This highflying and high-spirited couple entrusted our design team to bring together all the special and sentimental details that they had envisioned for their nuptials in South Africa. Just like their personalities, they expressed that they wanted a very relaxed day that would allow guests to socialize in style! Out went the traditional seated reception and in moved striking lounges and cocktail concepts! A collection of contemporary white draped gazebos housed vintage chaise lounges with chandeliers for added glamour, and tall cocktail-conversation tables with matching chairs added another elegant layer of exclusive furniture to ensure that guests could move around freely and socialize. Each lounge was styled with chic scatter cushions and luxurious throws that highlighted the romantic colour scheme of white and soft pinks.

The floral décor emulated this colour palette but also paid homage to the couple’s international backgrounds. Gumnuts were sprayed gold to signify Amy’s Australian heritage whilst for Neil, roses represented England on the day. Indigenous to South Africa, the stunning King Protea was also added to the floral arrangements throughout the cocktail area.

Being foodies at heart, dinner became a sumptuous floating bowl-menu consisting of 6 different options for starters and an impressive 7 dishes for main course. Dessert was a decadent station that consisted of miniature versions of both beloved local options such as koeksisters and chocolate brownies but also the couple’s personal favourites such as lemon meringue tartlets and mini red velvet cupcakes! The wedding cake was an impressive 3 tier double cake! Each tier was double volume in height and added delicious flavours to the dessert station.

Amy was the perfect type of bride as together, every single fun and sentimental detail for family and friends was well thought out and planned with our help. Details such as each guest receiving a handmade candle that she had made as well as a bottle of Rupert & Rothschild wine to take home. As a surprise for Neil, we were able to arrange a pool table to be delivered to him to enjoy with his groomsmen whilst getting ready on the day. And lastly, we had a bouquet made especially for Amy’s mom, as she never got to throw her bouquet on her wedding day.

All in all, Amy and Neil’s celebration was the result of a wonderful day of fate that brought them together in the picturesque valley of Franschhoek, with friends and family from all over the world. A celebration of fate that we won’t soon forget!

Images by Wesley Vorster

The post Romantic Alfresco Lounging in Franschhoek – Amy & Neil’s Real Life Wedding   appeared first on Wedding Concepts.

In this part 2 of our Hot Honeymoons feature, we look at 2 couples who both had dazzling destination weddings in the Cape Winelands, organised by the team at Wedding Concepts, but opted for a romantic African safari experience instead of a tropical beach getaway for their honeymoons.

Dee & Joe from Ireland chose to exchange vows in Franschhoek after having been to the valley before on a holiday.  Their stunning winelands celebration was followed by two nights at the 5 star Bay Hotel located on Camps Bay’s golden mile. Heading north, their ocean facing room was replaced with an impressive 23 000 hectares of prime wilderness land in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where they spent 4 nights at the majestic Phinda Private Game Reserve. Twice daily open air safari drives, interpretive bush walks and river cruises at Phinda were followed by 5 further nights at the exclusive Thonga Beach Lodge set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland coast.

Ideally positioned above a secluded bay, Thonga Beach Lodge is nestled into beautiful coastal dune forests with sweeping views of the stunning beach below. The thatched bush suites provide privacy honeymooners come to expect and enjoy and the lodge offers luxurious accommodation and one of the best dive sites in Southern Africa.

UK couple Richard and Stephanie got married at La Petite Dauphine in Franschhoek before setting out of their Garden Route Honeymoon. First stop was a 2 night stay at The Bay Lodge in Plettenberg Bay. This barefoot boutique beach lodge has amazing views over the Indian Ocean and contemporary designer touches throughout. Next on the agenda were 3 nights at the lavish Tsala Tree Top Lodge. Tucked away neatly into the forest canopy – these luxurious suites are the epitome of opulent indulgence and romanticism! Here the couple had an elegant suite fit for royalty. Extending into the forest was a private deck for dining al fresco as well as an infinity pool! Stephanie had the following to say after their stay at Tsala.

“Thank you so much to Travel Concepts for your patience and hard work in organising a fabulous honeymoon to follow our wonderful wedding. Our tree house at Tsala afforded us some much needed rest and relaxation. Lying by our private plunge pool with a bottle of wine we had picked up on the wine tour in Franschhoek, we looked back over special memories from what had been the best 2 weeks of our lives!”

The couple then flew from George to Jozi and did a scenic self-drive to Marataba Safari Lodge in the Limpopo Province. It was here that the couple spent 3 nights in one of ten exclusive and luxurious tented suites. Each tented suite has been carefully incorporated into the surrounding bushveld while a canopy of African trees provides vital shade. A permanent flowing river, completes the landscape of mountains, trees and sky – the backdrop to the big 5 game experience and the drama of the bush. A clever combination of stone and canvas create a unique feature for the suites, with an addition modern twist for the interiors.

If your dreaming of an African getaway – whether it be a an idyllic safari honeymoon or simply just to discover this untouched landscape – the team from Travel Concepts can take you there. They will ensure that everything is taken care of, right down to the smallest detail . To book your honeymoon or holiday, contact our formidable “sister” team, Mandi and Chantal at info@travelconcepts.co.za

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