Sarah & James
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Lanzerac Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
"Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate." — Mark 10:9
Our Story
Sarah & James
"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." — Audrey Hepburn
Some love stories begin with a grand gesture. Sarah and James began with a borrowed umbrella on a rainy Tuesday morning.
It was 2021 — a grey September in Stellenbosch. Sarah was sprinting across the Eikestad Mall car park, arms full of grocery bags, when a stranger jogged alongside her and held an umbrella over her head without a word. That stranger was James. She thanked him. He asked if she wanted coffee while the rain passed. She said yes. They talked for three hours. Neither of them ever made it home that afternoon.
What followed was a slow and beautiful unfolding. Long walks through the Cape Winelands, Sundays at the farmers' market, road trips down the Garden Route with nothing but a playlist and a bag of biltong. They discovered that they shared not only a love of adventure and slow mornings, but a deep and quiet faith that has become the foundation of everything they are building together.
Two years later, on a golden afternoon at Franschhoek Pass — just as the fynbos caught the last light of the day — James got down on one knee. He had hidden the ring in the front pocket of Sarah's hiking bag. She had been carrying it all day without knowing.
She said yes before he finished the sentence.
On the 19th of September 2026, surrounded by the people they love most and beneath the ancient oaks of Lanzerac, Sarah and James will make their promises official. We cannot wait to celebrate with you.
The Day
Saturday, 19 September 2026 · Lanzerac Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- 13:00 Shuttle departs from Stellenbosch Town centre
- 13:30 Guests Arrive — Welcome Drinks on the Vineyard Lawn
- 14:15 Wedding Ceremony in the Lanzerac Oak Grove
- 15:00 Confetti & Congratulations
- 15:15 Cocktail Hour with Canapés & Live Music
- 16:15 Bridal Party & Couple Portraits (Vineyard Walk)
- 17:00 Reception Doors Open
- 17:30 Welcome Toast & Three-Course Dinner Served
- 19:00 Speeches & Toasts
- 20:00 Cake Cutting
- 20:15 First Dance — Sarah & James
- 20:30 Dance Floor Opens for Everyone
- 22:30 Shuttle departs to Stellenbosch Town centre
- 23:00 Farewell & Send-Off
Dress Code
Garden elegance. Think long florals, linen suits, and the kind of outfit you'd wear to the most beautiful garden party you've ever attended.
We are celebrating among the vineyards, so comfort is key — the lawns are lush but uneven in places.
For the ladies: a midi or maxi dress in florals, soft pastels or earthy tones is perfect. Block heels or wedges are strongly recommended over stilettos. Strappy sandals are equally welcome.
For the gentlemen: a linen or lightweight suit in beige, sage, dusty blue or white. A blazer with chinos and an open-collar shirt is equally appropriate. Leave the dark charcoal at home — this is a celebration of sunshine and wildflowers.
Gallery
Moments to remember
Our People
The ones who stood beside us
Emma Louw
Maid of Honour
Sarah's best friend since their first week at Stellenbosch University — they lived in the same res corridor and have been inseparable ever since. Emma is the person who helped Sarah pick the dress, plan the surprise honeymoon wish list, and write the most embarrassing toast the world has ever heard. A clinical psychologist with a soul that fills every room she enters.
Cara Mitchell
Bridesmaid
Childhood friends who grew up on the same street in Hermanus. Sarah taught Cara to swim; Cara taught Sarah that life is better when you laugh at absolutely everything. Now a marine biologist based in Hout Bay, Cara still brings the same infectious energy she had at age seven.
Priya Naidoo
Bridesmaid
Colleagues turned confidants. Priya and Sarah bonded over late nights at the office and discovered they were the same person with different accents. Priya is a UX designer with an enviable wardrobe and an even better recipe for butter chicken. She flew in from London to be here — and we are so glad she did.
Luke van der Berg
Best Man
James's oldest friend — they met on the first day of primary school in Paarl when Luke convinced James to hide behind the cricket nets to avoid the first maths test. A friendship born from cowardice and cemented over twenty-five years of shared history. Luke is a civil engineer in Cape Town and the undisputed king of the braai.
David Chen
Groomsman
James's university roommate and the sole reason he passed Thermodynamics in third year. A man of few words, excellent taste in wine, and an uncanny ability to find the best restaurant in any city. David is currently working as a structural engineer in Singapore but flew home for this — no questions asked.
Sipho Dlamini
Groomsman
Colleagues turned brothers. James and Sipho have navigated every career high and low side by side for the past six years. Sipho's steady wisdom, quiet loyalty, and perfectly timed one-liners have made him one of James's most treasured people. Based in Johannesburg — always home when it matters most.
Accommodation
Where to rest your head
We have reserved a block of rooms at Lanzerac Hotel for out-of-town guests. Mention code SARAH-JAMES-SEPT26 when booking to receive a 15% discount — rooms are limited, so please book early.
The hotel is a 3-minute walk from the ceremony venue and makes a wonderful base for exploring the Winelands the morning after.
Nearby alternatives (all within 10 minutes): • Oude Werf Hotel — charming heritage hotel in the heart of Stellenbosch (+27 21 887 4608) • The Spier Hotel — beautiful wine estate with superb breakfast (+27 21 809 1100) • Fig Tree Cottage on Dorp Street — intimate boutique guesthouse (+27 21 887 4561) • Protea Hotel Stellenbosch — excellent value, central location
Transport & getting home safely: • Shuttles run from Stellenbosch Town at 13:00 and return at 22:30 — a great option if you plan to enjoy our wine selection fully! • Uber is readily available in and around Stellenbosch • Cape Cabs (trusted local taxi service): +27 21 888 0000
Things to do the next day: A morning hike on the Jonkershoek trails, a tasting at Delheim or Jordan, or a leisurely breakfast at Schoon de Companje bakery in town — September in the Cape is absolutely magical.
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 kitchen together and could not be more excited about it. We have registered a curated list of kitchen and homeware essentials at Yuppiechef — from a Le Creuset pot Sarah has coveted for years to the coffee machine James insists will change our mornings forever. Visit our registry online and search for 'Sarah & James 2026'.
Honeymoon Fund
After the wedding we are heading to the Amalfi Coast for two weeks of pasta, sunshine, and absolutely no emails. A contribution to our honeymoon fund is the most meaningful gift we could imagine — every rand goes towards a meal we'll remember, a sunset we'll photograph badly, and a memory we'll carry for the rest of our lives.
Bank details: Account holder: S. Thompson Bank: Capitec Account number: Available on request Reference: Your name + 'Honeymoon'
Woolworths Home Wishlist
We have registered a bedroom and bathroom wishlist at Woolworths Home — soft linen in neutral tones, beautiful basics, and the kind of quiet luxury that makes a house feel like a home. Search 'Sarah & James Wedding' in the Woolworths gifting portal.
Questions
Everything you need to know
Lanzerac is situated at the end of Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch — just 5 minutes from the town centre. Free parking is available on the estate. If you would prefer not to drive, shuttles depart from Stellenbosch Town at 13:00 and return at 22:30. Uber is also readily available throughout Stellenbosch.
Yes — ample free parking is available on the estate grounds. We do encourage guests to make use of the shuttle service or Uber if you plan to enjoy the wine fully. A safe journey home is the best wedding gift you can give us.
We absolutely love 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 and we will do our best to accommodate.
Please note your dietary needs in the message field of your RSVP — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut allergies, halal or otherwise. Our caterer is fully equipped to accommodate all requirements with equal care and presentation. Nobody goes home hungry.
The ceremony takes place in Lanzerac's beautiful oak grove, which is partially sheltered. September in Stellenbosch is typically dry and warm, but the Cape has a mind of its own! In the unlikely event of rain, we have a stunning covered contingency space reserved. The party continues no matter what.
We have a wonderful photographer capturing every moment, so we kindly ask for an unplugged ceremony — phones and cameras away, and hearts fully present. You are welcome to 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.
Please RSVP by 1 August 2026 so we can confirm final numbers with our caterer and venue team. We'd love to have you there — please don't leave us in suspense too long!
Garden elegance — think florals, linen, and soft pastels. Ladies: a midi or maxi dress is perfect; opt for block heels or wedges over stilettos as the lawns can be uneven. Gentlemen: a lightweight suit or smart blazer with chinos is ideal. Think wine estate garden party, not city boardroom. The more colour, the better!
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 August 2026