I now declare this week’s festival of gorgeous weddings… OPEN! (Just imagine me with a giant pair of scissors here.) (PS, where do you actually GET a giant pair of scissors? Because I totally want one.) I’ve been dying to show you Jess and David’s wedding for a little while now, because to me it encapsulates so many things I love about a Cape wedding. Beautiful weather, a spectacular winelands backdrop (the lovely Webersburg estate), soft pink florals, proteas, quirky personal touches. And of course a couple who are completely besotted with one another. It just radiates from them, doesn’t it? (Just wait until you see their video, which I’ll be posting as a bonus this afternoon.) Other things I love: Jess’s dress and that oversized flower in her hair that I am completely dying over, the map used as a seating/escort chart, the Rob Ryan-esque menu cards and other pretty stationery, the sparklers for the first dance… All so gosh darn puuurty. And all captured by the genius that is Annemari Ruthven! Enjoy…

From Jessica:
Dave and I have known each other since high school. I have secretly always had a crush on him but then he was too shy to talk to me and far more interested in playing sport. We share a birthday and I think my best pick up line in those days would have been “hello birthday twin”. I wasn’t very successful then in reeling in my lovely husband – it was only after years of Varsity and both of us travelling the world that our paths crossed at the Durban July and I caught his attention. I may not have won any money at the races that day but I think its safe to say I won his heart.

At the time when we met I was living in Cape Town and Dave in Durban and the first 18 months of our relationship was long distance. I think if you can survive a long distance relationship then you have got the recipe for a successful one! Then, after a couple of years together in Durban, we began our exciting adventure of travelling the world together. We started our travels in Thailand, Australia and then the UK. Work opportunities took us to Canada where we lived for one year. Next stop a year in the UK and finally our travels and work opportunities have brought us full circle back to Australia. During the last few years we have visited some amazing places, been dazzled by God’s beautiful creations and made some very special friends. It has been an incredible journey. We are so blessed.

We got engaged in the magical Maldives. What a romantic! We thought we would escape to some sunshine before starting our year in Canada. Little did I realise that Dave had more plans in mind for our trip. On a beautiful evening in October and the last evening of our holiday, Dave proposed on bended knee in the light of the full moon and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. My answer was without a doubt yes, yes, yes!

We decided we wanted to get married in Cape Town. It is our favourite city in the world and holds a very special place in our hearts. On a perfect day, at the foot of the mountains, under a beautiful old tree, we exchanged our vows and made promises before God, our family and friends to love each other forever. Every time I think about our wedding the corners of my mouth turn up and I can’t help smiling. It was the best day of our lives. I would love to do it all over again to have all our friends and family in one place to celebrate our love.

This is how we remember our day… I walked arm in arm with my parents down the aisle. My Dad and Mom kissed me gently as they gave me their love and blessings. My smiling groom waiting for me. The exchanging of our personal vows and a beautiful ceremony under the old trees. Signing of the register with our fathers as our witnesses, followed by the soft soft shower of rice as we exited the manor house as man and wife. Hugs, kisses, so much love passed from person to person. Then the snap snap of the camera documenting moments of our love, family and friends. Happy and together. The cutting of our beautiful red velvet cake – enjoying every last crumb! Canapes on the lawns, basking in the afternoon sun, slowly sipping champagne and enjoying the jazz duo. The clapping of hands as we entered our reception as Mr & Mrs to the song “I want to be with you everywhere”. Our day stretched out slowly into an exquisite five course lazy Italian feast on the sun kissed terrace. Lots of laughing and clinking of glasses. Beautiful words as the speeches were delivered. Tears of joy rolled down everyone’s cheeks. When the feasting was done we slipped away from the party to have our wedding photos taken as the sun began to set on the beautiful estate. Our guests were entertained at the photo booth we had hired. Lots of fun was had as everyone worked out their Vogue pose. On our return, red and white helium balloons with hand written blessings attached to their ribbons were released to float up up up and away into the heavens. Words of blessings from the ones we love. Our first dance my handsome husband spinning me around the dance floor to the words of “Have I told you lately that I love you”. The twinkling sparklers lighting the dance floor. Then the dance floor was opened, toes were tapping and the night was underway. Before we knew it was 11.30pm and we were hugged and kissed by our loved ones as we left our wedding, hearts full of love.

We chose a vintage theme because vintage is timeless and that is how we feel about marriage. Dave has a beautiful saying “You are always young in the eyes of the one that loves you.” Our colour scheme was silver and dusky pink. Stylishly vintage. I loved every detail from the beautiful flowers to the elegant bridesmaid dresses made by my mom, a lady of many talents.

There were so many details that made our wedding beautifully unique. I could not have done it without the love and support of my team. My Mom & Dad, my sister Sam, my brother-in-law Dean, special friends and my lovely husband David. All the creative details were sewn together with every ones help to make our day so beautiful. Our wedding day reflected our travels, the way we live our lives and also the very special people who have helped mould us into the people we are and the couple we are today. Having our family and friends around us from all parts of South Africa and from around the world in our favourite city was so very special. Our day was relaxed and I think everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. It ticked by perfectly and we got to savour ever minute. From start to finish the day was just as we had dreamed it to be.

Thank you so much, Jess and Dave, for sharing your big day with us and all the best of luck and happiness in your new life in Australia! Another big thank you to the fabulous Annemari Ruthven – head on over and check out her new blog!

Service providers:

Venue: Webersburg
Catering: Piet Marais of Stir
Photography: Annemari Ruthven
Videography: Mandelbrot Films
Minister: Rev. Kevin Needham ([email protected])
Florist & decor: Flowers in the Foyer
Tent hire: Nomadik Tents
Tablecloths: The Tablecloth Hiring Company
Hiring & staff: Blend (0724374410)
Jazz duo: Gary Deacon (072 3344 272)
Cake:The Cupcake Fairy ([email protected])
Stationery: Dean Maber (bride’s brother-in-law)
Bride’s dress:Yolande Wortmann ([email protected])
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Cheryl Swanepoel (bride’s mother)
Hair & makeup: Chantelle ([email protected])
DJ: Darren Rose ([email protected])