02/09/2026
// Madene & Hennie
What a journey these two went on when their wedding day fell in the middle of the worst storm the Garden Route had seen in decades.
From insane flooding, to having no cellphone reception for days, delivery trucks having to cut their way through the forest to reach the venue, and flowers not catching their flight from Cape Town - I can quite literally say that this was the most challenging coordination experience to date.
It was quite a feat to pull this day off, but on the morning of the wedding, just for that day, the sky completely cleared to welcome some sunshine that we hadn’t seen in over five days. A little wet, yes, but it was the most beautiful calm after the storm, and the forest came to life in a kaleidoscope of fresh greens. Only to go back to more bad weather the very next day.
From the beginning of planning this wedding, I kept saying that it felt as if God had His hand over this wedding. This entire experience really did prove that. You could not only see God’s grace, but feel His presence throughout the entire experience.
Apart from all the challenges, I don’t think anyone - be it one of the amazing vendors on this dream team, the guests, or the couple themselves would say that anything should have been done any differently.
This was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience as a wedding planner, and is it crazy for me to say that I pray for more exactly like this one?
Photographer | Matt Kay
Planning & Coordination | H O U T
Decor & Florals |
Catering | Concept Food
DJ | Occasion DJs & events
Hair & Make Up | Kayleigh Stopforth - Port Elizabeth Makeup Artist & Educator
Dress | Estelle Designs
Staffing | benevents04
Venue | Forest Hall Estate
Marriage Officer | Gavin Brown
B**r Bar | Barrington's - Plettenberg Bay
Gin Bar | Knysna Gin Distillery & Cocktail bar
Tent | Garden route stretch tent
Furniture & Lighting | Event Hire: Lights | Furniture | Flooring | Tents Inspiration Events
Other Inspiration Events Catering & PrivaSuzette’s Catering & Private Chef
