I'm heading off to the Drakensberg for a few days this weekend (can't wait!) so it's especially good timing for me to share this glamorous royal wedding-inspired celebration which took place at the Cathedral Peak Hotel, in amongst all that majestic mountain beauty. Bride and groom Monique and Philip perfectly combined that natural beauty (including a transparent marquee, which always brings the outside in so beautifully!) with a gold and white palette, and opulent details like gold macarons, crystal perfume bottle favours, and custom embroidered napkins. So pretty! Monique looked absolutely drop dead gorgeous in her gown, as did her four glittering bridesmaids - I think these might actually be some of my favourite gold BM dresses to date. I feel like I should pour myself a glass of champagne before I immerse myself in these dreamy pics by Louise Vorster, but feel free to make do with a cup of your favourite something hot, and enjoy!

Love Story The Flowers With the transparent marquee I did not want the décor to look hard and I wanted to combine something with the crystals and have the touch of gold stand out. The white rose arrangements that filled the church and the flower balls outside gave it a royal look. We gave the women crystal perfume bottles, and filled them up with my everyday scent, Ballet by Yardley. This soft scent combined with the flowers and the crisp smell of Nature after a short, unexpected rainstorm was wonderful!

I met Philip on the North-West University Campus - a Tall, Dark and Handsome Engineering Student - exactly how all my fairytales predicted the moment to be! We are exact opposites - city girl meets farmer boy. As loud, silly and extrovert as I am, he is my better half, my introvert, sincerely good, leather-bound encyclopaedia.

You can see more from this wedding on Louise Vorster's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue: Cathedral Peak Hotel | Photography: Louise Vorster | Co-ordinator: Siraaj Kassim for Cathedral Peak Hotel | Cake & macarons: Kerry Gradidge | Flowers & decor: Drakensberg Décor & Draping | Jewelled bouquet: The Jeweled Florist, Durban | Stationery: A Woman's Touch | Bride's dress: Essence of Australia | Bride's accessories: Fusion (shoes); Pandora (bracelet) | Hair: Carissa of Inside&Out | Makeup: Elzanne Coetzee of Red Lip Studio | Bridesmaids' & flower girls' dresses: Nadia van Huyssteen & Louise van der Walt | Groom's attire: Zecca Italy; Polo | Groomsmen's attire: Gian Franco Ruffini | Rings: HDL | Marquee: Star Hire Durban | MC: Pieter Moller (OFM radio presenter) | Entertainment: Floris Bonafede; AJR Audio Productions, Sound & Lighting