Vineyard Romance Wedding at Molenvliet by Jilda G {Zella & Sean}

There’s just something about the winelands that’s completely and utterly wonderful, isn’t there? I know my heart soars every time I near Stellenbosch, and stopping for lunch or a wine tasting (or two), I feel like I can just breathe in the romance. So no wonder so many SouthBound brides and grooms choose a vineyard setting for their wedding, and today’s couple added their own, utterly dreamy touches to their Molenvliet location. I’m especially enamoured with the flowers by Okasie, from the rose bedecked ceremony arch to hanging arrangements above the tables with tendrils of roses and greenery hanging down, as well as flower-lined tables and favours in tiny terracotta pots. Like a little garden fantasy, right in the middle of a wedding reception. Jilda G was there to take these beautiful pictures.Read More

Botanical Olive Farm Wedding by Justin Davis Photography {Rebecca & Craig}

When someone in the wedding and events industry gets married, it can feel like a lot of pressure – I often say that if it was me, I’d probably just elope. But at its best, wedding insiders’ weddings get to be a celebration of the talent and friendship that they have built up over the years, a coming together of creativity and ideas where the sum of the whole is greater than its parts. And in the case of today’s wedding – that of The Table Cloth Hiring Company’s Rebecca and her hubby Craig, that sum is pretty great indeed. In fact, I kind of felt like this wedding had fallen straight down from heaven into my lap when Rebecca sent it over, since it’s not only game-changer gorgeous, but also couldn’t fit in more perfectly with our ‘Greenhouse’ theme for July. I ADORE Rebecca and Craig’s take on botanical – the hanging greenery, the Easter egg nests, the gorgeous and unusual flower choices, the wood and moss and copper elements, and of course the printed tablecloths! The setting was a family olive farm, and I loved the way that even the bridesmaids’ robes fitted into the look and feel, and yet despite coming together perfectly, the whole day is unfussy and natural. It was SO hard to narrow down decor pics so I went to town a bit – enjoy. After all, it’s always a pleasure to look at a few more of Justin Davis’ lovely photos!Read More

Blue Hydrangea Wedding at Longridge Wine Estate by Leanne Love {Nikki & Lloyd}

Happy July, lovelies! It’s appropriate that we’re kicking off this month – which we’ve themed around the idea of ‘greenhouse’ (think everything floral, botanical & beautiful) with a wedding that took its inspiration from a flower, and one of our favourite flowers at that. Hydrangeas are just so gorgeous, I absolutely love them, and they always give weddings this lovely summery feeling as well as a naturally ombre/watercolour vibe. Nikki & Lloyd filled their vineyard wedding and reception with these blooms, and reflected the colours in everything from stationery to bridesmaid dresses (beautifully made as always by our friends at Gelique), to their adorable getaway car. And talking of adorable, it’s super cute that the couple had little dog attendants alongside their human ones! Leanne Love was on the scene to capture these wonderful pictures.Read More

Glamorous Navy, Pink & Gold Wedding at Brenaissance by Marsel Roothman {Frances & Cobus}

Oh how do I love thee, today’s wedding? Let me count the ways (settle in, this may take a while). First off, I’m busting to tell you all how off-the-charts gorgeous it is, with its navy, pink and gold palette against a crisp white background, and its thousand tiny clever and original details from co-ordinators, Kraak (golden swallows on the dancefloor! craft beer bar! gold print napkin menus! salt escort card placement! etc. etc. etc.) I’m also about ready to write an essay about how amazing Fleur Le Cordeur‘s florals are – everything from the romantic orchid and wood arch in the ceremony area to the cascading arrangements on the tables to the little pink and gold pots of roses and hydrangea and tulips. Most of all though, I can’t wait for you to see the smiles on Frances and Cobus’ faces. In five years of doing this, I honestly don’t think I’ve seen two people who look happier to be getting married – their joy kind of spills over in every lovely photograph by Marsel Roothman, so that I just want to jump up and down and do a little happy dance with them. Get ready to break out some goofy smiles of your own – this is one cool wedding.Read More

Romantic Country-Chic Wedding at Orchards by Crystal Malloy {Julia & Geoff}

Don’t you just hate people who tell you that rain on your wedding day is a blessing? Because, come on, everyone’s hoping for a dry day for their nuptials (even if it is lucky). But here’s what I can honestly say from both personal experience and featuring hundreds of weddings on the blog: some of the best weddings happen on the days that the heavens open. I don’t know if it’s the fun photo oppportunities or the feeling of intimacy that develops, or maybe it’s just a bit of devil-may-care attitude that creeps in when the best laid plans have to be abandoned and everyone just relaxes and remembers what really matters. Whatever it is, I’m a fan, and today’s wedding just goes to prove my point. While Julia and Geoff didn’t have a downpour, there was enough of a spatter to get the umbrellas out and create that beautiful cold, clear light that rain brings with it, which streamed in through the windows at their ceremony, and made their country chic decor at their reception in shades of pink, purple, coral and red look even more pretty and inviting. I love the colourful touches that make it all work together, from the stunning bouquet to the berry-shaded bridesmaid dresses, and every lovely moment was captured to perfection by Crystal Malloy. We don’t have the bride’s words to share today, so instead let’s just sit back and let the pictures tell the story themselves.Read More

Organic Jewel Tone Wedding at Roodezand by Heather Steyn Photography {Yolandi & Benjamin}

So unfortunately we’ve had some site downtime the last couple of days (hopefully now all sorted), and as a result, there’s a ton of stuff I’m dying to share with you, so today is going to be a particularly busy day on SBB. And we’re kicking it off with an absolutely beautiful jewel-toned wedding, with flowers that just took my breath away when I saw them (that bouquet!), a gold cake, and a spectacular wedding dress that just happens to be created from the bride’s grandmother’s vintage gown – so special! Benjamin and Yolandi are the most adorable couple, and they incorporated all their favourite colours and textures into their ‘loveleigh’ day – a day that was as cozy and intimate as it was gorgeous – making it not only lovely to look at, but personal and memorable too. Heather Steyn had no shortage of sweet moments to capture.Read More

Rustic Drakensberg Wedding at Dalmore Guest Farm by Casey Pratt Photography {Kelly & Duncan}

It’s sweet little rustic weddings with a big heart like this one that really make me melt. Kelly and Duncan chose a venue for their wedding that isn’t even an actual function venue (although you wouldn’t know by the fantastic show of hospitality that Dalmore put on for the couple). Rather, it’s a place that’s close to their hearts, a country getaway where they feel relaxed and happy, and where they could bring their guests to experience the same, among the spectacular scenery of the Natal Drakensberg. Add in some DIY rustic detailing, a few Madiba proteas (wow, but they’re gorgeous, aren’t they?) and a glam lace dress for the bride, and you have the perfect lil’ mix for a wonderful day. Casey Pratt captured every lovely moment from behind the lens.Read More

Vineyard Glamour Wedding at Lanzerac by Fiona Clair {Nita & Noël}

We adore every wedding we feature here on SBB, but some of them really lodge themselves in the heart and memory, and I have a feeling that today’s is going to be one of those. Especially if the heart palpitations I had when photographer Fiona Clair sent it over for the first time are any indication. Let’s start with the obvious: Nita’s incredible, whimsical, champagne-coloured, sparkle-encrusted, floor-length-sequined wedding gown by Stefania Morland. Because it. is. breathtaking. And I especially love that she’s paired it with an over-the-top rustic ceremony headdress, and a more subtle (but just as pretty) version for the rest of the day. For me, everything else kind of flows from there – soft candlelight, elegant table arrangements (including low topiaries and high statement towers of tulips, all in modern black glass and crystal), a composite bouquet, the palette (black, white and gold with a touch of purple), calligraphed place names, a gold and white cake. And all looking like a Vogue spread thanks to the gorgeous photos of SBB fave Fiona Clair. Take a deep breath, and dive on in.Read More

Sweetly Sophisticated Wedding at Waverly Hills by Christine le Roux {Lozaan & Jurgens}

Since we’re spending the month talking about natural beauty, is there anything lovelier than a tulip? I think it must be one of the most elegant creatures in the garden – clean lines, pure colour, and the feel of summer coming. Definitely one of my personal favourites, and I always take notice when I see tulips in a wedding – often it denotes a couple with a simple but elegant sense of style. Chic, contemporary, but unfussy. That’s just what we have today, in this beautiful wedding by Christine le Roux. A palette of pure white, green and navy, spectacular vineyard setting – oh, and a silver Porsche (the perfect sophisticated touch, and I’m sure a favourite detail of the groom’s!) Let’s take a little peek, shall we?Read More

Magical Monochrome Wedding at Simondium Country Lodge by Claire Nicola {Baryl & Vernon}

When I was a pre-teen (actually, still now), I LOVED ’80s high school movies – in fact, I’m pretty sure Jake Ryan (ten points if you know which film that comes from) ruined me for other men. And one of my favourite things about those films and the heroes in them was what I referred to as ‘the look’. You know the one, that look that the hero gives to Molly Ringwald (because it’s always Molly Ringwald, right?) that says he’s over the moon, head over heels, totally absorbed in her and doesn’t care who knows it. Well, that’s the same look that today’s groom is giving his bride, and I absolutely love it – every bride wants her man to look at her the way that Vernon looks at Baryl. No wonder she shed a few tears when their eyes met at the end of the aisle. Aside from all that heartfelt love and emotion (gorgeously captured by Claire Nicola), this rustic glam monochrome wedding also happens to be full of fun, down-on-the-farm style with plenty of fairytale sparkle. Now that’s some kind of wonderful.Read More