20/05/2026
AN UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATION AT BROOKDALE ESTATE
A heartfelt letter from Paul and Imé, reflecting on their wedding day and the memories they created together at Brookdale Estate.
"Dear Yvonne, Gary and the entire Brookdale team
Now that we are back from our honeymoon and settling in, we just wanted to say thank you for the most special wedding weekend and stay. We truly could not have asked for a more beautiful venue or a more incredible team to celebrate with. Thank you for all the care, warmth and effort that made the weekend so unforgettable.
We wanted to share the below review as a small reflection of how grateful we are for everything.
A few years ago, long before we were engaged, Paul and I visited a new restaurant we had heard a lot about through Inside Guide. As foodies, we were excited to try Chef Gary’s bistro and discover a hidden gem wine farm in Paarl that we had never visited before.
Nothing could have prepared us for the incredible view as we drove through the gates of Brookdale. I remember saying to Paul that this must be what arriving at the gates of heaven feels like, and that it would make the most beautiful wedding venue one day. We were completely in awe of the scenery and the beautiful manor house nestled in the valley below.
The dining experience was unforgettable, the wines impeccable, and Brookdale left a lasting impression on us.
A year and a half later, when we got engaged and started looking at wedding venues in Cape Town and the Winelands, we kept thinking of Brookdale. We contacted Yvonne, Brookdale’s wonderful estate manager, who immediately arranged a site visit for the very next day.
The moment we drove through the gates again, we fell in love all over again and knew before the tour had even started that we had found our venue.
What made Brookdale so special to us was the warmth and authenticity from the very beginning. The team made us feel welcome instantly, and we loved that they only hosted a select number of weddings each year, making every experience feel personal and intentional.
The journey with the Brookdale team over the following year and a half was incredible. Yvonne checked in regularly, was always just a message away, and played such an important role throughout the planning process. Chef Gary curated a personalised menu filled with all our favourite things, even Paul’s request for pumpkin fritters was never too much to ask.
When our wedding weekend finally arrived, the Brookdale team welcomed us like family from the moment we arrived on the Friday afternoon. Although the weather had other plans for our wedding day, the staff went above and beyond to make every Plan B feel just as special and memorable.
Despite the rain, our day could not have turned out more perfectly or been more full of love. The attention to detail, care, and personal touch from every single staff member was incomparable.
Our guests could not stop raving about the exceptional service and exquisite food throughout the weekend.
Brookdale will always remain one of the most special places to us, and we cannot recommend the estate and team highly enough. We already cannot wait to return for many more bistro visits and anniversary stays in the years to come.
Love Paul and Imé"
Paarl Wine Route
