Up & Away Styled Engagement by Beatrix Events & Louise Vorster

It’s FRIDAY! The happiest day of the week. And it’s about to get even happier with the most gorgeous engagement shoot! We’ve heard of engagement shoots that use balloons as props, we’ve heard of styled e-shoots, but this is really a whole other level of awesome, since it includes a spectacular (and inspiring!) table created by Beatrix Events, an adorable couple, a bit of a travel theme, and an actual hot air balloon! You know, just casually hanging out in the background, like the coolest prop ever ;) Not to mention beautiful pictures by Louise Vorster. So what are we waiting for! Up, up and away!Read More

Adorable At-home Engagement by Stefan Louw

A little while ago I wrote a post on styling your engagement session, but after seeing today’s shoot, I reckon all I needed to say was: fill your house with balloons, and bring a puppy. Because OMG this is the cutest e-sesh I have ever seen, and I won’t lie, it’s partly down to the extreme adorableness that is Rouxnette and Johan’s bulldog. Just look at THAT FACE. No seriously, look at that it. I want to kiss that face off. But apart from the sweetest pup, what I really love about this engagement shoot is the way that the couple decided to make it as relaxed as possible, inviting photographer Stefan Louw into their home and their everyday lives, and just adding that touch of gorgeous whimsy with the balloons. It’s perfect. (PS And if you’re loving Rouxnette’s style as much as I am, be sure to check out her Gauteng wedding co-ordination business, Bona-Fide Events.)Read More

Urban Johannesburg Bridal Shoot

Hello lovelies! Things are all a bit hectic behind the scenes here at SBB, as I put the finishing touches on my course material for The Editorial Wedding, which is happening next week. So excited to show you what we have been up to – and photographers, if you haven’t booked yet, tomorrow’s your last chance! It’s going to be an awesome day, and I’m particularly excited to be co-hosting it with a photographer who I admire not only for her beautiful, colourful, crisp photography and ability to capture the moment, but for her business savvy as well. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know Anneli Marinovich over the last year, and I’m so happy to have her as one of SBB’s sponsors – anyone still looking for a wedding photographer in SA for the end of this year should give her a shout. Anneli is so enthusiastic about her work and the industry, and she makes it very easy for her subjects to relax. She’s also a true creative, and loves taking on new projects and shooting different things. I always love sharing her work here on SBB, and today we have a gorgeous urban bridal shoot that she did in Newtown, Johannesburg. I love the mixture of soft, romantic bridalwear (not to mention gorgeous Jannie Baltzer headpieces) with the industrial urban backdrop, and the way Anneli has her model interacting with the Joburg architecture. It would make for an awesome rock the frock – just sayin’! Anyway, big welcome to Anneli as always, and enjoy!Read More

Real Wedding at Lagoon Beach Hotel {Liezl & Daniel}

Every love story is special, we know this. Every chance meeting, every barrier crossed. But sometimes I get a bride’s wedding story and I get swept up in the enthusiasm she has for her wedding and her marriage, and the love she and her new husband share. Because this is why we’re here, people. The details, the dresses, all the prettiness? They’re awesome, but they’re accessories to the main event. They’re really just ways of a couple expressing their personalities and for all the people who love them to share in their joy. And today’s wedding is full of that joy and exuberance – I know you are going to LOVE it! Plus, these are some of the most gorgeous pictures it’s been my pleasure to work with. Ian Mitchinson always has such a unique and dramatic take on wedding photography, and it works perfectly with this beautiful bride and groom and their city cross beach chic wedding. It’s everything a Cape Town city wedding should be.Read More

Engagement shoot from New Zealand

I don’t usually feature photographers from outside the UK, since I focus on weddings from in and around the Cape Town area. But when it comes to engagement shoots, there’s no reason why the same limit applies. And so I’m thrilled to be able to show off some talent from abroad – in this case from emerging Kiwi photographer Lavara O’ Hanlon. Lavara contacted me with her pics of this super cute couple against the Auckland skyline, and I just couldn’t resist. They are so adorable together, and there’s so much energy in these pics, I love them! Engagement shoots are a relatively new trend in NZ as they are in South Africa, and as much as I love super styled sessions, this one shows that the most important ingredient is the buzz between the couple themselves.Read More

Inspiration Board: Dreams and Love

This week’s board is inspired by the gorgeous Miss Dior Cherie advert (top left) – with its pretty pastels and Parisian backdrop it makes the perfect starting point for a chic and whimsical wedding. Balloons are also bang on trend, with many couples already inspired by the movie Up! Finish the look with dashes of cerise, pale pink and aqua – and don’t forget the macaroons!

Colours: Pastels plus aqua, pale pink and cerise

Top row (l-r): Miss Dior advert; cake; bridesmaid; macaroon placecard holders; bubbles
Row 2: ‘Nothing is real but dreams and love’; Parisian details; cupcakes with flags
Row 3: Flowers; groom details; bride and groom with balloons; bunting table assignments; interior decor