordinator can make the whole wedding journey easy and stress free. We wouldn't have been able to do it without our wedding planner.

All we had to worry about was enjoying our wedding day and spending time with our guests. One more thing – take the time to enjoy every moment of your wedding day. It passes too quickly.”

Photography Me & May Photography | www.meandmayphoto.com Wedding coordinator Trunk Events | www.trunkevents.co.za Venue Belair Pavilion | www.belair.co.za Wedding gown Robyn Roberts Bridal | robynroberts.co.za Flowers Kweek Studio | www.facebook.com/kweekstudio Cake Carmen Eksteen Patisseries | www.facebook.com/carmeneksteenpatisseries Stationery Cape Lazer | www.facebook.com/capelazer and She Graphics | www.shegraphics.co.za Neon light Happinest Neon | www.happinestneon.com DJ AKH Sounds | @ashleykhaywood