Here we are at the end of our Top 10 weddings for 2013, and at the end of the year! It’s been hard to pick the favourites, but this has been one of mine ever since we featured it in February, for its gentle outdoor vibe and sweetly rustic decor. Lizaan and Michael are two sporty South Africans who have made their lives in Australia, and returned to our golden shores for their dream wedding. Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography captured the glorious goodness of their big day.Read More

When New York-based couple Michael and Lisa got engaged, Lisa wanted to celebrate their wedding according to her Zulu heritage, in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, the Cape winelands (and one of the best venues, 401 Rozendal. Their combination of homegrown decor and traditional food wowed guests who attended from all over the world (and made for gorgeous pics, courtesy of the fab Carmen Visser). Dressed in gorgeous traditional garb and carrying our national flower, the protea, Lisa was truly a SouthBound Bride.Read More

I have such a soft spot for this wedding. In the last few years, we’ve seen the vintage trend rise and rise, and now I often speak to brides who want the same gentle country feeling with found objects used as decor, but are over birdcages and books tied up with lace. Cara and Pieter‘s wedding to me is the perfect evolution of vintage, a soft grey and green palette, textures of lace and wood, generous use of herbs and (my favourite part), home decor used as wedding decor. This is a great way to re-use your wedding decor afterwards (and stretch the budget), but it’s also a lovely way to create a chic, curated aspect to your wedding design. Inspiring!Read More

Every now and again, I come across a wedding design that blows me away for its originality and forward thinking, and Anlika and Philip‘s wedding was one of these. It combined an original spin on one of my favourite trends, lasercut, incorporating lasercut flowers with the real thing (love). It also used a chic modern palette of navy and olive green, and mixed things up with unexpected floral elements and such a cool motif, salt, that was entirely personal to the couple. With gorgeous proteas and stylish contemporary details, it’s a chic and unique reception that sets trends for the new year. The fab Andre of Vivid Blue was there to take these beautiful pictures.Read More

Bohemian-styled weddings have been a huge trend this year, but Nadine and Alan’s was the real deal, a barefoot eco-friendly celebration that started with a forest ceremony and ended late that night with songs around the fire. Decor was woodsy and wonderful, from the mismatched green glass vases and repurposed jam jars to the wooden candle holders and the lasercut signs that welcomed guests to the reception. The awesome Love Made Visible duo captured this one perfectly, documenting the love and joy of the moment in their unobtrusive, documentary styleRead More

It must have been Fate that brought Vicky and Arri together – she from Argentina and he from South Africa – at a Colorado ski resort. But snow was the last thing on their mind as they celebrated their marriage with an incredible beach celebration at Grootvlei (captured to perfection by Natural Light Photography) that not only combined tradition and heritage from both their countries and cultures, but also showcased their creative talents (he’s an animator and Vicky owns Mocho Loco stationery design). Everything from the blow-me-away original ceremony area to the coral and turquoise reception decor was made by hand. The carnival atmosphere started early with dancing on the beach, and went on long into the night.Read More

A rustic, old-school feeling is what this bride and groom had in mind for their weekend wedding, a relaxed celebration that personified their style. Old burger bar booths added a diner touch, along with custom flags, bunting and printed burlap runners. A range of truly South African touches was added to the neutral and cherry red palette: Wilson’s toffee favours, Lucky Star tins, old signs from petrol stations. Wesley Vorster captured every creative detail, with the fab Verkykerskop venue as a perfect backdrop to the day.Read More