I have known Martini since I was 8 years old, and it was a joy to celebrate her union with her childhood crush, Paul.

Set in the most incredible landscape of the Elgin Valley, Cape Town, the heavens opened and it rained more than I thought possible. The ceremony took place in a beautiful lake-side boathouse, with Martine coming over the hill in the back of a 'Bucky' (that's saffa for Ute!). Despite the rain pouring off the sides of the roof and making it almost impossible to read my kindle, nothing could damper the spirits of the 200 or so people who had gathered from around the world to attend.

Who did I marry?

Martine is an absolute whirlwind—vibrant, lively, and full of energy. She’s a tornado, a ray of sunshine, and brings a burst of life wherever she goes. She’s the kind of person who can light up any room and is always down-to-earth and approachable, never too cool to chat with anyone. Adventurous, curious, and radiating positivity, she is the life of the party and has a knack for making new friends wherever she goes.

Paul is her perfect balance—steady, calm, and grounded. Known for his gentle strength, love of nature, and pragmatic outlook on life, he is the calm in the storm that is Martine. He’s organised, thoughtful, and the tidier one in their relationship, which says a lot about his methodical side. Paul is also adventurous and shares Martine’s passion for the outdoors, but he brings a sense of peace and stability to their shared adventures.

Martine’s spontaneous, zestful approach to life is perfectly grounded by Paul’s calm and measured nature. Together, they’ve weathered the challenges of long-distance love, showing a resilience and bond that’s only grown stronger over time.

Their shared love for adventure, whether it’s tackling epic trail runs or exploring new places, shows they thrive on discovery and excitement. But they also understand the importance of balance—respecting each other’s individuality while coming together as a strong, united team.

Martine’s fun-loving spirit matches Paul’s sense of humour and love of the natural world, creating a relationship that’s both lively and deeply connected. Whether in their everyday lives or during their grand adventures, Martine and Paul bring out the best in each other, making them an extraordinary match.

My favourite part of the ceremony

This was an unusual wedding in that my WHOLE family was there as well - that's how far back we go. So, apart from shaking up that dance floor until midday, my favourite part of that ceremony had to be the following line, which initially went down like a lead balloon but after a pause, received peals of laughter!

"Although Martine is like my big sister, I was 18 when I first met Paul and I thought he was fantastic! For a full 48 hours I was convinced that I would one day marry him and to be fair, I wasn’t wrong!"