Charming DIY Wedding at Cranford Country Lodge by Tanya Jacobs

If I think of a countryside wedding, and imagine the most perfect place to exchange vows, I always picture the chapel at Cranford Country Lodge (one of SBB’s preferred venues and a member of the SBB Collection). With an ivy covered doorway and views over the spectacular little England that is the Natal Midlands, it’s pure rural romance, and a perfect example of why the phrase ‘country wedding’ immediately puts a smile on any wedding lover’s face. Today’s wedding shows Cranford off in all its pretty glory – Charl & Kim are an adorable couple who wanted to infuse their intimate celebration with their personalities and the things they love, and did it by DIYing their way to a celebration that was oh so charming (and budget savvy too!). From the colourful bunting to Kim’s wreath bouquet, to her bridesmaids’ peachy two-pieces and the groomsmen’s cork bow ties, from the sparkly linens to the origami flowers, you can see that every detail has been selected and created with love, and caught on camera beautifully by Tanya Jacobs!

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Radiant Midlands Wedding at Orchards by Bright Girl Photography

Just when I think I’ve seen my share of elegant Midlands weddings, I get to share this gem with you and my heart does its little happy dance once more. Not only is Anthea and Brendan’s wedding full of pretty- hanging greenery, garlands on the table (with blues and burnt oranges making for the most gorgeous bright combo with that green), amazing bridesmaid dresses in signature navy blue, touches of rustic wood (right down to the adorbs wood ring ‘pillow’), and beautiful stationery – but it also has one of my fave photographers working her magic behind the lens. Eileen of BrightGirl Photography always seems to capture that newlywed glow, the radiance behind the pretty, and this stylish soiree is no exception. So let’s sink our little teeth into it, shall we?

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Boho Winter Wedding at Cranford Country Lodge by Andy & Szerdi Photography

A woodsy wedding in the middle of the beautiful, serene Natal Midlands… when it comes to winter weddings in South Africa, it doesn’t get much more romantic than this right here. And when it’s overflowing with greenery and touches of rustic gold (gold apples, I love!), I can’t help but love it even more. Kate and Graham picked one of SBB’s fave venues, the gorgeous Cranford Country Lodge, as the backdrop to their celebration – from the adorable little chapel to the cozy reception hall, to the forest where they took their fairytale couple pics, it’s perfection, and it meshes so well with the couple’s boho style. Andy & Szerdi were on the scene and took these lovely pics – so excited to finally get to share this beautiful day with you!

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Cozy Protea-filled Wedding at Old Haliwell by Kristi Smith

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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Glitter & Greenery Wedding at Maroupi by Carmen Roberts

It’s Friday! And while we can’t pop the bubbly until after work, Lauren and Sean’s wedding has just the right amount of fizz and sparkle to keep us more than happy until champagne ‘o clock. This effervescent couple chose the lovely Maroupi as their venue and dressed it up with greenery and a dusting of glitz in the form of shimmery linens and gold sprayed eucalyptus – so pretty! And for an extra touch of festive flair, they placed a cracker at each setting – I love this Christmassy touch which is sure to delight your guests whatever the time of year. (For a cracker making tutorial, see here.) I’m also utterly in love with Lauren’s gown, which comes from chic boutique Toujours Wedding House, and fit the bride like a glove! But my favourite idea? The wine and charcuterie spread for cocktail hour – (clearly this is a couple after my own heart!) Carmen Roberts took these lovely pics – cheers to all the pretty!

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Country Classic Wedding at The Glades by Fiona Clair

Oh joy! We’re kicking off our week with a wedding from SBB fave Fiona Clair, and it’s as romantic and beautiful as you might expect! Brittany and JP opted for a Midlands wedding right out of the country classic playbook, adding their own spin with personal details that reflected their history and personalities. With greenery, fairy lights, Kraft paper stationery and the most breathtaking Casey Jeanne gown, you won’t be able to help yourself from pinning away! I also love that Brittany took to heart a tip from our friend Jo of Oh Happy Day! here in Durbs, to concentrate on the feeling they wanted to create – such great advice, and the result was an atmosphere of celebration, fun and love. And with Fiona’s oh-so-spectacular images, the picture is complete! Sigh.

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Vintage Organic Autumn Wedding at Orchards by Summertown Pictures

I love when couples really get into the creative design of their wedding, because frankly, that’s why I even started doing what I do! I get such a buzz from finding that perfect combination of colours and textures and design elements that will work together, and converting trends into personal details that will resonate with the bride and groom and their families. Today’s bride clearly shares this love because she had a comprehensive vision for the happy day she and her love Rob tied the knot, which included greenery, copper, warm tones, autumn details, soft candlelight, beautiful music, and great food. All the best stuff! And best of all, Cindy and Rob’s family and friends got in on the action, adding that wonderful, creative, handmade touch to everything from ceremony to reception, and filling the space with pretty (and love!). So wonderful, and Summertown Pictures were there to take these lovely pics!

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Natural Greenery Wedding at Talloula by Duane Smith

Happy Monday lovelies! We’re finishing off a month dedicated to Greenery with this wedding which is full of greenery (only appropriate, right!). Kerry and Warren are one of those wonderful couples who are all about being themselves on their big day, which made many of their design choices simple (and simply lovely!), and the feeling of their big day intimate and personal. (Even more so thanks to some soft mist that rolled in over Talloula to make their photos extra romantic!) Greenery was definitely the design theme of the day, thanks to Kerry’s love for eucalyptus, succulents and other greens, which adorned the tables in long twists, lined the aisle, and made for the loveliest of flower crowns and bouquets. Add in a constellation of twinkle lights, and you have something special, all captured by Duane Smith!

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Boho Beach Wedding at Canelands Beach Club by Andy & Szerdi Photography

A couple of years ago, for my mama’s birthday, we decided to have a day of girly spa fun. We stumbled across the perfect place, which is how I came to find Canelands Beach Club in Salt Rock for the first time. And not only was it an awesome spot for some mother daughter lunching and a massage, but I kept thinking that the patio looking out over the ocean with its beautiful infinity pool and simple, elegant furnishings, was a perfect spot for an intimate wedding reception. Well, I was right. Tanya and Mike, our fab couple today, turned that same thought into a reality themselves, with the most gorgeous reception right on the sands. And for good measure, they added a bunch of seriously adorable DIY and handmade details that really expressed who they are as a couple, from the ceramic skull favours (to remind their friends and family to give life horns – how cute is that?) to the custom beach bar and champagne station. And let’s not forget one of Tanya’s smartest ideas of all – her bridesmaids’ ‘bouquet’s, which doubled up as floral crowns! This whole wedding is beach boho joy and loveliness from beginning to end, and I’m so thrilled to be sharing Andy & Szerdi Photography‘s images with you today!

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Botanical NYE Wedding at Maroupi by Sasha Campbell

Y’all probably already know how much I’m in love with greenery and botanical style weddings in general. But being a Durban girl now, that love is even stronger when you combine more subtle greenery (your ferns and eucalyptus for example) with bold tropical foliage. I mean, seriously. So when I caught a glimpse of Lucy and Mike’s New Year’s Eve wedding decked out in all kinds of botanical beauty from the amazing floral chandeliers to mini topiaries to lush palm leaves, I was in LOVE. Mind you, that wasn’t even the first thing I fell in love with when I saw Sasha Campbell‘s lovely pics – that honour goes to the incredible Hanrie Lues gown worn by the bride with its whimsical illusion lace back and flowing skirt. This celebration perfectly marries (ha!) subtle sophistication with botanical boldness, and it was held on New Year’s Eve, so it had that extra dash of magic. Settle in and check it all out!

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