10 Questions to Ask BEFORE A Venue Visit

The Dairy Shed 010

Hello lovely ones! I’m super SUPER excited today, because I finally get to start rolling out the brand new, all-singing, all dancing (okay, it doesn’t sing and dance, but it’s still pretty awesome) SBB Collection, our new directory specifically for venues. We’ve been working with the best of SA’s places and spaces over the last few months, and we’ll be adding them in small groups over the next couple of weeks so that you get a chance to ‘meet’ them all properly, before the full directory is in place. At which point you’ll also be able to download it as a pretty (and handy) magazine! Yay! (Be sure to check it out HERE.) And here’s one of the reasons I love our new directory so much – we’ve tried to make sure that the listings are not only pretty but extremely functional – we’ve included all the info you need to know before making an enquiry or heading out for a site visit. After all, we know what it’s like – you get engaged, you see some gorgeous places online, friends are throwing recommendations at you every day… ack! It’s overwhelming! And while there’s the exciting stuff (the style! the features! that adorable place for photos!), it’s the practical aspects you need to keep an eye on because the last thing you want to do is fall in love with a venue that’s too small for your guest list, for example, or isn’t available on that date you’ve already carved out as yours. Because let’s be honest, some things are just going to be a non-negotiable, but those things vary from couple to couple. So, to help you out, we’ve compiled the essential list of questions to ask when researching venues (take a peek at the bottom at how our new listings answer them!).

Read More

Well Groomed: The Beach Wedding

Beach Wedding Groom Attire

Time to share a bit of beachy inspiration with you all- and this one’s for the boys! The fact is, beach weddings can be a difficult dress code to crack, both for grooms and their groomsmen (and even for male guests).  And you may ask yourself: is a suit too smart for sand? Are shorts too casual for an important occasion? It’s hard to find the right balance, but fortunately there are lots of stylish grooms both in our own archives and across the web to give the lads some beach wedding attire inspiration. I’ve noticed that it really comes down to personal taste – for example, some grooms go all out and take their black tie to the beach, while others jump at the opportunity to wear shorts and sandals. Some choose just a little tweak on a favourite summer look – but with a bowtie here and a well-cut open shirt there, and in keeping with the casual nature of a beach wedding, just about any combination of beach wedding groom attire can be made to work handsomely. And when in doubt, a light linen trouser and white shirt will never serve you wrong. Here are 20 groom’s parties who rocked their tropical looks! *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Read More

Tropical Brights Wedding Inspiration

Afternoon, lovelies! We’re continuing our month of tropical inspiration today with a gorgeous shoot by US-based team (led by photographer Krista A. Jones and stylist Bustle Events), incorporating bright colours and cool cocktails – basically everything a tropical celebration should be. I just loved the incorporation of bougainvillea (as you might have noticed, it’s a favourite of mine!), the sunny popsicles, and the neon colours contrasting with black and white graphic stationery. A breakout area strewn with pretty pillows is the perfect place for guests to chill, and let’s not forget the gorgeous bride with her natural hair and wild sprays of tropical blooms. Whether you’re getting married on Hawaiian shores or planning something local, there’s plenty here to inspire the modern bride.

Read More

Inspiration Board: Tropical Bougainvillea

We have some more tropical prettiness coming your way this afternoon in the form of today’s inspiration board, highlighting one of my favourite tropical flowers, the bougainvillea. Although it’s not a traditional wedding bloom, I’ve been seeing it pop up more and more in weddings over the years, maybe wrapped around a ceremony arch or tucked into a bouquet, pink tendrils hanging down smelling of summer. For today’s board, bougainvillea is the central focus, its bright pink complemented by a serene shade of grey-blue. And doesn’t it look pretty?
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Colours: Fuschia, pink, blue-grey

Top row (l-r): Bougainvillea bouquet (Jeremy Chou/Yellow Bird Events/Peony & Plum) | tropical ceremony area (Jana Morgan) | beaded wedding gown (Anna Campbell/35mm Wedding Photography)
Row 2: Hanging bougainvillea (Merari & Ena/Julia Rohde Designs) | wooden sign board (Brandon Kidd Photography/Heather Hoesch With LVL Weddings And Events/KAKalligraphy) | bougainvillea cake (Anna Delores Photography/Love, Inc. Weddings/MJB Cakes)
Row 3: Bougainvillea wedding invitation (Paper & Type) | ice lollies | ankle posey (Hazel Buckley Photography/Pop of Color Events/Flower Talk)

Row 1: Jessica Tropical Wedding Suite by Citrus Press Co. | Row 2: Eva Wedding Dress by Nielatelier (left); Blue Gray Gauze Table Runner by Lino & Co. (right) | Row 3: Love Driftwood Cake Topper by Fir and Forest | Row 4: Bougainvillea Glabra Artificial (left); Asos Tulle Cap Sleeve Midi Dress In Tonal Lace (right) | Row 5: Custom Name & Date Wood Sign by Carlsons Custom Signs (left); Zehui Ice Cream Popsicle Frozen Mold (right) | Row 6: Dusty Blue Wedding Table Numbers by Elegant Quill Shop (left); Driftwood Guest Cards by Sea Nature Art (right)

 

Long White Bridesmaid Dresses

White Bridesmaid Dresses Trend

Long bridesmaid dresses are so en vogue right now, and with good reason – they’re elegant and oh so flattering. Add a long twist on the little white bridesmaid dress trend and you have a look that’s supremely lovely – sweet, summery and a little angelic! Whether you pair your long white bridesmaid dresses with glamorous updos or boho crowns, it’s a beautiful way to dress your girls for the big day – and don’t worry, the bride is never upstaged! This is one of the top looks for the season (as seen most recently on SBB in Pedro & Chelsea’s wedding a couple of weeks ago), so I thought it was high time I gathered some inspiration and ideas to get the look.

*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Read More

Tropical Wedding Cakes

Hello lovelies! Continuing with our tropical theme for the month (and celebrating the fact that I’m actually IN the tropics right now… yes, I’m boasting, sorrynotsorry) we’re looking at tropical themed cakes for your beach or tropsy wedding. These are seriously awesome – and even if you’re not going all out on the theme, they’re a great way to bring a bit of summer to your wedding, especially if you opt for flavours like coconut, fruit, etc. Some are colourful, some are more on the elegant and sophisticated side, but they’re all lovely.

Read More

Inspiration Board: Bahama Black Tie

Well guys, as you read this, I’ll be arriving in the Bahamas for a SUPER exciting press trip and corporate retreat hosted by Aisle Society and Sandals Royal Bahamian. I’ve always yearned to visit the Caribbean and I can’t quite believe I get to do it this week, and with some of my favourite bloggers and fellow girlbosses too. Dream. Come. True. Needless to say, you’ll be hearing all about it, but do follow along on Insta for some fun behind the scenes. The timing is also pretty perfect blogwise, because today we’re kicking off our latest month of themed content – SBB is going tropical! I have such lovely content lined up for you beach and tropical brides, but I had to start it all off with a beautiful inspiration board. I just love the look of tropical botanics, gold and Kate Spade-style dots and monochrome prints – a sophisticated twist on this fun theme. And of course, the cheeky pineapple is the perfect motif to complement that.

Colours: Green, gold, black and white

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom (Kellie Kano/Paulette Davis Of Amour Affairs) | gold pineapple | groom (Anna Delores Photography/Joelle Charming ) | swiss dot wedding dress (Justin Hankins Photography/Isha Foss Events)
Row 2: Pineapple invitation (Lolo Lincoln) | pineapple wax seal (KT Merry Photography) | chairs (Frame 36 Photography)
Row 3: Bridesmaids (Kellie Kano/Paulette Davis Of Amour Affairs) | table setting (Christina Brosnan/Pearl & Godiva) | Bahamas house with palms (Kellie Kano/Paulette Davis Of Amour Affairs)

 

Oversize Statement Bouquets

I like big bouquets. And I cannot lie. Actually, I don’t know why I would lie, since I’m not alone in my love for the bigger the better the more beautiful the bouquet. Oversize statement bouquets are exploding all over Pinterest and wedding blogs around the world, and I can’t get enough of them. And sure, they’re not going to be for every bride. But for those of you who just can’t get enough blooms, or who want to make a statement (or just show off those muscles from months of weight training), big bouquets are the thing. So here are 20 absolutely breathtaking examples to get you and your florist inspired.

Read More

Sareh Nouri Fall 2016 Collection

Happy Monday, lovelies! I have an INSANE week ahead (but oh, what a week to follow – more on that soon!) and I can’t think of a better way to start than with some calmingly beautiful fashion. That’s what you can always rely on Sareh Nouri to deliver, both when it comes to dresses and lookbooks, and the new Fall 2016 Collection is certainly no exception. These dresses are fit for a queen, and so is the gorgeous estate the team used as a backdrop. I’m especially loving the soft layering and texturing in the skirts of these gowns, not to mention that one of them comes in the dreamiest, most sophisticate shade of icy grey-blue – the perfect subtle take on the pastel wedding gown trend. Brides will also find much to inspire in the hair and makeup, and especially in the fantastic headpieces by Jennifer Behr. So let’s get this pretty party started, shall we?

Read More

Dusty Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

To finish off our fashionable Friday, we’re taking some time to gawk at some gorgeous dusty blue bridesmaid dresses. I just love dusty blue weddings – this periwinkle/cornflower hybrid is super pretty and super flattering thanks to its cool tone, which makes it perfect for bridesmaids whatever your wedding theme or style. Yesterday, in fact, we featured a lovely wedding with Serenity bridesmaids, and they looked amazing, so I thought it was the perfect time to pull out some inspiration and shopping ideas.
This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales made.

Read More