A Love Story – Lukas & Anneli
We’re beyond excited to share Lukas & Anneli’s beautiful wedding with you! Their story is one of timing, faith, and a whole lot of joy — and their day at The Stone Cellar couldn’t have been more perfect.
How it all began
It all started back in their second year of varsity in 2017, when Lukas and Anneli met at a church camp. Both were a little shy, so they never really became close friends — just acquaintances who added each other on Facebook.
A few months later, on Lukas’s birthday, they started chatting online. At first, it was just casual, but the conversations never really stopped. Even while Anneli was studying at TUKS and Lukas at NWU Potchefstroom, Lukas used his pocket money to drive all the way for ice cream dates or ten-pin bowling (which Anneli only later realised were actual dates!).
They became each other’s “plus one” to big events like final year dinners and family weddings, but life pulled them apart for about a year and a half. When Lukas moved closer, they reconnected — and this time, in God’s perfect timing, everything fell into place.
Anneli says: “We first had to grow apart from each other, and then we started growing together. God formed our relationship with the perfect balance of our personalities — complementing each other with our differences and aligning us in the things that matter most.”
Wedding day highlights
“It’s so difficult to single out one moment from such a perfect day,” Anneli says.
But if they had to choose, the moment Lukas and Anneli first saw each other as she walked down the aisle was one they’ll never forget. “All the excitement and emotions built up to that moment.”
From there, the joy just continued — celebrating with loved ones, soaking in the day, and (of course) enjoying the incredible food. “The food was so good we wish we had the capacity to eat more!”
Why they chose the stone cellar
Before their engagement, Lukas and Anneli had already been to quite a few weddings. They knew they were heading that way themselves, so after each one they’d chat about what they loved and what they’d do differently.
And one venue kept standing out: The Stone Cellar.
Anneli shares: “We immediately told each other that we loved the feel of the venue and would love to get married there. But when we looked at our (rather tight) budget, we thought we should rather forget about our dream venue.”
When they got engaged and started venue hunting, nothing seemed quite right — until they asked their photographers (and church friends) for suggestions. Without hesitation, they recommended The Stone Cellar, knowing it was a perfect fit for Lukas & Anneli’s style and vibe.
“We went back to TSC’s website and fell in love all over again. As soon as we drove away from our viewing, we both knew this was the one. If it wasn’t for TSC’s friendly and accommodating staff, we wouldn’t have been able to get married at our dream venue. We are so grateful they helped us see where we could cut back to stay within budget.”
💬 Their Review of TSC:
“The staff at TSC were so helpful — they even handled potential problems before they became problems. Honestly, they are like a well-oiled machine.”
Tips for other couples
Anneli and Lukas have some golden advice for couples planning their big day:
- Remember what matters. At the end of the day, the most important part is that you get to marry your person.
- Communicate. Be open with your fiancé, your vendors, and anyone else involved. Don’t be afraid to voice your likes and dislikes.
- Make your own decisions. It’s your wedding, don’t let others pressure you into doing things differently.
- Prepare for imperfections. Things might not go 100% according to plan, but that’s okay. Mistakes happen — and with the right team (like the TSC staff), you’ll barely notice.
- Enjoy every moment. From the planning to the big day itself, soak it all in. Planning is part of your journey together, and your wedding day is the celebration of it all.
A perfectly blessed day
Looking back, Lukas and Anneli wouldn’t change a thing.
“We were so blessed to be able to get married at our dream venue. I think we would do everything the same. It was really a perfectly blessed day.”
