Egoli Wedding Inspiration

Yay you guys! We’re officially kicking off August’s content today, and in my favourite way – inspirational and on trend, with a Mzansi twist. Our theme this month is marble and minerals, and we’ll be showcasing everything gem and geode and rock. These are the trends that are defining 2017 wedding design internationally, but of course we have a very special connection to minerals here in SA, as gold is part of our lifeblood, running through the veins of our nation. And Johannesburg, called the ‘City of Gold’, is the appropriate venue for this gorgeous shoot which celebrates Egoli, but adds a soft, romantic and summery feel to the gold theme. It’s beautiful work by a team that includes stylist RIL Weddings and Kelly M. The beautiful model with her stunning gold leaf makeup makes quite an impression (I DARE a bride to rock this!), but then so do the lush florals and gold tipped glassware and of course, the beautiful gown. So much to inspire us all! You might even say it was the gold standard! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!)

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Modern Monochrome Glamour Wedding Inspiration

Well, it’s been a week… I’ll bet I’m not the only one who wants to throw up my hands and cry “is Friday over yet?” Well, it isn’t, not quite, and just as well because we’re ending it off here on SBB with something sleek and glam and deliciously sophisticated. Think of it as the cocktail you deserve, but without the cost of an Uber home. To create this chic setting, the team at Bells & Whistles Event Styling were inspired by the incredible setting, the ballroom at Fine Living by David Muirhead. It has silver embossed pressed ceilings, decor in dramatic charcoal, grey and white tones, and I’m absolutely loving the bold botanical artwork which gives it a tropical, African touch. Add in a bride in gorgeous gowns (including separates – LOVE!), stunning orchids (which I should just declare our flower of the week!), candlelight, glitzy gold touches, and modern black ghost chairs (hello new chair crush!), and let us not forget, that cake! Because metallic and ruffles… well. This girl is in stylish wedding heaven. If anyone needs me, I’ll just be over here sipping my martini and poring over the pretty.

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Vintage Glamour Winter Wedding at Embassy Hill by Jani B

Vintage Glamour Winter Wedding | Credit: Jani B & Bright and Beautiful

I’m a summer girl, it’s true – despite having lived in the UK for more than a decade, I’ll always choose being too hot over too cold. But there’s something about a winter day – not the grey nothing winter days, but the really seasonal ones – that is so special. When you can curl up under a blanket (or better yet, by an open fire!) and listen to the rain, and drink hot chocolate or mulled wine and just feel cosy and happy. That’s what today’s wedding reminds me of – it’s a PROPER winter wedding, with all the elements that make a winter wedding so special, from those fireplaces and candlelight to gluhwein and blankets for the guests. Add in a great big dose of glamour, of the very elegant, slightly antique kind – think foiled Art Deco menus, candlelight and roses, a bride in a ballgown and bridesmaids in the most fabulous old gold dresses. Coordinated and styled by SBB fave, Neva of Bright & Beautiful, there are so many graceful touches to love, like the hanging frames with gold sprayed branches and fairylights that really made the venue’s high ceilings feel intimate. The end result will make your heart beat a bit faster, especially when you look at it through the lens of photographer Jani B, who took these wonderful images.

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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)

 

Aubergine & Vine Wedding Inspiration by Debbie Lourens & Kadou

When this little gem of a styled shoot from photographer Debbie Lourens and stylist Kadou crossed my desk, I knew it would be just PERFECT for our vineyard wedding month. Not only was it shot at Spier, but the deep shades featured are so reminiscent of wine and the winelands – aubergine, burgundy, plum, fig, a deep vine green… all accented with glorious gold. This is the kind of colour scheme that often gets used for autumn or winter weddings, but with a vineyard wedding, it would be appropriate all year round as a nod to your surroundings. I just love the way these colours work together, creating something cosy but also very elegant. I also love the way that with an eggplant coloured wrap and a berry lip (courtesy of talented SBB Directory member Corlé Barnard), our model’s look perfectly complements the decor. And a seed pod crown? Adore.Read More

Regal Gold Wedding at Cathedral Peak Hotel by Louise Vorster {Monique & Philip}

I’m heading off to the Drakensberg for a few days this weekend (can’t wait!) so it’s especially good timing for me to share this glamorous royal wedding-inspired celebration which took place at the Cathedral Peak Hotel, in amongst all that majestic mountain beauty. Bride and groom Monique and Philip perfectly combined that natural beauty (including a transparent marquee, which always brings the outside in so beautifully!) with a gold and white palette, and opulent details like gold macarons, crystal perfume bottle favours, and custom embroidered napkins. So pretty! Monique looked absolutely drop dead gorgeous in her gown, as did her four glittering bridesmaids – I think these might actually be some of my favourite gold BM dresses to date. I feel like I should pour myself a glass of champagne before I immerse myself in these dreamy pics by Louise Vorster, but feel free to make do with a cup of your favourite something hot, and enjoy!Read More

Shimmering Pastels Wedding at Waterkloof by Linda Fourie {Sieglinda & Kobus}

Today’s couple had one of those proposals that could have come straight out of a Hollywood movie, and one of those weddings that would be quite at home on the pages of a glossy magazine – I just LOVE the sparkle and the glitter mixed with soft pastel blush and some absolutely gorgeous soft florals from Sitting Pretty. In fact (and I swear I didn’t plan it this way) this wedding is kind of the perfect transition between our August and September ‘themes’, since it’s both glamorous and full of beautiful spring pastels! Hooray! I can’t not mention the bride’s absolutely amazing lace dress, which combined perfectly with her groom’s navy suit – don’t they just make the most stylish pair? Linda Fourie was on the scene to capture these lovely pictures of every smile and detail.Read More

Inspiration Board: Enchanted Blue

It’s funny with inspiration boards – sometimes I feel like I’ve done loads of a particular colour or combination recently, and then I look back at my archive and realise I actually haven’t. So maybe it’s just all those colour combinations floating around in my head. That’s what happened with today’s board, because it turns out I haven’t done anything with pale blue for ages. That made me really happy, because it gave me an excuse to play with powder blue and gold, which I’m sorry, is just completely dreamy! I adore this romantic but not to feminine combo for a wedding, especially the way that the cool of the blue and the warmth of the gold complement each other perfectly. What more do I need to say?

Colours: Powder blue, sand & gold

Top row (l-r): Ballerina bride {Archetype}; blue & gold table decor {KT Merry/Joy Proctor}; individual cakes {Alicia Pyne Photography/Sugary And Chic Cake Boutique}
Row 2: Cake with coloured candles {Warm Photo/Special Day}; flower girl in lace crown {Whitney Neal Photography}; gold candyflossRow 3: Tent breakout area {Jemma Keech/Cathrin D’Entremont Weddings}; gold shoes {Marissa Lambert Photography/Jimmy Choo}; foiled pear placecard {Weddings By Sasha}; blue bridesmaid dresses {Elizabeth Henson Photos}

 

10 Ways to Style Sequin Bridesmaid Dresses

You’ve probably figured out by now that sequin bridesmaid dresses are kind of a favourite here on SBB – let’s be honest, they look completely gorgeous and glamorous and they always make our pretty-loving hearts lift a mile. But by now you also know there are a ton of options for how to actually put that sparkly ensemble together. Long or short? Solids or skirts? Same dresses or mismatched? Well, we can’t make the decision for you, but we can do what we do, and bring you some delicious, glittering inspiration!Read More

15 Glam Foiled Wedding Invitation Suites

I swear, I have as many stationery crushes as I do rugby players. The stationery is a little less PG rated, obvs. The point is, one of my absolute biggest stationery crushes over the last couple of years has been foiling, which everytime I see in a wedding invitation suite just makes me want to run my hands over it and say “ooh, shiny shiny!” Gold, silver, copper, rose gold… doesn’t matter. It’s a really beautiful way of bringing a bit of glamour to your invitations, and making metallics set the tone for the elegant soiree to follow. As always, there are some seriously talented designers in the Etsy community who have created some gorgeous foiled invites, and I’ve picked out fifteen of my favourites. I love my job.Read More