Africa Weddings

Glamorous marsala florals and gilded details brought to life by the team at Agape Weddings, a to-die-for backless gown, and Kibogo Photography behind the lens? The ultimate recipe for wedding inspiration success. Brimming with the perfect mix of luxurious, romantic and rustic details (hello, beautiful naked cake!) this inspiration shoot has it all, and you won’t want to miss a single bit in the gallery here!

 

From Agape Weddings… Shot in a Tuscan-inspired setting, with rolling vineyards and soft light. Rich Tuscan textural and culinary features, and lots of warm metallic accents add to the drama and romance of a wedding in the colder seasons. Bold Russian accents, such as the matreshka dolls and bold botanicals inspired by Dolce and Gabanna, were all inspirations.

Photography: Kibogo Photography | Event Design: Agape Wedding And Event Design | Floral Design: Aspen Flowers & Co | Wedding Dress: Bo & Luca | Stationery: Lara's Designs | Groom's Attire: Topman | Venue: Brenaissance | Bridesmaid's Dress: Zara | Cake, Confectionery And Dessert: Centerpiece Cakes | Crockery: Sepia Range From Hemelhuijs | Cutlery: Gold Cutlery From Two Birds At The Dairy Shed | Decor Items: Urban Tonic | Groomsman’s Suit: More | Hair & Make Up: Lisa Brown | Model Cleo: Boss Models | Model Frank: Boss Models | Model Zoe: Boss Models | Photoshoot Location: Brenaissance

In terms of amazing birthday celebrations, this certainly ranks at the tippy top. It’s a surprise party for a Mom who is turning 60 years young crafted by Carol-Anne Kemp. And tucked inside are elegant details pairing vintage pieces with the modern look of ghost chairs and a dessert spread like you wouldn’t believe. Which is music to this birthday girl’s ears since dessert happens to be her favorite course. Find more captured by Cheryl McEwan right here.

My Mom is generally the family member to host birthday parties for the rest of the family but seldom hosts parties for herself. For her 60th birthday I wanted to change that so I planned a surprise birthday lunch for her. It was held in the spring so I wanted a light, airy look. My Mom loves floral and vintage pieces so we rented vintage crockery and mixed the crockery with pastel colored floral arrangements. We also rented vintage furniture and mixed the pieces with modern elements, such as ghost chairs, to give the venue a modern vintage look. Dessert is my Mom’s favorite course so we ensured there was a fully stocked dessert table that looked beautiful and tasted delicious. The result was a lovely afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Photography: Cheryl Mcewan Photography | Event Planning & Design: Carol-Anne Kemp | Floral Design: Leipzig | Stationery: Lara's Designs | Venue: Dear Me | Cakes & Desserts: Lulubelle's Bakes | Vintage Rentals: A Vintage Affair

We have to admit, here at SMP we do love a good getting ready montage. Ok fine, we are downright weak in the knees at the sight of one. Especially when the room is a perfect pale blue that blends sublimely with the bridesmaids dresses like watercolors on a canvas. On top of that, nothing compares to playing dress up with your closest friends before you walk down the aisle to marry the love of your life. In honor of this, I had to showcase these sweet-as-pie moments from Adene Photography that show a bride and her bests getting ready together. And as you peruse the gallery, take note of the gorgeous venue against the South African landscape…sigh.

From the Bride… I always wanted to get married in the Cape Wine Lands (South Africa) with its majestic mountains and beautiful vineyards.  I met Jozef on a blind date and it was love at first sight. Jozef was from the Cape Wine Lands and after dating for 2 years of dating, while we where sitting on a bench watching the sun set over Cape Town, he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him! We started with the wedding arrangements immediately and decided to get married at the Beautiful Kleinevalleij wedding venue at the foot of the Bains Kloof Pass in Wellington (South Africa).

We wanted our wedding to be very romantic and classic – timeless. The color scheme was dusty pink and light grey to create a classic romantic feel. Our all white venue complimented this perfectly. We wanted the King Protea (South Africa’s national flower) to be central through out the wedding. The King Protea is a lovely light pink color, which complemented our theme perfectly. We wanted all the flowers to be in glass to create a sense of elegance. Everything turned out amazing and the look and feel was exactly what we had envisioned. I was fortunate to have Adene from Adene Photography to, capture the all our special moments on the day. She did an amazing job, and made everyone feel completely at ease and relaxed throughout the day. Everyone tells you that you won’t remember much from the day due to all of the excitement, but I made a conscious decision to take in every moment and I remember every detail and feeling like it was yesterday!

I will never forget the wonderful day in the Cape Wine Lands where I promised everlasting love and devotion to the love of my life in front of my close family and friends. I fall more in love with my husband every day and still can’t believe how amazing it feels to be married and to have the opportunity to spend my life with my sole mate. 

Wedding Photography: Adene Photography / Wedding Venue: Kleinevalleij in Wellington, South Africa / Floral Design, Décor + Coordination: Sylvia of Special Events / Wedding Cake: Maggi of Edible Art Cakes / Wedding Stationery: Chrizanne of Sugar Bird Stationary / Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Stockenstrom / Bride’s Accessories: Lily Blue / Hair + Makeup: Helga Bridal

When it comes to weddings, we love ’em big or small, but there is something about a sweet soiree that makes you want to wiggle out of your shoes before the dancing starts. They are often a bit more sweetly simple, yet stunning nonetheless, and always put a smile on our faces. Especially when the wedding is captured in a bundle of amazing images – which DNA Photographers always produces. Click here for the full bundle!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Andy and I have travelled together since we first got together at music college in 2004.

Our first trip to Africa took place after only few months of dating – we headed to Nairobi and the hotel room we checked in to had a toilet a few feet from the bed with just a shower curtain around it for privacy! At the time I thought ‘I’m not ready for this!’ but of course the trip was great and it was the first of many. Since then we’ve been to Uganda, Tanzania, The Gambia, and Zambia, so it made sense for us to get married in South Africa, especially given the fact that Andy was working for a charity in Malawi for a year.

We were so lucky with all the aspects of our wedding, given we were planning it from the UK and Malawi. A lot of the choices we made went down fantastically well and were really pot luck! The photographers welcomed us for a pre wedding shoot the day of our arrival and put us at ease with a walk round Deer Park below Table Mountain and the wedding photos were spectacular.

I chose the vineyard venue because they took WWOOF-ers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), something I had been involved with in New Zealand in 2007. I knew the ethos would be right and when we finally arrived along with 20 friends and family from the UK it exceeded everyone’s expectations. The swimming pool, beautiful scenery, table tennis, hiking, grape picking – there was something for everyone to do to unwind before the wedding, even a piano to play!

Diana and Johan were excellent hosts and provided the most amazing food throughout our stay, and the wedding day was no exception. Diana coped with a wedding plan on a scrap of paper and turned it into the most special day.

A few craft sessions in the UK provided the buttonholes and bunting and on the wedding day we were making and hanging pompoms. The music was provided by our friends – violins, guitar, flute, djembe, and a few singers and whistlers – which involved some intense practicing the morning of the wedding!

Photography: DNA Photographers / Flowers: Fennel from a field on the Fynbos Estate / Décor: DIY / Bottles, Vases, Table Clothes: Fynbos Estate, Malmesbury / Venue: Fynbos Estate, Malmesbury / – Food: Johan, Fynbos Estate / Wedding dress: 1950s vintage from Annie’s Vintage Clothing / Bride’s Shoes: ASOS bought on Ebay / Fascinator: made by a friend, alethea.marshall@yahoo.com / Engagement ring: Vintage, brides grandmother’s / Suit: Daniel Hechter Paris / Groom’s Shoes: Raffles Shoe Shop, Harare, Zimbabwe / Groom’s Shirt: Marks and Spencers / Tie: The Silk Tie Company / Flower girl’s clothing: Boden / Groomsmen clothing: Debenhams + Vegetarian Shoes

While our summer, and by extension our Wedding Season, is cooling off in the coming weeks, the entire other half of the globe’s is warming up. So this Cape Town engagement session from dna photographers seemed the perfect way to send you off into your August weekend. After the week of gorgeous soiree after stunning affair we’ve had here on the LBB Blog, a finale like this is fully deserved. Have a wonderful weekend my LBBers! xoxo

Click here to see the full image gallery!

The week wrapped up in a pretty bow:

a Costa Rica highlight film with views as pretty as the bride
a sweet Southern soiree with all the fab fixin’s in South Carolina
a Lilly Pulitzer inspired fête in Costa Rica you’ll flip over
a Camarillo wedding dedicated to the girly girl in all of us
a super classic Carmel affair that is pretty as can absolutely be
a collection of tantalizing tabletops that are pure perfection
a fabulous Santa Barbara engagement session on a boat, complete with pup
a bunch of the prettiest garters you will ever lay eyes on
a super cozy and ultra gorg wedding day blessed with pretty rain in Sarasota
a Connecticut soiree with the perfect touch of Southern Hospitality
a fête in the Florida Keys that may just be the prettiest you’ve ever seen

A few links you need to check out ASAP:

a perfect appetizer: pear pancetta crisps with goat cheese + honey (YUM) via eat.drink.smile
a fab chevron printable for you party announcing via On To Baby
a gorgeous and chic Los Angeles DIY wedding via Grey Likes Weddings

Brides + Grooms to be – Don’t forget about our LBB! This week’s Don’t Miss List spotlights our Little Black Book VIPs who take the stress out of planning your big day. In between saying “Yes!” and exchanging “I do’s,” plan to perfect your soiree with the professionals WE couldn’t live without.

You’ll definitely want to start thinking about who is going to be capturing those memories you’re making, so make sure to pop into The Book for some of the best in the biz. KT Merry Photography, La Dolce Vita Studio, Lachance Photo, Laura Leslie Photography, A Simple Photo, Adeline and Grace, Craig Photography, and Doug McGoldick Photography are all phenoms behind the lens.

Our Little Black Book is the perfect spot to find your wedding planner too. You’ll find pros like Storied Events, Styled Creative, Suzy Berberian Weddings and Events, TC Event Design, Tiger Lily Weddings, and Weddings with Tara hanging out in there. And our LBB designers rock. Synergetic Sounds and Lighting, Winston Flowers, KD Event Designs, Lilacs Florals, Pat’s Floral Designs, Yellow Canary, and Beautiful Days are all fabulous.

If you’re in the need of some fab stationery? Yep! We’ve got some absolute geniuses – Regas New York, Rosann Konieczny Calligrapher, and Smith Letterpress, among others.

And perhaps one of the most important things to consider – where you will be saying I do… Check out the LBB to find gorgeous spots like The Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa and SO many more!

As wedding bloggers, we have a reputation of falling in love with a dress, ooh-ing and aah-ing over a bouquet, and swooning at a beautiful table. But we more often than not, we also fall head over heels for a couple. For a groom so handsome and sweet, for a French bride in Cape Town with an honest and open heart. It was no surprise that Wedding Concepts was able to create such a beautiful and personal wedding for this couple after reading the brides description of the day (and promptly adding the bride to my “Want-to-be-Besties” List). We Love Pictures has filled a gallery with so much pretty from this soiree, because it was pure torture for me to narrow the feature down to these images alone!

Click here to see the gallery!

We met in London in January 2006 in a pub. I had just moved there from Paris to work at the Communications Department of a French banking group. I didn’t know anyone and was hating all of it, the banking and West London (especially after having spent so much time in Berlin, probably my favourite city in Europe, in the past year) so to take me mood up after a boring day at work, I decided to have a few pints of Guinness on my own in the first pub I’ll find who’ll look nice. I was sitting at the bar, in a cloud of cigarette smoke (you could still smoke in bars at that time) explaining to the barmanwith hands moving in all directions and my very long brown hair all over the place (my Mediterranean origins I guess!) how I was hating that city when suddenly some random guy behind me (desperately trying to get the barman’s attention!) eventually asked me a stupid question about the tattoo I have on my right hand. The poor guy got instantly told how stupid the question was and how horrible that city was and so on and he started laughing his head off, to my greatest offence!! That was Richard! After what has been a minute probably, he told me something like “Calm down Frenchie and come have a drink with us!” He was funny, I joined them (he was with his best friend, Simon, who was his best man at our wedding and a few other friends) for a drink and then another one and then we went out for dinner and I had such a great time!!

We’ve been seeing each other on and off since then (I was allergic to relationships anyway and after resigning from the bank a month or so later and moving to East London to work in a DJ bar on Brick Lane where I stayed for a year, I went back to Paris in 2007 and, more or less at the same time, he moved to Africa to work) but we have always stayed really good friends since then and he has always been a great support, especially after my first daughter, Lou, that I was raising on my own, was born (in January 2009). From that moment we started to see more of each other as he was coming to London at least every 3 months to see his daughter from a previous relationship, Annie (who is now 8 and a real sweetie) and was always coming to Paris for a few days afterwards. We kept going like that for a while until I got pregnant with our daughter, Zoé (who was born in March 2011). From then we decided to give us a chance and move together to Cape Town which was a huge thing for both of us but especially for me as I’ve never really been in a relationship before and has never lived with someone but it was worth trying!

I knew he wanted to propose as month before leaving Paris with the girls as I’d seen by mistake an email he had sent to my mom and that she thought had deleted but hadn’t and when she asked me to check something on her mailbox, I saw an email from him and asked her what it was and she instantly shouted in the phone not to open it but, too late, I had (even though I said I hadn’t not to upset her even more). From then, my internal panic lights went flashing red and I was completely petrified, about to cancel everything as getting married has never even been something I was considering for me and moving together was already a huge thing for me! And because I wasn’t supposed to have seen that email, I felt I couldn’t tell anyone (remember I just had a baby, wasn’t sleeping at all as I was on my own with the two of them so everything was a big deal!). I managed to get over my first reaction and not cancel everything, desperately hoping he would wait until we had lived together for a while and were sure we were actually good together but not at all, he proposed on the day I arrived in Africa! Needless to say that after a 24hour journey on my own with Zoé, our baby girl who was 2 months old at the time and Lou, my daughter who was 2 years old at the time and had neverflown before and who managed to vomit all over her, her sister and I in thelast bit of the journey, I was about to have a nervous breakdown and was completely exhausted!! I guess it was a good thing as I said yes without even thinking of it (the panic would probably have me to say no otherwise!) and even though it took me a while to recover from the shock, I have never regretted my answer!

I was actually very nervous during the ceremony and the drinks afterwards as I couldn’t really believe what was happening and only started to relax and really enjoy after the so moving and beautiful speeches from our close friends and families during the dinner and we had so much fun at the party with the 3 Tons of Fun rocking the place and everybody dancing their ass off (excuse my French!). As most of our friends and families live all around the world and had never met before, it was a real joy to see them all getting on so well and having so much fun!

A fantastic wedding planner is really a must have and is worth the expense! Wedding Concepts has been absolutely brilliant. They a renown for creating the most glamourous celebrations and helped us so much through the whole process, from defining what we wanted and giving us brilliant ideas based on our tastes (like the coloured-theme décor which was so stunning on the day) to finding the good suppliers, DJ, videographers, photographers with whom she knew we would get on well and she got it right each time! She had everything in control and thanks to her amazing ability to manage everything, we didn’t have to worry about anything before, during and after the wedding and were able to really enjoy our day. She has also been a fantastic friend (and still is!) who, to say the least, came with me to all the dress fittings, no matter how busy she was (all my family lives in Paris and my Capetonians girlfriends were not always available to come with me as they all work a lot) and I’ll never forget that.

Wedding Coordination and Design: Kim Werner at Wedding Concepts / Sound and Lighting: AV Direct / Photography: We Love Pictures / Staff + Bar Hiring: Urban Tonic / Wedding Cake: Kanya Hunt / Flowers: Okasie / Lighting & Dance Floor: Something Different / Stationery: Lara Friday

There are a million and one things I could fawn over in this wedding captured stunningly by dna photographers, but that dress, oh that dress, has grabbed a hold of my heart and won’t let go. That vintage-inspired, heart-stealing frock by Francois Vedemme (complete with handmade corset) is just be-yond – and it’s the perfect fit for this beyond perfect wedding. The gown is just the beginning of the beauty in this Cape Town stunner, so be sure to march yourself on over to the full gallery because believe it or not, it gets better…

From the Bride… I wanted my dress to be very vintage-inspired, quirky and totally original. The dress had to be corseted as I have no waist to speak of and I wanted to show off my legs a bit for a naughty element, so the skirt is translucent in parts. I really love the current Abed Mahfouz and Elie Saab gowns, but I wanted something with even more edge. Francois is an absolute genius and I always knew I wanted him to make my wedding dress, so I gave him my brief and he came up with the rest! The corset is hand-made and hand-beaded by Francois and his team, and the dress is of hand-made imported lace. The veil was about five metres long — it started off even longer but it was literally gobbling me up so we shortened it on the day. I had an absolute obsession at the time with the colour jade, hence my shoes and earrings. The flowers in my hair and Sarah’s hair (the bridesmaid) are taken from a vintage 1930’s veil my mom and I picked up years ago.

Michael went for a very relaxed look on arrival and sported a white slim-fit golfer (from Urban) and tailored black stretch slim fit pants (by Terrence Bray). Groomsmen wore the same but in full white changing later for ceremony into a button up white slim fit shirt (also Urban) and their outfits were finished off with a classic pair of white plimsoles by Vans (apparently great for dancing!). For the ceremony, Michael insisted on changing, ensuring that he was fresh after mingling and greeting all guests on arrival. He  wanted something very “James Bond” — well-fitted, comfortable and classic with a European twist, hence the tapered pants (Terrence Bray)  and the slip on suede slippers (by Billionaires Club), off white dinner jacket by Gianfranco Ferre and pants by Terrence Bray. Accessories included sunglasses by Prism of London, a watch by Panerai and the handkerchief of his late grandfather.

We had originally thought of (or I should we say had often talked about) eloping, but the final decision to get married in Cape Town (where we fell in love, we might add, although we live in Durban) provided us with a day and memories that will live with us forever. Not only did the city provide us with the most perfect week of weather, but also having all our family and close friends under one roof after not seeing some for ages (even since school) was something truly special and everybody a great opportunity to catch up during the week, to get to know one another and simply celebrate life and our BIG day. Big thanks to all involved, especially Gail from the Grand Café and Evention who crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s! I think the things that stick out the most for me were how amazing it felt to be walked down the “red carpet” by my dad, how totally gobsmacked I was when I saw Michael (we hadn’t seen each other for days) and how good it felt to hold his hand. My dad’s speech was just so perfect and funny and touching! WOW!

From the Groom… The day really went by quickly for me. From arriving early to some 60 or so guests that had decided to do the same, to watching Barbara arrive and walk down the aisle (red carpet in our case) to Wojtek’s (Barbara’s dad’s) unforgettable speech the grand feast (although I hardly ate) and finally Goldfish performing some of their new tracks live — it all made for a truly top evening. Let’s not the forget the oodles of French champagne and of course the late night pizza and pancakes (yes, it was a late late night!)

Wedding Photography: dna photographers / Wedding Venue: The Grand Cafe & Beach in Cape Town, South Africa / Wedding Planning: Victoria Jackson + Sarah Steele of Evention / Floral Design + Décor: Evention / Catering: The Grand Café & Beach / Wedding Dress: Francois Vedemme / Bride’s Shoes: Miu Miu / Bride’s Earrings: Lulu Belle / Bridesmaid’s Dress: Jenni Button / Bridesmaid’s Shoes: Nine West / Groom’s Suit Jacket: Gianfranco Ferre / Groom’s Pants: Terrence Bray / Groom’s Shoes: Billionaires Club / Groom’s Watch: Panerai / Groom’s Handkerchief: His Grandfather’s / Groomsmen’s Pants: Terrence Bray / Groomsmen’s Shoes: Vans / Groomsmen’s Shirts: Urban

I’ve never been (but have no fear, it’s been on my Must Travel list for ages) but I’m here to say South Africa must absolutely be FUN. Every wedding I see from the Rainbow Nation has the most perfect touch of whimsy to balance the crazy in love romance, and this one is no exception. We’ve fallen for the rainbow of bridesmaids, the fab florals, and the fantastic relaxed ballroom setting, all captured brilliantly by dna photographers. Fallen for all that, and more, HARD.

Click here to see the rest of the whimsy in the gallery!

Chris and I met four years go in a bowling club. I couldn’t believe that he liked me – he was sexy and cool and played in a band. We immediately fell for each other and moved in together after just three months and have been together ever since (but I wouldn’t recommend moving in that soon-its hard work!) So when we decided to get married it felt like it was always meant to be.

He proposed on a beach in our favourite fishing village called Arniston on Guy Fawkes. We didn’t want a long engagement and got married five months later. My mom helped me plan the whole thing, and being an advertising producer, she was the best wedding planner ever.

We wanted everything to be very relaxed and easy and just ‘us’. It couldn’t have gone more smoothly. The second we saw Casa Labia, we just knew it was the place. It is a beautiful Italian inspired villa by the sea, and the family who owns it has a strong, personal heritage in South Africa and Cape Town. It was so lovely with the Baroque downstairs and the art gallery upstairs. The entire event was planned to be on the lawn overlooking the sea, but it poured buckets on the day and the wonderful events manager, Emma moved everything inside and it worked beautifully. My friend told me that everyone was coming to be happy for us on the day and we would let everyone down if we were miserable about the weather. Great advice!

I found my dress at a designer shop called Hip Hop and picked it right off the rails at one visit (at a great price!). I had to keep it locked away at my friends house so that I wouldn’t try it on every day! Wedding dresses definitely don’t have to be expensive, they just have to be loved.Chris found an amazing jacket at Ben Sherman and pulled on his favourite jeans. I surprised him with a pair of blue suede shoes as a gift.

We wanted it to be colourful and retro, and I wanted the bridesmaids to look like a bunch of colourful balloons and they really did. I am lucky to have beautiful friends.  We had a choir at the ceremony and a jazz band at the reception and there was a rainbow to serenade us. There were beautiful, endless courses of bowl food (including fish and chips!) which everyone loved. It was the best day of our lives!

My advice to other brides is to really let it be a day where you express your own style as a couple and only choose things that you love. Get an inspiration board that you love early on and always keep checking back when you see new things or decide on things. Let your family and friends help, its great to have them part of the process. And whatever happens, if it rains or shines, have the funnest day of your life.

Photographers: dna photographers / Hair: Lara from Wyatt Hair / Make-up: The Image & Hair / Flowers: DIY Bride and Mother / Balloons: Party Corner / Choir: UCT Choir / Jazz Band: Dixie Swingers / Venue: Casa Labia / Chapel: The Range Stone Chapel / Invites: Pink Pigeon / Bridesmaids dresses: I Love Leroy / Dress: Hip Hop / Grooms jacket: Ben Sherman / Grooms shoes, ties, shirts, shoes: Woolworths / Bride shoes: Queue Shoes / Veil: Helenas Crown / Ring: Shelley and Harry / Food: The Gourmet Chef

I just had a “Life’s Not Fair” moment. I opened this amazing engagement sesh from dna photographers, and saw a gorgeous couple, on a fabulous Cape Town beach, totally and completely in love, and turned a little green with envy. But then I looked a little closer at their faces and fell in love with the love that shines so radiantly. That love, along with the impending weekend, has shown me life is wonderful, beautiful, and oh-so-fair again. Maybe even better than fair considering the gem of a week we’ve got to look forward to after the weekend. See you Monday, lovely LBBers! xoxo

Photography by dna photographers.

This weeks lovely line up all in one pretty, pretty spot:

a plum perfect Virginia vineyard soiree to die for
a romantic Cincinnati wedding with the most beautiful bride
a New York affair so chic, so luxe, so classic, we’re in love
a whimsically fun and absolutely stunning fête in California
an especially sweet soiree straight out of Kentucky
a handful of fabulous footwear and fab photography all rolled into one
a New Orleans fête that is tongue-tyingly beautiful
a stunning Phoenix travel themed wedding we love
a Oregon soiree that has the most amazing floral design + a love to match
a fabulous Mexican affair just in time for Cinco de Mayo

Three favorite links to get you in the Cinco de Mayo mood:

a fab + festive mini piñata favor DIY via Ruffled
a handful of fabulous Cinco de Mayo DIYs, recipes, and inspirations via Everything Fabulous
a tissue paper banner to make tomorrow festive via Hip Hip Hooray!

This South African affair celebrated in a town called Darling, turned out to be just that – absolutely darling. The adorable couple brought friends and family from all over the world to celebrate in South African style with details that embraced all the pretty places they love in the world. Personality is just oozing from every corner of this celebration by Julie Wilhite Photography, so get ready to take note of all the steal-worthy details. It just could not be more perfect for your afternoon inspiration pick me up and of course, the full gallery of images is full of even more pretty!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Chris and I met in Cape Town, South Africa over eight years ago in a chance encounter while I was on vacation with my sister. When I moved to South Africa in 2010, we reconnected  and it was a whirlwind courtship and engagement. Since Chris’s parents had never visited the USA, nor mine South Africa, we decided to get married in both countries with a small ceremony in Houston, Texas (my hometown) and then a larger wedding and party on the West Coast of South Africa. Chris and I have lived on four continents collectively, so we had family and friends traveling from all over the world to attend our South Africa wedding.  To make the day special for everyone involved, we decided to make the event a tribute to our South African, English and Texan heritages.

We searched the winelands of Cape Town for the perfect venue, and chose the West Coast because it had the rustic, friendly vibe that we wanted.  The town of Darling is a 45-minute drive from central Cape Town where we live, so it was close enough for guests to drive out for the day, but the scenery makes it feel a world away.  Cloof Vineyards, where we held the ceremony and reception, was the perfect site for our day: the wine farm has a beautiful lawn and pergola with expansive views and the staff are hospitable and accommodating.  They let us use the site as a canvas on which to paint our dream wedding.

Guests were greeted with Pimms, an English summer cocktail that set the tone for the day – relaxed and fun. Men were given Texas-style kerchiefs and sheriff’s badges to wear; ladies were given wooden fans and fabric corsages made from shue shue, a South African traditional fabric.  The ceremony was held on the lawn with views over the valley, and our vows were said under a picturesque tree adorned with antique hearts.  The ceremony was followed with a cocktail hour featuring Cloof Daisy Darling wines and hors d’oeuvres featuring tender Karoo lamb on skewers and danish feta phyllo triangles.

We wanted the dinner to be a chance for everyone to get to know one another and feel part of our extended family.  We set a long, long table with fresh wildflowers and denim table runners under a pergola strung with fairy lights which appeared almost magical as the sun set over the valley.  Dish Food & Social catered our event and designed a menu that I call “modern South African,” with local ingredients prepared in new and delicious ways. In keeping with the relaxed feel, everything was served family style in big dishes that were passed between guests.  The meal started with a smoked Springbok carpaccio, followed by pepper and mustard-crusted sirloin, rustic roasted vegetables and a butternut and capiscum salad.  Instead of wedding cake, we chose an assortment of pies as a nod to Texas – down-home pecan, apple, strawberry and chocolate caramel – baked by Miss K’s, where co-owner Kirsten makes the most divine Cape Town desserts. The champagne toast featured Graham Beck sparkling wine, a South African bubbly.

The dinner was followed by Barn Dancing in the wine farm’s “cow shed” – described by my sister as the most “upscale cow shed” she’d ever seen.  We continued with the fairy lights, strung from the rafters to resemble a star-studded sky.  Caroline Blundell, Cape Town’s own barn dance caller with a talent for getting people on the dance floor, taught everyone to do-si-do and promenade in a series of square and line dances.  The evening continued with our talented DJ (Rob Beviss-Chailinor) and everyone danced the night away.  We kept the guests well-fed with midnight snacks of skinny fries dipped in aioli and toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches.  The buses arrived at 1am to escort our guests home.

Wedding Photography: Julie Wilhite Photography / Floral Design & Decor: Family of the Bride / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Cloof Vineyards / Catering: Dish Food & Social / Officiating Minister: Hansen Preuss / Wedding Pies: Miss K’s Food Cafe / Fairy Lights: Eat Cake! / Table Runners: Custom by Mother of the Groom / Wedding Invitations: Paperless Post / Menus & Programs: The Bride / Groom’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / DJ: Rob Beviss Challinor / Barn Dance Caller: Caroline Blundell

When I first saw this wedding by Jan Hendrik, I started hyperventilating like a tween at a Justin Bieber concert.  I seriously have a debilitating crush on every little nook and cranny of fresh, clean inspiration this ravishing wedding has to offer!  Each and every incredible detail makes my heart beat a little faster.  The simple yet stunning color palette is GLORIOUS.  The bride’s sleek, classic, unadorned gown made of white denim fits the aesthetic almost as perfectly as it fits her figure.  Jan Hendrik’s photography is pure ecstasy, and this, the wedding of Karen and Graeme, is no exception.  As if all of that wasn’t enough, the bride’s enthusiasm, alone, makes it impossible not to fall in love with the couple and the day.  Can’t wait to see it all?  Get thee to the gallery!

{To see this incredible wedding in its entirety, click here to go to the gallery!}

I’ll let Karen take it away with the details:

I’ve never dreamed of my wedding day, no files and collages of what and where and how.  The nightmares had literally begun.  Where would I start?  Graeme quickly noticed the bags under my eyes and deer in headlights sheer panic and offered the wedding gift of a Wedding Coordinator.  Enter Lisa.  She was always a step ahead of me and with every step she was spot on; she somehow knew exactly what and how I wanted it, like a sister would.  Not only was she amazing in her talent but also in her own person – so was the talent she surrounded us with, Jade my hair and make-up artist, Jan Hendrik our photographer, Okasie our florist…  The comfort that all of their personalities and talents provided us allowed this usually anxiety filled panic stricken over thinker to be a bride capable of having a nap on the morning of her wedding.

My dress: I wanted white denim, structured and clean. I’m by no means a shiny princess and I didn’t want a dress that stood up by itself and made a swooshing sound (as Meredith said to Izzy in Grey’s Anatomy).  This didn’t go down well with the folks, the fabric shops or the dress maker.  But I stuck by it, and by the end even Kristin, my dressmaker, gushed.

The shoes meant a visit to my sister in Dubai to shop – her gift to me – Georgina Goodman’s and on sale for 80% off!  Finding my jewelry was hard; many antique markets later I could not find the vintage mar gazette pieces I yearned for.  However, an accessory shop in Sandton’s window display finally flashed me.

Hair and make-up, two disastrous hair trials with local strangers later I arrived the Wednesday before the wedding in Cape Town at Jade’s place (another stranger) with no brief and no pictures what so ever, just sheer hope that she could make me beautifully happy.

I’d never had my make up done by someone before and after she Mac’ed and Bobby Browned me I felt the most beautiful I have ever, could ever.  As for the hair, well, her first style left my sister and I shaking our heads in disbelief at just how awesome it looked.  Graeme designed all of the stationery and the rings which have the stationery doodle on and fit together like puzzle pieces.  Also, all the gents, the groom, best men and dad’s wore grey Converse All Stars – another point the mom’s weren’t impressed by.  Our First Dance was to Yeah Yeah Yeahs Hysteric, and we had dance classes by the lovely and patient choreographer Glenda Piemer.  I could see with every lesson and practice session that this was Graeme’s next gift to me as he smiled but through gritted teeth.

Finally, there was one cake per table, each in a different flavor, so we could do the cutting of each and a photo thereof with the beautiful guests stationed at each. This served as their yum dessert.  The whole thing was a total dream, perfection, the cliché best day and night of my life.

Congratulations, Karen and Graeme!  Thank you so much for sharing your incredible wedding with us!

xoxo, Alison of The Knotty Bride

Photographer: Jan Hendrik / Dress Maker: Kristin Masters, Garnish / Wedding Co-ordinator: Lisa Schoeman, Talk Functions / Hair & Make Up Artist: Jade Tara Leggat / Florist: Okasie / Cakes: Kanya Hunt / Rings: Jan, Sirkel