Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Sunday, September 28, 202514:30–15:00Attire:&nbsp;Cocktail attire, dress to impressOutside ceremony under a tree

COCKTAIL HOUR

Sunday, September 28, 202515:15–17:30Attire:&nbsp;Cocktail dresses, outdoor cocktail areaOutdoor cocktail hour, drinks and canapés With games and pictures

RECEPTION

Sunday, September 28, 202518:00–00:00Attire:&nbsp;Dress to impressIf you wish to change into the evening attire please make use of the bedrooms available.

Our union 

Welcome to Our Celebration With hearts full of joy and anticipation, we invite you to witness and celebrate the beginning of our forever. Your presence has blessed our individual journeys, and now we cannot imagine taking this next step without you by our side. Stellenbosch's spring beauty will provide the perfect backdrop as we say "I do" surrounded by those we love most. This website will be your guide to all things related to our special day. Your presence is truly the greatest gift we could receive.

Important Information

Venue

Groenvlein Guest Farm M23, Bottelary Rd, Brackenfell, Stellenbosch, 7600

Dress Code

Dress to ImpressPlease note: September is spring in South Africa (mild weather expected)Kindly note not to wear any white dress or white suit.

Contact

Questions?&nbsp;Email us at: benettebena16@gmail.com or WhatsApp at 061 682 4920Wedding Hashtag:&nbsp;#MerlinBenetteForever

Merlin & Benette

Our Wedding

Toi et moi , moi et toi&nbsp; It’s started with an innocent eye contact and flourished into this beautiful nourishing wonderful love story.&nbsp; In God we trusted when we started just talking over messages and calls and now in God we trust in this union of accomplishing his scripture as stated in Genesis 2:24. If we could change anything about our love, it would be nothing at all. If we were to pen our journey together, we would fill volumes, enough to create a magnificent library dedicated to our love story. Each page would echo the sweet symphony of laughter and the bittersweet notes of tears, capturing the essence of our shared experiences that have forged an unbreakable bond. Through every high and low, we have discovered the true meaning of our love. Who is Merlin without the warmth of Benette’s embrace? Who is Benette without the light of Merlin’s gaze? And most importantly, who are they both without the guiding hand of God? Merlin and Benette are two souls intertwined, incomplete without one another, and forever reliant on divine grace. Thank you, God, for safeguarding this beautiful love we share. We invite you to join us in celebrating our enchanting love story. Your presence would be the most cherished gift we could ever receive.

Our Story

Our eyes to yours 

Our Time 

The strongest person I have ever seen. She didn’t stop even when things were the toughest she thrived and fought hard and moved forward ❤️ 
Her existence in our lives is an absolute blessing just like her name ❤️

Benedicte 

She’s the social and unsocial person I know ❤️😂 
She’s knows how to lead conversations with all her heart. 
As simple as a person can be, she’s the easiest person I know ❤️

Bereka

Oh my lilly ❤️ 
My sweet sweet lilly 
She would drop anything for me ❤️ 
She’s a sweet soul the most genuine soul ❤️

Lilly 

The newest addition to my family ❤️ 
Mrs Bena our little sweet smiley face ❤️ 
She’s always smiling and laughing even when things are hard ❤️

Deborah 

The kindest heart ❤️ she’s peace 💕 she’s strong, she’s courageous and always confident 

My sweet mima ❤️ she’s just a girl 

Mimima 

Recca ❤️ my childhood memory ❤️ 
The most sophisticated ❤️
She has a calming aura a soothing smile and voice 
💕💕

Rebecca 

Another strong warrior 
Friendliest, craziest, loveliest woman ❤️ 
A warrior ❤️ her smile and spirit never dimmed never 
Her light shines throughout her life 💛

Lizzy

She shy but confident 
She’s sweet but don’t mess with her ❤️ 


Jemima 🧡

Meet the bridemaids❤️

add a song that reminds you of us❤️ we would love to add it to our playlist

Add a song that represents us 

Your Presence is Our Present

The most important gift to us is having you share in our special day. Your love, support, and presence mean more than any material gift ever could.

Gift Preferences - Monetary Gifts Preferred

For those who wish to honor us with a wedding gift,&nbsp;we respectfully prefer monetary contributions&nbsp;instead of physical gifts. We appreciate your understanding and generosity as we start this new chapter of our lives.

Banking Details for Monetary Gifts

If you would like to contribute a monetary gift, you may use the following banking details: South African Account Bank:&nbsp;FNB/RMBAccount Holder:&nbsp;Ntabugi BenaAccount Type:&nbsp;FNB Aspire Current AccountAccount Number:&nbsp;63074418328Branch Code:&nbsp;250655Reference:&nbsp;Your Name + "Wedding Gift" International TransfersFor international guests wishing to send a monetary gift, please contact us at&nbsp;benettebena16@gmail.com&nbsp;for SWIFT details and international transfer information.

A Note of Gratitude

Please know that your presence at our wedding is truly the most meaningful gift. We are blessed to have you in our lives, and whether you choose to give a gift or not, we are simply grateful that you're celebrating with us. Any contributions received will be used thoughtfully as we build our life together, and we will always remember your kindness and generosity during this special time. With heartfelt appreciation,Merlin &amp; Benette

Gifts

Registry

Things to Do

Help Us Create the Perfect Playlist

Music has been the soundtrack to our love story, and we want our wedding reception to be filled with songs that are meaningful to us and to you!

Why Your Song Matters

Every relationship in our lives has its own rhythm and melody. By requesting a song that reminds you of us, you're helping create a reception playlist that's uniquely ours—a beautiful blend of all the relationships and memories that have brought us to this moment.

What Makes a Great Request?

Think about songs that:	- Remind you of a memory with either or both of us	- Capture our personalities or relationship	- Will get everyone on the dance floor	- Have special meaning in your relationship with us	- Simply make you happy and want to celebrate

How to Submit Your Request

Option 1: Online FormClick the link below to access our song request form:<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Gq2W2MGGTdmabKtXdykxgEOB_6Rczu23869EJC3kV3I/edit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">🎵 Submit Your Song Request</a> Option 2: EmailSend your song requests to:benettebena16@gmail.com&nbsp; Please include:- Song title- Artist name- Why this song reminds you of us (optional but loved!)- Your name

Cultural Music

We're proudly celebrating all three cultures that have shaped us - Angolan, Congolese, and South African - the lands that have blessed our journey.

Add a song that represents us❤️

The Foundation of Our Love Story

Lessons You've Taught Us

About Marriage- Put God at the center- It's not 50/50; it's 100/100- Never go to bed angry- Keep dating each other forever- Your spouse comes first, even before children- Laughter heals almost everything- Say "I love you" every single day- Forgiveness is not optional; it's essential About Family- Family extends beyond blood- Everyone needs a seat at the table- Traditions matter but love matters more- Create a home where everyone feels safe- Celebrate everything, big and small- Support each other's dreams unconditionally About Life- Faith will carry you through anything- Hard work is a blessing, not a burden- Education is important but character is essential- Give more than you receive- Your reputation is your greatest asset- Legacy is what you leave in people, not for them

A Letter to Both Sets of Parents

Dear Mom and Dad (×2), How do we thank you for a lifetime of love in a few words? You've been our teachers, cheerleaders, counselors, and friends. You've caught us when we fell, celebrated when we succeeded, and loved us through everything in between. You raised us separately but with the same values: faith, family, integrity, and love. Though you come from different lands - Angola and Congo - and made South Africa our home through God's blessing, you instilled in us the same principles. When we found each other, we realized we'd been prepared for this moment our entire lives—by you. Your marriages showed us that love isn't perfect, but it's perfectly worth it. Your partnerships taught us that two people can maintain their individuality while building something beautiful together. Your faith showed us that with God, all things are possible. As we stand at the altar, we'll be thinking of Sunday dinners at your tables, bedtime prayers in our childhood rooms, family vacations that weren't perfect but were perfectly ours, and countless moments of ordinary magic that you created for us. Thank you for not just giving us life, but for showing us how to live it. Thank you for not just telling us about love, but for showing us what it looks like. Thank you for praying for our future spouses long before we met each other. Thank you for raising us to be the people who could recognize and cherish true love. We love you beyond measure, Merlin &amp; Benette