Category: Vineyard Weddings

Summer Rustic Wedding at Opstal Wine Estate by Dearheart Photos {Helene & Graeme}

by candice

While emailing Helene about this blog post, I got to know a little bit about this bubbly bride. The first fact was that her and her hubby are avid “adventurers”. Their first email came after they had been trekking through the mountains in Nepal. The follow up mail was sent from Istanbul, and the last one was sent from South Africa, just before they were about to head off to Swaziland! The second fact is that Helene is most definitely a people’s person (even over email!) and is one of those humans that you just immediately feel like you have known forever. (Read her story and you will understand why – this girl has a way with words!) Thirdly, Helene & Graeme have serious heart and it comes through in every detail of their wedding day. From the gold cement pots made by a rehabilitation center that focuses on teaching job creation skills, which displayed some of their flowers, to the absolute joy on their faces while celebrating surrounded by friends and family. I loved the vibrant summer flowers and the pops of gold in the decor (credited to Helene “feeling slightly gold crazy!”) the spectacular setting and all the special, intimate moments captured by the talented Lindsay from Dearheart Photos. I hope all you SBB readers enjoy this happy, love-filled day as much as Gaby and I did, and to Helene and Graeme, we wish you many more adventures together!Read More

Romantic Boho Wedding at Nooitgedacht by Vanilla Photography {Marisa & Anees}

by gaby

After a month of boho goodness, it seems only appropriate to close March out with a wedding that has a beautiful boho element to it, and Marisa and Anees’ is just that and so much more! From the sparkly table linens to the lush flowers and the gorgeous ceremony arch, it has romance written all over it, and then that little hint of bohemian chill in the form of a teepee breakout area and the bride’s reception style. I LOVE IT. And what makes this one extra special for me is hearing the couple’s incredible love story – talk about happy accidents conspiring to bring two people together! Marisa is actually a wedding photographer herself in the US, so it’s no wonder that beautiful images were an important part of her South African wedding, and she put them in the very capable and talented hands of Vanilla Photography – with perfect results.Read More

Fairy Light Fairytale Wedding at Ashanti Estate by Tiffany B. {Nicole & Kyle}

by gaby

There’s nothing quite like the twinkle of fairy lights is there? Maybe it’s a bit of nostalgia for childhood Christmases, or the way they look like little stars or fireflies, but whenever I see a curtain of lights, it makes me happy. For today’s bride and groom, those twinkles set off their softly glamorous palette of golds, creams, greys and greens, and created a beautiful intimacy at their sparkly reception. But the real sparkle was in Nicole and Kyle’s eyes, as they promised one another their love and lives under a canopy of trees, posed with their bridal party, or danced the night away with their guests. Perfect! The lovely Tiffany B. was on the scene to capture every happy moment.Read More

Intimate Open Air Wedding at Groot Constantia by Marli Koen {Sarah & Kyle}

by gaby

You know, some of my favourite stories about weddings are about the way that a community (even in our modern age) responds to a bride and groom – for example, the way all the neighbours came out to wave my friend Lee off to her ceremony, for example, or the spontaneous applause that can greet a couple during a city photo shoot. It reminds me of the way that in a European village wedding, the bride and groom might walk from church to reception with their guests following behind and strangers cheering them on – a happy and triumphant parade. Today’s wedding reminds me of that spirit a lot – you can almost feel the sense of community at Sarah and Kyle’s wedding in these lovely pictures by Marli Koen, as well as the couple’s togetherness as they see each other for the first look and couple shoot, greet their guests, collect their waiting retinue, and walk down the aisle together. Their friends and family surround them, leaning in to hear their words of love, and afterwards, under the leafy shade on South Africa’s oldest wine estate, there’s the fluttering of fans, the drinking of wine, and the joy of a love story long in the making come to fruition. I also have to mention how much I love the lasercut pincushion proteas in coloured bottles on each table – such a sweet and fun South African detail!Read More

Darling Floral Wedding at Towerbosch by Moira West {Monya & Dawid}

by gaby

I’ve heard of a runaway bride, but instead of turning in her running shoes, today’s happy wife-to-be wore hers down the aisle, the better to run to her waiting groom! So adorable, and indicative of the love and joy that really shines out from this beautiful wedding, captured by one of our fave photographers, Moira West. Add in some lush florals (including our much beloved protea), a super romantic and pretty two-piece peachy wedding dress, and a few sweet surprises along the way, and you have the most gorgeous country wedding on a summer afternoon. Sigh.Read More

Bold Monochrome Couture Wedding at Molenvliet by Vivid Blue {Natalie & Johan}

by gaby

When I say I don’t know where to start with this wedding, it isn’t just an expression. Coming up with a title that adequately describes – or even hints – at the amazingness that is this wedding was impossible, but couture comes close, not just because one of the installations (that’s right, there’s more than one installation, and they are all BREATHTAKINGly cool) was inspired by Milan Fashion Week, but because everything, including the dress, is a true original – a work of love and a work of art. Be prepared to be wowed. The always-brilliant Vivid Blue took these gorgeous pictures to share with us today.Read More

Tulips & Twinkle Lights Wedding at Val de Vie by Claire Thomson {Suzanne & Simon}

by gaby

Okay, choosing my favourite flower would be like asking me to pick a favourite book or film. Too many I love. But tulips are definitely right up there. There’s just something about these blooms that’s so… elegant. Crisp, modern. Architectural, almost. But at the same time, they’re soft and romantic. Which basically describes today’s wedding to a tee – so it’s no wonder that tulips played a big role in Suzanne and Simon’s wedding design. I absolutely ADORE their clean, sophisticated wedding style in white and soft neutrals, with twinkle lights and naked bulbs for warmth, and a few raw, rustic elements for charm. I especially love the bower created for their main table, and OMG Suzanne’s dress is amazing! You all are going to looooove this one! Talented photographer Claire Thomson took these gorgeous images.Read More

Luminous Vineyard Wedding at Avondale Estate by Charlene Schreuder {Julie & Charles}

by gaby

When I was trying to come up with a few words to describe this lovely wedding from SBB fave Charlene Schreuder, the one that immediately came to mind was ‘luminous’, because there’s a special light that seems to shine from the portraits of Julie and Charles’ beautiful day. Maybe it’s the lush peach and mint florals popping against a crisp white reception space, or the soft afternoon light playing against silk and satin and lace. Then again, maybe it’s the bright smiles Julie and Charles share with each other, with their bridal party, and even with their dogs (love that!) as they bask in the glow of having promised their futures to their best friend. Whatever it is, it’s fantastic – what a joy to share it with you today :)Read More

Wine Cellar Wedding at Bramon Estate by Christelle Rall {Karien & Martin}

by gaby

I just love a vineyard wedding, don’t you? Maybe it’s my years at Stellenbosch that gave me such a love for wine farms (and, er, wine), but I do think there’s nothing quite like the gorgeous serene scenery that you find at the wedding with a leafy backdrop of vines and mountains. Usually we feature vineyard weddings from the Cape, but today’s comes from the gorgeous Garden Route, which is really an emerging market for brides and grooms in SA. And this one includes a ceremony right in the cellar – how cool is that? Karien & Martin chose a neutral palette for their big day, with gently rustic details and a super fun vibe, and photographer Christelle Rall was on the scene to frame every moment from behind the lens. Oh, and PS – pastel macaron tower? YES PLEASE.Read More

Elegant ShweShwe Mountain Shadows Wedding by welovepictures {Anita & Ulrich}

by gaby

Today’s bride is really, truly a SouthBound Bride, in so many senses of the word. Anita may not be from SA, but she has a deep bond with our country, and when she and her South African-bord husband tied the knot, they went above and beyond to include dozens of gorgeous South African elements in the mix, including loads of beautiful shweshwe. As a regular reader, Anita found all of her suppliers via SouthBound Bride, and having been in touch with her during the planning process, I loved her enthusiasm for every little detail. It’s worth reading her story and advice below to get a sense of just how much thought went into each aspect – right up to a stargazing lounge so guests could see the Southern Cross, sigh. The day was beautifully captured by the wonderful welovepictures.Read More