Thank you for joining us on our special day! Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all, so we will not be having a gift registry. Since we live in Germany, it's difficult for us to transport physical gifts back.

If you'd like to give a gift, we would appreciate a contribution through our designated payment platforms:

For Europe:

Bank Details: Michele Steyl and Matthias Vosen

IBAN: DE32 1203 0000 1200 0316 62

For South Africa:

Michele Steyl, Account number: 1144812214, Branch: 470010, Capitec Bank

The ceremony will be held outside on the lawn at Vergelegen Wine Estate. The reception will be partly inside, partly outside, as we expect a warm summers' day.

In case of rain, a backup location will be announced.

We would like for you to wear formal/cocktail attire on our wedding day.

For men: A smart shirt (ties are optional), suit, slacks or chinos and smart shoes.

For women: Long or cocktail-length dresses. Please keep in mind the ceremony will be on grass, so we recommend spare flat shoes if your stilettos need a rest.

Wear what makes you feel the most beautiful!

While we love your little ones, our wedding is going to be an adults-only event so that everyone can fully relax and enjoy the evening. However, we know many of you would never travel without them, thereby we recommend making use of the local babysitting services available.

You can use either use Holiday Nannies or Wineland Nannies. These two professional agencies come highly recommended:

https://holidaynannies.co.za/ https://www.winelandnannies.com/

South Africa offers a diverse range of food stores and popular franchise restaurants. Whether you're looking for fresh local produce or tasty fast food, you’ll find plenty of options to satisfy your appetite. Explore our top picks for a direct taste of South Africa’s favourites and trusted brands:

Breakfast Spots, Take-Aways & Restaurants

*Steers

Known for its flame-grilled burgers and hand-cut chips, Steers is a favourite for quick and hearty meals.

*Nando's

Famous for its Portuguese-style peri-peri chicken, Nando's enjoys popularity both locally and internationally.

*Debonairs Pizza

A leading pizza franchise known for its innovative pizza offerings and various crust options.

*Wimpy

Offers a wide range of diner-style dishes, including breakfasts, burgers, and coffee.

*Spur Steak Ranches

A family restaurant known for steaks, burgers, and a fun themed dining experience.

*Ocean Basket

Popular for its Mediterranean-inspired seafood dishes at affordable prices.

*Mugg & Bean

A coffee-themed restaurant noted for its generous portions and bottomless coffee.

*Kauai

Specialises in healthier fast food options, including smoothies, wraps, and salads.

Food Stores

*Woolworths

Known for its high-quality produce and wide range of organic and luxury food items, Woolworths is a top choice for discerning shoppers.

*Pick n Pay

A major retailer offering a wide variety of groceries, clothing, and general merchandise, known for its commitment to sustainability and affordability.

*Checkers

Popular for its extensive selection of wine and gourmet products, Checkers caters to customers looking for quality food items at competitive prices.

*Spar

This retailer is favoured for its convenient neighbourhood stores that offer a range of fresh produce and essential groceries.

*Shoprite

Known for offering significant savings on everyday essentials, Shoprite is one of the largest supermarket chains in Africa.

*Food Lover’s Market

Specialises in fresh produce and a variety of food items, including a broad selection of international and artisanal products.

A standard tip is 10% of your bill. This is not normally included and must be added on after the bill is received.

Most bars and restaurants will have wifi, but we would recommend getting a local sim card upon your arrival. You don't want to be stuck without wifi and unable to contact anyone. - Sim cards can be purchased at the airport. - If your phone supports eSims, we recommend Airalo.

Yes, you will need a specific converter plug for South Africa. These are plug "Type C" (commonly used in Europe) and "Type M". You can find these at the airport upon your arrival.

Load shedding in South Africa is a measure taken to prevent the entire power system from collapsing by reducing the load on the electricity grid. This happens because the country's power supply is sometimes insufficient to meet the high demand. The utility company, Eskom, schedules these power outages to ensure stability across the network.

During these times, different parts of the country will experience power cuts according to a predetermined schedule, which can last a few hours at a time. During the peak tourist season load shedding is less than usual.

What to Keep in Mind

*Schedule Awareness: Know when load shedding is expected. Schedules are available online and are updated regularly. It's crucial to check the schedule for your specific area, as timings can vary.

*Charging Devices: Ensure all your devices are fully charged before a load shedding period. Consider carrying portable power banks.

*Alternative Lighting: Have alternative sources of light handy, such as flashlights or battery-powered lamps (most accommodations will have this available).

*Plan Your Activities: Try to plan activities that do not rely on electricity during periods of load shedding, such as visiting parks, museums, or exploring local markets.

*App for Load Shedding Schedules: The app you can download to keep track of load shedding schedules is called "EskomSePush". It's a popular app in South Africa for both Android and iOS devices. This app provides up-to-date load shedding schedules and alerts, allowing you to better plan your day around these outages.

YES! Without a doubt. Bad things happen everywhere and the problems in South Africa are usually restricted to the areas you won’t be visiting. Cape Town and Somerset West are totally different from the rest of the country. The crime rates are similar to other major cities, like London or New York, and are significantly lower than in other South African cities like Johannesburg. If you follow the same travel rules you would follow for any other country, you will be absolutely fine.

A few Tips:

1) Don't walk alone at night: Rather use an Uber to get around

2) Don't be flashy with money or electronics: Pickpocketing is a common problem.

3) Stay in groups: If you are visiting remote spots like Lion's Head, go with larger groups.

4) Stay in the safe areas. If you have any doubts, reach out to Michele.