forest weddings - SouthBound Bride

20 Magical Forest Wedding Ceremony Setups

5 July, 2018 by gaby

Carolien & Ben/Secunda Bloemiste on SouthBound Bride

I remember featuring my first forest wedding a few years back, and wondering if it was a trend that would be a hit with SA brides and grooms. Well, safe to say, the answer is hell yes. You all LOVE a woodland wedding, and in the past couple of seasons it’s been a pleasure not only to share a number of seriously gorgeous forest wedding ceremonies, but to see many SA venues create forest ceremony spaces that rival the best in the world (if you’re looking for ideas of where to host your wedding in the woods, just check out our archive). I thought it was high time I rounded up some gorgeous ceremony setups amongst the trees to inspire!

Festive Forest Wedding at Die Woud by Hayley Takes Photos

30 May, 2018 by gaby

Forest wedding lovers brace yourselves, because this woodland chic celebration will knock your socks off! Amy and Gerhard knew a forest wedding was the right call for them because they love taking forest walks (love that they brought their guests into this personal element of their relationship with the venue!) and didn’t look any further than Die Woud, with its glass marquee hidden amongst the trees and feeling of being lost in a kind of fairytale world. They hung the branches with ribbons, decorated the reception space with woody touches like branch votives, moss, and the most spectacular hanging floral branches, then contrasted that rustic loveliness with cut glass vases and sparkling chandeliers, and invited their nearest and dearest into this magical little space to celebrate their love. One of my fave touches has to be Amy’s heirloom wedding dress, which was remade from her late mom’s Chantilly lace gown into a stunning off the shoulder beauty that perfectly blended something old and something new. Hayley Takes Photos took these wonderfully moody pics.

Forest Food Truck Wedding at Helderberg Farm by Cheryl McEwan

17 May, 2018 by gaby

In an enchanted forest setting, surrounded by their nearest and dearest, Kelly and Shaun’s dream wedding came to life. The couple decided to do as much as they could themselves, bringing their personalities into every detail they handcrafted and styled for their woodland ceremony and reception, from decor to favours. Love that! And I also LOVE that they decided on food truck catering, because OMG how fun, right? Forests and food trucks – two of our favourite things. No wonder there are so many happy smiles in these gorgeous pics captured by SBB fave Cheryl McEwan. Let’s take a peek shall we?

Champagne Rustic Wedding at Die Woud by Jani B. Photography

17 November, 2017 by gaby

Nature meets luxury in this beautiful forest wedding at Die Woud, which is ending off our week in the prettiest way possible! Paul and Chloë wated an outdoorsy feel to their Cape wedding, and fell in love with Die Woud (who could blame them?). Natural elements like wooden tables and beautiful proteas, contrast with romantic twists like chandeliers and twinkle lights (oh, the lights!) and Chloë’s incredible Cindy Bam dress. Music was another super important part of the wedding, from the fun song choices for vital moments, to the bride’s dad serenading her (awwww!) to SBB DJ faves Silkmusic pulling out all the stops to get the dancefloor pumping all night long! Let’s get up close and personal with all the pretty captured by Jani B. Photography!

Rustic Rose Gold Wedding at Tuin van Eden by Aline Photography

30 June, 2017 by gaby

Happy Friday, loves! This whole month, we’ve been focusing on fairytales, but today we’re sharing a wedding that starts like a real life fairytale. Imagine a singer on a stage, looking out over the audience. And there, looking up at him, he sees her. Love at first sight. That’s the incredible story of how Hendrik met Claudette, and it culminated in a magical forest wedding (as all good fairytales do) and a rustic reception filled with DIY details and rose gold/copper sparkle. And here’s another thing that makes today’s wedding, with its gorgeous pics by Aline Photography, stand out – we often hear the story from the bride’s perspective, but today it’s all Hendrik sharing his perspective. Love that! And love these two cuties and their great big joyous smiles. Look out for lots of pinnable details – a fabulous ceremony area with eucalyptus lined doorway, lace tambourines for extra post-ceremony celebration, a rose gold buttercream cake, sparkly rose gold table numbers… there’s even a rose gold bicycle for the cutest reception entrance! All made by the couple and their talented friends and family – amazing!

Quirky Elegance Forest Wedding at De Uijlenes by Coba Photography

22 June, 2017 by gaby

They say (whoever they are, but *I* definitely say) that the best weddings are those that reflect the personalities of the bride and groom. Well, Coenie and Anuscka’s is definitely one of those. Anuscka describes them as “fun, quirky, but romantic” and that is pretty much the perfect expression for their wedding day too, which takes ideas we love and gives them their own sweet little twists. First off, forest ceremony (love!) under an archway decked in proteas and lines of lace bunting. Then the reception, which brought the forest indoors with loads of greenery, more proteas, wood textures and loads of magical, whimsical touches like little bunnies on the tables, fairy lights throughout, and even an adorable donut display. It’s so fun and pretty, and talk about pretty – the bride is a knockout, rocking a low back, lace sleeve gown and a berry lip. Oh, I could go on and on, but let me rather hand over to the darling Coba Photography for her pictures, and the bride for her story.

Woodlands Elopement Inspiration

5 January, 2017 by gaby

Can you think of anything more romantic than an elopement in the woods? Nope, neither can I. Which is why I can’t wait to share this absolutely gorgeous styled shoot from Lad & Lass Photography, Bouwer Flowers & Hey Pioneer, and their team. And if you loved the boho forest goodness in our real wedding this morning, then you are going to luuuurve what we have in store. Macrame ceremony arch. Stylishly rustic tablescape. A boho lace dress, a groom in bold Marsala, fresh from the forest florals, a to-die-for chocolate naked cake… I could go on and on. But I think my absolute favourite is the bell tent set up (complete with whimsical floral entrance) for the bride and groom, to give their first night as Mr and Mrs that woodsy glamping feel. So… how much do we all want to have a forest elopement right now?

Magical Forest Wedding at Die Woud by Fiona Clair

29 August, 2016 by gaby

People talk about a fairytale wedding, and they often mean a princess dress or a horse and carriage, or a grand castle-like venue. But for me, today’s wedding has a real fairytale quality. It’s like it takes place in its own magical, intimate little world, deep within a forest. An outdoor ceremony down a path through the trees… a reception in an elegant glass marquee with dapped sunlight falling through the branches, and when night falls, lit by chandeliers and fairy lights long into the night. From first look to last dance, Elizma & Ruan’s big day is the very picture of an enchanted forest wedding, and with gorgeous images by Fiona Clair, the fairytale is complete!
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Charming Forest Wedding at Florence Farm by Carolien & Ben

18 May, 2016 by gaby

This couple, you guys! They are just too cute for words. Exhibit A: Chris’ absolutely awesome surprise proposal on top of a mountain in the Drakensberg (just try watching the video without smiling!). Exhibit B: A forest ceremony with thousands of paper cranes dancing in the breeze above, and so many happy tears from the groom and bride, and father of the bride, and basically everyone who was there, when Ursula made her entrance. Or how about the romantic signage – the quote about forests at the altar, or the banner that declared they’d decided on forever? Or the farm-style rustic reception with country vintage details and pastel flowers, and lovely little wooden crates stencilled with the wedding date? There’s so much to love in this forest-meets-farm chic wedding, but the love between the couple are at the centre of it all, and Carolien & Ben did a fabulous job in capturing that in their beautiful, light-filled way. *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

See more real forest weddings on SBB!

Handmade Forest Wedding at The Big Red Barn by Stella Sassen {Carien & Hannes}

25 February, 2015 by gaby

If you go down to the woods today… well, today you’ll find no teddybear’s picnic, but the big surprise you’re in for is a beautiful forest wedding from the fab Stella Sassen. Carien and Hannes perfectly combined the handmade look with an unusual palette (slate, mustard and white – love!) and an amazing rustic, forest venue for a perfectly pretty country wedding right in the middle of Gauteng. And I love Carien’s bridal style too, including a stunning portrait back dress (with very special meaning, dreamed up by the bride herself!). In fact, there are so many elements to love – paper flowers, succulents, buckets of proteas… And of course, those beautiful, serene trees. What a perfect place to promise your forevers.Read More