Africa Weddings

If you couldn’t already tell by the title, today’s wedding planned by Blue Olive Events is a total stunner. With the help of their all-star team of vendors, the gorgeous bride and groom brought their romantic outdoor affair to life – inspired by the many California weddings they’ve long admired. With endless vineyards and breathtaking mountains as their background, they decided to keep it simple in terms of decor and opted for a delicate, pastel color scheme. To see the magic unfold, including hundreds of heavenly pink peonies from Liezl Kotze Floral Art, head on over to the full gallery – captured by Punica Films!

From Blue Olive Events… My husband, Ilyas, and I have always admired soft, romantic, outdoor destination weddings in California, US. Therefore, we chose an open-air ceremony and reception space surrounded by vineyards and mountains of Wellington, Cape Town where our guests enjoyed and commemorated the joyful times we shared together. Furthermore, we minimized the extravagant details and instead preferred delicate details by keeping our colour palette of pastel colours – nude, blush, silver and green. The light summer breeze let the chandeliers and sheer voile drape blow gently. The off-white linen tablecloth, marble pieces, silver candleholders, antique ivory underplates & scalloped dinnerware from Two Birds Celebration were exquisite. 

It was what I had exactly imagined: romantic but a natural scenery. Ilyas and I agreed on an elegant and timeless wedding dress. I found a beautiful beaded rose pattern lace from Turkey to apply on the top of my dress and at the bottom of my veil. Vonve Bridal Couture literally transformed one of their elegant gowns into a completely customized wedding dress. Thank you so much Rochelle for all your patience and effort. For my wedding bouquet, I was between pastel pink peonies and white orchids. Eventually, I picked peonies!! 

Huge thanks to Liezl Kotze Floral Art for importing those peonies from Kenya for me. Since it was a summer wedding, we mostly followed our florist’s suggestions of flowers that could hold up to heat. Moreover, we were glad to incorporate some personal touches into our wedding including the evil eyes hanging from the tree in the photobooth area and wedding favours – Zamzam water from Mecca, Saudi Arabia that possesses healing qualities thanks to its higher content of calcium and magnesium salts and, of course, Turkish delights. Our relatives brought the delights from Turkey and packed them all together beautifully before the wedding. 

There was so much emotion and high energy up in the air. Having a reliable planner who is able to understand your taste well and professional photographers you’re comfortable with would be our advice for couples hoping to create truly unforgettable memories. We’re very lucky to collaborate with Zenobia from Blue Olive Events for both our engagement party and wedding ceremony & reception. There’s such a thing as synergy between the couples and the planner. We had only 10 days to organize the engagement party which was held a year before the wedding. The decoration and floral arrangement were beyond our expectation!! We’re aware that planning a wedding can feel pretty overwhelming; however, we enjoyed every detail when brainstorming and working with Zenobia. She was very attentive and understanding of our priorities that we looked forward to seeing on our special day. Blue Olive Events, Punica Films and other suppliers were a huge help in making our entire journey unforgettable.

Photography: Punica Films | Cinematography: Punica Films | Wedding Planner : Blue Olive Events | Floral Design: Liezl Kotze Floral Art | Dress : Vonve Bridal Couture | Cake: Wades Cake | Stationery : Fleur Design Studio | Ceremony : Neo Event Venue | Reception Venue: Neo Event Venue | Catering: A Food Affair | Makeup: Makeup By Leandre | Accomodations: La Bella Vita Studios | Blush Draping : To-Netts | Furniture and Lighting : Baie Goeters | Table top rentals : Two Birds

We all want to look absolutely fabulous on our wedding day, but looking fabulous, sophisticated and sexy? That’s where Grace Loves Lace’s new collection of glam-filled designs, Elixir, comes in to play. Think uniquely gorgeous gowns boasting the most luxurious and unique European laces, beyond flattering silhouettes and details that will totally make a statement. It’s the dream, y’all. Scroll to soak in all of the pretty.

Effortlessly glamorous and full of soul, the newest Grace Loves Lace collection, Elixir, is basically everything you’ve ever wanted… and so much more. From the bold pairing of luxury fabrics and modern details to the artistic patterned laces, these gowns are bringing the WOW factor with a unique 3D textured effect that will most definitely leave your guests (and your honey) talking. We’re talking a collection that will make even the most traditional of brides stand up and take notice with designs that will have you dancing down the aisle. It’s that awesome.

Featuring 12 new gowns, three capes, three veils and nine pieces of jewelry, Megan Ziems (Founder of Grace Loves Lace) has really outdone herself with a collection that she describes as “wearable art”. (We sooo agree, Megan.) Think one beautiful gown after another that all of you style lovers will totally fall for. Ready to find that sexy + sophisticated dress of your dreams? Check out every image shot by the talented Jennifer Stenglein, then mark your calendar for May 3rd, when the newest Grace Loves Lace collection will be available exclusively on their website and in showroom destinations.  We are sooo excited, you guys.

It’s not every day we see a wedding set in the African Bush, but take that day and see it through the lens of Leila Brewster? Absolute perfection. Join the ultimate wedding adventure with more in The Vault!

From the Bride…We were married outside in the middle of the bush with roaring lions in the background (literally). The wedding was on a private farm and serves as a research and conservation center for lions, so there are nearly 200 lions on the farm. Our wedding was very small group, and we just wanted to give our friends and family a trip of a lifetime!!

Photography: leila brewster | Event Planning: eco chic weddings | Floral Design: eco chic weddings | Catering: ukutula lion lodge | Venue: ukutula lion lodge

There are floral arches, and then there are spell-bounding floral arches that seriously stun. This one, being the latter of the two. Crafted by the massively talented Zavion Kotze Event Company, this celebration captured by Rensche Mari is awe-inspiring to say the least. From the Bride’s gorge La Sposa By Pronovias to her Emmy London shoes, we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

From Rensche Mari…Beautiful florals, Rose Golds, Champagne and a beautiful Garden ceremony.

This classic wedding took place in an enchanting backdrop at the french inspired boutique venue, Le Chatelat, situated in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The theme of the wedding was perfectly chosen by the bridal couple to showcase their romantic and elegant style with a dash of Scottish traditions, that was perfected by Zavion Kotze Events Company.

This elegant and classy affair was inspired by the botanical theme and colors of the flowers used in the dramatic hanging flower arrangements filled with mixed proteas, gorgeous pink king proteas, majestic orchids, blush roses and various greenery to set the tone and to create a yesteryear greenhouse look.

The stationery, created by Chrystalace Wedding Stationery, set the scene for the wedding, where each guest received a watercolor painted invitation neatly packaged into a custom pocket finished off with a velvet ribbon and rose gold foiling details to add that bit of glam. The look of the stationery matched the tablescapes and the added element of rose gold was repeated in the tableware and cloths used as part of the decor that set the scene for this beautiful garden ceremony and translucent marquee reception area.

The beautiful bride, Carmen, was dressed in a simplistic yet gorgeous gown from Pronovias, where the John, the groom, proudly wore a wedding Kilt paying homage to his Scottish heritage.

One of the decor elements that stood out was the beautiful floral arch where the couple said their I do’s and the gorgeous four tier cake by Kelly Jane. It was a small intimate South African wedding with people coming in from all corners of the world to come join in this wedding celebration; showcasing tears, laughter and obviously drinking the best champagne paired with amazing food beautifully photographed by Rensche Mari.

Photography: Rensche Mari | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Kelly Jayne's | Stationery: Chrystalace | Bride's Shoes: Emmy London | Makeup: Makeup by Gina | Venue: Le Chatelat | Bride's Ring: Tiffany & Co. | Event Planning, Floral Design + Decor: Zavion Kotze Events | Groom's Attire (Kilt): Rob Roy Kilt and Accessories | Groom's Ring: Bellagio | Hair Accessories: Kathleen Barry

I deem this couple not only beautiful, but also pretty darn smart. They chose a fantastic location for their wedding celebration but also had the bright idea to bring Louise Vorster with them to Northcliff Hill to capture some of the most romantic images I’ve ever seen. Between these pics and Orpen Films’ creation, I’ve been lulled into a wedding trance that I’m in no rush to leave. Join me in the VAULT right this way!

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From the Bride… Wes and I met and fell in love almost 10 years ago. When we got engaged, I knew there was no other place I would rather get married at than Morrells Boutique Estate in Johannesburg and it only took Wes one look to agree. We focused on making our day personal and true to us as a couple and opted for an intimate day with only our nearest and dearest. I loved that both our amazing moms had their moment of spotlight they so deserved as they walked down the aisle before the bridesmaids and were seated by the groomsmen.

We made sure to have a few minutes to share with our guests during cocktail hour before moving off for the pictures. This was so special to us as everyone had a chance to greet and congratulate us personally and we got to soak it all in, have a drink and enjoy the moment. During cocktail hour, we served his and hers choice canapés and cocktails and had French music in the background, which really helped to carry the romantic and cheerful mood through the day. Toward the end of our couple portraits, we drove up to a nearby hill, where we have had many dates throughout our relationship, for some sunset shots. To be able to reflect on everything that brought us to our wedding day at such a meaningful place was truly a special moment.

During our reception, we opted not to have a dance floor as neither of us are big dancers anyway and we wanted to create a cozy, intimate, and relaxed celebration. We served desserts and hot chocolate outside in the olive grove where we were surrounded by fairy lights and crackling fires, while listening to our amazing and talented musician friends perform some very special songs for us – one of which was an original song specially written about us! Our wedding day truly was everything we dreamed of and more.

From the Louise Vorster… Probably one of my favourite weddings to date: Wes and Ilse booked me for their special intimate wedding at Morrells Boutique Estate, and they couldn’t have chosen a better venue. With Ilse’s incredible style, this venue met all of their requirements to have a unique wedding with friends and family. They had the best in the industry contribute to this day, from custom made jewelry to flawless makeup. I had such a great time shooting with Orpen Films and to top everything, we even snuck away for sunset photos on Northcliff hill.

From Jacelyn of White Lilly Bridal… Where to start with this gorgeous bride and her dress! I feel so incredibly lucky to have created this gown for such a beautiful and kind woman with such confidence and an innate sense of style. With her bright smile and the twinkle in her eyes, I knew from our very first meeting that I had to create a dress so special, to capture her confidence in a modern yet romantic way and reflect her personality and style! It had to be something soft with a light, bohemian feel to it. The colour was key as Ilse wanted a very specific nude tone, which we developed and dyed specifically for her. The dress was made up of the most luxurious pure silk georgette and a very soft, delicate French lace bodice with sleeves. Simplicity, when coupled with the most beautiful fabrics, is never plain, but rather a mesmerising beauty, leaving an impression that can’t be forgotten.

Peruse more Destination Weddings here!

Photography: Louise Vorster Photography | Videography: Orpen Films | Wedding Dress: White Lily Bridal | Cake: Chocola-J | Jewelry: Lorean Jewellery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Hoiden Bridesmaids | Makeup: Dandily Studio | Hair: HairRush Studio | Groom's Suit: Suitsupply | Wedding Venue: Morrells Boutique Venue | Groom's Shoes: Aldo | Sleepwear: Anna-Louise Sleepwear

There are so many beautiful layers to this day, it’s hard to know just where to begin. Set at the Bordeaux Game Farm in South Africa, this couple opted for a fun palette of marsala, mustard, dark powder blue and sap greens against soft pinks and gold, and truth be told? It’s a total breath of fresh air. Rensche Mari captured all the details of the day, including the Bride’s “something blue” Manolos, and the darling bow tie station for the gents, and you better believe The Vault is filled with all that plus so much more.

From Rensche Mari…This wedding was the first wedding at the new Bordeaux Game Farm venue in Polokwane, South Africa. The venue, co-designed by Louise (the beautiful bride), also a photographer, was built with a clear vision in mind – simplistic clean design with modern colonial touches like an arched porch decorated with ferns and bamboo reed-chairs over looking the beautiful African game farm, geometric tiled entrances and bathrooms and a spacious honeymoon suite with a panoramic view of a waterhole with wildlife roaming in the early mornings and late afternoons to get their water for the day. This is one of those venues you just cannot help to fall in love with.

Even though the styling of this entire day was beautiful, a couple of favourites stood out for me; Louise & Eugene had their furry companions, Zoë the Whippet and Nyala the Beagle at the wedding as part of their entourage, there was a tie station, Louise’s grandmother made all the ties as gifts for the men, Manolo Shoes (yay) a-something-blue worn by the bride and lastly, even though it was a very windy day, celebrations with friends and family was what this bride & groom appreciated most.

Eve from Splendid Wedding Company embraced the challenge of traveling to the Bordeaux farm with just a toolbox in hand. Louise sourced and styled her wedding, and needed someone who could bring her floral vision to life. The flowers were meant to have an unstructured quality yet in a well thought out and elegant manner. The flower palette was made up of larkspur, red robin, copies, ranunculus, wax, chrysanthemums and lots of penny gum. Even though every arrangement is different in size and structure, they bind the reception into a visually pleasing affair.

The fine art invitation suite was inspired by a combination of elements; from bespoke faux brush hand lettered calligraphy to bohemian watercolour botanical illustrations and map to convey a soft and romantic feel. The autumn colours such as marsala, mustard, dark powder blue and sap greens are combined with soft pinks and elements of metallic gold to create a romantic yet fresh elegant effect, these colours can also be seen throughout the wedding day.

Photography: Rensche Mari | Event Coordination: Bordeaux Game Farm | Event Design: Bordeaux Game Farm | Floral Design: Splendid Wedding Company | Wedding Dress: Kobus Dippenaar | Invitations: Chrystalace | Jewelry: Lorean Jewellery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Zanne Couture | Catering: Bordeaux Game Farm | Grooms Attire: Trenery | Venue: Bordeaux Game Farm | Cake And Dessert: The Bird Cage | Coordination and Styling: Bordeaux Game Farm | Cutlery : Crystal & Vine | Dog Bo Ties & Pocket Square: My Bro Tie | Groom's Cufflinks: Paloma's Nest | Invitations And Stationery: Chrystalace | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

All I want to do in life is go on a safari in Africa and see animals in their natural habitats. In fact, I’m slightly obsessed with elephants (so much so that I “adopted” two this past spring), so it’s no surprise I’m obsessed with this South African couple’s engagement session from Rensche Mari—just look at this face! From the elephants to the curious meerkat and rich, romantic color palette, this shoot is pure magic.

From Rensche Mari…This shoot was a safari engagement – the beautiful couple is getting married on a game farm (owned by them – and a brand new venue with beautiful views and game drives). They wanted to have a similar feel for their engagement so we went to another venue to get some wildlife in the images – their venue will only be ready in September 2015.

We wanted the shoot to have a romantic feel but also have some fun at the same time with really beautiful stationery and signage from Chrystalace, we got a dress from Silver Swallow and added in some silk flowers (unfortunately we could not use real flowers as the elephants tend to eat it  (I also had a similar experience with camels recently and know its not always a good idea to temp them with the real thing), some props and of course, what would a safari shoot be without an elephant or two – and a cute meerkat – he was following us around like a dog.

Photography: Rensche Mari | Photography: Reem Acra | Dress: Silver Swallow | Stationery: Chrystalace | Venue: Adventures With Elephants | Vendor: Elephants Adopted At (to Fit With Travel Theme)

Glamorous marsala florals and gilded details brought to life by the team at Agape Weddings, a to-die-for backless gown, and Kibogo Photography behind the lens? The ultimate recipe for wedding inspiration success. Brimming with the perfect mix of luxurious, romantic and rustic details (hello, beautiful naked cake!) this inspiration shoot has it all, and you won’t want to miss a single bit in the gallery here!

 

From Agape Weddings… Shot in a Tuscan-inspired setting, with rolling vineyards and soft light. Rich Tuscan textural and culinary features, and lots of warm metallic accents add to the drama and romance of a wedding in the colder seasons. Bold Russian accents, such as the matreshka dolls and bold botanicals inspired by Dolce and Gabanna, were all inspirations.

Photography: Kibogo Photography | Event Design: Agape Wedding And Event Design | Floral Design: Aspen Flowers & Co | Wedding Dress: Bo & Luca | Stationery: Lara's Designs | Groom's Attire: Topman | Venue: Brenaissance | Bridesmaid's Dress: Zara | Cake, Confectionery And Dessert: Centerpiece Cakes | Crockery: Sepia Range From Hemelhuijs | Cutlery: Gold Cutlery From Two Birds At The Dairy Shed | Decor Items: Urban Tonic | Groomsman’s Suit: More | Hair & Make Up: Lisa Brown | Model Cleo: Boss Models | Model Frank: Boss Models | Model Zoe: Boss Models | Photoshoot Location: Brenaissance

In terms of amazing birthday celebrations, this certainly ranks at the tippy top. It’s a surprise party for a Mom who is turning 60 years young crafted by Carol-Anne Kemp. And tucked inside are elegant details pairing vintage pieces with the modern look of ghost chairs and a dessert spread like you wouldn’t believe. Which is music to this birthday girl’s ears since dessert happens to be her favorite course. Find more captured by Cheryl McEwan right here.

My Mom is generally the family member to host birthday parties for the rest of the family but seldom hosts parties for herself. For her 60th birthday I wanted to change that so I planned a surprise birthday lunch for her. It was held in the spring so I wanted a light, airy look. My Mom loves floral and vintage pieces so we rented vintage crockery and mixed the crockery with pastel colored floral arrangements. We also rented vintage furniture and mixed the pieces with modern elements, such as ghost chairs, to give the venue a modern vintage look. Dessert is my Mom’s favorite course so we ensured there was a fully stocked dessert table that looked beautiful and tasted delicious. The result was a lovely afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Photography: Cheryl Mcewan Photography | Event Planning & Design: Carol-Anne Kemp | Floral Design: Leipzig | Stationery: Lara's Designs | Venue: Dear Me | Cakes & Desserts: Lulubelle's Bakes | Vintage Rentals: A Vintage Affair

Earlier today, we brunched in style with Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni—South African style with a bit of Tuscan influence, that is. And we’re continuing the festivities this afternoon with the jaw-dropping wedding portion, drenched in burgundy, lavender and blush. Tuscan Dream, Wedding Concepts and La Rosa Canina each added their charming touches and you can see it all right here.

From Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni…When we left Rome, we had no idea what to expect on arrival in South Africa. Not only had we never traveled so far south before, but also we had never been so far away from home! However, our biggest fear in the end was not being able to interpret the light that we may find in this distant country! How would it be different to Italy, would we be able to distort it, work with it and produce work similar to what we would create back home? Who knew!

From the minute we stepped off the plane we realized that this would have been impossible. The light in South Africa is unique and inimitable. The constant wind that sweeps everything away creates a clear and fresh canvas, full of facets, even on rainy days. We hoped we would shoot on a beautiful sunny day, but an unusual spring thunderstorm greeted us and accompanied us throughout the shoot.

Despite this, the light that we found was perfect and unique. Totally in line with what we had in mind of “union” and “marriage” between Africa and Tuscany! We love to harness the natural light when we shoot and in this case the constant changes in brightness and contrast have led to a result extremely heterogeneous and totally in line with our general ideas.

The work of the wonderful team of people from both Tuscany and South Africa have led to a result creating the perfect balance between raw and rural elegance. We loved all the colour contrasts between cooler cypress and lavender mixed amongst warm earth African tones!

From Carolina Casini of Tuscan Dream…When planning my latest trip to South Africa I would never in my wildest dreams imagined that it would be so different from all my previous ones. I had always loved the time at my parents’ house on the beach where yoga, running, swimming and reading were my favorite activities, which I always guarded jealously…but not this time…

A week before my departure, completely out of the blue, I received a call from Tommaso saying that he met Lisa & Gianluca in Milan the previous weekend and that they were all wondering what I was up to because they hadn’t heard from me lately. During our last dinner I shared with them my deep love for South Africa, talking about its blue skies, the energy and creativity of this gorgeous country as well as its commitment to change and told them I was planning to return to Cape Town at the end of the wedding season.

Next thing I knew, by the end of the phone conversation we had 4 tickets to South Africa, and I wasn’t flying alone anymore and guess what…I wasn’t going to be attending any yoga classes or relaxing, instead I would be planning an inspirational wedding photo shoot!

Now how to plan an inspirational shooting in a foreign country in less than 2 weeks that’s another story and involves my company TuscanDream having had the privilege to meet and get to know our friends at Wedding Concepts, a leading wedding planning agency in Cape Town. Like TuscanDream, Wedding Concepts specializes in working with a distinctive international clientele and are committed to deliver beautifully customized, luxury weddings.

Many of the best things in life are those that happen serendipitously. Our inspirational wedding project in South Africa has brought together creativity and friendship as a beautiful unexpected gift to an awesome photo shoot!

Tommaso of La Rose Canina Firenze…When Carolina Casini first spoke of the idea of potentially one day shooting an inspiration bridal shoot in the Cape Town wine region of South Africa – the idea immediately both impressed me and filled me with joy! This simply had to happen!

The presence of our close knit creative team, which included photographer and friend Lisa Poggi, gave me the confidence that we could, together, be able to create a beautiful result and find a real new inspiration in a country rich in energy and history. For me, this would be my first time visiting South Africa. So I knew this experience was going to be incredibly new and exciting!

When we first started scouting locations in Cape Town, I was struck by the similarities between certain characteristics of Tuscany and the Cape Winelands, the presence of cypress and olive trees as well as plant species typical of my region back home. I began to foster a strong sense of familiarity and at the same time I finally got to admire the indigenous flora in the beautiful botanical gardens of Kirstenbosh and how all the many varieties of Proteas grow so naturally here. I then tried to find inspiration for the entire design of the shoot in this extreme contrast between familiarity and extraordinary.

The “contrast” thus became the main focus for the whole shoot. Color contrast between the dark tones of the leaves we sourced, the fruit of the blueberry and the fig tree, and the brightness of the colour white of the winelands landscapes and Cape Dutch architecture. Contrasting materials were very elegant and others more textural, blending styles that were extremely classic with and ethnic atmospheres – typical of this rich country. All we knew was that we wanted to create together a shoot that spoke about a story of balance, love and joy.

Photography: Lisa Poggi | Event Planning: Tuscandream Weddings | Jewelry: We heart this | Venue: Hawksmoor House | Bridal Shoes: Aliverti | Cake Design: Roxanne Floquet | Calligraphy & Stationary: Betty Soldi | Design & Florals: La Rosa Canina | Female Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Groom Suits And Shoes: Fabiani | Hair & Make Up: Yolande Du Toit | Hiring: Urban Tonic | Male Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Menu & Seating Cards: Secret Diary Designs | Wedding Dress & Bridal Outfits: Stefania Morland | Wedding Management: Wedding Concepts

I love the unexpected—the mashups of pretty that I could never dream up. But Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni, Carolina Casini of Tuscan Dream and Tommaso Torrini of La Rosa Canina Firenze? They are exceeding my wedding expectations today with this blend of Tuscan elegance and South African earthiness. We’re starting with this cozy brunch and later, there’s even more gorgeous to follow.

From Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni…When setting out to create an inspirational wedding shoot, one tends to push boundaries and create a look with people who you have most likely formed strong working relationships with over the years. Now take four Italians – three of who have never been to South Africa – and their vision of producing a beautiful shoot where European style straight out of Tuscany would meet their South African counterpart.

Carolina Casini of the internationally renown villa rentals & destination weddings managing agency TuscanDream turned to South Africa’s most exclusive and creative wedding management and design company Wedding Concepts, to act as collaborative creative consultants and to assist this dynamic Italian team in creating an original shoot to combine Italian charm & South African elegance in the Cape Winelands. The team consisted of internationally renowned wedding and lifestyle photographer Lisa Poggi and her partner, fashion photographer Gianluca Gasperoni, and of course incredible Tuscan floral extraordinaire, Tommaso Torrini of La Rosa Canina Firenze.

It was up to all these new personalities to pull off a shoot in only a few days, whilst ensuring that everyone was on the same page, creatively! One significant thought that was realized in this whole exercise is that creativity doesn’t have a distinctive language and the results are simply exquisite. Which goes to show, wherever you are in the world, it’s the joy of working with like-minded personalities that will honestly ensure a beautiful product that everyone can be proud of.

With the superb help and assistance from the team from Wedding Concepts, the Tuscan team was able to secure the support of some of the most renowned names in the South Africa luxury wedding industry! So to explain the look, we imagined two moments in our wedding story: an intimate welcome dinner and then of course the wedding day.

In the first story the materials, colors and shapes are the most typical of the colorful mix of cultures in South Africa. The atmosphere is light and the look is about simplicity and relaxation. On the day of the wedding however, to compliment the design of the wedding dress and the rich look of our bride and groom, the flowers and table settings frame and complement the idea of the contrast between classic elegance and simple organic features. The flowers and foliage collected in the field of our location were mixed with the rich raw materials of the stationery and elements around the venue. The result, a stark contrast that created a clear balance between classic elegance and raw simplicity.

Photography: Lisa Poggi | Event Planning: Tuscandream Weddings | Jewelry: I Pesci Che Volano | Venue: Hawksmoor House | Bridal Outfits: Stefania Morland | Bridal Shoes: Aliverti | Cake Design: Roxanne Floquet | Calligraphy & Stationary: Betty Soldi | Design & Florals: La Rosa Canina | Female Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Groom Suit And Shoes: Fabiani | Hair & Make Up: Yolande Du Toit | Male Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Wedding Management: Wedding Concepts

I am obsessively in love with this wedding dress. My crush on Jenny Packham has no limit. Sequins, sparkle and the most beautiful billowing tulle is the icing on the cake of this absolutely breathtaking South African wedding. Tasha Seccombe and Boy Meets Girl Cinema transports us away to what can only be described as a dreamland and that is where I’ll remain for the rest of the day.

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From The Bride… From the beginning we kept using the words: relaxed, fun, personal and something a little bit different to describe what type of wedding we wanted. I know that as far as weddings go this is probably a bit of a cliché but as we had decided to invite 40 of our closest family and friends to join us in South Africa from our London base, I thought we, at least, had a good starting point.

Originally from South Africa, I moved over to the UK to go to university and met my husband, Nick during the first few weeks. We instantly became known as ‘Nick and Nic’ and after 10 years together, we were a few weeks away for our wedding day. Despite London being my permanent home, I had always known that when I got married I wanted to do it back in South Africa and luckily Nick loves the place as much as I do and shared my sentiments.

We chose a place just outside of Cape Town in a little town called Elgin. The area is surrounded by apple and pear farms with the most idyllic scenery. Deciding on a venue was surprisingly one of the easier decisions we made as we both knew that we weren’t going to be able to go and do the traditional ‘recce’ of venues that most couples do, so we relied on feedback and lots of photos on blogs and photographers websites. As soon as we saw Rockhaven, we knew this was our place. Its a working farm that caters to weddings with a simple modern-ish barn, gorgeous gardens with views of the valley, and the most charming little ‘boathouse’ overlooking a lake which is where we held the ceremony. With a setting so beautiful I decided I only wanted to enhance it with a soft romantic colour palette of sage, grey, cream and pinks and bring together elements of both South Africa and England.

I, of course discovered a love of Pinterest and wedding blogs like Style Me Pretty which were incredibly useful for giving me amazing inspiration but also very overwhelming – there are just so many ideas out there! We did have a brilliant wedding planner in South Africa who I would share all my ideas with via Dropbox. One of the hardest things about getting married abroad is that you can’t do much DIY so instead I decided to focus on doing a few things really well and make our wedding as personal as possible. My sister and her boyfriend, who are both architects, helped to design and make all our stationery. 

I love flowers but hadn’t thought that we would be able to afford loads however one of the perks of getting married abroad is that it was a lot more budget conscious and as both our ceremony and reception were held in the same location we were able to move and easily re-use the flowers throughout the day. Our florist was incredible and took my inspiration pictures and put her own creative twist on it and created something breath-taking. A combination of roses, lisianthus, dahlias and hydrangeas combined with Proteas (South Africa’s national flower), fynbos, Queens lace and ferns emphasised the English country garden feel. 

When it came to my dress I’d never known exactly what type I wanted – in fact I could tell you all the things I didn’t want but not what I liked. Being only 5’2” I knew that I couldn’t pull off a frothy gown and with the South African summer I wanted something light and travel friendly. I tried on several different style dresses but kept coming back to this beautiful tulle Jenny Packham dress with fluted sleeves and lots of tiny sequins and paillettes with the smallest of trains. I didn’t have any sort of emotional connection to the dress but just kept being drawn back to it – it was so comfortable and flattering and could see myself spending the whole day in it. I borrowed a pair of diamond earrings from my mom and wore a simple pendant necklace that Nick gave me the day before.

For Nick, I wanted him to have an equally special suit for the day. Normally weddings in England are the traditional 3 piece suit and tails but this was not going to suit the very warm climate nor the style of our wedding. Luckily my parents live in Dubai so we had the luxury of very good tailors and souks where you can get quality fabric and tailoring at a fraction of the price. After many back and forth photos, phone calls, emails and using internet guides of ‘how to measure for a suit’ with my mom – she delivered everything to the tailor and we waited with bated breath. When I saw Nick in his 3 piece suit in pale grey with a dark grey paisley lining I couldn’t believe how dashing he looked and we were even able to personalise the suit with our wedding date embroidered in.

We couldn’t afford to stretch our budget for a live band for the reception (in the end our DJ was amazing and almost no-one left the dance floor except for when my cricket mad husband and his friends organised an impromptu game at about 11pm!) but did still want some live music. We ended up with a classical duo during the ceremony and an incredible jazz duo during the pre-reception who kept our guests entertained while we were off having some photos. We also got our guests to give us their song choices which we gave to the DJ proving for an amazing party – which eventually only ended at 2:30am in the morning!

We knew that we wanted our wedding to be a big party to celebrate our 10 years together. This started with a barbeque on the Friday evening at a local restaurant, the day before the wedding and culminated with a picnic on a wine estate on the Sunday – for most it started the previous week when our guests flew in and we rented a villa near the beach in Cape Town.

We couldn’t have asked for our wedding to be more of a celebration of everything we have together surrounded by our friends and family – you couldn’t wipe the smile off of our faces for weeks afterwards.

Photography: Tasha Seccombe | Videographer: Boy Meets Girl Cinema | Coordination: Creation Events | Flowers: Paradiso Flowers | Wedding Dress: Morgan Davies | Stationery: Family | Brides Shoes: Zara | Jewelry: Jenny Packham | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Rockhaven Farm | Lighting: 4 Every Event | DJ: Capricorn Music | Groom's Attire: Lobos Tailors, Dubai | Groomsmen's Attire: Reiss | Ceremony Music: Play | Bridal Jewellery: Borrowed From Mom | Cake And Desserts: Nelle Cakes | Decor Hire: Blooming Wonderful | Farm: Rockhaven Farm | Groom And Groomsmen Ties: Bows And Ties | Hair & Make-up: Candice Leigh Arnott | Pre-reception Music: Gary Deacon

Illumniate Photography described this wedding as a “big feast of Pinteresting loveliness”, and I do believe they hit the nail on the head with that description. Because I could (and probably will) pin every single image sitting in this gorgeous gallery. It’s sweet rustic touches mixed with a fabulous urban setting, and the result is pure perfection. See it all here.

From Illumniate Photography…I love the simplicity of the look of this wedding, yet the careful thought that went into the detail. Keziah (the bride) is one of the most creative people I know, so as you can imagine her wedding was one big feast of Pinteresting loveliness! To name just a few of the cute quirks, she D.I.Yed hanging plants; used wooden school chairs to seat the guests; and used vintage newspapers as placemats. I also loved how involved Craig (the groom) was in the whole planning process.

Keziah and Craig chose to mix it up a bit by having their ceremony in the evening. They had a special “first look” in the forest with some close friends and family before the ceremony, and this was followed by some bridal party and couple pictures around the forest. It was so nice to know that there weren’t any guests waiting for us, meaning we could take our time.

The ceremony and Reception were both held at the Blue bird garage – a warehouse-like spot where a popular market takes place on Friday evenings which they converted into a perfect wedding venue!

Candles were lit and lights were strung and a most beautiful, spirit-filled atmosphere was in the room. What really stood out for me at the reception was the love that Craig and Kez have for their family and friends and people in general. What a beautiful thing.

Photography: Illuminate Photography | Wedding Gown: Sharon McLean | Cake: Gimmene | Catering: Basics Catering | Make Up: Jill Sangerhaus | Hair: Fringe | Wedding Venue: Blue Bird Garage | Candlestick Hire: Function Hire 4 U | Flowers And Wreaths: The Rose Café | Sationary: Marieke Goncalves

The only thing that could possibly top a rehearsal dinner in the middle of the South African wild, is a wedding following suit. This gem is overflowing with the raw beauty of an African safari coupled with impeccably crafted details at the hands of Afresh Event Design, Nineteen Eight Five, and Wedding Concepts. Now throw in image after stunning image by Mike Falco For Christian Oth Studio and you have a gallery not to be missed.

From The Bride…While Jon and I got ready with our family and wedding parties, the guests were treated to an early morning game drive at sunrise. After our preparations, we boarded the safari jeeps once again for the ceremony at Inkwazi Hide, a large, wooden deck under a 200-year-old Acacia tree overlooking the Sabie River. A local African choir sang Zulu praise songs as I walked down the aisle and we were greeted by our officiant who spoke on themes of friendship, adventure and nature (punctuated by hilarious hippo grunts coming from the river). When we were pronounced man and wife, our guests surprised us by loudly trumpeting on Vuvuzelas. Afterwards, Jon and I snuck away for a few photos and our guests were treated to signature cocktails while taking in a glorious African sunset on a deck overlooking the river. When it was time, guests journeyed towards the candlelit reception dinner.

Memorable Moments…True to our adventure theme, some of our most memorable moments from the wedding were the unplanned and unexpected ones. Our 2-year-old ring bearer not only dressed up as a lion cub, but also burst out with spontaneous roars as he walked down the aisle. A curious hippo joined us during our couples shoot on the riverbed. And despite the demanding travel and early morning safaris, guests rallied and still managed to dance the night away. One of my favourite moments was during the last song of the night, Toto’s “Africa.” As the lyrics blared “I bless the rains down in Africa” at 3am, it started to pour and we all rushed outside to dance in the rain.

Local flavor…Since the locale was so rich in raw beauty and splendor, we wanted the African landscape to be the focus and also tried to stay true to local elements and flavors. Waiting for guests in their lodges on arrival was a handmade Guide Box, filled with South African favourites like rooibos tea and Amarula liqueur. Also included were some clues for an adventure-filled weekend: a compass, an Acacia twig, and a Field Guide with information on local customs, wildlife facts and useful Shangaan phrases. To ensure that the florals would hold up under the fierce African sun, we opted for a combination of King Proteas, succulents and feinbos. As guests enjoyed local wines from the famous Stellenbosch region, a group of traditional Zulu dancers set the African rhythms in motion by teaching guests tribal dances.

Personal details…We wanted the wedding to be not just a celebration with family and friends but also a heartfelt thank you and show of appreciation for their constant love and support throughout the years. We tried to achieve this through personalized details. These ranged from surprising guests with their childhood photos on their seating cards (a great conversation starter) to calligraphy on the place cards with goofy nicknames and individual welcome “telegrams” that described our favorite past adventures with the guest.

In gratitude…In the end, it was a true “Wild At Heart” wedding adventure. A bottomless THANK YOU to Kim and Michael for helping to create and document our dream wedding. Jon and I were so grateful to begin our new chapter together with such an incredible adventure with our family and friends.

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Event Design: Afresh Event Design | Floral Design: Nineteen Eight Five | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Invitations: Lara's Designs | Catering: Lion Sand's | DJ: DJ Rene | Wedding Venue: Lion Sand's | Beauty: Mist | Planning: Wedding Concepts | Travel Logistics: Travel Concepts

This rehearsal dinner goes out to all those wild at heart. Capital A Adventure was an underlying theme that was woven throughout this South African safari wedding starting with a rehearsal dinner amongst the wildlife and the stars. Have a look at the gorgeous imagery captured by Mike Falco For Christian Oth Studio and stay tuned for the stunning wedding coming up next!

From The Bride…Why Africa? Jon and I met in NYC through a mutual friend and over the course of our 8-year relationship, our favorite moments together are ones where we felt like we were on an adventure. So when it came time to plan our wedding, we wanted to cultivate that sense of curiosity and wonder by hosting a safari wedding out in the untamed African bush. We settled on my native South Africa and after five months of intense planning, 75 of our closest family and friends from different corners of the globe set out for our “Wild At Heart” wedding adventure.

Into the wild…After a long day on the road, our guests arrived at the Lion Sands Game Reserve, in the heart of Sabi Sands. All the arduous travel paid off as the remote locale allowed our guests to experience the majestic African landscape in all her unbridled splendor. After a refreshing afternoon tea, the guests hopped into jeeps and set out on their first safari game drive. The guides did not disappoint and fearlessly took everyone off-roading in search of the famed Big Five game. The wild encounters included four lions feasting on a freshly killed buffalo, a baby elephant tripping over its trunk, a pair of rhinoceros brothers napping together in the shade, and a mother leopard teaching her cub to track with a playful game of hide and seek.

Rehearsal Dinner in the Bush…After the eventful game drive, the jeeps brought the guests into an unprotected clearing where a casually elegant bush dinner awaited. The guests shared their experiences from the first day around a campfire and savored local meats such as kudu, ostrich and biltong. Glowing fireflies, oil lanterns hanging from trees and the dramatic Milky Way up above helped to illuminate this surreal evening.

Tea ceremony…After the relaxing dinner, our loved ones gathered around us in a protective circle as Jon and I served tea to our parents and elders to express our gratitude. A particularly poignant blessing from my 87 year-old grandmother resulted in moist eyes all around. I loved that the emotional moment was an unexpected melding of two cultures: a traditional Chinese ceremony taking place in the African bush, illuminated by a campfire and lanterns (with a few hyenas looking on as well).

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Event Planning: Wedding Concepts | Wedding Coordinator: Wedding Concepts | Floral Design: Nineteen Eight Five | Stationery: Lara's Designs | Catering: Lion Sand's | DJ: DJ Rene | Accommodation & Travel Logistics: Travel Concepts | Beauty: Mist | Decor & Lighting: Afresh Event Design | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Lion Sand's

Intimate and simply gorgeous, this Bride’s vision for a “summer camp for grown-ups” came to life in the prettiest of ways. With a stunning South African setting and love pouring out of every pretty picture by dna Photographers, this gallery is as good as they get. See it all here.

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From The Bride…I have rented a five-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for the past eight years, and five years ago, when one of our roommates was moving out, I posted an ad on Craigslist. I received the following response: “Hi! My name is Chris Shirley. I am a 23 year old Structural Engineer. I currently live downtown and am moving out of my current apartment on 1 June. I work on 45th Street. Your apartment looks great. I would like to meet up with you and check it out.” He moved in on June 1, and after a summer spent going to the beach, camping out for Shakespeare in the Park tickets, and walking my dog around Central Park, we fell in love.

Christopher proposed in Central Park three years later, and we were married in City Hall with my mother and our best friend as witnesses. We told only our close friends and family, but Christopher wanted to keep our City Hall wedding a secret, because he feared that no one would fly half way around the world for our real wedding if they knew we were legally married. I managed to keep it secret for two months, and then posted this on Facebook: “Christopher Shirley & I got married on November 23, 2011 at NYC City Hall. We weren’t going to announce it until after our actual wedding ceremony, but I’ve waited over 2 months and I have no patience left. We’re married and I love the boy!”

Christopher is from Johannesburg, South Africa and we love the South African countryside. We wanted to hold our wedding ceremony at his family friends’ home and Country Inn, the Caversham Mill in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Luckily, Christophers mother is an event planner, because we both work full-time and are in graduate school part-time. I emailed my mother-in-law a million photos from Style Me Pretty and told her we wanted “summer camp for grown-ups.” We wanted to go river tubing and midnight swimming, and romp around the hills with our best friends. We wanted to sing loudly at night, and take our friends on a game drive to see the Big 5 after the wedding. We also needed a vegan wedding, which was difficult but not impossible to pull off in South Africa. We are both vegans and animal rights activists, and to hear our meat eating friends proclaim that our wedding menu was so delicious they may actually consider going vegan was pretty incredible.

The rest, as they say, is history. My mother got her very first passport and flew 14 hours to South Africa. Our best friend married us under three beautiful old trees, and we had the most amazing time with friends and family who flew in from five different countries and four different continents to celebrate our marriage with us.

Photography: dna photographers | Venue: Caversham Mill | Venues: NYC City Hall

One of my favorite aspects of blogging for SMP (besides, well, everything) is the opportunity to pour over gorgeous weddings from all across the world. I like to think of it as virtual vacations to the most incredible places imaginable. And today’s destination adventure takes us to an ever-so-serene apple farm in South Africa. It’s every bit as sweet as it sounds, and with just one look at the gallery of images from Tasha Seccombe, this stunning locale will definitely take place on your must-visit list.

From the Bride…When Douglas and I got engaged, we both new that finding a venue for our wedding would be a challenge. We wanted a memorable wedding that would suit the people we are, what we enjoy, and include the things we both love. Our first choice was a beautiful farm. We believed that a serene, natural venue, would lend itself to a beautiful and relaxed wedding. We eventually decided on a family friends’ apple farm – Windermere – from which I have some great childhood memories. This was the start of a wonderful year of fun wedding planning (we would need to bring in everything from cutlery and tables to gas ovens and chopping boards) and interacting with some of the loveliest people in the Elgin valley.

We met Nadia Strauss from 4 Every Event, who is calm, level-headed and down to earth, and whose strong presence meant we always felt everything was under control – it really was. She did not at any point push her ideas onto us, and allowed us to express our wishes and showed us how they could evolve. We put together a mood board to capture the day. This was going to be the inspiration for every detail of the wedding. It took a long while to get these images together, to find the right pictures and make sure we were both happy with the final result. We wanted a country wedding, and we are both lovers of good food, good wine and fine dining. The marriage of fine dining and a country wedding had to be perfect. It was not to be shabby-chick or rustic, but rather an elegant, natural country affair, with a bit of the old world. Nothing was to be contrived or plastic, but real and wholesome. Quality was very important to us. There were a few key elements that would make this wedding special – flowers, trees, wood, bees and honey. We wanted lots and lots of flowers, lots of nature – an indoor-outdoor dining experience in the garden. The honeybee became our symbol of Mother Nature and everything would pivot around this idea.

We found a wonderful stationer – Lara Friday. We sent her our mood board and she was brilliant in interpreting what it was that we wanted. An elegant apple tree and a honeybee would bring together our simple, natural country theme. The colours were easy to decide on – creams, whites, sage greens, light browns and a hint of lavender blue – all found in a meadow. Our wedding day was a hot, still, sunny day. When I arrived at the church I thought I was stepping through the entrance of a magical, sunlit, wooded garden. A stream of rose petals led the way to the altar and a sea of smiling faces greeted me with warmth along the way. After the ceremony, Douglas and I drove off in a styling vintage car, which added to the old world flavour. The farm was breathtaking. The pre-drinks area was perfect for people to mill around under the trees and relax with some fresh homemade lemonade. The marquee was situated under big trees and we were lucky that it was warm enough to keep all the sides open, allowing us all to wine and dine in the outdoors while the stars came to life above us.

Nadia had interpreted the décor and flowers perfectly. The flowers were to look as though they had been freshly picked from a meadow that day. The tables were to look soft, elegant and natural which was achieved using a rectangular wooden basket brimming with flowers for the centerpiece and wood stumps to complement the theme. Each table had a different configuration, adding to the simplicity and natural feel. Jars of orange blossom honey were given to each guest.

My favourite touch was the cream lanterns hanging above each table. These were a special request I had made, and in them sat white candles of all different sizes, bringing a warm glow to the dining area, along with the wooden oak flooring below. Lanterns were to be used anywhere and everywhere in favour of normal lights to enhance the warmth and magical feel of the night. The food, provided by chef Gordon Manuel from South Hill, was outstanding and served very professionally. The wine, from the local boutique Highland Rd and Belfield wine estates, complemented the poached fillet risotto perfectly, and we finished off the meal with a slice of orange and almond wedding cake and berries drizzled with honey. The eating did not stop there, however, as we served cheese boards and much later on, gammon rolls for those who were still hungry. We partied late into the night and into the early hours of the morning, until the sun rose.

I will never forget my wedding day – the décor, the suppliers, the guests, they all added to what was the most memorable day of my life. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I can thank Tasha Seccombe, our photographer, for capturing some of the most natural photographs from the day, and whose eye managed to capture the mood perfectly, so that all I need to do is browse through and remember each and every happy moment.

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Wedding Photography: Tasha Seccombe | Cinematography: Vicky Goslin |  Floral + Event Design + Planning: 4 Every Event | Ceremony Location: Paul Cluver Chapel | Reception Location: Windermere Farm | Catering: Gordon Manuel | Stationery: Lara Designs | Cake: High Tea | Hair + Make-up: Lianne Kakebeeke | Wedding Dress: Robyn Roberts

We have to admit, here at SMP we do love a good getting ready montage. Ok fine, we are downright weak in the knees at the sight of one. Especially when the room is a perfect pale blue that blends sublimely with the bridesmaids dresses like watercolors on a canvas. On top of that, nothing compares to playing dress up with your closest friends before you walk down the aisle to marry the love of your life. In honor of this, I had to showcase these sweet-as-pie moments from Adene Photography that show a bride and her bests getting ready together. And as you peruse the gallery, take note of the gorgeous venue against the South African landscape…sigh.

From the Bride… I always wanted to get married in the Cape Wine Lands (South Africa) with its majestic mountains and beautiful vineyards.  I met Jozef on a blind date and it was love at first sight. Jozef was from the Cape Wine Lands and after dating for 2 years of dating, while we where sitting on a bench watching the sun set over Cape Town, he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him! We started with the wedding arrangements immediately and decided to get married at the Beautiful Kleinevalleij wedding venue at the foot of the Bains Kloof Pass in Wellington (South Africa).

We wanted our wedding to be very romantic and classic – timeless. The color scheme was dusty pink and light grey to create a classic romantic feel. Our all white venue complimented this perfectly. We wanted the King Protea (South Africa’s national flower) to be central through out the wedding. The King Protea is a lovely light pink color, which complemented our theme perfectly. We wanted all the flowers to be in glass to create a sense of elegance. Everything turned out amazing and the look and feel was exactly what we had envisioned. I was fortunate to have Adene from Adene Photography to, capture the all our special moments on the day. She did an amazing job, and made everyone feel completely at ease and relaxed throughout the day. Everyone tells you that you won’t remember much from the day due to all of the excitement, but I made a conscious decision to take in every moment and I remember every detail and feeling like it was yesterday!

I will never forget the wonderful day in the Cape Wine Lands where I promised everlasting love and devotion to the love of my life in front of my close family and friends. I fall more in love with my husband every day and still can’t believe how amazing it feels to be married and to have the opportunity to spend my life with my sole mate. 

Wedding Photography: Adene Photography / Wedding Venue: Kleinevalleij in Wellington, South Africa / Floral Design, Décor + Coordination: Sylvia of Special Events / Wedding Cake: Maggi of Edible Art Cakes / Wedding Stationery: Chrizanne of Sugar Bird Stationary / Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Stockenstrom / Bride’s Accessories: Lily Blue / Hair + Makeup: Helga Bridal

First off, I just have to tell you that reading the bride’s description of her day is sort of like reading a fabulous love poem because it reminds you of why you’re getting married and what’s really important. Not only is this gorgeous bride a wordsmith, she’s also one heck of a DIYer and with help of her loved ones, created a unique and spectacular day. dna photographers snapped up all the pretty details and love and you can see it all right here.

From the Bride… I’ll start by quoting the famous Ralph Waldo Emerson: ”Life is a journey, not a destination.” As for this blissful day, I would say it was and still is about the relationships and not just the wedding day.  And so, everything really started when I met Michael, who has always inspired me to get those things done, those wonderful ideas, that keep lingering in my mind. When he proposed, it simply catapulted us into an awesome, fun, passionate seven months of weaving friends and family, cotton and string, paper planes and striped paper straws, into a wedding day. While Michael went beer tasting with his dad, my mother and I spent interesting hours in the passage of my parents’ house, creating countless meters of bunting! My brother-in-law printed the most gorgeous serviettes for us, and my varsity buddy gave me her collection of old keys from student days. I was teaching my girlfriends how to crochet the lantern covers while Michael was networking with the farming community to organize straw bales!  

The venue? It was a little thumbnail image I fell in love with when I Googled “free state wedding venues.” The beautiful repetition of the timber trusses in an old sandstone dairy shed, out in the country off the beaten track, was pretty much cast in stone when Philna told us we could tie the knot anywhere on the farm. Michael and I love going out of our way for the thrill of adventure, and we both had a sneaky grin that all our friends and family would have to do it with us this time! They would need to get some dust on their polished shoes under those gorgeous eucalyptus trees … and come to think of it I would probably need some ankle boots then…

Just because you do things differently doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or detail. We prefer  a simplistic outlook, but also think what you do should be true, necessary and beautiful. Oh, and it must work.  I loved the idea of brass, timber and sandstone; from childhood, we both have been drawn to the expansive open spaces of the Free State’s cosmic landscape. But it was really the friends and family who climbed the trees to hang up the bunting and filled up the tree-chapel benches a few hours later, that completed the loveliness and made the whole day special, blessed and truly God-given.

Wedding Photography: Desmond Louw + Antonia Heil of dna photographers / Wedding Venue + Catering: Vlakbult Guestfarm in Clocolan, South Africa / Venue Contact: Philna Le Roux (083 761 7621) / Floral Design, White Chairs, Candelabra + Vases: Maretha of Function & Wedding House / Drinks: Clarens Brewery / Wine: Chamonix  / Decor: DIY / Wool for Crochet Projects: Orion Wool and Crafts / Wedding Invitation + Napkin Printing: Tobie Groenewald of I Love Screenprinting Studio / Napkins: DIY with Materials from Lowry’s Fabric Wholesalers in Cape Town / Tablecloths + Table Runners: DIY with Material from Fabric Castle in Cape Town / Burlap for Aisle: Fabric City in Cape Town / Brass Candlestick: Milnerton Market / Packaging: Ebony and Ivory / Decorative Hole Punch: Merrypack / Paper Materials: The Deckle Edge + NOR Paper (021 5113810) / Cake Stand: Price Home of Mud Studio / Glass Bottles: Consol Factory / Striped Straws: Natalie Royston (082 408 5739; info@whimsicalcupcakes.com) / Getting Ready Location: Annemarie of MAKAODI gaste plaas (082 854 6166) / Wedding Dress: Lisa Nel / Bride’s Ankle Boots: Etsy / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Made by the Bride’s Mother / Groom’s Attire: Country Road, Woolworths + Canal Walk / Groom’s Shoes: Woolworths / Groomsmen’s Suits: Their Own / Groomsmen’s Ties: Woolworths

When it comes to weddings, we love ’em big or small, but there is something about a sweet soiree that makes you want to wiggle out of your shoes before the dancing starts. They are often a bit more sweetly simple, yet stunning nonetheless, and always put a smile on our faces. Especially when the wedding is captured in a bundle of amazing images – which DNA Photographers always produces. Click here for the full bundle!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Andy and I have travelled together since we first got together at music college in 2004.

Our first trip to Africa took place after only few months of dating – we headed to Nairobi and the hotel room we checked in to had a toilet a few feet from the bed with just a shower curtain around it for privacy! At the time I thought ‘I’m not ready for this!’ but of course the trip was great and it was the first of many. Since then we’ve been to Uganda, Tanzania, The Gambia, and Zambia, so it made sense for us to get married in South Africa, especially given the fact that Andy was working for a charity in Malawi for a year.

We were so lucky with all the aspects of our wedding, given we were planning it from the UK and Malawi. A lot of the choices we made went down fantastically well and were really pot luck! The photographers welcomed us for a pre wedding shoot the day of our arrival and put us at ease with a walk round Deer Park below Table Mountain and the wedding photos were spectacular.

I chose the vineyard venue because they took WWOOF-ers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), something I had been involved with in New Zealand in 2007. I knew the ethos would be right and when we finally arrived along with 20 friends and family from the UK it exceeded everyone’s expectations. The swimming pool, beautiful scenery, table tennis, hiking, grape picking – there was something for everyone to do to unwind before the wedding, even a piano to play!

Diana and Johan were excellent hosts and provided the most amazing food throughout our stay, and the wedding day was no exception. Diana coped with a wedding plan on a scrap of paper and turned it into the most special day.

A few craft sessions in the UK provided the buttonholes and bunting and on the wedding day we were making and hanging pompoms. The music was provided by our friends – violins, guitar, flute, djembe, and a few singers and whistlers – which involved some intense practicing the morning of the wedding!

Photography: DNA Photographers / Flowers: Fennel from a field on the Fynbos Estate / Décor: DIY / Bottles, Vases, Table Clothes: Fynbos Estate, Malmesbury / Venue: Fynbos Estate, Malmesbury / – Food: Johan, Fynbos Estate / Wedding dress: 1950s vintage from Annie’s Vintage Clothing / Bride’s Shoes: ASOS bought on Ebay / Fascinator: made by a friend, alethea.marshall@yahoo.com / Engagement ring: Vintage, brides grandmother’s / Suit: Daniel Hechter Paris / Groom’s Shoes: Raffles Shoe Shop, Harare, Zimbabwe / Groom’s Shirt: Marks and Spencers / Tie: The Silk Tie Company / Flower girl’s clothing: Boden / Groomsmen clothing: Debenhams + Vegetarian Shoes