Moody Winter Forest Themed Wedding at Leipzig Country House by Moira West

When it comes to fashion magic, today’s bride takes the biscuit! One look at her showstopping sparkle-bodiced Janita Toerien gown and you’ll see exactly what I mean. It is perfection, and Nicole rocks it with vintagey sideswept hair and an oversized greenery and white statement bouquet. And that’s just the first part of what we love, because Nicole and Divan, a pair of high school sweethearts who tied the knot at beautiful Leipzig Country House, threw an atmospheric celebration overflowing with pretty. From soft candlelight bouncing off rustic walls to greenery chandeliers, to bridesmaids in elegant navy lace, to Moira West ‘s absolutely SWOONY pics, it’s enchantment at every turn.

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Vibrant Outdoor Wedding at Langkloof Roses by Moira West

Bride and Groom Portrait | Image: Moira West

I’m all for a classic palette, but I have to admit that colour-happy brides seem to have all the fun! Take, for example, this delight of a wedding on Langloof rose farm, with that incredible winelands backdrop as a setting to an outdoor wedding extraordinaire, punctuated with cheery pops of blue, orange, pink and grapefruit. I mean, doesn’t it just make you want to be there RIGHT NOW? I love the way that Cara and Jared (who by the way, must be one of the most gorgeous couples ever), took a calculated risk for their summer nuptials and celebrated post-ceremony with a meal out in the open under wooden frames decked with crisp linen curtains and floral chandeliers. I love the way they included coloured glassware, touches of glamorous gold, printed fabric and floating candles that must have looked absolutely magical as the evening wore on. And once the meal was over and the dance floor was open, that outdoor wedding really came into its own with a party under the stars. Wow. The fab Moira West captured it all in these lovely pics!

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Bougainvillea Pink Wedding at Molenvliet by Moira West

Romantic Vineyard Wedding by Moira West

Before I say anything about today’s wedding, I feel like I need to give the groom some applause, because as proposals go, his was awesome. Surprise flash mob at sundown, in a beautiful garden – so romantic! And that was just the start of Matt and Aly’s wedding journey, which cumulated in a gorgeous wedding at Molenvliet with a colour scheme inspired by one of Aly’s favourite flowers, the bougainvillea. I love the way that this punchy pink was worked through the flowers and stationery, with the rest of the details kept soft and pretty (beautifully co-ordinated by SBB Directory members Someday Soon and catered by the awesome Two Chefs). And Aly’s Janita Toerien dress! Total gorgeousness, and that’s even before you realise it was made from her mother’s wedding dress! It all wraps up to something sweet and splendid, delightfully captured by the fab Moira West.

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Pastels & Lace Jewish Wedding at Lourensford by Moira West {Shana & Kevin}

I honestly think I must have the best job in the world, and it’s not because I sit around all day reading Martha Stewart Weddings, eating macarons and sniffing at peonies. Although I totally do, obvs. But seriously, what makes me so lucky I think is that I have the privilege to be given a peek into some of the most special and wonderful moments in a couple’s lives, to sort through photographs as full of joy and laughter and lifelong memory as they are of prettiness. Some weddings really remind me of this, and Shana and Kevin’s is one of them – not only do the vintagey lace and watercolour-like pastels paint a picture, but the energy the couple radiates is also a portrait of the love they share. And, as she does so well, Moira West was on the scene to capture these beautiful images of all of it.Read More

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

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

Elegant Floral Marquee Wedding by Moira West {Joyle & JP}

Oh, this wedding. I’m pretty sure there’s a picture dictionary somewhere with some of Moira West‘s gorgeous images from Joyle & JP’s big day illustrating ‘chic’, ‘elegant’, and ‘amazing’. First of all, there are flowers – tons of them. Huge swags and wreaths and garlands, so pretty they absolutely blow me away. (To see how the clever bride made these work double time on a budget, see below.) Then there’s Joyle’s dress, which OMG is absolutely breathtaking. As are the sparkly, embellished beauties that her bridesmaids wore. It’s such a beautiful take on classic glamour, and there are so many fab ideas to inspire other brides. So get ready to fall in love…Read More

French Copper Café Felix Wedding by Moira West {Liezel & Christo}

Do I ever have a treat for you all  today. This is the kind of wedding that makes my little heart leap for joy – it’s beautiful, it’s original and it has tons of personality. It might just be my favourite winter wedding yet. Bride Liezel (who totally reminds me of the gorgeous Hayden Panettiere, no?) is a lover of everything French, and together with her sister (who is one of the ladies behind Dear Idea flowers, decor and styling), she combined this provincial country flare with a warm winter palette that included copper and antique gold, together with white, green, tiny pops of yellow and cool navy for the bridesmaids. I am crazy in love with the aloes on the tables, the wreaths carried by the girls, and Liezel’s dress and gold fern hair embellishment. Everywhere you look there’s something else to love, and especially with the incredible Moira West‘s atmospheric photos. Man, I love my job.Read More

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

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

Boy Meets Girl Engagement by Moira West

You guys, I have been DYING to share this engagement shoot with you! It has been burning up my Dropbox since before Christmas, waiting for the perfect moment to share its massive amounts of romance with the world, and today is the day. Now I know e-shoots aren’t something all of you follow, but this one is just perfection. It’s not only unique and fun, and photographed to perfection by the always-amazing Moira West, but what I love best about it is that it has a little story behind it. Charles & Liné didn’t actually meet in a bar (read on for how they did meet, so cute), but because it was really love at first sight for them, they wanted to recreate that incredible moment when sparks flew. Butterflies! Be sure to read Charles’ hilarious version of how this love story began – it culminated in an amazingly romantic proposal (a scavenger hunt that started where they had their first date, created the perfect day and night complete with spa treatments, a fancy dinner and a red convertible, and ended with a room full of roses, a sparkly ring, and a bride-to-be saying “A thousand times, yes!”). Thank you so much Liné and Charles for sharing!Read More

Coral Watercolour Stellenrust Estate Wedding by Moira West {Carla & Jeremy}

Morning, lovelies! It’s time for our first real wedding of 2014, huzzah! In the spirit of the new year, regular readers will notice we’ve had a little makeover (the ice cream parlour look, as I like to think of it) – this year we’ll be making some bigger changes to our look, but this is just a little freshen up. What do you think? I’ve also added some new features, and modified others – the biggest change to come will be in our supplier directory, but more on that soon. We’re also trying a new format for the wedding posts to reflect a few changes in the questionnaire I send real brides. SBB is always working to give readers a better experience, and I’d love to hear your feedback. ANYWAY, back to today’s wedding, and I can’t think of any that I’d rather start the year with than this coral watercolour dream from Moira West. Carla and Jeremy make such a gorgeous couple, and their wedding ‘brand’ was sweet and modern and romantic, complementing ombre lace bridesmaid dresses with hanging lanterns, soft and simple white blooms, and an amazing portrait back wedding dress, as well as fun touches like a wedding bingo game for guests to complete. Start as you mean to go on, right? It’s going to be a VERY pretty year :)Read More