Africa Weddings

While our summer, and by extension our Wedding Season, is cooling off in the coming weeks, the entire other half of the globe’s is warming up. So this Cape Town engagement session from dna photographers seemed the perfect way to send you off into your August weekend. After the week of gorgeous soiree after stunning affair we’ve had here on the LBB Blog, a finale like this is fully deserved. Have a wonderful weekend my LBBers! xoxo

Click here to see the full image gallery!

The week wrapped up in a pretty bow:

a Costa Rica highlight film with views as pretty as the bride
a sweet Southern soiree with all the fab fixin’s in South Carolina
a Lilly Pulitzer inspired fête in Costa Rica you’ll flip over
a Camarillo wedding dedicated to the girly girl in all of us
a super classic Carmel affair that is pretty as can absolutely be
a collection of tantalizing tabletops that are pure perfection
a fabulous Santa Barbara engagement session on a boat, complete with pup
a bunch of the prettiest garters you will ever lay eyes on
a super cozy and ultra gorg wedding day blessed with pretty rain in Sarasota
a Connecticut soiree with the perfect touch of Southern Hospitality
a fête in the Florida Keys that may just be the prettiest you’ve ever seen

A few links you need to check out ASAP:

a perfect appetizer: pear pancetta crisps with goat cheese + honey (YUM) via eat.drink.smile
a fab chevron printable for you party announcing via On To Baby
a gorgeous and chic Los Angeles DIY wedding via Grey Likes Weddings

Brides + Grooms to be – Don’t forget about our LBB! This week’s Don’t Miss List spotlights our Little Black Book VIPs who take the stress out of planning your big day. In between saying “Yes!” and exchanging “I do’s,” plan to perfect your soiree with the professionals WE couldn’t live without.

You’ll definitely want to start thinking about who is going to be capturing those memories you’re making, so make sure to pop into The Book for some of the best in the biz. KT Merry Photography, La Dolce Vita Studio, Lachance Photo, Laura Leslie Photography, A Simple Photo, Adeline and Grace, Craig Photography, and Doug McGoldick Photography are all phenoms behind the lens.

Our Little Black Book is the perfect spot to find your wedding planner too. You’ll find pros like Storied Events, Styled Creative, Suzy Berberian Weddings and Events, TC Event Design, Tiger Lily Weddings, and Weddings with Tara hanging out in there. And our LBB designers rock. Synergetic Sounds and Lighting, Winston Flowers, KD Event Designs, Lilacs Florals, Pat’s Floral Designs, Yellow Canary, and Beautiful Days are all fabulous.

If you’re in the need of some fab stationery? Yep! We’ve got some absolute geniuses – Regas New York, Rosann Konieczny Calligrapher, and Smith Letterpress, among others.

And perhaps one of the most important things to consider – where you will be saying I do… Check out the LBB to find gorgeous spots like The Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa and SO many more!

As wedding bloggers, we have a reputation of falling in love with a dress, ooh-ing and aah-ing over a bouquet, and swooning at a beautiful table. But we more often than not, we also fall head over heels for a couple. For a groom so handsome and sweet, for a French bride in Cape Town with an honest and open heart. It was no surprise that Wedding Concepts was able to create such a beautiful and personal wedding for this couple after reading the brides description of the day (and promptly adding the bride to my “Want-to-be-Besties” List). We Love Pictures has filled a gallery with so much pretty from this soiree, because it was pure torture for me to narrow the feature down to these images alone!

Click here to see the gallery!

We met in London in January 2006 in a pub. I had just moved there from Paris to work at the Communications Department of a French banking group. I didn’t know anyone and was hating all of it, the banking and West London (especially after having spent so much time in Berlin, probably my favourite city in Europe, in the past year) so to take me mood up after a boring day at work, I decided to have a few pints of Guinness on my own in the first pub I’ll find who’ll look nice. I was sitting at the bar, in a cloud of cigarette smoke (you could still smoke in bars at that time) explaining to the barmanwith hands moving in all directions and my very long brown hair all over the place (my Mediterranean origins I guess!) how I was hating that city when suddenly some random guy behind me (desperately trying to get the barman’s attention!) eventually asked me a stupid question about the tattoo I have on my right hand. The poor guy got instantly told how stupid the question was and how horrible that city was and so on and he started laughing his head off, to my greatest offence!! That was Richard! After what has been a minute probably, he told me something like “Calm down Frenchie and come have a drink with us!” He was funny, I joined them (he was with his best friend, Simon, who was his best man at our wedding and a few other friends) for a drink and then another one and then we went out for dinner and I had such a great time!!

We’ve been seeing each other on and off since then (I was allergic to relationships anyway and after resigning from the bank a month or so later and moving to East London to work in a DJ bar on Brick Lane where I stayed for a year, I went back to Paris in 2007 and, more or less at the same time, he moved to Africa to work) but we have always stayed really good friends since then and he has always been a great support, especially after my first daughter, Lou, that I was raising on my own, was born (in January 2009). From that moment we started to see more of each other as he was coming to London at least every 3 months to see his daughter from a previous relationship, Annie (who is now 8 and a real sweetie) and was always coming to Paris for a few days afterwards. We kept going like that for a while until I got pregnant with our daughter, Zoé (who was born in March 2011). From then we decided to give us a chance and move together to Cape Town which was a huge thing for both of us but especially for me as I’ve never really been in a relationship before and has never lived with someone but it was worth trying!

I knew he wanted to propose as month before leaving Paris with the girls as I’d seen by mistake an email he had sent to my mom and that she thought had deleted but hadn’t and when she asked me to check something on her mailbox, I saw an email from him and asked her what it was and she instantly shouted in the phone not to open it but, too late, I had (even though I said I hadn’t not to upset her even more). From then, my internal panic lights went flashing red and I was completely petrified, about to cancel everything as getting married has never even been something I was considering for me and moving together was already a huge thing for me! And because I wasn’t supposed to have seen that email, I felt I couldn’t tell anyone (remember I just had a baby, wasn’t sleeping at all as I was on my own with the two of them so everything was a big deal!). I managed to get over my first reaction and not cancel everything, desperately hoping he would wait until we had lived together for a while and were sure we were actually good together but not at all, he proposed on the day I arrived in Africa! Needless to say that after a 24hour journey on my own with Zoé, our baby girl who was 2 months old at the time and Lou, my daughter who was 2 years old at the time and had neverflown before and who managed to vomit all over her, her sister and I in thelast bit of the journey, I was about to have a nervous breakdown and was completely exhausted!! I guess it was a good thing as I said yes without even thinking of it (the panic would probably have me to say no otherwise!) and even though it took me a while to recover from the shock, I have never regretted my answer!

I was actually very nervous during the ceremony and the drinks afterwards as I couldn’t really believe what was happening and only started to relax and really enjoy after the so moving and beautiful speeches from our close friends and families during the dinner and we had so much fun at the party with the 3 Tons of Fun rocking the place and everybody dancing their ass off (excuse my French!). As most of our friends and families live all around the world and had never met before, it was a real joy to see them all getting on so well and having so much fun!

A fantastic wedding planner is really a must have and is worth the expense! Wedding Concepts has been absolutely brilliant. They a renown for creating the most glamourous celebrations and helped us so much through the whole process, from defining what we wanted and giving us brilliant ideas based on our tastes (like the coloured-theme décor which was so stunning on the day) to finding the good suppliers, DJ, videographers, photographers with whom she knew we would get on well and she got it right each time! She had everything in control and thanks to her amazing ability to manage everything, we didn’t have to worry about anything before, during and after the wedding and were able to really enjoy our day. She has also been a fantastic friend (and still is!) who, to say the least, came with me to all the dress fittings, no matter how busy she was (all my family lives in Paris and my Capetonians girlfriends were not always available to come with me as they all work a lot) and I’ll never forget that.

Wedding Coordination and Design: Kim Werner at Wedding Concepts / Sound and Lighting: AV Direct / Photography: We Love Pictures / Staff + Bar Hiring: Urban Tonic / Wedding Cake: Kanya Hunt / Flowers: Okasie / Lighting & Dance Floor: Something Different / Stationery: Lara Friday

There are a million and one things I could fawn over in this wedding captured stunningly by dna photographers, but that dress, oh that dress, has grabbed a hold of my heart and won’t let go. That vintage-inspired, heart-stealing frock by Francois Vedemme (complete with handmade corset) is just be-yond – and it’s the perfect fit for this beyond perfect wedding. The gown is just the beginning of the beauty in this Cape Town stunner, so be sure to march yourself on over to the full gallery because believe it or not, it gets better…

From the Bride… I wanted my dress to be very vintage-inspired, quirky and totally original. The dress had to be corseted as I have no waist to speak of and I wanted to show off my legs a bit for a naughty element, so the skirt is translucent in parts. I really love the current Abed Mahfouz and Elie Saab gowns, but I wanted something with even more edge. Francois is an absolute genius and I always knew I wanted him to make my wedding dress, so I gave him my brief and he came up with the rest! The corset is hand-made and hand-beaded by Francois and his team, and the dress is of hand-made imported lace. The veil was about five metres long — it started off even longer but it was literally gobbling me up so we shortened it on the day. I had an absolute obsession at the time with the colour jade, hence my shoes and earrings. The flowers in my hair and Sarah’s hair (the bridesmaid) are taken from a vintage 1930’s veil my mom and I picked up years ago.

Michael went for a very relaxed look on arrival and sported a white slim-fit golfer (from Urban) and tailored black stretch slim fit pants (by Terrence Bray). Groomsmen wore the same but in full white changing later for ceremony into a button up white slim fit shirt (also Urban) and their outfits were finished off with a classic pair of white plimsoles by Vans (apparently great for dancing!). For the ceremony, Michael insisted on changing, ensuring that he was fresh after mingling and greeting all guests on arrival. He  wanted something very “James Bond” — well-fitted, comfortable and classic with a European twist, hence the tapered pants (Terrence Bray)  and the slip on suede slippers (by Billionaires Club), off white dinner jacket by Gianfranco Ferre and pants by Terrence Bray. Accessories included sunglasses by Prism of London, a watch by Panerai and the handkerchief of his late grandfather.

We had originally thought of (or I should we say had often talked about) eloping, but the final decision to get married in Cape Town (where we fell in love, we might add, although we live in Durban) provided us with a day and memories that will live with us forever. Not only did the city provide us with the most perfect week of weather, but also having all our family and close friends under one roof after not seeing some for ages (even since school) was something truly special and everybody a great opportunity to catch up during the week, to get to know one another and simply celebrate life and our BIG day. Big thanks to all involved, especially Gail from the Grand Café and Evention who crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s! I think the things that stick out the most for me were how amazing it felt to be walked down the “red carpet” by my dad, how totally gobsmacked I was when I saw Michael (we hadn’t seen each other for days) and how good it felt to hold his hand. My dad’s speech was just so perfect and funny and touching! WOW!

From the Groom… The day really went by quickly for me. From arriving early to some 60 or so guests that had decided to do the same, to watching Barbara arrive and walk down the aisle (red carpet in our case) to Wojtek’s (Barbara’s dad’s) unforgettable speech the grand feast (although I hardly ate) and finally Goldfish performing some of their new tracks live — it all made for a truly top evening. Let’s not the forget the oodles of French champagne and of course the late night pizza and pancakes (yes, it was a late late night!)

Wedding Photography: dna photographers / Wedding Venue: The Grand Cafe & Beach in Cape Town, South Africa / Wedding Planning: Victoria Jackson + Sarah Steele of Evention / Floral Design + Décor: Evention / Catering: The Grand Café & Beach / Wedding Dress: Francois Vedemme / Bride’s Shoes: Miu Miu / Bride’s Earrings: Lulu Belle / Bridesmaid’s Dress: Jenni Button / Bridesmaid’s Shoes: Nine West / Groom’s Suit Jacket: Gianfranco Ferre / Groom’s Pants: Terrence Bray / Groom’s Shoes: Billionaires Club / Groom’s Watch: Panerai / Groom’s Handkerchief: His Grandfather’s / Groomsmen’s Pants: Terrence Bray / Groomsmen’s Shoes: Vans / Groomsmen’s Shirts: Urban

This gorgeous photo shoot, sent to us by by the talented husband and wife duo, Gabriel and Carin Photography seriously couldn’t get any prettier. The pink dress, rustic picnic table, zebra rug and oh so yummy looking cake all have my heart a-fluttering this morning! Click here to see even more!

Click here to see FULL photo shoot!

From Gabriel and Carin Photography : We are a husband wife photography due and while visiting family in South Africa last month, we were inspired by this beautiful blush pink dress to do a styled shoot. We paired the dress with some rustic south African details, beautiful red lips and a pair of red yummy velvety shoes.

Models: Adelaine and Brian / Dress Designer: Corne Vorster / Shoes: Nine West / Broach and Earrings: Vintage / Cake, table number, invitations: Gabriel and Carin Photography / Location: Riverside Farm, Paarl South Africa / Flowers: Kikka / Photography: Gabriel and Carin Photography

I’ve never been (but have no fear, it’s been on my Must Travel list for ages) but I’m here to say South Africa must absolutely be FUN. Every wedding I see from the Rainbow Nation has the most perfect touch of whimsy to balance the crazy in love romance, and this one is no exception. We’ve fallen for the rainbow of bridesmaids, the fab florals, and the fantastic relaxed ballroom setting, all captured brilliantly by dna photographers. Fallen for all that, and more, HARD.

Click here to see the rest of the whimsy in the gallery!

Chris and I met four years go in a bowling club. I couldn’t believe that he liked me – he was sexy and cool and played in a band. We immediately fell for each other and moved in together after just three months and have been together ever since (but I wouldn’t recommend moving in that soon-its hard work!) So when we decided to get married it felt like it was always meant to be.

He proposed on a beach in our favourite fishing village called Arniston on Guy Fawkes. We didn’t want a long engagement and got married five months later. My mom helped me plan the whole thing, and being an advertising producer, she was the best wedding planner ever.

We wanted everything to be very relaxed and easy and just ‘us’. It couldn’t have gone more smoothly. The second we saw Casa Labia, we just knew it was the place. It is a beautiful Italian inspired villa by the sea, and the family who owns it has a strong, personal heritage in South Africa and Cape Town. It was so lovely with the Baroque downstairs and the art gallery upstairs. The entire event was planned to be on the lawn overlooking the sea, but it poured buckets on the day and the wonderful events manager, Emma moved everything inside and it worked beautifully. My friend told me that everyone was coming to be happy for us on the day and we would let everyone down if we were miserable about the weather. Great advice!

I found my dress at a designer shop called Hip Hop and picked it right off the rails at one visit (at a great price!). I had to keep it locked away at my friends house so that I wouldn’t try it on every day! Wedding dresses definitely don’t have to be expensive, they just have to be loved.Chris found an amazing jacket at Ben Sherman and pulled on his favourite jeans. I surprised him with a pair of blue suede shoes as a gift.

We wanted it to be colourful and retro, and I wanted the bridesmaids to look like a bunch of colourful balloons and they really did. I am lucky to have beautiful friends.  We had a choir at the ceremony and a jazz band at the reception and there was a rainbow to serenade us. There were beautiful, endless courses of bowl food (including fish and chips!) which everyone loved. It was the best day of our lives!

My advice to other brides is to really let it be a day where you express your own style as a couple and only choose things that you love. Get an inspiration board that you love early on and always keep checking back when you see new things or decide on things. Let your family and friends help, its great to have them part of the process. And whatever happens, if it rains or shines, have the funnest day of your life.

Photographers: dna photographers / Hair: Lara from Wyatt Hair / Make-up: The Image & Hair / Flowers: DIY Bride and Mother / Balloons: Party Corner / Choir: UCT Choir / Jazz Band: Dixie Swingers / Venue: Casa Labia / Chapel: The Range Stone Chapel / Invites: Pink Pigeon / Bridesmaids dresses: I Love Leroy / Dress: Hip Hop / Grooms jacket: Ben Sherman / Grooms shoes, ties, shirts, shoes: Woolworths / Bride shoes: Queue Shoes / Veil: Helenas Crown / Ring: Shelley and Harry / Food: The Gourmet Chef

We plan on jumping feet first into all the real wedding pretty after the long, holiday weekend, and if there was ever a wedding to help us all ease back into some serious wedding goodness – it’s this stylish South African soiree by dna photographers. It has everything. Everything that makes this wedding blogger squeal – from a gown handmade by the bride’s sister-in-law to the beautiful countryside the serves as the prettiest of backdrops to the cutie patootie ring bearer to the couple you can tell are each other’s everything. Seriously everything – and that, my lovelies, makes for one gorgeous full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Lincon and I met in September 2008 at a dance. We became friends, and it was eight months before he asked me to go with him and some friends to Swellendam to climb the majestic 12 o’clock mountain. The rest is history. We dated for two years, living in Cape Town, and then moved to New Zealand. Lincon and I both have a love for good food and wine, and so it only seemed right when he proposed to me at a winery called Mudbrick on Waiheke island in New Zealand. There was a great dinner, full moon and a saxophonist in the vineyards. Lincon had been planning it for a while, but it all seemed to come together in the afternoon — when he called the saxophonist, the saxophonist had to put down his knife as he was in the process of gutting a fish from a fishing trip he had just come back from. We all had to be on the same ferry at the same time to make it to the island on time. After the proposal we sat at the Waiheke ferry station sipping whiskey out of the saxophonist’s whiskey flask while waiting for the ferry to arrive, while he played for us.

We then moved to Australia, so we planned most of the wedding from abroad. Everything worked out well, but not without the time difference frustration and not being able to meet with service providers face to face. We got married at Zorgvliet Wine Estate (in South Africa) on 15 December 2011. The ceremony was in the old chapel on the farm. We kept decor minimalistic as we loved the rawness and simplicity of the old chapel. The theme was romantic pink, and my dress was vintage-inspired — made by my sister-in-law. As we live abroad, the focus for us was family and friends. When I think back to the day I can say that we had lots of good company, good food and wine, good music — nothing fancy just good fun!

Wedding Photography: dna photographers / Wedding Venue: Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge & Spa near Stellenbosch, South Africa / Floral Design + Decor: Paradiso Flowers / Catering: Gustaaf of Stir Food / Wedding Dress: Lisa Nel, Sister of the Groom (lisa.slegtenhorst@gmail.com) / Bride’s Shoes: Nine West / Hair: The Aunt of the Bride / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Selfi / Groom’s Attire: A Suit Store in Australia + Myer / Groomsmen’s Attire: Their Own + Myer

This bride is what it’s all about. She’s happy, she’s spunky, her soulful style literally jumps right off the screen. And she’s adorable. The kind of bride that I not only want to gush over, but that I wish lived closer to so we could be very best friends. She even sewed her own freaking gown. I know. I love her too. Anyway, this wedding is just about as good as it gets and with photography by Katrina Massey, well…it’s hopeless. Love that is. Oh and there is SO much more goodness in the gallery.

From the Bride… I totally started planning my wedding before I was even engaged. My husband and I dated long distance for a year and a half before we were finally in the same city. I am Canadian and he is South African; we decided to get married in South Africa because that’s where we met. My family was so supportive throughout that process. They didn’t bat an eye to come thousands of kilometers to be there for me on my day. Even though we didn’t have a very big budget, they overwhelmed me with their support through the entire process. I have always wanted to have a “fabulous DIY wedding with an eclectic, whimsical and a little bit hippie theme.” I’m so happy with what I got. My wedding dress was $100 from a one day closeout sale that I stumbled upon completely by accident with my mom one day. It was magical. Maureen Patricia of Queen Couture in Victoria made some alterations so that the dress fit my vision and my body like a glove! I also decided to make a second dress to wear at the reception. My dream dress has been the Vera Wang from Bride Wars but in case anyone hadn’t noticed, Vera is a bit steep for my pocket, so instead, she was my inspiration and I started sewing. I bought $10 shoes from Costa Blanca and made a killer necklace from a 1920’s vintage belt buckle and some ’60s costume pearls. Double score. Two outfits: $400.

The flowers were an amazing score as well, we picked arum lilies from a farm two days before the wedding through a friend, free of charge. I also asked a few other friends and family members if they could donate some white flowers, greenery and lavender for the reception decor and my bouquet. I kept a crocheted doily that my great-grandmother made for me when I was eight and used it to wrap my bouquet — it was my little piece of home that I took with me when I got married. My bridesmaids and I also spent hours scraping labels off of wine bottles to put flowers and candles in at the reception. My parents, grandparents, fiance, my aunt and some dear friends made it a group effort to cut and sew the long table runners for the reception. This wedding was truly a community effort!

I designed and sewed my junior bridesmaids’ dresses (one was repurposed; it was originally my own dress), and they looked completely fabulous. My bridesmaids wore whatever they wanted (within a color palette — my inspiration was the colors of a peacock feather) so I could rest assured they would be comfortable in whatever they wore. Our wedding cake was a Rice Krispie cake. I love the stuff and am not really such a fan of cake. Plus, it was cheap. My mom made it the day before the wedding. The cake toppers were a favor from another wedding that I reused. Because some people could only make the ceremony, we split up the speeches into two parts. Reece said his speech to me directly following the ceremony along with Mitch, his brother and best man. My dad and I, as well as my maid of honor, made speeches after dinner. I loved it because I knew Reece was so relieved to have his speech out of the way for the rest of the wedding! Our wedding was a continuous affair throughout the day. There wasn’t really a lull where people didn’t know what to do between the ceremony and reception. By the time the tea and treats had wrapped up at the chapel, the guests were invited to have drinks, cheese and hors d’oeuvres at our reception venue. We had some amazing friends who also provided live music and even wrote us a song that everyone joined in singing. By the time we arrived, everyone was already completely wound up, excited and ready to party. 

Photography: Katrina Massey Photography / Ceremony: Crab Apple Chapel in Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa / Reception: Hillhouse in Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa / Flowers: DIY from Friends’ Gardens / Wedding Cake: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Table Runners: DIY by the Bride’s Friends & Family / Wedding Dress #1: Bought on Closeout in Victoria / Alterations to Dress #1: Maureen Patricia Couture / Wedding Dress #2: DIY by the Bride / Bride’s Necklace: DIY with Costume Pearls + 1920’s Vintage Belt Buckle / Junior Bridesmaids’ Dresses: DIY by the Bride

I just had a “Life’s Not Fair” moment. I opened this amazing engagement sesh from dna photographers, and saw a gorgeous couple, on a fabulous Cape Town beach, totally and completely in love, and turned a little green with envy. But then I looked a little closer at their faces and fell in love with the love that shines so radiantly. That love, along with the impending weekend, has shown me life is wonderful, beautiful, and oh-so-fair again. Maybe even better than fair considering the gem of a week we’ve got to look forward to after the weekend. See you Monday, lovely LBBers! xoxo

Photography by dna photographers.

This weeks lovely line up all in one pretty, pretty spot:

a plum perfect Virginia vineyard soiree to die for
a romantic Cincinnati wedding with the most beautiful bride
a New York affair so chic, so luxe, so classic, we’re in love
a whimsically fun and absolutely stunning fête in California
an especially sweet soiree straight out of Kentucky
a handful of fabulous footwear and fab photography all rolled into one
a New Orleans fête that is tongue-tyingly beautiful
a stunning Phoenix travel themed wedding we love
a Oregon soiree that has the most amazing floral design + a love to match
a fabulous Mexican affair just in time for Cinco de Mayo

Three favorite links to get you in the Cinco de Mayo mood:

a fab + festive mini piñata favor DIY via Ruffled
a handful of fabulous Cinco de Mayo DIYs, recipes, and inspirations via Everything Fabulous
a tissue paper banner to make tomorrow festive via Hip Hip Hooray!

This South African bride has only one thing she wishes she could have changed about her stunning, stunning wedding, captured by DNA Photographers. She wishes she would have had more time, dancing with her sweet husband, celebrating in style with her loved ones. We can empathize… we wish we could have a little more time in the afternoon to spend with this beautiful soiree. Luckily for all of us, there is no expiration on the full image gallery!

Hannes and I met in our final year at university. We literally knew each other for a week before we decided to make our relationship official. You just can’t stop love, or put it in the slow lane.

After university we moved to Cape Town, where we moved in together, and started adulthood. Two and a half years into our relationship, Hannes popped the big question. It was an amazing day. We were about to move into our own little place – which we just bought – and had just finished cleaning it. Just there and then, in the empty house, Hannes went down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.

We were engaged for just over a year, which gave me ample time to plan the wedding. Maybe a little too much time. I was coming up with new ideas every day, until Hannes eventually told me to stop. I think that if he can give any advice to grooms-to-be, it would be NOT to give your bride too much planning time. But, I enjoyed the planning stage.

Our main focus with our wedding was to make it a relaxed enjoyable event. No stuffiness and tightness, not too many ceremonial things happening. We wanted everyone to enjoy the wedding to its fullest. We also wanted people to recognize that they were at our wedding and not somebody else’s. We wanted them to be able to look at the venue, décor, food etc. and say: “This is Hannes and Marionne”.

With enough time to plan the wedding and get exactly what we wanted, we also had time to make everything ourselves. We did a lot of DIY for our wedding. Everything we could do ourselves, we did. It added to the actual enjoyment and awesomeness of the big day. Walking around, seeing everything you’ve done and knowing that everything at the wedding represented you guys.

The one snitch in the whole too-much-planning-time-thing came in with my wedding dress. I found a dress in the early stages of our engagement. Then nearer to our big day, I started getting this feeling that the dress wasn’t right anymore. Then, four days before the wedding, when I tried on my dress, to see if everything (shoes, jewelry etc.) works together, all went wrong. My accessories broke, the jewelry – that my mom made – didn’t match (color wise), and when I took the first step in my dress, it tore. I was in tears. I believed karma didn’t want me to wear the dress. My mom said that we could go to Bride & Co and if I could find a suitable dress in half an hour, I could have it. I got mine in 10 minutes. The perfect dress. Four days before my big day I found MY wedding dress and I couldn’t be happier.

Our actual wedding day was – cliché warning – the best day of our lives so far. We really couldn’t have asked for better. Everything was just as we wanted it. It was a relaxed occasion, with lots of laughter, love and happiness. We succeeded in putting together a day that showcased us and our love, as well as having a wedding that was relaxed to the point of it feeling like a massive party with friends and loved ones.

If we could have asked for more, we would have asked for more time. The day went by so fast. Even staying up until half past three the next morning, did not make the day long enough.

I wish we could do it all over again, exactly the same!

Photography: DNA Photographers / Flowers: Kleine Marie / Decor: Towerbosch Restaurant, Kleine Marie, Leengoed & DIY / Venue: Towerbosch Restaurant, Knorhoek Wine Estate / Food: Towerbosch Restaurant / Wedding dress: Bride & Co / Groom’s clothing: Markhams / Bridesmaids clothing: Stephnie Botha / Shoes: Custom made by Ninon Louw / Table Rentals: Okasie Events / Chair Rentals: Hire Co. / Cup Cake Wedding cake: Carmen van der Merwe / Cake Toppers: Cakes so Cool

A pretty little fête in the countryside of South Africa just sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? Imagine overflowing hydrangea bouquets, a bounty of baby’s breath, a gown with the prettiest sleeve you ever did see, DIY details the couple crafted together – I could go on and on, but luckily Yolandé Marx Photography sent us this South African dream wedding that beats anything we could imagine, and it’s all sitting pretty in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Yolandé of Yolandé Marx Photography… I would like to share a pretty South African wedding situated in the countryside. The theme can be described as French with a big DIY twist, as the bride and groom made lots of the decor themselves. This bride actually took all of her friends quite by surprise as she works in the financial industry, and despite the stereotype that she’s maybe too analytical to pull off a creative wedding, this one blew the roof! Some of her friends didn’t even know she had brown eyes as she’s always hiding behind her glasses. As a photographer, this was an incredibly satisfying wedding to photograph!

Wedding Photography: Yolandé Marx Photography / Wedding Venue: Olive Mystery in Johannesburg, South Africa / Event Design + Planning: Olive Mystery + The Bride / Floral Design: Bunches @ Home / Wedding Invitations: Canvas Stationery Boutique / Wedding Dress: Germien Le Clus

This is one of those weddings deemed naturally pretty. You know, like those ridiculously good-looking girls who look positively radiant without a stitch of makeup?  With all of its earthy green goodness, it is boasting a gorgeous au naturel glow which is only enhanced by the equally lovely bride and groom and Rensche Mari was there to capture every inch of it. The pretty doesn’t stop here, pop on over to the gallery for the full spread!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Rensche Mari…To say that Victor & Nadine’s wedding day was magical, would be a total understatement. The venue is set just outside Whiteriver, the place, Jatinga Country Lodge, it has a beautiful ceremony area where you sit at the heart of a little river, with only the sounds of running water and wind blowing through leaves around you. Nadine is only a couple of rooms down from Victor, they both get dressed like they have done this a million times before, they are so ready to get married.

Nadine and her dad walks down the aisle, Victor can’t take his eyes of her. I see them steal short glances at each other…its stunning! As pastor PW is blessing them for the first time, it starts to rain soft little drops, whilst the sun is shining, in South Africa we call that Jakkels-trou-met-wolf-se-vrou. Nadine and Victor are not the least bit concerned about the rain, they just keep staring at each other. Nadine lightly brushes a raindrop from Victor’s eye, they both blush, I get butterflies in my tummy just looking at them. The day is definitely blessed when love shines this bright.

The decor, flowers and stationary is absolutely gorgeous, but that’s what you get when the bride is a graphic designer. She designed all the stationery and this cute little site about her and Victor, the proposal and all the info of the wedding day.

Wedding Photography: Rensche Mari / Venue: Jatinga Country Lodge / Wedding Dress: Lady Marmalaide / Hair: Erichia Nel, Exquisite Hair / Make-up: Nandi Broekman / Bridesmaid Dresses: Salvation / Rings: Vernon White / DJ: AVS Hire / Floral Design: Flower Fair / Groom’s Attire: Nevelles / Wedding Cake: Leandi’s Cakes / Wedding Stationery: Media Galaxy (The Bride)

I know I’ve said it before but South Africa is definitely on my travel bucket list.  It is such a breathtaking destination and everything that I’ve seen from there, this gorgeous wedding by The Aleit Group included, is stunning.  It is the perfect blend of traditional elegance and vintage charm.  I just adore the natural color palette of taupes and greens and I especially love all the pretty bridesmaids dresses in earthy tones.  Enjoy the rest of this extraordinary affair in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From The Aleit Group…Aimee and Marco met through mutual friends while on holiday in Cape Town. In fact, Aimee’s cousin was enjoying a summer romance with one of Marco’s friends! This meeting however, was possibly the foundation of things to come but it was not to be an instant relationship. It was only when both Aimee and Marco had moved to Cape Town that a firm partnership developed. The proposal was completely unexpected Aimee says; “We got together on the morning of my birthday and went out for an early morning breakfast to Camps Bay. It was quite cold and I was exhausted having just returned from a business trip overseas. After breakfast Marco tried to get me on to the beach with me moaning and groaning about it being too cold. I finally agreed after lots of strong persuasion and persistence on his part, and before I knew it he was down on one knee… the rest I admit, is slightly blurry for as I was in complete shock.”

The entire wedding was held on the spectacular Molenvliet Estate. The ceremony delivered a vintage farm ambiance amongst the lush vineyards. Prior to the ceremony guests were offered refreshments served from wooden tables topped with old fashioned farm crates, each filled with bottles of ice tea. Flip flops and fans were displayed on old ladders. The guests were then led by Rus Nerwich playing the saxophone, to the pre-drinks area which was hosted in front of the main wedding venue. En route guests were entertained by the use of a Polaroid station – a excellent way to capture those candid guest shots!

The reception, hosted in the spacious venue, featured long tables adorned with chandeliers and cut crystal and silver containers filled with soft,romantic flowers. Three vintage bird cages were stacked on top of each other and then filled with large, white and fluffy meringues to represent a wedding cake ‘a la difference’ and a sumptuous array of food was provided by Merle Rubin ensuring no guest left hungry! The after-party held refined undertones with spectacular entertainment by Rene “The Frenchman”. A spectacular touch – the dance floor was covered with the lyrics of the opening song!

Wedding Coordinators: The Aleit Group / Venue: Molenvliet Wine and Guest Estate / Minister: Dr. Tzilli Riesenberger / Caterers: Merle Ruben / Musicians: Russ Nerwich + DJ Rene / Wedding Videographer: Tolken Media / Waitrons: Shake and Serve / Wedding Stationery: Mixed Elements / Floral Design: Floral Affairs / Lighting: Something Different Concepts and Shows / Wedding Photographer: Joe Dreyer / Bride’s Dress: Hendrik Vermeulen / Bride’s Hair + Make-up: Luciano dos Santos / Flooring: Event Flooring / Hiring: Exclusive Hiring and Top Table

This South African affair celebrated in a town called Darling, turned out to be just that – absolutely darling. The adorable couple brought friends and family from all over the world to celebrate in South African style with details that embraced all the pretty places they love in the world. Personality is just oozing from every corner of this celebration by Julie Wilhite Photography, so get ready to take note of all the steal-worthy details. It just could not be more perfect for your afternoon inspiration pick me up and of course, the full gallery of images is full of even more pretty!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Chris and I met in Cape Town, South Africa over eight years ago in a chance encounter while I was on vacation with my sister. When I moved to South Africa in 2010, we reconnected  and it was a whirlwind courtship and engagement. Since Chris’s parents had never visited the USA, nor mine South Africa, we decided to get married in both countries with a small ceremony in Houston, Texas (my hometown) and then a larger wedding and party on the West Coast of South Africa. Chris and I have lived on four continents collectively, so we had family and friends traveling from all over the world to attend our South Africa wedding.  To make the day special for everyone involved, we decided to make the event a tribute to our South African, English and Texan heritages.

We searched the winelands of Cape Town for the perfect venue, and chose the West Coast because it had the rustic, friendly vibe that we wanted.  The town of Darling is a 45-minute drive from central Cape Town where we live, so it was close enough for guests to drive out for the day, but the scenery makes it feel a world away.  Cloof Vineyards, where we held the ceremony and reception, was the perfect site for our day: the wine farm has a beautiful lawn and pergola with expansive views and the staff are hospitable and accommodating.  They let us use the site as a canvas on which to paint our dream wedding.

Guests were greeted with Pimms, an English summer cocktail that set the tone for the day – relaxed and fun. Men were given Texas-style kerchiefs and sheriff’s badges to wear; ladies were given wooden fans and fabric corsages made from shue shue, a South African traditional fabric.  The ceremony was held on the lawn with views over the valley, and our vows were said under a picturesque tree adorned with antique hearts.  The ceremony was followed with a cocktail hour featuring Cloof Daisy Darling wines and hors d’oeuvres featuring tender Karoo lamb on skewers and danish feta phyllo triangles.

We wanted the dinner to be a chance for everyone to get to know one another and feel part of our extended family.  We set a long, long table with fresh wildflowers and denim table runners under a pergola strung with fairy lights which appeared almost magical as the sun set over the valley.  Dish Food & Social catered our event and designed a menu that I call “modern South African,” with local ingredients prepared in new and delicious ways. In keeping with the relaxed feel, everything was served family style in big dishes that were passed between guests.  The meal started with a smoked Springbok carpaccio, followed by pepper and mustard-crusted sirloin, rustic roasted vegetables and a butternut and capiscum salad.  Instead of wedding cake, we chose an assortment of pies as a nod to Texas – down-home pecan, apple, strawberry and chocolate caramel – baked by Miss K’s, where co-owner Kirsten makes the most divine Cape Town desserts. The champagne toast featured Graham Beck sparkling wine, a South African bubbly.

The dinner was followed by Barn Dancing in the wine farm’s “cow shed” – described by my sister as the most “upscale cow shed” she’d ever seen.  We continued with the fairy lights, strung from the rafters to resemble a star-studded sky.  Caroline Blundell, Cape Town’s own barn dance caller with a talent for getting people on the dance floor, taught everyone to do-si-do and promenade in a series of square and line dances.  The evening continued with our talented DJ (Rob Beviss-Chailinor) and everyone danced the night away.  We kept the guests well-fed with midnight snacks of skinny fries dipped in aioli and toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches.  The buses arrived at 1am to escort our guests home.

Wedding Photography: Julie Wilhite Photography / Floral Design & Decor: Family of the Bride / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Cloof Vineyards / Catering: Dish Food & Social / Officiating Minister: Hansen Preuss / Wedding Pies: Miss K’s Food Cafe / Fairy Lights: Eat Cake! / Table Runners: Custom by Mother of the Groom / Wedding Invitations: Paperless Post / Menus & Programs: The Bride / Groom’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / DJ: Rob Beviss Challinor / Barn Dance Caller: Caroline Blundell

South Africa is on the top of my list of places I want to get to at least once in my lifetime.  This amazing, handcrafted wedding by Otto Schulze Photographers certainly does not deter me from that dream.  It seriously ranks up there as one of the most crush-worthy, creative nuptials ever.  There are so many pretty little pieces tucked into each corner and every tree branch.  I can’t believe how many projects they perfectly executed but they don’t even compare to the love that radiates out of every photo.   The DIY, vintage party keeps rocking in the full wedding gallery!

Click here to see the full gallery of images!

From the Bride… As much as the term ‘vintage’ has become overly popular and cliche, our wedding was mainly vintage. It was also colourful, spring, nostalgic, farm, picnic, red & white checked, doilies.  Our entire wedding was to be outside. It wasn’t going to rain and we didn’t have a back-up plan. On the morning of the 11th it was gray and overcast and my brother welcomed me with the news that there was a 75% chance of rain. By the time I walked down to meet my almost-husband, it had all blown away and the sun had come out and it was a lovely spring day. It didn’t rain one single drop and the party carried on till late under an umbrella of stars. The next day it rained.

The most memorable part of the day was the walk from the Farm house to the ‘Chapel’ under the trees. This walk involved everything that is dearest to my heart and everyone that I love the most.  A few weeks after Travis proposed, our awesome and incredibly-loved dog ‘Bokkie’ was knocked down by a car. She was supposed to grow old with us.  We buried her underneath some Cherry blossom trees on the farm, which I passed en-route from the farm house to the ‘Chapel’.  My best friends and my sister were with me, smiling and joking and being awesome.  My dad and I walked hand in hand through the yellow fields and met my mum about half way.  Our favourite song ‘Staralfur’ from Sigur Ros was playing.  Even though the day had started miserable and grey, the sun was shining and it was a lovely spring day.  And then at the end of the walk, there was my almost-husband, waiting for me, looking all handsome and awesome.  Oh my, just writing about it makes me go all tender and soppy.

My wedding dress was made by my darling friend and super talented fashion designer Terese Meijering from Nooi. After getting engaged, my one grandmother gave me her original wedding dress (60 years old!) and my other grannie gave me some hand-made lace. Sentimental and nostalgic me wanted to create a new dress with that. Terese had the vision and the awesome talent. She made the most beautiful soft and simple dress using mainly the lacy fabric from the vintage dress, layering it with off-white coloured silk and rounded it all off with the hand-crocheted lace from my other grandmother. Et voila.

This wedding wouldn’t have happened without all the love and patience and hard work that was poured out for us from our family and friends. Every single item at this wedding was made possible by our friends and family – from my grannies doilies to the hand-painted signs to my dress sewn by an amazing friend. Travis and I have had long chats about the few days before the wedding, and we think we only now understand how utterly and awesomely we are loved by our friends and family and ultimately that this is a representation and extension of HIM. Our wedding would not have been close to what it was without all the helping, blistered hands, the sweating brows, the big laughs and the frustrated sighs, the dirty feet and hay-bale-slaving, the tree-cimbing and heart-hanging, the sign-painting and the high fives, the bunting-flag-sewing and origami-bird-folding, the invite-designing and dress-making, the organising and sourcing, the cupcake decorating and paper-flag-folding, the teepee-tent-sewing, the never ending patience and finally and above all, the never-ending love.

Wedding Photographer: Otto Schulze Photographers / Wedding Flowers: Multiflora Flower Market / Catering: Prep’ed by Sasha / Wedding Cinematography: pixelated pixies / Wedding Venue: Frankenhof (Private Residence) / Officiant: Pierre of 3rd Place / Wedding Coordinator: Nadine van Aswegen / Wedding Gown: Terese Meijering from Nooi / Bridal Make-Up Lessons: Nadja Seale / Bridal Shoes: g-mo footwear / Bridal Accessories: Friend of the Bride, Skermunkil and Country Road / Groom’s Wedding Band: Tinsel / Bride’s Wedding Ring: Antique / Wedding Decor: In Good Company / Wedding Stationary: Gerhard of This Pencil /  Wedding Cupcakes: Friend of the Bride / Wooden Signage: Michael Linders

This happy, vibrant wedding is coming to us aaaaall the way from lovely South Africa. The continents may be different but the cute vintage details are very, very familiar. Huibri, the beautiful bride, handcrafted every single last detail of this day to perfection. She is a DIY goddess if I ever saw one and Splendid Productions snapped the pictures to prove it. Take a looky-loo in the gallery for more from this South African soiree.

{click here for the FULL wedding gallery}

I got married on November 21 at Riverside Castle in Pretoria, South Africa. It was perfect and everything I wanted it to be. We invited 120 guests and the wedding was filled with DIY projects. SMP was one of my biggest sources of ideas and even 5+ months after my wedding I still visit Style Me Pretty a few times every day! I am a graphic design/events manager so planning my wedding was my favorite thing ever and I wish I could get married every year! It really was a night I will never forget and I still get compliments daily about my wedding. Every detail was special for me because it took lots of work and effort to get everything perfect, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing!!!

Photography: Splendid Productions / Venue: Riverside Castle / Dress Designer: Maurene Louw / Makeup: Vickie Oosthuizen / Event Design (Bride’s Company): Pink Heart Weddings and Events

When I first saw this wedding by Jan Hendrik, I started hyperventilating like a tween at a Justin Bieber concert.  I seriously have a debilitating crush on every little nook and cranny of fresh, clean inspiration this ravishing wedding has to offer!  Each and every incredible detail makes my heart beat a little faster.  The simple yet stunning color palette is GLORIOUS.  The bride’s sleek, classic, unadorned gown made of white denim fits the aesthetic almost as perfectly as it fits her figure.  Jan Hendrik’s photography is pure ecstasy, and this, the wedding of Karen and Graeme, is no exception.  As if all of that wasn’t enough, the bride’s enthusiasm, alone, makes it impossible not to fall in love with the couple and the day.  Can’t wait to see it all?  Get thee to the gallery!

{To see this incredible wedding in its entirety, click here to go to the gallery!}

I’ll let Karen take it away with the details:

I’ve never dreamed of my wedding day, no files and collages of what and where and how.  The nightmares had literally begun.  Where would I start?  Graeme quickly noticed the bags under my eyes and deer in headlights sheer panic and offered the wedding gift of a Wedding Coordinator.  Enter Lisa.  She was always a step ahead of me and with every step she was spot on; she somehow knew exactly what and how I wanted it, like a sister would.  Not only was she amazing in her talent but also in her own person – so was the talent she surrounded us with, Jade my hair and make-up artist, Jan Hendrik our photographer, Okasie our florist…  The comfort that all of their personalities and talents provided us allowed this usually anxiety filled panic stricken over thinker to be a bride capable of having a nap on the morning of her wedding.

My dress: I wanted white denim, structured and clean. I’m by no means a shiny princess and I didn’t want a dress that stood up by itself and made a swooshing sound (as Meredith said to Izzy in Grey’s Anatomy).  This didn’t go down well with the folks, the fabric shops or the dress maker.  But I stuck by it, and by the end even Kristin, my dressmaker, gushed.

The shoes meant a visit to my sister in Dubai to shop – her gift to me – Georgina Goodman’s and on sale for 80% off!  Finding my jewelry was hard; many antique markets later I could not find the vintage mar gazette pieces I yearned for.  However, an accessory shop in Sandton’s window display finally flashed me.

Hair and make-up, two disastrous hair trials with local strangers later I arrived the Wednesday before the wedding in Cape Town at Jade’s place (another stranger) with no brief and no pictures what so ever, just sheer hope that she could make me beautifully happy.

I’d never had my make up done by someone before and after she Mac’ed and Bobby Browned me I felt the most beautiful I have ever, could ever.  As for the hair, well, her first style left my sister and I shaking our heads in disbelief at just how awesome it looked.  Graeme designed all of the stationery and the rings which have the stationery doodle on and fit together like puzzle pieces.  Also, all the gents, the groom, best men and dad’s wore grey Converse All Stars – another point the mom’s weren’t impressed by.  Our First Dance was to Yeah Yeah Yeahs Hysteric, and we had dance classes by the lovely and patient choreographer Glenda Piemer.  I could see with every lesson and practice session that this was Graeme’s next gift to me as he smiled but through gritted teeth.

Finally, there was one cake per table, each in a different flavor, so we could do the cutting of each and a photo thereof with the beautiful guests stationed at each. This served as their yum dessert.  The whole thing was a total dream, perfection, the cliché best day and night of my life.

Congratulations, Karen and Graeme!  Thank you so much for sharing your incredible wedding with us!

xoxo, Alison of The Knotty Bride

Photographer: Jan Hendrik / Dress Maker: Kristin Masters, Garnish / Wedding Co-ordinator: Lisa Schoeman, Talk Functions / Hair & Make Up Artist: Jade Tara Leggat / Florist: Okasie / Cakes: Kanya Hunt / Rings: Jan, Sirkel