A Gorgeous Glass Marquee Wedding in the Woods: JJ & Hanli

Stylish, sophisticated, and filled with ideas

As someone who's perpetually torn between gorgeous wedding dresses and spectacular wedding decor, today's incredible real wedding is proving quite the challenge. Hanli & JJ got married in their native South Africa, with a wedding in the woods that combines all the beauty of their surroundings at Die Woud, with all the elegance and style of a five-star hotel bash. A glass marquee, chandeliers hanging from the trees, rows of tall candelabras - and a stunning wedding dress. We have, not just the beautiful photos by He Is Visual for you to swoon over, but the dreamy wedding film by Orpen Films too - what a treat!

JJ & Hanli started their courtship as high school sweethearts, “JJ being in an all-boys school and myself in an all-girls school in the same town we had a lot of mutual friends – however we never met until our final year in high-school when mutual family friends introduced us to each other.” Hanli tells us, “Later we realised we attended the same events and parties but just never met.”

The relationship was smooth sailing into university, when the couple both studied in the same town, “After high-school we both studied at Stellenbosch University, JJ studied Structural Engineering and I studied Political science. After a year, I changed direction and enrolled in fashion school, still being in the same town we took student life by storm.”

But then came the difficult part, as Hanli explains, “We decided to take on a long distance relationship. Having met so young we never restricted one another, and we never stop dreaming of what we wanted to achieve in life. I moved to London to continue my studies at London Fashion University, during the same time JJ moved to the Netherlands to study at Maastricht University and complete his Master’s degree.”

Cue lots of Skype sessions and travelling to see eachother, “When our studies were completed we both moved back to South Africa, JJ a year before me. Shortly after I came back we got engaged and decided no more long distance,” says Hanli, “Four years was enough and we would rather take on life together.”

After flying to Cape Town to ask Hanli’s parents for their permission to propose, (unbeknownst to the bride of course), JJ took Hanli with to Port Elizabeth to help him settle in to his new home and job there. “JJ and I can never keep secrets from each other, so he knew he needed to trick me and make the proposal a good one.” Hanli tells us.

Staying with JJ’s business partner and his family in Port Alfred for the weekend, he host offered to take the couple out in a helicopter the following day to show them the sites.  Sounds pretty spectacular to us, but to Hanli, this wasn’t out of the ordinary, “His business partner flies his own plane and takes flying trips quite often. So naturally I agreed, I mean what better way to see what the Eastern Cape has to offer.”

As promised, they went flying the next morning, making several stops before landing in some sand dunes by a wildlife sanctuary. The pilot told them he was off to check out some projects and would return for JJ & Hanli a few minutes later, “JJ and I took a walk up the dunes while we waited and before I knew JJ went down on one knee, too much excitement! We then walk up where two guys from the lodge was waiting for our arrival to take us on a game drive and to celebrate what just happened. Luckily JJ knew how nosey I can get, that’s why he planned the entire engagement in the Eastern Cape so that I would not expect a thing, job well done.” Job well done indeed!

While the couple had a simple ceremony, with bench seating and a floral arch, these gorgeous burgundy orchids hint at the luxurious details to come from their reception.

The couple wanted a wedding that reflected their style and personalities, “We created a day filled with celebration that reflects a classic, sophisticated elegance with a natural modern twist.”

For Hanli & JJ, the key elements for their wedding were obvious from the start, “The venue was one of the first, seeing as that sets the mood for what’s to follow. Getting an event planner that could execute all our ideas and take away the stress load prior and on the day, Hannes from Kraak events did just that! Our photographer and videographer that could work well together and capture our style and work with camera shy people, and then definitely the band, “Bottomless Coffee” adding to the vibe.”

Of course for Hanli, the dress was another very important detail, “I never dreamt about my dress from a young age, but being in the fashion industry I knew what I wanted. I immediately contacted Kobus Dippenaar, and we started designing. What was great is that Kobus listened to me and executed my vision. After we decided on the final design – Kobus imported my fabrics, I discovered my lace that we had fully hand beaded and lined with two layer of Chantilly lace, paired with a white skirt and long train that was later switched for a short-flared tulle skirt.”

The couple opted for a stunning wedding in the woods with a glass marquee, “This combination gives you that natural relaxed feeling by having the trees wrapping around the entire setting yet elegant feeling under the glass structure while we dined,” Hanli tells us. “We knew we wanted to transform the space and give our guests a classic romantic setting that captures the outside beauty. We lit the entire glass structure with 36 candelabras and 180 candles,15 chandeliers suspended between the trees covering six lounge pockets filled with décor for guest to relax under the trees.” Now doesn’t that just sound as spectacular as it looks?

For Hanli, she loved that the setting reflected JJ’s style, not just her own, “We said yes to our venue “Die Woud” after seeing the architect’s plans, and visiting the open space surrounded by trees. Even though JJ was very much involved in all the planning and decision making I wanted the venue to completely reflect his personality and style,” she explains. “Seeing as he loved being outdoors it was a true reflection of him and his easy relaxing style." 

Hanli says it worked out exactly as she'd hoped, "The combination between nature and the classic glass structure made a perfect combination for what we wanted to create. The venue had a few elements to it that made it just perfect, and who can resist trees arching over the entire setting.”

Hydrangea runners lined the tables, while beautiful lounge spaces were adorned with stylish furniture, brass ornaments and burgundy blooms.

Even the outdoor bar has a glamorous feel!

This pair’s top tip for other couples? Don’t stress about the little things on the day, “Guests don’t notice and things always work out at the end of the day. If you can hire an event planner do so, it will help you relax on the day.”

The entire day was one big highlight for the bride and groom, “Seeing how months of planning came together, the celebration leading up to the day. We had an abundance of good food and drinks to celebrate the day with and make memories,” Hanli tells us. “The best would be seeing each other at the end of the aisle knowing the journey ahead and the support we have from everyone.”

I'm officially in love with Hanli's sophisticated wedding dress (she swapped out the skirt later for dancing) and that bouquet is just divine.

Their elegantly informal set-up in the woods, looked even more romantic after dark!

The couple took a mini-moon close to home before prepping for a bigger trip down the line, “We could not take off too much time after the wedding, we spend a few days relaxing in Stanford before heading back to work. We are planning to go on honeymoon beginning next year, visiting the Amalfi Coast and spending some time in Paris.”

Watch JJ & Hanli's Beautiful Wedding Film

JJ + Hanli from Orpen Film Co. on Vimeo

Anyone else now dreaming of a glass marquee wedding in the woods? Thanks so much to JJ & Hanli for sharing their day with us, and of course to He Is Visual and Orpen Films for sending their beautiful work our way.

The Wedding Details

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