Forest Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Ravishing Forest Feast Wedding at Die Woud by Fiona Clair

5 September, 2017 by gaby

If weddings were celebrities, I feel like Kate and Le Roux’s would be Ava Gardner, or another gorgeous, glamorous, and slightly mysterious (and utterly ravishing) Old Hollywood starlet. With a palette of rich berry pinks and reds with lots of classic black, an enchanted forest setting at Die Woud, and super fun details like a G&T bar and decadent cake display (hello, heaven!), it manages to be cozy and sophisticated, magical and modern all at the same time. The divine Fiona Clair was on hand to take these beautiful images, and I just know you’re going to love it as much as I do. Which is a lot, in case there was any doubt. A LOT.

Romantic Forest Wedding at Die Woud by Knit Together Photography

16 August, 2017 by gaby

Beyond snagging the perfect guy, every bride dreams of finding that one, incredible dress that will make your heart beat faster (and your mom cry, obvs). Well, imagine if the sister of your groom-to-be happened to be a world-famous bridal designer? OMG dream come true, right? That’s what happened to today’s bride, Kim, but her knockout gown is only one reason I’m so excited to share her and sweetheart Jonathan’s wedding with you. It took place at enchanted forest glass marquee venue Die Woud for one (and was every bit as romantic as that implies), and it was created by a procession of local wedding pros we love, including Bright and Beautiful‘s incredible florals, Blooming Wonderful‘s fabulous decor, and tunes by The Wedding DJ’s. Oh, and it has a cake swing and a G&T bar. I mean, does it get any more perfect? Knit Together Photography were on the scene to capture these beautiful images!

Rustic Rose Gold Wedding at Tuin van Eden by Aline Photography

30 June, 2017 by gaby

Happy Friday, loves! This whole month, we’ve been focusing on fairytales, but today we’re sharing a wedding that starts like a real life fairytale. Imagine a singer on a stage, looking out over the audience. And there, looking up at him, he sees her. Love at first sight. That’s the incredible story of how Hendrik met Claudette, and it culminated in a magical forest wedding (as all good fairytales do) and a rustic reception filled with DIY details and rose gold/copper sparkle. And here’s another thing that makes today’s wedding, with its gorgeous pics by Aline Photography, stand out – we often hear the story from the bride’s perspective, but today it’s all Hendrik sharing his perspective. Love that! And love these two cuties and their great big joyous smiles. Look out for lots of pinnable details – a fabulous ceremony area with eucalyptus lined doorway, lace tambourines for extra post-ceremony celebration, a rose gold buttercream cake, sparkly rose gold table numbers… there’s even a rose gold bicycle for the cutest reception entrance! All made by the couple and their talented friends and family – amazing!

Quirky Elegance Forest Wedding at De Uijlenes by Coba Photography

22 June, 2017 by gaby

They say (whoever they are, but *I* definitely say) that the best weddings are those that reflect the personalities of the bride and groom. Well, Coenie and Anuscka’s is definitely one of those. Anuscka describes them as “fun, quirky, but romantic” and that is pretty much the perfect expression for their wedding day too, which takes ideas we love and gives them their own sweet little twists. First off, forest ceremony (love!) under an archway decked in proteas and lines of lace bunting. Then the reception, which brought the forest indoors with loads of greenery, more proteas, wood textures and loads of magical, whimsical touches like little bunnies on the tables, fairy lights throughout, and even an adorable donut display. It’s so fun and pretty, and talk about pretty – the bride is a knockout, rocking a low back, lace sleeve gown and a berry lip. Oh, I could go on and on, but let me rather hand over to the darling Coba Photography for her pictures, and the bride for her story.

Free Spirited Forest Wedding at Harmonie Proteas by Vicky Bergallo

5 January, 2017 by gaby

One of the things I love about editing SouthBound Bride is that I get to hear the most amazing love stories from couples, many of whom come from completely different places, and it’s like the world conspires to somehow, through a series of events, have them meet and fall in love (what tells you I’m a huge romantic, eh?). Jaydene and David are one of these couples, whose unlikely meeting happened thanks to David’s Mormon mission to South Africa, and progressed in the old fashioned way through heartfelt correspondence while Jaydene was on her mission. Together at last, they celebrated the second day of their wedding weekend with family and friends in the proudly South African surroundings of Harmonie Proteas, where Jaydene and her mother built a boho fantasy forest setting for their vows and reception, using some of the bride’s favourite things. And goodness, but Jaydene made a gorgeous bride in her custom lace sleeve gown, wow! With bridesmaids also in lace and flower crowns, the perfect rustic setting, and these pretty pics by Vicky Bergallo, it was a day to remember!

Bijoux Botanical Wedding at Lalapanzi Lodge by Michelle du Toit

27 October, 2016 by gaby

There’s an expression I always remember from one of my favourite films, that goes: Simple may not always be best, but the best is always simple. That’s what I think about when I come across weddings like Carla & Bruce’s, that take an idea (in this case, greenery with a touch of gold) and make it incredibly elegant. Add in a romantic forest ceremony in the most beautiful surroundings, natural elements like glass and wood, and little personal touches like olive oil favours and a tribute to their missing loved ones, and you have something really special. You won’t be surprised to know that I’m in love with Carla’s wild, organic style bouquet, which worked so beautifully with her Robyn Roberts gown, or that I think Michelle du Toit‘s swoony photography is the final, perfect touch! Simple just became extraordinary.

Copper & Green Wedding at The Red Barn by Those Photos

20 October, 2016 by gaby

There are some couples you can tell had a lot of fun planning their wedding, and Francois & Illana are one of those. These lovebirds opted for a weekend wedding in breathtakingly beautiful Dullstroom, and got their family and friends to help them create the DIY details for their dream day, which gave everyone a feeling of personal involvement in the wedding. With copper elements, including vases made of piping and filled with herbs, fairy lights, wood and candles creating a warm, intimate atmosphere, as well as the loveliest pictures by Those Photos, this is a festive fete to feast on! And when you’re done scrolling through the pics, be sure to check out the video by the wonderful White Motion Films, and then check out their profile and show reel in our directory!

Magical Forest Wedding at Die Woud by Fiona Clair

29 August, 2016 by gaby

People talk about a fairytale wedding, and they often mean a princess dress or a horse and carriage, or a grand castle-like venue. But for me, today’s wedding has a real fairytale quality. It’s like it takes place in its own magical, intimate little world, deep within a forest. An outdoor ceremony down a path through the trees… a reception in an elegant glass marquee with dapped sunlight falling through the branches, and when night falls, lit by chandeliers and fairy lights long into the night. From first look to last dance, Elizma & Ruan’s big day is the very picture of an enchanted forest wedding, and with gorgeous images by Fiona Clair, the fairytale is complete!
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Charming Forest Wedding at Florence Farm by Carolien & Ben

18 May, 2016 by gaby

This couple, you guys! They are just too cute for words. Exhibit A: Chris’ absolutely awesome surprise proposal on top of a mountain in the Drakensberg (just try watching the video without smiling!). Exhibit B: A forest ceremony with thousands of paper cranes dancing in the breeze above, and so many happy tears from the groom and bride, and father of the bride, and basically everyone who was there, when Ursula made her entrance. Or how about the romantic signage – the quote about forests at the altar, or the banner that declared they’d decided on forever? Or the farm-style rustic reception with country vintage details and pastel flowers, and lovely little wooden crates stencilled with the wedding date? There’s so much to love in this forest-meets-farm chic wedding, but the love between the couple are at the centre of it all, and Carolien & Ben did a fabulous job in capturing that in their beautiful, light-filled way. *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

See more real forest weddings on SBB!