Love & Laughter Engagement

I don’t feature a lot of e-shoots on SBB, and unlike weddings, it can be hard to put my finger on what makes me want to share one with you. Maybe it’s the way it’s styled, or maybe the way it’s photographed, or a cool location, or fun props (I’m the last person who is going to tell you that you have to have props, but they can be a fun focal point). Today’s engagement shoot from Moira West has all of these aspects going for it – a gorgeous on-trend mint colour scheme, a few fun hearts and balloons (mint balloons, love!) and to-die-for golden hour light in Moira’s pics. But what I love about it? Is that the bride and groom-to-be are CANNING themselves laughing in just about every photo. I’m a firm believer that if you’re going to spend the rest of your life with someone, they had better be someone who makes you laugh every day, and just by the giggles that Eon and Mariette were getting into doing this e-shoot, you know that their lives will be full of happy smiles. So that’s what’s really inspiring me today, and I hope it’s inspiring you. Go out and enjoy some belly laughs with the one you love this evening. :)Read More

Real Wedding at Kleinevalleij {Lana & Albertus}

Get ready for wedding gorgeousness you guys! I have been dying to share Lana and Albertus’ wedding for a while now, and you don’t have to look much further than the sparkly bridesmaid dresses to see why! But in fact, that’s just one (very) pretty detail in what is otherwise a light and bright, clean yellow wedding with sweet origami touches and a lovely summery feel. It all comes together so perfectly! Chevron is something we’ve been seeing a lot of, and I think the print is used so perfectly here – nice, subtle touches like the groomsmen’s ties, the ring pillow and the dance floor. The result is a look that’s very much of-the-moment, but to be honest, I don’t feel that you’ll look back on this and feel it’s very dated in years to come, as the basic blank canvas is very classic. And isn’t that what so many brides aim to achieve? Great job, guys! And speaking of great jobs, as always I am LOVING the pics from the awesome Moira West – she always captures the look of a wedding so beautifully.Read More

Wedding at Cascade Country Manor {Emma & Steve}

Recently I’ve been featuring a number of fabulous alternative or more intimate venues, and today I have another. Cascade Manor is situated in lovely Paarl, and as well as having 900 olive trees on the property, features a beautiful waterfall – what a setting! Today’s bride and groom came from Tanzania for their big day, and together with planner Barry Geyer, created a look that was sumptuous and elegant, but still had bright pops of colour to keep up the visual interest. Moira West took the absolutely gorgeous photos, and didn’t Emma and Steve rock every one of them? With him in his slick suit and she in her romantic dress and hot pink shoes, it was difficult to narrow them down. But narrow I did, and here they are for your viewing pleasure!Read More

Real Wedding at Langkloof Roses {Zoe & Paul}

I am so torn. On the one hand, I LOVE THIS WEDDING. I absolutely, positively, cannot wait to share it with you guys because It. Is. Amaze. On the other, I feel like I want to hold on to it, because it’s the first wedding I’m featuring at a venue so fantastic that I sort of want to keep it secret. Here’s the thing – I know Langkloof Roses. I know it because only last week I was there with a Dream Team shooting some gorgeous inspiration (which I AM keeping secret for now, sorry!). And when Zoe, today’s lovely bride, says that she walked around with her mouth hanging open when she saw it, she’s not lying. It is beyond awesome, and now that I have told you, you need to go forth and book it for your weddings. So that’s just the venue, which as we have established, is breathtaking. Then you add in pretty, whimsical French details – stripey bridesmaids dresses (how much do I love these bridemaids dresses?), sheet music roses, stamped hessian (burlap) and lace runnersĀ on outdoor tables, beautiful pink roses, and personalised paintings for every guest (not to mention pictures full of joy taken by Moira West) and you’ll see why I am blown away. But another reason I love it, is that Zoe is a bonafide SBB bride – she used us loads in her planning, and knowing that someone with such great taste loved the site makes me feel like I have great taste too. So here it is. Ready: swoon.Read More

Real Wedding at the Mount Nelson Hotel {Heide & Greg}

When I was in high school, I used to spend the afternoons at my mother’s office. At some point I discovered a second hand bookshop down the road, where I used to spend a fair amount of browsing time. And, you know, I have a literature degree, so I’m a little embarrassed to admit that they weren’t stocked with Shakespeare, but rather row upon row of Harlequin Romance. So unfortunately, I’m qualified to tell you that two doctors in love? Is straight out of a romance novel. This particular love story has a sweet beginning, an enviable proposal, and a beautiful wedding captured perfectly by new-to-SBB photographer Moira West. Heide had me at hello with that pearl headband, but the iconic Cape Town location (the Mount Nelson Hotel), the carnation bridesmaid bouquets (I TOLD you they were back!), the abundance of roses and the classic pink and grey colour scheme had more than enough to keep me interested, right through to the happy ending.Read More