You're invited

Three Anniversaries, One Big Celebration

Saturday 23 October 2027  ·  The Alpaca Café, Hoedspruit

Three anniversaries. One big celebration.

We would like to invite you to join us in celebrating 40 years of Claire and Simon, 5 years of Xillen and Olivia, and 1 year of Jacques and Hannah.

Simon & Claire
March

40 years · they were the ones who started it all

Simon and Claire on their wedding day

Xillen & Olivia
van Rooyen

5 years · they were prep school sweethearts

Xillen and Olivia celebrating

Jacques & Hannah Briam

1 year · they didn't know they were 3 at the wedding

Jacques and Hannah exchanging rings

Three weddings in three places: Wales, Durban and Florida - and now one big party in the bush.

Circumstances meant that Hannah and Jacques, and Olivia and Xillen, had smaller ceremonies, without the chance to celebrate with all their friends and loved ones. Now they'd love to put that right and celebrate with everyone. Simon and Claire married forty years ago, and would love to toast their marriage with old friends and new.

Whether you've been part of our story for forty years or joined it more recently, we're so glad you're here.

No fuss. Just a big party with love, laughter, good company and the memories we never got to make the first time around.

Here's to the years behind us and the adventures ahead.

Events

Friday evening meet and greet

Join us the evening before for an optional, casual get-together. Pizzas will be served and there will be a cash bar. Dress is casual.

Date
Friday 22 October 2027
Time
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Venue
Hoedspruit Padel and Sports Bar, 1410 Zandspruit Boulevard, Hoedspruit, 1380

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Saturday Anniversary Celebration

Date
Saturday 23 October 2027
Time
3:00 pm arrival · 2:00 am carriages
Venue
The Alpaca Café, R527, Maruleng, 1380, Hoedspruit, South Africa
Getting there
Hoedspruit is the nearest town. Shuttles will be available to and from the venue from certain pick-up points around Hoedspruit. Please indicate in the RSVP whether you may want to use this.

Rough running order

3:00 pm  Guest arrival and welcome drinks
3:30 pm  Garden games and canapés
6:30 pm  Dinner
8:30 pm  Dancing
12:00 am  Midnight snack and carriages start
2:00 am  Final carriages

Dress code

Formal Safari Chic. Think Out of Africa meets elegant eveningwear.

Colours: khaki, olive, sand, ivory and chocolate brown, with rust, burnt orange, terracotta and copper. Leopard, zebra and other animal prints are encouraged.

Ladies: flowing silk or satin gowns, jumpsuits or tailored linen, with gold jewellery.

Gentlemen: linen suits or safari jackets, crisp shirts, and rich brown or rust accents.

Fabrics: linen, silk, suede, leather and raffia, with touches of gold.

Late October in the Lowveld is hot, so choose breathable fabrics, and flat shoes or block heels for the grass. Bring a light layer for the evening.

Elegant, adventurous and effortlessly chic. Dress to impress and go a little wild.

Inspiration to wear

Formal Safari Chic mood board with women's looks, men's looks, colour palette, fabrics and accessories Formal Safari Chic mood board with linen, olive and leopard print outfits and accessories

Where to stay

Here are some places we like in and around Hoedspruit. October is busy, so we recommend booking early.

In Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate

Woodpecker Lodge

B&B · Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate

Quiet B&B with a pool, a garden and a cooked breakfast on the terrace.

Switsongo Boutique Bed & Breakfast

B&B · Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate

Highly rated B&B with a generous breakfast and wildlife on the doorstep.

Little Kubu Lodge

B&B · Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate · from about R3,500 a night

Six en-suite rooms with private patios, an infinity pool, free bikes and breakfast included.

Safari Moon Luxury Bush Lodge

Luxury lodge · Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate · from R3,600 per person

Ten individually styled suites, a pool deck and a boma, with bed and breakfast included. A treat if you're celebrating.

In and around Hoedspruit town

Khiwane Boutique Hotel

Boutique hotel · Hoedspruit

Outdoor pool, garden, terrace and free parking, a few minutes' drive from the estate.

Aerotel Hoedspruit

Aircraft hotel · on the R527 · cabins from R3,600 per night

Sleep inside a real Boeing 737 or a former presidential jet, with pool, restaurant and breakfast included.

Raptors Wildlife Escape (units 2 and 48)

Self-catering units · Hoedspruit

Book through LekkeSlaap and check the listing for facilities and rates.

Mist of Gold Log Cabins

Budget cabins · Hoedspruit town

Simple, low-priced cabins near the shops. Check the listing for facilities and recent reviews.

Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit

Hotel · Hoedspruit

Safari-style hotel with an outdoor pool, fitness centre, garden and free parking.

Ubuntu Luxury Villa

Private villa · near Kruger Park

Private pool and three en-suite bedrooms, ideal for a family or group sharing.

Map

Here are some suggested places to stay near the party venue. The party venue is the black tag on the map, accommodation options are the orange tags.

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These are just a few suggestions, not a full list. If you're thinking of booking somewhere else and aren't sure how close it is to the venue, please check with us first.

Questions & answers

Will there be food?

Yes! A harvest table to start, followed by a sit-down dinner and a dessert table. Midnight snacks will be served later to keep the party going.

Will there be a bar?

Beer and wine will be provided. For anyone planning a big one (like us!), there will also be a cash bar.

Are kids invited?

This celebration is intended for adults, but we don't want anyone to miss out because of childcare. If this will stop you from coming, please contact us. Babies are of course welcome.

Is there a gift list?

No, your presence is our present.

Who do I contact with questions?

If you need any further info, feel free to contact:
Claire · scmarch@gom.co.za · +27 825705825
Hannah · hjmarch777@gmail.com · +27 825585237
Olivia · oliviamarchza@gmail.com · +44 7398597881

RSVP

Please reply by Friday 30 April 2027.

Please fill in our short RSVP form. It covers how many of you are coming, meal choices, allergies, the shuttle and your DJ requests.

RSVP here

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