Michelle and Joshua celebrated their love in the scenic heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands with a stunning wedding that mixed Jewish traditions, natural beauty, and contemporary decor. Framed by dramatic mountains, sprawling vineyards and bathed in the golden glow of summer, every moment of their day was beautifully captured by the talented videographers from Kopel Kreative, ensuring their story lives on forever.
Location: Cape Winelands, South Africa
Style: Elegant, chic, traditional
Time of planning: 1.5 years
Number of guests: 140
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
Michelle and Joshua’s journey began in the bustling city of London, where Joshua relocated in 2018. “Michelle’s family moved from Scotland to London too when she was three,” added the groom. A workplace connection grew into a deep partnership filled with laughter, shared values, and dreams.
After almost 3.5 years, the story reached a magical turning point in St. Jean Cap Ferrat, where Joshua proposed during a private picnic overlooking the Mediterranean Sea under the soft hues of a sunset. That heartfelt moment became the prologue to a new chapter, celebrated with family and friends in one of the world’s most beautiful settings.
Location & Planning
The picturesque venue, Johannesdal 1207 in the Cape Winelands, was carefully chosen for its stunning views and understated elegance. The property’s lush greenery, framed by the iconic mountain ranges, perfectly reflected Michelle and Joshua’s vision of a natural yet refined celebration. The estate featured a charming ivy-clad villa and a swimming pool, offering the couple and their guests a serene retreat amidst the breathtaking scenery.
Bridal Morning
Michelle’s morning was a tranquil and joyful start to the day, surrounded by her closest friends and family. Her dress by Daria Karlozi with a soft drape was a vision of timeless sophistication, perfectly paired with white Jimmy Choo heels. She completed her look with a romantic half-up hairstyle by Jeanette Genis, featuring soft curls cascading down, and delicate diamond earrings.
"The experience was so wonderful, after weeks of looking in the UK, it worked out perfectly when Michelle found her dress whilst shopping with her future mother-in-law."
For the second look, Michelle chose a fun and flirty dress with cute floral appliqués —perfectly made for dancing all night long. Her bouquet by Bouwer Flowers added a pop of color with bright summer flowers in magenta, coral, and peach, tying together the cheerful vibe of the day.
Groom's Fashion
Meanwhile, Joshua started his day with his groomsmen, sharing laughs and soaking up the celebratory vibes. His taupe herringbone suit was lightweight and comfortable matched the neutral tones of the venue beautifully. “I wanted something a bit different, so I went for a slightly alternative color that still felt understated,” shared the groom.
He completed his look with classic brown Belgian loafers, a crisp white shirt, and a small boutonniere.
For the groomsmen, Joshua coordinated a cohesive color palette with the best men in sand linen suits and the groomsmen in beige linen, creating a perfectly relaxed yet polished vibe.
Ceremony
The wedding began with a touching Bedeken ceremony, where Joshua gently placed the veil over Michelle’s face, a symbolic act of love and connection steeped in Jewish tradition. This intimate moment set the tone for the heartfelt day ahead and was perfectly captured by Kopel Kreative.
The ceremony took place under a breathtaking chuppah, meticulously designed with vibrant pink, orange, and red flowers. The striking floral arrangement, crafted by the talented team at Bouwer Flowers, framed the dramatic mountain backdrop, creating a scene of pure magic.
“We wanted the ceremony to feel emotional, spending a lot of time deciding on the music, and even asking the string quartet and ceremony band to collaborate on a music piece,” shared the bride.
As Michelle walked around Joshua seven times — a tradition symbolizing the creation of a new life together — the atmosphere was filled with love and reverence. Guests, shaded by delicate parasols, watched joyfully as the couple exchanged vows surrounded by nature’s grandeur. When the ceremony concluded, Michelle and Joshua walked down the aisle, showered with rose petals, a magical send-off into their new chapter as husband and wife.
Adding a deeply personal touch, Michelle’s uncle hand-scripted their Ketubah — Jewish marriage contract, surrounding it with stunning artwork that featured symbols of South Africa and Scotland, honoring their heritage in the most meaningful way.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests gathered in the shade of the estate’s gardens for a lively cocktail hour. Signature drinks, including lavender gin cocktails and lychee martinis, were paired with an exquisite harvest table featuring sushi, cheeses, olives, and fresh fruits. Guests mingled, laughed, and soaked up the warm South African sun, all while live music added to the relaxed yet festive vibe.
The couple and their planner, AnnaH Styling, curated a perfect mix of relaxation and entertainment to keep the energy high and the atmosphere vibrant. Guests joined in a whimsical ribbon dance around giant pastel balloon installations, lifted the bride and groom on chairs for the traditional hora, and even tossed one another on a white cloth. It was a joyful celebration where everyone was involved in the fun.
Private Moment
Before the reception, Michelle and Joshua stepped away from the lively cocktail hour for a quiet moment together. It was a chance to take it all in — the magic of the day, the joy of their guests, and the love that surrounded them.
They also teamed up with their photographer, By Chelsey, and videographers from Kopel Kreative, to capture some breathtaking shots. With the stunning Johannesdal 1207 as the backdrop, these moments turned into some of their favorite memories from the day.
Decor & Setting
The reception took place in a beautifully designed hall that brought the surrounding landscape to life, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows. Their planner, AnnaH Styling, curated a vibrant and stylish setting for this celebration.
Tables were decorated with cheerful floral centerpieces featuring marigolds, dahlias, and roses in bright pinks, oranges, and yellows, complemented by minimalistic candles and fresh fruits. The contemporary tableware and elegant linens added a touch of understated sophistication, perfectly balancing the vibrant colors.
"We didn’t want to compete with all that beauty with our florals or decor, so finding the right balance of complementing the setting without making it feel bare was something we really spent a lot of time and thought on."
Reception & Party
The reception was a seamless fusion of heartfelt moments and high-energy celebration. Michelle and Joshua made an unforgettable grand entrance, dancing into the room to a live saxophonist playing “Freed from Desire,” setting an electric tone for the evening. Michelle’s brother-in-law, as MC, ensured everything ran smoothly, adding a personal touch to the night.
As the night unfolded, the Starlight Band energized the crowd with their incredible mash-ups, drawing everyone to the dance floor. Traditional Jewish dances brought extra joy and connection, making the celebration truly special.
"Our first dance song was “To Love Somebody” by the Bee Gees, which we thought was really the perfect song, not cheesy, lyrics that are meaningful, and also something everyone can dance and sing to."
Later in the evening, Michelle changed into a playful mini-dress, perfect for the after-party vibes. Guests stepped into a dazzling party room filled with disco balls and vibrant lights, where a DJ-sax duo took over. Before diving into the night’s festivities, the couple shared a magical moment, surrounded by sparklers, popping a bottle of champagne with their loved ones.
The music, the energy, and the love in the room ensured the party continued well into the night, leaving every guest with memories of a day — and night — filled with celebration, connection, and pure happiness.
Advice from the couple:
• Give yourself plenty of time between the engagement and the wedding, especially if it is a destination wedding. There’s no reason to put unnecessary time pressure on yourself. Instead, spend the time enjoying the planning, giving ample notice to guests, researching vendors, and not having to compete for dates/vendors.
• On the day, just try to have as much fun as possible. By this stage, there’s no point in stressing!
VIDEOGRAPHER Kopel Kreative | PHOTOGRAPHER By Chelsey | PLANNER AnnaH Styling | VENUE Johannesdal 1207 | FLORALS Bouwer Flowers | DECOR Palm Events | HAIR Jeanette Genis | MAKEUP Algeria Ferreira | STATIONERY Troues in die Wynland | BAR Salutesa | MUSIC Starlight Band, The Chupa Band | HORAS Schtick Around
