OUR STORY
People who work in our industry know how long the hours are and how hard it is to have a social life. Luckily for us, we found love at work. We met in 2008 in Cape Town while both working for a magazine. Lauren soon returned to Johannesburg, but we stayed in touch, sharing music we were listening to and plenty of jokes. Matt was smitten and she was coy. Serendipitously, a few months later Matt was offered a job in Johannesburg. After a visit for the interview and a spilled cup coffee that Matt is still claiming as a date, he moved.
This is where our life together started.
Only to pause a few months later when Lauren went traveling around Europe. Cue many sleepless nights and many long distance Skypes. Matt eventually took the leap and jumped on a plane to visit her in Prague. Now to most of you, this doesn’t mean a lot but at the ripe old age of 27, he finally left South Africa for the first time. This was the beginning of something amazing.
A year later we packed up our lives in Johanneburg and moved to Prague for work.
The "Fairytale City" was exactly that. Where we had lived in each other's places, we finally had the chance to build one of our own. Our careers blossomed and so did our sense of adventure, which took us to many European countries in our time there and made us a host of new friends in the process.
After three years we moved to our current home in New York City. Again constantly pushing each other to be the best we can, we have found an even deeper appreciation of what we have to offer each other.
We got engaged in Nicaragua late in 2015, and we are finally ready to take the final step in solidifying our relationship, by sharing the love with our family and all of our friends.
The venue
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in South Africa. It has a beautiful and diverse fruit and vegetable garden, inspired by the 17th- and 18th-century Company's at the Cape, as well as the mythical gardens of Babylon.
We have chosen Babylonstoren as our venue because it’s in the region we first met and because of its natural beauty. The gardens have a strong sense of symbiosis. One plant affects the next for the better, helping it grow, and growing itself in turn. This has been the basis of our own relationship from the beginning. It’s what’s made us the people we are today. As we continue to grow together, we hope to share a moment of it with you.
babylonstoren.com
Welcome Drinks
Thursday December 14th 2017
18:00 / Bakoven Beach, Cape Town
This is a very special beach spot in Cape Town. Come early and take a dip in the freezing cold, crystal clear ocean. We would love to sit with you on the sand and watch the sun go down. We will bring champagne, so bring whatever else you'd like to drink and snack on. Parking is very limited. It's likely that afterwards we will head out for a light dinner and more drinks.
Rehearsal Dinner
Friday December 15th 2017
17:00 / Babylonstoren
Mainly for immediate family and the retinue. But if you would like to join us for this please send me a mail so we can cater accordingly. You are most welcome.
Ceremony
Saturday December 16th 2017
17:00 / Babylonstoren / R45, Simondium, 7670, South Africa
DRESS CODE
Daytime Semiformal
RECEPTION TO FOLLOW
Directions to Babylonstoren
Transport too and from Venue
Should you require transport too or from the venue please let us know in advance and we can arrange something. Those travelling from the city can use Uber, while those staying nearby will need to book taxis in advance. We have a very competent and attentive chauffeur service that can be booked not only for the wedding day but for other excursions you may wish to take. If you would like to hear more about this please contact us.
From Cape Town:
Take the N1 towards Paarl. Take Exit 47 – Klapmuts, Stellenbosch R44 off-ramp. At the Stop street turn right (underneath the N1 towards Stellenbosch). Go over the next 4-way stop and over the bridge. Take the next left on Franschhoek (R45). About 6km down that road on your right you’ll see Babylonstoren.
From Stellenbosch:
Take the R44 towards Wellington. About 16km outside of Stellenbosch you’ll see a farm stall called ‘The Potbelly Pantry’ on your left hand side. Take the next right on Franschhoek (R45). About 6km down that road on your right you’ll see Babylonstoren.
From Franschhoek:
Take the R45 towards Paarl. At Vrede & Lust take the Klapmuts/Simondium road turn-off to your left. About 4km down the road you’ll see Babylonstoren on your left.
From Paarl:
In Paarl, head South on Main Road towards the N1/R101. Pass under the N1 and continue on the R101, do not turn onto the N1. Turn left onto the R45 towards Franschhoek. At Vrede & Lust take the Klapmuts/Simondium road turn-off to your right. About 4km down the road you’ll see Babylonstoren on your left.
From Stellenbosch (alternative route):
You can also get to the farm from Stellenbosch via the Helshoogte pass (R310) towards Franschhoek, which is a really beautiful road. Drive through Pniel and you’ll come to a T-junction. Take the R45 towards Paarl. Take the Klapmuts/Simondium road turn-off to your left. About 4km down the road you’ll see Babylonstoren on your left.
From Cape Town International Airport:
From the airport you need to take the on-ramp onto N2 East ( Somerset West) Take the next major off- ramp off the N2 – the R300. You will turn left and head for Bellville. Stay on this road all the way to the N1 on-ramps. Veer Right towards Paarl