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The role of a groom has often been overlooked during weddings. Perhaps understandably so, as many brides take the lead in planning every detail, bringing a lifelong dream to life. But for newlyweds Schalk and Mariniqu\u00e9 Wentzel, their journey shows just how powerful teamwork can be. Their love story unfolded across two weddings, each carefully shaped to reflect not only their union, but the people and purpose that define their lives.<\/p>\n
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For Schalk Wentzel, getting married was never just about a single moment. \u201cI didn\u2019t want the wedding to be something that just happens to you. I wanted to be present in every part of it, to actually feel what was happening,\u201d he reflects.<\/p>\n
It became a deeply personal experience marked by gratitude and reflection. The couple were first married in the Drakensberg on February 7, a setting that held special meaning for Mariniqu\u00e9.<\/p>\n
In the hours leading up to the ceremony, Schalk found himself calm, grounded by the thought of loved ones who had travelled far to be part of their day.<\/p>\n
He says, \u201cThere was this quiet moment before everything started. And I remember thinking how lucky we were that so many people made the effort to stand with us.\u201d That sense of appreciation shaped how he experienced every moment that followed.<\/p>\n
Schalk shares that one of the most powerful experiences was seeing his bride walk down the aisle. \u201cIt\u2019s something I thought I understood before it happened,\u201d he admits.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when I saw her, it was completely different. It hit me in a way I can\u2019t really describe.\u201d<\/p>\n
It brought an unexpected rush of emotion, a mix of joy, pride and anticipation for the life ahead. \u201cIn that moment, I just knew\u2014this is it. This is everything.\u201d It was a feeling so profound that he found himself wishing to relive it. That opportunity came through their second wedding.<\/p>\n
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Although Schalk and Mariniqu\u00e9 Wentzel were married in the Drakensberg on February 7, they knew their story would feel incomplete without including the 48 children from Engo\u2019s Esperanza, Gardenia, Gladstone and Carpe Diem homes, where Marinique oversees the children as a social worker.<\/p>\n
For the couple, this second celebration was intentional. \u201cWe didn\u2019t want it to be a side event. It had to mean something. It had to include the people who matter beyond just our circle,\u201d Schalk explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is exactly why there were 48 groomsmen and bridesmaids at the second wedding,\u201d he adds. \u201cWe wanted them to feel like they weren\u2019t just watching love, but part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the lead up to both weddings, Schalk took on a supportive role, trusting Mariniqu\u00e9\u2019s vision, particularly when it came to d\u00e9cor and planning. \u201cI knew she had it under control,\u201d he says. \u201cSo I didn\u2019t try to take over anything. My job was to support and step in where I could add value.\u201d<\/p>\n
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He arranged table wines and focused on planning their honeymoon, something he thoroughly enjoyed. \u201cI actually liked having smaller responsibilities. It let me enjoy the process instead of stressing about everything,\u2019 he admits.<\/p>\n
One of his standout contributions was organising a full 18-hole wedding golf day ahead of the first ceremony. \u201cThat was my space to have fun with it,\u201d Schalk says. \u201cI wanted the guys to have something memorable, something that felt like us.\u201d<\/p>\n
With traditional prizes and a playful spirit, it quickly became a highlight of the weekend. What surprised him most was how it evolved, with Mariniqu\u00e9 suggesting that the prize giving be included in the wedding celebrations. \u201cThat\u2019s the thing about us.\u00a0 We don\u2019t really stick to one person\u2019s idea\u2014we build it together,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
When reflecting on his favourite moments, Schalk highlights the speeches. \u201cPeople often think speeches are just formalities, but for me, they were everything,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
He describes how loved ones opened up in ways he never expected.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou hear things you didn\u2019t know people felt,\u201d he reflects. \u201cIt makes you realise how many lives are woven into yours.\u201d A custom song from his best man added an unexpected emotional layer. \u201cI was not ready for that,\u201d he laughs. \u201cThat one really got me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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As they settle into married life, Schalk reflects on what has surprised him most. \u201cI expected to feel like something was ending, but it feels like something is expanding instead.\u201d Rather than loss, he speaks of gain. \u201cI didn\u2019t just gain a wife,\u201d he reflects. \u201cI gained a second family, a bigger world, more connection than I ever expected.\u201d<\/p>\n
His advice to other grooms is simple. \u201cBe present. Don\u2019t just show up\u2014be there emotionally, mentally, fully.\u201d He shares, \u201cAnd don\u2019t try to control everything. The best moments are usually the ones you didn\u2019t plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
For Schalk and Mariniqu\u00e9 Wentzel, their two weddings were not just about saying I do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was never just about us alone. It was about love that includes people, that builds community, that grows beyond the two of you,\u201d Schalk says.<\/p>\n
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And in doing so, they created a celebration that will be remembered not just for how it looked, but for how deeply it was felt.<\/p>\n
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Text: Clement Matroos\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Photographs: Elysian Photography, Tania Allen Photography, Clement Matroos\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two weddings, one unforgettable love story. Bloemfontein young couple, Schalk and Mariniqu\u00e9 Wentzel redefined what it means to celebrate marriage by placing community, gratitude and shared purpose at the heart of their journey, proving that the role of a groom is just as meaningful when love is built on partnership. The role of a groom […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":124,"featured_media":20423,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[8975,8976,8977,8973,8974],"class_list":{"0":"post-20422","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"tag-engos-esperanza","9":"tag-gardenia","10":"tag-gladstone-and-carpe-diem-homes","11":"tag-modern-wedding-from-the-grooms-point-of-view","12":"tag-schalk-and-marinique-wentzel"},"yoast_head":"\n