There was much love and laughter at the wedding of this homeless couple, who tied the knot after living 30 years on the streets together.
Long-time lovers Llewellyn Jeneker and Cecilia Absolom had a fairytale wedding, conducted by Pastor Manuel Benans, under a city freeway bridge on the Foreshore on Monday.
Adding to the romance was a stunning wedding dress worn by Cecelia and given to her by Jill Jeftha for the event.
There were over 100 guests, mostly homeless, lekker music and a feast of refreshments, reports the Cape Times.
OFFICIAL: Signing the register. Photo: TRACEY ADAMS/ AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY
After their marriage vows and their signing of the wedding register, an ecstatic Cecelia said: “Oh, the great day had come - marriage. He (Llewellyn) is sweet. When I saw the dress the first day, it stole my heart.”
Cecelia said she was raised on the streets by her mom, who had spent a large part of her adult life as a homeless person.
Llewellyn, from Retreat, couldnt’ keep his eyes off his beautiful bride and said: “What happened today is that I feel almost like a new person, because I have this long-time girlfriend with whom I had walked all these years, and today I legally wed her.”
LEGAL: Newlyweds Llewellyn and Cecelia. Video: TRACEY ADAMS/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY
The couple had two sons together, of whom the elder died.
Twelve-year-old Dylan Absolom, who lives with his ouma in Retreat, attended the wedding.
Llewellyn and Cecelia are one of the first people to make use of the City’s Culemborg Safe Space, where the homeless can overnight and perform ablution.
The City organised the wedding after Llewellyn approached officials and the couple are now working towards building a new life for themselves and their son.