Cape Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Elegant Travel Themed Wedding at Nooitgedacht by Art Photo

18 January, 2019 by gaby

I think one of the reasons that the travel wedding ‘theme’ has remained such a favourite with my readers year in and year out is that it’s one of the few that isn’t just about being a trend but is really about telling a couple’s story. For Greg and Tina, that story is bound inextricably with travel. Almost as long as they’ve been a couple, they’ve been travelling across oceans to be together, and exploring the world as they grown in love. It’s so romantic! And so when it came to finding a thread to run through their decor and design, it had to be travel. I absolutely love the ideas Tina executed to pull this off – the cake especially, but also the seating plan, the hand painted table names, the little aeroplanes here and there on the stationery. There were other clever ideas that told the couple’s story too though – a G&T bar to honour their monogram, a proudly South African menu to honour the place they met and fell in love, even a cocktail hour pub quiz for their guests (SO fun!). And all of this against the stunning winelands backdrop of Nooitgedacht Estate, which perfectly complemented the bride’s elegant vision. There are so many wonderful stories woven through this day, it’s definitely worth taking the time to read what Tina had to say about all of it, and sharing in these special moments thanks to the images by Art Photo!

Timeless Elegance Springbok Wedding at Webersburg by Lavender Creations & Duane Smith

10 January, 2019 by gaby

I don’t feature a lot of ‘celebrity’ weddings here on SBB – in general, I prefer to tell the stories of real people on the happiest day of their lives. But of course, celebrities are real people too, with their own real, beautiful love stories, and some of their weddings aren’t about the glitz and the glam and the feature on Top Billing, but rather the incredible joy of two people promising their lives to one another. So while you may recognise Cheslin Kolbe from his time at Western Province or as part of our Olympic medal-winning Sevens team, or most recently as a Springbok (yay!), you’ll really fall in love with his wedding to beautiful wife, Layla. I’ve been holding on to this wedding for a while to share with you this week, and I’m so excited to finally let it make its SBB debut! It’s classic, it’s elegant, and most of all it’s heartfelt. I defy anyone to watch the video and not get a little choked up when Cheslin does, as Layla walks down the aisle, or to grin along with them post ceremony – they both look happier than a man raising the William Webb Ellis. Also, I’m not gonna lie, there are some hot groom’s party images in here that you do not want to miss, since Cheslin was joined by (among others), our Springbok captain Siya Kolisi (along with his wife, Rachel, as a bridesmaid). What do you call a bunch of fit, shirtless rugby players in a swimming pool? A good day at work for Gaby, that’s what. Some of the other details we loved include Layla’s incredible Robyn Roberts gown, the timeless winelands setting, the fun cake topper, and of course, Layla and Cheslin’s sweet daughter as the most adorable flower girl ever! Huge congrats to the Kolbes, and to Lavender Creations for pulling off such a gorgeous event, perfectly captured by Duane Smith Photography.

DIY Forest Greenery Wedding at Matroosberg by Claire Thomson Photography

17 October, 2018 by gaby

When Claire Thomson sends us something pretty, we know we’re going to love it, and this gorgeous forest wedding is no exception! Carla and Kenné’s forest fete took place in the beautiful Matroosberg Nature Reserve – the perfect choice for a pair who got engaged on a hiking trail! The decor was simple and elegant, a pairing of deep emerald green foliage with touches of gold, soft linens, and patterned glass that was perfectly complemented by the bride’s ultra chic off-shoulder gown and birdcage veil, and the groom’s dapper suit. A designer herself, the bride created all the stationery – in fact the whole day was a DIY collaboration between the bride and groom, their family, and friends. Maybe it’s this element of community, maybe it’s the gorgeous backdrop, and maybe it’s just the love and laughter between the couple that make it all so special – I’m going to guess it’s all three, with a little help from Claire’s gorgeous pics!

Secret Garden Wedding with Delft Details at The Conservatory by Jo Stokes

25 September, 2018 by gaby

Be still my Delft-loving heart! Because you KNOW that the gorgeous Delft tableware and stationery and palette is what I noticed first about Glenn and Tracey’s gorgeous wedding. But the happiness doesn’t stop there. This sweet couple, who love the outdoors and wanted to enjoy the beautiful Western Cape summer scenery, chose a venue that allowed them to appreciate Nature in all its glory through the Conservatory’s floor to ceiling glass windows, then brought it inside with secret garden-inspired florals that are the perfect amount of both elegant and whimsical. A variety of hanging gardens dripped from the ceiling (LOVE), and the flowers were decked with little terracotta pots and a mix of vases, which worked beautifully with that Delft china print. Tracey’s dress and Glenn’s suit were nods to the colour scheme too, with the bride donning a beautiful gown with a dreamy dipped blue skirt (perfectly complemented by a romantic updo and natural makeup by SBB fave Ida Webster), and the groom rocking a navy suit and floral print tie. It’s all SO LOVELY. And the real cherry on top is the way that the bride and groom chose to really include their littler guests in proceedings, making their reception full of happy kiddie smiles and memorable moments (plus those littlies knew how to squeak tekkie on the dancefloor, and showed the adults how it’s done!) The fabulous Jo Stokes was on-scene to capture every pretty detail and happy moment in these pictures.

Modern Bohemian Wedding at Altydlig by Debbie Lourens

19 September, 2018 by gaby

There are some weddings I fall in love with more every time I look at them, and Juan and Mari’s is one of them! Which probably has something to do with the fact that Mari is such a creative soul – not only did she design all the stationery for her big day, and come up with some gorgeously unique ideas (like the cork boutonnieres and origami crane invitations), she applied to same creativity to writing a sweet poem that bagged the couple two of our favourite wedding cinematographers, the fab Barefeet Videography, in a competition they ran (be sure to check out the video at the end of the post!). The style was modern meets bohemian, with a divine palette of pomegranate red, leafy green, and rose gold. I love the mix of clean, contemporary geometrics with more rustic elements, as well as the addition of rose gold safari animals as a nod to the couple’s love of the bushveld. And I LOVE the happiness in all Debbie Lourens‘ wonderful photos – not just between the high school sweethearts who became newlyweds, but among their family and friends as well. What a happy, pretty day.

Bold & Stylish Wedding at Bosjes Estate by Koa Photography

18 September, 2018 by gaby

Hooray! Ever since the breathtaking Bosjes chapel opened, I’ve been DYING to feature a wedding there, and I have to say, this is the perfect one. Tania and Willem’s big day is spectacular – impeccably designed, original, stylish, but also with the kind of warmth and intimacy that you can’t manufacture. It’s also the perfect representation of this modern couple. Tania is an architect, making the location super appropriate alongside the bride’s vision of bold black stripes with pops of bright jewel tones. The groom is in farming, so the gorgeous rural location, as well as the bountiful flowers and fruit that decked their chic tables (including pomegranates, which are farmed on his estate) were a reflection of his passion and livelihood. It was basically the perfect coming together of two styles, as well as two lovely people. And with Koa Photography there to capture all the fabulousness from behind the lens, we couldn’t be happier to share it with you today!

Simply Elegant Greenery Wedding at Ingaadi by Wynand van der Merwe

14 September, 2018 by gaby

We’re taking things back to the prettiest of basics this Friday afternoon, with this greenery-filled wedding that was all about minimal fuss and maximum heart. Bride and groom Mareli and Klaas-Jan had their priorities in order for their big day, with a focus on the ceremony and on each other. Keeping things simple is a great way to go for your wedding, and if you do, you’ll want to follow this sweet couple’s example, because everything they chose was minimal but elegant. Take Mareli’s gorgeous gown, for example – a stunning, modern, boat-neck creation with clean lines that was the perfect complement to her wedding style. Or the reception filled with crisp white linens, wild greenery, and transparent glass and acrylic details. Or the bridesmaids’ top and floral skirt combo, which again is just the perfect amount of detail! These two vets danced their way into their future surrounded by candlelight, family and friends – all captured beautifully by Wynand van der Merwe!

Gorgeously Colourful Muslim Wedding Festival at Cavalli Estate by Michelle du Toit

12 September, 2018 by gaby

Get ready to be WOWed, because Farah and Adnan’s wedding is incredible. Lavish, luxe, colourful, dripping with the most beautiful flowers (oh Fleur le Cordeur, you’ve done it again!), filled with family and tradition from the couple’s rich mixed heritage, and heartfelt to its very core. Seriously, you just need to see the gorgeous images Michelle du Toit took of this pair during their couple session to see they’re crazy in love (and also, they look like a pair of movie stars!) With a festival of multiple celebrations across five days, a gorgeous location in the winelands, and a jaw dropping reception for 400 coordinated by [kraak] that still manages to be intimate and elegant despite its size, this wedding is a joy from beginning to end, not least thanks to Michelle’s beautiful images. Get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor!

Delft Blue Summer Wedding at Nooitgedacht by Coba Photography

29 August, 2018 by gaby

Ah Delft. Just that one little word and my wedding-loving heart goes boom, just like it did when the lovely Coba Photography told me about this sweet, Delft-filled wedding. Not only does it feature gorgeous Delft china pottery on the tables, but the blue and white theme is continued elsewhere too, from the flowers to the floral print bridesmaid dresses to the groomswear to the bride’s shoes (seriously, Delft shoes, I MUST have some immediately!). And beyond those beautiful blues, Stephan and Chantel’s wedding is special in so many other ways too. This beautiful couple really took the time to think intentionally about every detail, from the wedding date to how they did traditions like the bouquet toss, creating wonderful moments and memories along the way. Coba took these lovely images of their special day.

Understated Elegance Garden Wedding at Embassy Hill by Nikki van Diermen

24 August, 2018 by gaby

A few drops of rain at the wedding ceremony certainly couldn’t dampen this lovely wedding, set amongst the beautifully manicured gardens of The Forum Embassy Hill. In contrast to Carin and Jamie’s life of hustle and bustle in LA, the details of their intimate wedding were simple, classic, and beautiful: candles, soft white roses, chandeliers (with the playful addition of some silver painted animal place card holders – love this idea!). The colour palette was understated too, but there was nothing muted about the spirit in which the day unfolded, as seen here through the lens of Nikki van Diermen. From the many happy tears as the bride and her parents walked down the aisle, to the unbridled joy on the dancefloor, it was a celebration to remember! As Nikki put it: “No fuss, no frill, just love.”