Strandkombuis Real Wedding by Nick Coyne

Don’t you just love it when Real Wedding photos shout out the words FUN, FESTIVE and SPONTANEOUS! When you look at the photos you can feel the ambiance and hear the music! Little Pink Book just loved this Real Wedding and the beautiful wedding venue and restaurant – Strandkombuis in Yzerfontein. Photos by Nick Coyne.

When and how did you get engaged?
We had already decided we wanted to get married, when on 7 June Jorge and I took a drive to Stellenbosch to pick up some special South American tea, called ‘mate’ (he’s Chilean). But he had also arranged for a luxurious dinner at Rust en Vrede Wine Estate. He officially popped the question just before dinner, outside over a delicious glass of champagne.

How did you choose your wedding venue? What was your wedding venue short list?
Funnily enough there was no short list. Every few months, my family and I go to stay in Churchhaven, a secluded beach village in the West Coast National Park, for a long weekend. We love the West Coast. Initially Jorge and I wanted to get married there, near or on the lagoon, but logistically it wasn’t going to work, what with no electricity, toilets or running water. My mom had bought me my first bridal magazine as she had noticed an article on West Coast weddings and this is where I saw the Strandkombuis. I emailed them immediately for dates and rates. They got back to me with only one available Saturday from when they were going to reopen until the next wedding season. This was either great booking tactics from their end or fate; I saw it as fate and booked immediately.

Tell us more about your dress, the designer, the fit, and your favourites?
I always knew that I didn’t want to wear white and you will always catch me wearing something grey, so it was the natural way forward for me. When I first started looking, I tried on a dress with a simple corset (a girl’s best friend) with a full skirt that had details of black lace. The dress was white, and so, not really my thing. But I was inspired, particularly by the black lace. I took all these ideas along with me to an amazing lady called Hillette Stapelberg, who is in fact a puppeteer and costume designer. She helped me choose the fabric combinations and put all my ideas together in the form of this dress that was so typically me!

Choosing your photographer is always tricky, how did you decide on a photographer?
This was the first thing Jorge and I discussed and decided on. Jorge was adamant not to spare any expense. We searched online and looked at a few different photographers, but as soon as we came across Nick’s site and saw a bit of his work it was decided. Nick has a photojournalist background, so he knows how to capture every real moment without getting in the way. We emailed him and luckily he was available! We just loved his style and his remarkable ability to capture the real moments.

What every bride should know…
Just remember that if things don’t go exactly the way you planned it on the day, you are the only one who’ll know!

What every groom should know…
This is advice from my groom: If you want your wedding to be a real party, don’t have a cash bar (we didn’t).

Your fondest memory of your wedding day?
This is the most difficult question to answer as there were so many. But to mention one, would be my 5-year-old nephew Max, who in his excitement leading up to the wedding had been practicing break dancing moves. He proved to be quite a source of entertainment with all his antics.

What were you most excited about during the planning process?
Apart from becoming Mrs. Silva, I would have to say that it was finding the perfect venue that suited us as a couple. After that everything just fell into place!