FRANCOIS AND CATO
WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!
PLEASE JOIN US
on
Saturday 23 November 2024
at
FARAWAY ESTATE,
VILLIERSDORP
ON THE DAY
DRESS CODE
Formal flair meets individual charm at our wedding!
Dress to impress in your own colourful style. We would recommend bringing either flat shoes or wedges for later and most certainly something warm for when the tequila wears off.
CEREMONY BEGINS
Arrive by 15:15 to be seated by
15:30
BAR
Cash bar | Cards and cash accepted
ORDER OF THE DAY
GIFT IDEAS
We are lucky to already have a home full of everything we need, so if you would like to give a gift, we would greatly appreciate a contribution to our honeymoon fund/savings for our future together.
BANKING DETAILS
CS Louw
Standard Bank
Account number: 2815XXXX
Branch code: 4109
THE VENUE
FARAWAY ESTATE
VILLIERSDORP
It's easy to find as it's a standalone venue. So wherever you are joining us from just type in "Faraway Estate".
ACCOMMODATION
There are a number of options available in the surrounding areas. A list can be found here.
TRANSPORT
A shuttle can be organized - at additional cost - if you are staying in and around Villiersdorp.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES
Visit the Villiersdorp Winery. Do try the famous Villiersdorp Winery Treintjiewyn!
A quick drive over the stunning Franschhoek pass for views and maybe a coffee/drink in Franschhoek.
Golf at the Theewaterskloof Golf Course, celebrated as one of South Africa’s premier 9-hole gems. With 18 tees, we’ve heard their course is a true delight for golf enthusiasts.
CHILDREN
We love your little ones, but this occasion is a parents-only night out.
PRE-WEDDING FESTIVITIES
Please join us for a pre-wedding braai on Friday 22 November, at the venue, Faraway Estate.
Dinner will be provided and there will be a cash bar. There will also be a fun little surprise for the guests joining us on Friday eve, get those thinking caps on ;)
Kindly arrive from 17:00 but no later than 18:00. Please indicate attendance on your RSVP.
OUR STORY
Our story might seem straightforward, but it's the journey in between that has made it magical. We met in high school at Hoërskool Grens in East London. We started dating in our final year (2010), and despite Cato heading to Stellenbosch and Francois staying in East London, we made it work (FYI: long-distance relationships are tough!).
Francois pursued his passion for food, and after many internships, reality programs, coffee shops, and experiences, he now owns his bakery, 'The Bread Bar.'
Cato followed her dream of becoming the Springbok physiotherapist. While it didn't completely pan out as planned, she now connects with the Boks and people in that arena through sports broadcasting.
Our dreams couldn't be more different, and our hours are no joke (Francois wakes up at 4 am #NoThanks). However, the one consistent and most important thing over the last 14 years has been that we are each other's biggest fans and would literally move mountains for each other.
We look forward to adding another wonderful chapter to our story this year xxx
WEDDING PARTY
NICOLA BERGSTEEDT
MAID OF HONOUR & FRIEND OF 9+ YEARS
From our days at campus radio to being by her side when she walked down the aisle, an absolute fav. Nicola has been a constant, enthusiatic and loving presence in my life. I have learnt so much from her - even though, at times, I am the one that needs to remind her to "be cool" which I will be teaching her son about too. Also, she nails the day to day stuff, her exceptional organizational skills is an art - she completes a task in the time it takes me to blink. I am so looking forward to continue living and learning beside her for a very long time.
ELENI LOUW
BRIDESMAID, MIDDLE SISTER & FOREVER FRIEND
She loves animals. My middle sis, is highly competitive, sharp-witted and resilient. She always finds a way and I would choose her to be on my team all day everyday! But do take note for the wedding weekend: she is not a morning person. But she does love a good snack if you do have to wake her up.
KLARA LOUW
BRIDESMAID, YOUNGEST SISTER & FOREVER FRIEND
The only person our dog, Olympia, loves more than us! And she adores us (I think...), so that should say a lot. Whether it's a random cup of coffee or a movie night, the level of care and love Klara radiates when she is in the presence of people she loves, makes me feel loved. She loves deeply and is one of the most creative people I know. Also, WHEN she writes her first book, I would like credit. Dis op ons website, so dit moet gebeur Klari ;)
RONÉ SWANEPOEL
BRIDESMAID & FRIEND OF 11 YEARS
We became grown-ups together. From Students. Housemates. Pet owners. Working twenty-something year olds. Engaged. Married. She has seen and been part of all the levels of my life. She has this rare combo of geniune kindness + empathy balanced with a corporate badass-ery that should be studied and taught in schools. She makes the whole place shimmer!
ZILKE KOLENIC
BRIDESMAID & FRIEND OF 13 YEARS
If making someone feel seen, loved and understood could be put in one person - it would be Zilke. She doesn't beat around the bush, but oh, can she dance and have fun around it as well. The only millennial that willingly still goes clubbing. We have walked/run a path since first year Sports Science where some stangers became aquaintences and then friends and then strangers again. Not us! Together 4 life. But please, do not ask Zilke about social media, she has only just discovered how to use a hashtag.
LIZE SNYMAN-DU PREEZ
BRIDESMAID & FRIEND OF 7+ YEARS
Lize arrived in our lives off the back of a wonderfully lazy drunken Sunday at Root 44 (IYKYK) and we have only made more memories since. She is refreshingly optimistic and always present. I feel so lucky to have her in my life. She is effortlessly creative, it's just weaved into every fibre of her being and she shares this skill with so much love and care. Also, competitive. DO NOT sit next to her at any function where you need to paint or draw or create - you will look like a chump.
DYLAN VAN AARDT
GROOMSMAN & FRIEND OF 15+ YEARS
Dylan and Francois have walked a long and colourful road since primary school. The two of them are two peas in a pod and share a language that only people who know each other THAT well will ever be able to comprehend. They make each other laugh like I've never seen and their observations of the world around them should be documented daily. The love runs deep!
BRYAN BERGSTEEDT
GROOMSMAN & FRIEND OF 5 YEARS
Bryan might have 'entered the chat' as Nicola's other half but that was not his title for very long as his perceptive nature, superior intelligence and deep love for those around him (and mini shorts) has earned him his own title of "full on friend". We are very thankful for Nicola, because who would've thought an anatomy lecturer and baker would ever cross paths?
CHRISTIAAN ZIETSMAN
GROOMSMAN & YOUNGEST BROTHER
This young man has been a joy to get to know as a grown up, Francois knew him as a little human who loved to kick a ball and quietly observe his older brothers. Now, he still kicks an oval ball but there is a bit more to it - he is generous, an active listener, a little 'stout', adores his brothers and friends and people in general. And it shows through his actions. He is also the only eight year old we knew that loved/requested sushi... He now shares the sushi at least ;)
KILIAN ZIETSMAN
GROOMSMAN & ELDEST BROTHER
These Brothers share a deep love for music and food. Kilian is always encouraging and ready to assist where help is needed. He is so incredibly talented in the kitchen and could easily have pursued a music career, and yes, he also played rugby at school... that career though both him and Francois left to their younger brother. We are so thrilled Kilian is joining us from London! #BrotherGoals
LOUIS DU PREEZ
GROOMSMAN & FRIEND OF 8 YEARS
Ever since Cato met Louis in the queue at MFM back in 2013, we were friends. From beers at Aandklas, many many Sunday afternoons at Route44, Woordfees missions, eventual flatmates - I loved the scheduled fun but also the spontanous days. Louis is the go to for a drink at the most obscure place and always makes it memorable. We are also very honoured to be able to know his two beautiful daughters that have taken to me more than Cato... My besties!!!
HANRU SWANEPOEL
GROOMSMAN & FRIEND OF 11 YEARS
Protector. Dependable. Attentive. Loyal. Adventurous. Hanru has this knack for knowing when to call and what to say, it means more to me than he would ever know. He is literally the friend/partner/teammate you would want by your side for life. He can rally up a network of people and charm the living daylights out of everyone from your friendly petrol attendant to a CEO of Rone's super intimidating international company. And don't you dare challenge him to any form of extreme sport, you will lose.
BARRON HUFKIE
MC OF THE DAY
Our incredibly talented friend through many seasons (and many to come), Barron is tenacious, vocal about all the right things, and quietly and competitively goes about his business. He is the only person who can match Francois's love for a food adventure while simultaneously matching Cato's competitiveness and drive when it comes to sports things. We are so happy he is bringing his warm, fun, and observant personality to our day.
