July 2009
 

 

 

In July the Cape winelands are a chilly place to be, with plenty of rainy days and cloudy skies to remind one that it’s mid-Winter. But this is hardly the time to hibernate; we’re already looking forward to the upcoming season and all the excitement, energy and activity that it brings!

Pour a cup of steaming hot chocolate and enjoy the latest issue of our newsletter, which is filled to the brim with news, ideas and beautiful weddings. It’s the perfect opportunity to get inspired for the wedding season that lies ahead. Discover some fun ideas for a Winter wedding, catch up on the media buzz and take a peek at behind-the-scenes stories that are usually kept under wraps! For those with a sweet tooth, there’s also an irresistible cake trend forecast.
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Aleit is thrilled to be a wedding planning expert on Bride24, the informative wedding division of Women 24. Be sure to visit the site to discover all sorts of tips, trends and ideas.
 
 
 

We’re in the spotlight again! Aleit Wedding Coordination has been featured in several leading magazines in the last few months, including FemmeBride, Meine Brautfrisur and My Day. Visit our website to read all the articles.
 
       
 
       
 
 

We’re also stars of the small screen! Aleit has made several recent appearances on Pasella, offering indispensable events planning advice, and our weddings continue to feature on Top Billing. Check out the Pasella and Top Billing websites to find out when we’re next on air.
 
 
 
 
 

Safari weddings are truly in a league of their own. Last year we coordinated the spectacular wedding of Lucy and Quintin at Madikwe Private Nature Reserve and it was an incredible experience, to say the least. The beauty of the African bushveld coupled with the luxury of a five star safari lodge is unique, and makes for an unforgettable wedding. It’s no wonder that Food & Home devoted an entire article to this extraordinary occasion!
 
 
 

In keeping with the bushveld theme, Suan and Albert held their wedding at Kapama Private Game Reserve in Mpumalanga. Situated between the northern Drakensberg mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park, Kapama is a stunning setting for special celebrations, as the photos of their big day show!
 
 
 

Hermanus is not just one of South Africa’s most charming seaside towns, it’s also the perfect wedding destination. Amanda and Alexander celebrated their special day in this The ceremony was held in a historic stone church in the town centre, followed by drinks on the beach at Burgundy’s. The celebration were perfected when the newlyweds and their wedding party feasted on the delectable cuisine at Meditterea Restaurant, complete with ocean views and crisp sea air. Pure magic!
 
 
 
We’d love to show you more, but you’ll have to watch this space…
 
 
 
 
In a recent issue of Marie Claire Aleit debated the issue of whether big, bold weddings are a case of quantity over quality. The verdict? Weddings are a celebration of love, friendship and success, which is why many couples choose to host their special day in a grand way. The bottom line? Go big, go small... just do what’s right for you.
 
 
 
It’s true that many couples choose to marry in the Cape winelands. But when you consider the region’s astonishing beauty, versatile venues and convenient proximity to Cape Town, it’s easy to see why the winelands are so widely admired. We believe that this special part of the world will always be a phenomenal wedding destination, as well as one of our favourite places to be.
 
 
 
Just because something has been around for a long time does not mean that it’s dull! Wedding traditions such as confetti or throwing the garter and bouquet are not only enjoyed by the couple, but also by their guests. Furthermore, the old rhyme “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” offers the opportunity to be creative and take your own twist on a much-loved custom; there are no rules. In short, traditions are a favourite part of this special time and often add a welcome element of casual fun, especially when the guests have had a glass of champagne or two! Whether you reinterpret traditions or stick with the original way of doing things, they’re sure to be remembered by all.
 
 
 
 
 
 
A stack of cheeses is a savoury take on the wedding cake and looks every bit as impressive. Create a striking display of your favourite cheeses, from camembert and extra matured cheddars to brie and chevin, then drizzle them with honey or spun sugar and serve with a selection of crackers and breads.
 
     
 
 
 
Chocolate cake is still a firm favourite. It’s no wonder; who can resist something so rich and delectable? Surrender yourself to an utterly decadent chocolate fudge cake, or try something more unusual like a white chocolate and raspberry gateau.
 
     
 
 
 
Carrot cake has become a really popular option. For some it might not seem like the obvious choice for a wedding cake, but be assured, carrot cake can be very glamorous. Just think of a thick cream cheese icing smothering a luscious, spiced cake – delicious!
 
     
 
 
 
No matter how fastidiously a wedding is planned, there are often minor mishaps that have to be ironed out as quickly and subtly as possible! Coordinator Faye remembers some moments that the Aleit team sorted out (in no time at all).  
 
 
 
“It might be the all the excitement or the effects of too much champagne, but some guests can get quite carried away at weddings! That’s why we always have an emergency toolkit on hand, perfect for sewing torn hems or fixing broken stiletto heels. Of course, there are a few things that we can’t fix, no matter how much we’d like to. Sometimes guests might ask for a Panado or two to cure a pounding headache, but it’s actually illegal for us to provide them! Our advice is that guests come prepared so that they enjoy the celebrations to their fullest.”
 
 
 
Tents are both versatile and striking to look at, but they can also offer their fair share of challenges. As Faye says, “I was planning a wedding at Clouds Estate when I came out to find what looked like a huge white spider perched on the roof of the venue! Instead of the full tent raised at one corner as I expected, I was faced with a half tent awkwardly stretched across the area. Oh dear... this would certainly not work! A slightly heated conversation with the tenting expert ensued and he informed me that he was not there to have an opinion on the decor, and that there was no rope or time to change the tent. However, I managed to convince him that this ‘spider’ would not do.

After getting a second opinion from the venue manager – who agreed that the spider look was less than desired – we finally came up with a new angle and way to place the tent to fully utilise its size and to reveal the amazing views and sunset. The result? An even more stunning outcome than we had ever expected! The pictures truly prove the point.”
 
 
 
“The very first wedding at MolenVliet was bound to present its challenges, but this wedding proved to be absolutely stunning and to set the standard for many to come. The Bride and Groom really wanted to have a ‘street festival,’ something informal yet elegant where the guests could enjoy the amazing setting of this vineyard and the majestic mountains that overlook it.

In order to create the right atmosphere for this ‘street festival’ we needed some form of covering. So, after a section of the vineyard was cleared, stunning draping that was four meters wide and one hundred meters long was set up. The effect was perfect. What we did not count on was the wind picking up. We had flapping drapes all over the place, but luckily the guests had not yet arrived. Action was swift and flawless as the porters and staff jumped in and grabbed the material and legs of the structure to sturdy it and stop the flapping. The guests arrived, the wind dropped and the street festival went off without a hitch. This proves, once again, the importance of having enough staff and dedication from everyone to ensure a perfect wedding!”
 
 
 
 
 
Hot chocolate is a wonderful winter warmer to offer guests after the reception. Add a luxurious touch by adding a swirl of cream, and don’t forget the marshmallows!
Gifts and favours can also have a winter theme. Cosy pashminas are both practical and trendy, while bags of Italian biscotti are perfect for dunking into steaming cups of coffee.
Shots of Thai butternut soup make creative canapés. Simply serve the soup in shot glasses arranged on platters... yum!
 
 
 

We’re thrilled to showcase some of the gorgeous work from Aleit Munich, beautifully coordinated and conceptualised by Doreen Winking, a wedding planner par excellence! Sharon and Dominik's wedding was a true fairytale.

Der Alpenhof in Bayrischzell, one of the leading small hotels in the world, is located in the beautiful region surrounding the Tegernsee Lake, situated below the Wendelstein and other picturesque mountains in Upper Bavaria. It is here that Sharon and Dominik hosted their special day on 30 May 2009.

The ceremony was held at the historic St. Margareth parish church, built in 1733 in the centre of Bayrischzell. Sharon was escorted down the aisle by her proud father and finally handed over to Dominik in the presence of God, precious family and friends. (READ MORE)
 
 
 
 

Jagadi offers something different for their clients: European elegance, American glamour and distinctive style. The shop is impressive with its unique look which expresses the designer’s personal style. The evening and cocktail wear, and, more recently, their ready-to-wear range are equally distinctive with organic lines and signature notes that set them apart from the crowd. It is a place for customers to relax and enjoy the finer side of shopping with the personal touch from the designer himself. Visit the Jagadi website
 
 
 
 
 

Photography by Du Wayne, Jean-Pierre Uys, Joe and Ryan Graham.
Design by TOUA

DISCLAIMER: Material contained within the Aleit Wedding Coordination Newsletter is intended for general informational purposes only. Aleit Wedding Coordination does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of this newsletter, and assumes no liability whatsoever for any action taken in reliance on the information contained in this newsletter, or for direct or indirect damages resulting from use of this newsletter and its content.

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