Cape Town Wedding: Ari & Auke

Ari and Auke’s wedding was such a wonderful day, and I am so glad I get to blog this!

They decided on Doolhof Boutique Hotel in Wellington. Doolhof will always hold a special place in my heart, as it is where I got married myself, so every time I return to this beautiful valley, it feels a little bit like coming home. Being able to share it with such a wonderful couple made it even more meaningful.

Ari and Auke travelled all the way from the Netherlands to celebrate with their closest family and friends. While the weather didn’t exactly cooperate and greeted us with a chilly, rainy winter’s day, we were fortunate that the rain held off long enough for both the ceremony and cocktail hour to take place outdoors, surrounded by the mountains that make Doolhof so special.

Ari’s grandmother proudly walked down the aisle as her bridesmaid, while her grandfather officiated the ceremony. It was one of the most touching and unique things I have witnessed at a wedding, and a reminder of just how lucky Ari is to have such incredible grandparents who could play such an important part of her day.

The warmth didn’t stop there. Ari’s parents were some of the most welcoming, kind-hearted people you could hope to meet, and it was easy to see where Ari gets her lovely nature from. Auke’s family were equally wonderful and surprised him with a heartfelt slideshow that had everyone smiling and reminiscing.

Visually, the wedding was an absolute dream. Ari had a clear vision for the day, and Fox & Co brought it to life beautifully. Every detail felt thoughtful, elegant and effortlessly stylish. The décor was perfection from start to finish.

And then there was the cake by Crumbs. Modern, clean and beautifully designed, it was one of those cakes that immediately catches your eye while still feeling completely timeless. It fitted the overall aesthetic perfectly.

As the evening unfolded, guests enjoyed fantastic food, excellent wine and some truly lovely speeches. There was plenty of laughter, a few happy tears, and so much love in the room. Once the formalities were over, the dance floor quickly filled and stayed that way well into the evening, proving that a little rain is never going to stop a great celebration.

Thank you, Ari and Auke, for allowing us to be part of such a special day. It was an absolute privilege to celebrate with you and your wonderful families.