Living in Durbs as I have been for the last while, I definitely have my favourite places and The Oyster Box in Umhlanga is right on that list. I think it's the colonial-style decor (which I am total sucker for) or maybe the nostalgia I have for the area since my grandparents used to live there, but I'm never happier than when I'm sipping a cocktail at one of their elegant bars looking over the beach and the bright red striped lighthouse. So it's always a pleasure to feature an Oyster Box wedding, and what I love most about Claire and David's is that they totally embraced the venue's design aesthetic and built on it, to create the most cohesive and elegant tropical classic. From the lush tropical flower arrangements to preppy touches like grey striped linens and Kelly-green bows, it's chic and clean, and pairs beautifully with Claire's super romantic bridal style. I mean, this dress. Be still my Vera Wang-obsessed little heart. One of SBB's favourite photographers, the ever-lovely Just Judy, was there to capture all of this extreme pretty, and boy has she done herself proud. So get your Pinning fingers at the ready, and take it all in.

The Proposal It happened on my birthday, a Sunday. We woke up in the morning and Dave brought me a strong cup of tea, along with the presents our parents had couriered and some small gifts he'd bought me - he'd just taken me to Hong Kong the week before, so I'd told him not to give me any, but he hadn't listened. The first of his gifts was a little kitchen gadget that perfectly chops the top off a boiled egg, so I figured if they were all in this zone, he hadn't spent a fortune and that was okay. The second was a bracelet with small diamonds and an emerald dangling around the chain - I'm not a big jewellery person, but I really liked it. Dave made me get up and stand at the end of the bed and close my eyes, since he said the third gift was large and he needed to bring it through from the spare room. I had no idea what was coming. I opened my eyes to find him on one knee telling me how lucky he was to have me (usually he jokingly reminds me how lucky I am to have him) and presenting me with the most beautiful diamond ring in the shape of a flower - exactly what I wanted! It turned out that I'd seen the ring at our local auction house the previous year and, when I'd texted a photo to Dave saying that this was my dream ring should he ever be in the mood to propose, he'd gone and bid on it the next day. He replaced the central emerald (now in the bracelet Dave gave me) with a diamond. I was so touched by his thoughtfulness. After the excitement of the moment, we were off to Heston Blumenthal's Hinds Head in Bray for lunch and to spend the night at Raymond Blanc's mansion in Oxfordshire, Le Manoir - a very exclusive and special place in the UK. The moments that followed were the most indulgent and special of our lives - moments we will never forget.

You can see more from this wedding on Just Judy's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue & Catering: The Oyster Box Hotel | Wedding Planner: Ginny Eslick - she works with the Oyster Box | Photographer: Just Judy | Videographer: James Gibbs | Cake: Cake by Nicole's Luxury Indulgences, Cake knife by Vera Wang | Flowers: Sue Baxter - Sue's Flowers | Stationery: Graphics designed by the bride and printed by Greenshires in the UK | Bride's dress: Vera Wang from David's Bridal, London | Bride's accessories: Earrings -Vintage from Rye, UK; Bracelet - present from Bride's parents; Shoes - French Sole, London | Hair: Drew at San Marco Hair, Umhlanga | Make up: Laura Potgieter, MAC | Groom's Attire: Suit - Dressed to Kill Tailors, London | Porcelain Buttonhole Flower: Boutonniere | DJ: Daniel Israel - Topjocks | Jazz Band:Beat Route through 5 seasons entertainment

SBB ♥ Just Judy Photography, a featured member of our Directory