Image: Jonathan Wherrett via Vintage Now

Hello lovelies, are you all ready for your weekend? I have a rare personal post coming up today, but first, it’s time to look at another awesome bridesmaid dress trend and this is one I’ve been looking forward to highlighting for a while. I don’t know about you, but I LOVE The Great Gatsby. Ever since I read it, I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the roaring ’20s. I’m also a little bit obsessed with Baz Luhrmann – Strictly Ballroom is my ALL TIME favourite film, with Romeo + Juliet coming a close second (although, let’s not talk about Moulin Rouge or Australia, kay?). So as you can imagine, I am dying to see the film. And the timing is perfect, because fashion and wedding world have been jonesing for this for ages – 1920s keeps being a trend, and it keeps getting better, especially with all the gorgeous embellished dresses around at the moment. Seriously, could someone doing this please make me their bridesmaid? Because I so want an excuse to wear one of these beauties. Full disclosure: it’s not the most budget-friendly look (although I have identified some pocket-friendly options here), but it is mismatched (or even matched), glam, perfection. You don’t need to be having a vintage or Gatsby-themed wedding to pull it off either, but it will add a gorgeous touch of dapper flapper to your wedding style.

Images: Tanya Shields Photography/Unique Vintage via Wedding Bells (left); Tiffany Wayne Photography via Brenda’s Wedding Blog (top right); Josh Goleman via Cotton Candy Sugar Rush (bottom right)

UNDER £75

Left to right: Oasis Tilly flapper dress at Debenhams, SALE £56; G-LISH metal paillette dress from Girl Meets Dress, hire £69; Lydia Rose Bright white embellished scallop hem grace sleeveless dress, SALE £42.50

Images: Row 1 – Liz Hendrickson via Listener Extraordinaire; Row 2 – Saibh Egan via One Fine Day (left); Catherine Mac on SBB (top right); Sarah Rhoads/Unique Vintage via Green Wedding Shoes (bottom right)

UNDER £150

Row 1 (left to right): Miss Selfridge embellished flapper dress, £129; Pisarro nights beaded drop waist dress at Nordstrom, £137.70; Frock and Frill Zelda flapper style dress at Joy, £135; Row 2 (left to right): Untold beaded pattern sleeveless dress; 18andeast Julie flapper dress at Joy, £90; Pisarro Nights beaded illusion cocktail dress at Nordstrom, £102.92

Images: Row 1 – Nastassja Harvey on SBB (left); Wildflowers Photography via Green Wedding Shoes (right); Row 2 – Paper + Lace Photography via Green Wedding Shoes; Row 3 - Kristen Weaver Photography via Style Me Pretty (left); Weddings By Two/Patricia South’s Bridal via 100 Layer Cake (right)

ABOVE £150

Left to right: Jigsaw Flapper dress, £325; Patience maxi at Coast, £895; Chrystle sparkle dress at Coast, £220; Renzo + Kai sequin tank dress at Shopbop, £277

Images: Row 1 – Dottie Photography/Marks & Spencer via Love My Dress (left); Jean Pierre Uys via The Pretty Blog (right); Row 2 -Erin Moulden Photography via In Arkansas

FLOWERGIRLS:

Left to right (all from Monsoon): Genevieve hand beaded dress, SALE £45; Petunia flapper dress, SALE £16.50; Ethel dress, £48

Purple, you guys. It’s the new pink. For weddings, anyway. Especially here in the UK, it has really been a breakout colour this summer, but I’m seeing more and more brides pick it in South Africa as well. As versatile, warm and pretty as pink, but with an extra dash of spice and intrigue, it’s no wonder. And today we have another bride and groom who chose it for their big day, in various shades from light to dark. So pretty! But that’s not all I love about Christo and Monique’s wedding, oh no. There are so many fun ideas. The post-ceremony champagne tasting for guests (LOVE this idea). The cohesive stationery ‘brand’. The couple’s shoot at a flying club. And of course, the lacy cake (although when I heard the flavour, I think that the inside might have been even better than the outside!). Photographer Jilda G. was there to capture every moment of these primary school teachers’ (and high school sweethearts’) big day.

From the bride, Monique:
Christo and I met in high school and have been together ever since. After eight years, we finally had the chance to say ‘I do’ in front of our closest family and friends. It turned out that we’d been in the same Grade 1 class, but we never realised it until I went through my school albums – who knew that we would marry one day!
He proposed when we were on holiday in Phuket, Thailand. I was surprised and never suspected a thing! We went on a tour to the exotic Phi-Phi island. On our way back, my husband said he was quickly going to fetch our towels in the locker we had on the boat. But then I heard a familiar voice over the captain’s intercom. He shared our story with all the passengers and at the end he popped the question in front of everyone.

We had a modern French vintage design and theme. Our colour scheme was different shades of purples (light purple, dark purple and a touch of elegant white). It was beautiful, fun and modern.

The venue was breathtaking. Set in the winelands of Stellenbosch overlooking vineyards, mountains and a perfect sunset in the background. When we saw Forest 44 I just knew that this was the one. The roof has LED colored lights which light up the roof and create an ambiance of romance. It’s so pretty. The venue also has a open feeling, with doors on the one side that can all be opened – it is just gorgeous on a summer’s evening.

We had lots of fun elements in our wedding, because we’re both still young at 24. We didn’t want a posh uptight traditional wedding. Our family gave us lots of input and ideas, and I had a lovely lady from DreamCatchers Couture that helped me plan the wedding from beginning to end. There was no stress of making anything or setting up the venue and ceremony, as she organised it all.

We loved everything and every second of our wedding day, and the fact that we could share it with family and friends made it unforgettable. Our ceremony was very special, set on the lush green lawn of the venue. We had white Wimbledon chairs with modern couches placed in front of the aisle for immediate family members to sit on. There were also white and purple couches scattered on the venue stairs, where guests could also sit. This created a more relaxed and unique atmosphere. We also had white parasol umbrellas for our guests to keep the sun from their eyes.

After the ceremony, we had a JC le Roux champagne tasting with a funky trio playing in the background. Guests were treated to a tasting of four different JC le Roux champagnes. We also had a fun photo booth to get things started, which doubled as a guest book, with guests pasting one photo strip into the book with a message and keeping the other. Meanwhile, we had our couple shoot at the Stellenbosch Flying Club, which was great fun.

We also had the most divine food – our guests are still talking about how great it was! It was catered by La Pineta, which is part of the venue. We also had a wedding cake that looked just like my dress, and was in our favourite flavours, Lindt chocolate mousse with a caramel centre.

My advice to future brides is to follow your instinct. It’s your big day, it’s a day you will never be able do over. Make the best of every moment and cherish it. Take the advice of your family and friends, but keep in mind it’s your day, not theirs. Also, make use of the internet. There are lots of helpful wedding websites, where you can find the most beautiful and latest wedding ideas, so research, research…

Thank you Christo and Monique – wishing you many more years of fun together! SBB thanks also go to the lovely Jilda G. – hop over to her blog for more pretty pictures.

Something about me: I’m a dog person. As in, go up to strangers and ask to pet their dogs. As in, won’t watch any film about dogs ever since I almost passed out from crying after Jock of the Bushveld. As in, won’t date a guy if my dog doesn’t like him (because I’m sorry, but if dogs don’t like a person, there’s something wrong with them). Of course, it turns out I’m also a cat person, since there happens to be one purring on my shoulder right now, so I guess that just makes me an animal person. Either way, when photographer Erna Loock sent over this engagement shoot of the sweet Jess and Brce with their doglet Lily, I was smitten. Especially when Erna told me how they’d chosen the Alphen Trail in Constantia for the shoot especially so that Lily could be part of it, and how the biggest challenge was photobombing dogs! Hilarious.

Erna also sent over this sweet bit of background about Jess and Bryce’s relationship:
Jessica met Bryce at a high school dance nine years ago. They were introduced to each other by a mutual friend who intentionally put the two of them on a path to find each other. A week after meeting they made plans to meet up again to get to know one another, and have been inseparable ever since. A special kind of love that has its roots deeply embedded in friendship continues to grow and remain a treasured place to come back to after a difficult day. Then enters Lily the beagle… her full name being Lily Bumble-Bee Bean, full of character, stubborn genius and profound cuteness, their lives were never the same again! After moving to Somerset West from Port Elizabeth, the decision to get a furry child came naturally as both Jessica and Bryce love dogs. Jessica also works from home full time (she is the creative behind Thula Jewellery), and needed a side kick! They keep each other company during the day and are as thick as thieves. Lily absolutely had to be included in the photoshoot; she is adored by her parents, and for good reason – look at that gorgeous face.

Hello lovelies, are you ready for your daily portion of wedding gorgeousness? Well, we’re serving it up hot, with awesome on the side. Today’s wedding is a mixture between fun and elegant, with a cheeky nod to the bride and groom’s M&M initials with M&M favours and cute monogram details throughout. Lush white flowers, cute cartoon stationery, soft stripes, grey bridesmaids dresses with billowy baby’s breath bouquets and adorable personalised cake toppers continue to walk the line between classic and light hearted. It’s a combination that really appeals, especially since the gorgeous wedding pics were taken by none other than SBB fave Nastassja Harvey. Tash’s clean, bright style is just perfect for this wedding – enjoy!

From the lovely Mari:
Morné and I met at an auditing firm where I was just starting as an article clerk and he was newly qualified and starting out as a manager. We got along well but had a very slow romantic start. After a few months of working together I couldn’t ignore his irresistible confidence and charming personality any longer. At first I didn’t want to admit how much I was attracted to the hot shot manager, but there was no fighting it, I was crazy about him.
Three years after we met, the day after finishing my articles, Morné surprised me with a wonderfully romantic picnic with sushi and MCC. Thinking we were celebrating my qualification, I had no idea that he was about to pop the question. Words can’t describe the pure joy I felt when I saw the ring and heard the most beautiful words “will you marry me?” (after many other unforgettably loving words of course).

Morné and I had a very clear idea of what we wanted to spend and as both of us are accountants, Excel spreadsheets and logic played a big role in picking the venue, until both of us fell completely in love with Olive Rock in Wolseley. The Breede River runs through the farm, magnificent mountains surround it and fruit trees provide splashes of colour. Finally, the passion that Nick and Simone have to make every wedding at Olive Rock perfect according to the couple’s personalities and requirements convinced us that this was where we wanted to celebrate our wedding day.

I love natural colors and wanted everything to flow naturally into the surroundings. Allowing the venue to dictate the colors we were going to use, we decided on classic decor and flowers in white, grey and a little bit of green. We didn’t really have a theme for the wedding but we wanted our guests to be entertained during cocktail hour and for everyone to have fun. Olive Rock has beautiful lawns with a Bedouin tent extending the venue on to one of the terraces. The idea was to set the tables under the tent and to create a picnic area on the bottom terrace with croquet, picnic blankets and a live band. But as Murphy would have it, it was bucketing down the entire day, forcing us to change our plans. Because of the tent we could still have the lawn games and picnic, the tables were set up inside and we danced the night away on the massive farm ‘stoep’. It turned out to be such a cozy evening, everything definitely turned out the way it was supposed to.

If it was not for our parents I have no idea how all of my ideas would have materialised. My parents’ house was a proper wedding workshop for seven months and they put so much effort into the wedding. My brother even came out from Korea a week early to help out with last minute tasks. Between Morné’s mom and mine, they made little “padkos” boxes for the drive from church to the reception, complete with love heart sweets, heart shaped cookies with “M loves M” stamped into them and, of course, M&M’s. My mom and I made picnic blankets which ended up being a hit with the ladies to keep them warm. My dad made individual picnic slates, painted with blackboard paint, for each guest to take home.

I absolutely adored our “Love is…” table pictures which represented special moments from our relationship. It was sketched from pictures of Morné and I and were too cute for words. Instead of name cards, we had magnets made with each person’s name and its spiritual meaning printed onto them to make it a bit more personal for our guests.

Spending the day with my three best friends and both moms was extremely special. As I was woken up by the sound of rain, Cornelle said a prayer for Morné and I, soon followed by Wendy running into the room, jumping on the bed and singing “You’re getting marriiiiieeed, you’re getting marriiiiieeed…”. After that, the whole day was super blessed and filled with pure excitement, smiles and laughter. Walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing the most handsome man waiting for me, overwhelmed with emotion, was something I will never forget. Most of all, being able to celebrate our love with our favourite people was a true blessing. We had guests from all over the world and we are really grateful for everyone making the effort to be there.

I got a lot of ideas from about ten different blogs as well as Pinterest. My advice would, however, be to decide on a theme or a general feel you want for the day and narrow all those ideas down as soon as possible. You don’t want all your hard work to seem out of place or just too much. Also, the smallest thing might become a big expense, so decide what is really important to you as a couple and stick to it. Most importantly, remember, you are getting married to the man of your dreams. Although you want your wedding day to be perfect, being married is far better than any one day could ever be. So try not to stress about the small things.

Thanks so much, Mari & Morné, for sharing your big day with us, and thanks to Nastassja for her gorgeous pics! You’ll find a couple more of them over on her blog.

Colours: Black, white and green

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Viera Photographics/The Stylish Soiree}; bridesmaids in black dresses {Ladybug Photography}; heels {Lacie Hansen}; olive leaf bouquet {M&J Photography/Weddings In Italy}
Row 2: Dress with sash {SimplyBloom Photography}; olive grove {Jose Villa}; striped straws {Caplan Miller}; groom {Judy Pak/Dreamlite Photography}
Row 3: Couple {Lacie Hansen}; wine bottle table numbers; olive leaf heart {Camille Soulayrol}; outdoor table {Kaella Lynn Events/Nirav Photography}; bride and groom in Positano {Forever Photography}.

Image: Chelsey Boatwright Photography/Badgley Mischka via Grey Likes Wedding

Do I ever have some stories to tell about this last week y’all (can I get away with y’all? I want to). I had some plans to write a fun little post about our blogiversary, but life decided to teach me about best laid plans. So I scrapped that, and I have something else to share, soon, from the heart. For now though, it’s time for GLITTER. Because, to paraphrase Audrey Hepburn, glitter is ALWAYS a good idea. Or at least, a little glitter. And one of my absolute favourite places to see some sparkle in a wedding is on the bridesmaids. They feel fabulous (ask me – I wore a sequin gold dress to my 21st – so ahead of my time! – and felt like a Bond girl all night long). They look awesome in pictures. And you get that touch of glitter and glam without having to use it on your tables if you feel like it may be a bit too much. Plus, with sequins and metallics on trend in general, there’s no shortage of options in the shops. So today we’re rounding up SBB’s favourite shimmery bridesmaids, and as always, adding shopping options for those of you currently on a BM dress hunt. Go forth and shop. Or perhaps that should be, go forth and shine. Actually, DO BOTH.

One look I really like is the mix of sequins and solid (especially floaty chiffon or ruffles) on bridesmaids. So flattering for a variety of figures, and not too overwhelming in the pictures. In fact, I’d say this is my favourite look!

Images: Row 1 – via Wedding Chicks (left); Kelly Adams Photography/ASOS via Style Me Pretty (right); Row 2 – Megan Robinson/Asos via Green Wedding Shoes (left); Nadean Photography via Enfianced (right)

Left to right: Cynthia Steffe at Nordstrom; TFNC at House of Fraser, SALE £18; Lipsy at Debenhams, SALE £19.50; Embellished bodice mesh dress at Nordstrom, £218.95 

That said, there is something about a whole glittery dress that makes my heart sing. Everything from a vineyard, to a city, to a formal or beach wedding can work. And I love the pic below with the cute sashes – awesome way to personalise the dresses. Okay no, this is my favourite look.

Images: Row 1 – Jen and Chris Creed; Row 2 – Jaco Le Roux via The Pretty Blog (left); The Photography of Haley Sheffield/ASOS via Style Me Pretty (right); Row 3 – Tec Petaja/Aidan Mattox for Neiman Marcus via Elizabeth Anne Designs; Row 4 – Tim Coulson/Forever New via White Magazine

Left to right: Row 1 – Lauren Ralph Lauren at Nordstrom; TFNC at House of Fraser, SALE £19; Coast Rosamind dress, £180; Row 2 – Sequin mesh dress at Nordstrom, £239.48; TFNC at House of Fraser, SALE £26; Lipsy sequin shift dress at Next, £55   

Images: Katie Stoops Photography/Anthomanic (top left); Henry Photographers/Pisarro Nights/Nordstrom via Storyboard Wedding (bottom left); Melissa and Beth (right)

Left to right: Illusion yoke sequin mesh dress at Nordstrom, £287.37; John Lewis Jessica maxi dress, £199; Phase Eight Colette dress at House of Fraser, £275  

Mind you. I mean just look at these pics below. Mix and match sparkle. With different colours, textures, patterns (another of the year’s hot looks). I especially love this with a mix of long dresses. So okay, THIS is my favourite look. Oh, I give up. They’re all my favourites!

Images: Row 1 – Hannah Blackmore Photography; Row 2 – Tec Petaja (left); Lara Hotz/Rachel Gilbert via The Lane (right)

Left to right: Lipsy VIP beaded shoulder maxi dress, £160; Phase 8 Arielle dress at House of Fraser, £295; Monsoon Karlene sequin dress, £169; Warehouse cowl back embellished dress, SALE £63; 

Images: Row 1 – Danelle Bohane (left); Patrick Moyer via Grey Likes Weddings (right); Row 2 – Jasmine Star Photography/Missoni, David Meister, Badgley Mischka via Style Me Pretty

And let’s not forget a bit of sparkle for the little ones!

Left to right: Matthew Williamson at Debenhams, SALE £33.60; Monsoon Crystal sequin pleat dress, SALE £25; Matthew Williamson at Debenhams, SALE £36 

Colours: Shades of pink

Top row (l-r): Pink bridesmaids {Jose Villa}; ceremony arch {Eric Kelley}; bouquet {Anne Robert}; lemonade {Corbin Gurkin Photography}; watercolour painting {Bernadette Pascua}
Row 2: Ruffle purse; ombre cards {Beaux Arts Photographie}; headpieace; baby’s breath bouquets; stepladder {Stephanie Williams}
Row 3: Bride {Stephanie Williams}; cake {Jose Villa}; shoes {Ryan Ray}; groom {Meredith Perdue}; table setting {Megan Thiele}

The first thing you’ll need to get to grips with is the 4Cs of diamonds: cut, colour, carat and clarity. The value of a diamond is determined on a sliding scale that takes all of these four factors into account. Cut refers to the shape of a diamond (brilliant, princess, etc.) as well as its proportions – i.e. how well it has been physically cut to its shape. If a stone has been cut too deep or too shallow, it will lack ‘life’ and ‘fire’, so the better the cut, the more valuable the diamond will be. Grades range from ideal and premium cuts to fair and poor ones, where the brilliance is sacrificed for increased carat weight. Colour refers to the degree to which a diamond is colourless (less colour being better). Note that rare “fancy” coloured diamonds don’t adhere to this rule and are in fact more valuable for their colour. Carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured – as you probably already know, the bigger, the more expensive. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. (Note that carat differs from karat – the purity grade of gold.) Finally, Clarity refers to the size and visibility of internal flaws (called “inclusions”) and external blemishes in a diamond.  These range from air bubbles and cracks to scratches and chips. Grades range from F (flawless) to I (included), but everything up to the S grade is not apparent to the naked eye.

Picking your diamond will depend on which of the 4Cs you value most (for example, would you rather have a smaller, shinier diamond, or does size matter?) along, of course, with your budget, but generally jewellers advise you to buy the best diamond you can afford. It’s always best to have the advice of an expert in making the decision, and often a diamond can be set to show off its best qualities. The team at Chris Winspear Design Jewellers will happily guide you through the design process of your perfect piece of jewellery.

Of course, shape is an important aspect in your choice of design, and there are many pretty options to suit your style and personality. Round brilliants are most common and cushion cuts are gaining in popularity, but if you’d like something a bit different, you might want to try an oval, an emerald or a pear cut, for example. Or try on a few and see what you fall in love with! Do bear in mind the wedding band when you make your choice, as this will of course affect the total look once you’re married and may limit your options.

Once you’ve picked out your diamond, it’s time to consider the setting. Here are some common terms you’ll need to be aware of.

Prong or claw settings are most popular – they remind me of old school glamour, so I personally love them. The advantage is that they allow more of the diamond to show (and shine) and are easy to clean, but the disadvantage is that they can catch on hair and clothing.

Another popular modern option is a tube setting, where the diamond is completely or partially encircled by a metal collar that holds it securely in place. For someone who has an active lifestyle, it’s an ideal setting, and it can be used to hide flaws in a diamond. The disadvantage is that it has a slightly lower level of light passing through the diamond.

The third setting commonly used for solitaires and main stones is the tension setting, where a diamond is held in place by the pressure of the metal band. Cheaper tension-style settings can also be used, which look similar but use a bridge (invisible when viewed from the top) to hold the diamond in place.

If you choose not to have a solitaire diamond, you may prefer to have a melée setting, where the centre stone is surrounded by a number of smaller diamonds. A popular way to achieve this is a pavé setting, where stones are set close together to create a sort of paved effect. They’re held in place with nearly invisible metal beads, so the surface looks continuous and uninterrupted. Other popular melée settings are the channel and shared prong settings.

One option for this kind of ring is to buy a semi-mount – a ring already set with diamonds, gems or engravings but missing the central stone, which you then choose.

Of course, the other option is to opt for a multi-stone setting, where there are two or more featured stones instead of just the one. How spectacular is this black diamond trio above? I’m in love!

As mentioned above, the best option is for you to consult directly with a jeweller who can not only guide you through these options but make the kind of creative suggestions that will make your wedding rings something that, like my mom’s, becomes part of your personal style.

Chris Winspear Design Jewellers
www.chriswinspear.com
+27 (0)11 2623603

One of the things I love most about wedding planning is that inspiration can strike at any time. Some brides have everything planned down to the last napkin fold, with Pinterest folders and a DIY schedule, and no surprises to deal with. For many, final decisions can be made even days leading up to the wedding. My favourite was my friend Abbie who didn’t want a garter, so after we joked in the car on our pre-wedding errands that her surfer husband-to-be would probably prefer a surf leash, that’s what we ended up buying! We put it on under her dress at the last minute and Phil had no idea – it was so fun. And I’ve never seen so many men try to catch a ‘garter’! So I wasn’t completely surprised when reading today’s story from Ian and Andrea, how the idea of a ribbon ceremony backdrop was a last minute decision. Well, I’m sure you’ll agree, it was an awesome one! I really love a focal point to an outdoor ceremony, and hanging ribbons are just SO pretty (and easy)! Plus, I love how photographer Wesley Poon went ahead and used the ribbons for the couple shoot as well, resulting in some spectacular pictures! The decor for this wedding is awesome – shabby chic with pops of jewel tones. I love love love the blue glass, the hanging bottles, the birds. And of course that ribbon, reflected again in the pretty long ties for the bridesmaids’ bouquets (nice twist on the ice cream pastels trend, no?). So much loveliness, and the moral of the story is, don’t be afraid to indulge one of your last minute whims – it may land up being your best idea!

From the lovely bride, Andrea:
We met seven years ago when were both working at Red Bull. We always had our eyes on each other but there were rules of staff dating. The moment Ian found another job, we got together and the rest was history.

Initially we wanted to go with a ‘green’ wedding, but after searching on the internet we found what sort of vibe we wanted. We had wanted our colours to be green and brown, but I’m very pleased we went with white, grey and a touch of turquoise. We wanted something simple, fresh – yet different. It kind of had a French, rustic theme. The venue was perfect with the look we were going for.

We had always talked about getting married outdoors and when we saw our venue we fell in love. We were able to have our ceremony outside in the forest – it was beautiful. Just two days before the ceremony, we decided to have ribbons at the altar and I’m so pleased we did! We also had balloons on the grass where the guests were waiting for us, bottles hanging from the ceiling with flowers and ribbons and then place names made of wood for our guests. These were a real hit – there are so many pictures with our guests holding and doing silly things with their names! The photobooth was also a hit.

Our thank you gifts were personalised M&Ms in our theme colours – one saying Ian & Andrea, and the other ‘thank you’. We also loved our cake, which was three tiers with five different layered shades of turquoise.

There were so many highlights. But most important, was being surrounded by all our special people at once – nothing beats that! :)

I Googled ideas for hours on end, and found so many good ideas on the web – but you can’t have everything – so my advice to future brides is to keep it simple. Enjoy the planning – it was one of the best times of my life; stressful, but a very awesome experience. Keep a realistic budget and stick to it! And do what makes you happy!

Thanks you Ian and Andrea – sorry for the wait! And thanks so much for sharing the pics, Wesley. You can find more on Wesley’s blog right here.

Good morning, brideys! How has your week been so far? Mine is not ideal, as I am nursing the flu (again? seriously?) but the cure for everything is a pretty wedding, and I have a lovely one for you today. As you all know by now, I am a huge sucker for couples who infuse their personal style, taste, likes, etc. into their wedding design, and Natalia and Darryl really did that. Although it’s a rustic vintage wedding, and that’s a popular style right now, every detail was thought out and included with love, including many heirloom pieces and special touches. The couple, being landscapers, have a huge love for nature, and I also love that they tried to complement the beautiful surroundings of their venue, instead of making it over. Their flowers and decor reflect the soft tones of the veld, as captured so strikingly by photographer Melanie Wessels. And you guys, how much are we loving Natalia’s juliet cap veil? So, so pretty!

From Natalia:
We are both landscape designers – we met while we were studying our landscape design course at Lifestyle College. At the time, I was working for another landscaping company and Darryl was running his own business. After a few years I decided to join him, and now we run our business together.
It was a very romantic proposal. Darryl pretended that we were going on a fishing trip with his friend somewhere in the Drakensberg. Despite ending up at the Golden Gate National Park and heading towards a log cabin at the top of a mountain range (and his friend nowhere in sight), he strung me along until the next day. After a hike in the nature reserve I was taken to the top of the mountain range for a picnic. With a Wildebeest as our witness he knelt down and asked me to marry him with what felt like a view of the world behind him. I was in tears with a big yes!

We both love nature, so it was very important to us that we get married in a place that reflected that. After a lot of searching, by pure luck I came across Die Klipskuur. As soon as we saw it we knew that this was the special place we had been looking for. It has all the charm and beauty from its natural outside setting, so our décor and mood was designed to complement this.

Every detail for the wedding held a sentimental and personal meaning. My engagement ring was Darryl’s great grandmother’s and is about eighty years old. I wanted to plan the theme around the ring as well as my surroundings, so a rustic vintage theme came into play. The beautiful old barn from the 1940s was just the look I was envisioning for the reception. Its neutral earth tone colours complemented my color pallete of soft muted hues of dusty pinks, blues and creams. These were incorporated into the bunting which we made using the off-cut material and lace from the bridesmaids’ dresses, so that everything linked together. Vintage books were used to make the butterfly mobiles; lace and boho bunting were made from crocheted doilies that my gran had made. We hung bird cages in between the mobiles and placed tea light candles in beautiful candle holders that when lit cast a lacey pattern onto everything, bringing the lace theme into play in the evening. Paraffin lanterns hung from the rafters and added a warm soft glow to the setting. Rustic wooden crates with vintage bottles held informal flower arrangements. A vintage picnic basket my father found in Holland continued the outdoor theme with a sign inviting cards for our gifts.

My mother in law hand sewed potpourri hearts made in the colors of the wedding as place settings. Our dessert table continued with the colour scheme and the flowers that were used in our bouquets were used to decorate the wedding cake. I was lucky with my flowers, as I love fynbos and proteas, and all these were in season. The colours fitted my pallete perfectly. Butterflies were another big part of my theme from the invitations to the handmade mobiles. They are a symbol that reminds my family of my granny. She played such a big role in my life, so having them as a part of the theme honoured her memory. Instead of a guest book I hand painted a tree and guests made the leaves with their thumb prints – some people were very creative! This again reflected a bit of our personalities. We also grew small trees and wrapped them in hessian these were given out as gifts for all our guests to take home and grow so that they could remember the day after all the festivities. We even choose our wine to link with our theme as we both are very aware of our environment, so the wine was special organic wine from Upland wineries.

We had our ceremony outside in the forest; guests were bought in on a big tractor. They sat on hay bales, with metal hooks holding informal flower arrangements lining the aisle. Walking into the forest clearing and seeing Darryl at the end of the aisle was one of my favourite moments of the day, and exchanging our vows was such a powerful moment. I was overcome with so many emotions; this will remain one of my happiest memories. After it was all done, guests threw bird seed as confetti, which was wrapped in hessian bundles – the idea being that after we were all gone the birds would fill that special place. However bird seed we soon found out is not very pleasant when being thrown at you – it is quite sore!

To see all the planning and hard work from our family and friends come together is something that we will always remember – it makes your day feel even more special as you are surrounded by things that hold so many memories. Celeste and her family who own Die Klipskuur were amazing and really went out of their way to make all our dreams come true; they thought of everything down to the candle light lanterns and trail of rose petals that led us to our honeymoon suite in the koppie.

My advice to future brides is to choose a theme that reflects both of your personalities. Make a board, as this will help you get a better idea of what style and colours you like. Pinterest is a great site to get inspiration from. I also spent a lot of time looking at wedding blogs and magazines. Ask for help from family and friends, but most importantly, have fun and never let anyone push you into something you do not feel comfortable with. The day is about you and your husband-to-be.

You know the drill! Thanks to Natalia and Darryl for sharing such a lovely day, and to Melanie – please do head over to her site for more from this couple’s big day.