Welcome to Our First "Bride of the Month" at Benguela Cove
Bride of the Month: Feature One
We're thrilled to launch our new monthly series, "Bride of the Month," right here on the Benguela Cove news page! Each month, we'll be showcasing a beautiful wedding that took place at our estate, giving you a peek into the magic that unfolds at one of the Western Cape's most exquisite wine farm wedding venues.
We're incredibly excited to feature our very first couple, Bonnie and Justin Lewis, who have graciously shared the details of their special day and their unique love story with us. Their journey is a beautiful testament to the power of love, and we're honoured they chose Benguela Cove as the backdrop for their "I do's."
Bonnie and Justin, an Unforgettable Wedding Benguela Cove
Every Wedding Tells a Story
Over the years, we've had the privilege of hosting countless weddings at Benguela Cove. While each celebration is unique, they all hold a special place in our hearts and in the hearts of the beautiful brides and grooms who define their day with a celebration of their union.
Let's take a look at the stunning wedding of Bonnie and Justin Lewis. Their elegant, fresh pastel themed wedding took place in the heart of summer on February 15, 2025. Their guests from all over the world witnessed their union outdoors overlooking the ocean and lagoon, and the celebration continued at our Manor House, which was transformed into a scene straight out of a dream.
"From the moment we arrived from the UK, we were treated like family. Every detail was taken care of, from the wine pairings to the late-night sliders! The lagoon at sunset was pure magic. We’ll treasure those memories forever." - Bonnie and Justin
Tell us about your and Justin’s love story and proposal.
Justin and I met when we were 12 in primary school, and ended up going to our Matric dance together at the end of high school when we started dating. After a few years of having a long distance relationship, Justin moved to the U.K. to join me - where we both now live! We now have a beautiful little boy as well. We got engaged on a little island in the Seychelles, Justin set up a picnic brunch and proposed in the crystal clear, blue water! It was perfect.
Your big day can be described as a fresh, pastel and elegant summer’s wedding. Was there an inspiration for your décor and flower theme?
We wanted our wedding to reflect us! We both love the sun and being outdoors, and wanted something that was beautiful, yet laid back that everyone could enjoy. We didn’t feel we needed to have really extravagant or bright décor as we didn’t want to take away from the beautiful venue and setting.
What did you like the most about the ceremony and reception venues? Why did you choose our estate so close to the ocean, out of all the garden wedding venues around Western Cape?
The views were definitely one of our favorite parts of the venues - watching our wedding speeches as the sunset over the lagoon is something I will never forget. We love the beach and the surrounding nature, we have seen many a sunset at Benguela Cove and nothing can beat it!
What was the most positive aspect of a destination wedding?
Having all the people you love in one of your favourite places in the world is hard to beat. The whole atmosphere is entirely different as everyone is in holiday mode, and really want to be there to celebrate with you. And getting to show our family and friends one of the places we love the most was so much fun.
From your experience, what are the top tips to look for when couples choose a destination wedding venue?
If you aren’t sure what you want your wedding to look like then choose a destination that is flexible. Benguela has so much to offer, and can accommodate so many different types of weddings. Thinking about logistics for your guests is very important, ensuring there is accommodation close by or safe transport is an essential. Finally, choose a beautiful location that speaks for itself - it’ll be the back drop your special day!
Let’s talk about your stunning dress and colour choices for you and the bridal party, where did you get your inspiration from?
My dress was not what I expected to like at all. I tried on lots of different styles and loved my dress as soon as I put it on. I felt so comfortable and confident in my dress! I didn’t want something to heavy or big as I knew it would be hot on the day. I loved my bridesmaids looks, they looked incredible. I’ve always loved yellow and wanted something light and fun they could enjoy the day in. They chose the style they felt most comfortable in. The colour fitted so well with the light, summery feel we wanted.
Everyone looked like they had such a great time at your wedding, could you share with us some tips for planning a fun wedding party?
The most important things to have are a great venue, good drinks, good food, great music and the people you love. Everything will fall into place around that!
Any advice for “brides to be” out there when choosing a destination wedding?
Try to have a clear vision of what you and how you want to communicate that. A great wedding planner is key. And make sure you stay in the loop with what is happening in the planning process.
Please share your wedding vendors such as florist / décor, Hair & Makeup, DJ, Wedding Cake and any other South African vendor you want to highlight?
Florist - BeBlom
Hair and Makeup - Amé Skin, Make-up & Hair
DJ & Band - Sarah-Jane Thomas X Shake & Bake Ent.
Cake - Oscar’s Cafe & Bakery
Photographer - Hewitt Wright
Videographer - Sage Media
Last one for Justin:
What’s one piece of unexpected advice you’d give to other grooms preparing for their big day? (Besides “just show up!”)
Try and get involved with the planning process as much as you can! It feels like a chore at the time but it’s so worth it to make the special to you both!
And always listen to your wife! 😉
A special thank you to the gorgeous bride Bonnie for allowing us to share her special memories of the day with us. We are looking forward to sharing more of our special brides right here. We only hope their stories can inspire other brides out there and help prepare them for their big day.
Are you Dreaming of a Destination Wedding at Benguela Cove?
Book your destination wedding at Benguela Cove before August 31, 2025, and receive an exclusive 2-night stay in our exquisite Milk & Honey Villa, offering unparalleled luxury, privacy, and romance for you and your beloved. As a bonus, you'll also enjoy 15% off your venue hire, making your dream wedding even more attainable. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to enhance your special day with an unforgettable experience. Subject to availability; terms and conditions apply.
