There’s a part of me that is all Tiffany’s girl. Give me a martini (vodka, extra dry extra cold with a twist, cheers), a pair of Badgleys and a rooftop bar in Manhattan and I’m a happy woman. But I grew up on the coast, and there’s another big part of me that is all barefoot, shell necklaced and freckle nosed. That wants nothing more than salt on my lips and the beat of the surf in my ears. That’s one of the reasons why I’m so in love with beach venues, and the more rustic, the better. Today’s is about as laid-back seaside as you get – the awesome Strandloper restaurant in Langebaan, where you can rock up, pay your cover and enjoy a long session of fresh and delicious seafood right on the beach. (I am seriously salivating right now just thinking about it!) Nadine and Philip chose it as their wedding venue, and the result was a super relaxed day with family and friends that I am completely smitten over. Their details are just subtle enough to enhance the venue, never competing with it, and allowing all of their guests to get into the beachy groove. As usual, Warren Williams‘ pictures really bring the celebrations to life. Doesn’t it just look like so much fun? I want to be there. Now.Read More
Morning folks! First of all, I want to say a big thank you to all of you for your patience with me while I try to juggle everything this month – it’s been tough keeping up with the blog, Twitter and email when I don’t have much time to myself. I can’t promise we’ll resume normal service 100% this week, but I do have some seriously cool stuff coming your way. First of all, three weddings instead of two. Yayness! Secondly, we’re starting the official countdown to the Royal Wedding (which I will totally be checking out as your London ambassador, so follow me on Twitter if you want all the updates!). And finally, this inspiration board, which I am kind of in love with. What makes it extra special is that it’s a reader request, and I had soooo much fun doing it! (Seriously, send me more!) Gina wrote to me looking for some ideas for her Cape wedding – she wanted to bring in Moroccan details without it looking like a costume party. She also had some great ideas for colour schemes, but my favourite was white, green, grey and silver with just a touch of deep purple.
This would be SUCH a gorgeous look for a summer wedding. Think lots of crisp whites – lovely linens, soft curtains billowing in the breeze… With grey/silver and green, the overall look is light and bright and classic, and definitely steers away from the Arabian Nights party look. Being selective about colour and decor against a background of white means you get all the exotic flavour without going overboard. And I love the idea of a few select purple touches – bridesmaid dresses in a rich plum, a plate of figs on each table perhaps, maybe a few cushions. Guests would sit at long, low tables – either use Moroccan inspired fabrics like the one shown below, or choose white tablecloths with decorative tiles forming a runner. Succulents make a surprising and modern accent – I especially love the one used in the place setting here. Also include pretty tea glasses – fill them with flowers or use as a votive candle holder. And lanterns are a must – as many as possible! How incredible does the ceremony area look below with all of those lanterns hanging at different heights? Bedoin-style breakout areas (and of course a Moroccan menu!) complete the desert chic details. Hope you like this look Gina, and can’t wait to see your wedding!
Today’s engagement session is just beyond cool! And so different. When photographer Mark Engelbrecht (a climber himself) found out Jorina and Stefan were keen mountaineers, the three of them hatched a plan for a truly unique photo shoot. Talk about tying the knot! And despite shooting with one hand while suspended from a rope, Mark got some beautiful images of this couple, absolutely in their element. I’m so excited to feature this here today!Read More
Happy Friday, folks! You know, I see a lot of Victorian country vintage being in this industry at the moment. Some days, I think I may have seen every bit of vintage I may ever want to. And then I come across a wedding that embraces the olde look so beautifully that my love of lace is renewed. Today’s wedding is one of those. Vasthi and Lourens chose the romantic village of Matjiesfontein for their destination wedding, just two and a half hours from Cape Town, but about a hundred years back in time. The town has a fabulous history tied in with the railways, and is immediately evocative of colonial South Africa, so it was absolutely perfect for the vintage vibe they wanted to create. Look out for their mason jar candle invitations (LOVE 3D invites!) and some of my favourite country florals ever, not to mention the bride and groom’s outfits! Gorgeous. Images are by the wonderful Judy Stofberg of Just Judy Photography, and she has totally nailed the spirit of this wedding in her pictures, which to me is always the mark of a great photographer. Hope this makes your day, just as it has mine!Read More
Morning lovelies! If you popped in yesterday looking for your real wedding fix, apologies that it wasn’t there as usual – Chez Gaby is full of visitors at the moment. Which is lovely, but does make it difficult for me to find time to blog. But I was too excited to share today’s colourful, sunny wedding with you to wait any longer! And what a perfect day for it – the sun is shining in London and it looks like it’ll be a beautiful day!! (Erm, I realise this means summer is over for you lot in the Southern Hemisphere, so sorry about that, but on this side of the world we are very happy to see blue skies again!) ANYWAY. As I said, today’s wedding is full of colour, including the gorgeous sunflowers, which are the bride’s favourite flowers. I think they set such a great tone, don’t they immediately make you cheerful?! Alexandra and Rob chose one of my favourite venues for their big day – the gorgeous Beloftebos – and I love how it looks completely different with every wedding. Its country vibe was ideal for what they had in mind, and Bernard Bravenboer was there to capture all the goodness with his camera.
It’s like ray-eee-aynnnn… on your wedding day… Pretty much every bride’s worst nightmare, right? You spend months, sometimes even years planning an outdoor wedding with the decor and the entertainment and the sunshine, and of course you’re relying on the good old South African weather so at no point in all your visions of loveliness do you imagine yourself huddled with your new husband under an umbrella. But for all that, rain happens. And actually, it’s not the train smash that many brides imagine it will be. Yes, it changes the game plan and yes, it’s a little disappointing, but with a bit of forethought and creativity, it can be one of the things that breaks the ice for your guests and makes your wedding day extra memorable. And today’s wedding at Honeywood Guest Farm is the perfect example. When I first saw a few pics of it on one of my favourite blogs, Lanalou Style (Lana was one of the lucky guests), I was drawn not only to the quirky, handmade details, but to how sweet everything looked even after a bit of a downpour. I had to know more, and as soon as I saw Alan and Heather van Gysen‘s photographs I fell in love with them. The sun may not have shone, the bunting may not have been strung from the trees, and the meal may not have been a picnic as planned, but this eco-tastic, heartfelt wedding was every bit as special for it. I think the final photo, with all of the colourful beach umbrellas and an intimate moment between bride and groom, has to be one of my favourites ever – this is love, come rain or come shine. Suck it, Alanis.Read More
*UPDATED FOR 2021* A couple of weeks ago I featured a roundup of beautiful birdcage veils, but if your style is more bohemian than retro, I have a bridal accessory trend that’s just for you. Brides with flowers in their hair are nothing new (although they’ve gained a lot of popularity as an alternative to veils in the last couple of years), but recently I have been seeing a bloom of brides wearing full-on floral crowns. And you guys, I LOVE them! Once the preserve of ’80s flowergirls, the new wave of flower wreaths are soft and sweet but with a bold, high fashion edge. They’re not subtle, but boy are they beautiful. Check out these gorgeous flower crowns, including some beautiful silk flower options that you can buy from Etsy.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
SANTA!! OMG, Santa’s coming!!
Okay, that’s a lie. But what the hell, it feels like Christmas today, what with the awesomest wedding I have to share with you guys! I have been fit to BURST wanting to show it to you, and I know you will love love love it. First of all, it’s Alice in Wonderland inspired (!!). Secondly, it’s colourful and super fun and playful but at the same time really elegant and beautiful (I could go on all day about the décor alone, and don’t get me started on the dessert buffet!). And thirdly, the combination of an incredibly photogenic couple and the stylin’ talents of Ms Nikki Meyer, photographer extraordinaire, made these images some of the hardest for me to narrow down yet. Every one of them is so gorgeous, and so full of life and colour, that I wanted to include them all. Seriously, I could look at them all day. (And I would, except my boss might not like it.) So here’s my little not-Christmas gift to you all! It’s a pleasure. ;)Read More
It’s no secret how much I love the Cape countryside, with its breathtaking winelands and lush farms, and all the incredible wedding venues that take advantage of the rural settings and spectacular scenery. But I also get really excited when a wedding comes across my desk that taps into the vibrant heart of Cape Town instead. Anyone who’s spent any time there will know what an amazing city it is, and there’s so much largely untapped potential for vibey, modern weddings that your guests will really remember (and not have to shell out for accommodation either, bonus!). Case in point: Annerie & Murray’s GORGEOUS red and black number at Kelvin Grove. It’s clear from the first glance that this is a couple who are alive with vibrancy and passion and who brought that energy to their Big Day. My best bits: playing card ’boutonnieres’, streamers instead of confetti as they shared their first kiss, the clever vinyl and apple place settings, the groom’s suit and tie (and of course the bride’s lovely dress) and their couple shoot, which might be one of my favourites ever. It’s modern wedding perfection, and is brought to you through the fabulous photos of Wesley Vorster, who I’m thrilled to have on Cap Classique for the first time! Get ready to be wowed!Read More
Ah, serendipity. Not just one of my favourite words (and favourite films, hello, John Cusack!) but something I think over and over again when I read how the brides and grooms here on Cap Classique meet. Happy accidents. There they are, going about their lives, and suddenly – boom, everything changes. Proof that that little cupid guy can strike just about anywhere. Even the gym. Case in point: today’s bride and groom, who had a serendipitous beginning and a whirlwind romance, resulting in the sweetest little wedding at Roodezand in Tulbagh. A perfectly romantic wedding, with soft florals and silver accents, and a couple radiating happiness at the start of their new life. Details I heart: the Coke bottle chandelier, the bridal party being serenaded all the way to the chapel, and OMG the bride’s styling. Wait till you see her sweet silver flats, sparkly hair band and adorable little cape! Not to mention, pretty pretty dress. All of this goodness is brought to you through the beautiful photography of Adene Nieuwoudt – I’m particularly in love with the shots she captured of the couple on their own. Enjoy!
