Beach Meets Bushveld Wedding at Grootbos by Charlene Schreuder

Some weddings really strike a chord for me and I feel like this is one of them. Beach, bush, laughter, origami? Tom and Tammy are totally in my Whatsapp group, so to speak. The South African lad and English rose met in Cape Town and wed on the Cape shores at Grootbos, in a beach ceremony that was the perfect amount of casual, personal, and fun. Not to mention breathtakingly beautiful with that pounding surf and endless sky. Afterwards, it was the best of both worlds, as they adjourned to Grootbos’ boma for a safari lodge style reception under trees covered in fairy lights. And with dozens of animals in attendance (paper ones on every table – seriously the coolest origami detail I’ve ever seen, and such a gorgeous African touch!), they partied the night away with their loved ones. Sigh. The wonderful Charlene Schreuder was on the scene to  take these gorgeous pictures.

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

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

Blush Forest Beloftebos Wedding by Charlene Schreuder {Chloe & Gus}

Man alive, I can’t get enough of this wedding you guys! It starts with a TO DIE FOR Kobus Dippenaar dress, blush hydrangea bouquets (mixed in with roses on the tables for maximum pretty), lace bunting, a boho flower crown, a cheese cake, and of course the incredible forest ceremony area for which Beloftebos is rightfully famous. But I have to admit, I keep going back to that dress, because it’s the embodiment of everything I love about Chloe and Gus’ wedding design – and I especially love how the petal detailing reflects those gorgeous hydrangeas. Of course, a wedding is so much more than the design, and that’s where photography talent Charlene Schreuder comes in. She has an incredible eye not just for beautiful images, but for those special moments that make a big day memorable – not just the lovely little details we plan and pin for, but life’s lovely little details too. Today we don’t have info from the bride to share, but I’ve made up for it with a bumper crop of images!Read More

Real Wedding at Blaauwklippen {Janna & Nathan}

I have to tell you guys, I LOVE reading your love stories. I never get tired of it. And what amazes me is that each one is unique and different and special, like fingerprints or snowflakes. Some really put a big goofy smile on my face, and that was the case with today’s bride and groom. It’s not just the fact that Janna came to South Africa for adventure and found love, or that her groom Nathan is one of the most romantic guys I’ve come across with a real talent for creating moments straight out of a movie. I think it’s that, when you look at the beautiful pictures Charlene Schreuder captured of their big day, and you see them laughing together, completely caught up in the moment and in their happiness, you can’t help but feel a little part of that glow. And that’s really what their reception seems to do – to glow – from the light over the mountains at golden hour, to the fairy lights surrounding their garden courtyard reception. Goofy smiles at the ready? Go.Read More

Real Wedding at Little Stream {Lynsay & Graham}

As a blogger, there have been a few times unfortunately where I’ve had to face the question of whether to blog in the face of unhappy events, whether home or abroad. This isn’t a news blog, but it can seem trivial to talk about weddings when there’s a major earthquake, or when my American readers are dealing with a national tragedy like what happened yesterday in Boston. I’m a runner, and my heart goes out to everyone who was injured or was there, and their friends and families. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned as a runner, it’s to carry on, even when things feel bad, when your legs are pounding and a part of your brain is telling you you’d be crazy not to stop. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned as someone who has also experienced loss of my own and through others, it’s that one of the very reasons that we have to hold tight to those shining moments of joy like the celebration of two people falling in love and promising a lifetime to one another, is because life isn’t always cupcakes and toile. So I’m blogging today. And frankly, there couldn’t be a wedding that is more full of life and love and promise and light than this one. Lynsay and Graham opted for a picnic wedding at the picturesque Little Stream in Constantia, and everything from the luminous bride and her boho bridesmaids to the high tea-style tables laden with food, the hanging teacups and acres of bunting, to the ice cream cart bringing smiles of delight to adults and kids alike is a gentle celebration of family and friends, nature and romance. Charlene Schreuder is a genius at capturing this sort of wedding, and she’s done so in her usual gorgeous style.Read More

Real Wedding at Beloftebos {Mareli & Grant}

I’ve tried to write this intro a bunch of times, to describe an amazing couple who embody the joy and wisdom of ‘seize the day’ and whose ceremony was so heartwarming that their photographer, Charlene Schreuder, admitted it brought a tear to her eye. But the truth is, Charlene’s incredible pictures tell the story better than I can – and they moved me to happy tears too. This is one wedding you should read every word of, and soak in. It teaches something. Because it’s pretty, but it’s also the reason weddings were invented: a celebration of the strength and wonder of love.Read More

Colourful Bo-Kaap Engagement Shoot

Today I get to introduce you to three awesome people. First of all, is Cape Town photographer Charlene Schreuder. Charlene sent over this ahhhdorable engagement session, all shot in the Bo-Kaap, a fabulously colourful area of Cape Town (also known as the place I landed up instead of Plumstead when the satnav on my last rental car went crazytown on me… I’m just good with navigation like that). I fell in love with it, and with the couple in the pictures, who show how to absolutely rock an e-session – they’re fun, they’re playful, they’re affectionate, they’re relaxed, they’re incredibly photogenic. I guess it’s no surprise that not only are they Charlene’s dear friends, but are brilliant photographers themselves – meet Kerry and Luis of Piteira Photography in Lisbon, Portugal. (And sometimes also of Cape Town, South Africa, in case you thought our friends in Portugal had all the luck!) Every time I look at Charlene’s pictures I have a new favourite, and I know you will love them too.Read More