Just as the bride and groom settled into their pose the sky darkened, the wind blustered and it began to rain. Even the farm's bull managed to find its way into the wedding party  - but despite it all there is no getting away from the beauty of Elgin as a wedding venue.

Planning your big day in May can be risky, especially in the Western Cape. I recently attended an Irish wedding in this small Overberg town just outside Cape Town. Click here to see how the wedding turned out.

This bride needs a miracle

The weather forecast predicted cloudy periods with showers. I do however believe in miracles and prayed the heavens would stay dry long enough for the bride and groom to say I do!

Wine farms in Stellenbosch and Franschoek have always been popular destinations for exchanging wedding vows.

South African born Charl was to marry his Irish love, Semma, that Saturday afternoon in the boathouse at Rockhaven Farm Country House in Elgin.

However just over the Hottentots Holland Mountain is Elgin, the Western gateway to the Cape Overberg region. World famous for its fruit trees, cool-climate wines and roses, it’s worth considering when planning your fairytale wedding.  

Like the decadence of a warm chocolate-centred croissant, Rockhaven is snugly tucked away into the surrounding countryside. Unless you were told it was there, you might never have known it existed.

A perfect welcome out of the cold

In true Irish fashion a pre-wedding party was arranged to celebrate the couples last night of freedom. A twenty-five minute drive from Elgin, through the beautiful Van der Stel mountain pass is the colonial style guest farm, Porcupine Hills, hidden away deep within the Diepklowe Nature Reserve.

On arrival we were greeted with small bowls of delicious lamb curry, hot soup and plenty of red wine; the perfect welcome out of the cold. The colossal rock face towering above the farm glowed as the sun set.

In their kiss that time stood

The next morning, I felt what most brides-to-be think is their worst nightmare. Dark thunderclouds loomed and an icy wind billowed across the Elgin valley. By midday the sun broke through the clouds with no sign of rain.  

At four o’ clock that afternoon as Semma and Charl said “I do”, two candy-striped rainbows leaped out from the water beside the boathouse. It was then in their kiss that time stood still and a beam of light stretched through the door illuminating the isle leading to the altar. Bathed in the heavenly light, Semma smiled as Charl slipped the ring onto her finger. “Miracles do happen”, I thought as the pastor announced the new husband and wife couple.

Once outside, the photographer quickly gathered the congregation. Everybody found the roaming bull slightly amusing as he decided to gatecrash its way into the photo album. And then finally it began to rain.

A fairytale wedding destination

Two weeks later, I returned to Rockhaven to gather material for this story. As I stood in the boathouse looking out at the water, I wasn’t sure if it was the melody the harpist played, or the Irish song Bobby sang to Semma and Charl that caused the tears to well up in my eyes; perhaps it was both.

The magic of the Elgin valley moved many people that day, maybe one of the reasons why it’s become the fairytale wedding destination for young love.  

To plan a fairytale wedding, minus the bull in Elgin, click here.