The couple made it known to our coordination and design team that it was important to make this occasion as memorable and unique as possible – with this in mind we starting the design and planning process, ensuring that this wedding would not only exceed the couples expectations but also offer an exceptional experience for their global mix of friends and family members!

The private beach situated in close proximity to the house was the ideal location for their elegant ceremony.  As the guests made their way to the beach they were welcomed to a setting that would take anyone’s breathe away – perfectly aligned white ghost chairs leading up to the custom made gazebo which was beautifully adorned with lush draping, spectacular florals and a crystal chandelier suspended in the middle to complete the bespoke look.  

Afterwards the couple and the guests mingled and enjoyed champagne and oysters as they took in the picturesque surroundings. As a surprise performance – to both the guests and the bride – a local children’s choir and The Cape Minstrels burst out in chorus as they crossed over the dunes to join the guests.

As the sun began to set over Grotto Bay, all were welcomed into the family house that had been completely transformed into a designer celebration! The existing deck had been extended making space for a beautifully styled lounge area set in front of the impressive bar structure – all perfectly designed to match the overall white, gold and soft pastel colour scheme.  The strikingly glamorous floral-look tied this elegant chic together and for that extra touch of glamour – bespoke personalised stationery details at every setting complemented by designer Phoenix chairs!

The evening ended with everyone dancing the night away in the lounge area, that too had been converted into a dazzling ‘night club’ setting. With clusters of candles set around the periphery of the room, added crystal chandeliers and a personalised dance floor the scene was set for a uniquely memorable seaside celebration!

Photography by: Lad & Lass Photography

The post An elegant Destination wedding set on the shores of South Africa – Natalie & Carl’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

Behind the Inspiration…

Our design team keep up to date with international trends by following global leaders in design across various subjects such as lifestyle and fashion, so the inspiration for this look was a colour trend that came straight off the European summer catwalks. It was bold, it was brave and it was a combination of specific colours that we had not seen before. However, it became clear that these colours were, in their own right, “Highlight Colours”, so we needed to include complementary base colours to tone it down and add a glamorous edge. With the addition of metallics, stone and white, this vibrant look was now “wedding ready”! International brides and wedding creatives are looking for vibrancy in new contemporary palettes that have a definitive “wow” factor that separate it from the rest – and this is certainly it!

The Perfect Bride in the Perfect Setting!

The inspiration for the styling of the bride is that of an updated 70’s glamour bride – bold lined eyes, soft lips, big hair and subtle bohemian influences. The 3 different looks that were showcased included some classic 70’s bridal elements such as batwing sleeves, embellished veils, prints on dresses and of course exquisite bejeweled bohemian headpieces. We also showcased wedding dresses that were not necessarily white – again breaking the mould from the norm and reminding brides that they can wear any colour on their wedding day– they just have to take that brave leap!

Spring and summer bring with them a desire to shake off those dark dull winter colours and embrace everything that is bright and fresh! So this is certainly a look that would work in the up and coming 2015/2016 spring and summer seasons. And when it comes to the best location, of course the first notion that springs to mind is an urban setting, however this look would work absolutely anywhere, as it’s so distinctive! From the Cape winelands and vineyard settings, to a Durban seaside soiree – or even in the heart of a safari landscape – the contrast alone would be exquisite!

The key elements….

…are the colours! Amazonian green, teal and bioluminescent yellow – colours one cannot get from florals alone! By combining the creative minds at Wedding Concepts and Afresh Event and Design, we were able to bring these specific colours to life through various elements such as textiles, bespoke stationery, painted screens with textured wall paper, and design features such as bespoke wedding cakes! The secondary base colours of white and mixed metallics, were essential to refine the bright colours and give the overall look a sophisticated slant.

The beauty of the tablescape is that it is both contemporary and wonderfully glamorous! Suspended installations are still very much on-trend and a concept that has developed into fantastic floral works of art! For this piece, the floral installation was suspended in such a way so that it seemed to become a natural extension of the solid band of florals already on the table. White peonies and hydrangeas combined with almost neon yellow roses created a luxury centerpiece whilst the stems of green arum lilies and “popping out” peonies certainly added an elegant artistry to the table.

The table itself was completely customized and it too became a key contemporary art piece! The top was covered in a bright yellow fabric, designed by local textile designer Skinny laMinx, and its legs were made of Perspex to give it the ultimate modern edge. Stunning gold cutlery, stylish crystal glassware and bold stationery concepts complemented each place setting.

Our Expert Advice: for such a bold colour scheme, keep the florals simple in colour. White worked perfectly and added a sense of classic sophistication.

And the Bride was Dressed by…..

Kristin Masters of Garnish Bridal Couture specially designed the stunning pink-pearlescent coloured 70’s themed bridal gown for this shoot. With a liquid-silk like appearance, this dress was the epitome of 70’s glamour with long batwing sleeves and the mirroring low V in both the front and back of the dress. For a glam bohemian touch, the delicately hand woven silver stone and crystal Zelus Crown by Bo & Luca was added as it reflected the soft pink colour of the dress beautifully! This would be the perfect glamour accessory to add to your look for the wedding reception and to dance the night away in.The more bohemian styled fitted white wedding dress had a beautiful cow neck and lace detail in the front and a stunning vertical beaded lace detail on the back. The veil that finished off this glamorous bohemian look was a magnificent piece from Bo & Luca. A stunning crown of silk hand cut petals and tiny stones encrusted and sewn into a layer of georgette silk.

The final dress was made by Klûk CGDT. It is the ultimate WOW party dress and we loved it because again, it was not white and came with fantastic volume and a sense of occasion that certainly stood its ground against this bold colour scheme! The palm print on the dress worked beautifully and for a dazzling touch of eclectic style, we added the ornate Hera Headpiece also from Bo & Luca. The hand crafted brushed gold glass stone crown was the perfect accessory to completely romanticize this look.

Contributor Credits:

Concept, styling and co-ordination: Kate Diaz, Senior Project Manager and Creative Director at Wedding Concepts

Assisted by Shannon Khoury and Lauren Whiting, Project Managers at Wedding Concepts

Photographers: Tyme Photography

Floral & Structural Décor & Styling: Afresh Event & Design

Dresses: Kristin Masters of Garnish Couture

Palm Dress: Kluk CGDT

Jewellery & Veil: Bo & Luca

Model: Jade Hill from Ice Models

Hair & make-up: Monique Swanepoel

Venue: Katy’s Palace Bar

Cake: Pippa and Polly Cakery

Stationery: Secret Diary

Catering: Prep’ed by Sasha

The post The Stunning New Colour Trends for Spring/Summer – Our styled shoot! appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

Yellow & Grey with Touches of Sage Green

From amber and canary to saffron and marigold – there is a shade of yellow for everyone. A classic and elegant colour scheme, yellow and grey is a pairing that works across multiple wedding décor elements to create a sophisticated yet fun and fresh colour focus. Add charming touches of sage green to really take this look up a “design notch”!

Colourful Homegrown Splendour

Cape Town is home to 1 of 5 global floral kingdoms that cannot be found anywhere else in the world – fynbos! The exquisite King Protea is the main flower from this genus that guides many décor concepts for an elegant wedding. Deep red and pink in colour, the King Protea works well as a statement flower when combined with other striking colours and exotic global florals to create a unique indigenous look that holds no international boundaries!

Contemporary Black & White

Edgy yet classic and oh so stylish! A black and white themed wedding evokes an insatiable contemporary décor concept that never seems to goes out of style. Working perfectly in an urban skyscraper venue in Johannesburg, this monochrome colour scheme adds that glamorous touch of drama! 

Images by Gavin Casey, Vivid Blue and Carike Ridout

The post Colour By Trend – Making Bold & Vibrant Statements appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

 A picturesque venue in the Somerset West winelands played host to their celebration and our design team eagerly got to work and sought to interpret their modern Asian inspired look with a distinct “wow” factor. The rationale was that the chic would remain clean, uncomplicated and fresh, with white being used as the highlight colour. Suspended floral features are a huge décor trend in 2014 and our team chose to incorporate this look into the wedding’s brief. Across the full length of three 12-meter long reception tables, handpicked branches were expertly suspended from the venue ceiling. In total a 36-meter floral suspension! As assortment of sculpted florals and foliage were skillfully attached to the floating branches, and delicate trailing orchids further softened the look. This installation took a staggering 3 days to install! The modern colour palette of white, blue and silver-grey worked flawlessly together within the reception space and fashionable Phillip Stark ghost chairs finished the look off perfectly.

Small Asian inspired décor details were featured throughout the day and added beautiful thoughtful touches. Hand folded origami swans were incorporated into an escort card table, which later become a dessert station that was softly lit by customized lampshades, showcasing the couple’s hand painted insignia. This same design was carried through onto all the follow-on stationery. The menu featured hand drawn images of historical architecture as well as symbols of recognizable natural features from both Taiwan and South Africa.

At the reception, besides the exquisite reception tables, manicured Bonsai trees were placed around the periphery of the room to enhance the chic. After dinner a delicious Mojito cocktail mix was prepared in large Ming Pots and then poured into small Chinese cups. During Mark’s speech, each guest received a mini-Mojito so as to toast the couple in what they called a “Mojito Moment”. A fun ritual the couple experienced on their many travels together.

A cluster of large white Chinese lanterns created an Asian inspired focal piece over the dance floor and the sounds of the couple’s personal friend, DJ Dean Fuel, accompanied by a saxophone, filled the reception space. A picture-perfect ending to another dazzling designer celebration.

Images by Jean-Pierre Uys

The post Modern Asian-Inspired Minimalism Finds its South Africa Match – Margaret and Mark’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

From the very beginning Candice had a striking décor brief that our team were very excited to get started on. The fashionable combination of blush pink, black and a touch of gold meant for an opulent and dazzling colour palette that would contrast beautifully against the rustic setting. Silvery charcoal tablecloths combined with black Tiffany chairs created the dark canvas that highlighted the lush pink and white floral arrangements. White proteas, roses and orchids worked romantically alongside soft pink florals and trailing twigs and seedpods that were expertly delivered in black and gold. Pink glasses added a stunning repetition of colour and intricate laser cut menus added charming detail to the tablescape.

The ceremony was kept classic in white with soft draping over the gazebo as well as providing much needed shade for the guests. The aisle and Candice’s dress in particular stole the show once the ceremony started. Candice arrived in an exquisite dress that had a soft neckline made from feathers, a stunning fitted draped bodice, which then flared out into a soft flowing train – which was mirrored by her on-trend trailing bridal bouquet. The lush aisle for the ceremony was adorned with hundreds of pink and white rose petals arranged in a paisley pattern – which was only for the blushing bride to walk over.

Pre-drinks followed with flowing champagne, canapés, jazz music and lawn games – all accompanied by a spectacular summer sunset. After a sumptuous 4-course reception dinner, Candice and Phil were ushered into La Petit Dauphine’s studio by their guests who had formed an aisle of sparkers! The couple then went on to cut not one, but two weddings cakes as Candice’s brother had surprised her with a second cake that he had made himself. The first danced followed and guests partied the night away with wedding cake and Lindt chocolate wedding favours to keep them going to the early hours!

Images by Vivid Blue

The post Blushing Franschhoek Soiree – Candice and Phil’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

A blessing in disguise, living in New York, Vicky and Jon were the perfect couple to host their destination wedding at Lion Sands. Like the game lodge itself, the wild at heart bride and groom left no detail unturned. Vicky was in fact born in South Africa but raised in the US, and Jon, having never been to South Africa, or on safari – trusted Vicky and the Wedding Concepts team whole heartedly to deliver what was one of the most memorable celebrations to date.

Vicky is the quintessential detail driven DIY queen of all things whimsical. She wanted her guests to experience some of her favourite memories from her time spent in South Africa. The easiest way to do this was to start with a sneak peek and to have a personalised View Master showcasing incredible photos of wild life in Africa as their wedding invitation. If this wasn’t enough of a lure for their guests – then staying at one of the most luxurious and design focused lodges in Kruger sure was!

Waiting for guests in their lodges on arrival was a handmade Guide Box, filled with South African favourites like rooibos tea and Amarula liqueur. Also included were some clues: a compass, an Acacia twig, and finally – a Field Guide. This not only explained the rest of the weekend but ensured all guests knew that this #wildatheart wedding adventure, was just the beginning. After spectacular game viewing en route to the rehearsal dinner, set in a clearing in the bush (read NO FENCES), the guests received a mere glimpse into what they could expect the next day. It was here that some of the key Chinese traditions were incorporated. The well known tea ceremony was a wonderfully emotional moment with all their loved ones surrounding them.

The setting for the ceremony was certainly unique. Never before has Wedding Concepts arranged a ceremony underneath a 300-year-old Sausage Tree overlooking the Sabie River. A large male buffalo looked on as Vicky entered the ceremony and a local African choir sang Zulu praise songs. One of the few surprises for Vicky and Jon was when the guests blew proudly South African Vuvuzela’s as the minister pronounced them husband and wife.

The first look was an incredibly special moment as Jon saw his bride in her gorgeous Reem Acra gown before making their way to Inkwaze Hide for the ceremony.

After the heartfelt ceremony, guests were escorted by Safari Vehicles to Ivory Lodge – the most exclusive of all 5 Lion Sands lodges. Unparalleled and extraordinarily beautiful in its simplicity and lavish comfort and style, Ivory Lodge was the perfect setting for sundowner pre-drinks overlooking the Sabie River. Guests sipped on signature cocktails, sparkling wine and Vicky’s favourite – Bubble tea, in fact we dedicated a whole station to it.

After traditional Zulu warrior dancers set the African rhythms in motion, guests journeyed through oil lantern-lit pathways to River Lodge for the reception. River Lodge offered the perfect warm welcome as our team had converted their breakfast lounge into a candlelit 5-star banquet. Tables were adorned with a soft mix of King Proteas, succulents and delicate florals such as lisianthus and garden roses. For a personal touch, Vicky learnt the art of calligraphy and hand wrote each and every place setting herself. Our design team then added the final “wow-factor” touches such as inspired lighting concepts, lazer cut wooden stationery details and a glamourous photo corner comprising of various suspended oversized gold frames.

Guests took their seats for a delicious 3-course menu, and dessert was served canapé style as they took to the dance floor. Another one of Vicky’s favourites – milk tart – was a real hit with all the foreigners! Specially flown in from Cape Town, DJ Rene and his Dream Team filled the Kruger night with a brilliant mix of dance music, both old and new. And with curious hippos and nocturnal wild life looking on, guests danced till they could no longer.

Photography by: Christian Oth Studio

The post Wild at Heart at Lion Sands – Vicky & Jon’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

Style and sophistication with elegance and refinement at the foreground, was the design concept for this gracious celebration –incorporating the bride’s favourite colours, Chartreuse yellow, shades of cream, soft pink and a touch of gold. The overall look was one of Parisian elegance – reflecting nuances of the bride’s time spent in Paris in France. Inside the grand marquee, guests were seated at long banqueting tables – which were designed in two different styles. One with ornately textured gold tables cloths, silver base plates and soft pink glassware, contrasted by contemporary Perspex “Ghost chairs”, the other with a Chartreuse striped linen, crystal base plates, amber glassware and gold chairs. All handmade stationery features, such as personalised menus including the name of each guests, were expertly crafted and designed to complement the overall look and feel.

The suspension of masses of sparkling crystal chandeliers and original custom made floral lampshades above the tables created an exquisite lighting display in the marquee; one could not help but look up in awe. Stylish table lamps with custom-made Chartreuse shades created extra height between the lavish floral features. Lush white draping made for a sense of elegance and intimacy in the 900 square meter reception marquee. For the pre-dinner drinks and cocktail hour – a large open-air outdoor lounge area was skilfully designed and planned right down to the last scatter cushion, with careful attention to effective & glamorous lighting at night. Striking fairy light strings were strung up amongst beautifully draped aisles – with elegant lounge pockets, creating a chic and inviting area for guests to relax in between courses. The estates magnificent 24 palm trees lining the lawns were also lit for the ultimate chic open-air lounging experience.

A grand experience is not complete without a menu to match! Together with Franschhoek’s renowned chef Reuben Riffel and his Head Chef Maritz, we designed a menu fit for a banquet of impressive proportions which showcased some of South Africa’s finest cuisine. Acclaimed French Chef Michel Morrand from Johannesburg contributed with his expertise in preparing some of the French inspired dishes on the menu. Various different styles of canapés were served, followed by a choice of two starters, a delicious main course buffet with a choice of 6 main courses and 2 plated desserts.

The incredible 5-tiered designer wedding cake was the focal feature in the centre of the marquee. Covered in pale ivory appliqué and delicate piped detail, the sugar paste petals cascaded delicately down one side, mirroring the design of the bride’s exquisite couture wedding dress. A second cake soon followed as at midnight the bride celebrated her birthday with a specially made birthday cake! After midnight and many heartfelt speeches, the bridal couple and their guests danced the night away in style until the early morning hours. And everyone agreed that this wedding will be remembered as a gracious amalgamation of African soulfulness and French design inspiration.

To view the Top Billing TV insert of this stylish A-list celebration – click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEPGzzNK7vE

Photography By: ZaraZoo

The post Grand Scale, Design & Magnificence! We Present The Most Exclusive Wedding of the Year: Philisiwe & Nathi’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

Anna had never visited South Africa but wholeheartedly trusted David when he suggested getting married in the Franschhoek Winelands at the exclusive Vrede en Lust Wine Estate. Having lived in Australia, Texas and now Singapore, Anna & David’s guest list of 85 would consist of guests from all over the world. This celebration had to be on par with international design and wedding trends, all whilst show-casing the best of what Franschhoek has to over: incredible cuisine and award winning wines!

The look and feel we settled on was to be elegant, modern, sophisticated and above all – stylish. During the months of planning, the emphasis grew on modern contrasts with a distinct return to opulence and a by-gone era of glamour. This would be highlighted with an abundance of flowers, masses of crystal chandeliers, variations of height on the tables, pure silver cutlery and cut crystal glassware. Customised dark wood reception tables were specially designed and made for this celebration. The contrast between the white and cream florals and the crystal table features was striking and we kept the look clean and modern by excluding table linen. Stationery was kept classic but did not disappoint in elegance. Each menu received gold foiling features with a delicate touch of water colouring to bring through a hint of pink. This was finished off with a real orchid flower for every single place setting. With Anna soon to become known as “Mrs Bird”, guests where shown to their seats by the means of petite lazar cut Swallows delicately placed onto the edge of each crystal wine glass with their names printed on the Swallows wings.

Entertainment highlights included amazing performances for the ceremony and pre-dinner drinks by acclaimed jazz group Breakfast Included; and a surprise to guests, a vibrant performance of traditional Zulu warriors right. A decadent sweet and candy station ended an expertly prepared 4 course menu which consisted of only the best locally sourced produce in the Franschhoek Valley. 80 beautifully handcrafted mini cakes substituted a traditional tiered wedding cake and large cheese boards and gourmet Polish-style hotdogs made for delicious late night snacks.

With the reception exuding a sense of old-world glamour, the dance floor and party space was kept slick and contemporary! A modern extension to the reception venue was added on by means of a Bedouin tent, which was then completely floored and completed with a hi-tech LED dance floor taking centre stage! An 8 piece band and DJ had a beautiful ABS stage built for them and brand new customised lounge furniture created stunning pockets which framed the dance floor. Intelligent lighting filled this space and the marquee to create the perfect party atmosphere for guests to literally feel like they were dancing the night away on stars.

To finish off a magnificent wedding weekend, Anna & David had a Trash the Dress shoot to really add a different look and feel to their memories in South Africa. The various locations at this particular farm really provide incredible backdrops for some beautiful photographs.

Photographs by Jean-Pierre Uys

The post Modern Contrasts Meet Old World Glitz & Glamour – Anna & David’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

With an interior comprising of cool glass, steel and wooden textures and surfaces, we set out to bring a flood of vivid colour to the setting. The impressive combination of fuchsia, yellow and grey proved to be a stunning colour palette that would truly give life to the space whilst complimenting its best features. To further enhance the feeling of intimacy and warmth we “lowered” the impressive two-story ceiling space over the reception tables, and added a canopy of fairy lights and individually hung dahlias. The flowers comprised of simple yet striking arrangements of tulips and calla lilies which created a uniform yet bold effect of interspersed colour. In addition, single fuchsia orchids were elevated as tall arrangements to maximise the double volume reception space. For the ceremony, we decided to keep it traditional in white with only the vintage London-style Taxi, Jackie’s entertaining bridal vehicle for the day, bringing through a hint of the bright colours still to come!

The 4-course menu was a brilliant modern interpretation of well-known classics. Expertly paired with a selection of the estates award winning wines, guests indulged in what was a true gastronomic experience. Dancing followed heartfelt speeches and dinner, with the couple opening the dance floor with one of best night-time views in the Cape! A decadent and colourful “Sweet Station” adorned with a contemporary sensation by Roxanne Floquet Designs, kept guests’ dancing appetites at bay till the early hours.

Images by ZaraZoo

The post A Contemporary Burst of Colour: Jackie & Gary’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

Jani B

Jani B’s photographic style is fresh, soft and unstaged. She ensures that she uses every oppertunity in life to become a better photographer, always trying new effects and angles to improve her craft. Jani B describes her passion for us,

“Photography keeps me on my toes, because you can’t sit back and rest on your laurels. I do all kinds of photography, but I absolutely adore taking wedding photos. The real emotions, facial expressions and special moments make it so appealing. I love being part of a couple’s happiest day, being part of the inner circle and being able to create memories that will last beyond the frosting on the cake and the bubbles in the champagne.”

Annemari Ruthven

Annemari Ruthven is a talented photographer who likes to observe people, their interactions and their emotions and she aims to document these real moments – everything that goes could possibly go wrong, everything that goes blissfully right and all the small details and moments in between that make a couple’s day unique and special. Her approach is unobtrusive, subtle and artistic and is all about capturing those sensitive moments.

“For me, it’s very important to tell the whole story of the day. I believe that one truly appreciates their wedding photos ten years later, when you can look through them and relive the day. ”

A big welcome to Jani B and Annemari – we look forward to working with you in the future!

The post Exciting New Suppliers Part 3: Jani B & Annemari Ruthven appeared first on Wedding Concepts.