What lovelier setting than this for a late summer wedding in the Cape? Planned down to the last detail, the marriage ceremony and the reception were all to happen outside in the sunshine between the vines.
But planning did not include the possibility of rain, and when grey clouds descended over the mountains and the weather turned overnight from summer to 48 hours of pelting rain, some drastic last-minute changes were needed.
These huge doors open to a cellar ...
where chairs were arranged in between vats of wine, with candles for lighting
... and bride and groom adapted with good humour to a different ceremony altogether. No matter that the bride arrived half-soaked by a torrential African downpour - there were happy spirits and plenty of champagne.
The reception now indoors, cotton pashminas were laid out in bundles to warm and dry guests caught in the rain ...
a generous abundance of food appeared on giant wooden platters ...
... European traditions meeting Africa in these interiors
while outside the green vineyards welcomed the rain as the transition to a cooler season
though two days later it was back to heat and sunshine, as though the deluge had never happened.
They say it's lucky to have rain on a wedding day ... there must be plenty of blessings in store for these two.
