Whether your needs are for venue sourcing, wedding or event planning, flowers, décor styling and hiring, Authentic Planning have it covered.

Lené and Chris Price, two hopeless romantics with a shared interest in the wedding industry and owners of Authentic Planning, are passionate about creating beautiful and memorable events.  Their focus has been on weddings since 2013. Their mission is simple: to take the hassle out of wedding planning to ensure memorable, stress-free occasions for their clients.

Having worked with numerous internationally renowned venues, multiple local suppliers (such us ourselves) and a host of international clients, Authentic Planning have the experience, innovation, fresh ideas and ability to make any wedding a beautiful one. Success!

Today we feature our interview with the Mrs of Authentic Planning, Lené, who shares some of her work, top tips and advice for future wedding couples when it comes to choosing wedding décor and flowers.

Q: Can you name two venues where you have created a spectacular wedding space, keeping the venue’s architecture and design in mind when planning the décor, design and flowers?

 

KIM & MIKE’S WEDDING AT ROCKHAVEN, ELGIN VALLEY

Rockhaven creates a feeling of tranquillity and peace once you get onto the premises. This setting perfectly tied in with both Mike & Kim’s personalities thereby allowing for us to create their dream wedding.

One of the main features of this venue is The Boathouse, which is set on the edge of a large dam making it ideal for a semi-indoor ceremony. We kept this area very simple by placing two large floral arrangements at the entrance, making use of colourful bunting above the guests in a zig zag formation, adding simple pew ends to the chairs and also hanging roses on the open side facing the water.

The reception venue has an earthy and rustic feel with cement floors and high brick walls. We made use of plain white linen combined with soft and subtle flowers (penny gum, rosemary, avalanche roses and brunia) in ceramic vases to create a romantic and magical setting. To round off this area, naked bulbs were scattered across the room from the high ceiling to create the perfect ambiance. An outside dance floor gave the guests the opportunity to dance under the stars.

We were very satisfied that the final product gave the guests the impression of a fun, light-hearted and happy setting to complement our couple’s personalities perfectly.

 

CANDICE & ANDRE’S WEDDING AT CAVALLI ESTATE, STELLENBOSCH

Candice & Andre are the kind of couple who know exactly what they want in life. This transcended into their wedding and when working with them we very quickly established that the look needed to encompass white and coral colours as well as adding a touch of glamour through the use of sequins to their theme.

Cavalli presents a beautiful setting offering breath-taking views accompanied with a modern venue. The ceremony was held in the sunken garden where we used shepherd hooks with flower balls down the aisle leading up to the large wooden gazebo decorated in draping and floral tie backs. 

For the reception in the main restaurant we used the venue’s white tables and chairs with sequins runners, glass under plates, coral napkins, gold mercury votives, ceramic holders and glass vases with a variety of colourful flowers (roses, tulips, stems, brunia and greenery).

Different floral creations were placed on all the tables creating a unique look.

With the exquisite views that Cavalli offers, we placed their white tiled dance floor outside on the deck so that guests could dance outside, surrounded by the beautiful Stellenbosch valley.

This wedding had an elegant feel to it which tied in wonderfully with the couple’s ideal setting.

Q: What advice would you give soon-to-be brides when deciding on the décor and flowers for their wedding venues?

A couple’s wedding is an extension of the couple’s personalities and should therefore be the first thing that guests pick up when arriving at the wedding. This individuality means that no two weddings would be exactly the same as no two couples are exactly the same.

Most venues are multi-functional and different looks can be achieved at the same location. We would strongly encourage couples to ensure that the venue they choose can also accommodate the look that they will ideally be going for. Before settling on your venue, try and find out exactly what the venue includes in its package and then work out which items you need to bring in to accomplish the perfect setting.

There are a number of creative ways to transform and personalise your wedding venue by using décor, flowers, lighting as well as a few unique touches. Make sure that your colour theme works with the venue’s overall look. A key to ensuring this comes together perfectly is to seek the assistance of décor / floral stylist. Not only have they done this many times before and know exactly what your do’s and don’ts are but more importantly…they know how to risk manage if things don’t go according to plan. They will ultimately ensure that all your ideas are brought to life to create the perfect look.

Play around with a variety of different looks and don’t be scared to try daring styles. When you have decided on your look, focus on this and try and limit yourself to a few photos to make use of and build you unique wedding from there.

Finally, enjoy planning your dream wedding together, as a team.

HAPPY PLANNING

For more info about Authentic Planning and their incredible work, visit their website: www.authenticplanning.co.za

Shelley at Where's My Wedding