Leigh and Andrew knew exactly what they wanted for their wedding. Their hearts were set on a beach wedding and they wanted clean cut decor in turquoise and white with splashes of tangerine.
Their special day was held in Langebaan on the 02 February 2013 at The Farmhouse Hotel www.thefarmhousehotel.com
Leigh, bridesmaids & mother of the bride all wore dresses by Rosenworth Couture.
Monica Dart www.monicadart.co.za was behind the lens to capture the day. The ceremony was held on the beach - an idyllic setting.
Over 1000 white avalanche roses were used in the flower arrangements, the majority of which, were arranged very simply in grey boxes which we washed with white paint. These were ideal as guests were able to take arrangements home at the end of the evening. The tables names were the names of beaches and were simply tucked into the arrangements. To add interest some arrangements were gypsophila offset with 3 white roses. Glass always adds glamour and we used 3 square glass vases placed together filled with white avalanche roses to ring the changes. Last, but extremely effective, were boxes containing bottles in which we placed single buds of roses, lisianthus and sprigs of gypsophila. Lanterns on striped boards and floating candles in small and medium glass votives finished the decor.
Lara from www.larasdesigns.co.za was responsible for the stationery for the wedding. The bold turquoise menu bands on the serviettes and placenames tied to the backs of the chairs, together with the striped canvas boards used for centrepieces, added the necessary splash of colour.
Guests were treated to this beautiful selection of cheeses in the form of a cake to round of the evening, together with platters of Lindt chocolate.
Today I was doing a little reminscing whilst looking back at some wedding photographs. This time last year I was privilaged to be part of assisting with co-ordinating as well as styling the flowers and table decor for Chris & Lee (Goldschmidt).
This very special couple had been part of my life for several years and I was so happy that they were to be married. At the time they were living and working in London so all arrangements for the wedding were via Skype and e-mail. Chris' mom, Joyce was involved with the planning right from the start and together we created the magic that resulted in a very special day.
Lara www.larasdesigns.co.za designed all the beautiful stationery, which played a large part in finishing off, and indeed, complimenting the decor. Lee chose burgundy red, cream and white as her colour scheme and I encouraged her to include lime green flowers to add some punch and fun to the decor.
Jason Hudson www.jhphoto.co.za was the official photographer but I have included some pictures taken by Joyce and myself of the decor.
Lee bought her wedding gown (Mori Lee collection) and the bridesmaids dresses in London. Alicia Buckle www.aliciabuckle.co.za did her make-up and the groom, groomsman and bestmen were stylishly dressed by Moi Styling www.moistyling.co.za.
The ceremony was at Christ Church, Constantia. It was honestly one of the most meaningful and beautiful wedding services I have attended.
Steenberg Golf Estate was the venue for the reception www.steenberggolfclub.co.za. Whilst I wanted the decor to be classic and timelessly elegant (something that we strive for at Bright and Beautiful) I also wanted to introduce a modern edge to flower arrangements. So, together with classic arrangements of vendella roses, white avalanche roses, cream lisianthus, stargazer lilies, alstromeria and gypsophila in silver vases and in glass mushroom vases, we introduced arrangements of lime green crysanthumums in crystal vases and under glass domes, as well as red roses in classic silver urn vases with touches of hypericum berries. White tulips loosely tied in tall glass vases upshot with LED lights added further to the flower decor. Silver candelabra, silver candlesticks and glass t-lite votives added the finishing touches and the twinkling candlelight that always adds to the ambience. We used different vases in different positions on the tables to give variation and maintain a lively interest in the table settings.
Detail, detail, detail!! Every attention was given to even the smallest element for this wedding. Lara designed these totally awesome aprons worn by the waitrons!
The damask design was used on all the stationery - invitations, menu's, wedding cake and even a sticker for the dancefloor!
Wades Cakes www.wadescakes.co.za created the wedding cake. Delicious petit fours for guests flavoured with either lemon or rosewater. These were so popular and everyone really enjoyed them.
The last bit of detail - heart shaped sugars for the coffee from www.jacobschocolat.co.za
Chris and Lee may your marriage and life together always be as sweet as you are.
Nabeelah and Adeeb's wedding day can be described as pretty and filled with crystals, glass, cream/white and apricot. The decor for the evening reception looked as beautiful as Nabeelah herself.
Nabeelah's dress was absolutely beautiful - a heavily embroidered andbeaded fabric. I particularly loved the neckline of the dress as itreally complimented her. Bouquets were very simple, as there was alarge retinue. Four Bridesmaids carried posies of 5 Peach AvalancheRoses finished with gypsophila and bound with organza ribbon. Thebridal bouquet was Peach Avalanche Roses finished with crystal pins andbound with white satin ribbon. The two little flowergirls had littlebaskets filled with gypsophila which looked really cute.
Lezanne, Lezanne Designs www.lezannedesigns.co.za did the most amazing job of all the stationery. I wish there more photographs to share with you.
Flower arrangements were made up of Peach Avalanche Roses, Vandella Roses, White Lisianthus, Gypsophila, Snapdragons, St Josephs Lilies and Snow on the Mountain. Britt Poorter Photography was behind the lens.
A pretty wedding and a pretty bride. I so enjoyed being part of creating Nabeelah and Adeeb's special day. It was wonderful getting to know you and I wish you all the best in your married life.
We have completed our last wedding for the 2012/2013 season. I have, as always, enjoyed each and every wedding that we have been involved with.
We now look back and reflect on our business. Are we competitive within the current market? Is our standard consistent and do we offer a top class service to our brides? These are just two of many questions we will be asking ourselves as we prepare for the 2013/2014 season.
My aim is to be intimately involved with each couple from our first consultation through to their wedding day. I am relentless in trying to find the right style to best reflect them as a couple and to work within the specified budget.
Everyone has been affected by the current economic situation, world-wide. In my opinion, it is now more important than ever to work out a budget for your wedding and stick to it. It is so appreciated when couples are transparent and honest about their budget. It makes it much easier for all involved. However, there also needs to be a more realistic approach to the cost of flowers and decor for weddings.
Consultations, styling, sourcing various items, ordering flowers, collecting flowers, floral materials, delivery, set-up and labour are all part and parcel of our preparations for a wedding and needs to be factored in.
In the new wedding season we will need to see more simple, minamalistic floral arrangements as part of table decor. I will continue to encourage the use of lots of candelight to enhance the decor. I will continue to encourage the use of containers that can be costed in to floral arrangements so that they can be taken home after the wedding.
I will be buying a range of all white ceramic vases and will be on the lookout for other decor items to purchase or have made for the exclusive use of Bright and Beautiful. The Lanterns that we purchased this year have been amazingly successful, cost effective and have looked awesome in a range of different decor styles. Emerald is the Panatone colour for 2013 and I am hoping that it will result in brides being more willing to use generous amounts of greenery in arrangements.
Our team will be expanding with some young, new, fresh blood and ideas, although we will continue to only take on between 12-14 weddings in the season (September - April). We will now offer a set-up team for "do it yourself" brides. This will be a set price and include one consultation with the couple, to collect all necessary information regarding their requirements as well as making a detailed sketch of venue layout, sketch of decor on tables, set-up on the day, staying at venue to assist (if necessary) and break down of decor (if necessary).
I urge interested couples to take advantage of our free, non-obligatory consultation. It is not possible for me to give accurate quotations based on pictures sent to me via e-mail. After our consultation, where I will be able to ascertain your requirements, budget etc., I will put together a detailed quotation for you.
And to answer my own questions!! Yes, Bright and Beautiful are extremely competitive within the market. We always use top quality flowers and give our clients value for their money and yes, our standard is consistent. We go beyond the call to see that our decor is faultless. All bridal couples and weddings are dealt with professionally regardless of size or budget.
Happy wedding planning.
True beauty comes from within. Kristy-Lee just radiates love, kindness, grace and gentleness.
Kristy-Lee & Andrew are currently living in Dubai and this made it difficult for them to be involved in the finer details of their wedding day. When I met Kristy I was quickly able to ascertain that she liked all things pink and pretty. Pale pink roses were her flower of choice and we decided that we would create a blend of tall silver candelabra on round tables and romantic grey-washed zinc buckets and lanterns on long rectangular tables.
Our first appointment was with Lara from Lara's Designs www.larasdesigns.co.za Lara guided Kirsty-Lee through the process of choosing just the right stationery - invitations, place names, table seating plans and the gorgeous sweety packets that would form part of the Sweet Table. Although, Kristy loves all things pretty she is not a frilly girl. The chosen stationery had a funky edge and truly complimented the table decor.
Robyn Roberts www.robynroberts.co.za was able to create the wedding dress of her dreams. Bridesmaids wore dresses that were a very soft dusty pink.
I was honouredd that Kristy-Lee placed her complete trust in Bright and Beautiful, Flowers & Table Decor. E-mails went back and forth and the day started taking shape. I had tremendous fun choosing a selection of delightful sweet treats for the SWEET TABLE and developing ideas to make the wedding as special as Kristy.
Kristy-Lee looked beautiful. Andrew and her took the time to take a sneak preview of the venue and it was such a gratifying feeling to see her face and hear the words "it is everything I dreamed of". Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale (unknown quotation). Andrew and Kristy-Lee are so in love and compliment eachother beautifully.
Jani B was the photographer www.janibphotography.co.za and has taken some lovely photographs.
Alicia Buckle www.aliciabuckle.co.za was responsible for hair and make-up.
The gorgeous bridesmaids carried small bouquets of Sweet Avalanche Roses and Gypsophila. The bridal bouquet, White Avalanche Roses, Akito Roses and Gypsophila.
Groom and bestmen buttonholes were simple, but very effective slangbos and silver brunia finished with a simple narrow grey satin ribbon.
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The gorgeous wedding cake was created by Katherine van der Ploeg of Sugar and Slice www.sugarandslice.co.za Thank you Katherine, for being such a star and creating this cake with less than a week's notice!!
We placed blackboards under the flower arrangements and supplied chalk for the guests to write messages. The boards were covered with graffitti by the end of the evening and the idea was a great success.
Andrew and Kristy-Lee, it was totally awesome being part of your special day. Thank you.
I love looking at bridal magazines. My favourite, at the moment, is Wedding Day. Wedding Day www.my-weddingday.co.za is a South African wedding magazine featuring real wedding days, decor, venues and is a great place to see the work of various service providers. I love the thick, glossy pages. Bright and Beautiful, Flowers & Table Decor was part of a photo shoot featured in Issue 12 of Wedding Day. The photographs were taken by Samantha Hanlon of Sunkissedstudio Photography www.sunkissedstudio.co.za
Flowers used in large arrangement : Mayflower, ranunculas, freesias, candy tuft, carnations, magadi roses and artificial hydrangeas. I used a very simple glass container. The small arrangement is a cluster of white carnations with soft downy beige feathers at the base.
Styling and concept for this shoot by Jeandre van der Bergh. The shoot included cakes from Love at First Sight www.loveat firstsight.co.za
Stationery : Oh Yay Designs www.ohyay.co.za
It was great fun being part of the shoot!
At the end of season 2011/2012 we had a wonderful get together and re-launch with various service providers, friends and supporters of Bright & Beautiful, Flowers & Table Decor. Abigail K was there and took some photographs of our awesome tea!
http://abigailk.co.za/bright-and-beautiful-relaunch
I have had some really very special brides this season. I was so excited to be approached by Amelia to assist with her wedding and to style and create the day of her dreams. Amelia is a gentle spirit. I knew she would choose soft and pretty for her special day.
The wedding venue was Steenberg Golf Club www.steenberggolfclub.co.za. Erin, is the functions co-ordinator and is so enthusiastic, accommodating and prepared to go to any lengths to ensure that everything runs smoothly. The staff are cheerful and well trained which makes it a pleasure to work at this venue (accommodates 70 - 120 guests).
Amelia chose a colour scheme of soft peach, white and cream flowers. We decided on using "mint" for the bridesmaids dresses and as an accent colour. We worked around gorgeous perspex candelabra, adding cream coloured boxes which we decorated with satin ribbon, pearls, diamante and fabric flowers. We included some glass vases for a bit of sparkle and to compliment the candelabra. A heavy cream damask tablecloth and tiffany chairs completed the very lovely setting.
Abigail, added these beautiful words to this photograph and they sum it all up!! Blayne and Amelia were married at St. Andrews Anglican Church, Kildare Rd, Newlands. The flower guild at St. Andrews are extremely competent and did lovely arrangments in the church. This church has special meaning for Amelia and her mom, Lucinda.
Amelia wore a Maggie Sottero dress from Eve's Bridalware. Her bouquet was very simple - white roses and white lisianthus. The bridesmaids were a pretty picture and held small bouquets of peach avalanche roses and gypsophila.
Hair and make up were done by Caryn Gillman who did a perfect job!
Wedding cake by Love At First Sight www.loveatfirstsight.co.za A lovely wedding - timelessly elegant, something I strive for at Bright and Beautiful, Flowers & Table Decor.
This wedding was featured on Litte Pink Book. If you would like to see some more of Abigail K's beautiful photographs follow the link .http://www.littlepinkbook.co.za/2013/03/abigail-k-photography-real-wedding/
Dayne and Amelia, our very best wishes for long life filled with love, laughter, friends and family. God Bless.
Matthew & Cathryn just needed some assistance for their special day. They came to me with their budget, some lovely ideas and just needed someone to pull it together for them.
Right from the start they wanted their day to be about family, friends and their commitment to eachother.
They had sourced some really gorgeous bio-degradable pots and planted a herb for each guest. These were finished off with a disc with the guests name on the one side and "how to care for your plant" on the other. Each pot was finished with a narrow satin ribbon complimenting the colour scheme. They had decided to use the same pot in a larger size for a very simple arrangement of Geralton Wax. I did persuade them to add a few cream roses!! I had boards made and covered with hessian to slightly elevate the centrepiece flowers and/or lantern. We staggered the layout of centrepieces to create an informal and relaxed decor.
Matthew & Cathryn enjoyed the play on their names and embraced the Cat on the Mat idea for their stationery, which was designed by a friend. They carried this idea through to their very original wedding cake which was a cheesecake created by www.charlysbakery.co.za. The reception was held at www.caferoux.co.za. Their beautiful ceremony with amazing and special praise and worship was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Kirstenbosch.
Cathryn made all the bouquets herself forming roses from satin fabric. What a beautiful idea.
Photographs by www.photofuzion.co.za and one of my assistants Fran Attenborough.
We used beautiful heavy cream damask cloths on the tables for texture and to add the final "wedding touch" whitewashed tiffany chairs! Uncomplicated decor that really worked.
Cafe Roux serve scrummy food. As we were setting up we could smell the delicious aromas of food coming from the kitchens. A happy, wonderful and memorable wedding day, just the way Matthew and Cathryn wanted it to be. We wish you abundant blessings in your married life.
The most rewarding aspect of styling wedding flowers and table decor for my beautiful brides is "getting it right".
One of my first questions at an initial consultation is "how do you envisage your special day?" Is there a specific colour, flower, mood or theme that you have set your heart on? My second question is to ascertain the budget set for wedding flowers/decor. It makes is so much easier when couples have a some kind of vision for their wedding and if they have a budget they have set aside for the flowers/decor.
Couples who come to see me fall into three categories:
1. Those that have very definite ideas, come armed with pics from various blogs and magazines and want me to re-create the flowers/table decor
2. Couples that do not have a clue as to what they want, other than a specific colour scheme
3. Couples that have a collection of different ideas but are open to creating something unique
Of course, as a stylist my favourite couple would be Type 3. However, most importantly in my mind, it is imperative that a wedding reflects the bride and groom's personalities, shows some individualism and stimulates an element of fun and excitement for the couple as planning and styling evolve.
I think the best compliment that can be received regarding your wedding decor is that as your guests walk into the room it is not only WOW, but that they identify your own personality and style.
I love meeting with my couples and having a "work in progress" as we brain storm together, step by step ,from choice of flowers and vases that will compliment the chosen venue, to selection of tablecloths and napkins. The excitement of adding beautiful stationery, candles and even maybe the addition of a well thought out bonbonnieres. I hold firm to my belief that flowers and table decor need to work together. I do not see any one element being more important than the other.
I love that my brides are individuals and enjoy embracing their personalities into the flowers and decor. I hope that most times Bright and Beautiful, Flowers & Table Decor "get it right".
I have had a mid-season break due to the fact that my son, who spent 14 months over-wintering in the Antarctica at the SANAE base, returned home this week. I had put aside a month to be available to spend some time with him. I look forward to the last few weddings we are styling for this current season. I will begin consulting for 2013/2014 weddings at the beginning of April. We have already received some bookings for the forthcoming season which is awesome.
I have welcomed some "new blood" on to the Bright and Beautiful team. They bring youth and a load of fresh new ideas with them. They have already been assisting me with our last 3 - 4 weddings and, I quite honestly, do not know what I would have done without them. They have been prepared to go the extra mile and happily assisted serving food and working behind the bar at our last wedding!
Keep happy, keep smiling and believe that you need to get it right!!!
It was great to be approached by Melissa from Pretty in Stains to do the flowers for Tanya and Josh's wedding held at Moyo, Kirstenbosch on 14th November 2012. Melissa, who co-ordinated the wedding, as well as designed all the beautiful stationery, was able to brief me as to exactly what Tanya's vision was for her special day. After meeting with Tanya, I was able to better visualise her expectations regarding the flowers and was also able to make some suggestions to assist in everything coming together to create the day of her dreams. It all looked beautiful - the bride, the decor and the flowers.
Although, the weather ranged from pouring rain to blue skies DK Photography did an amazing job and captured every moment beautifully. The next picture is one of my all time wedding favourites!
It is such a happy picture of a happy day. Tanya wore a dress with a heavily beaded bodice and a very wide skirt so we decided that her bouquet should be very simple.
We used Magadi Roses (off white) for her bouquet. Tanya wanted a pretty, romantic, classic wedding - tall silver, flower filled candelabra, soft arrangements with pink and white flowers, crystals and plenty of candlelight. We decided to use a collection of small arrangements and candles on the bridal table using silver, mercurial glass vases and crystal candle holders.
.Although, flowers are my "thing" I am also passionate about stationery (see my next blog post). Melissa designed some classically beautiful stationery for the wedding which really complimented the decor.
Last, by not least, was the lovely wedding cake. I am still trying to ascertain who was responsible, as I never like to not give credit, where credit is due. It was so perfect with everything.
If you follow the link to DK Photography you can find more pictures of this beautiful wedding. This is the first time that I have had no involvement with a wedding other than to do the flowers. It was great to work with Melissa and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking her for entrusting Bright and Beautiful with the flowers.
Congratulations Josh and Tanya! May happiness be yours forever.