Tag: Wesley Vorster

Styled Shoot Contest Winners

by gaby

So you guys, last week was amazing – I feel so proud and privileged to have been able to bring you five such gorgeous, fresh and truly South African wedding editorials from some of the most talented photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, cake creatives, caterers, dress designers, stationistas, etc. etc. etc. in the country. I am so in awe of the incredible work they did, and so very grateful that they chose to do it for the SBB contest. It’s always been my dream to bring you beautiful, original, local wedding style and that’s just what we were able to do. So a HUGE thank you to every one of the teams – you are all ROCKSTARS. To those of you who read and liked and commented and pinned and supported – thank you! It was so lovely to see such a great response. Finally, I owe another huge debt of gratitude to my wonderful judges, Sarah Burnett of Burnett’s Boards and Louise Beukes of b.loved – they are both such talented bloggers and stylists in their own rights, and I’m so grateful that they offered their time and taste and expertise to help me choose finalists and ultimately, a winner.

Speaking of which, I don’t mind telling you what a hard time we had deciding. Each of us had different favourites, which I think is a tribute to just how brilliant all of the finalists were. But in the end, we totted up our scores, and one team emerged victorious: Wesley Vorster & Leipzig’s Voortrekker Frontiers! I never imagined that voortrekkers would be used as wedding inspiration, but with a combination of designer fashion, drop-dead gorgeous florals, decor and food, and Wesley’s lush pictures, this shoot was our winner. CONGRATULATIONS!

To celebrate, I’m sharing some not-yet-seen images from the shoot – enjoy!Read More

Get the Look: Voortrekker Frontiers

by gaby

The best part of a styled shoot for brides and grooms (apart from basking in the sheer prettiness, of course!) is the wealth of fresh ideas that you can borrow to add an extra special touch to your own celebrations. As part of our Styled Shoot Competition showcase this week, we’re breaking down five of our favourite ideas from each shoot, as well as bringing you tips and advice for recreating the look from the talented team behind each entry. Next up, we’re taking a second look at our Voortrekker Frontiers shoot by the dream team of Wesley Vorster and Leipzig.Read More

Voortrekker Frontiers by Wesley Vorster & Leipzig

by gaby

We’re at the half-way mark of our week of homegrown inspiration and I am loving it – aren’t you? There are so many clever ideas and beautiful images in these shoots that I have literally found myself dreaming about them! Today’s finalist is something so original, so rooted in a (sometimes controversial) aspect of South African history, and yet is a somewhat playful (hanging paper bonnets I love), always stylish, exploration of themes that we all share, like new frontiers and exploration. It’s a showcase for some seriously amazing and innovative local design talent (including fashionista Mieke Vermeulen), and with Leipzig‘s flawless florals and attention to detail and Wesley Vorster‘s crisp images, the result is FIERCE.Read More

Real Wedding at Verkykerskop {Juane & Adriaan}

by gaby

Holy-moly-me-oh-my, do I ever have a wedding for you today! As you may have realised by now, I LOVE weddings that are not only beautiful and romantic, but truly South African, and in those terms Juane and Adriaan’s might be one of my favourites, ever. I hadn’t come across Verkykerskop before, but I ADORE their event space, not to mention the way that this couple decorated it perfectly. Old Wimpy booths as furniture, succulents in Lucky Star tins, Wilson’s toffees tied up with string as favours. Awesome, right? Not to mention big, bold proteas (LOVE the bride’s single bloom bouquet), printed burlap runners, retro flags, super cool groomsman styling and one of the coolest bar areas I’ve ever seen. It’s like stepping out of the car on a roadtrip and stumbling into the best ever roadside diner filled with retro South African chic. Of course, it’s no surprise that bride Juane has fantastic taste, as she’s the visual director at Leef, and I can’t not mention her incredible wedding dress! Photographer Wesley Vorster was there to capture every crisp detail and pop of cherry red to perfection.Read More

Real Wedding at Hidden Valley {Chris & Richard}

by gaby

I’m blogging this wedding with such a huge smile on my face. It’s not just because of the modern, innovative styling I’m about to show you, or the fact that it works perfectly in a classic Cape winelands setting (how I hope this inspires other couples!). It’s not even because so much of the wedding was DIY, or because the grooms planned it faultlessly from abroad according to their vision, or because the venue was a surprise (!) or because it had clever personal details that reflected their mixed Australian and South African heritages. It’s because every time I look at the smiles of these two boys, and the smiles of everyone at their wedding, it makes me happy. So much love. And when love comes in a gorgeous package… well, that’s just fabulous. Wesley Vorster was there to capture every chic masculine detail, from the large exposed lightbulbs (obsessed) to the fab typographic stationery on kraft paper, to the abundant proteas in vintage glass bottles, to the sleek suits worthy of the best Italian tailor. I’ve been dying to share this one with you, and I hope you love every bit of it as much as I do!Read More

Real Wedding at Beloftebos {Andrea & David}

by gaby

For our final wedding this week, Doctor Gaby has prescribed a dose of sheer prettiness. Floaty pink dresses and OMGiwantthose shoes, pink roses, a monogrammed handkerchief, homemade ginger beer, two excited flowergirls, and what has to be one of my favourite cakes of the year. It’s just delightful, and it makes me want to use words like blythe and jolly, although I suspect it’ll make me sound more like I’m auditioning for Downton than enthusing over a wedding. But enthusing I am, from the awesome venue (we so love Beloftebos, don’t we?) to the Elizabeth Stockenstrom dress, to the gorgeous pictures by Wesley Vorster. Take once today with food (preferably cupcakes) and call me in the morning.Read More

Urban Chic Engagement Shoot

by gaby

Maybe it’s because I’ve lived all over the country (when people ask where I’m from in SA, I usually just say “pick a city”), but one of my favourite things about South Africa is the sheer variety. Just yesterday I was telling a cabbie about the sub-tropical Durban climate and how it’s all bananas and beach bums, and it still blows my mind that right next door there’s mountains and the little England of the midlands, not to mention the dust of the Karoo, or the Cape winelands, or, or, or… I could go on. It makes for a lot of variety on this blog, and as much as our natural assets blow me away, I’m always thrilled when a couple show off the city side of things as well. Jozi is soooo urban chic, and never more so than in this phenomenal shoot in Newtown/Melrose Arch by the very talented Wesley Vorster. Gayle and Lyle make fantastic models – congratulations to both of them on their engagement!Read More

Real Wedding at Kelvin Grove {Annerie & Murray}

by gaby

It’s no secret how much I love the Cape countryside, with its breathtaking winelands and lush farms, and all the incredible wedding venues that take advantage of the rural settings and spectacular scenery. But I also get really excited when a wedding comes across my desk that taps into the vibrant heart of Cape Town instead. Anyone who’s spent any time there will know what an amazing city it is, and there’s so much largely untapped potential for vibey, modern weddings that your guests will really remember (and not have to shell out for accommodation either, bonus!). Case in point: Annerie & Murray’s GORGEOUS red and black number at Kelvin Grove. It’s clear from the first glance that this is a couple who are alive with vibrancy and passion and who brought that energy to their Big Day. My best bits: playing card ’boutonnieres’, streamers instead of confetti as they shared their first kiss, the clever vinyl and apple place settings, the groom’s suit and tie (and of course the bride’s lovely dress) and their couple shoot, which might be one of my favourites ever. It’s modern wedding perfection, and is brought to you through the fabulous photos of Wesley Vorster, who I’m thrilled to have on Cap Classique for the first time! Get ready to be wowed!Read More