Joe and Faye Asamoah

Venue: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa, Stellenbosch

FAYE REMEMBERS

Tell us about the theme of your wedding

We didn’t really have a theme – we just wanted a relaxed garden party atmosphere, hence the afternoon tea and braai-style buffet. With guests coming from all over the world, we thought this was the best way for everyone to feel relaxed and in terms of the catering, it ensured there was something for everyone. We also hosted a winetasting event the night before for all our guests at Dieu Donne in Franschhoek. We thought it was a nice idea to do something else for the out-of-town guests – and what better thing to do in the Winelands! This also meant everyone had a chance to meet before the wedding day.

And the menu?

We drew up the menu and Lanzerac prepared it. Being English, I wanted to incorporate the tradition of afternoon tea complete with vintage teacups, scones with specially sourced clotted cream and jam, and jugs of Pimm’s. This was followed by mojitos and different types of biltong served around the pool with a fabulous group of Mozambican drummers playing in the background. Dinner started off with a selection of seafood, after which our guests tucked into the braai-style buffet with dishes like boerewors and braaied corn cobs served in potjie pots, pap and chakalaka, marinated lamb steaks, spit-roast pig and peri-peri chicken pieces. For dessert, we went for individual pavlovas with fresh berries.

The highlight?

Being with family and friends who’d travelled from around the world to be with us; wearing a Vera Wang dress; and having our son Max as the “best man”. The celebration continued after the big day. We spent a week in Knysna with family and friends who had travelled a long way to be with us. We also couldn’t bear to leave Max behind – but we are planning a longer, more traditional honeymoon sometime down the line!

Any advice for brides planning their wedding?

• Start planning – it’s never too early!
• Expect things to be finalised in the last week no matter how far in advance you organised everything.
• Do things the way you want to, and not how others would like you to.
• Be prepared to spend more than your budget – for some reason you’ll always go above it.

 

“Being with family and friends who’d travelled from around the world to be with us. And wearing a Vera Wang dress.”

 

LITTLE BLACK BOOK

Bridesmaids: Monsoon; monsoon.co.uk

Cake: Cakes by Wade 021 685 5041 or 082 345 7624 (Gauteng); wadescakes.co.za

Dress: Vera Wang; verawang.com

Event coordination: Absolute Weddings & Events Coordination 021 914 9407; absolutewe.co.za

Flowers: Aspen Flowers & Co 021 422 2077; aspenflowersandco.co.za

Food: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa

Hair and makeup: Gerda Venter 021 467 9274 or 072 671 7614

Photographer: Andre from Zara Zoo Exclusive Wedding Photography 021 910 1196; zara-zoo.com

Shoes: Swarovski sandals

Venue: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa 021 887 1132; lanzerac.co.za