Wedding of the Month July 2023: Christelle and Norby

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts Christelle and Norby knew they wanted to get married surrounded by the very thing they love and connected with…Mother Nature. Rhebokskloof offers one of the few inspired by nature wedding venues in the Cape Winelands. Our unique location on the Noord-Agter Paarl Mountain guarantees stunning landscapes all year round in any season.

Their wedding took place on 11th March on a warm late summer’s afternoon before 130 guests. The day started off overcast and cloudy only to clear as the ceremony began and revealed the lush natural green palettes of the season. Rhebokskloof is all about the celebration of nature, making this the perfect choice to celebrate the wedding of this beautiful couple.

…we were just in awe of its (Rhebokskloof’s) beauty. The rain just made it even more special! The stunning views, the natural feel of the place, the fresh breeze and friendly staff helped to confirm our decision.

Briefly tell us about you and the groom as a couple.

We first met at church when I had just moved to Cape Town. Norby had already been here, and he already knew my siblings who attended the church as well.

Over time, we became good friends and eventually grew closer. We both enjoy the outdoors, exploring and discovering new things and just connected as people on different levels.

The story of our engagement is a long one, so I’ll just say we are grateful to God for bringing us together and sustaining us on this blessed journey. It has been wonderful to learn, grow and extend our families through each other.

How and why did you choose Rhebokskloof?

We were pretty easy going when it came to choosing a wedding venue. However, we were not keen on visiting a lot of wedding venues because we realised that the more options we had, the harder the decision was going to be.

Norby came across Rhebokskloof on Instagram and shared the account’s profile with me. He was attracted by the greenery and how spacious the place is.

I instantly fell in love with the green lawns especially the lake with the little bridge (where we would have our ceremony). After we went through the Instagram photos, I made an enquiry and received the wedding packages which met our budget and requirements.

We came to view Rhebokskloof’s inspired by nature wedding venues on a rainy day, and we were just in awe of its beauty. The rain just made it even more special! The stunning views, the natural feel of the place, the fresh breeze and friendly staff helped to confirm our decision.

The Rhebok reception venue really caught our attention. It provides the perfect blend between indoor and outdoor. As nature lovers, we were truly happy about our choice. Plus, the large space of the Rhebok was amazing, and I couldn’t have asked for a better reception venue.

Briefly discuss the vision for in YOUR wedding. Was there a particular theme?

We wanted to keep everything simple yet elegant with a theme consisting of white, gold with hints of greenery to complement the beautiful venue.

However, for the bridesmaids’ dresses, I opted for darker tones with spicy and burnt shades. My bridesmaids therefore had a choice between burgundy, maroon and burnt orange. In the end, they all opted for burgundy. We then incorporated the burnt orange in the flower bouquets instead.

Tell us more about your décor and flower choices and how did it fit in with your inspired by nature wedding venue?

First of all, I was grateful to have had our Godmother as a wedding decorator. The brief was pretty straightforward: Gold, White with Greenery. She executed it perfectly.

I got a lot of inspiration from previous weddings at Rhebokskloof (especially from Zita & Daniel). This helped us opt for the rectangular wooden tables and their arrangement for the reception. The table decor was minimal yet elegant. The tables had three wick candles within golden candle stockholders, golden stands with flower bouquets on white runners.

To contrast the minimalist decor, we decided to bring in some of the colours from the bridal party and my bouquet. The flower décor was beautiful mix of bright orange, burgundy, maroon and green!

The Rhebok reception venue really caught our attention. It provides the perfect blend between indoor and outdoor. As nature lovers, we were truly happy about our choice.

Tell us a bit more about your beautiful dress and how you knew this gown was the one you wanted to get married in.

I always had an idea of the type of dress I wanted for my wedding – mermaid with a touch of princess. Initially, I had originally wanted a plain white dress with a dramatic back detail and some lace elements on the dress.

I also didn’t like the idea of trying on lots of dresses, so I prayed that the process would be smooth and quick.

I found Tying The Knot Bridal while searching nearby for bridal shops. On my first appointment, I had 10 dresses to try on. The fitting for the second dress was absolutely gorgeous! There was no alteration needed and I instantly envisioned myself in it on my special day.

After 3 dresses, both Nastassia and I had fallen in love with the second dress and decided not to proceed with the rest. And just like that, I knew she was the one!

Talking of dresses, we saw that a group of women guests all wore dresses in the same if not similar blue/green colours. Was this on purpose on accidental?

Both Norby and I are from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the dress code for wedding attire in my culture/home country is usually dress to impress! Ha! Ha!

Our families from each side took inspiration from the bride and groom’s colours and dressed in green, gold and burgundy which made it more vibrant and colourful. This is why you see many shades of green to match the groom and burgundy/maroon to match the bride.

Christelle and Norby in traditional Congolese wedding attire.

What was on your menu and was there a particular reason you chose it?

After the ceremony, a variety of canapes were served on the lawns for the guests to enjoy before the reception.

The canapes were our favourite from the menu choices offered because of the variety of flavours it provided. From savoury macarons to the delicious frikkadels and tartlets – they were so good, they left us wanting more.

Our mains consisted of a choice between lamb or salmon prepared with freshly cooked vegetables. We thought the options provided a good balance of hearty and healthy while not compromising on flavour.

For wine, we made sure there was a variety to satisfy each of guests’ palettes. The Rhebokskloof Pinotage was mine and Norby’s personal favourite!

In your experience and opinion what is the most important part of wedding planning?

Wow, it is quite difficult to pinpoint one element. I would say establish a budget and stick to it as much as possible. In doing so, ensure that your budget covers all the important aspects of your wedding and try your best not to compromise on the quality.

Adding to that, be prepared for unexpected expenses or changes, so allocate a good extra amount for that.

My number one would be to also remember that God is the one that unites people and that the wedding is just a vehicle. So, do not stress out on the small things and do what you can, leave the rest to God.

Describe any special moment/s you loved and will cherish about your wedding day at Rhebokskloof you’d like to share other brides out there.

There were a few amazing moments, but these are my top four.

1. Getting ready with the girls, chatting with the makeup artists, taking photos in a super joyful the ambiance. Rhebokskloof’s Banqueting Manager also let us use the stylish office and boardroom areas for getting ready in and for taking photos, so it felt really good to have that time before meeting everyone else.
2. Walking down the aisle to Norby as we stood amidst the backdrop of this beautiful landscape with the sun shining, the calmness of the lake and the lush green nature all around us. It was all so special.
3. Joining the guests after the ceremony on lawns was a fun moment. Everyone was waiting with petals and enjoying the canapes.
4. Our sunset couple shoot in the vineyard and under the mountain. It was absolutely spectacular.

Tips for choosing your perfect wedding dress

The Bridalwear Expert

“Trust your instincts and choose a dress that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and like the best version of yourself on your special day.”

Saying YES to the Dress isn’t as always as easy as it looks, especially if the bride is overwhelmed with so many choices. It can be daunting as the dress undoubtedly plays a huge role in being the centre piece of the wedding, so there is a lot of pressure.

Christelle prayed for an easy experience with two key elements for her dress in mind “mermaid with a touch of princess”. Her prayers were answered at Tying the Knot Bridal Boutique which specialises in wedding dress rentals in Cape Town. We spoke to the owner, Nastassia, to share some of their advice on bridalwear and choosing the perfect dress.

What should a bride look for in her perfect wedding dress?

Firstly, brides need to go dress shopping with an open mind – as what she envisions herself in might not necessarily be what suits her. The dress should flatter her body type and make her feel confident and comfortable, as she might be wearing the dress the entire day.

She should also consider the overall theme and style of her wedding, as the dress should complement the overall aesthetic of the day. Lastly, consider the practical aspects of the dress, such as the length and fabric, to ensure that it is suitable for the venue and weather.

What are the latest trends in bridal wear right now?

The latest trends in bridal wear right now include statement sleeves, slits, dramatic trains, and unique textures. Our personal favourite this season is the removable puff sleeves as brides like to have the option of having two looks which the removable sleeves provide.

Minimalist gowns are also becoming increasingly popular, with simple, clean lines that offer an understated elegance. In terms of colours, bridal gowns are no longer limited to just white or ivory, with shades of blush, champagne, and even black making an appearance!

Your top tips for choosing that dream wedding gown.

My top tips for choosing the dream wedding gown are:

• Keep an open mind and be willing to try on different styles.
• Start wedding dress shopping at least 8 months before your wedding date if you are planning to purchase and 6 months before if you are considering a rental gown.
• Try to keep the number of guests you take to the fittings as small as possible – as too many opinions can influence your decision on the dress.
• Lastly, trust your instincts and choose a dress that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and like the best version of yourself on your special day.

Looking for the perfect dress for your big day? Visit Tying the Knot Bridal Boutique online at https://tyingtheknotbridal.co.za/.

Photos by Maggie Photography
Video by Crystal Image Productions

A big thank you to our first Rhebokskloof Bride of the Month for 2023, Christelle for sharing her special day with us! We are all about a celebration of nature and were beyond thrilled to have been chosen to celebrate her wedding at our venues surrounded by nature.

Are you looking for an inspired by nature wedding venue in the Western Cape winelands? Enquire with us directly via the form below or to banqueting@rhebokskloof.co.za and we will respond to you soonest. Please note that our package prices can be negotiated upon request.

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