*Guest Post* by Cap Classique - Vineyard Weddings!

Happy Monday!!!  While I am celebrating my first Monday as a married lady (Aaaaah!!!) I am beyond beyond thrilled to be able to share with you this guest post from the ever-inspiring Gaby of CapClassique, one of my favorite, favorite, favoritest wedding blogs ever.  

Image from Jean-Pierre Uys/Wedding Concepts (who do gorgeous Cape wine route weddings!)

First of all, I am BEYOND excited and honoured that Erin has asked me to guest post today, since not only do I think she’s the bee’s knees, but Sparkle & Hay is one of my favourite blogs. And since she just got married at Saltwater Vineyard, I thought there was no better way to pay tribute to her than by rounding up some of my favourite winery wedding ideas. My blog, Cap Classique, is full of real weddings and inspiration from Cape Town, South Africa, and if there’s one thing we South Africans know how to pull off, it’s vineyard chic! Here are my Top 5 ideas for bringing some wine route style to your day.

1. Wine-themed décor

The easiest way to bring wine to your table (apart from actually bringing wine to your table, clearly!) is to incorporate some wine-related elements into your décor. So cork, bottles or even glasses. You’ve probably already seen cork escort cards or placeholders, but these still make a stylish statement and are so easy to DIY. You could also create a cork wreath (so cute for a church door) or as coasters or part of your centerpiece. And the good news? You have the perfect excuse to drink lots of wine!

Clockwise from top left: Sweet & simple (love that the tables were given wine variety names!) via Before the Big Day; Bride & groom via Bridal Banter; Champagne corks via Elizabeth Anne Designs; Wine corks in vases by Jagger Photography; Cork coasters (perfect favour!) from Corkey Creations; Pretty alternative placecard holder using ribbon and two corks from Corkey Creations; Cork wreath from Southern girl Rambling (find a cork wreath DIY here).

Bottles also make great décor elements (especially with striking single blooms) and are easier to clean and/or paint than you may think (just use normal spraypaint – or why not try chalkboard paint and then write table numbers on them?). You can find lovely printable table number labels here. I also love the idea of using glasses with votive candles and little lampshades on your tables.

Clockwise from top left: Bottles strapped to rods make a stunning aisle liner, via Elizabeth Anne Designs; Wine glass lampshades DIY via The Pretty Blog; Wine bottle table numbers via Elizabeth Anne Designs; Bottles painted black via Let Your Creativity Flow; Multiple bottle centrepiece via Elizabeth Anne Designs; Bottles with lilies via Chilli Pit.

2. Wine barrels

I LOVE wine barrels as part of wedding décor – they’re just so pretty. You can use them as tables either singly or in pairs with a piece of wood on top of them. Place them at either side of an aisle. Or use barrel halves to keep your drinks nice and cool.

Clockwise from top left: Barrel bar via West Aussie Wedding; Escort cards via Belissimo Vista Wedding; Barrel wine cooler via Design Sponge; Flowers and escort cards on barrels via West Aussie Wedding.

3. Wine tasting

Remember that scene in French Kiss when Kevin Kline shows Meg Ryan a box he made as a boy with little scented bottles that help her to identify and appreciate the different smells in the wine she’s drinking? (Remind yourself here.) Why not set up something similar for your guests during cocktail hour? It would be a great way to keep them amused while you get your photos taken, and will allow them to do a wine tasting without getting too caught up in technical terms and ratings.

Image from Cooper Carras

Set up a station with a series of wines (if a winery is hosting they should be happy to help with your choice) and then a set of pretty bottles with essential oils of the flavours you might find in those wines. Alternatively, you could buy a ready-made kit for this kind of tasting, such as Bacchanales or Le Nez du Vin.

Scent bottles from Inspired By This

4. Wine glass seating plan

I just came across this idea on Style Me Pretty last week and loved it (and if it’s not rustic chic, then I don’t know what is!). The bride prettied up a chicken coop and in each numbered compartment placed a set of engraved glasses which doubled as escort cards and favours for the guests. Love it!

5. Cheese cakes

Finally, if you’re going to have wine, you’ll want to have cheese, so what better way than with a gorgeous cheese cake? This is easy to make yourself using a variety of hard and softer cheeses together with fruits, preserves, drizzled honey, crackers and other cheeseboard elements – aren’t these just completely mouthwatering?

Images: Left from Cap Classique (image by Just Judy); Centre from Cap Classique (image by Just Judy); Right from Aleit Event Designers (image by Joe)

Hope you like these ideas! Congrats to Erin & Dan, and thanks again for having me on Sparkle & Hay!

Gaby xx

Images from Wedding Concepts