Tag: beach weddings

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

by gaby

All of this month we’ve been talking tropical weddings, and a tropical (or any beachy) wedding deserves a beautiful gown that’s perfect for sand and sunshine. And, while a girl can pretty much rock whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned, the practical aspects of a beach wedding (sand, heat, humidity) definitely lend themselves to a gown that’s lighter as well as less formal. I love the way that soft textures (which happen to be light and perfect to wear) look in photographs, especially in beautiful beach portraits with the setting sun or the wind ruffling out layers of sheer fabric, so that’s what I’d personally opt for, and while simple shapes work well, there’s no lack of creativity you can apply when adding touches like portrait backs or lace or beading. I’ve rounded up 20 shut-the-front-door-that’s-amazing wedding gowns from beach editorials and real weddings, each dreamier than the last, to inspire.

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Inspiration Board: The Oyster & the Pearl

by gaby

Can you seriously handle the fact that we’re heading towards the end of June you guys? Time is running way too fast in my 30s. But before the month comes to an end, I thought I would create a little board inspired by the month’s birthstone, the pearl. The colours of nature are always so inspiring, and the beautifully subtle pastels lights and colours in a pearl are like a reflection of a seaside sunset – plus, they make for a really serene and pretty wedding colour scheme. And along with the sophisticated pearl, why not add in a bit of natural rustic with oyster shells? There are so many creative ways to include them – calligraphed escort ‘cards’, cake topper, place marker, invitation. Add a gorgeous pair of earrings, and I think the combination is just lovely.

Colours: Pastel pink, blue, grey & oyster

Top row: Shoes {Kate Holstein}; invitation {Greer G Photography/Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination/Tupelo Honey}; pearl earrings {Ernest Jones}
Row 2: Oyster shell with pearl; cake with shell topper {Joseba Sandoval/Cake Couture}; oyster shell votives {jose villa/joy thigpen}
Row 3: Oyster shell escort tags {Hunter Ryan Photography/Elleson Events/Laura Hooper Calligraphy}; bridesmaid dresses {June Cochran Photography/Amsale}; place setting {Jessica Lorren/Sarah Tucker Events}

Those pretty earrings come from Ernest Jones, who just happen to have a huge half price sale on at the moment, so be sure to check that out:

Ernest Jones

 

Inspiration Board: Song of the Sea

by gaby

There’s just something about the sea that’s mesmerising, isn’t there? It’s good for the soul. So what better place to join two lives, than with the saltwater air swirling around you, and the sound of the tides at your back? Today’s board was inspired by the truly romantic side of beach weddings, by shipwrecks and mermaids and sirens, by tempests and treasure. And with silvery blues making waves in 2015 (pun intended), it’s also the perfect palette for a contemporary, memorable celebration.

Colours: Cerulean, seafoam, silver & grey

Top row (l-r): Seaglass escort cards {Keith Morrison}; vintage tray with calligraphy {Kyle John Photography/Linn P. Wheeler/Jenna Blazevich}; sparkly wedding dress
Row 2: Oyster ring box {Samantha Melanson Photography/BHLDN}; blue table decor {Melanie Gabrielle/Ever After Floral Design}; hydrangea shell bouquet {mdsfloraldesigns.com}
Row 3: Charlize Theron in mermaid dress {Annie Leibovitz}; watercolour invitation suite {Elisa Bricker/Mallory Joyce/Julie Song Ink}; silver wedding dress {Elie Saab}

 

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Get the Look: West Coast Glamour

by gaby

The best part of a styled shoot for brides and grooms (apart from basking in the sheer prettiness, of course!) is the wealth of fresh ideas that you can borrow to add an extra special touch to your own celebrations. As part of our Styled Shoot Competition showcase this week, we’re breaking down five of our favourite ideas from each shoot, as well as bringing you tips and advice for recreating the look from the talented team behind each entry. Next up, we’re taking a second look at our gorgeously glitzy West Coast Glamour shoot by the very talented Memory Box Photography and Blank Canvas Event Design.Read More

West Coast Glamour by Memory Box Photography & Blank Canvas

by gaby

We’re heading to the seaside with today’s team of finalists in the SBB styled shoot competition. This entry was a collaboration between vendors in Gauteng and the Cape (how cool is that?) and was inspired by the gorgeous wild West Coast, with lashings of glitter and sparkle including a gold dress that I basically want to live in. I’m so inspired by the South-African-beach-rustic-turned-glam details styled by Blank Canvas, and the dreamy photography by Memory Box. It’s sheer editorial loveliness.Read More

Beach Blues Soetwater Resort Wedding by Cheryl McEwan {Sarah & Trevor}

by gaby

Oh I do love a beach wedding, don’t you? I can never get enough of them. So when today’s laid-back, rustic beach beauty turned up in my inbox, in the softest shades of blue and taupe, from one of our fave photographers, Cheryl McEwan, I couldn’t wait to share it with you. As well as the gorgeous colour scheme, which runs through the wedding like a magical thread, there are the kind of clever touches that make my toes curl with happiness – hand-painted ‘take-away’ and ‘shebeen’ menu boards, fun original table names, crochet mason jar covers… And how much do we love a bride in a tea-length gown? This gorgeous couple’s relaxed attire and baby blue getaway car complemented the rest of their wedding perfectly.Read More

Tropical Boho Styled Shoot by Maxeen Kim Photography

by gaby

Good morning, brideys! We’re kicking off this week with some fresh, beachy inspiration courtesy of the awesome Maxeen Kim, who I first met last year when she was part of our Editorial Wedding workshop. When Maxeen let me know she was putting together a styled shoot loosely inspired by one of my absolute fave SBB inspiration boards, Hawaiian Honeysuckle, I was super excited, and even more so knowing it stars another of my favourite people, the beautiful Ché of indielovebooks. The original board was all about laid back surfy style, which the team translated into a beautiful, ethereal boho setting with a bold tropical palette and sweet ribbon details. I ADORE the Jenny Packham dress, and that casual, hand-tied bouquet with the perfect pop of fuschia complements it perfectly. Best of all, the tablescape was created with real (aka budget conscious) brides in mind, so get ready to be inspired!Read More

Mozambican Magic Wedding by Alexis Diack & The Love Bucket {Marilize & Keith}

by gaby

Hello lovelies! I am determined to get out in the sun this afternoon (got to pump up the tan before winter hits, right?) so it’s the perfect day to bring you some sunkissed inspiration from another of our beautiful neighbouring countries, Mozambique. I haven’t been yet but I am DYING to go, as the chilled out beach shack vibe is so my holiday style. It’s also the perfect place for a laid-back, toes-in-the-sand wedding, and it was the ideal choice for the lovely Keith and Marilize, since it’s where he proposed to her. Friends and family joined them for a tropical weekend getaway, and a team of talented wedding pros pulled everything together, headed by The Love Bucket, who specialise in Mozambican weddings. It was SO hard to narrow down Alexis Diack‘s beautiful photos, from Marilize’s elegant dress to the dreamy light and stunning scenery that formed a backdrop to this festival of lurve. Today’s couple sailed off into the sunset (literally, as they work on yachts in the world’s far-flung, glamorous places). We don’t have the usual text to go along with our images today, but I have no doubt that you’ll happily sail away with them anyway, enjoying every lovely, beachy moment.Read More

Cape Town Chic Grand Café Wedding by Stephanie Veldman {Sally & Shaun}

by gaby

You know, if I think back to Std 5 discos, all I can remember is serious amounts of awkwardness. Sitting on opposite boy/girl sides of the room, wanting to rush out whenever a slow song came on, then dancing stiffly and super far apart (except if you REALLY liked the oke, and then it would be head on shoulder). Once I danced with a boy and mouthed along with the song (Did I think it was sexy, Dirty Dancing style? Probably. It wasn’t.) and he was all “Gabs, what are you doing?”. OMG, so much awkwardness. I definitely did not find lurve at the disco, but I’m delighted to find that someone did. Specifically, today’s gorgeous couple. SO ADORABLE. And that’s just the meet-cute. The stunning wedding itself was held in one of my favourite Cape Town venues, the gorgeous Grand, with its combination of incredible views, bold pink and industrial edge. The photographer was SBB fave, Stephanie Veldman, who captured every dreamy moment from ceremony to sunset.Read More

Ten Tables: Beach {Part 2}

by gaby

Hello lovelies! How did you enjoy Part 1 of our beach wedding tables series last week? Which was your favourite? Today we’re back with five more, and I hope you love them as much as I do! As before, I have broken each one down into its key components and shared my suggestions for recreating the look, including tips for budget and DIY brides. Each of these tables is different and would of course suit a different kind of beach reception (or can be adapted for a non-beach reception, if you take out some of the seaside elements like shells), but the main thing to notice is how they are built up layer by layer. That way, you can go out in search of your own lovely finds and bargains, and create your own perfect wedding table.

Table #1: Beach Blush

FLOWERS: Roses, dahlias, succulents, hare’s tail

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