Tag: Real Weddings

Naturally Vintage Wedding at Volmoed by Kikitography {Angelique & Marnus}

by gaby

I hate when people talk about cookie-cutter weddings, because in my experience, there’s so much thought and love and care that goes into every couple’s wedding, whatever decor and design they choose. But some weddings really manage to go above and beyond in being a perfect expression of the pair involved, and where I feel like I can get a beautiful sense of who they are and what they love just from the choices they make for their Big Day. Today’s wedding is one of those – a heartfelt day in the middle of spectacular natural scenery, surrounded by (and handmade in many cases by) the people that Angelique and Marnus love and admire the most. My absolute favourite element though, is Angelique’s vintage dress – vintage in the true sense of the word, since it belonged to her great grandmother. What an incredibly special thing to be able to share, and what a gorgeous gown, on its second outing. These lovely pics by Kikitography really get across the sense of peace and joy that radiate from bride and groom, and from the wedding they created.Read More

Glamorous Gold Wedding at JC Le Roux by Jana Marnewick {Shannon & Justin}

by gaby

What’s black, white and glamorous all over? Why, this wedding of course. Think classic black tie elegance with a generous helping of gold, all in the spectacular outdoor scenery of the Cape Winelands. Sigh. Justin and Shannon are a trans-continental couple who’ve endured the ups and downs of a long distance relationship, and I loved that they included so many personal and international touches in their big day, from a globe guest book to his and hers luggage tag favours. I also LOVE Shannon’s bridesmaids’ style – a MOH in pure sequins with a bouquet of gold-sprayed baby’s breath (genius, why haven’t I seen more of this idea?), bridesmaids in chic LBDs carrying wreaths – and of course, Shannon in her very own one-of-a-kind Old Hollywood number. Let the pretty party begin! Jana Marnewick was on the scene to take these lovely pics.Read More

Magical Midlands Wedding at The Glades Farm by CC Rossler {Faye & Gary}

by gaby

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.” I have no idea where that quote comes from, but it pretty perfectly sums up how I feel about today’s wedding. A couple of years ago, I shared this love story, which belongs to my friends Sven and Louise. What I didn’t know was that their wedding wasn’t the end of the bigger picture love story. Because while we were toasting the happy couple with chilled rosé, the wheels of Fate were turning in the background. Who would have known that bringing together Sven, Louise, their planner (Faye of Poetry Weddings) and their photographer CC Rossler (who happened to be a friend of Sven’s friend Gary) would ultimately lead to Faye and Gary finding their very own fairytale? There’s something kind of magical about that. Serendipity. So I’m super excited to be sharing Faye and Gary’s rainy, romantic Midlands wedding (beautifully captured by CC, of course!) with you today.Read More

Country Charm Wedding at The Cowshed by Lad & Lass {Mishka & Tom}

by gaby

I had such fun reading the ‘beind the scenes’ story from today’s couple, who have such a lovely sense of humour and fun as they recount the series of circumstances and happenings that brought them together. So it didn’t put a single bit of a dampener on proceedings when they said their vows at The Cowshed in Mpumalanga on a rainy afternoon. Weddings at this venue always have a great mix of casual and country chic, and with a reception filled with proteas and roses, silverware and chandeliers, candelight and cake, that’s exactly the kind of farm charm that we adore. Look out for the Coke can favours (love this idea!) and some beautiful floral bridesmaid dresses among the pretty pics delivered by Lad & Lass.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

Fruitful Farm Wedding at Babylonstoren by Claire Thomson {Simona & Emile}

by gaby

When you’re picking a wedding design, we’d always advise that you take your venue into consideration – after all, as much as I love contrasts, there are some venues that just will never suit some themes, and you don’t want to spend a year of engagement trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. But for some couples, the venue goes so much further, completely inspiring the look and feel of the wedding, especially when they’re as crazy about the place as Simona and Emile are about Babylonstoren. Fair dues, it is a pretty amazing place, and I especially loved that this sweet couple wanted to share this place that is so special to them with their favourite people. They completely embraced the Babylonstoren aesthetic, the vast, edible gardens and greenhouses, the elegant but simple menu. And, thanks to Simona’s trust in her suppliers, their flowers had a special fruity element to them which I especially love! It’s just the perfect embodiment of farmhouse botanical style, beautifully captured by Claire Thomson.Read More

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

by gaby

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

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

Vineyard Romance Wedding at Molenvliet by Jilda G {Zella & Sean}

by gaby

There’s just something about the winelands that’s completely and utterly wonderful, isn’t there? I know my heart soars every time I near Stellenbosch, and stopping for lunch or a wine tasting (or two), I feel like I can just breathe in the romance. So no wonder so many SouthBound brides and grooms choose a vineyard setting for their wedding, and today’s couple added their own, utterly dreamy touches to their Molenvliet location. I’m especially enamoured with the flowers by Okasie, from the rose bedecked ceremony arch to hanging arrangements above the tables with tendrils of roses and greenery hanging down, as well as flower-lined tables and favours in tiny terracotta pots. Like a little garden fantasy, right in the middle of a wedding reception. Jilda G was there to take these beautiful pictures.Read More

Botanical Olive Farm Wedding by Justin Davis Photography {Rebecca & Craig}

by gaby

When someone in the wedding and events industry gets married, it can feel like a lot of pressure – I often say that if it was me, I’d probably just elope. But at its best, wedding insiders’ weddings get to be a celebration of the talent and friendship that they have built up over the years, a coming together of creativity and ideas where the sum of the whole is greater than its parts. And in the case of today’s wedding – that of The Table Cloth Hiring Company’s Rebecca and her hubby Craig, that sum is pretty great indeed. In fact, I kind of felt like this wedding had fallen straight down from heaven into my lap when Rebecca sent it over, since it’s not only game-changer gorgeous, but also couldn’t fit in more perfectly with our ‘Greenhouse’ theme for July. I ADORE Rebecca and Craig’s take on botanical – the hanging greenery, the Easter egg nests, the gorgeous and unusual flower choices, the wood and moss and copper elements, and of course the printed tablecloths! The setting was a family olive farm, and I loved the way that even the bridesmaids’ robes fitted into the look and feel, and yet despite coming together perfectly, the whole day is unfussy and natural. It was SO hard to narrow down decor pics so I went to town a bit – enjoy. After all, it’s always a pleasure to look at a few more of Justin Davis’ lovely photos!Read More