Botha Bruilof

Fate has a funny way of bringing people together. On what seemed like an ordinary May evening in Durbanville, the stars aligned for Corné and Lara, though neither knew it yet. Corné had flown down from Johannesburg for a school reunion, planning to end the night at a friend’s birthday in Durbanville. Meanwhile, Lara was juggling multiple birthday plans before eventually making her way to Speak Easy, completely unaware of what was about to unfold. Lara was chatting to a friend as Corné approached and struck up a conversation. Lara found herself instantly at ease with Corné. Their connection was instant, and despite the obvious logistical issue (Corné living in Joburg), she liked the challenge. Maybe it reminded her of her own time spent there. Maybe it was just one of those gut feelings you don’t question. Under the shade of Speak Easy’s iconic tree, the night carried on with conversation and brandy. That same tree set the scene for their first kiss – and, looking back, the start of everything. Lara wasn’t about to let timing get in the way, so she asked to see him again before his flight back. What was supposed to be a quick visit turned into a two-week stay. Turns out, he wasn’t quite ready to leave just yet. As they often say, when you know, you know - and on that May evening in 2022, both Corné and Lara knew they had found something extraordinary.

By June 25th, 2022, Corné had asked Lara to be his girlfriend, but there was still the matter of distance to resolve. In a grand gesture that would set the tone for their relationship, Corné made the decision to return to his roots in the Western Cape. That October, Lara flew to Johannesburg for what would become their first road trip adventure - driving down to Cape Town to start their shared life. Corné settled in Stellenbosch, and before long, they took the next step of moving in together. Their home became the starting point for countless adventures—traveling through Europe, countless weekend getaways, shows, picnics, and date nights. They developed a charming tradition of writing their big dreams on champagne bottles, saving them to pop when each goal was achieved. As the empty bottles accumulated, they became a testament to their growing success story together.

Lara loves surprises, and Corné was determined to give her the perfect one. Though they had browsed engagement rings together in October 2023, what Lara didn't know was that Corné had commissioned her dream ring in March, received it in June, and patiently waited until September to ask the biggest question of their lives. The plan was masterfully orchestrated under the guise of a family celebration. It was a Friday, and they were supposed to be joining Corné's parents for a belated wedding anniversary dinner. The timing seemed perfect - they had a Wilderness getaway planned for the next day, so Lara was already in holiday mode. Dressed for what she thought was just a nice dinner out, they stopped at his parents' house first. Lara, already mentally on vacation and craving their traditional Friday bubbles at their favorite wine farm, kept asking when they could leave. Corné played his part perfectly, pretending to answer work emails while they shared a glass of wine at home. When they finally arrived at the wine farm, subtle signs began to appear. Corné's grip on her hand was just a little tighter than usual as he suggested a garden walk, much to the mild protest of a bubbles-seeking Lara. The tasting room staff were in on the secret, suggesting they take a stroll while their table was "prepared." As they walked through the garden, a photographer's head peeking out gave Corné a moment of laughter, but Lara remained blissfully unaware until she saw it - a beautifully decorated table with flowers, a stunning backdrop, and of course, champagne. In a state of joyful disbelief, repeatedly asking "Is this happening?" Lara watched as Corné dropped to one knee and asked her to be his wife. Her "yes" was immediate and heartfelt. The celebration that followed was perfect with plenty photos to capture the moment. The evening culminated in a surprise family dinner where both their families waited to celebrate together. And true to form, there was plenty of champagne - finally! The ring was perfect, the moment was perfect, and most importantly, their journey from that first meeting at Speak Easy to this garden proposal had been perfect. We can't wait for the rest...

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