Carl & Nadine | Boschendal Wedding Video

How did you guys meet?

We met when we were 15, at our friend Matt’s birthday party. Carl was at school with Matt and I knew Matt because his older brother, Peter, dated my older sister, Lauren. I remember being instantly drawn to Carl and wanting to get to know him.

Why did you want us to capture your wedding day? How do you think you’ll feel watching everything back in years to come?

We considered many different options for our videographer, watching hours of past wedding videos. As soon as we started going through Gustav’s work, we knew he was the person we wanted to capture our day.

His films evoke sensitivity, romanticism, joy and, above all, love and they do this in the most natural and beautiful of ways. Watching one of Gustav’s films is like having a window into a couple’s soul, being exposed to the tenderness of love that binds these individuals together.

Tell me about the proposal – I love hearing these stories

It was Friday 1 October 2021 and we were going to spend the night at my parents house – my parents have a “Friday, Thai day” tradition where we order Thai takeaway and watch a movie.

Earlier in the week my sister, Paige, had suggested that we meet at the Mount Nelson for a drink before heading back to Llandudno (little did I know that this was part of the plan…). Carl and I arrived at the Mount Nelson and went for a walk around the gardens.

We walked past these beautiful garden cottages and I remember Carl saying “Why don’t we ask reception if we can look inside one of them?”. This was quite unlike him, I’m the nosey one, but I happily went along with it. We were shown inside one of the cottages and it was exquisite – one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve seen – and I remember it had a massive vase of red roses.

The staff member said “The guests checking in are regulars so we like to do something special for them”, referencing the roses. We left the cottage and walked around the small garden in front of it.

I was approaching this beautiful big oak tree and I turned around to find Carl on his knee, ring box in hand, about to propose. I immediately started crying and I don’t remember much of what was said expect that Carl said “I had a speech planned but now all I want to ask you is, will you marry me?”.

It was beautiful and natural and unforgettable. Carl had arranged for a table and chairs to be set up in the garden with a bottle of champagne waiting, so we went and spent time there together just soaking it all in.

Inevitably I asked “Who knows!! I need to call my parents!” and Carl said we should just enjoy the moment and we could do that later. He then suggested we head inside for a drink at the bar and as we arrived, both of our families jumped out to surprise it.

I didn’t think the day could get any better! We spent the evening drinking, celebrating, calling friends and family and soaking up the moment.

Then, the last surprise of the day. The cottage we were shown earlier was actually ours for the weekend, so after the best day of my life we were able to relax in luxury for the rest of the weekend.

What do you guys do for a living? How do spend your free time?

I’m a Fintech Consultant and Carl is an Investment Banker. We spend our free time playing tennis, going for nice walks, travelling and eating out.

Why did you choose the wedding venue? What was special about it when you saw it for the first time?

I had always said that I wanted to get married at Boschendal. I remember visiting it for the first time and being blown away by the natural beauty, the history of the estate and its commitment to sustainability and community.

This are all things that resonate with me. We didn’t even consider another venue – it was only going to be Boschendal! And it was meant to be.. we had decided we wanted to get married on 6 May 2023 and when we first enquired with Boschendal, they already had a booking.

However, this booking fell through so we were able to get our dream venue for the date we wanted.

Tell me about the vision you have for your wedding. What experience do you wish to give your guests?

We wanted our wedding to be elegant and timeless.. we wanted our guests to feel like they could escape reality for a day and night, enjoy delicious food and drinks and marvel in the natural beauty of the Cape Winelands.

We wanted it to be authentic and emotive and give a true glimpse into the love that Carl and I have for each other.

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years time?

I don’t know where we will be physically, i.e. still in London or back in Cape Town or destination unknown, but I know that we will be happy, content, fulfilled and perhaps slightly busier, if there are a couple of small people in the picture!

VENUE Boschendal 

PLANNER Mosaic Wedding Company 

HAIR & MAKE UP Corlé Barnard

FLOWERS & DÉCOR Aspen & Co

VIDEOGRAPHY Gustav Franke Cinematography

PHOTOGRAPHER Hewitt Wright Photography