Sweet Spring Wedding Ideas for Our Favourite Season
Symbolising new beginnings and new life for which you can lay the
foundations of your marriage, spring is a lush, green and abundant
time of the year. Where better to celebrate your love and commitment
than at the award-winning Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, considered
one of the most romantic venues in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Weddings at Granny Mouse are truly spectacular; with everything you
could need based on site. From the chapel with panoramic views over
the Caversham Valley, a reception venue that can cater up to 120
guests, a culinary team ready to create your unique wedding feast to
surprise and delight, to a pastry chef that is able to sculpt your
perfect cake.
“Your wedding guests are well catered for, with an array of
accommodation options available, as well as the spa to assist you in
preparing for your big day” says GM Sean Granger.
The “mouse house” team has some spring wedding tips just for you.
Pros
With flowers in full bloom, you won’t have a shortage of supply!
Springtime is also just before the summer wedding rush, so you will
probably get fantastic pre-season deals.
It is still wonderfully cool as summer is just approaching, so no
sweating in your suits, gentlemen, or worrying about beaded brows and
running make up as you say your vows.
Cons
One of the risky factors of a spring wedding in KZN, is the
ever-unpredictable rain and wind that may dampen proceedings, usually
arriving at the start of Spring and heading through into November. It
might be wise to possibly have a Plan B, just in case.
Peek out of your window and you’ll see that Mother Nature showcases
very particular colours in spring, as everything bounces back after
the dry winter months. The earthy tones of winter give way to bright
green leaves and shoots of grass, and blossoming flowers put on a
colourful show to entice the birds and bees. Take direction from
nature’s spring palette.
September to November is the spring wedding season and the perfect
time to indulge in spring fever, so here are a few of the latest
spring wedding colours for your consideration.
Sage Green and Dove Grey
If you’re a romantic at heart and want to stick to soft, feminine hues
then opt for a sage green and dove grey colour palette for your
wedding. Silver and gold work well with this colour combination, so
it is very versatile.
For the flowers you can use Proteas, Eucalyptus fronds, white roses
and peonies. The bridesmaids will love their complexion-enhancing sage
dresses.
Mint and Coral
Fresh mint green paired with vibrant coral will add excitement to your
beautiful springtime wedding. Bridesmaids will look beautiful in mint
green dresses with coral-coloured bouquets. For a modern edge,
decorate tables with jungle-like leaves such as delicious monsters.
The two colours are a cheerful combination.
Incorporate mint tinted glasses and table ware and continue the theme
with mint mojitos and Mango cocktails.
Navy Blue, Fuchsia and Gold
Nothing spells out elegant more than navy blue and gold, and by adding
a pop of fuchsia, you have a glorious colour combination for your
wedding. Use navy blue and white stripped runners on your table and
add gold vases filled with bright pink roses and peonies.
For the bridesmaids bouquets add blue and white pinstriped ribbons.
Scatter gold glitter and sequins on the tables to add more sparkle to
the wedding.
Which Wedding Flowers?
Here in South Africa, seasons are not as clearly defined – we barely
have a spring and autumn, for example. Not only does this mean that we
enjoy a warmer climate year-round, but it means that many more wedding
flowers are available to South African brides year-round, too.
Here are some sweet wedding flower ideas to consider.
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) – these little bell-shaped
white flowers signify the return of happiness and were featured in the
wedding bouquet of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Peony (Paeonia) – fragrant, delicate flowers in a variety of colours,
peony signifies bashfulness or shyness
Roses (Rosa) –there are over 100 species of this, the world’s most
popular wedding flower. Often recognised as a symbol of love, roses
come in every conceivable colour, from white to deep purple
Lavender (Lavandula) –a bluish-purple flower with a pretty fragrance,
dried lavender is also popular as wedding confetti
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) –a very delicate, bright blue flower,
cornflower is used by ‘American royal family’ the Kennedys at family
weddings
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) –aptly named, it’s a sweet little flower
with a sweet scent available in a variety of colours
Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) –these express love, admiration and
fascination and are available in white, red, pink and purple
South African Wedding Flowers for spring
Freesia– fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers, in white, yellow, pink and red
Naked lady (Amaryllis) – large flowers in delicate colours, including
white, cream and pale pink
Calla or Arum lilies (Zantedeschia) – very showy white, yellow or pink
flower (called a spathe) with a yellow spadix (finger-like protrusion
poking out the centre).
Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus) – funnel-shaped flowers in blue-purple or white
Barberton Daisy (Gerbera) –uncomplicated, happy flowers in bold
colours like yellow, orange, white, pink and red.
If you are opting for a South African-themed wedding:
Opt for fynbos (like proteas and pincushions) and other local
favourites, like the strelitzia (also known as the bird of paradise
flower) or a variety of succulents in your bridal bouquet and décor.
Natural materials like wood, leaves, grasses, quills, and feathers are
tasteful ways of introducing an African vibe into your invitations,
clothing and décor.
Your menu is a great place to showcase all things South African. Think
of potjies, braaied meat and salads, bunny chows, or old-school
roasts. Pair these with modern dishes to create a unique menu, such as
creamy samp and beans with a chilli and chocolate rump, or braaied
lamb chops with a blue cheese crumble. The options are endless.
Serve biltong and droë wors with the welcoming drinks to keep guests
busy while you have your photographs taken. Consider adding a
guacamole or sweet chilli dip to keep things interesting.
Instead of a plated dessert, have a dessert buffet table with all
sorts of local goodies. These may include Fizzers, koeksisters, Fizz
Pops, hot mosbolletjies slathered in butter, milk tart, and Malva
pudding.
Serve proper ‘moerkoffie’ and Ouma rusks after the meal. Those
moerkoffie mugs are great as gifts. They can be placed on the bar to
be used or taken home.
Instead of wines, put an ice bucket full of flavoured Steri Stumpies
on each table. This is delicious, refreshing, innovative, and the
different colours lend you even more in the way of artistic license.
For your guest favours, wrap Zoo biscuits or traditional rusks in cute
bags or glass jars. Alternatively, give your guests a sapling that
they can plant in their gardens.
Instead of bunting, drape strings of colourful African beads around
your venue or over your tables.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Let the Granny Mouse team help arrange your special day. Email
banqueting@grannymouse.co.za