Caitlin & Ruan
Sunday, 27 September 2026
Babylonstoren, Franschhoek
"Twee harte, een pad, vir ewig en altyd." — Two hearts, one path, for ever and always.
Our Story
Caitlin & Ruan
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more." — Nicholas Sparks
Some love stories begin with a plan. Caitlin and Ruan's began with a flat tyre.
It was a Friday afternoon on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West — the kind of day where the mountains are perfectly clear and the vineyards have just started turning gold. Caitlin had pulled off onto the gravel shoulder, hazards blinking, when a white bakkie slowed down behind her. Ruan had been on his way back from a client site in Grabouw and decided, without really thinking about it, to stop.
He changed the tyre. She made fun of how long it took. He asked if coffee was the least she could offer. She said she'd think about it.
She did. The coffee turned into dinner in Stellenbosch's Dorp Street. Dinner turned into Sunday hikes in the Helderberg. The hikes turned into weekends in Hermanus watching whales breach in the bay, road trips through the Karoo, long drives on dirt roads with no real destination and too much biltong. They discovered a shared love of old bookshops, early morning farm markets, and the particular golden light that settles over the Western Cape in spring.
Two years later, on a warm September afternoon at Babylonstoren, Ruan asked Caitlin to marry him in the rose garden. He had hidden the ring in the pocket of her camera bag the night before. She found it mid-sentence and said yes before he'd even finished asking.
On the 27th of September 2026, surrounded by the people they love most, beneath the mountains of Franschhoek, Caitlin and Ruan will make it forever. We are so glad you'll be there.
The Day
Sunday, 27 September 2026 · 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)
- 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 — Caitlin & Ruan
- 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 Western Cape.
For the ladies: a midi or maxi dress in the couple's colour palette is perfect. Think warm sage greens, soft blush, dusty rose, and earthy creams. Block heels, wedges, or elegant sandals are recommended — the gardens at Babylonstoren 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
Hanle du Toit
Maid of Honour
Caitlin and Hanle have been inseparable since their first week at Stellenbosch University — they shared a res room, a terrible coffee machine, and every secret since. Hanle is the one who told Ruan exactly how to propose, when to propose, and what to wear. She is a physiotherapist in Cape Town with a laugh that fills every room she enters.
Mia Loubser
Bridesmaid
Childhood friends from Somerset West who grew up on the same street, shared the same school bus, and still share the same taste in bad reality television. Mia is now an interior designer in Johannesburg — which explains why the wedding décor looks so impossibly good. She flew home without a second thought.
Danielle Kriel
Bridesmaid
Colleagues turned kindred spirits at an advertising agency in Cape Town. Danielle and Caitlin bonded over an impossible deadline and discovered they were practically the same person. She has impeccable taste in wine and has been planning her speech since the engagement was announced.
Francois Venter
Best Man
Ruan and Francois have been friends since they were twelve and attempted to build a raft on the Eerste River. The raft sank immediately. The friendship did not. Francois is a civil engineer in Pretoria, a legendary braai master, and the only person alive who can make Ruan genuinely nervous. His speech has been classified.
Stefan Meyer
Groomsman
University roommate and the sole reason Ruan passed third-year structural engineering. Stefan 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.
Jaco van Niekerk
Groomsman
Five years of working side by side built a friendship Jaco and Ruan both call one of the best things to come from their careers. His 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 — 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: +27 82 555 1234
The morning after: Franschhoek village has world-class restaurants, galleries, and wine estates within walking distance. September in the Winelands is extraordinary — crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and the vines 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 Caitlin has wanted for years, the coffee machine Ruan insists will change everything, and a few beautiful things in between. Search 'Caitlin & Ruan 2026' in the Yuppiechef registry.
Honeymoon Fund
After the wedding we are heading to the Greek islands for two weeks of fresh seafood, warm evenings, 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: C. Meyer 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 'Caitlin & Ruan 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 designated driver 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 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. Late September in Franschhoek is typically warm and beautiful, but the Cape can surprise you. In the unlikely event of rain we have a stunning covered contingency ready. 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.
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 September is a popular 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 15 August 2026