After what seemed like a year when love was almost cancelled, love ruled supreme and we hosted the best bride of the year event yet. After an entire year of planning, we were elated to see the hard work of the SA Weddings team (better known as the SAWCY Girls) and our dream team of service providers come together at the 20th annual Bride of the Year event. Held at the luxurious Winelands wedding venue Vrede en Lust Estate, we teamed up with only the best wedding service providers to ensure that the event was world-class and that our finalists and guests were treated like absolute royalty.

With the help of event liaison and wedding planning superstar, Pluk Weddings - Lizelle stepped in with the most incredible event planning assistance from day 1. Her dedication to creating a marvellous event by helping us streamline major event prep and planning - we were in the best hands. Chelsea Warren-Stone, the beauty and brains behind Warren-Stone Weddings is no stranger to grand and opulent wedding celebrations. Her expert industry knowledge and cool, calm and collected demeanour meant that we could leave the project management of the event in her very capable hands. From function sheets to contacting suppliers to topping up the judges’ bubbles, Chelsea and Bronwyn performed every duty with style and grace. Thank you so much ladies, your help and assistance has been invaluable.

Vrede en Lust

When you hear the words Vrede en Lust Estate, you immediately think of lush vineyards, majestic mountain views, world class wines and cuisine, beautifully designed accommodation and their luxurious wedding venue fit for true bridal royalty. An absolute feast for the eyes, Vrede en Lust was a no brainer when it came to where the prestigious Bride of the Year 2020 event would be held. Nestled at the foothills of the Simonsberg, this venue boasts the very best that the Franschhoek wine valley has to offer.

The venue provided the perfect sophisticated blank canvas for a night like no other. Together with our dream team, we conceptualised and created a jewel toned event on steroids; perfectly complemented by the estate’s picturesque backdrop.

The SA Weddings team, top 12 couples, photographers, event coordinators and our MC Graeme Richards all had the luxury of staying on site. The Vineyard rooms, Manor House and Cottages have all been artfully designed to evoke a feeling of calm and nostalgia - the perfect combination to ensure a peaceful nights rest. In other words, a true home away from home. This dynamic and skilled team were an absolute joy to work with, and we truly do believe the end result is evidence of this! Seriously brides and grooms-to-be, if you’re saying ‘I do’ soon be sure to consider Vrede en Lust Estate as your dream wedding destination! You wont be sorry love birds!

To-Netts

The maker of countless memories, To-Netts is synonymous with many memorable weddings and events. A dream team of note, To-Nett’s vivid and striking floral work certainly added the wow factor to the event. An incredible explosion of colours, tones and textures the florals were both bold and on trend, evoking serious feelings of joy! Of course to accent the incredible blooms were stylish lighting solutions. That dramatic and extraordinary Art Deco chandelier certainly made entering the venue all kinds of magical!

As you entered the main venue space you were greeted by a large floral installation filled with bright pops of pink, blue, orange and red so beautifully offset by lush greenery and white Orchids. A perfect way to highlight the stylish bar in the venue! The glossed dance floor where we danced the night way, reflected a range of colour hues adding to the splendour of the night. A more perfect evening we could not imagine!

Making your way down the steps to where the crowning took place, you were greeted by colourful statement floral arrangements and the most incredible stage you’ve ever seen. The dramatic black ghost chairs courtesy of Wilgenhof Estate added a striking contrast! The perfect way to add a decadent touch to the ramp and make all of our monochromatic dreams come true. The brides looked ethereal (as on their wedding day) when they strutted their stuff down the ramp. A special moment for each of our Top 12 couples. Our judges box created the perfect focal point and the variety of pillar candles adorned their station in the most romantic way. A more outstanding setup could not be possible.

Cape Tents

Certainly not forgettable, the tent setup for Bride of the Year 2020 was undeniably a sight to behold. Throughout our meetings, Andy explained and we tried our best to visualise what the tent would look like and WOW, were we impressed. The sheer scale of the bedouin tent and complex setup is clear evidence of why Cape Tents is always the smart choice. This highly skilled and professional team certainly pulled out all the stops for an event setup like no other. You wouldn’t have even said it was winter in the Winelands. Our top 12 couples and guests of honour, waited backstage in style in their own mini tent setup complete with fabulous cocktail tables, snacks and ice cold beverages.

Always smiling and beaming with excitement on set-up day, the Cape Tents team kept the SA Weddings girls in high spirits as we navigated the hustle and bustle of Bride of the Year 2020 planning. We even scored a few fabulous note pads over the weekend! Did somebody say winning, we sure did!

Tech X

No stranger to the tech and audio visual side of the Bride of the Year event, Justin and the Tech X guys took the setup to a whole new level. A highly skilled and equipped team, the tech component of the night was executed flawlessly. From the first meeting up until go time on the night, Tech X kept us cool, calm and collected.

The brides were beautifully illuminated as they strut their stuff down the ramp. The event and bride slide shows making a grand statement on the LED Screen courtesy of Apex LED. Don’t even get us started on the special effect lighting and cold spark machines from the fabulous team at Get Lucky Entertainment! The bright sparks certainly added the WOW factor when crowning our new queen - a moment forever frozen in time.

Due to Covid-19 the numbers of the event had to be reduced to ensure we were Covid compliant, and that our attendees enjoyed the event safely! That certainly didn’t mean that loyal devotees to the competition, industry friends and the general public couldn’t tune in. Cue, X-Stream, the latest addition to the Tech X family. A flawless live streaming solution with clear audio, allowing you to be transported to the gala event from the comfort of your living room! We couldn’t be happier!

Food & Beverages

It comes as no surprise that an amazing meal is the secret to a successful event and boy-oh-boy were our guests in for a treat. An array of mouthwatering deliciousness; our guests enjoyed a wide selection of sweet and savoury options on the night. The team at Vrede en Lust started the night off with a glass of MCC at the Sarah Bubbly Bar; followed by mouth watering floating canapés! Just enough to get the palate dancing and energy up for the gripping live crowning. Post crowning we enjoyed a wide variety of lip smacking bowl foods that were seriously out of this world!

Food Fanatics & The Homestead

Known for their authentic and honest approach to food - Food Fanatics created the harvest table of all harvest tables! Our guests absolutely enjoyed the Mezze table consisting of delicious home baked breads and crackers, flavoursome dips, local cheese from Fairview Estate and heavenly sides and salads that perfectly complimented the lavish spread. A celebration of Mediterranean flavours, this Mezze table scored the perfect 10/10 from us!

Crumb Cakes

Ah what can we say about Anmar from Crumb Cakes, except that she blows us away every…single…time! A visionary and gifted creative, Crumb Cakes always takes her delicious cakes and sweet treats to a heavenly realm of beautiful design and delectable flavours. For the Bride of the Year 2020 event, Crumb Cakes served our guests a delightful dessert display consisting of mini ring doughnuts dipped in pink champagne glaze, raspberry and pistachio macaron stacks, hazelnut financiers with dark chocolate ganache and gold leaf, meringue kisses and a showstopper wedding cake! Talk about adding the WOW factor.

Shake ’n Bake

As if the candy station couldn’t get any better, Robyn from Shake ’n Bake joined the dream team and blew us away with her fabulous, beautifully created, moreish sweet delights. Did we just die and go to dessert heaven?! It sure feels like it. For the Bride of the Year 2020 Event, Shake ’n Bake created an artful display of delicious bite sized berry cheesecakes, Peppermint crisp cheese cakes, chocolate cupcakes and floral Earl Grey cupcakes! And then the pièce de résistance, her bold, modern and downright fabulous wedding cake design. More please!!!

Las Paletas

Keeping our guests cool and tantalised on the dance floor; Las Paletas certainly brought an air of delight with a selection of their gourmet ice lollies. As this dynamic team say it best, “it is no secret that ice cream is the most decadent guilty pleasure and the perfect go to for your wedding or event”. No wonder they’ve been crowned the best ice cream in Cape Town! Using only the best and freshest ingredients, these ice creams were an absolute hit!

Magnificent Barista Boys

A firm favourite when it comes to delightful weddings and events, the Magnificent Barista Boys kept the Winelands chill at bay with a wide selection of warm beverages. From artisan coffees to hot chocolate and even Chai Latte’s - the menu was brimming with our favourite winter drinks. The baristas were dressed to kill and their show stopping coffee cart certainly added the wow factor to the event. Yes yes and yes again!

Tobermory Gin

Is it even a fabulous SA Weddings event without a show stopping gin bar?! Tobermory Gin, new to hit South African shores was on full display at South Africa’s best loved bridal competition. This gin, “not only combines a carefully selected number of botanicals, it also includes a splash of the spirit from Tobermory whisky stills to create a unique character”. Offering our guests a fabulous gin tasting experience at the event, it was certainly a hit and has converted even the toughest of critics. Distilled using a selection of fine ingredients including elderflower, sweet orange peel and subtle herbs and spices - Tobermory left our palates dancing and our taste buds tingling for more!

Staffing

JT Events

Critical to the success of any event - professional, polite and well trained staff is a must! JT Events comes highly recommend and their impeccable service on the night was a true testament as to why they are so loved and respected in the industry. Offering a full spectrum of event services - JT Events is an “energetic and enthusiastic team of well-trained individuals that understand the importance of friendly and professional service”. Going above and beyond on the night, the staff at JT Events even assisted us with the location of a few misplaced items. Johan, we cannot thank you and your team enough. Thank you for making SA Weddings Bride of the Year 2020 that much more magical. We highly recommend your business!

Event Furniture & Stationery

Palm Events

Anyone who has seen the work of Marita Palm, the founder of Palm Events knows that it is going to be nothing short of exceptional. The level of creativity, beautiful styling and chic colour combinations creates an instant wow factor to your celebration. Her unique and wide variety of furniture solutions ensures that no event setup ever looks the same. From the very second of planning, Marita took our brief and ran with it. The lounge pockets looked insanely beautiful and really reflected the very essence of the look and feel we were after. Don’t even get us started on their professionalism and acute attention to detail! Rich jewel tones, lush velvets and pops of natural textures and metallic tones paired perfectly with the picturesque scenery provided by Vrede en Lust Estate.

Fleur Design Studio

Known for their bold and expressive designs, perfect type work and next level finishing - Fleur Design Studio was the obvious choice when it came to the stationery design for our Bride of the Year 2020 event. From the beautifully designed website with built in RSVP manager (hello life saver) to the chic on the day items, everything was perfect. Melané took our concept and ran with it and WOW did she deliver. We’re obsessed with the gorgeous signage items this design company in Cape Town is so well known for. Did you see those printed acrylic bar menus, fabulous welcome signs and cut out food station signage?! Obsessed is an understatement!!

Live Entertainment

Shout Music

As you entered the event space, the soulful and electrifying sounds of Shout Music could be heard! The perfect mood enhancers and makers of memorable events, Shout Music certainly knows how to please the crowds! Guests were treated to an electrifying performance by ‘Moonshine - Jazz with a kick’. This 5 piece Swing, Motown and 50’s Rock ’n Roll band had our feet tapping and shoulders bopping from start to finish! An absolute delight and the perfect way to start one memorable event!

Acoustic Element

You know it is a party when the boys behind Acoustic Element perform at your event! An exhilarating performance filled with vibes, good times and a whole lot of fabulous energy, the performance during the judges deliberation was absolutely intoxicating! Performing a series of classics and modern chart toppers, our guests were on the edges of their seats!

Southern Sound

Always letting the good times roll, Southern Sound a husband and wife team sure know how to keep the party alive. Excellent crowd pleasers, this magical team is just that…MAGIC! When the crowning ended and the dance floor officially opened up, we were treated to the most romantic first dance from the winning couple, Lindie and Smanga, followed by a night of boogying on the dance floor! With a clear understanding of how important music is at your event, Southern Sound creates personalised song books to ensure your favourite song is ready and waiting to be played on the decks! U-One and Christelle thank you for always bringing the vibe - we love your energy and commitment to your craft!

Bridal Pampering

Cecilia Fourie Academy

Didn’t our gorgeous finalists look sensational on the night!? Recreating the magic of their wedding days, Ceclia Fourie Academy ensured our girls were camera and stage ready by doing their hair and makeup for the gala event! No stranger to the industry, Cecilia Fourie is a highly respected hair and makeup artist and her incredibly trained artists are true testament to that. No bride looked the same and they all brought the heat to the event! Thank you so much ladies for making our brides look and feel absolutely fabulous.

One Boutique Store

We have partnered up with One Boutique Store on the last three Bride of the Year events and boy-oh-boy do they deliver. Olinski - the beauty and brains behind One Boutique Store has a commitment to creating the most incredible products for the event. Our brides all received their very own custom Bride of the Year 2020 t-shirt - the perfect memento from a magical weekend! In addition to this, our brides were also gifted with satin robes perfectly packaged in One Boutique Store’s signature white and black boxes! The gorgeous winners’ sashes were also courtesy of One Boutique Store - perfectly crafted to still highlight and showcase the beautiful wedding gowns. Thank you Olinski for always going above and beyond for the event!

Cosmetix

Our Top 12 finalists were certainly given the red-carpet treatment at SA Weddings Bride of the Year 2020!! To keep our girls looking rehearsal and activity ready, they were gifted with the most incredible cosmetic hampers from the amazing team at Cosmetix! Cosmetix represents a number of leading international makeup brands in South Africa including some of our must have affordable favourites such as, essence and CATRICE. Yes you ready correctly, our beautiful finalists were blessed with the best and their amazing hampers included must have makeup to ensure the girl on the go is always camera ready! From lush eye shadow palettes to false lashes, blush trio, lipstick and lip liners to the perfect brow designer and liquid highlighter, our girls certainly looked and felt fabulous! Thank you so much Cosmetix, you certainly know how to speak our love language!!

Photographers & Videographers

Bronwyn Tod Photography & Savannah Greef Photography

No easy feat, capturing the full Bride of the Year 2020 gala weekend is a monumental task so when it comes to choosing the official event photographers, it comes as no surprise that we take the decision very seriously. From the minute we started planning, Bronwyn Tod Photography was the only name on our lips. Her vivacious and contagious personality coupled with her incredible eye and mad photography skills - it was a no brainer to have her on board. Assisted by the equally talented and amazing Savannah Greeff Photography, these two beautiful ladies are the definition of a photography dream team! The images speak for themselves and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect end result! Thank you ladies, we couldn’t have done it without you!

The Wedding Crashers

Man, this highlight reel showcasing the magic of the Bride of the Year 2020 weekend is giving us all the feels. The energy, the vibe, the amazing experiences all so clearly and authentically captured. Abi one half of The Wedding Crashers was expertly assisted by Chloe to create the most epic showcase of this legendary bridal competition. Shooting and specialising in documentary style videos, The Wedding Crashers know how to capture the natural feel of your celebration with ease. We are so stoked with the end result, thank you ladies you are truly amazing!

If you're keen to join in on the 2021 competition, enter HERE