Jana & Jay

We are thrilled to announce that we are getting married! The anticipated time frame for our wedding is October/November 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. Although it is still a long way off, this advance notice is necessary due to the large undertaking of bringing our families and friends together.

We would like to invite you to join us on this website, where we will share our preparations and keep you updated on all the exciting news. We will regularly post interesting updates and things to look forward to and discover.

Whether you already know if you can attend or are still uncertain, please feel free to browse through the navigation bar and create an account. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!

Life is an adventure best traveled together!

Location

Casa Labia

We are planning to celebrate our wedding at the beautiful Casa Labia in Muizenberg. This historic venue, originally built in the 1920s, is a national monument that offers a unique blend of Italian elegance and South African charm. With its stunning architecture, beautifully manicured gardens, and breathtaking views of the False Bay coastline, it provides the perfect setting for our special day.

Our wedding will take place both outdoors in the enchanting gardens and indoors in the elegant rooms of Casa Labia. Please note that this location is not yet confirmed, but we will keep you updated with any changes.

General Info

TBA

We are delighted to welcome kids to our wedding! However, we kindly ask that parents look after their children throughout the event. Please bring any entertainment or activities they may need, as we won't be able to provide entertainment for all ages.

Oli & Mackenzie

With Griffin

We are happy to welcome dogs to our wedding! However, we kindly ask that only sociable dogs join us. Please be aware that there will be children running around.

We kindly ask you to embrace the charm and elegance of our outdoor wedding by following a Beach Formal or Garden Party dress code. This means:

Ladies: Flowing dresses, sundresses, or elegant maxi dresses are perfect. Pair them with dressy sandals or wedges.

Gentlemen: Lightweight suits, dress shirts with slacks, or dressy shorts with a nice blazer. No jeans, please.

Think of a combination of comfort and sophistication, blending the beauty of beach and garden settings with a touch of formality.

At Downton Abbey

At the 'Heilung' Concert

The weather in Muizenberg during October and November is typically mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F). However, evenings can be quite cool and windy, so we recommend bringing a light jacket or a warm wrap to stay comfortable.

Please be prepared for variable weather conditions and bring something warm for the evenings. We want everyone to enjoy the celebration without any discomfort!

To fade out the end of our wedding festivities, we invite you to join us for a relaxed champagne breakfast the next day at The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay. Known for its spectacular views of the ocean and its vibrant atmosphere, The Brass Bell is the perfect spot to unwind and recover from the festivities.

If you wake up feeling a bit "under the weather" from the night before, don’t worry! This casual gathering is the ideal place to nurse that wedding hangover with some bubbly and good company. Attendance is optional, so come as you are and enjoy a leisurely morning with us.

Please note that this location is not yet confirmed, but we will keep you updated with any changes.

At Slangkop Lighthouse

Our Story

Our story begins with a memorable first date on 5th February 2022 at the famous 'Truth Coffee' café in Cape Town. The date was full of laughter and deep conversations, laying the groundwork for a wonderful friendship.

It wasn't the typical "love at first sight" story. Instead, a wonderful friendship blossomed. We soon spent almost every day together – whether on outings, having long conversations, or meeting up in cafés.

At the Bazique festival

At Skydive Robertson

A particular highlight of our friendship was a weekend trip to Montagu with Jana's friends. Jana convinced Jonathan to join her for skydiving. There is a video capturing the moment when Jonathan says to the camera, "Worst date ever," just before taking off with the airplane.

When Jana's time in Cape Town came to an end, Jonathan did something incredibly sweet at the airport. As they said goodbye, he gave her a small box containing a wooden ring and a note that read, "I would so date you if we lived in the same country." The wooden ring fit perfectly. Fun fact: Jonathan also has a matching wooden ring, and we will be using these same rings for our civil wedding in Denmark.

What started as a light-hearted farewell quickly turned into an intense long-distance friendship. We kept in touch daily, sending messages and often calling each other.

In October 2022, Jonathan finally took the plunge and visited Jana for three weeks in Germany. A trip to Crete deepened our relationship, and Jonathan got to know Jana's friends and family – and was warmly welcomed. By the end of his visit, it was clear: we have fallen in love and we want to be together.

Love lock in Cologne

Christmas in South Africa

Jana could return to Cape Town for a few months for work, so we spent that time together in Jonathan's flat in Muizenberg. Over Christmas, we went on a road trip across South Africa, ending up in Johannesburg to visit Jonathan's family. They welcomed us with open arms and great warmth.

In February 2023, we decided to live together in Germany. At the beginning of March, we moved in together and, despite the bureaucracy and challenges, managed to establish Jonathan's life in Germany.
Once we settled a little, we celebrated Jonathan’s move to Germany with a welcoming party on 29th April 2023.

Welcome Party Bochum

We got a new car

On 23th June 2023, Puma finally arrived in Germany after his quarantine period. He was warmly welcomed by Lillian and Henry, and the three cats soon became good friends.

Jonathan quickly found a job and built a new life. Notably, he has formed a close friendship with Jana's father. They enjoy playing the guitar together or going to concerts. Jonathan is also often found at the football field with (originally Jana's) friends. Although he hasn't been in Germany for long, he already speaks impressively good German.

A sad moment in November was the passing of Jana's grandmother at the age of 96. Jonathan and Jana's father accompanied the funeral with their guitars. Christmas 2023 was spent in Johannesburg again, and at Dale's & Bronwin's wedding, Jana caught the bouquet.

Together, we share a love of travel and have already embarked on many trips: the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, and England to visit Downton Abbey.

Our story is a colourful mix of friendship, adventure, and the discovery that life is simply better together.

At Dale's & Bronwin's wedding

We believe that our shared love for our cats played a big part in bringing us together. Our three adorable furballs, Puma, Henry, and Lillian, have not only added joy to our lives but also strengthened our bond. Everyone needs a bit of fluff now and then, so we hope you enjoy our kitty pictures as much as we do!

Puma is our independent explorer, always curious and ready for adventure. He had a bit of a rocky start with Lillian, our corpulent princess who loves her personal space. But over time, they’ve come to an understanding and have found their own rhythm.

Henry, our laid-back cuddle papa bear, gets along with everyone and especially loves chilling out with Puma on the couch or basking in the sun on the balcony.

Our cats have brought us countless moments of happiness. They are a big reason why we are here today, celebrating our love with all of you.

Feel free to browse through our gallery of fluff and meet the little ones.

Henry, our gentle giant, is a Maine Coon mix, probably born in 2011. Jana fell in love with him at the animal welfare league in Adelaide, Australia, where she learned his heart-wrenching story. Abandoned by his previous family who moved away without him, Henry has since thrived in a loving home. Weighing in at a hefty 8 kg, this snuggly sweetheart took Lillian under his wing when she was just a kitten. When Jana moved back to Germany from South Australia, Henry and Lillian made the journey with her, ensuring their family stayed together.

Henry Bear

Puma Pants

Puma is our adventurous South African street cat who chose Jonathan and decided to stay. With a preference for drinking water out of a beer glass, Puma’s quirky habits never fail to amuse us. After his long journey from South Africa, he quickly befriended Henry, and now they are the best of buddies. When we travel, such as on trips to South Africa, Jana’s mum and Frank take care of our trio. Puma loves watching Helene Fischer on TV with Frank, which is why we don’t let them choose the music for our event! 😉

Born in 2016 and found by the animal welfare league, Lillian is our bit of a diva, spoiled and charming. She’s a big girl, likely a Norwegian Forest Cat mix, with a little extra padding around her hips. Lillian is Jana’s shadow, following her every step through the house. She has a particular fondness for her gaming pad, where she loves to lounge and play. Despite her pampered nature, she’s a sweet and affectionate cat who brings joy to everyone she meets.

Mosel, Germany

Amsterdam, NL

Cape Town, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Cape Town, SA

Antayla, Turkey

Elephant Sanctuary, SA

Hout Bay, SA

Muizenberg, SA

Crete, Greece

Christmas Photoshooting

Skydive Soest 'season-finished-Party'

Ancona, Italy

Hike in Montagu, SA

At the Striped Horse, Muizenberg

Strandloper, Paternoster, SA

At Dale's & Bronwin's wedding

Berlin. Germany

Franschhoek, SA

Nijmegen, NL

Boschendal Estate, SA

Hike to Muizenberg Peak, SA

New Year's Eve at Beaverlac, SA

Night out in Muizenberg, SA

Schalke Stadium, Germany

Christmas in Joburg, SA

Antayla, Turkey

historical funfair in Bochum, Germany

Christmas Photoshooting

Highclare Castle/Downton Abbey, England

Montecasino, SA

News!

On September 10, 2024, we said "Yes!" at the registry office in beautiful Copenhagen. While this wasn’t our main wedding, we had to make it official for the paperwork. But don’t worry—our hearts are set on celebrating the real big day with all of you in South Africa next year!

In the meantime, we’ve just received the gorgeous photos from our photographer and couldn’t wait to share them. Feel free to take a stroll through the gallery and relive this special moment with us.

We’re so excited for the celebration ahead, and we can't wait to make more memories with you!