Bride Zoe had dreamed of a destination wedding, and it didn’t take long to convince her British husband-to-be, Richard, that South Africa was the perfect location. They were joined on the adventure by seventy of their closest family and friends. The guests were immersed in an experience that included both traditional Chinese elements and colourful contemporary country décor. And all in the breathtaking setting of Grand Dédale Country House, with its backdrop of dramatic mountain ranges, and sense of beauty and tranquillity, set apart from the rest of the world.

The events of the wedding day maintained precious cultural traditions whilst also incorporating a modern feel. The morning began with the traditional ‘gatecrash’, a lively Chinese tradition where the groom and his groomsmen have to complete a set of games set out by the bridesmaids and the bride’s family, in order to win permission to marry his bride. Richard passed with flying colours, and he and Zoe were allowed to proceed to the traditional Chinese tea ceremony. This intimate occasion was held indoors with just the bridal party and Richard and Zoe’s parents. The couple wore traditional Chinese dress, with the bride in a stunningly intricate Qun Kua. We opted for minimal florals for this part of the day, with lots of lucky red touches, and Ming-style vases as decoration.

After the tea ceremony, Zoe and Richard changed into their second outfits of the day. The bride wore an exquisite full-length gown and cathedral veil, while Richard was dapper in a classic black tuxedo. The ceremony, initially planned as an outdoor event, had to be moved indoors due to rain. However, it worked perfectly in the refined opulence of Grand Dédale’s dining room, with its blue, gold, and crystal touches. These perfectly complemented the floral look and feel created by Okasie, with a gorgeous circular arch adorned with soft cream and pastel blooms. Light streamed in through the windows, creating the feeling of a secret, indoor garden.

Following the wedding ceremony, guests were able to move on to the terrace for pre-dinner drinks. The space was beautifully styled, with a curated selection of plush furnishings in creams and neutrals with bright pops of colour for key pieces. The celebrated Grand Dédale kitchen served up delicious canapés, which were accompanied by Aperol spritzes, G&Ts, and Doolhof wines from the estate.

The dinner reception was also held on the terrace. To create a feeling of intimacy, we set up a single long table and curated the florals to celebrate the mixture of contemporary and traditional Chinese styles. Small, minimalist arrangements along the table were elevated by a series of bright floral installations suspended above. Each was comprised of an extended branch, dripping with bold flowers in shades of warm orange, bright red and yellow, fresh green, and hints of pastel, blush, and blue. Each feature had a unique shape but flowed along the length of the table, providing a sense of organic visual interest. Seasonal flowers were used, including anthurium, orchids, tulips, garden roses, cymbidium, delphinium, rananculus, and hydrangea. Dried botanicals were also included as a textural contrast.

Guests were treated to a delectable two-course meal, before heading down to the dance floor. There, they danced the night away with a live performance by the brilliant Black Ties band. Zoe changed into her third outfit of the day, a head-turning red couture gown that made her look like a Hollywood starlet. The cake was cut, and guests were handed sparklers to surround the couple in style for their first dance. Later, each guest was sent home with delicious passion fruit and lime, and salted butter caramel macarons, placed in traditional red and pink Chinese boxes. A perfect favour for this luxury Chinese fusion wedding!

Photographer: Tyme Photography

The post Colourful Country Chic – Zoe & Richard’s Real Life Wedding appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

Confetti, for many a bride, constitutes one of the key moments of the wedding day. And truth be told, no ceremony is complete without it.  Making your exit in its absence is a bit like throwing a garter that gets stuck, mid-air, on a chandelier, three meters above the ground.  It leaves everyone yearning for a sense of closure.

The word “Confetti” is derived from the Italian ‘confectionery’ and relates to “sweetmeats” – the sugar coated grains and nuts that used to be thrown over the newlyweds.  This tradition dates back to a pagan wedding ritual which saw the couple showered with rice and grain as token of fertility, prosperity and continuity.  It was believed that the fertility of the seeds would be transferred to the couple on whom they fell.  In recent years, small pieces of coloured paper have replaced the sweetmeats as an inexpensive substitute but the intention remains unchanged – it allows couples to be showered symbolically by guests with their love and best wishes for a fruitful honeymoon and marriage.

The needs of the modern bride have largely transformed the appearance of confetti though.  The ‘showering’ action has been altered in accordance.  Coloured paper started making way for fresh flowers, with brightly coloured and fragrant rose petals leading the way. The naturally vibrant and romantic nature of roses has entrenched it as a timeless favourite when it comes to choosing confetti.  The fact that it looks great when displayed in glass vases and smaller individual containers alike has only added to its appeal.

While rose petals may look dreamy as they lie scattered across the ground in the aftermath of your recessional, they do tend to get very slippery when walked over en masse.  The aromatic qualities of herbs such as rosemary, lavender, thyme and eucalyptus leaves make for a sensory explosion but some argue that their down to earth organic charm falls short in the face of more upbeat alternatives such as soap bubbles (the non-toxic, non-stain variety available at most toy stores) which can be branded with personalised messages and ribbons; the tongue in cheek playfulness of paper streamers; or even the exotic option of spice sachets filled with a combination of vanilla pods, star anise, cloves, cardamom and dried juniper berries. More daring brides can also consider folded paper planes, printed with special messages of love, or sparklers(these work equally well during day time or at night when you leave the reception).  At Wedding Concepts we love all things fittingly matched to the incredibly lightness that surrounds the confetti moment. For more confetti inspiration, see ourCelebrating with Confetti Mood Board on Pinterest.

Here are our top tips for choosing confetti:

• Decide on a colour scheme that either complements the overall look of your wedding day – or keep it stylishly simple by opting for neutrals like white or cream.
• If you’re getting married in autumn, consider using leaves in the rich colours of fall: Red, copper, yellow and orange.  Most Oaks, Liquid Amber and Ash trees bear these rich colours.
• Choose confetti that is easy to shower – not too chunky, won’t get stuck in your hair or dress, and is kind to the environment.  Certain trees drop winged seeds and flowers that one could harvest, as does Bougainvillea shrubs.
• The packaging and presentation of confetti is really important.  Spend time considering the myriad of options available to you, and be sure to pull through design elements that are a part of your décor signature.  Mini-boxes, cones and sachets printed in line with other stationery elements on the day make a huge impact.
• Ideally, there needs to be one confetti serving per couple.  Ensure your guests have easy access to it, or that the confetti reaches them in time for your exit.
• Decide when you would like to be showered: As you walk back down the aisle (most likely at outdoor ceremonies); after you’ve signed the register; when you arrive at pre-dinner drinks; or as you leave the reception.
• Check with your venue what is allowed around the use of confetti as many have restrictions in place.
• For an amazing audible experience, get each guest a tiny bell which they can ring upon commencing your walk of fame.  This will create a magical, delicate sound resonating between you and your guests.
• Make sure to indulge the moment you are showered by guests as this is typically a great photo opportunity to capture the joy of your union.  Walk – don’t run!

The post Celebrating Confetti appeared first on Wedding Concepts.