A Pretty Blush Pink Wedding with Proteas, Bunting & Lace: Mike & Zoe

Mike and Zoe had an outdoor, country wedding in their hometown at Cranford Country Lodge, Midlands, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa…

It was an ultra girly big day full of feminine blush pink details, majestic protea (native to SA), lovely lace and rustic bunting. Zoe looked stunning in her delicate bespoke wedding gown and dainty floral headpiece.

Words by Zoe. Images by Kate Martens Photography.

I had been to a number of bridal boutiques and designers and hadn’t quite found anything that caught my eye. I decided to head to Cape Town as I had heard of a designer there. I walked into Robyns studio and felt comfortable from the very start.

I tried on a couple dresses that I liked so she could see my shape and what would suite me. I liked a particular dress but wanted a few changes made to it. She suggested we start from scratch to make me a custom made gown. With the lace and illusion netting, it was just exquisite.

Hair: Macheila Purchase: This wonderful woman has such a calming affect on people really. She did three bridesmaids, a mother in law, my mother and myself all on her own and did the most incredible job.

Deanne Roodt at MAC: Deanne had to task of making up 3 bridesmaids, mom, mother in law and the bride. She too was very relaxed and did a spectacular job of making us all look gorgeous.

Grant Gilbert- this man has been friends with Mike for over 10 years. They went to boarding school together and have a brother like relationship. Grant is such a wonderful man and such a gentleman.

Groomsan: Jacques and Greg

My amazing father: Mark Holden walked me down the aisle to a solo by Tom Rosenthal.

Mike and I met in Antibes, France in 2010. We were both looking for work on the yachts. Only in 2011 when we had been working on the same boat for a year did sparks start to fly.

We moved back home to Hartbeespoort in South Africa after a couple years travelling and before I know it he had dropped the knee on a trip to Lesotho. This man is my best friend and soul mate and if the wedding was anything to go by we will have fun for the rest of our lives together.

From the moment I met Kate our wedding photographer, two days before the wedding, she made me feel so comfortable. It felt as though we had been friends for ages. She is very good at what she does and she has a very special way with people behind the camera.

Mike and I have always been very grounded and natural people and so looking for a venue was the most important thing. The wedding had 120 guests which included friends and families from all over.

We wanted it to be a celebration of us both together and the love we have for everyone that was there. we had been engaged for over a year and saw many pinterest ideas. Cranford is the most amazing venue and so it needed little help to create a gorgeous setting for the day.

I hand-made the wedding favours myself. I had collected dog food tins and covered each in hessian with a thank you bow. I then transplanted desert roses from my garden into the tins. I also had sweet jars filled with love hearts.

My mom and I also sewed about 100m of bunting for the venue and collected jars from friends and covered them in lace material.

For the wedding flowers I wanted them to complement the venue’s barn reception area with desert roses, pink proteas, blushing brides, hydrangeas and goa. Nothing too over the top and flowers that were in season at the time of the wedding.

What was your most memorable moment of the day / evening?

Ah there were so many. My dad walking me down the aisle and saying he had never been so proud. Turning towards all our friends and family while saying our vows and not seeing a dry eye. Seeing all our family and friends all in one place having the best time.

If you could impart any words of wisdom to a future brides planning their wedding day, what would they be?

Enjoy every second of the day. Its a long one but cherish every moment you have starting with your bridesmaids, maid of honor, mother and mother in law. Moving onto the ceremony with the man you want to spend the rest of your life with, to the huge reception party afterwards.

Try not to stress as everyone wants to make this day special for you so they will do their utmost to help in anyway.

What a gorgeous and girly blush pink wedding. Congrats Zoe and Mike!

wedding credits / photographer: kate martens photography / wedding venue: cranford country lodge / brides dress: robyn roberts / brides headpiece: kathleen barry / grooms suit: jones and kent / brides shoes: truworth / grooms shoes: / bridesmaid dresses: lunar / hair & makeup: macheila purchase & deanne roodt at mac / florist: lorrain from the rose florist / wedding cake: designercakesbymoyra

View the Gallery