Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Setting: Beach
Wedding season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 6 months
The number of guests: 180
Wedding theme/style: Glam, disco, beach.
Wayne and Hilton crossed paths in 2019, and their romantic journey began in 2020. Their relationship deepened just before the world underwent lockdown measures in March. Hilton moved in with Wayne for the lockdown period, and their bond grew so strong that Hilton never found a reason to leave thereafter. In June 2022, they decided to take their relationship to the next level after being together for two and a half years, getting engaged.
Wayne and Hilton wanted a specific peach color for their suites, and, luckily, they found in Italy the last few meters of the perfect color fabric available in the world. They have paired their dapper suits with white YSL sneakers and retro-tinted sunglasses.
The couple envisioned a wedding style that exuded a combination of glamour, disco, and beach elements. With a touch of sparkle, they aimed to create a dazzling atmosphere reminiscent of the disco era.
Wayne and Hilton developed the concept along with a brilliant wedding planner Kraak. The lovebirds didn’t want a formal wedding, yet not as casual as beachy linen vibes. To achieve this, they curated a specific lookbook for their guests with references to how they should dress.
The table decor at the event was truly one-of-a-kind, showcasing an extraordinary blend of artistic elements. The tablecloth itself became a canvas adorned with an artist’s intricate drawings. Complementing this creative display were the peculiar compositions reminiscent of fruit-based artworks, carefully crafted into captivating centerpieces. As the evening progressed, the soft glow from portable lamps elevated the ambiance to a new level of magic. These meticulously designed tables spoke about the couple’s unique personality and reflected their creative vision flawlessly brought to life by the talented team at Kraak.
Because Wayne is Jewish, the couple made the decision to incorporate several traditional Jewish elements into the reception and ceremony. They included a beautiful Chuppah, the symbolic breaking of the glass, and lively traditional Jewish dancing, which was an entirely new experience for many of their guests.
The guests were taken aback by the unexpected presence of a drag performer Cathy Specific as their MC, creating a delightful surprise. She was brilliant and put everyone in the right, relaxed mood for the event.
The primary objective was to ensure everyone, both guests and the couple themselves, had a fantastic time. The top priority was ensuring that both the guests and the lovers had an enjoyable experience, thus emphasizing the entertainment and dancing components of the event. “We wanted our wedding to be a celebration of love. The most important things to us are our friends and family so we wanted to celebrate with them and just have a great time together.”
To enhance the dancefloor experience, Kraak went above and beyond by crafting a separate nightclub area adorned with magnificent disco balls and exuding a captivating French disco vibe. This remarkable setup was a complete surprise to the couple, as they only saw the venue after the ceremony. Their awe was palpable as they were completely blown away.
It was an absolute perfection, precisely aligning with their desires. The celebration continued joyously until the early hours, with everyone passionately dancing until 2 am.
Advice from the couple
• Get a wedding planner! It takes the stress off of the couple, and you can actually get to enjoy the process more. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted, and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Our guests also really enjoyed themselves, and that was important to us.
VENUE & CATERING The Grand Africa Café | PLANNER & EVENT DESIGNER Kraak | PHOTOGRAPHER Dear Heart Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Vision on Fire | FLORIST Fleur Le Cordeur | LIGHTING & STRUCTURES In and Out Events | DANCE FLOOR & ENGINEER Unfazed Pro | SOUND Sense AV | STATIONARY City Print | FURNITURE RENTAL Scape | DRAG QUEEN Cathy Specific | DJ Abby Nurock | ARTIST DRAWING ON THE TABLE Studio Pen
