The Toast Enterprise recently collaborated with The GELIEFT Bridal Couture brand (Teresa Joubert and Stephen van Eeden) to celebrate their first annual BIRTHDAY Shoot. The basic idea was to create a day where brides could wear their wedding gowns for ONE MORE DAY, our aim being that it would form part of Geliefts’ brand Development…The photo’s could then be used  for Media and marketing purposes, as well as offer the brides a fun day where they could be inspired and show off their unique style one more time.

We were approached by Gelieft with the concept, and of course we had to say “YES!” to the great opportunity. Toast and Gelieft have collaborated in the past, where we designed and developed the distinctive corporate Identity for GELIEFT-Bruid & Prêt-a-Porter. The positive response from both our clients towards the brand identity preempted that a future collaboration would be inevitable!

Gelieft envisioned the shoot to be a ‘celebration of womanliness in the ambiance of a beautifully styled setting’ Their inspiration derived from the concept of a ‘Muse’- the epitome of lady-like glamour with contemporary exquisiteness; she is confident, determined and sensually demure. The Toast Enterprise, then hand-selected all the necessary service providers for the shoot…

Gelieft invited 20 of their previous clients / brides to accompany their bespoke gowns and partake in this extraordinary day,as it would be the ultimate annual event for their past/previous brides to wear their beautiful wedding gowns again.

15 Brides and 3 Models were all effortlessly styled by freelance stylist Jane Kotze and 5 dedicated Hair and Make-up Artists.  Stills were photographed by 2 notorious photographers, Jan Ras and Guido Schwarz, and the detail of the day meticulously video-documented by Theunis Stofberg.

Floral Décor was created by “All Occasions at no.99″,  where furniture and Props were supplied by Detail Interior Design.  All confectionery delights were supplied by Louise Veldhuizen owner of Mila – The Cakeshop.

Event Management, Concept Development and Stationery: Marcelle Smith, The Toast Enterprise

Fashion and Creative Direction: Teresa Joubert and Stephen van Eeden, GELIEFT – Bruid & Prêt-a-Porter                                                           
Videography: Theunis Stofberg
Photography: Jan Ras & Guido Schwarz
Models: Marilet Kruger, Lucea van Huysteen, Ivanette Britz, Estelle Wasserfall, Carolise van Huysteen, Johannita Eksteen, Lize Marais, Carlien Coetzee, Michelle Louw, Jacolize de Villiers, Anneli Peters, Lauren Schoeman, Sanette Boer, Rina-Marie van Velden, Marlé Baard, Lauren Marais
Hair and Make-up: Jane Jessica Field, Nicola Loots, Melony Erwee, Shani Wehl, Anna Pepper
Venue: Eben-Haëzer
Floral Displays: All Occasions at no.99
Cakes and Confectionery: Mila, The Cakeshop

Lighting & Décor: Eurolux, Detail Interior Design, glassware by Mr. Price

Fashion Stylist: Jane Kotze
Jewelry and Accessories: Kim Boezaart, Jade Jewellers, Zuyda van Dyk (WOW), Lily Blue by Anina le Roux

No self respecting lady or gentlemen was ever with out a visiting/ business card as these were an indispensable attribute of etiquette and testament to sophistication.

Today, we can design business cards that range from  fanciful – decorative, playful and professional, to functional- containing illustrated maps and contact details. Business cards are still popular marketing tools, directing prospective clients to your website, your premises, or your contact details.

Toast can design and print fashionable cards on a multitude of fine papers…

Driving down the Helshoogte pass, the excitement grew as we entered the gate, where we were given cute brooches with our names and companies, by Nancy from Creatus Designs, who designed the entire event’s stationery.

Walking down the long stretch of road leading down the valley into the vineyards, we were first greeted by lime & litchi crushers to cool down ( initiative of Absolute Delish), along with sparkly silver Christmas hats and angels’ halo’s, tagged with “Merry Welcome” notes, naming all the sponsors for the event. Just a little further down the road, another stall with white popcorn boxes printed in silver as snacks to munch on while enjoying the walk- which, by the way, was lined with crisp white polystyrene snowflake cutouts ( Area 51)-all in around the trees! Large white letters greeted us announcing ” CELEBRATE!” – which set the tone for the rest of the evening…

As the Tallest Man on Earth greeted us, (just whilst thinking that I REALLY was entering some kind of fantastic surrealist dream), he introduced himself as part of Afrodizzy Acts, who entertained the guests right through the night. His friend was dressed as a Victorian goddess with a table-like dress, balancing glasses of icy champagne, thanks to Graham Beck!

As we chatted away, we amused ourselves at the installation pieces upon entering the White Dream (all under free form tents by Nomadik Tents)- stilts with Iced towels from ‘Le Towel’ to clean your hands, Fresh minty-lemon mists in spray cans, white paper fans, and beautiful decor-including white pumpkins!Well done to marcel for his decor and floral installations. A Mountain of presents awaited us too- we had to bring white gifts in order to swop with another guest- I, of course, dropped off my prezzies and neglected to pick up a substitute- obviously too preoccupied by all the glamour.

Molenvliet Wines were flowing as the guys and girls from Saffron Events attended to every whim, where all I had to do was sit down (regal rentals) on and listen to great music – Zamar, Incognito, and Rene the Dj lit up the evening, and  along with gorgeous lighting by ‘Something Different’, it could only be a recipe for fun.

I DID get stuck at the Artisan Charcuterie table, where the Black Pig served Focaccias and Bruschetta’s with his Salami and Pancetta, demonstrating a bit of food and wine pairing with his hand-cured meats. Amazing cheeses were also served by Caterix, so I had my fair share of snacks, but that did not stop me from indulging in the mini Salmon and Creme fresh Crepes  and Creamy Chicken Wraps on sticks-all by Dish Food & Social, whilst being entertained by HOT flaming tricks by the ‘Shaker Events’ Cocktail Bar !

The Videographer from idodigital camera’d away at me with my chipmunk cheeks full of sweets ( hello- who can resist anything made by Wade from Cakes by Wade?), which was served at the most delectable Candy Bar. Kanya hunt’s Cakes were just too good looking to destruct, it made for beautiful decor though!

Luckily I was distracted by Robert’s Photobooth-yay!-who is an all-time favourite at any event. I loved getting dressed up in his hilarious props- what a treat. By now I needed a dose of second breath, so I made a bee-line for the Coffee Bar, where a shot of Double Espresso convinced me to start dancing to the Dj…UNTIL I SAW THE OYSTER MAN! I must have followed him around the whole evening- dressed in a thick leather suit and two buckets of Saldanah Oysters on ice: he shucks them for you right on the spot! Exclusive Hire made sure there was enough Champagne coolers and Cutlery to go around- I have used them for an event before- so professional!

Other than loving the evening, I met some very nice people in the industry, like Talita and Candice from “Le Look” Makeup,  and Lana from “Hireworx”.

Thank you to JaniB Photography and Zara Zoo for capturing all the moments…I left my camera at home on purpose!

Toast’s contribution to the evening was a glass Jar with snowflake-like Fortune Tellers- the kind we used to play with when we were kids…just to say- Season’s Greetings to everyone in the Industry! I can only look forward to a super- exciting 2011 with you all!

P.s – I only opened my “Merry Aid Kit” Cracker the next morning, only to be surprised by a couple of compral’s, a plaster, some gum, and a tissue! Smile…

Postcards are a huge trend at the moment. Recently we have used them for a great deal of branding, with maps on the back of the card, with vouchers that tear off, or even containing client reviews {wish you were here!}. They can either be special gifts that can be customized with any design, photo or image.

Use them as thank-you cards, send them to a friend just to say hello, or simply design your own range as a birthday gift.