When The Designer Becomes the Bride: Our Very Own Catherine Deane Got Married!

It’s not every day that the heart and hands behind the brand step into one of her own creations – this time as the bride! We’re beyond excited to share the wedding of our founder and creative director, Catherine Deane, who recently said “I do” in a breathtaking custom gown (just wait until you get to the part where the gown of dreams landed just in time for the wedding)! From a ceremony surrounded by the most magnificent mountain backdrop, to the lemon-yellow table decor, and a surprise second gown made for dancing, Catherine’s celebration was as soulful and romantic as the designs she creates. Keep reading for an intimate look at her day, her dresses, and the meaningful moments that made it unforgettable. 

Q: What was most important to you on the day with regards to family, the guest experience, and your experience as a couple etc.  

Catherine: When we first envisioned our wedding day, even as we began searching for a venue, it was on our hearts that we wanted our family, our guests, and ourselves to encounter God: His love, His majesty, His beauty, and His goodness, in every moment of the day. 

Q: Were there any memorable moments in particular that stood out for you during the course of the day? 

Catherine: There were so many, it’s hard to choose just one, but if I had to, the most unforgettable moment was walking down the aisle. Seeing my soon-to-be husband's face, his eyes filled with tears, was something I will never forget. Walking beside my father, surrounded by the love and joy on the faces of our friends and family, felt like a glimpse of God’s goodness fulfilled. 

The song I walked down the aisle to was “You Make Everything Beautiful” by Rebecca St. James for King & Country. A few months before the wedding, the scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:11 had settled deeply in our hearts: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” We are both in our 40s and met later in life, each of us walking through seasons of surrender and waiting, especially in the moments when it felt like we might never meet the one God chose for us. And yet, in His perfect timing, He made all things beautiful.

Q: What inspired your decor and the various elements that you incorporated into the flow of the day, for instance the music and ‘activities’ for the guests?  

Catherine: I’ve always found inspiration in the beauty of nature. My husband, a passionate surfer and lover of the outdoors, feels most alive in the wild wonder of it all. From the start, we both knew we wanted our wedding to reflect that shared love: something grounded in nature, open to the sky, and surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. 

We pictured long trestle tables beneath a canopy of twinkling fairy lights, a setting that felt like an open heaven with light all around us, holding us in. And although the day turned out colder than we’d imagined, we brought in extra heaters and soft blankets, which only made it feel more intimate, cozy, and full of adventure.  

Our celebration had a touch of Italian inspiration woven through it, and I was so blessed to work with the incredibly gifted florist Anli Wahl. When she suggested decorating the tables with lemons and yellow blooms, I was delighted! My husband and I have this ongoing inside joke from our dating days about “It was all yellow,” like the Coldplay song. That little pop of yellow became such a sweet, joyful thread in the day. A quiet whisper of our story stitched into the beauty of it all. 

We also wanted the day to be full of joy and light-heartedness, so we brought in a cartoonist to draw caricatures of our guests, which had everyone laughing and making memories. And we set up a black-and-white photo booth, which captured the most precious, candid and fun moments that we’ll cherish forever. 

One of the most sacred parts of our day was during the ceremony, when our dear friend and incredibly talented musician, Majozi, played “Waymaker”, a worship song that means so much to us. In that moment, it felt like heaven touched earth. Later in the evening, he filled the night with joy as he played for our guests after dinner, creating a space of celebration, music, and heartfelt connection. 

Looking back, I’m in awe of how everything came together, not because we controlled every detail, but because we trusted. We opened our hands and hearts to the creative gifts of others and to God’s greater plan. In doing so, we received something more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. It’s such a tender reminder that when we surrender, when we allow God and others to co-create with us, the result is always more than we could ask or imagine. 

Q: How did you fall in love with your wedding venue? 

Catherine: One day last November, we set out in search of a wedding venue. We were drawn to the serene beauty of the Stellenbosch Winelands just outside of Cape Town, South Africa. We visited three venues - each lovely in its own way - but none of them felt quite right...  

Then we arrived at Johannesdal 1207, nestled in a quiet valley and cradled by majestic mountains. 

As we stepped onto the grounds, we were immediately struck by a sense of sacred stillness. Manicured gardens unfolded before us, framed by pink and buttercup-yellow moonflowers. It was more than beautiful; it spoke to our vision. In that moment, we both sensed the intimacy and majesty of God. We knew that this was the place. 

Q: What was the vision and inspiration for your wedding gowns?  

Catherine: I had the joy of wearing two beautiful Catherine Deane gowns on our wedding day. One for the ceremony and reception, and another for dancing the night away in. For the main part of the day, I had originally chosen a delicate beaded lace and tulle gown from our Garden of Eden Bridal Collection, a design that still holds a special place in my heart.  
However about six weeks before the wedding, inspiration struck. I reimagined the gown with a structured inner corset and romantic lace sleeves. I shared the idea with my friend and fellow designer, and we both agreed it was worth the risk to rush a sample through. Miraculously, the gown arrived five days before the wedding and the moment I tried it on, I knew! It was everything I wanted: ethereal, romantic, and deeply me. 

Later that evening, I changed into the Dora Gown, a sleek, effortless, vintage inspired satin dress, that was perfect for dancing and moving around in freely. I adored the transition between the two looks. It felt like a celebration in itself - to experience both elegance and ease, and the gift of wearing two gowns that felt like two facets of my personality, and the same story. 

Q: Did you have any special accessories that enhance the look – perfume, shoes, hair accessories etc. 

Catherine: One of the sweetest gifts I received was from my best friend, who gave me Sakura by Christian Dior, a soft, delicate fragrance inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms. She jokingly named it my “Wife Era” scent, which made me laugh, but also felt beautifully fitting. And so, I floated down the aisle wrapped in the gentle floral notes of Sakura. 

I accessorised with treasures from the Catherine Deane Bridal Accessories Collection: a pearl-beaded handbag, celestial sun-and-moon pearl earrings, a feathery capelet, and a whimsical hair vine that had me feeling like Arwen from Lord of the Rings. My shoes were a lovely find from Reformation: elegant yet, practical with a wedge heel that gracefully handled the garden paths beneath my feet.