Category: Country Weddings

Old West Themed Stone Cellar Wedding by Marinda May Photography {Lana-May & Duke}

by gaby

You know how everyone has that guilty pleasure movie, that they’ve seen a hundred times but wouldn’t admit to a film buff? For me, that’s Young Guns II. I was pretty much obsessed with it in high school (or was that obsessed with Emilio Estevez, I don’t know?). Even though it’s hardly representative of the Western genre (and let’s be honest, in a cage fight between Clint Eastwood and the Brat Pack, we know who would win), it did give me a love of all things cowboy. Years later, I visited New Mexico and fell head over heels for the scenery, but that’s another story. The fact is, we all love a bit of a high noon, gun-totin’, quick-drawin’, OK corral-showdownin’ Western, even if we’re from the south of Africa rather than the south of America. Today’s couple, Lana-May and Duke (how could you be called Duke and NOT have a cowboy-themed wedding?) pulled on their stetsons and cowboy boots and gave their guests a western wedding to remember, complete with line dancing, moonshine and rustic decor details hotter than a Texas summer. SO FUN. Marinda May was there to capture every fabulous moment.Read More

Darling Delft Babylonstoren Wedding by Moira West {Lindi & Morgan}

by gaby

It’s not every day that I get to showcase not just one but TWO beautiful weddings, but then it’s not every couple brave enough to plan two separate celebrations! But for Lindi and Morgan, it was a way of experiencing both the intimacy of a small, private wedding with just their closest family and friends, as well as including their wider circle in a huge party. Both celebrations (held two days apart) are GORGEOUS, and we’re kicking things off with the first, a Delft-themed dinner at the beautiful Babylonstoren. Moira West captured it as gorgeously as only she knows how, and there are so many clever touches that make my detail-loving heart sing! And don’t forget to come back later, because there’s a Gatsby-esque cocktail hour on its way!Read More

Fynbos Forest Beloftebos Wedding by Lar Leslie {Danae & Ryan}

by gaby

A few years ago, when I started this blog, farm weddings were fast taking over from vineyard weddings and beach weddings as the big new trend. Well, this has definitely been the season of the forest wedding. And I couldn’t be happier – there’s something so intimate and natural about a forest setting, not to mention the mix between fairytale and boho influences. Today’s lovely wedding is all of this and more – an absolutely gorgeous woodland ceremony and a reception full of twinkling lights and fynbos flowers, followed by a huge party (a given, since the groom is the owner of Silk Music, one of Cape Town’s top DJ services). Lar Leslie was there to capture every perfect, golden moment.Read More

Forest Fairytale Beloftebos Wedding by Sybrand Cillié {Inge & Ruan}

by gaby

We’re spoilt for gorgeous weddings this week, as today I get to share an enchanting forest fairytale from the fantastic Sybrand Cillié. Inge and Ruan wanted a whimsical woodland wedding, and that’s exactly what they created at the lovely Beloftebos, complete with a fairy princess wedding gown, bridesmaids carrying firefly jars, wildflowers, wooden signs and a ceremony under the trees. Forest weddings are super trendy at the moment, but I have to say this is one of my all-time favourites, and there were so many magical pictures that I ended up with a bit of a bumper post today. I’m sure you won’t mind – every detail is delicious!Read More

Green & Gold Langkloof Roses Wedding by Real Simple Photography {Tamarin & Nicholas}

by gaby

Things my half-Italian self is not talking about today: soccer, the World Cup, or Luis Suarez. So instead, let’s talk about this little gem of a wedding from Real Simple Photography, in South Africa’s gorgeous national colours of green and gold (with a touch of silver). Tamarin and Nicholas (who planned their wedding from the UK) chose the divine Langkloof Roses as their venue, the most romantic of Cape country locations, and filled their tables with gold painted jars, elegant brass candlesticks, linen runners, puffs of white flowers and lasercut elephant table numbers. Adorable! With strings of hanging café lights and a dancefloor under the stars, they danced the night away with their friends from near and far.Read More

Folksy Autumn Glenbrae Wedding by Alice Swan {Jana & Jan-Dirk}

by gaby

Goodness, but this wedding makes me smile. From it’s flower crowned head right down to the tips of its barefoot boho toes, Jana and Jan-Dirk’s wedding was pure whimsical, romantic, folksy, handmade, autumn goodness. Each detail layers on top of the last, creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, not to mention a gorgeous reception filled with hundreds of paper cranes in flight, doily lanterns, oodles of bunting, and a lovely bohemian feel. A bride in a gorgeous belted dress and flower crown, a groom in a suit sourced from vintage markets and shops, bridesmaids in autumn-hued patterns with cardigans and mismatched tights. And lest we forget, a little sunshine coloured car. Jana is in fact a talented harpist (available for functions – check her out here), and with Jan-Dirk also being a musician, the air was filled with melody all day long… just the perfect way to throw a wedding. A big thanks to the lovely Alice Swan for submitting this vision of loveliness – how gorgeous are her pics?Read More

Travel Themed Old Mac Daddy Wedding by Yolandé Marx {Marli & Pieter}

by gaby

You all know how I feel about travel themed weddings (love ’em!). Which might have something to do with my own love of travel, but I also love how it can be a metaphor for life and relationships. Because life really is a journey, isn’t it? I’m the first to admit I don’t always look at the scenery along the way, preferring to focus on the destination, but in hindsight it’s always the journey that gets you somewhere that teaches you or inspires you or provides you with the lasting lessons or memories. Today’s couple, inspired by their awesome airstream trailer park venue (oh, we love Old Mac Daddy’s don’t we!), based their wedding around the idea of going on a trip together – kind of a perfect metaphor for starting out on the adventure of marriage. They incorporated this theme in sweet, subtle ways – through an airstream logo, and travel-themed stationery, and (my fave) little old school cartoon-hobo-style knapsacks on a stick to house the favours. Adorable! The vibe was light hearted and lovely, made even more so by the drop dead gorgeous pics by Yolandé Marx. I’m a huge fan of Yolandé’s work (in fact, check our her gorgeous new category images in our Supplier Directory – swoonage!), and her dreamy shots of Marli and Peter in their lakeside location are some of my favourites!Read More

Pastel Rose Vrede en Lust Wedding by Vizion Photo {Rose & Darren}

by gaby

Give me a wedding in ice cream pastels and you’ll have one happy blogger. There’s just something about the soft shades (especially when mixed together) that I absolutely love – it feels like spring and easter and an afternoon on the beachfront wearing a sundress and eating a 99, all in one. Today’s pastel fest has an extra special fun aspect – roses for Rose, the lovely bride who decided to play on both her first name and new surname to add a whimsical touch to the decor. With a crown of her namesake flowers, towers of macarons and cupcakes and (Shut the Front Door!) a custom pastel dance floor, it has everything a pastel-lover could dream of. Thanks to fab Vizion Photo for sharing this wedding with us today!Read More

Peonies & Lace Wedding at The Cradle by picture me&u {Nadja & Adriaan}

by gaby

There’s a reason why season in, season out, blush pink weddings are always so popular. They’re just so romantic – and let’s be honest, nothing shows off wedding white like the soft glow of a rosy palette. Nadja and Adriaan’s wedding is every bit as lovely as a blush wedding gets, pairing peonies (my favourites!) with lovely little lacy details and mixing up the vintage texture with a sleek modern setting and of course the gorgeous natural bush-style backdrop of the Cradle, perfectly captured by photographers picture me&u. The look is classic with thoughtful personal touches, including Pimm’s cocktails, framed quotes and map table numbers to reflect the couple’s philosophy that their lives together are a journey and an adventure. Here’s to many more exciting stops along the way!Read More

The Ruby Bride’s EnGedi Wedding by Lad & Lass Photography {Jerusha & Gideon}

by gaby

I’ve just adored meeting our Real Life Brides this season, haven’t you? Jerusha, our Ruby Bride, always made me laugh with her hilarious take on wedding planning, and I knew that when it came to the day she married her beloved Gideon, that humour would be firmly in place, come what may. Fortunately, it was smooth sailing – a beautiful Gauteng day, a joining of two families, and a massive celebration of friendship and love. Jerusha made such a stunning bride – she’s so elegant and poised, like a ballerina, and her gorgeous lace dress was perfection. And of course, she rocked red lipstick and ruby nails! The tablescapes dotted with teacup candles were the perfect complement to the watercolour stationery design, and I love the bridesmaids’ lace cap sleeve dresses, but what really stands out in Lad and Lass‘s incredible photos is the Moments. Those memories that really make a wedding day what it is – the rest is just (very pretty) window dressing. From the look Jerusha shared with her dad as they prepared to walk down the aisle, to a bridesmaid dance party, to the newlyweds laughing together, they’ve captured them all, and I can’t but finish this post with a huge smile on my face. Congrats Jerusha and Gideon!Read More