Scandinavian Gothic Wedding by Vanilla Photography

Where do I even start with this wedding, you guys? Maybe the concept, kind of a Gothic romance meets Viking feast meets meets Hollywood glamour (especially thanks to the bride and groom, Jessica and Renier, looking like a pair of Tinseltown starlets!). Or maybe the bridesmaids’ dresses, which would have to make my list of top ten faves of all time. Or the flowers (oh my WORD the flowers), dripping from top to bottom of the beautiful Midlands reception space and bringing to life the palette of black (LOVE the way it’s used here), blush and burgundy. Or maybe I should just start with the suppliers, because really, the credits read like a who’s who of my fave Natalians – Michigan Behn for Vanilla Photography, Joe from Oh Happy Day (love how every single OHD wedding is so different!), the supremely talented Carolyn from Adore Weddings, and more. It’s the kind of wedding that makes my heart glow, and not just because of the cozy wintery vibe! So let’s dive in, shall we?

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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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Classic Meets Rustic Wedding at The Venue by Lana Human

Aldine & Ruan’s country classic wedding is really what brides’ daydreams are made of. Beautiful white tulips, a lace sleeve gown, bridesmaids rocking blush, and a reception that’s a little bit rustic, a little bit contemporary, a little bit glam, and a whole lot of light, bright and airy. And with fairy lights everywhere reflecting off the sequin runners and statement chandeliers, it has a truly magical feeling about it. With the lovely Lana Human behind the lens, you’re sure to fall in love with every bit of this celebration!

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Intimate Italian-style Wedding at Zorgvliet by Tasha Seccombe

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of all things Italian (I mean, I’m half Italian myself, and proudly so). But in the absence of a plane ticket to Tuscany, if I were to receive an invitation to a beautiful, intimate, Italian-inspired soiree like this one? I’d be there faster than you could say “I do”. Ilna and Neil created something really special for their big day – a sophisticated, jewel-toned celebration that manages to fuse the best of the South African winelands with a touch of La Bella Vita. The flowers, for one, are ridiculously beautiful – peonies and hydreangeas and orchids in shades of mauve and plum and burgundy. And contrasting with that abundance is Ilna’s breathtakingly elegant gown and Neil’s classic black suit. Sleek sophistication meets organic. And talking about sophistication, I love that the couple opened the dancefloor with a tango! These beautiful pics by the lovely Tasha Seccombe capture every bit of their big day, and will stick in your memory for a long time to come!

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Refined Rustic Wedding at Landtscap by Stephanie Veldman

As an Oud Matie I’m more than a little bit biased, but I think that the view over Stellenbosch is the most beautiful view in the world. Those mountains against a summer sky just take my breath away every single time! Which is what makes it the most breathtaking backdrop for a wedding, and one of the reasons why Katherine and Rupert chose Landtscap as their venue. This adorable pair, who met and legally wed in London and headed to South Africa for their wedding celebration, had a simple plan for their big day – classic colours, gorgeous textures, and a light and romantic feel. With the help of some very talented vendors (right down to our fave catering supremos, Two Chefs), they pulled that off. I especially love Okasie‘s beautiful florals – the shelves of greenery and blooms behind the bridal table, the flower arch, the bright bouquet. And with the bride rocking a stunning lace Anna Georgina gown and the groom in Hugo Boss, it was unfussy but glamorous style all the way. The lovely Stephanie Veldman took these happy pics.

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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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Cozy Country Wedding in Kaapsehoop by Disco Road Photography

I’ve heard of some pretty unusual proposals, but popping the question on a squash court is a new one for me. And yet, today’s groom, Coenraad, managed to make it into the most romantic thing ever (no wonder Anneen said yes!). Their wedding followed suit… A destination celebration in the little town of Kaapsehoop, a cozy country inn for a venue, forest greens and wood textures complemented by amber bottles and striped linens on the tables, white naked cakes, gorgeous winter floral bridesmaid separates and groomsmen in green ties. Oh, and speaking of attire, Anneen’s Anna Georgina gown is an absolute beauty, only a little less radiant that the bride herself and her happy groom, as they prove the newlywed glow is oh-so-real! This is the first time we’ve featured Disco Road Photography with these lovely pics – and hopefully not the last!

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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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Windswept Modern Romance Wedding at Landtscap by Pritti

When it comes to wedding day weather, it’s rain that makes most brides’ toes curl in terror, but wind never really gets a mention although if you live in the Cape, you know it’s a fact of life sometimes. So when I was looking at the images of Chanel and Rikus’ wedding – these beautiful portraits made even more beautiful by the fact that some are a little wild and windswept, I was wondering to myself if it had bothered them, or if they’d realised how much extra movement it would add to Migneon Marais’ of Pritti‘s gorgeous pictures of their big day. Then I read their story, and discovered that the wind is their talisman – a literal force of nature that brought them together and showed up to surround them with love as they exchanged their vows. That’s magical, isn’t it? And looking at these two, you can see that their love is something natural and unstoppable too. The romance! I’m totally neglecting to talk about the details here, but trust, they are awesome too – greenery done in a modern, minimalist way, and super fun touches like a blockbuster first dance, bridesmaids rocking contemporary Audrey Hepburn LBDs and updos, incredible catering from amazing SBB faves, Two Chefs, and a glow stick dance party. Let’s all get swept away, shall we?

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Intimate Winter Winelands Wedding at Spier by Helette Photography

Wondering if an intimate wedding is for you? Well, look no further for inspiration. There’s a quiet sophistication we love about Melissa and William’s Stellenbosch celebration – a destination wedding at their favourite estate, Spier – it’s hard to believe it really only took two months to pull together! The white tulip bouquet, the beautiful blooms, the floral arch… The look is classic elegance, letting the couple’s love and happiness shine above all else, and the winter season and pared back guest list kept things intimate and cozy. Love the way that the couple treated their guests to a wine tasting while they had their couple shoot – one of those experiences you can really maximise on creating for your guests when you have fewer of them. Helette Photography took these lovely pics!

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