We at Where’s my Wedding are thrilled to have Gelukkie feature on our website and to get to know Cindy, the venue co-ordinator and the face behind this very special wedding venue.

Future brides, wedding planners, and those involved in all things 'wedding', grab a pen and some paper because the advice and feedback that Cindy gives are the basic ingredients for the perfect wedding day.

Saying cheers to the corporate world and packing up her most treasured things (including her boyfriend and her dog), Cindy ventured down to the West Coast and opened Joy Wedding Venue at Gelukkie Farm. 

Cindy, a corporate city girl from Durban, fell in love with the country life and the local Paternoster vibe and recreated this at Gelukkie.  Directly translated, Gelukkie has to do with joy and this is what you'll find at this venue: no fuss, no worries, just a whole lot of love and an emphasis on the things that truly matter.

What was once a small cottage has now been converted into an intimate and authentic wedding venue. There is something very magical about Gelukkie that has to be seen and experienced. Add to that Cindy's bubbly and engaging personality and you have a very special match.

In today’s blog, Cindy shares her top tips and advice for couples planning their wedding day as well as her thoughts about Gelukkie and the special hallmarks that makes this West Coast venue stand out.

How would you describe Gelukkie to someone who has never seen it?

Gelukkie is a wedding venue for people who are sick of conventional wedding venues! We offer a boutique wedding service for couples looking to CELEBRATE their special day…not to stress about it! We specialize and focus on smaller wedding of 15 to 70 guests, aiming to keep the couple’s day intimate, special and memorable. Our family-run business; rustic-chic venue; hands-on service; and attention to detail make us different to many other wedding venues on the West Coast. Our main objective is to achieve a custom-made wedding for our couples and their loved ones…we strive to never become a cookie-cutter wedding venue and we work every day on securing that ethos in everything we do.

We suppose, couples fall in love with different aspects of your venue, but what is your favourite feature of Gelukkie?

The energy everyone feels as soon as you walk into our gates… it may be the incredible bird life, beautiful gardens or Mediterranean style set-up Gelukkie offers, I am not sure, but my inspiration every day is that energy the venue gives off to everyone it welcomes in…including myself…every day!

We realize there are always changes to plan, but could you describe your typical routine on a wedding day for us?

There is no typical plan or sequence at Gelukkie…we are all about being flexible and customizable to what our couples want to achieve for the day! The main plan for the wedding day is to make sure the couple and their guests feel comfortable, have amazing food in their bellies, delicious wine on their palates and create happy memories that will last a lifetime.

Does Gelukkie have any future renovations?

We are always updating and improving our offerings to our bridal couples…so yes, we have LOTS of plans for development in the future. We are a bunch of creative people running the business so to highlight one as more important as another is impossible…it all works on the vibe Gelukkie gives us and the direction she leads us in. In saying all this, we certainly don’t have plans to increase our guest count offerings…we want to keep adding value to the small wedding venue market on the West Coast.

Share with us one of the most memorable weddings you have hosted since you have been the venue co-ordinator?

That is an impossible question to answer!!! I can honestly say (without sounding too gushy about it) that every single wedding is so special in such different ways!! Gelukkie seems to attract all sorts of couples…young, old, second marriages, eloping couples etc. and each experience with the couples involved is so special, crazy and wonderful all in one go!

I can tell you my favourite part of a wedding day though…it is when we all take 5 minutes to breathe, stand and watch the bride walk down the aisle…I have (at every single wedding) shed a tear (or multiple) as the wonderful woman I have worked with for so many months walks down the aisle, looking so beautiful and radiant. When she smiles at me…that is my job done, right there…pure happiness and pure reward!

When and why did you decide to become a venue and wedding co-ordinator at Gelukkie Accommodation, Wedding & Event Venue?

I had been visiting Paternoster for many years from Durban visiting my Aunt and Uncle who own Gelukkie. I had always wanted to get into the wedding industry and Gelukkie was just the perfect venue in my eyes. We spoke for months and months and then decided to take the leap and converted my Uncles workshop into our Joy Wedding Venue. Almost 3 years ago now, I quit my corporate job, packed up my boyfriend and dog and drove down to the West Coast to start our new lives in Paternoster. I have not for one second ever regretted it and look forward to “work” everyday!

What advice would you give to couples selecting their wedding venue?

I always say, you first fall in love with your future wife or hubby…and then you fall in love with your wedding venue. Just make sure wherever you decide to get married; it represents you as a couple. Also, a big thing to remember is that the wedding day goes by in such a flash you will wonder why you ever spent so much money on one day. So please, make sure you LIKE the people you will be working with to make your special day happen! The whole “wedding” experience lies a lot in the preparation of the day…this is the fun part! The day itself goes so quickly- which is why people pay photographers so much money! So make sure you have a co-ordinator, photographer, DJ, venue etc. who you LOVE and who will love you back and make sure the WHOLE experience is everything you have ever dreamt of and more!

What advice would you give to couples who are planning their special day?

Book your wedding at Gelukkie!

Ha ha…but seriously, try to enjoy the process…it is a once in a lifetime experience and you owe it to yourself to make it exactly what you two, as a couple, want. Try not to be swayed by parents expectations, “keeping up with the Jones’” or what’s trending in the wedding industry…make your wedding day as unique and special as your love for each other is…it is the first day of the rest of your lives together…make sure it has your “stamp” on it!!

A huge thank you to Cindy for taking the time to chat to us. We look forward to sharing and spreading the word of Gelukkie with bridal couples hunting for a truly authentic wedding venue along with a fantastic, hands-on team. 

To find out more about Gelukkie or to contact Cindy: http://www.wheresmywedding.co.za/venue/gelukkie

To see the full wedding album of the featured wedding captured by Alice Swan Photography: http://aliceswan.com/

Shelley at Where's My Wedding