South African Wedding by Rensche Mari

You really can't help but fall in love with South Africa when you see such stunning landscapes as these can you? I'm delighted that I could showcase the beauty of this country in the Magnolia Rouge Magazine with this gorgeous wedding from Rensche Mari.

After first meeting five years ago on a run, Trevor and Chantelle kept bumping into each other over the next few years at various sporting events but the timing was never quite right for them to get together. Finally in the summer of 2010, the stars aligned and they've been together ever since. When it came to proposing, Trevor decided that no place or event would be special enough. The moment had to be very honest and true, so it was that on one of their Sunday mornings together, Chantelle woke up to Trevor on bended knee beside the bed. The couple referred to their big day as a 'celebration of life' rather than a wedding, and for this reason they chose the first of September – the beginning of spring in South Africa – to symbolise the start of life and new beginnings. With only 50 guests in total, they held an intimate celebration on a farm in Clarins, in the Free State. Whilst the wedding had an air of formality, there were plenty of colourful rustic chic touches in keeping with the location. 

I love that they chose to share some of their most special moments with their guests too...

"We wanted to be open, to share our story with our friends and family, so instead of the traditional speeches we had four of our close friends stand up and read cards and love letters we had written each other over the past two years. We asked them to add something special of their own, it was beautiful and such an intimate part of the day."

Click here to see their full feature in the Magnolia Rouge Magazine

Photography | Rensche Mari, Venue & Catering | The Gourmet Shed, Cake | Megan Hall, Flowers | Trevor’s mom, Ingrid Baptiste, Bride's Gown | Stanley Baptiste, Bride's Shoes | Luella and Socrati, Hair | Megan Hall (bridesmaid), Make-up | Lindi Higginbotham, Bridesmaids dresses | Their own, shoes from YDE, Groom's attire | Trenery Woolworths, Groom's tie | Paul Smith