Former Miss Teen SA Raelene Rorke and Bostonian Nathaniel Clarke brought their two worlds together for a special weekend-long celebration in Hoedspruit.
THE VENUE
We loved the setting of Kapama River Lodge. It’s so luxurious and was big enough to accommodate 126 people comfortably, with lots of different areas to entertain our guests throughout the weekend – we didn’t have to use the main hall until the night of the actual wedding! The Kapama team was unreal, and the game drives were filled with wildlife action (almost everybody had an incredible viewing story). It was such a perfect safari-wedding experience.
THE THEME
With some 40 of our guests visiting Africa for the first time, the weekend was about them as much as it was about us, so the decision to have a safari wedding was an easy one. The theme was vintage African bush. We had a very romantic candlelit spit-braai under the stars on the Friday evening, with local dancers for entertainment, and finished with a traditional Xhosa wedding ceremony. Everybody came in traditional clothing and learnt some local dance moves!
THE DRESS
I had chosen a dress way before the wedding date, but it got stuck at customs and was shipped back to the US. I tried on about 25 other dresses in Joburg, but they all started looking alike to me. On a trip to Boston before our wedding, I went to Vows Bridal Outlet and fell in love with three dresses, which I had no idea were all from the same designer, Monique Lhuillier. I chose the one I felt most comfortable in; it was perfect!
THE DECOR
We kept the decor natural and elegant – canvas chairs, a hessian carpet for the aisle and lots of greenery, with a pink, red and lime green colour scheme for the flowers. The reception was set in a beautiful dining hall with simple wooden furniture, huge chandeliers, more than 200 candles and plenty of romantic roses.
THE FOOD
We worked with the hotel to plan a simple, elegant menu that had something for everybody: roasts, vegetables, and for the starter, hearty soup. It was delicious. We also ordered 11 of our favourite cakes from Châteaux Gâteaux and had their Mozart cake (layers of Japonais with hazelnut praline cream and chocolate shavings) for our wedding cake.
THE DETAILS
There were so many amazing moments throughout the weekend, but at about 10 pm on the night of our reception, the skies opened up with a torrential downpour – the first of the season! Rainfall on your wedding day is meant to be a blessing, and as the area was experiencing an extreme drought, the timing was even more special.
We also asked guests to donate to Umgazana Primary School, near my hometown in the Eastern Cape, instead of giving us gifts.
THE FIRST DANCE
‘There Will Be Time’ by Mumford & Sons
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Venue: Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Private Game Reserve
Photography: Louise Meyer Photographers
Co-ordination: Adiel Tryon at Umvini
Rings: Park Lane Jewels
Flowers: Flower Market
Decor: The Wedding Warehouse
Stationery: Lime By Design
Cakes & dessert: Château Gâteaux
Band: Tokyo Groove
Whether you’re a metrosexual, moustachioed man or a couldn’t-be-bothered bearded bro, our ultimate grooming guide will have you looking dapper on your big day. BACK TO BASICS If…
As night falls, the forest becomes a scene of drama and mystery, complemented by plush fabrics and rustic details. Scroll through our magical lookbook for all your forest-themed wedding inspiration.
From left: Brass candleholders (to hire), Propeller Props; silver candleholders (to hire), Plush Props; tall candleholders, @home; small jug, flask and medium jug (to hire), all Plush Props; tapas bowl and cutlery, both Check My China; dinner plate, side plate, wine glass, tall glass with short stem and short glass with short stem, all Woolworths; linen, Fabric City; velvet runner, Fabric Centre
Rolled menus, Secret Diary; feathers, Epanouir Flower Studio
Cake from, Kanya Hunt from The Hunt House Kitchen; cake stand (to hire), Check My China; velvet fabric, Fabric Centre; crystal wine glass, Woolworths
Plate and spoon (to hire), both Check My China; blueberries, Pick n Pay; bottle, Merrypak; thank-you tag, Secret Diary; glass, Woolworths
Chairs (to hire), Propeller Props; fairy lights and ping-pong balls, both Game
Menu, Secret Diary; feathers, Epanouir Flower Studio
Decor styling: Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
Food styling: Chiara Turilli
Photography: Gareth van Nelson
Venue: D’Aria, Cape Town
*Products all subject to availability
This summer’s nail trends are keeping it simple and feminine with pastels, glitter, nudes and a few bold details. Incorporate one of these 5 gorgeous summer nail trends…
Take in the romance of dramatic trains, long floaty dresses, full skirts and soft veils billowing in the wind with our gorgeous lookbook.
Top, Zara; dress, Tsotetsi KL; bracelet, Jangi; socks, Witchery; shoes, The Fix
Shirt dress, Stephen van Eeden; Karla satin ballgown skirt, Elbeth Gillis
Dress, Elbeth Gillis; fringed kaftan by Erre, Showspace; velvet choker, H&M; sneakers, The Fix
Dress, Enzoani; top, Zara; cape veil, Janita Toerien; hat, Woolworths
Dress, Janita Toerien; top, Zara; veil stylist’s own; socks, Witchery; sneakers, The Fix
Top by Utopia, Zando; skirt, Orapeleng Modutle
Dress, Spero Villioti; wrap blouse by Tiger Lily at Dark Paradise, Showspace; shoes, The Fix
Dress, Stephen van Eeden
Header image: Dress, Orapeleng Modutle; top, Erre; earrings, Pichulik
Fashion: Rochelle Malherbe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson
*All products subject to availability
From simple design to styles with flair, this season sees wedding cake trends that flaunt colour, details and texture perfect for a summer wedding. 1. RUFFLED Trends from…
Your wedding planning timeline is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s how to stay sane and make sure everything – from the big stuff to the tiniest detail – gets ticked off your list.
12+ MONTHS BEFORE
1. Create a wedding file or make a Pinterest board to keep track of all your ideas and inspiration.
2. Work out your budget.
3. If you’re going to hire a wedding planner, do that now.
4. Choose your date and reserve a venue (one of these is likely to depend on the other).
5. Book the venue for your reception, if it’s going to be different to the ceremony venue.
6. Choose the wedding party.
7. Start planning your guest list.
8. Book your officiant.
9. Choose and book an MC (see tips on page 40).
10. Have an engagement party, keeping in mind that anyone invited to this should also feature on your wedding guest list.
9-12 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Order your dress or book a designer.
2. If they’re not included in your venue hire, choose a caterer.
3. Book your DJ or entertainment (including ceremony musicians).
4. Research and hire a photographer and videographer.
5. Book your florist.
6. Reserve accommodation for out-of-town guests and pay deposits.
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Meet with your officiant to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork covered.
2. Have invitations made.
3. Send out save-the-dates.
4. Start organising bridesmaids’ dresses, groomsmen’s suits and flower-girl outfits.
5. Start planning your honeymoon (including renewing your passport and getting any required vaccinations).
4-6 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Fit and purchase your rings.
2. Do tastings and order your cake.
3. Buy your wedding shoes (and start taking them to dress fittings).
4. Book your hairstylist and make-up artist.
5. Plan the big-day timeline.
6. Start choosing the playlist.
7. Contact rental companies for anything your venue isn’t providing, from seat covers to fancy Portaloos.
8. Book the venue for your rehearsal dinner.
9. Compile your registry.
3 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Finalise the menu.
2. Finalise the flowers.
3. Order wedding favours, if you’ll have any.
4. Choose people to give toasts
5. Buy your wedding lingerie.
6. Make your vendors aware of the day’s schedule (they may have helpful feedback).
7. Hire wedding-day transport.
8. Book your spa treatments for the week of your wedding.
2 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Send out invitations.
2. Meet with your photographer to discuss specific shots, locations and people to be photographed.
3. Do a trial hair and make-up run.
4. Have menus and programmes printed.
5. Write your vows.
4 WEEKS BEFORE
1. Make a list of your RSVPs and follow up with anyone who has not yet responded.
2. Make a seating chart and have place cards printed.
3. Have your final dress fitting. You should bring along your maid of honour so she can learn specifics such as how to lace your corset or bustle your train (we’re not kidding).
2 WEEKS BEFORE
1. Let your venue contact know about any special vendor requests, such as additional power outlets for the DJ or refrigeration for the cake.
2. Send your DJ your final playlist, including any songs you definitely don’t want to hear.
3. Have your pre-wedding haircut and colour.
4. Wear in your wedding shoes.
5. Stock the bar.
THE WEEK OF
1. Give venue and caterers a final headcount.
2. Confirm times, dates and final details with every vendor.
3. Hand over programmes, menus and place cards, and any hired or DIY decor, to your reception manager.
4. Delegate wedding-day and post-wedding tasks – someone to be in charge of getting your gifts home, someone to handle rental returns while you’re on honeymoon.
5. Pick up your dress!
6. Make sure the bridesmaids’ dresses, groomsmen’s suits and flower-girl attire are ready to go.
7. Pack for your honeymoon.
8. Make final payments to vendors, and prepare cash tip envelopes for waitstaff on the day.
9. Organise snacks and drinks for the dressing rooms.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
1. Rehearse the ceremony with your wedding party, immediate family and officiant.
2. Introduce the manager of your reception venue to the best man and maid of honour, or whomever you’ve delegated as the go-to person for any questions or problems during the reception.
THE BIG DAY!
1. Give the wedding bands to the best man and maid of honour.
2. Eat breakfast, stay hydrated and don’t rush!
Image: Unsplash