Tag: proteas

Cozy Protea-filled Wedding at Old Haliwell by Kristi Smith

by gaby

I swear, I am always so discombobulated when it comes to seasons. For one thing, right when I’m curled up in blankets drinking hot chocolate with my dog, my Aisle Society sisters are sipping sweet tea or heading for Martha’s Vineyard, or whatever it is they do over in the States when it’s summer. And right when we start getting summer vibes, there’s tons of autumnal wedding inspiration that hits the net. And then, of course, there’s the fact that we often feature weddings months after they happen, which is why now is the time of so many cold weather weddings and cozy receptions for me, and as much as I’m a summer girl, I LOVE it. Case in point: Anzél and Jaun’s Midlands celebration, which is cold weather wedding style done oh-so-right. Rich colours (including and inspired by beautiful Proteas and complemented by classic black), long sleeves (Anzél’s lace gown is to die for, and her bridesmaids are rocking black lace in a big way!), and cozy homemade touches like rusk favours and a rustic cheese wheel cake. Leaves on the ground, love in the heart – it’s wonderful. And be sure to read the couple’s story, because they have one of the cutest ‘how we met’ stories ever! Kristi Smith took these lovely, moody pics.

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Bohemian Lovefest Wedding by Bold As Love

by gaby

I love a wedding that tells a story about who the couple are, and Sam and Mike’s wedding is definitely that kind of celebration. Hello, it’s a self titled Bohemian Love Festival! From the bride’s stunningly unique hand crocheted wedding gown, to the all natural vibe of the bride’s family wine farm where they were married (fynbos galore, which I love), to the love parade from ceremony to reception, it’s a boho bride’s dream. But more importantly, it’s Sam and Mike’s dream, and I love how you can feel their personalities coming through in every detail, just like their joy is plain to see. Hewitt Wright captured these lovely images.

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Ocean Glitz Wedding at The 12 Apostles Hotel by Aglow Photography

by gaby

This wedding had me at hello, and by hello, I definitely mean Michelle’s shut-the-front-door-drop-everything beautiful dress. The images of her and her new husband Bertie floating across the sands of a private beach in that Maggie Sottero gown are the stuff that wedding dreams are made of. And then I got to see the rest of this seriously gorgeous wedding, from the ceremony with a view, to the gently rustic decor to the glittery proteas. GLITTERY PROTEAS, you guys. It’s glamorous and elegant, but so soft and romantic too, and Celeste from Aglow Photography has captured every moment to perfection with her exquisite imagery. LOVE.

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Whimsical Rustic Wedding at Goedgedacht Farm by Natural Light Photography

by gaby

Candice and Wesley’s big day is the stuff that South African rustic wedding dreams are made of. We’re talking proteas everywhere (including the seriously pretty watercolour stationery), wood cuts at each place setting, gold painted safari animals, heart cookie favours, a menu that included burgers and craft beer on tap, a bride in a gorgeous gown and flower crown, and a cake table positively groaning with treats. Relaxed, whimsical, elegant. And with details like these, plus a sunny day, and the fabulous Maree of Natural Light Photography capturing these images, it’s all kinds of wonderful!

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Fynbos & Gold Foodbarn Wedding by Illuminate Photography

by gaby

Sometimes I sit and think how lucky we are, and how lucky I am, to be a wedding blogger at this time in South Africa. It’s not that long ago that we were fractured into groups, but it’s easy to forget that when you see our many rich cultures coming together in the best place possible – a wedding. Like today’s couple – Vincent and Rochelle come from Zulu and Afrikaans backgrounds respectively, and here they are with their jubilant families, bringing those two backgrounds together in a celebration rich with proteas and fynbos and touches of gold (just like South Africa, now that I think of it). It’s enough to make me seriously patriotic, but the main point here of course, as always, is the love and these two have it written all over them. Tabitha from Illuminate Photography took these gorgeous, romantic pics of their big day.

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Rustic Navy, Sage & Blush Wedding at The Nutcracker Country Retreat by GingerAle Photography {Nadine & Renardo}

by gaby

I’ll tell you why today’s wedding really has my heart, you guys. I mean, we all love some classic South African country vintage decor – proteas, and succulents and lace. Add in bold navy stripes and a sense of bringing the outdoor in with woodsy details like moss and raw wood, and you have a gorgeous wedding design. But what I really love (and this won’t come as news to any of you who have been reading SBB for more than five minutes) is that the conception of this pretty, pretty colour scheme and set of details was based entirely on the couple’s personalities and tastes. Which in my book, is pretty much everything a wedding ever needs to be. That attention to detail reaches right on down to the choice of wine, and includes a SUPER romantic gesture by the groom during his speech – a song written just for his bride. Swoon. So there you go. Navy, sage and blush and love all over. Captured to perfection by GingerAle Photography!Read More

Proteas & Succulents Wedding at In the Vine by Cheryl McEwan {Jenna & Alan}

by gaby

I’m a true blue South African girl (or should that be true green and gold?) so the thought of a wedding full of indigenous flowers is my idea of paradise. That’s exactly what inspired today’s bride and groom, who filled their reception with a whimsical mix of succulents & proteas, with little touches of lace including Jenna’s seriously gorgeous Maggie Sottero portrait lace-back gown. It’s the perfect mix for a laid-back country celebration with a big heart, that includes a doggy attendant and a sweet mint and white colour scheme. SBB favourite Cheryl McEwan shot these gorgeous, light-filled images of the couple’s big day.Read More

Handmade Recyclable Wedding at Rockhaven by Nicole Rich {Melissa & Jürgen}

by gaby

And I’m back! Not quite at a hundred percent, but so much better. As much as I missed sharing pretty weddings with you this week, it was good to have a few days to recover – as a small business owner, it’s easy to lose sight of giving yourself some time off (hello, weekends, what are those?). But I couldn’t let the whole week go without a wedding, because at the end of the day, sharing these beauties – and more importantly, sharing in the excitement that comes from each bride and groom we feature! – is what makes my job awesome and totally worthwhile. Today’s couple are the lovely Melissa & Jürgen, who pulled off a beautiful country wedding brimming over with proteas and pops of colour against the rustic surroundings, all with an eye on keeping things eco friendly, locally sourced, and easy to recycle. It was definitely a case of waste not, want not, since despite the green focus, nothing was wanting in prettiness and atmosphere! Nicole Rich was on the scene, taking these lovely pics.Read More

Elegant Handmade Wedding at The Oaks Estate by Jules Morgan {Jean & Cormac}

by gaby

Ugh you guys, being sick sucks. But while I’m holed up in bed, feeling more than reasonably sorry for myself, at least I can surround myself with pretty weddings, and today’s is a beauty. Jean and Cormac are one of those ‘meant to be’ couples whose love has crossed a couple of oceans, so to celebrate joining their lives, nothing less than the prettiest of South African weddings surrounded by friends and family would do. ‘Frivolously elegant’ is how Jean describes their style (don’t you love that?), from the olive leaf wreaths and the beaded Nguni cow favours, to the mix of paper flowers and proteas, the illustrated table markers, and the bridesmaids’ floral print dresses. There’s such a lovely relaxed feeling about this big day, you can’t help but love it. And even more so when the uber talented Jules Morgan is behind the lens, capturing every shiny happy moment.Read More

Natural Niobe Wedding at Blue Horizon Estate by Tertius Gous {Inghe & Christiaan}

by gaby

You probably don’t need me to tell you by now that proteas are my weakness – forget red roses, any man who really wants to impress me just needs to bring me a single fynbos bloom. The thing is, just when I think I’ve seen every variety I’m going to love, I come across another, and my current crush is the elegant Niobe protea, with its downy black-tipped petals. So when I saw Inghe & Christiaan’s relaxed rustic wedding style (photographed by the fab Tertius Gous), which was inspired by natural colours and textures, and the Niobes that are plentiful throughout, I couldn’t wait to share it with you all. Everything about this wedding is soft and unfussy, from a bride in boots to the hangover kit favours. So kick up your own heels, get your protea-loving Pinning fingers at the ready, and let’s go!Read More