Category: Weddings by Type

Rustic Pastel Geometric Wedding at Kalmoesfontein by Natural Light Photography {Zarah & Matt}

by gaby

You’ve heard me say it enough times – I just love it when a couple’s wedding style really reflects who they are! And frankly, I can’t think of a better example than today’s lovely wedding, which is a fusion of the bride and groom’s tastes, styles, loves, lifestyle and venue. Even writing the title really made me smile – pastels + rustic + geometric? And I could have added ‘braai’ and ‘boho’ in there too, since Zarah and Matt’s lovely wedding also incorporated those elements, all in a completely charming and seamless way. The end result is bang on trend, but it’s also a true original, and more than that, it’s heartfelt and meaningful and fun (how much do I LOVE, for example, the maypole-style ceremony area?). Which, in my book, pretty much ticks every box on the ‘awesome wedding’ shortlist. Except, of course, for beautiful images – but with Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography on the job, that was a given anyway!Read More

Intimate Open Air Wedding at Groot Constantia by Marli Koen {Sarah & Kyle}

by gaby

You know, some of my favourite stories about weddings are about the way that a community (even in our modern age) responds to a bride and groom – for example, the way all the neighbours came out to wave my friend Lee off to her ceremony, for example, or the spontaneous applause that can greet a couple during a city photo shoot. It reminds me of the way that in a European village wedding, the bride and groom might walk from church to reception with their guests following behind and strangers cheering them on – a happy and triumphant parade. Today’s wedding reminds me of that spirit a lot – you can almost feel the sense of community at Sarah and Kyle’s wedding in these lovely pictures by Marli Koen, as well as the couple’s togetherness as they see each other for the first look and couple shoot, greet their guests, collect their waiting retinue, and walk down the aisle together. Their friends and family surround them, leaning in to hear their words of love, and afterwards, under the leafy shade on South Africa’s oldest wine estate, there’s the fluttering of fans, the drinking of wine, and the joy of a love story long in the making come to fruition. I also have to mention how much I love the lasercut pincushion proteas in coloured bottles on each table – such a sweet and fun South African detail!Read More

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

by gaby

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

Simple Elegance Nature’s Valley Wedding by Jenni Elizabeth {Michele and John}

by gaby

You know, it can be a challenge to find new words and new ways to describe the weddings we feature on SBB. I feel like I say “gorgeous” a lot these days. Well, I’m about to say it again, because today’s wedding is GORGEOUS. Absolutely, get-your-swoon-on, magazine-worthy gorgeous. Michele and John chose to go with a simple colour scheme of white, blush and gold, which was complemented throughout by the deep emerald of foliage from their hanging swags and table garlands, and spectacular floral ceremony arch. Everything about it fits together like the pieces of a beautiful couple, partly thanks to the absolutely breathtaking pictures by Jenni Elizabeth. We’ve been looking forward to featuring Jenni’s work for a while, and I hope you’ll be seeing many more of her lovely images on SBB in future. But for today, let’s sit back and breathe in the simple elegance of Michele & John’s Garden Route wedding, and the sheer romance.Read More

Quirky Country Wedding at Jan Harmsgat by Stroopsoet Photography {Lizahn & Bennie}

by gaby

I’ve said it before, but some venues really speak for themselves, and a wise bride and groom will let them do just that by keeping decor and details to a minimum and letting their choice of location shine through. Sometimes that’s through amazing nature or grand architectural style, but with today’s wedding, we have a thoroughly unique, quirky and all-round amazing venue in the form of Cullinan’s Jan Harmsgat. Bennie and Lizahn really wanted something unusual for their big day, so this spot was a perfect reflection of their laid-back, happy personalities, and I was blown away by the cool little touches: hanging tins and plates, enamelware embedded in the walls (seriously, there’s even a tin cup arch!), rich, eclectic fabrics, vintage signs. I’m also really excited to introduce you to new directory members Stroopsoet Photography, who took these lovely pictures – be sure to click through and have a look at their listing!Read More

Romantic Duck Egg Blue Wedding at Barker Manor by Knot Just Pics {Lauren & Scott}

by gaby

Nothing sends us head over heels here at SBB HQ quite like a gorgeous wedding, beautifully photographed, and that’s just what we have in store for you today. This rustic-meets-classic affair in shades of clean white and duck egg blue (how much do we LOVE this colour?) from the fab Knot Just Pics team has us completely captivated, from the white VW Beatle wedding car, to the romantic arch and flower chandelier at the ceremony, and on to the delicate florals and soft stripes at the reception. Plus, don’t miss bride Lauren’s hilarious write-up on her big day! It’s no wonder with so much prettiness, and the couple’s sense of fun, that there’s such a happy atmosphere in these images.Read More

Handmade Forest Wedding at The Big Red Barn by Stella Sassen {Carien & Hannes}

by gaby

If you go down to the woods today… well, today you’ll find no teddybear’s picnic, but the big surprise you’re in for is a beautiful forest wedding from the fab Stella Sassen. Carien and Hannes perfectly combined the handmade look with an unusual palette (slate, mustard and white – love!) and an amazing rustic, forest venue for a perfectly pretty country wedding right in the middle of Gauteng. And I love Carien’s bridal style too, including a stunning portrait back dress (with very special meaning, dreamed up by the bride herself!). In fact, there are so many elements to love – paper flowers, succulents, buckets of proteas… And of course, those beautiful, serene trees. What a perfect place to promise your forevers.Read More

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

by gaby

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

Dreamy Safari Wedding at Karongwe Game Reserve by Rensche Mari {Lizel & Guy}

by gaby

You don’t need me to tell you again how much I love the South African bushveld – as Ernest Hemingway said: “I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up and was not happy.” This wedding has everything I love about the bushveld – the soft, dreamy colour palette, the rustic setting, amazing animal sightings, colour, laughter, joy – and most of all, the sense of serenity that only comes under a great big starry African sky. Of course, a wedding like that needs a photographer to do it justice, and Rensche Mari does just that – these pics are super gorgeous, and show off every pretty detail of Lizel and Guy’s beautiful big day. Grab a G&T and enjoy!Read More

Darling Floral Wedding at Towerbosch by Moira West {Monya & Dawid}

by gaby

I’ve heard of a runaway bride, but instead of turning in her running shoes, today’s happy wife-to-be wore hers down the aisle, the better to run to her waiting groom! So adorable, and indicative of the love and joy that really shines out from this beautiful wedding, captured by one of our fave photographers, Moira West. Add in some lush florals (including our much beloved protea), a super romantic and pretty two-piece peachy wedding dress, and a few sweet surprises along the way, and you have the most gorgeous country wedding on a summer afternoon. Sigh.Read More