If there's one thing we South Africans know how to do to perfection, it's throwing an elegant vineyard wedding. As long as I've been featuring weddings of all different kinds on SBB, there's still something about a summer wedding in the Cape winelands that tugs at my heartstrings - the beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, the breathtaking scenery (mountains so spectacular they look like they must have been painted, and I would know, since I spent four years at Stellenbosch looking at them in awe!), the light during golden hour that you just want to eat with a spoon. For all my love of motifs and patterns and colours, sometimes I just like it best when a bride and groom choose an elegant white on white palette and let their surroundings work their magic against the blank canvas. And when that canvas includes just a tiny touch of glitter, a murmur of lace and a puff of baby's breath? Well, I'm SOLD. Today's wedding is all of this and more, in that it was shot by one of our favourite photographers (and wedding people), Anneli Marinovich. There's no dreamier way to end off your afternoon.

The Proposal
We just knew the moment we drove in that Zorgvliet was going to be it. The wine estate had everything we were looking for - beautiful mountain views, vineyards and old Cape Dutch architecture. We wanted a very laid-back, natural, but still elegant feel and went for a white palette with touches of greenery. Proudly South African Details
Our guests came from far and wide, and we decided to hold a gourmet braai at Zorgvliet the night before the wedding so that everyone could meet. It was a typically South African affair, with chicken, boerewors, garlic bread and potato salad. Of course, as the bride is not traditionally allowed to see the groom the evening before, I went out for dinner with my mother and bridesmaids while Ant hosted the evening.
I am Afrikaans and Ant attended an Afrikaans high school so we had the ceremony and most of the speeches in Afrikaans. There were also one or two Afrikaans songs on the dance floor later! We are both fairly laid back people who love travelling, beautiful places and scenery. Our wedding was a reflection of this, with a chilled vibe set in beautiful surrounds. Ant also grew up in the Cape, and as a couple we had many happy memories of the wine farms and mountains. We got engaged at the Twelve Apostles hotel in Cape Town. Ant was supposedly going to Cape Town for work, and as his parents live in the Cape, he suggested we go down for the weekend to visit them and I fly back on the Sunday. We flew down on Saturday morning, had breakfast in Camps Bay and relaxed on the beach for a while (Ant later admitted he was nervously trying to pass the time!). He had booked high tea at the Twelve Apostles and secretly reserved us a room for the night. After high tea, he paid the bill, and as we were getting back into the car he casually said wouldn't it be great if we could spend the night. Next thing I knew he had grabbed the luggage and we were being checked into a beautiful sea view suite with champagne in our hands. Just before sunset we went for a drive along Chapman's Peak and sat on the cliffs with a sundowner. When we got back to the room, the sun was setting and he had arranged with the hotel to set up a private dinner on our balcony. He dropped to his knees with the sun setting over the ocean and popped the big question... the rest of the night was a blur of champagne and celebrations! After a fantastic breakfast the next morning, he drove me to his parents' house, and when I walked into the living room my parents and my sister were awaiting our arrival... he had flown them down from Johannesburg for the day to share the celebrations with us! A perfect weekend!

You can see more from this wedding on Anneli Marinovich's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue & catering: Zorgvliet Wine Estate | Photographer: Anneli Marinovich | Co-ordinator: Christine Smith from Zorgvliet Wines | Cake: Nelle Cakes | Flowers & décor: To-netts | Stationery: Canvas Stationery Boutique | Ceremony venue: Zorgvliet Wine Estate | Bride's dress: Lady Marmelaide | Hair & makeup: Erane Hobbs | Bridesmaids' dresses: Forever New | Groom's attire: Trenery | DJ: SoundFX