You know it's going to be a good day when a wedding from Fiona Clair is on the schedule. I love everything about her images (which is why I asked her to do my last portrait shoot) - so crisp and gorgeous and full of colour and light. Plus, she seems to attract some of my favourite brides and grooms, couples who are beautiful inside and out, and whose weddings are equal parts personal, romantic and stylish. You don't need to look further than today's elegant winter wedding to see what I mean - this really is both how to rock both a monochrome colour palette and a cold weather reception (fireplaces and gluhwein, yes please!). And to top it all off, bride Tamara is wearing a breathtaking gown from another SBB favourite, Casey Jeanne. Sigh. Yep, it's definitely going to be a good day.

The Proposal
Wedding Style
I have always imagined having a Midlands wedding. The countryside is so beautiful. It's so gorgeous in summer with all the green fields and trees, but it's even more spectacular in winter. The air is so crisp and clean, you have beautiful clear skies and the fields almost look creamy in colour. So when we went to see Netherwood I knew instantly it was the right place. The manor house was something out of an old movie. It was beautiful and regal with a big fireplace and wooden floors. It was also so inviting and homely which was the perfect place to be staying in during on a cold winter's night. The church is set on top of a hill; it has glass doors all along the sides, which overlooks the whole of the Midlands. You can see the mountains in the distance with their peaks topped with snow and all the beautiful farm lands and stables. Wedding Details
Advice for Future Brides & Grooms
Don't stress! I know easier said than done, but honestly your guests are there to celebrate with you and no one will even notice when something doesn't go exactly the way it's supposed to. Also don't leave things till the last minute! Even when you think you still have time left, things creep on you when you don't even realise. Get your family and friends involved as much as possible. I loved knowing that they helped make our day so perfect and memorable.
We didn't want to get a videographer at first, but then we changed our minds and I am so over the moon that we did! Every time we watch the video of our special day it takes us right back to that moment. Having a video of your day, whether it be by a professional or a family member or friend, is definitely a must. I think our wedding day definitely showed our love for our family and friends, and of course our fun side. We wanted out guests to relax and enjoy themselves and tried to keep the formalities short and sweet. Our main goal was to make sure our guests were happy and warm. Both Paul and I have Scottish blood in our family so we knew we definitely wanted to include Scottish bagpipes. My parents had one at their wedding so I kind of wanted to keep with that tradition. We had a band of about eight big pipe players that led the guests down the stairs from the ceremony to the drinks and snacks on the lawn by the reception.
Paul and his friends also love golf! So we got a set of clubs and a lot of golf balls and let the boys show off their stuff while the girls chatted and enjoyed the winter sun on blankets. Paul and I both had lost a family member before the wedding and we wanted to make sure they were remembered on the day. We had their pictures framed and placed them in the church and at the reception. I also think our first dance summed up our personalities well - it was quirky, fun and romantic. We danced to Jason Mraz and Colby Caillat - "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend".
The reception area was also gorgeous! Its high ceilings and beautiful long flowing white curtains and chandeliers were perfect. The glass doors from the ceiling to the floor overlooking the garden and their little dam were magical. We pictured our guests on the lawn warming themselves up with blankets, gluwein and snacks watching the sun go down, then enjoying the warmth of the four fireplaces in the venue in the evening. It was exactly what we wanted! Paul and I both knew that we wanted a winter wedding. We both love the idea of the cold and snow. And it would be in keeping with the theme of our engagement. Winter to us is our favourite time of the year; there is something so romantic and beautiful about it. We wanted our friends to enjoy a winter's day with big faux fur blankets, gluwein, and fireplaces. The proposal was something out of a dream for me. I was hoping that he would ask but had no idea that he was going to do it on a ski trip. We planned to go to Livigno to snowboard with a group of close friends. The one evening we all went on a snowmobile ride. It was the most perfect evening: clear skies with a huge moon lighting up the mountain. At one point the guide stopped on a frozen lake for us to get off and walk around before heading off to a restaurant for dinner. It was freezing, and I didn't want to get off the mobile, but Paul asked me to take a little walk with him. Not thinking anything of it, we walked in front of where all the snowmobiles had parked in a half moon shape with their lights turned on. He then stopped me and hugged me, and began to tell me how much he loves me, still at this point I had no idea! Only when he got down on one knee did I realise what was going on! I was completely shocked! I just kept nodding my head and saying yes. I couldn't get my gloves off quick enough for him to put on the ring! It was so special and meant to so much to me that he had chosen to ask me with our close friends around us, in the snow, on the most beautiful evening.

You can see more from this wedding on Fiona Clair's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue: Netherwood | Catering & cake: Food Matters | Photographer: Fiona Clair Hedges | Co-ordination, flowers & decor: Ester from Midland Style Events | Videographer: James Gibbs Studios | Stationery: Crystal Print SA | Bride's dress: Casey Jeanne | Hair & makeup: Lindsay Nixon | Bridesmaids' dresses: Carol (dressmaker in Durban North) | Groom's attire: Suit Yourself | DJ: Silver Back Production | Tents: Timeless Tents

SBB ♥ Casey Jeanne, a featured member of our Directory