Rochele & Mark
Couples' Names:
Rochele & Mark
Wedding date:
11/29/2025
Wedding Location
Your love story: Tell us a bit about how you met and how this led to your engagement. Feel free to share your engagement story with us, too!
We met at my cousin’s wedding, where the ceremony took place on the water and guests had to arrive by boat, which felt perfectly fitting for two people who love the ocean. Rochele climbed into a friend’s tiny dinghy, which just so happened to be carrying Mark.
After the ceremony, a few friends and family members gently played cupid, encouraging us to spend time together. What began as a chance meeting on the water slowly grew into something deep, steady and undeniable.
Engagement story
Which Catherine Deane gown/bridal separates, and accessories did you choose?
I wore the Itala Topper. It had been on my Pinterest board for as long as I can remember.
Did you find your Catherine Deane outfit online, at our London Boutique, or at one of our stockists?
I actually bought my topper pre-loved, and my mom made my skirt because I was working within a budget. I love that the Itala Topper had already been part of another bride’s story before becoming part of mine. I won’t be selling it on, though. It’s something I plan to treasure forever and perhaps one day my niece might even wear it.
What does it mean to you to be a Catherine Deane Bride / Why did you fall in love with the brand?
Being a Catherine Deane bride felt like a dream come true. I had saved this exact look on Pinterest long before I had even met my husband. Like most brides, I explored countless other styles and ideas, but I always found myself coming back to the Itala Topper. It was important to me that my bridal look felt timeless, but I’ve never been drawn to traditional wedding gowns. I loved how this look felt both classic and fresh at the same time.
Tell us about your bridal accessories (think shoes, hair accessories, and your bridal fragrance) and what drew you to these.
I kept my accessories very minimal because I wanted the topper to be the focus. I chose classic drop pearl earrings from @spiritjewellery, hoping to achieve a timeless and understated look that complemented the overall feel of the outfit.
Did you have a specific theme/color palette for your wedding day - if so, what drew you to this mood?
We were drawn to tones of sand, stone and earth. My husband and I are simple people who live a happy life by the sea, so sandy tones felt like a natural reflection of us. The venue is set against the beautiful Cederberg rock formations, which inspired the earthy palette. More than anything, I wanted the day to feel natural and effortless, and these colours helped create exactly that atmosphere.
How did you decide that your wedding venue was the one?
From the moment we arrived, we were drawn to Bosduifklip’s natural beauty and character. It felt complete exactly as it was and needed very little additional styling. The in-house catering was another huge drawcard, as it has a reputation for being generous and delicious. Most importantly, when we met the owners, everything just clicked. They were warm, welcoming and completely aligned with the relaxed energy we wanted for our wedding weekend.
After going through the wedding planning and gown shopping journey, what advice do you have for future brides?
One of the best decisions we made was turning our wedding into a full weekend celebration. We hosted a relaxed braai on the Friday and a casual gathering on the Sunday, which took the pressure off the wedding day itself and gave us more time to truly connect with the people we love. If you can, create opportunities to slow down and soak it all in. 
What is the most memorable moment from your wedding day?
Our first dance as husband and wife will always stay with me. During that moment, we looked around the dance floor and saw all of our favourite people smiling, laughing and genuinely enjoying themselves together. It was one of those rare moments where you become fully aware of how lucky you are, and it’s a memory I will treasure forever.
Vendor Lover:
Photographer: Billy Jean Photography
Florist: @linnie_ash
Venue: @bosduifklip
Wedding Decor: Bertina Engelbrecht
Groom's Suit: H&M
Hair: @waveshairstudio_derlick
Makeup: @beautybyjennylaubscher
