The brides stand together in an open field, both smiling with their arms raised, holding bouquets. The sky is overcast, and the tall grass stretches out behind them.

A Nature-Inspired Wedding at Die Woud, South Africa

Imogen (she/her) and Cardeux (she/her) have a love story that started with boat parties, overalls, and a shared bunk bed in Hong Kong. Fast forward through eight years, 15 countries, and 49 foster kittens, they’re a couple who truly embraces adventure. Their wedding at Die Woud in South Africa had it all, from a carefully crafted ‘mustard and merlot’ color scheme to a surprise first dance moment that set the dance floor on fire. There were twists along the way, but Imogen and Cardeux’s focus on equality and fun made their celebration unforgettable.

How did your love story begin, and how did it evolve into marriage?

It all started in Hong Kong, in the most unexpected way. I was there for a study abroad program, while Cards had moved there nine months earlier. We met through a whirlwind of events involving overalls, boat parties, ice cream, and a shared bunk bed—classic beginnings, right? After a rocky start, we met again for a hike two weeks later, and I didn’t leave her place for three days. Since then, we’ve traveled to 15 countries, fostered 49 cats, run a triathlon together, and even started our own businesses. We like to joke that we’re still in the honeymoon phase, almost eight years later​.

What drew you to Die Woud as your wedding venue?

Instagram was our primary tool for planning, and Die Woud was love at first sight—digitally speaking, that is. It had the natural beauty we both dreamed of, with lush surroundings that perfectly matched our ‘mustard and merlot’ color scheme. We finally saw it in person the day before the wedding, and it was even more stunning than we had imagined​.

How did you find your wedding vendors, and what was important to you when making those decisions?

Planning remotely meant we relied heavily on Instagram to find vendors who felt right. We prioritized inclusivity and local businesses, which made it easy to decide on everything from our photographer, INKA, to our florist, 4 Every Event. Once we locked in Die Woud as our venue, it all fell into place. We also wanted live music, which Resound Music delivered beautifully, and Blu Dot Entertainment ensured our DJ needs were met​.

Tell us about your ceremony. How did you approach it, and did you write your own vows?

It was all about equality and partnership. We both wanted our parents involved in walking us down the aisle, but it felt off to have one of us go first. Instead, we walked to the first archway with our parents, shared a heartfelt moment, and then continued down the aisle hand in hand. We each wrote our own vows twice – once for our legal wedding in Australia and again for the South African celebration. My vows included lines from a poem I wrote for Cards in 2017, just months after we met​.

A pair of wedding rings rests on an open notebook, with handwritten vows in black ink visible. The notebook is placed on a wicker chair beside a pair of white block-heeled boots and a wide-brimmed beige hat adorned with greenery and small flowers.
Close-up of a bridal bouquet featuring white and orange flowers, dark red foliage, and assorted greenery. A hand delicately adjusts one of the flowers, and part of the bride’s lace wedding dress is visible in the background.
A bride, seen from the back, walks down a wooden staircase. She wears a white lace wedding dress and a wide-brimmed beige hat adorned with a floral wreath. Her hand gently touches the stair railing as she descends.
A blonde bride holding a vibrant bouquet of flowers in shades of orange, red, and white stands in focus. Another bride, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a floral wreath, is in the foreground, slightly blurred, turning toward her.
The two brides embrace warmly, both wearing white dresses. One bride holds a colorful bouquet featuring orange and red flowers, while the other rests her hand on her partner’s back. They are standing outdoors in a green, wooded area.
The two brides, hand in hand, walk down a tree-lined path. One bride wears a flowing lace dress with a wide-brimmed floral hat, while the other wears a sleeveless, fitted lace gown. Both are smiling, glancing back at the camera.
The wedding ceremony takes place outdoors beneath a rustic wooden arch adorned with floral arrangements in shades of orange, red, and pink. The brides stand facing each other as the celebrant speaks, with guests seated in rows on either side.
A close-up of the ceremony as one bride, wearing a fitted lace gown, smiles at her partner, who is wearing a wide-brimmed floral hat. Both are surrounded by trees, with a floral arrangement on a wooden arch in the background.
The two brides share a kiss during their outdoor ceremony. One bride wears a white lace gown, and the other wears a white dress paired with a wide-brimmed hat decorated with a floral wreath.
The newly married brides walk through a path surrounded by guests throwing flower petals into the air. Both brides hold hands and raise their arms in celebration, smiling as petals rain down.

What challenges did you face during wedding planning, and how did you handle them?

Planning an international wedding was full of surprises, from major floods that affected the venue’s infrastructure to last-minute MC changes when our original MC couldn’t make it due to visa issues. Luckily, a friend stepped in at the last moment. We managed to keep our sense of humor and reminded ourselves to focus on the things that really mattered, like getting married and enjoying the day​.

What was your favorite moment of the day?

The first look was magical. We had chosen our outfits together, but seeing each other fully dressed in the backyard of our rental felt incredibly special. Another standout was when the DJ dropped ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman’ right after our first dance—it set the tone for the night, and everyone hit the dance floor​.

How did you approach the reception, and what was the vibe like?

We wanted a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere for the reception. The dinner by Die Woud’s Catering was divine, the speeches were deeply emotional, and the audio guestbook where friends left us voice messages added a personal touch. The dance floor was packed, from sokkie to Shania Twain, and the party kept going until 2 AM. We ended the night by playing cards with our closest friends​.

What advice would you give to couples planning a destination wedding?

Be flexible and focus on what truly matters, because not everything will go as planned. Have backup plans, delegate tasks, and stay organized. A destination wedding means not everyone can make it, and that’s okay. Concentrate on enjoying the celebration with those who are there​.

The two brides walk through a field, hand in hand. One wears a wide-brimmed hat decorated with flowers and holds a bouquet, while the other bride wears a fitted lace gown.
The brides stand together in an open field, both smiling with their arms raised, holding bouquets. The sky is overcast, and the tall grass stretches out behind them.
One bride kisses the other on the cheek while holding hands. The bride being kissed is wearing a floral-adorned wide-brimmed hat, and both are standing in a grassy field.
A long wooden reception table is set with clear glassware, beige linens, and vibrant floral arrangements in orange, pink, and red tones. The table is surrounded by transparent chairs.
A close-up of a floral arrangement on a table featuring pink and red flowers, along with white candles. The background is softly blurred with bokeh lights.
One bride, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, laughs while talking with guests during the reception. She holds a glass of champagne and is standing in front of a glass building.
A bride wearing a white lace gown chats with a group of guests who are smiling and laughing. They stand outdoors beneath trees with string lights visible in the background.
The two brides hold hands, walking toward a glass structure set among trees. The structure is illuminated by string lights in the distance.
The brides raise their champagne glasses in a toast while holding their bouquets. They are standing outside with string lights twinkling in the background.
The brides stand close, about to share a kiss, while holding their bouquets. String lights and trees are visible in the blurred background.
The blonde bride holds a microphone while standing next to her partner during the reception. Both brides are smiling, with one gesturing toward the guests. A guest in a gold dress claps beside them, while the table in front is adorned with floral arrangements and candles. The backdrop is decorated with hanging greenery and string lights.

Photography by Inka Photography

Caterer Die Woud
Ceremony Venue Die Woud
DJ Blu Dot Entertainment
Engagement Rings Ethical Jewels
Florist 4 Every Event
Live Music Resound Music

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