Monique & Hanno
Saturday, 2 November 2024
Babylonstoren, Franschhoek
"Twee harte, een pad, vir ewig en altyd." — Two hearts, one path, for ever and always.
Our Story
Monique & Hanno
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more." — Nicholas Sparks
Some love stories begin with a grand plan. Monique and Hanno's began with a wrong turn.
It was a warm Saturday morning in Stellenbosch — the kind where the mountains are sharp and the air smells like fynbos and fresh bread. Monique had gone to the farmers' market on Dorp Street looking for sourdough. Hanno had gone looking for olive oil and ended up in entirely the wrong row. They reached for the same jar of honey at exactly the same moment.
He apologised. She laughed. He asked if she wanted coffee while she decided whether to forgive him. She said yes.
Three hours later, neither of them had bought anything except two cups of coffee and a small pot of that same honey — which Hanno insisted on paying for, and which Monique still has on her kitchen shelf.
What followed was slow and joyful. Sunday drives through the Franschhoek Valley. Long braais that stretched into the evening. Road trips to the Karoo, the Wild Coast, the Cederberg — always a playlist, always biltong, always the kind of conversation that makes time disappear. They discovered a shared love of old bookshops, early mornings, and the particular golden light that falls over the Cape Winelands in November.
A year later, on a golden afternoon at Babylonstoren, Hanno asked Monique to marry him in the rose garden, while the mountains turned pink and the lavender buzzed with bees. She had been holding the ring the whole time without knowing — he had tucked it into the pocket of her camera bag.
She said yes before he finished asking.
On the 2nd of November 2024, surrounded by the people they love most, beneath the ancient mountains of Franschhoek, Monique and Hanno made their promises forever. We are so glad you were there.
The Day
Saturday, 2 November 2024 · Babylonstoren, Franschhoek
- 13:30 Shuttle departs from Franschhoek Village
- 14:00 Guests Arrive — Welcome Drinks in the Rose Garden
- 14:45 Wedding Ceremony in the Heritage Garden
- 15:30 Confetti, Congratulations & Champagne
- 15:45 Cocktail Hour with Canapés on the Lawn
- 16:45 Couple & Bridal Party Portraits (Golden Hour Walk)
- 17:30 Reception Doors Open
- 18:00 Welcome Toast & Three-Course Dinner Begins
- 19:30 Speeches & Toasts
- 20:30 Cake Cutting
- 20:45 First Dance — Monique & Hanno
- 21:00 Dance Floor Opens
- 23:00 Shuttle departs to Franschhoek Village
- 23:30 Farewell & Send-Off
Dress Code
Garden elegance — think flowing dresses, linen suits, and the kind of outfit you'd wear to the most beautiful garden party in the Cape Winelands.
For the ladies: a midi or maxi dress in the couple's colour palette is perfect. Think warm greens, soft blush, dusty rose, or earthy tones. Block heels, wedges, or elegant sandals are recommended — the gardens are lush but uneven.
For the gentlemen: a lightweight suit or blazer with chinos in sage, stone, ivory or warm tan. An open-collar linen shirt is very welcome. Leave the dark city suits at home — this is a celebration of Cape sunshine and wildflowers.
Gallery
Moments to remember
Our People
The ones who stood beside us
Anri Joubert
Maid of Honour
Monique and Anri have been inseparable since their first week at Stellenbosch University — they shared a res room, a terrible coffee machine, and every secret since. Anri is the one who helped Monique say yes before Hanno had finished asking, because she already knew the answer. A speech therapist in Cape Town with a laugh that fills every room she enters.
Leandi van Niekerk
Bridesmaid
Childhood friends from Paarl who grew up on the same street, shared the same school bus, and still share the same terrible taste in early 2000s pop music. Leandi is now an interior designer in Johannesburg — which explains why the wedding décor looks so impossibly good. She flew home without a second thought.
Steph du Plessis
Bridesmaid
Colleagues turned kindred spirits. Steph and Monique bonded over an impossible deadline and discovered they were practically the same person. Steph is a brand strategist with impeccable taste in wine and an even better recipe for koeksisters. She's been planning this speech since the engagement was announced.
Pieter Venter
Best Man
Hanno and Pieter have been friends since they were eleven years old and decided to build a raft on the Eerste River. The raft sank immediately. The friendship did not. Pieter is a civil engineer in Pretoria, a legendary braai master, and the only person alive who can make Hanno genuinely nervous. His speech has been classified.
Daniël Steyn
Groomsman
University roommate and the sole reason Hanno passed third-year. Daniël is a man of few words, excellent taste in single-malt whisky, and an uncanny ability to find the best table at any restaurant. He is currently based in Amsterdam but there was never any question about whether he would be here.
Riaan Botha
Groomsman
Six years of working side by side forged a friendship Riaan and Hanno both call one of the best things to come from their careers. Riaan's quiet loyalty, perfectly timed wit, and absolute refusal to give a bad toast make him an essential part of this day. Based in Johannesburg — always home when it matters.
Accommodation
Where to rest your head
We have reserved a block of rooms at Babylonstoren for the wedding party. For guests, the following are a short drive away and all exceptional:
• La Couronne Hotel — romantic hillside hotel with stunning valley views (+27 21 876 2770) • Le Quartier Français — Franschhoek's most celebrated boutique hotel, right on the main road (+27 21 492 2222) • The Akademie Street Boutique Hotel & Guest House — beautifully restored Victorian manor in the village (+27 21 876 3027) • Leeu Estates — ultra-luxury option for those who want to make a full weekend of it (+27 21 492 3111)
Franschhoek is a 75-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport. The R45 through Paarl is the most scenic route.
Transport options: • Shuttles run from Franschhoek Village at 13:30 and return at 23:00 — perfect if you plan to enjoy the wine fully • Uber is available but can be slow in the Valley on weekends — book in advance • Wine Valley Transfers (reliable local service): +27 82 555 1234
The morning after: Franschhoek village has world-class restaurants, galleries, and wine estates within walking distance. November in the Winelands is extraordinary — crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and the vines just coming into leaf.
Gift Registry
Your presence is our greatest gift
We are truly humbled that you are joining us. If you would like to give a gift, we have registered at the following:
Yuppiechef Registry
We are building our first home together and could not be more excited. Our Yuppiechef registry covers kitchen essentials — the Le Creuset pot Monique has wanted for years, the coffee machine Hanno insists will change everything, and a few beautiful things in between. Search 'Monique & Hanno 2024' in the Yuppiechef registry.
Honeymoon Fund
After the wedding we are heading to Tuscany for two weeks of pasta, wine, and no emails. A contribution to our honeymoon fund is the most meaningful gift we can imagine — every rand goes towards a dinner we will remember forever, a view that will stop us mid-sentence, and a memory we will carry for the rest of our lives.
Bank details: Account holder: M. van der Berg Bank: Capitec Account number: Available on request Reference: Your name + 'Honeymoon'
Woolworths Home
We have a bedroom and bathroom wishlist at Woolworths Home — soft linen in warm neutrals, quality basics, and the kind of quiet luxury that makes a house feel like yours. Search 'Monique & Hanno Wedding' in the Woolworths gifting portal.
Questions
Everything you need to know
Babylonstoren is on Simondium Road, Franschhoek — about 75 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. Free parking is available on the estate. If you prefer not to drive, shuttles depart from Franschhoek Village at 13:30 and return at 23:00. Uber is available but can be slow in the Valley on weekends — book ahead.
Yes — ample free parking on the estate grounds. We encourage guests to use the shuttle or arrange a lift if you plan to enjoy the wine. Getting home safely is the best gift you can give us.
We adore your little ones, but to allow everyone — especially you — to relax and celebrate fully, we have planned this as an adults-only evening. We hope you enjoy a well-deserved night out! If you have very young babies who cannot be left, please reach out to us privately.
Please include any dietary needs in the message field of your RSVP — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut allergies, halal, or anything else. Our caterer handles all requirements with equal care and presentation. Nobody goes home hungry.
Yes — the ceremony takes place in Babylonstoren's Heritage Garden. November in Franschhoek is typically warm and dry, but the Cape can surprise you. In the unlikely event of rain we have a beautiful covered contingency. The party continues regardless.
We have a wonderful photographer capturing everything, so we kindly ask for an unplugged ceremony — phones away, hearts fully present. Please take as many photos as you like during the reception! We will share a full gallery with all guests in the weeks following the wedding.
Garden elegance — flowing dresses in warm greens, blush, or earthy tones for ladies; linen or lightweight suits in sage, stone or ivory for gentlemen. Think Cape Winelands garden party, not city boardroom. Comfortable footwear is encouraged — the gardens are gorgeous but uneven. The more colour, the better.
Yes — Franschhoek has world-class accommodation at every price point. See the Accommodation section for our curated recommendations, all within a short drive of the venue. We suggest booking early as November is a popular wedding month in the Winelands.
Our Soundtrack
The songs that wrote our story
Have a song you'd love to hear? Message us and we'll add it to the list.
You are cordially invited
RSVP
Kindly reply by 1 December 2026