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

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