Category: Country Weddings

Pastel Festival-style Wedding at Kloofzicht Lodge by Jack and Jane Photography

by gaby

When a music-loving gal meets her muso prince at an outdoor music festival, there’s really only one way to get married – a stretch tent wedding in beautiful surroundings, with live music and craft food and beer, and a perfect mix of romantic pastels and rustic decor. That’s what Andy, a local musician (drummer for Dan Patlansky, Connel Cruise & Duis:lig), and fiancee Belinda dreamed up for their big day, and with baby blues and blush pinks in everything from the bridesmaids to the food (pastel donuts, be still my detail-loving heart!), wine barrel stands and raw wood tables, a popcorn bar, and beautiful floral print stationery, it was the picture of country elegance, with a touch of vintage. But the most romantic moment of all – of course – was when Andy played his new wife a song he’d written just for her, making the musical fairytale complete. Our faves Jack and Jane were there to capture all these lovely pics.Read More

Pastel Garden Party Wedding at Olive Rock by Adene Photography {Kerry & Tim}

by gaby

One of the things that not a lot of people realise about wedding pros is that this is really not just like any other job. I mean, yes, plenty of people care about what they do, but not all of them have the responsibility weighing heavy on them of making two people’s most cherished day come to life. Cheesy as it sounds, they’re in the business of granting wishes. And I think that’s why so many of them will go above and beyond to make a wedding perfect. Take, for example, today’s wedding – a relaxed garden soiree awash with pastels. Not only was photographer Adene on the scene to capture gorgeous shots, she stepped up as a fairy godmother when a crisis almost stopped it all from happening. Or take Ro of Botanica Flowers (one of SBB’s cherished Directory members), who took the time to listen to her bride, right down to the finest detail. Everyone – from mothers to dressmakers to the couple (and their woodworking friends) made this particular dream come true, and when you think about all of those hands creating a labour of love, it makes it that much more special to enjoy.Read More

Easter Rustic Wedding at Langkloof Roses by Peartree Photography & Bright and Beautiful {Jess & Gerard}

by gaby

The happy faces say it all – this rustic celebration is full of fun! Jess and Gerard are one of those couples you can see from a mile off have a jol together, and that kind of relaxed goodness infused itself into their wedding day, through everything from an ice-cream cart to Easter bunnies on the table (a nod to the timing of their big day), to his-and-hers cakes to a surprise flashmob at the reception. But that’s not to say it was short on pretty – oh no! SBB Directory star Neva Ward of Bright and Beautiful did an amazing job of bringing Jess’s navy and blush palette to life, and we also love the stylish mix of two-tone bridesmaids, navy suited groom and groomsmen, and of course Jess’s seriously gorgeous Pronovias gown. All beautifully captured by Wil Punt of Peartree Photography !Read More

Regal Gold Wedding at Cathedral Peak Hotel by Louise Vorster {Monique & Philip}

by gaby

I’m heading off to the Drakensberg for a few days this weekend (can’t wait!) so it’s especially good timing for me to share this glamorous royal wedding-inspired celebration which took place at the Cathedral Peak Hotel, in amongst all that majestic mountain beauty. Bride and groom Monique and Philip perfectly combined that natural beauty (including a transparent marquee, which always brings the outside in so beautifully!) with a gold and white palette, and opulent details like gold macarons, crystal perfume bottle favours, and custom embroidered napkins. So pretty! Monique looked absolutely drop dead gorgeous in her gown, as did her four glittering bridesmaids – I think these might actually be some of my favourite gold BM dresses to date. I feel like I should pour myself a glass of champagne before I immerse myself in these dreamy pics by Louise Vorster, but feel free to make do with a cup of your favourite something hot, and enjoy!Read More

Handmade Feminist Wedding at The Nutcracker by GingerAle Photography {Ines & Fergus}

by gaby

When an email landed in my inbox from bride Ines titled ‘DIY Feminist Wedding’, I was intrigued. As you know, I’m a huge fan of making your wedding a reflection of you as a couple, and I’m a feminist myself, so I wondered how Fergus and Ines had incorporated their values into their big day (I’ll admit, there was a part of me imagining bridesmaids dressed as Rosie the Riveter!) What I found was the kind of sweet, handmade celebration where the couple had really thought about the details of how and when and who – especially at the ceremony. Things like wording can often be overlooked, but after all, the vows you make and the words said are the cornerstone of your new marriage, and I loved that this special couple took the time to craft a day that was completely their own in look and philosophy. Hopefully it’ll inspire more of you for your own wedding days. I know you’ll be inspired by the gorgeous pics by GingerAle Photography, who captured every lovely vintagey detail, and every happy moment!Read More

Love Birds Wedding at Cheerio Gardens by Hello Rademan {Zelda & Richard}

by gaby

Let’s be honest, thanks to Tom Fletcher, pretty much every woman on the planet thinks that marrying a musician, who sings to you during his speech, is about the most romantic thing ever. So right there, today’s wedding was already goosebumps, since today’s groom (of SA band ISO) is just such a one. But beyond that, this rustic beauty has such an adorable sweetness to it. Zelda and Richard love birds as much as they love music, so they themed their wedding around that – even taking inspiration from the beautiful lilac-breasted roller for their palette. Throughout their country wedding there were bird-themed touches – little silver birdhouses, bird-themed tables and escort cards, and bird seed confetti (which we love, because it’s so environment friendly too). And the sweetness continued, from the DIY details to the wildflower centrepieces, on into a reception that included a cigar bar, milk & Oreo shots, and lots and lots of dancing. Hello Rademan took these lovely pictures.Read More

Contemporary Rustic Wedding at Zakopane Country Lodge by Louise Vorster {Nadea & Riaan}

by gaby

I was reading some forum yesterday (shouldn’t have, but got sucked in) where people were all ‘oh I hate wedding bloggers, they’re forever saying everything is gorgeous and amazing in their sicky sweet intros’. I had to laugh. I mean, if you met me in real life, you would know that I tell it like it is. But at the same time you guys, your weddings ARE all gorgeous and amazing! If the day ever comes where I can’t see the beauty (and I mean the real beauty, beyond the pretty details) in weddings, then I’ll pack up and go home. So… haters begone. Because we have another gorgeous and amazing wedding to share! This one comes from the delightful Louise Vorster, and is full of pastel greys and greens, rustic touches and clean contemporary design (a hard balance to pull off, but Nadea and Riaan did it perfectly!). And let’s not forget a healthy dose of shimmering, sparkly lights. Sigh.Read More

Proteas & Succulents Wedding at In the Vine by Cheryl McEwan {Jenna & Alan}

by gaby

I’m a true blue South African girl (or should that be true green and gold?) so the thought of a wedding full of indigenous flowers is my idea of paradise. That’s exactly what inspired today’s bride and groom, who filled their reception with a whimsical mix of succulents & proteas, with little touches of lace including Jenna’s seriously gorgeous Maggie Sottero portrait lace-back gown. It’s the perfect mix for a laid-back country celebration with a big heart, that includes a doggy attendant and a sweet mint and white colour scheme. SBB favourite Cheryl McEwan shot these gorgeous, light-filled images of the couple’s big day.Read More

Handmade Recyclable Wedding at Rockhaven by Nicole Rich {Melissa & Jürgen}

by gaby

And I’m back! Not quite at a hundred percent, but so much better. As much as I missed sharing pretty weddings with you this week, it was good to have a few days to recover – as a small business owner, it’s easy to lose sight of giving yourself some time off (hello, weekends, what are those?). But I couldn’t let the whole week go without a wedding, because at the end of the day, sharing these beauties – and more importantly, sharing in the excitement that comes from each bride and groom we feature! – is what makes my job awesome and totally worthwhile. Today’s couple are the lovely Melissa & Jürgen, who pulled off a beautiful country wedding brimming over with proteas and pops of colour against the rustic surroundings, all with an eye on keeping things eco friendly, locally sourced, and easy to recycle. It was definitely a case of waste not, want not, since despite the green focus, nothing was wanting in prettiness and atmosphere! Nicole Rich was on the scene, taking these lovely pics.Read More

Magical Midlands Wedding at The Glades Farm by CC Rossler {Faye & Gary}

by gaby

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.” I have no idea where that quote comes from, but it pretty perfectly sums up how I feel about today’s wedding. A couple of years ago, I shared this love story, which belongs to my friends Sven and Louise. What I didn’t know was that their wedding wasn’t the end of the bigger picture love story. Because while we were toasting the happy couple with chilled rosé, the wheels of Fate were turning in the background. Who would have known that bringing together Sven, Louise, their planner (Faye of Poetry Weddings) and their photographer CC Rossler (who happened to be a friend of Sven’s friend Gary) would ultimately lead to Faye and Gary finding their very own fairytale? There’s something kind of magical about that. Serendipity. So I’m super excited to be sharing Faye and Gary’s rainy, romantic Midlands wedding (beautifully captured by CC, of course!) with you today.Read More