Tag: Real Weddings

Pastel Garden Party Wedding at Olive Rock by Adene Photography {Kerry & Tim}

by gaby

One of the things that not a lot of people realise about wedding pros is that this is really not just like any other job. I mean, yes, plenty of people care about what they do, but not all of them have the responsibility weighing heavy on them of making two people’s most cherished day come to life. Cheesy as it sounds, they’re in the business of granting wishes. And I think that’s why so many of them will go above and beyond to make a wedding perfect. Take, for example, today’s wedding – a relaxed garden soiree awash with pastels. Not only was photographer Adene on the scene to capture gorgeous shots, she stepped up as a fairy godmother when a crisis almost stopped it all from happening. Or take Ro of Botanica Flowers (one of SBB’s cherished Directory members), who took the time to listen to her bride, right down to the finest detail. Everyone – from mothers to dressmakers to the couple (and their woodworking friends) made this particular dream come true, and when you think about all of those hands creating a labour of love, it makes it that much more special to enjoy.Read More

Cozy Rustic Wedding at Ou Stal Equestrian Estate by ST Photography {Ilze & David}

by gaby

While every wedding we feature is different, it’s inevitable that most follow a traditional timeline – ceremony, photo shoot/cocktail hour, reception, etc. – but I’m always struck by the couples who choose to do things a little differently. There’s the first look of course – the chance to have your photographs taken before guests arrive, allowing you to mingle with them during the drinks hour (and have a private moment before the ceremony to take in the enormity of what you’re doing together). Today’s couple did that – and did it in style, with a sweet little flower bedecked door in the middle of nature as their backdrop (talk about the rustic version of a grand entrance!) But they took it a step further, following the photoshoot up with cocktails and canapes with their guests and only then enjoying the heartfelt ceremony together (again, with a fabulous backdrop – this time soft curtains and a flower chandelier). It was the perfect way for this laid-back couple to experience their big day, and is a great example of how you don’t need to follow tradition to have a wedding that’s perfect for you. So let’s get on and enjoy all the cozy rustic-ness (as the bride says) of Ilze and David’s big day, brought to us through the lens of SBB Directory member ST Photography.Read More

Rustic Navy, Red & Yellow Wedding at The Cowshed by Laura Leigh {Leande & Martin}

by gaby

I love that in weddings I feel like I learn something new every day. Today’s fun fact is that the yellow fynbos which is included so liberally and joyfully in Leande & Martin’s gorgeously rustic, elegant-with-a-touch-of-Karoo wedding is called Cape Everlasting – which let’s be honest, is kind of the most perfect name for a wedding flower, and my new favourite South African touch. It also happens to be the loveliest bright against a palette of navy and rust, one lovely detail amongst many – this really is the kind of wedding that every time you look at Laura Leigh‘s pictures, you notice something different. Fruits and greenery lining the aisle, red ribbon on the eucalyptus bouquets, shotgun shell boutonnieres… And combined with the fantastic backdrop of The Cowshed (including a herd of Nguni cattle), this is just about as picturesquely South African as a wedding can be.Read More

Luxe Three-Day Wedding at Nooitgedacht by ZaraZoo {Ayah & Louay}

by gaby

All weddings are awesome, because after all, the heart of them is the love between two people, and that on its own (without any details or decor or fuss) is awesome. But some weddings are particularly WOW in the decor and details and overall experience department, and Ayah & Louay’s celebration is definitely one of those. After all, the couple (who were married in Dubai but came to the Cape to celebrate with their friends and family) hosted not just one or two, but three parties in their favourite city including a welcome party at the Grand Beach & Cafe (complete with a DJ they brought with them from Beirut), and a picnic at Landtscap with delicious burger stations by SBB Directory members Two Chefs and music by Jeremy Loops. Topping it all off was an absolutely gorgeous reception at Nooitgedacht, with hundreds of candles and opulent florals in rich neutrals, fit for a king and a queen (or at least a fashion designer bride and interior designer groom!) Right down to the huge hashtag sign and the patterned dancefloor there was an incredible attention to detail, not to mention atmosphere, with traditional dancers helping the pair make their grand entrance. Throughout it all, the ZaraZoo Photography team was on the scene to capture the excitement!Read More

Bohemian Delft Wedding at Kalmoesfontein by Hearts in a Shutter {Natasha & Gavin}

by gaby

‘Boho’ is a term that gets applied to a lot of weddings these days, but I feel like today’s wedding really deserves it. It’s got that laid-back, mismatched, organic look down to a tee, with a touch of whimsy, from the maypole ceremony area to the wooden tables to the bride’s yellow-gold dress (and we do love a coloured wedding dress, don’t we!) I think my favourite touch, though, is the use of Delft-style vases and plates on the tables – mixed in with proteas, wildflowers, fruits and silver candelabras, it’s the perfect mix of casual and formal, not to mention oh so pretty! We don’t have a story to share with you today (for the best possible reason – Natasha & Gavin now have a little one demanding their attention!) but we’ll let Brenda Wardell of Hearts in a Shutter’s warm and wonderful pictures tell their own tale.Read More

Wood & Rose Gold Wedding at Old Mac Daddy by Claire Thomson {Mia & Johan}

by gaby

Sometimes, when I’m selecting a wedding for publication, there are details I notice but don’t really understand, and then when I read the bride’s story, everything makes sense. Those are kind of my favourites, because it means that they’re personal in a way that something just taken off Pinterest never can be. That was the case with the poem inscribed on the floor-to-ceiling windows of Old Mac Daddy in today’s wedding, and it turned out to be just one of the lovely tributes from the bride and groom, in memory of their much-missed parents. Such a special touch, and those tributes fitted seamlessly into the clean lines of this beautifully designed, minimalist, organic wedding day. From the stationery ‘branding’ (repeated in the cake toppers and boxes, adorable) to the signs telling the couple’s story down the aisle (even more adorable!), to the rose gold (rose gold! we love!) and wood detailing, to the chevron sparkle bridesmaid dresses and the bride’s convertible princess gown (not to mention immaculate hair and makeup by Corlé Barnard), everything about it is a breath of fresh air and an expression of Mia and Johan. The wonderful Claire Thomson captured these fantastic pics.Read More

Elegant Winter Town Hall Wedding by Dearheart Photos {Pietro & Adriaan}

by gaby

It probably says something about the range of South African wedding venues available that in five years of wedding blogging, I think this is the first time I’ve featured a town hall reception. But what a town hall! I had no idea this little vintage gem existed in Robertson, and it makes for the absolute PERFECT backdrop for Pietro and Adriaan’s chic winter wedding, as cosy as it is stylish. Pietro wore an absolutely breathtaking gown from SBB fave Janita Toerien, and put her girls in long sleeved emerald dresses, the perfect complement to the charcoal tablecloths and plum coloured florals at the reception. With candlelight glowing on the tables, and guests merry with good food, good wine and good company, this celebration showed just how to put the warmth into a winter wedding. And Dearheart Photos were there to capture it beautifully, pink skies and all!Read More

Vineyard Blush Wedding at Landtscap by Agapé Studio & Wedding Concepts {Lara & Louis}

by gaby

Since we’re all about vineyard weddings this month, it’s only appropriate that we kick off our real weddings with a winelands celebration, and this bright beauty comes from some of our favourite wedding pros, including Wedding Concepts, Leipzig and Agapé Studio. What a lineup! Lara and Louis opted for a romantic modern style, employing 50 shades of pretty in pink across their flowers and decor, with just a touch of rose gold glitter. Everything about it is stylish and contemporary, but just the right amount of soft and girly too. But the best blush of all, is the blush of love across these lovebirds’ cheeks, as they celebrate their best day ever with family and friends and, of course, each other. Beautiful!Read More

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

Organic Country Elegance Wedding at Rickety Bridge by Laura Leigh {Helen & David}

by gaby

It feels like Christmas today, since I’ve been looking forward to sharing this lovely wedding with you all for a while! First featured in Wedding Collection Magazine, Helen and David’s laid-back, intimate, countryside soiree is the epitome of relaxed glamour with the spectacular Rickety Bridge as its vineyard backdrop. There was a real sense of natural beauty too – from the wildflowers and wooden elements, the naked cake and greenery-bedecked arch, to the nods to eco chic, including a pre-loved Jenny Packham dress (just as breathtaking on its second trip down the aisle!). Laura Leigh‘s pictures from the day captured just how intimate, romantic and joyful it all was.Read More