Waterhoutkloof is a small slice of heaven tucked into the Waterberg Biosphere, just outside Vaalwater (about 3 hours from Pretoria). It's been a big part of Ingrid's life, her true home, and over the past few years, it's cemented itself in Nick's heart too.
It's here we got engaged, looking out over the expansive bushveld. Beautiful, diverse and mostly untouched, the farm has just one small three-bedroom mudbrick cottage built in 1898. Hosting a wedding here? Oom Karl and Tannie Diellie (Ingrid's parents) thought we were mad, but six months later we were building an outdoor kitchen and ablution block beneath the trees, guided by the same spirit of simplicity and care that the farm lends itself to.
We're so excited to invite you to this special place for a long weekend of celebration from 1 to 3 May 2026. We'll be up there the week before setting up, and we'd love for you to arrive on Friday the 1st or even earlier to make a weekend of it.
Picture a sunset picnic ceremony, homemade food from both the bush and the beach prepared by Aunty Pips and Uncle John (Nick's parents), barefoot dancing in the sand, and a wedding woven together with handmade details, camping under the stars (for some), and the incredible people we get to call family and friends.
It won't necessarily be traditional, but it will be wholesome, personal, and a little quirky in a way that we hope you will enjoy.
PS. The exact co-ordinates for the farm can be found here.
Please let us know if you'll be joining us by 15 September 2025 so we can finalise the accommodation and send you details about where you'll be staying and how to pay for it (we have reserved it in the meantime).
As this is a family-friendly wedding, children are also invited to celebrate with us!
RSVP via this Google Form
(We'll be in touch after the 15th of September with your assigned spot and next steps.)
-Please book in at your accommodation.
(PS. Remember to bring something for brekkie on Saturday and Sunday morning. Dinners will be provided on Friday and Saturday night)
- Depending on your arrival time, please join us for a welcome braai at Idwala Lengwe from 4:00pm-8:00pm.
(PS. Food will be provided but bring your own booze)
-Please be seated as indicated on the seating chart
(PS. Refrain from digging into the picnic basket until after the ceremony is complete; and the happy couple go off to take photos. Then sit back and enjoy a lovely sundowners picnic with family and friends.)
(PS. Enjoy this time as the sun sets on this special occasion. At 6:30 start slowly making your way towards the reception area)
- Please be seated by 6:30 pm as indicated on the seating chart
(PS. Get ready for a good time)
- Travel safe and thanks for sharing this special time with us!
Ladies: Monotone attire – this means a single solid colour from head to toe (no prints, no florals, no animal patterns, no multi-colour outfits, no black). Think elegant and simple – whether it's all beige or all sage green.
Men: Chinos with a khaki green or off white shirt is perfectly fine.
Let's keep the photos crisp and clean, and the vibes classy!
PS. Ladies you might want to wear comfortable shoes – heels will sink into the sand :) It could also get chilly at night, so bring something warm for sitting by the fire.
We've chosen a few lovely spots near the farm to make things easy and comfortable for everyone. Matamba Bush Camp is a beautifully curated camping spot, while Berchtesgaden, Gecko and Idwala Lengwe are rustic lodges with chalets and tented accommodation.
We've pre-booked enough spots, so please indicate on the RSVP which option you prefer. We'll do our best to match everyone with something suitable, but please note that accommodation is limited and we are making do with what's around us! Once your spot has been confirmed, we'll send you our banking details. A 50% deposit will be required by the end of October to secure your place, with the balance due by end of February. You'll pay us directly, and we'll handle all payments with the accommodation venues on your behalf (please share your POP to help us keep track of things). We've included transport costs between the accommodation and the wedding venue for the day of the wedding.
If you'd prefer to book your own transport and accommodation elsewhere - for example, Sebatana Private Reserve, Kaingo Game Reserve, Welgevonden Game Reserve, you are more than welcome to. Please indicate this in the RSVP form.
In terms of timing, we recommend arriving on Friday 1 May and checking out on Sunday 3 May, as this aligns with the festivities and the dates we've pre-booked accommodation for. However, if you'd like to stay longer please organize this yourself with your allocated accommodation.
Lastly, if you're keen to camp but are concerned about gear, please let us know in the RSVP and send us a message directly. We have some spare equipment that can be made available if needs be.
As this is a destination wedding, we truly do not expect any gifts at all. The fact that you are making the effort to travel and be with us in the middle of the bushveld already means more to us than anything else.
That said, for those who already have a gift in mind or who would like to contribute in some way, we will be doing a camping honeymoon through Botswana. If you would like to contribute towards that adventure, we would be extremely grateful — but please only if you would like to.
We'll be able to confirm whether we can accommodate additional guests after 15 September, once we have our final guest count. We've pre-ordered a specific amount of crockery, cutlery, and catering based on our expected numbers, so we'll only know then if we have space to welcome extra guests. Please let us know in your RSVP if you'd like to bring someone, and we'll do our best to make it work!
The closest town for shopping is Vaalwater, about 45 minutes away from Waterhoutkloof. You'll find a SPAR Zeederberg there for all your grocery needs, plus other shops for any essentials. We recommend stocking up on drinks, snacks, and anything you might need for the weekend when you pass through town!
Transport from OR Tambo International Airport can be arranged through a reliable transfer company. This is convenient if you're flying in and don't want to drive the 3-hour journey yourself.
