Meghan & Gawie

Meghan and Gawie’s wedding at Winterthur was a celebration that beautifully bridged continents, stories, and styles, bringing together the wild romance of a South African safari with the lush, historic elegance of a Delaware garden estate.

Their love story began in the bushveld, where Gawie, a South African safari guide, met Meghan under the vast African sky. That spirit of adventure and connection to nature was woven into every detail of their wedding day.

From the start, guests were transported into their world. Signature cocktails welcomed them The Wyoming (a Hugo spritz nodding to Meghan’s roots, complete with tiny American flags), and The JVN, a bold blackberry whiskey lemonade crowned with South African flags, representing Gawie’s homeland. The drinks were beautifully displayed on a crisp white bar setup, lined with glassware and backlit by greenery and soft summer light.

The safari inspiration carried through to the seating chart, written on leather hides and suspended between modern golden stands draped with vines. Each reception table was named after a different African animal, Giraffe, Impala, and beyond, paired with wild, unstructured florals that looked freshly gathered from the veld. Mossy bases, native-looking grasses, and earthy blooms set the scene. Table settings featured wood chargers, zebra-print accents, and tiny animal figurines, each one tying into the couple’s shared journey.

Inside, a cozy lounge space featured bold nods to safari style, zebra-print chairs, taxidermy displays, and candlelit arrangements of proteas and ferns. It was immersive and intimate, making guests feel like they were in the heart of a game lodge, yet still within the refined elegance of Winterthur.

As night fell, Meghan and Gawie shared their first dance beneath glowing café lights, surrounded by cheering loved ones. Later, Meghan slipped into a fringe-festooned party dress and white cowboy boots, bringing the perfect fusion of Americana and safari-chic energy to the dance floor.

Their day was personal, joyful, and wild in the most romantic way—a tribute to where they met, who they are, and the adventurous life they’re building together.