The concept of this styled shoot is to highlight the booming wedding scene in South Africa and to flash a spotlight on one of the hottest new wedding destinations in the world. This is a place where luxury and uniqueness come together for couples seeking modern elegance, bespoke details, and a touch of novelty. The talented planners at Enamored & Motion have brought this concept to life with their creativity and expertise.
The team paid attention to every detail, focusing on everything from the bridal dresses to the stationery. For the ceremony, the bride wore the Haleema gown by Milla Nova, which was customized with fitted detachable embroidered sleeves and feathers added to the corset for a unique touch that would inspire future brides looking for modern additions to their gowns. To complement the dress, a Swarovski overlap round cut ring was chosen. To complete the look, the bride wore a dramatic handmade silk tulle cathedral veil created by Vonvé Bridal.
The stationery was created by the talented Jenna Wiegand from Polka Dot Paper Shop. She designed an elegant set that featured see-through floral envelopes, handprinted Protea flowers (a reference to the local flower and symbol of South Africa) and an embossed engraving of the Shepstone Gardens venue. The stationery design balanced bright and warm floral colors with elegant and modern writing.
Shepstone Gardens, situated in the upscale Sandton neighborhood of Johannesburg, served as the picturesque setting for this elegantly styled shoot. The venue boasts glass ceilings, an outdoor chapel, and spacious ballrooms that create a majestic and almost regal atmosphere for guests. This grand venue is nestled within a vast park of abundant flowers and vegetation, blending English and Italian garden designs.
The stunning images from this editorial shoot were expertly captured by the talented and award-winning photographer Alexander Smith. With the cinematic talents of Agnieszka from Echo Photography and Films, this shoot truly showcases the beauty and splendor of Shepstone Gardens.
For florals and decorations, French destination wedding planner Enamored & Motion partnered with South African floral designer Love Beloved Studio to create a unique and ethereal setting. The design featured velvet forest green napkins, elegant golden silverware, transparent plates, and crystal glassware sets. They also wanted to integrate playful colors and textures for candles to enhance the decor and add a touch of refinement and luxury. A total of 1500 floral stems were used, including a mix of Uhuru Ohara Roses and Orange Dendrobiums.
“The unique element we loved the most about the creative process was to include glass cloches that encapsulated flowers. It was a beautiful and delicate reference to romantic decor we see in fairytales,” shared planners.
For the reception, the bride wore the chic and stunning Etia gown from Milla Nova. This ivory silk dress featured floral straps for a graceful and effortlessly stylish look that complemented the lush greenery and floral decor of the venue. To balance elegance with a touch of sensuality, the bride wore beautiful Swarovski crystal hoops and had a glamorous low bun hairstyle paired with sultry plum lipstick.
This styled shoot at Shepstone Gardens showcases the beauty of a modern, romantic wedding set against the backdrop of a lush and enchanting garden venue.
DESIGN & PLANNING Enamored & Motion | MAIN PHOTOGRAPHER Alexander Smith Stories | SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEO Echo | FLORAL DESIGN Love Beloved Studio | MUAH Kelly-Jean Gilbert | BRIDAL DRESSES Milla Nova | VEIL AND BRIDAL ACCESSORIES Vonve Bridal Couture | JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES Swarowski | BRIDAL SHOES Bella Belle Shoes | TUXEDO Tailor Me | RENTALS Reserved Exclusive Furniture & Events | TABLEWARE RENTALS Love Beloved Rentals | STATIONERY The Polka Dot Paper Shop | MODELS Boss Models Agency
