Nooitgedacht Estate

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Canapes

Dinner Reception

Party Time

Joostenberg Bistro

Next day brunch

Our Wedding

Per Elisa:Early 2022, I decided to go on Hinge (a dating app) to see if I could make a connection with someone. Low and behold, Ruan did the same, and thankfully he spotted me! We began chatting and quickly started to organise a date for the 21st February, a day before my birthday. I asked him would he meet me at the Bridge bar. It was a 5-minute walk from where I lived and I wanted a quick escape if things went badly. How wrong was I! When I first glanced at Ruan, his absolutely gorgeous smile took my breath away (literally). I’m pretty sure I stumbled into that restaurant. He brought me a gift from Bruges as he knew it was my birthday the next day (which I still have now on my bedside table). I don’t think I ever laughed so hard and felt so comfortable in the space of 30 minutes. He walked me home and when I got in the door, I missed him. Long story short, on the 21st April 2022, he asked me to be his girlfriend in Rome and we moved in together a month later. On the 21st April 2023, he got down on one knee in the most beautiful place and asked me to marry him. From there on, we bought our first home together and became first time dog owners to our little fur baby Archie. I can't wait to see what our future holds, getting to go through life with my best friend. Per Ruan:After debating with God on his Will and how a dating app aligns with such, I mustered up the courage to create a profile online. To my delight, I came across Elisa's profile in the first day. After been near dumbstruck by her beauty on her profile I made the mistake of listening to a voice note she uploaded singing "Don't go breaking my heart', I was landlocked in a sea of emotion. I just had to send her a message. When I met with Elisa at the bridge I was astonished when she popped the first question; "So are you religious?" Astonished more cause she stole my question. After a lovely evening of laughter and Elisa sticking her tongue out at me, I knew I had to see her again. Since then, life has become a little brighter, laughing more frequent and my clothes being stolen, a lot more frequent. I never knew what a best friend is until I met Elisa, and now I can't wait to marry her. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the LORD. To my love, the treasure I found, I never knew I needed.

What is the craic with the penguins? When Ruan was a baby, his ouma used to call him a pikkewyn (Afrikaans for penguin), due to how he straddled like a penguin while learning to walk and this nickname stuck to him for his whole life and evolved into a term of endearment between Ruan and his ouma. When Ruan moved in with Barbara and Jonny, Finnley gifted him a Penguin magnet without knowing his story. Once Elisa moved into their little cabin and saw the penguin, she told Ruan about how male Adelie and Gentoo penguins, present little pebbles to their prospective mate as an an offering. If she accepts, the pebble becomes the first foundation of their home. Since this, the penguins have become an icon for the couple with Elisa gifting Ruan with a pebble and Ruan returning the gesture with a shiny pebble. The offering worked and she accepted his pebble.

Our Story

With its historic charm and Cape Dutch roots, Nooitgedacht Estate is fondly known as one of the best venues in the Stellenbosch area for weddings. It boasts expansive lawns, shaded by century-old oak trees, rolling vineyards, a historic 18th-century manor house and outbuildings and exhibiting an authentic old-world vibe. The Wirth family pride themselves on adding a personal touch to each event they host, which can be found in every aspect of the service offering. All aspects of the event preparation, down to the last immaculate detail, are tailored to suit your individual needs to ensure that your function is a truly unique and special occasion.

Venue Location

With everything from Hotels to Guest Houses, there’s a budget to suit everyone. And if you can team up with others, you’ll find it very reasonable. Everything is relatively close if you stay in the general Stellenbosch area. Devonvale Golf &amp; Wine EstateAddress:&nbsp;&nbsp;Bottelary Rd, Devonvale Golf &amp; Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 21 865 2080Email: <a href="mailto:reservations@devonvale.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reservations@devonvale.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://devonvaleestate.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://devonvaleestate.co.za/</a> Weltevreden EstateAddress:&nbsp;&nbsp;Welgevonden Blvd, Cloetesville, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 21 889 6588Email: <a href="mailto:res@wgl.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">res@wgl.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://www.weltevredenestate.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.weltevredenestate.com/</a> Casa Mori FarmAddress:&nbsp;&nbsp;Blumberg Dr, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch, 7605, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 82 457 7783Email: <a href="mailto:marilynmori@mweb.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">marilynmori@mweb.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://casamori.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://casamori.co.za/</a> Sugarbird ManorAddress:&nbsp;Protea Heights Farm, Devon Valley Rd, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 79 124 2124Email: <a href="mailto:reservations@sugarbirdmanor.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reservations@sugarbirdmanor.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://www.sugarbirdmanor.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.sugarbirdmanor.co.za/</a> De Oude Meul Guest HouseAddress:&nbsp;10a Mill Street, Stellenbosch, Western CapeSouth AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 21 285 0686Email: <a href="info@deoudemeul.com " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@deoudemeul.com </a>Website: <a href="https://www.deoudemeul.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.deoudemeul.com/</a> Apple Tree Guest HouseAddress:&nbsp;6 Paul Kruger Rd, St, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 21 886 4669Email: <a href="mailto:info@appletreeguesthouse.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@appletreeguesthouse.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://www.agoda.com/apple-tree-guest-house/hotel/stellenbosch-za.html?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.agoda.com/apple-tree-guest-house/hotel/stellenbosch-za.html?</a> The Stellenbosch HotelAddress:&nbsp;Corner of Drop &amp;, Andringa St, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 21 887 3644Email: <a href="mailto:reservations@stellenboschhotel.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reservations@stellenboschhotel.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://stellenboschhotel.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://stellenboschhotel.co.za/</a> Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel &amp; SpaAddress:&nbsp;33 Church St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 21 883 8207Email: <a href="mailto:reservations@coopmanhuijs.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reservations@coopmanhuijs.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://coopmanhuijs.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://coopmanhuijs.co.za/</a> Twice Central Guest HouseAddress:&nbsp;7 Hamman St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 72 457 1431Email: <a href="mailto:reservations@twicecentral.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reservations@twicecentral.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://www.twicecentral.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.twicecentral.co.za/</a> Rivierbos Guest HouseAddress:&nbsp;12 Plein St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, South AfricaTelephone:&nbsp;+27 21 887 3644Email: <a href="mailto:info@rivierbos.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@rivierbos.co.za</a>Website: <a href="https://www.agoda.com/rivierbos-guesthouse/hotel/stellenbosch-za.html?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.agoda.com/rivierbos-guesthouse/hotel/stellenbosch-za.html?</a>

Accommodation 

Airport

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Car Hire

We advise to rent a car for convenience. We found the below website useful.<a href="https://www.rentalcars.com/en/airport/za/cpt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.rentalcars.com/en/airport/za/cpt/</a>

Travel & Transport 

Table Mountain

Overlook the city of Cape Town.Plan your visit!<a href="https://www.tablemountain.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tablemountain.net/</a>

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach&nbsp;is believed to be the only place in the world where you can effortlessly swim among penguins and possibly find them flopping onto your beach towel. Bestowing Cape Town with its sublime beauty is the proximity of its built environments to such vast swaths of natural wilderness.

Muizenberg Beach

Muizenberg is probably most famous for its&nbsp;long, white sand beach, reliable surf breaks, and colorful beach huts. It's also a bohemian sanctuary with more than its fair share of independent art galleries and boutiques.

Bo-Kaap

The most vibrant area of Cape Town! Bo-Kaap is known for its&nbsp;brightly coloured homes and cobblestoned streets.&nbsp;A must visit!

V&A Waterfront

The V&amp;A Waterfront is centred around South Africa's oldest working harbour, and is a vibrant precinct that has&nbsp;attractive shopping center's, food and craft markets, the Two Oceans Aquarium, hotels, and other attractions.

Robben Island Museum

Find out about the rich history of the island, and then reach the highlight of the tour: Nelson Mandela's prison cell. Get a sense of his fight for freedom as you discover the prison cell where he was incarcerated for more than 25 years. Plan your visit! <a href="https://www.robben-island.org.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.robben-island.org.za/</a>

Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa is a family-friendly African safari less than a 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town. Home to the legendary big 5 (lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos), the 10 000 hectare wildlife conservancy sits between the Langeberg and the Outeniqua Mountains in the Western Cape, South Africa.Plan your visit! <a href="https://www.aquilasafari.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.aquilasafari.com/</a>

Cool Runnings

Go hurtling down a half-pipe in a bobsled, flying through the twists and curves as you race along the 1.25 km track.It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s safe! The first downhill tobogganing track in Africa, Cool Runnings is a Cape Town-based family park boasting an intricate course of steel tracks and top-notch, wheeled bobsleds.Plan your visit!<a href="https://coolrunnings.capetown/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://coolrunnings.capetown/</a>

Things to Do

Registry

Wanna jiggy with us till the A.M? Add your jam here! 

<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tgJV0XMg372D2JFtftPbh?si=ws3aBjG6SCG5pgs1fiqLPw&amp;pt=cadd73366e40f56ce01aab29729557c1&amp;pi=e-weIXOJbQSv-o" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tgJV0XMg372D2JFtftPbh?si=ws3aBjG6SCG5pgs1fiqLPw&amp;pt=cadd73366e40f56ce01aab29729557c1&amp;pi=e-weIXOJbQSv-o</a>

Elisa & Ruan

Elisa & Ruan

Song requests

Wanna jiggy with us till the A.M? Add your jam here!