Terrance and Joanne get Married at Nooitgedacht Estate in Stellenbosch (2020-01-25)

Our group is all at that age where one doesn’t really get invited to weddings any more – at this stage pretty much all of the friends circle is married off and all our kids are still very young – so it generated much excitement when we got word that good friends Terrance and Joanne were going to be holding a second wedding out here in South Africa – having just recently tied the knot back home in China.

The venue selected for the big event was the historic and beautiful grounds of Nooitgedacht, a wine estate just outside of Stellenbosch. Although the venue does have a chapel available should the weather not play along, given our sunny Summer skies the decision was made to have the ceremony outside under the shade provided by the lane of magnificent oak trees that run down in front of the classic Cape Dutch style manor house.

With a large contingent of friends and family following Joanne over from China, and a select group of Terrance’s family, friends and old colleagues from South Africa, we gathered along the lane to watch the two make new vows and put on their rings, before grabbing some petals and getting the celebration started!

Naturally, many photos first needed to be taken, and as such the guest contingent were ushered out onto the massive lawns for a most delectable country table spread (so, so much good stuff!) and a selection of fine estate wines. The musician providing the live entertainment was excellent, and I have it on good authority that he made quite a few of the ladies present swoon in the process!

Of course, the reception had to happen eventually, and so Ryan and Trish (best man and master of ceremonies respectfully) managed to successfully herd the South African and Chinese contingents into Nooitgedacht’s original cellar venue which had been transformed into a botanical and fairy light wonderland delight.

Speeches were made, chuckles had, champagne poured, and the most delicious of meals tucked into, before the dance floor was opened and the party got started. Chantelle’s Helderberg Cake Company had been contracted in to making the big wedding cake for the celebration and her elegantly simple penguin topped three tier masterpiece (Joanne and Terrance bonded over their love of books, therefore the Penguin Random House reference) certainly drew a lot of attention!

Because Terrance and Joanne had graciously given us one of the leftover rooms that they had at the venue, I have to admit to having really gone all out in enjoying myself at this celebration of one of my oldest friend’s (whom I’ve known since we were children) newfound joy. A lot of wine was inbibed, shooters downed, and ill-advised dance moves on the dance floor undertaken. Frankly put, I had a hell of a lot of fun.

I drank and danced right up until the music was turned off, the lights switched off, and the bar doors closed, after which Chantelle and I helped Joanne drag Terrance back to their manor house room, where we stayed for some tea and talk, before eventually crawling back into our own beds in the early hours of the next morning.

And then we woke up to light rain and a slightly disorganized breakfast get together in the manor house.