Organic Farm-Style Wedding at Babylonstoren by Monica Dart {Allie & Carl}

When I was a kid, I was weird about vegetables. Not weird in that I didn’t like them, like most children, but weird in that I did. But only raw. My mom would have to leave whichever ones (short of potatoes and onions, obvs) she was serving uncooked for me. I just thought they were better that way. These days, I cook my veggies, but I think the same philosophy applies to a farmer’s market-style wedding, with veggies on the decor menu. They’re just so pretty in their natural state! The whole idea of organic or farm-to-table weddings has been a big thing in the last couple of years, and in South Africa we got especially lucky with the opening to weddings of Cape venue Babylonstoren, which has to be the ultimate for farm weddings with its eight acre fruit and vegetable garden. I know I have been dying to feature something like this here on SBB, so when Monica Dart sent over Allie and Carl’s wedding I was hooked! This wedding looks like it grew in the most perfect of wedding greenhouses (no wonder, since the bride has co-ordinated a number of weddings before) – I love that it’s completely unfussy, and just lets the natural beauty of the venue and the farm pickin’s shine through. Vegetables on the table, donkeys at the door, and Monica’s gorgeous fine art photography to capture it all. It’s the best possible start to a lovely Wednesday.

Love Story
We met on a semi-blind date – what is that you wonder? We were introduced through a mutual friend (who I met at Sports Science Institute). We had a blind date set up but met by chance at a gym session- looking hot and sweaty. I was worried Carl would not turn up for our date!

The Proposal
As a true Brit, Carl is not the most romantic of people…. I was sitting next to him working on my laptop and he was watching his favourite programme when he paused the TV ( this is the romantic bit) and asked me if I would marry him. I had to check that we were actually going to get married as he had been engaged three times before! When he said yes I said YES and burst into tears…

The Venue
We chose Babylonstoren for its simple beauty, reputation for good food and farm setting.

Wedding Style
The style of our wedding was rustic chic. I have always wanted to live on a farm, so the setting was perfect. Babylonstoren did all the table decorations, all in keeping with their look and feel, i.e. organic fruit and veggies. The ceremony was outside under a tree with all our guests sitting on hay bales – I arrived on a rusty old tractor trailer.

The Flowers
I only had greenery from the gardens. As I walked down the aisle, my ten closest friends, sisters and mom each handed me an organic vegetable to make up my bouquet!

The Dress
I was referred by a friend who was also getting married. I am not a typical woman and the dress was going to be the nightmare of the whole wedding. That all changed when I met Robyn Roberts.

Most Memorable Moment
The donkeys in the paddock putting their heads through the windows trying to eat the organic vegetable decorations.

Proudly South African Details
All the guests received the Babylonstoren Cookbook as a gift from us – could not be more proudly South African.

The Honeymoon
Botswana

Advice for Future Brides & Grooms
Invite friends that are going into your future with you. Don’t stress the small stuff on the day if it’s not done. Have a co-ordinator (if you can afford one). Get a friend to take informal photos.

See more from this wedding on Monica Dart’s blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue, catering, cake & decor: Babylonstoren | Photography: Monica Dart | Stationery: Lara’s Designs | Bride & bridemaids’ dress: Robyn Roberts | Hair & makeup: Yolande du Toit | Hiring: Something Different | DJ: Preston Roman | Minister: Andred Hayward

 

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