Kurt Darren, Carey Boucher and Johann Erasmus.
A soft breeze wafts through the willows on the shore of the lake below Paarl Rock mountain. It’s late afternoon in the Cape Winelands and time has stood still for the more than 120 guests who wait quietly as soothing violin music floats across the valley. Soon they’ll be swept along by a golden voice - because this is the wedding where Kurt Darren is singing.
It’s a dream come true for the bride, Carey Boucher (27), who two years ago was in a coma and at death’s door. And for Johann Erasmus (28) this is a day of joy and deep gratitude - his bride was spared to share her life with him.
He’d barely met Carey when she heard she had cancer - myeloid leukaemia - in an advanced stage. It was in intensive care that Johann proposed to Carey . . . and they went on to win our special wedding, the brainchild of popular Afrikaans singer Kurt Darren.
He wanted to write a song for a special couple to sing at their wedding, and YOU arranged a competition in which a couple could win their dream wedding: in addition to having Kurt perform for them they would have everything to make the day perfect, from the rings to the reception, outfits and even the honeymoon.
Tears flowed when Carey and Johann exchanged their vows at the Rhebokskloof wine estate at the end of last month. Carey was radiant in her dream gown, created by top designer Charlene Sauerman.
As the couple enter the reception a little while after the ceremony Kurt Darren takes to the stage and starts singing.
“Everything that was broken has been healed. And nothing is too much for you and me. Now I can share everything with you because I’m with you, with you every day.”
Carey keeps talking about her “perfect wedding, exactly what I’ve always wanted”.
“Imagine Events did everything to arrange every detail and make sure everything goes smoothly,” she says.
Because of her illness Carey can’t get pregnant and they won’t have their own children but they agree they’re not too upset about this. “We love each other so much, that’s what counts. If one day we want a baby we’ll adopt,” she says.
Meanwhile there is a “child” at home - their Siamese cat, Charlie, who’ll have to celebrate his first birthday alone while the two lovebirds are on a honeymoon cruise on board MSC Sinfonia to Portuguese Island off the Mozambican coast.
They’ll have four nights aboard the cruise ship then spend two nights at Shamwari Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth.
See all the photos and read the full article in the YOU of 18 February.