Wedding of the Month October 2023:
Lynn and Keagen

Wedding venues in Paarl are slowly becoming more sought after by brides around the Cape today who are looking for something elegant and understated, while staying close to nature. Rhebokskloof Estate ticks all these boxes with its focus on nature and sophistication that offers an open, yet completely private setting for your Winelands’ wedding.

Our venue is set deep within our estate. Located right at the foot of the mountain surrounded by our vineyards and freshwater lake, you are rest assured of a tranquil and calm wedding ceremony away from the noise of the outside world.

This month’s wedding feature highlights the nuptials of Lynn and Keagen who got married in an outdoor ceremony on 18 March before 100 guests. Lynn wanted her wedding to encapsulate a whimsical feel for her earthy-toned palette and decor. Undoubtedly, the soft natural lighting in March on an overcast day helped bring out her theme perfectly.

The day we walked in (the Rhebok Venue) on our visit, it all just felt so right. We literally both just gasped, turned to each other, and smiled when we saw it.

Tell us a bit about your love story.

Keagen and I met when we were just children. We attended the same school from grade one and lived about five minutes away from each other. We then went to separate high schools and lost contact, even though we lived so close to each other. I was the nerdy indoors girl and Keagen was the more social outgoing, sporty guy with many friends.

In our 20’s, we connected online via social media and Keagen would send me messages to check in on me. Unfortunately, I had to move away for work, so nothing came of it at that point. In 2020, during the COVD pandemic, we somehow started chatting again and he realised I was back in Cape Town. We then decided to meet up for a catch-up over drinks when lockdown restrictions were less strict. 

During that catch up we both realized that we wanted to keep seeing each other. We have been together ever since.

What made you decide to look for wedding venues in Paarl and choose Rhebokskloof Estate? What were you ultimately looking for in a wedding venue?

We were looking for an outdoor venue with wide open spaces and a lake for the ceremony. We also wanted an “outdoor” feel for our reception. The Rhebokskloof Venue area was perfect out of all the wedding reception venues we saw in Paarl. It is indoors, but with an outdoor feeling.  The beautiful greenery and vines along the sides of the venue help achieve this look and feel.

The day we walked in on our visit, it just all felt so right. We literally both just gasped, turned to each other, and smiled when we saw it. Without saying a word to one another, we both knew this is what we wanted.

It also helped that the Rhebokskloof team were willing to support us in planning this wedding in 3 months!

Let’s talk about the beautiful bouquets and décor. It matched the Rhebok’s unique Paarl wedding venue interior wonderfully. What was your vision for your wedding décor and who helped you achieve it?

I always envisioned my wedding with a fairytale feeling to it. I also love earthy tones and wanted it featured throughout the wedding décor. Ivory and Slate Event Planning did an amazing job of realising my vision for the décor and bouquets.

She guided me with what would be practical and surprised me on the day with the beautiful lightworks on the ceiling. The way it lit up this wedding reception venue in Paarl was so magical.

I also wanted my guests to feel unique and special on the day and Melpie Creations helped created these gorgeous menus that were created for each guest! She also made it fun by placing the guests’ names and table numbers on the welcome drinks’ glasses. This was such a hit.

Tell us a bit about how you chose your wedding dress and the choice of colour for the bridesmaids.

While I went in with an open mind, the one thing I wanted in my wedding dress was that it had be ‘whimsical’.

I got each bridesmaid, my mom and even the dress shop assistant, to each choose a dress they thought would suit me and then I chose one. I fitted on all the dresses, but when coming out of the fitting room with the dress the assistant chose for me, everyone immediately said yes.

Other bridal parties in the store also agreed. Having all these supportive women around me in that moment was beautiful.

Before making a decision, I went to other bridalwear shops just to see what else there could possibly be. In the end I went back to the first one and said yes to the dress!

I gave my bridesmaids the freedom to choose their own dresses. I wanted them to feel beautiful and comfortable on the day at our wedding venue in Paarl.  Initially, I requested a champagne colour, but realised it didn’t do well for neither of their skin tones. In the end, they both chose earthy colours that made them feel beautiful and comfortable in!

I loved the fact that even though we chose a certain set menu, Rhebokskloof allowed us to exchange meals for certain guests with various food preferences.

What did you choose for your menu for the wedding reception? 

We had a selection of delicious canapes at the pre-drinks. For starters, we chose the salmon and that was a big hit. It was everyone’s favourite. The main meal was lamb served with vegetables and our wedding cake was the dessert. The kitchen staff were kind enough to cut and serve the cake to the guests.

I loved the fact that even though we chose a certain set menu, they allowed us to exchange meals for certain guests with various food preferences. Catering for our Halaal friends was no problem and I was happy everyone’s dietary needs could be met.

We loved the first dance at your reception. What was the inspiration for the little drama in there?

I have always dreamed of a beautiful fairytale dance at my wedding (like that scene in Beauty and the Beast), but both Keagen and I are not dancers at all. We got dancer and choreographer, Erin Williams, to choreograph our first dance. Amazingly, she managed to get us ready in just 4 lessons.

She could tell that we both love to have fun and be silly. She then decided to be creative and added THAT “Dirty Dancing” moment to our dance choreography. I was super nervous about this, but so glad that we agreed to do it. It was so magical.

Describe your wedding day in 3 words.

God-filled. Fairytale. Whimsical!

What were your favourite moments from your wedding?

• Exchanging our vows before the beautiful outdoor backdrop at Rhebokskloof.
• The bridal couple entrance into the Rhebok reception venue. It was completely spontaneous, and Keagen surprised me with some funky dance moves.
• Our first dance.

Any advice you’d like to share with other brides to be out there?

There will be things that will go wrong on the day. Prepare yourself mentally for that and make sure you have people around you that will sort out those little fires on the day.

You don’t have to do it on your own. Choose professionals who support your vision.

Decide on what makes you and your future husband happy. Everyone has their own style and preferences. This is your first “big project” together. Do it with joy and discover what is unique to you as a couple.

Wedding event planners: Ivory and Slate
Videographer: The Avenue House
Decor: Melpie Creations

Thank you to our wonderful couple Lynn and Keagen for sharing their big day at Rhebokskloof with us. It looked like an absolute blast and the décor was stunning. There are many other fantastic wedding venues Paarl has to offer, but Rhebokskloof Estate continues to offer the most inspirational weddings to date. Our venue just has the “something special” that makes it extra romantic!

Are you still looking for wedding venues in Paarl or the winelands? Please take a look at our 2022/2024 current wedding packages or 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.

Looking for more Wedding inspiration and stories? Visit our WEDDINGS page today!