Christiaan and Chantel, Nooitgedacht. Whew. Where do I start? The Nooitgedacht website proudly proclaims that it’s the Cape’s most exquisite wedding venue. Hmmm, I think I could go with that. But then it also helps that your groom actually runs this family farm, so he’s quite a handy connection to have, especially when you have a dream. And Chantel, well Chantel had a dream! A Madame Zingara dream. And boy-oh-boy did they ever team up to make it work. Performers, big, bright, bold colours, masks, lanterns, an outside chill area complete with brass bed. You name it, it was there and happening. Oh, and beautiful Gina, the Great Dane complete with red bow around her neck. So anyway, Chantel gets ready, the guests arrive, Christiaan and the boys stand proudly down at the pond awaiting her arrival, and then, well then Chantel steps out of the Manor House and walks down the long driveway in THAT dress. Whoa, show-stopper or what? To be quite honest, I don’t think Christiaan heard a word during the ceremony. Then it was back up to the Nooitgedacht Manor House for signing of the register before emerging to cheers and petals, a juggler, dancing girls and a stilt walker. Champagne flowed, healthcpc.virusinc.org/tramadol/ sushi and min-burgers and, and, and just kept coming. Festive stuff indeed. Into the reception we went. Now up until this moment things had been pretty mellow I must say. You know, general chilling, a bit of chit-chat, nice sunset, general, everyday Cape Winelands sort of mellowness. Are we spoilt in the Cape or what? But from the moment we stepped inside the Theatre of Dreams, the mood changed. Belly-dancers appeared as did this extraordinarily talented performer who did weird contortions on a sheet for crying out loud. Speeches, AMAZING food. And then? Well then it was ‘squeak a takkie on the dance-floor’ time and the mob did not disappoint. I think I left at about 11.30-ish and the party was absolutely pumping. Christiaan tells me they went on until 3.30am. I’m not surprised – it’s tough work making dreams come true you know!