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Rebecca and James who live in the UK have the wonderful opportunity to visit our shores on a regular basis to enjoy a Summer Vacation. They chose Buitenverwachting Restaurant as their wedding venue. It is perfectly positioned overlooking the vineyards and the Constantiaberg Mountains.
Rebecca’s wanted to create a glamorous and elegant, 1920’s Film Star Feel. Her colour palette was neutral colours with a hint of pink. 
Rebecca arrived at the venue in an off white vintage Jaguar . She took my breath away when she stepped out of the car displaying here beautiful Vintage Dress. She was indeed that 1920’s Film Star.
Rebecca was escorted down the aisle by her mom. The path was a little uneven which caused them to giggle the whole way down the path. James could not take his eyes of his beautiful bride. He was waiting patiently for her under the beautifully decorated Arch. It was a warm summer’s afternoon and the handheld parasols which were handed out to the ladies came into good use. The signing of the register was in the Old Wine Cellar. 
After the Ceremony guests enjoyed a variety of well presented and tasty canapés in the cozy courtyard with it’s lovely fountain. The Marimba band delighted the overseas guests with their African melodies. We added a saxophonist to the mix which gave it a jazzy edge. We decorated the trees with fairy lights that added a lovely romantic atmosphere in the evening.
The Reception was held in the already beautifully decorated Restaurant. The Cuisine is Fine Dining with a sophisticated contemporary feel. It has been considered one of the Capes finest for many years. Personalized menus were placed at each setting. The service was oustanding so a big thank you to all the waitrons and managers for adding to the success of this beautiful wedding.
The 4-Piece Band entertained the guests with some light jazz music during dinner and they upped the tempo when the dance floor opened. The guests danced on the terrace overlooking the courtyard.
Gavin Casey took superb photos of the couple.
Debby & Rob wanted nothing over the top. They wanted something simple where their guests including themselves could feel relaxed and just enjoy the day. They chose Strandkombuis in Yzerfontein as their Wedding Venue with its casual beach atmosphere and rustic and untouched landscape. The venue is hugged by dunes, fynbos, salt pans & the famous 16 mile beach. You can hear the cries of seagulls flying over hoping for an invitation to join you for dinner, the smell of the ocean and the sound of the crashing waves on your doorstep. You literally cannot get any closer to nature than this!
The Ceremony was held on the beach and the Reception was held in the open air Seafood Restaurant where the guests feasted on a selection of local seafood. 
When designing the décor elements the word “Casual Elegance” came to mind. We combined rustic and classic elements. The basic rustic wooden structure of the venue started transforming as we started decorating and injecting some colour in with the use of flowers. When we switched on the chandeliers and fairy lights and lit the candles it became truly magical. Never underestimate the power of light or should I say the importance! You might have the most beautiful décor but without the right lighting it will fall flat.
It was a day filled with an amazing sunset, heartwarming speeches, laughter, dancing and to end the evening the Fire Performers put on a spectacular show on the dunes under the stars ever so bright.
Sybrand Cilliers captured every moment with such care & talent.
Amy and Johnnie wanted a relaxed and intimate wedding with family and their closest friends. Amy wanted to create an environment for emotion and love to shine through. Laughter, mixing of people, dancing and great food and wine was part of this very special day.
Amy wanted an elegant and beautiful and sophisticated look & feel. Together with Daisy Floral Art we created a fresh summery English Garden .Lara Designs created the beautiful stationery using a feminine pattern which complimented all the beautiful textures. Lauren Kriedemann Photography captured the day with its special moments and all beautiful décor shots which emphasized the attention to detail and of course the stunning couple.
The ceremony took place in the historical town of Paarl at the Strooidakkerk which is the oldest church building in the country.
The reception took place at La Petite Dauphine in Franschoek which is one of the quaintest towns in the Western Cape were the scenery is breathtaking. The wedding reception was held outside were the guests had the best views of the majestic mountains surrounding them. In the evening the fairy lights in the trees came to life creating that oh-so magical finishing touch.
This was a truly magical wedding to coordinate.
Natalie & Matthew chose a destination wedding in sunny South Africa which suits their outdoor personalities. 
They are a fun loving couple who enjoy the country side and participate in many sporting activities. Matthew went for a mountain bike ride in the early hours of his wedding day with his groomsmen at his side. Natalie threatened him that there will be no wild mountain biking antics especially on their big day! Thank goodness he arrived back in one piece and arrived at the ceremony on time.
Natalie wanted me to create an intimate, romantic and relaxed day with an African vibe. She wanted elegance and simplicity. The ceremony and reception took place at La Petite Dauphine in Franschhoek known as the “French Quarter”. The area is also know for its fine wine and good food which were high on Natalie & Matthews priority list.
As the guests arrived they had an arrival drink of rose & mint water placed in beautiful bottles decorated with a welcome tag.
The garden ceremony was held under the old oak tree which provided much needed shade on a hot summer’s day. It was fitting to have a garden ceremony since many of their guests came from London were a garden wedding is rare. An African Choir welcomed the bride down the aisle with their lovely melodic voices.
The Reception was held inside the beautiful venue room with its old world charm so we did not have to do too much since the room was already decorated. Lighting was very important so we incorporated chandeliers, fairy lights and lots of candles to create a warm and inviting ambience. The décor was a combination of feminine, masculine and African. We incorporated bold stripes in the stationery and linen which emphasized the masculine part of the design elements.
The guests were treated to a delectable sit down dinner and then later indulged in a dessert feast of decadent cakes of different flavors. The midnight snack was a cheese board with an array of local cheeses & preserves from the area. The band kept the guest on the dance until the early hours of the morning.
The talented Ryan Graham Photography captured the day and its emotions perfectly.
Catarina & Stephan had a beautiful and elegant celebration of true love at Nooitgedacht which is a 300 year old family run Wine Estate situated near the picturesque town of Stellenbosch.
Catarina the perfectionist with her extrovert and creative personality and Stephan with his laid back approach were amazing to work with and just complimented each other in planning different aspects of their special day. They do say opposites attract!
I worked closely with Catarina when it came to the design aspect of the wedding. Her creative personality really inspired me to push the envelope in finding the right décor elements for her day.
Her theme was Baroque inspired with a modern twist. Her bold choice of colours were deep purples and vibrant greens. I hunted high and low for interesting containers and worked closely with the florist to finalise the concept. I focused on bringing in lots of different textures and patterns through the stationery and linen and containers. The tables were abundantly decorated with flowers and lots of candles. We hung chandeliers which is associated with luxurious baroque décor. 
A Chapel-like setting for the ceremony was high on the priority list. The Old Wine Cellar was the perfect setting. With its dilapidated physical features of plaster peeling off the walls and exposed brickwork this setting just oozed its own distinctive character. We brought the Baroque period into the ceremony area. The large glass dome-like chandeliers hanging from the rafters added a bit of drama to the scene. We took the opportunity to use as many candles as possible.
Catarina arrived at the Chapel sitting in the side-car of the Vintage motorbike. It was quite a nip and tuck session getting her dress inside that small seating compartment. After the ceremony the bridal couple had loads of fun taking it for a spin around the Estate with photographer in tow on the run capturing these two hooligans! 
Delectable canapés were served outside under the lovely ancient oak trees. The Marimba Band indulged the guests with the rhythms and sounds of Africa.
After canapés guests were ushered to the beautifully decorated reception venue where they were treated to a scrumptious buffet dinner. On the DJ’s music list was a flavour of Portuguese, Afrikaans and contemporary music to satisfy both families. Catarina’s folks insisted I join in for the dancing since I was literally part of the family now. There was no way out of this one. I was literally dragged onto the dance floor.
I had a long wedding planning journey with Catarina and Stephan. They had a short set-back with their wedding plans due to a tragic event taking place just hours before their wedding. The courage of these two individuals was amazing. Nothing was going to stop them from getting married. The wedding was postponed but we all hung in there and found a new date and new venue and new courage to continue with our journey forward. The journey was emotional at times but when their Wedding Day eventually arrived I could feel the bond between this very special couple was stronger than ever. The speeches on the evening pulled at the heart strings at times and I just knew that the family ties in both families were phenomenal.
Everytime Catarina wanted to shed a tear during a speech her sister would put on one of those funny plastic masks with the big nose, glasses, eyebrows and moustache that you would find in a Chinese Wholesale Store. Between tears there were fits of laughter. 
I was sad to say goodbye when our journey ended after almost 2 years but life goes on and I have the next wedding to plan.
I was truly blessed to work with Catarina & Stephan. They will always have a special place in my heart.
Du Wayne captured all the details of this wonderful wedding perfectly.
Monja & Eugene decided to get married in the MotherCity and made the long journey from the JacarandaCity to our beautiful shores. Who can blame them when Cape Town is known as the Wedding Destination.
Monja arrived at the Groote Kerk in a Black & Ivory 1958 Jaguar. The Groote Kerk is the oldest Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa and its architecture boasts a peculiar combination of Greek and Gothic styles. It also has the privilege of housing the largest organ in the country and was used to play the Hymns. A very proud father with his daughter by his side walked down the aisle to the sound of the Classical Quartet playing “Pachelbel’s Canon” which is one of the most popular pieces of Classical Music in History. Monja had to contain her tears as best as possible has her dad gave her away. It was a very intimate service with close family and friends. Monja and Eugene stood proudly in front of the exquisitely carved Pulpit where the minister announced them Husband and Wife.
The Wedding Reception took place at the 5-Star Table Bay Hotel on the Historical waters of Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the imposing Ballroom with its majestic ceiling mounted crystal chandeliers.
The Ballroom was beautifully decorated with white & cream flowers in silver containers. We used 5-arm silver chandeliers with crystal details and silver candles. The combining of black & white for weddings is one of those timeless classics that will never go out of style. We also brought in the colour silver which is sleek and modern and gives one a feeling of ornate riches.
The stationery was personalized with the couple’s Monogram adding a traditional touch. We however wanted to add a modern twist to the stationery by incorporating bold stripes into the overall design. The favour boxes which were filled with Turkish Delight were beautifully wrapped and also served as seating cards. The table numbers were placed in white ornate frames. The other important finishing touches to the table setting were the silver cutlery and simple but stylish glassware and the high quality plush table linen.
The 4-tired Wedding Cake with its black filigree piping was beautifully displayed for all to view on a grey plinth with a silver cake knife which was engraved with the couple’s names. After the cutting of the cake Monja & Eugene made their way to the black & white chequared dance floor for that very special and romantic moment: The First Dance. The DJ kept the guests on the dance floor for the rest of the evening.
Annemari Ruthven Photography captured every moment with such style.
Soulmates….two halves of the same soul joining together in lifes journey
Lara & Lloyd who live locally chose Vindoux Guest Farm for their wedding celebration.
Vindoux is a family run Guest Farm only 90 minutes from Cape Town. Located just 5 Km from the centre of historic Tulbagh the farm is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Cape. Vindoux is rustic and laid back which complimented the chilled nature of the couple.
While Lara was busy with her studies in Graphic Design her mom Barbara who lives in the UK contacted me with the best ever wedding brief. Barbara and I got started with a very exciting wedding planning journey ahead of us.
The Theme of the Wedding was loosely based on Tim Burton’s Style. His characters range from sadistic killers to quirky candy makers to adventurous salesmen and their loyal lovable friends. The director of some of the most enchanting fantasy movies of all time is as powerful onset as his characters are on the big screen. He has written, co-written, produced and/or directed dozens of movies and brought to life some of the world’s most memorable characters. Tim Burton’s characters were certainly brought to life on this very special occasion. Snoekie Lara’s 3- legged dog could have been one of Tim Burtons Characters. The smallest thing could spark a major barking fit. When the guests applauded after the “Husband & Wife” announcement he joined in with many barks of approval which sparked off a laughing fit by the guests.
This was a fun, unconventional, off the wall, and quirky, hippy, whimsical, outdoor party that lasted until the early hours of the next morning. I just love it when weddings combine tradition and romance with the fun and unique personalities of the couple.
The day was filled with a variety of outdoor activities. The Ceremony under the beautiful oak trees followed by a Picnic Luncheon in the gardens followed by the Cocktail Hour and then finally the Reception which took place under the Bedouin Tent. We had a different location for each section which added to the excitement of the day. 
The décor was fun and quirky. The colour scheme was black, white and green. Succulent plants dominated the table décor since Lloyd’s mom owns a nursery which specialises in succulents. We used a variety of different containers for the succulents and also added a few flowers to soften the look. The tables were named after Tim Burton’s characters. One of my favourite characters was Edward Scissorhands. He is the most sensitive, compassionate and misunderstood of all his creations. There were just so many fun elements to this wedding which made this wedding so special including the wonky, lob sided cake which was a huge talking piece.
This was truly a wonderful wedding to work on.I am delighted that Du Wayne captured all the fun elements of the day in detail.
Lindy & Zaid left the bustling City of London to come and enjoy a relaxed wedding and honeymoon in Cape Town. They chose Asara Wine Estate in Stellenbosch where guests can indulge in 5 Star Luxury accommodation, gourmet dining and wine tasting in glorious surroundings.
Lindy wanted to create a day that was elegant, sophisticated and trendy. Her colour palette was champagne, gold, yellow, white and ivory. Her Bridesmaids were stylishly dressed in gorgeous yellow dresses. We accessorized them with yellow handheld parasols. The colour yellow represents many things including happiness and optimism.
Lindy arrived in style in a Black Bentley Spur which was chauffeur driven.
Lindy was escorted down the aisle by her mom and stepdad to meet her future husband Zaid who was waiting patiently for her under the beautifully decorated Gazebo.
The backdrop for the garden wedding was the amazing view of the HelderbergMountains and vineyards. It was a warm summer’s day and the handheld fans which were handed out to the ladies as gifts came into good use. The guests were protected by the summer sun by two gazebo-like structures with soft white draping which danced in the slight breeze. 
After the Ceremony guests enjoyed a variety of well presented and tasty canapés and chilled thirst quenching cocktails. The solo artist strung away at his guitar strings with his gentle background melodies.
After a long family photo session Lindy & Zaid were eventually whisked off by Du Wayne to enjoy their special moments together as Husband and Wife.
The Reception was held in the Ballroom which we decorated with small and medium chandeliers and curtain fairy lights. Orchids, Tulips, Casablanca lilies and Calla lilies were displayed in modern glass vases of various shapes and heights. Okasie did a great job. Personalized menus were placed at each setting. Lindy sourced the favours from Harrods in London. They were beautifully wrapped gold boxes filled with chocolate truffles.
Lindy wanted to create a fine dining & dance experience throughout the evening so she decided to have the “first dance” before starters. The guests did not hesitate to join them afterwards for a waltz or two before dinner commenced. The Band entertained the guests with some light jazz music while they feasted on a spectacular 4-course meal. After the cutting of the cake Lindy & Zaid took to the dance floor yet again for their “second dance”. Later that evening we ushered the guests outside where the Fire Performers put on an amazing 20 minute show which included a “Fire Blessing” ritual for the couple. The guests headed back to the Ballroom afterwards where the DJ took over the reins and guests danced the night away. 
Du Wayne was in is element as usual capturing every moment and every detail to perfection.
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