Lisa & Daniel

Venue: Homestead & Conservatory

Guests: 180

Photographer: Open Image Photography

2010-11-13

Lisa & I met for the first time about six years ago through mutual friends, as they believed that we would make a good couple! Little did I know that Lisa was planning a trip to Europe and wasn’t too interested in dating anyone at that point in time.

We bumped into each other a few times in the following months, but eventually she left for Europe and was away for three months.

I ran into Lisa again, fresh from her European trip and looking gorgeous! After a lunch (together with my mates), a movie and a chat, I realised that this could be the start of something special.

We dated for two and a half years when I decided that Lisa was “the one” and that I should pop the question. After pulling my hair out having a customary engagement ring made, I asked her parents for permission and then arranged a romantic getaway for the two of us – family and friends all knew and I was certain that Lisa was going to find out, but credit to them all, Lisa was none the wiser!

Cape Town has always been a special place for the two of us and we really like the lifestyle there, so it was only fitting that the proposal take place in the Mother City. Lisa is a very good travel agent, so we stayed in some of the most beautiful hotels.

On the 11th October 2008, I put the ring in my pocket and told Lisa that we were off to do some shopping and then to the beach – so off we went. Lisa loving the shopping and me being paranoid about losing the ring in my pocket! This wasn’t made any easier with friends and family constantly calling to see if I had done the deed! We eventually headed to Sunset Beach and there I told Lisa that I had a surprise for her. I told her to turn around, got down on one knee and held out the ring. When she turned around, she got such a fright and kept repeating “Oh my God!” before the tears started streaming down her face. She said yes, I got up and gave her a kiss.

That brings us to our wedding. Oakfield Farm was the first venue we saw and after seeing another six venues, we quickly realised that Oakfield was the only venue that would give us our dream day. Planning a wedding is not easy and I must admit that there were days when Lisa and I were ready to explode, but I must give credit to my amazing wife – she was always researching and thinking of things and I’m sure there hasn’t ever been a better planned wedding!

I met up with my best men early in the day and was driven to Oakfield in a beautiful Ferrari (Lisa is still very jealous about that!) We arrived a little late, but Denise, Michael and the team were brilliant and I was at the altar on time! When Lisa started walking down the aisle, I realised how lucky I was. She looked gorgeous! We had a lovely ceremony and then a photo session. While Lisa was busy, my father-in-law mentioned to me that the wedding cake had been in an accident on the way to Oakfield, but decided not to mention it to Lisa until after the photographs. When I told her, it did not phase her one little bit – we decided there and then that this mishap would not ruin our day.

We entered the reception and proceeded to have the best night of our lives. All of our service providers really outdid themselves. The staff from Oakfield were absolutely amazing and I don’t believe that anyone there that night would disagree. The speeches were followed by an awesome meal (our compliments to Charlise and her team)! We had a fabulous party with all our guests, and genuinely did not want to leave!

All in all, we were both the happiest people alive. We did have the perfect day and I can honestly say that none of it would have been possible without Oakfield. We like to think that our wedding was one of the most beautiful and elegant events of the year and we can only thank Matthew and his team for making it so.