Crazy beautiful. That's the only way I can think of to describe today's wedding - in fact, I'm struggling to find words at all, but who needs words when the pictures are this pretty? Aside from the fact that Jess & Steve are basically one of the most attractive couples south of Hollywood, or that their South African girl meets Australian boy in California story is like something out of a romcom, every little detail of this stylish garden soiree just makes me giddy to look at. From the pink peonies and monochrome stripes to the proteas and bridesmaids in mint, each photograph by the supremely talented Lad & Lass brings a new delight (which is why I couldn't help myself but include a ton of them in this post). And let's not forget the aisle lined with scripture calligraphed on wooden boards (swoonage), or Jessica's insanely gorgeous dress (by SBB fave designer and featured bride, Julia Ferrandi). But as usual, what really, really gets me (once I've stopped squealing at how much I love every inspiring idea) is the raw emotion that the Lad & Lass team captured here - Steven's tears as he sees his bride, her radiant joy, the light that seems to dance around them like a blessing. Crazy beautiful. I told you.

The Proposal
After dating in California for six months, we came to the end of our studies and had to fly home to our respective countries, not knowing how or when we would be able to see each other again. We did long distance for a year in total, until a few days before the wedding. We managed to see each other every three months, starting with Steve's visit to South Africa and then mine to Australia. It was on this trip that I met Steve's family and friends, saw where he grew up, and the country that saw him come to life.
One night, he took me out for dinner on the Gold Coast and afterwards we went on a drive along the coastal road so that I could see all the spots where he grew up surfing. We stopped at Currumbin beach, a place I'd heard lots about from him, and went for a stroll along the beach, as it was such a gorgeous moonlit night. We walked in the direction of the city skyline, and due to not wearing my glasses that night, I thought all the candles he had set up on the beach were part of the skyline, until we got closer and I realised that something was up. We made our way to a candlelit picnic set up on the beach with champagne and a letter Steve had written me. He handed it to me and I wasn't even one sentence deep before the teary floodgates opened. After reading it, with my face a mess from crying, Steve went down on one knee, asked me to marry him and then in between sobs and many "yesses" he put the most gorgeously large diamond on my finger and I knew that I had just made the best decision of my life.

You can see more from this wedding on the Lad & Lass blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue: Jex Estate | Catering: Lindeque's Caterers | Photography: Lad & Lass Wedding Photography | Videographer: Shani Davies | Cake: The Cake Specialist | Flowers & décor: Heleen Bonfiglio | Stationery: Bride, printed at 3@1 Ballito | Bride's dress: Julia Ferrandi | Bride's accessories: Call it Spring & Lovisa | Hair & makeup: Aldytha from Make Up Your Mind | Bridesmaids' dresses: YDE | Groom's attire: custom made in Thailand | Hiring: Stanger Cater & Hire and Settings Function Hire | DJ: Flame Lily DJs | Café Lights: Magic Lighting