Elegant Travel Themed Wedding at Nooitgedacht by Art Photo

I think one of the reasons that the travel wedding ‘theme’ has remained such a favourite with my readers year in and year out is that it’s one of the few that isn’t just about being a trend but is really about telling a couple’s story. For Greg and Tina, that story is bound inextricably with travel. Almost as long as they’ve been a couple, they’ve been travelling across oceans to be together, and exploring the world as they grown in love. It’s so romantic! And so when it came to finding a thread to run through their decor and design, it had to be travel. I absolutely love the ideas Tina executed to pull this off – the cake especially, but also the seating plan, the hand painted table names, the little aeroplanes here and there on the stationery. There were other clever ideas that told the couple’s story too though – a G&T bar to honour their monogram, a proudly South African menu to honour the place they met and fell in love, even a cocktail hour pub quiz for their guests (SO fun!). And all of this against the stunning winelands backdrop of Nooitgedacht Estate, which perfectly complemented the bride’s elegant vision. There are so many wonderful stories woven through this day, it’s definitely worth taking the time to read what Tina had to say about all of it, and sharing in these special moments thanks to the images by Art Photo!

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Japanese Inspired Wedding at The 12 Apostles Hotel by Kaitlyn De Villiers

When it comes to wedding industry pros, I think there’s a lot of pressure when it comes time for them to plan their own weddings (at this point I think I would just elope LOL), but they do have one huge advantage, and that’s knowing the best people to help pull off a spectacular big day. With friends like these, it’s easy to exceed expectations! And that’s just what happened for bride Melissa of Blackeyed Susan, and her sweetheart Louis, when they married in a gorgeous Cape Town celebration inspired by Japanese design. With a clear vision of the aesthetic they wanted to achieve, they briefed their suppliers and then let them work their creative magic, and the result is STUNNING. The cake, the flowers, and of course the setting! And that’s before we even talk about Melissa’s cap sleeve, ivory lace bodice gown, which of course she decided to create herself (because after all, who knows a designer’s vision better than herself?) Again, she incorporated Japanese elements here to fabulous effect, including an obi belt and a traditional Kanzashi. This really is something special, and it was captured to perfection by Kaitlyn De Villiers Photography!

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Elegant Superhero Wedding at Silver Sixpence by Daniel West

Superhero Surprise Wedding Cake Batman Superman Captain America | Image: Daniel West

Just when I think I’ve seen it all, a superhero themed wedding lands in my inbox! When it comes to fun ideas, this one delivers a real punch (pow!), and was such a playful way for Neill and Alicia to bring in one of the groom’s great loves and a sense of childhood whimsy to their otherwise super classic do. From the cake (business in front, comic book party in the back) to the groomsmen’s accessories, to even the bride’s garter, fun Batman, Superman and Captain America touches were sprinkled throughout the day, and they mixed surprisingly well with the silver and white palette and elegant details. Daniel West was on the scene, putting his own superpowers to work behind the camera.

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Alice in Wonderland Inspired Elopement by Andries Combrink & Runaway Romance

Alice in Wonderland Inspired Elopement | Credit: Andries Combrink & Runaway Romance

I have a special place in my wedding-loving heart for elopements. There’s something so utterly romantic about the idea of two people taking this moment away from the rest of the world for just them, to promise their forevers wrapped up in one another with no distractions, and bask in the glow of the moment, seeing it reflected in each other’s eyes. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but a beautiful wedding à deux always makes me smile. And I know someone else who loves these kinds of weddings as much as I do – the lovely Rebecca of Runaway Romance, who has made it her mission as a wedding planner to focus on more intimate celebrations and bring them a special kind of magic through her love of detail and styling. After all, just because it’s only the two of you, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t look amazing! Today’s wedding is just that. Theuns and Ewalda chose to infuse their elopement with their love of literature in general and Alice in Wonderland in particular, and the result is a wonderfully whimsical celebration with the sweetest of details, from paper flowers (mixed in with red roses, of course!), to Scrabble tile elements, to a custom ceremony backdrop that proclaimed ‘It was always you’. Told you elopements were romantic! Andries Combrink was there to capture the whole thing on film.

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Equestrian Themed Wedding by Christine Joy Photography

There’s something special about home weddings – they have such a sense of warmth and comfort and happiness about them, and I love picturing the couple returning time and again over the years and always thinking of their special day, and how this tree is the one they got married under and that spot is where the marquee was, or whatever it is. Today’s home-on-the-farm wedding is all that and more, because it also includes a very personal theme, perfect not just for the Karoo stud farm location, but for the horse-mad bride and groom. As well as getting married in a paddock, having their reception at the stables, and having plenty of their four-legged friends included as part of the day, Alex and Jess opted to include sweet equestrian elements in their decor, from horse shoe escort cards, to rosette table numbers, to tack and trophies on the tables, to ‘grass’ centrepieces. So fun, and so personal. And I can’t not mention Jess’ blushing bride bouquet, or the blushing bride-bedecked cake! My FAVE. Christine Joy took these lovely pictures that really capture all the down-home fun and happiness.

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Rustic Travel Themed Wedding at Langkloof Roses by Vizion Photo {Izabela & Andre}

A sweetly rustic, vintage travel themed, peach and sage wedding on a rose farm. Heaven, right? This wedding has all those elements we love to see – DIY projects handmade with plenty of love, pretty flowers on wooden tables, a fantastic venue with wooden beams and hanging bulbs, and most of all – a theme that reflects the couple’s story. Happy and heartfelt, cosy and charming, it’s beautifully captured by our friends at Vizion Photo.Read More

Love Birds Wedding at Cheerio Gardens by Hello Rademan {Zelda & Richard}

Let’s be honest, thanks to Tom Fletcher, pretty much every woman on the planet thinks that marrying a musician, who sings to you during his speech, is about the most romantic thing ever. So right there, today’s wedding was already goosebumps, since today’s groom (of SA band ISO) is just such a one. But beyond that, this rustic beauty has such an adorable sweetness to it. Zelda and Richard love birds as much as they love music, so they themed their wedding around that – even taking inspiration from the beautiful lilac-breasted roller for their palette. Throughout their country wedding there were bird-themed touches – little silver birdhouses, bird-themed tables and escort cards, and bird seed confetti (which we love, because it’s so environment friendly too). And the sweetness continued, from the DIY details to the wildflower centrepieces, on into a reception that included a cigar bar, milk & Oreo shots, and lots and lots of dancing. Hello Rademan took these lovely pictures.Read More

Old West Themed Stone Cellar Wedding by Marinda May Photography {Lana-May & Duke}

You know how everyone has that guilty pleasure movie, that they’ve seen a hundred times but wouldn’t admit to a film buff? For me, that’s Young Guns II. I was pretty much obsessed with it in high school (or was that obsessed with Emilio Estevez, I don’t know?). Even though it’s hardly representative of the Western genre (and let’s be honest, in a cage fight between Clint Eastwood and the Brat Pack, we know who would win), it did give me a love of all things cowboy. Years later, I visited New Mexico and fell head over heels for the scenery, but that’s another story. The fact is, we all love a bit of a high noon, gun-totin’, quick-drawin’, OK corral-showdownin’ Western, even if we’re from the south of Africa rather than the south of America. Today’s couple, Lana-May and Duke (how could you be called Duke and NOT have a cowboy-themed wedding?) pulled on their stetsons and cowboy boots and gave their guests a western wedding to remember, complete with line dancing, moonshine and rustic decor details hotter than a Texas summer. SO FUN. Marinda May was there to capture every fabulous 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

Pastel Travel-themed Netherwood Wedding by Rensche Mari {Leanie & Theuns}

I just love when I get to feature weddings that combine the talents of wedding pros who I have come to know and admire through my years as a blogger – it always gives me such pleasure to see brides put themselves in their hands and come out with beautiful results! Today’s wedding features three of my favourite names – Rensche Mari, one of our most talented photographers; Netherwood, an absolutely gorgeous venue that I have visited in person; and the very lovely Ché of indieberries and indielovebooks. So needless to say, Leanie and Theuns have excellent taste! As always, my favourite part is the details that tell their story, and their travel theme does just that – be sure to read all about Theuns’ totally original mile high proposal!Read More