Wilna van der Westhuizen, owner of well known and much loved Sweet Cakes is a qualified chef and baker creating intricate, one-of-a-kind wedding cakes. With clients such as Oprah Winfrey, Charlize Theron, the Presidency of South Africa and foreign dignitaries under her belt, you know you’re in good hands.
Sweet Cakes creates wedding day masterpieces that reflect your style and taste. ‘I’m passionate about everything I do, focussing on tiny details – like a pretty broach or lace from a bride’s dress that she wants to incorporate,’ she says when WA chatted to her. ‘When I meet my clients for the first time and we discuss their wedding cake, it’s as if I’m designing a masterpiece of true form, the ideas just keep flowing.’
Based in the Western Cape, Wilna willingly travels to meet with clients and to deliver wedding cakes at various venues. Having been in the industry for 10 years, she remains inspired and passionate, gaining inspiration from anything from a pretty piece of fabric to a bracelet or ribbon (while Pinterest remains a great bearer of ideas).
For a Sweet Cakes masterpiece, contact Wilna on [email protected]. Visit the website at sweetcakes.co.za.
Photographs: Courtesy Wilna van der Westhuizen
Planning your honeymoon should be exciting and stress free, so you’ll want to work within your budget to ensure you have an unforgettable time – without the dread…
Plant small flowers to brighten your windowsill, or herbs to add fresh flavour to home-cooked meals. Le Creuset launches its new herb planter, a perfect gift to add to your registry.
Features:
- Dense stoneware blocks moisture absorption to prevent cracking, crazing and rippling
- Impermeable exterior enamel resists stains and scratches from metal tools
- Nearly-nonstick glazed interior easily releases soil for quick cleanup
- Dishwasher-safe
Add it to your registry on Yuppichef.com’s online wedding registry or order online at lecreuset.co.za.
Adore Weddings and Events is a KZN based wedding and events planning company headed by born romantic and experienced Wedding Planner Carolyn McNeil. Adore strives to bring to life…
A La Card Celebrations is the registry and celebration website that can make all your wishes come true!
If your ideal gift is a hot air balloon experience for your birthday (or you’re more interested in that gorgeous pair of brand shoes that are completely out of your reach) the latest must-have pram for your new arrival or gorgeous honeymoon add-ons after the huge expense of a wedding, all you have to do is register your event/celebration online at alacardcelebrations.co.za.
There you can create your dream wish list. Invitations to your friends, family and colleagues will automatically be emailed to your contact list where they can logon and gift you with a cash contribution towards your dream gift. This is loaded onto a GiftBucks™ MasterCard® that will be sent to you prior to your big day. It can be used in any store, throughout South Africa.
Not just weddings but Mother’s day, Father’s day, housewarmings, graduations, barmitvah’s and batmitvah’s, christenings, kitchen teas and bachelorettes – the celebrations are infinite.
From your dream gift list, your friends simply contribute towards exactly what you need and want, making you very happy on your special occasion!
Visit alacardcelebrations.co.za to sign up. For more info contact [email protected] or 011 467 0822.
An iconic hotel in leafy Jo’burg, the new Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff is a stylish urban resort offering wedding luxury to the utmost. Elevated on a hillside…
Anna Kokosinska was swept off her feet by David Bird. They wed in true romantic style with a three-day affair in Franschhoek.
HERE COMES THE BRIDE…
Our versions of how we met differ dramatically, but it all started in a bar in Perth. Two days later, I was on my way to Texas with him, where a two-week visit soon turned into a whirlwind romance.
Our engagement was spectacular. We were staying at a spa hotel – Les Sources De Caudalie – just outside Bordeaux. He proposed in the cellars of Château Lafite Rothschild. To top it off, we had dinner at a two Michelin starred restaurant that night.
Having lived all over the world, David said South Africa was where he wanted to get married. After seeing photos of Franschhoek, I didn’t need much convincing!
A close friend in South Africa recommended Wedding Concepts and we met Kate, our wedding planner, over Skype. We spent a year chatting and creating Pinterest boards. She made the planning process a breeze and I will be forever thankful for her.
THE BIG DAY
Having never set foot in South Africa, it just blew me away. The venue and the decor were so much more than I could have ever imagined.
We had a great party with flowers and candles everywhere. We wanted a big celebration that was romantic and fun, as a well as being memorable for all our guests who had travelled so far for us.
It was raining on the day, just as I was heading to the altar. We delayed the start by 20 minutes – making David a little nervous! – which let me get some extra-special photos with my dad. So the rain turned out to be good luck for us!
David’s uncle handmade a beautiful box holding a bottle of Vrede en Lust wine and two love letters. During the ceremony it was explained that if there were ever a time in our relationship when we felt disheartened, we should open the bottle of wine and read the love letters – of course, the hope is that such a time will never come. It was very emotional and many guests said they would start this same tradition in their own relationships.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
One of the greatest ideas we had was to focus on each other on the day. We were not traditional and didn’t spend the night before apart. It was very special to be able to have so much time together and not get caught up in the chaos.
THE FINER DETAILS
I envisioned myself in a sleek, lacy vintage dress. After many bridal boutiques and describing what I wanted, one lady said ‘you are a Monique Lhuillier bride’, and how right she was! I settled on a ballgown style – completely different from what I wanted at first!
For the decor, we had lots of candles, flowers, crystal and mirrors everywhere, with romantic lighting. There were white couches around the dance floor so people could still be part of the atmosphere while taking a breather.
Our first dance was to ‘We Are Young’ by Fun.. We love the Jewish tradition of dancing straight after the ceremony and wanted an upbeat song to get everyone dancing.
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Wedding Coordination: Kate from Wedding Concepts
Venue and catering: Vrede en Lust
Photographer: Jean-Pierre Uys
Music: DJ René Tanguy `the Frenchman’
Flowers: Aspen Flowers & Co
Stationery: Secret Diary
Dress: Monique Lhuillier