City Botanical Wedding at The Pot Luck Club by Marli Koen {Catherine & Jason}

Brides and grooms, I beg of you, consider a city wedding, because OMG they are so fabulous. And as cities go, let’s be honest, Cape Town is amazing. So when you combine urban chic with lush botanical styling and a Table Mountain skyline, you get the wedding we have today – super romantic with a touch of glitz… fun, intimate and relaxed… and did I mention pretty? I’m especially in love with both the bride and bridesmaids’ dresses, as well as the greenery that Catherine and Jason chose to decorate both the church (Kate and Wills-style) and their favourite restaurant, The Pot Luck Club. Flowing greenery, inspired by a meadow, bringing the outdoors indoor, and perfectly complementing the city location. Perfect. The lovely Marli Koen was on the scene, capturing every smiley moment and flash of sequin and lace.Read More

Market Wedding at Café Roux by Bianca Asher {Tanya & Trevor}

And now – as the Monty Python boys would say – for something completely different. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, this little beauty landed in my inbox from the lovely Bianca Asher. I was completely intrigued by the pictures of Tanya and Trevor wandering around Hout Bay market in their wedding outfits (including the most gorgeous fuschia ombre wedding dress for the bride, with a beaded statement back – wow!), and when I read their story, I loved it even more. This, you guys, is not only how you create a wedding on your own terms, but use creative thinking to turn budget challenges into something completely unique and completely personal. Not only did this fun bride and groom pop into the market for their photo session, they brought the market with them to their reception, feeding guests at a variety of stations from spring rolls to burgers to decadent desserts to ice cream, and exchanging vows with a backdrop of brightly coloured ribbons and happy faces. This is one of those weddings that looks like it would be SO FUN to be at, which really, is the ultimate recommendation.Read More

Urban Luxe Wedding at Katy’s Palace by Lad & Lass {Alexia & Albert}

I have to tell you guys, as much as I love a country wedding, I get a special little thrill when a city affair lands in my inbox (or when my talented intern, Candice, unearths a little urban gem, as she did with this one). Especially when it’s a city wedding at a completely awesome venue, as Alexia and Albert’s turned out to be. I hadn’t come across Katy’s Palace Bar in Johannesburg before, but knowing that it’s part of the same family as the gorgeous Emily Moon in Plett, I’m not surprised that it’s amazing – full of luxe, eclectic styling, with a breathtaking view over the Jozi skyline, and the kind of industrial antique touches that bring to mind the city’s history. There’s not much you need to do with a venue like this, and Alexia and Albert played it perfectly, lining the tables with lace and filling the room with tall white candles and lush, bright florals. And let’s just take a moment to talk about Alexia’s Abigail Betz dress – I LOVE the convertible dress trend (where a single gown goes from day to night with the removal of a long skirt usually), and this one is romantic and effortless – such a clever look, and perfectly suited to the church ceremony and city chic reception. Lad & Lass recorded this one for the ages, combining their amazing talent for detail and colour with a capture-the-moment flair – the result is just as wonderful as it sounds.Read More

Something Blue Fairway Hotel Wedding by Jack and Jane Photography {Gugu & Bongani}

Happy heritage day, folks! You know, with some things in life, a little really does go a long way. Chanel No 5, kindness, chilli oil. And colour, especially when you’re dealing with the clean lines of a bright, modern wedding style like Gugu and Bongani decided to do. They chose blue as their accent colour and added just the perfect amount into their venue’s blank canvas of white and soft grey – adorable baby blue bridesmaid dresses, dusky blue tablecloths and then a pop of electric colour from sprays of dendrobium orchids and individual blooms placed at each setting. The couple themselves are the picture of city wedding chic – love the sparkled-up sweetheart neckline of the bride’s dress especially! Our lovely photographer friends Jack and Jane Photography (who you may remember as Laura Jane Photography until their fabulous recent rebrand) were there to capture these gorgeous images of the big day.Read More

Colourful V&A Waterfront Wedding by Dear Heart Photos{Amanda & Michael}

Amanda and Michael’s wedding really captures for me some of the fun and colour and effervescent romance of Cape Town – a heartfelt ceremony, a laid-back cocktail reception, and of course the most GORGEOUS portraits from Dearheart Photos with the spectacular V&A Waterfront in the background. It’s a backdrop that barely needs any adornment, and fits perfectly into the ‘magical lights’ theme that Amanda dreamed of, with the harbour lights twinkling on the waters, and the happy laughter of family and friends bubbling out from the balcony of the Alba Lounge. Add a slush puppy machine full of frozen margaritas, jewel coloured florals and bridesmaid dresses that popped perfectly against the Waterfront’s moody blues, as well as a gorgeous floral headband for the bride, and you have the perfect mix for a spectacular port city wedding.Read More

Urban Boho Wedding at Arts on Main by Creative Emporium {Cindi & Cameron}

One of the things I love most about having a geographical niche for this little blog is that I’ve never had to limit myself to a particular type or style of wedding, and today’s celebration is a great example of why this makes me happy. Take a vibey, artsy, city venue and combine it with pretty boho style (along with a soft natural palette of blues and mochas) and you have something very special. Then add in a flock of lovingly-made paper cranes and one of the most uniquely gorgeous wedding dresses I have ever seen, and you’ll see why today is one of the days I love my job. Which just goes to show – when you pick a location and details that reflect you as a couple, it all comes together beautifully. Helped along of course by some stonkingly pretty pictures from the fab Creative Emporium (who we’re welcoming to SBB for the first time, yay!).Read More

Elegant Waterfront Wedding at the One & Only Cape Town by Lindy Photography {Olivia & Salubona}

Today’s wedding is all about modern elegance and simplicity. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Salubona and Olivia celebrated their wedding with family and friends, taking full advantage of the Mother City’s abundant natural charms. Just looking at the light glinting off the water, at Table Mountain striking a pose in the background, at the range of guests suited up in both fashion-forward and traditional Swazi attire, reminds me what makes Cape Town so special. I love that Olivia and Salubona let this vibrant city speak for itself, accenting it with graceful white flowers, navy suits for the boys, and pretty baby blue for the bridesmaids. Like Olivia’s philosophy on her gorgeous wedding dress – she wanted to wear the dress, not let it wear her – this couple struck the perfect balance with their nuptial style, and the fab Lindy Kannemeyer of Lindy Photography was on hand to capture every sun-kissed, romantic moment.Read More

Gatsby-esque Cocktail Wedding Reception at an Antique Storeroom by Alfred Lor {Lindi & Morgan}

I told you we were on a winning streak with two gorgeous weddings today, and here we are with Part 2! Lindi and Morgan’s celebration was twice as nice – an intimate celebration with elegant Delft-inspired decor (see it here), and then a blowout 1920s influenced cocktail reception for their wider circle in what has to be one of the coolest and most unique venues I’ve seen – a converted antique showroom full of the most incredible mirrors and chandeliers – wow! I love that Lindi used her contacts as a designer to come up with something a bit different, and it’s just perfect for the Gatsby vibe that the couple were trying to create. Add a few tables groaning with treats, guests jazzed up for the Jazz Era theme, and just as much love and joy as in the first wedding, and you have an absolutely incredible sequel. Pics are by the fab Alfred Lor.Read More

Real Wedding at Welgemeend {Jade & George}

Happy Friday, lovelies! And not just any Friday, but the last one at work for many of you, as the holiday season gets into gear. We’re having a bit of a holiday on SBB from next week too – there’s a full line-up of retrospective 2013 loveliness, but today is the last new real wedding we’ll feature for this year. And I can’t think of a better note to go out on, because Jade and George’s wedding is so full love and exuberance, slick suits, a beautiful custom made necklace and the cutest little red getaway car. They submitted it themselves, and I couldn’t resist sharing this stylish couple’s pics with you – they’re guaranteed to make you smile! Mads Norgaard, who just happens to be a friend of bride and groom, took these fab pictures.Read More

Real Wedding at Webersburg {Leandrie & Raubie}

Hello dear friends – sorry you missed out on your real wedding fix yesterday! I have a little holiday planned for next week, so I’m on double duty making sure everything’s ready to keep things pretty around here. Anyway, today’s wedding from Cheryl McEwan – as full of little details as it is – is definitely one to keep you entertained. Leandrie and Raubie were married at the magnificent Webersburg, with pops of green against a neutral palette, and lots of fun touches. My favourite is definitely the milkshakes with stripy green straws – adorableness! I also really love that Cheryl’s made sure not just to photograph these details as they stood on the day, but to get the bridal party interacting with them – it’s a nice editorial way of bringing those little touches to the forefront and making sure your pictures tell the story not only of your day, but of all the effort you put into the details, which I know is important to a lot of you! So here we go… enjoy!Read More