Glamorous Olive Grove Engagement by Louise Vorster

It’s been our month of glamour on SBB, but one of my favourite things is finding a way to inject a bit of glamour into an unexpected place: chandeliers hanging from a tree, ballroom style in an urban loft space… or a shimmering full length gold dress in an olive grove. That’s why I immediately fell in love with this beautiful shoot by Louise Vorster – the contrast between bride-to-be Adél’s glam gown and the rustic setting for her engagement shoot with her love, Jan, is so eye catching and gorgeous. And there’s something very intimate about it too – like the two lovebirds have sneaked off to have a fancy date in an secret location, and are having the time of their lives doing just that. It’s moments like this that give us a glimpse of the fun of being engaged, a welcome break in a sea of wedding planning, and a special memory captured forever.Read More

Inspiration Board: Oracle

Morning lovelies! Time to greet another week, and there’s no better way to do that than with an inspiration board, right? If you’ve been following for any amount of time you’ll probably know by now that I just love olive leaves as wedding decoration. So today I thought I would pair this Mediterranean favourite with glamorous gold – perfect for a bride who wants to feel like a Grecian goddess on her big day. Which leads me to wonder – is there ANYTHING that doesn’t look amazing with gold right now? Because no, I don’t think there is. I especially love the idea of a bride in a soft grey or nude colour dress, and bridesmaids in shimmery glitz, paired with olive leaves and soft white flowers on the tables. Gorgeous.

Colours: Gold, green, white and neutrals

Top row (l-r): Bride {Jose Villa}; table decor {Michael + Anna Costa Photography/Joy De Vivre Event Design Boutique}; gold dress {Feather & Stone}
Row 2: Boutonnieres {Jason & Anna Photography/Engaged & Inspired/Floral Theory}; bouquet {Xavier Navarro}; menu {Rylee Hitchner/Jessica Sloane Event Styling & Design/Molly Jacques Illustration}
Row 3: Gold seal {Sarah Drake Design}; gold and olive cake {Amalie Orrange Photography}; olive leaf crown {Lucia Gill Photography/Joya Rose}.

 

Inspiration Board: Olive & Stripe

Happy Monday friends! There’s been a lot going on here at SBB headquarters, which I may or may not get around to sharing with you all. But it’s a new week, and that always means a fresh start and fresh inspiration. Today’s is one that sort of just came together, but I think if I had married, this might be what my wedding could have looked like. I love everything Italian (especially since I have been doing some writing jobs that are making me long to spend some time there again!) but while a rustic Tuscan farmhouse look is fab, I also love the idea of updating it a bit with a bit of a chic modern, black and white, Kate Spade look – the perfect combination of Mediterranean and contemporary graphic. Do you love it as much as I do?

Colours: Black, white and green

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Viera Photographics/The Stylish Soiree}; bridesmaids in black dresses {Ladybug Photography}; heels {Lacie Hansen}; olive leaf bouquet {M&J Photography/Weddings In Italy}
Row 2: Dress with sash {SimplyBloom Photography}; olive grove {Jose Villa}; striped straws {Caplan Miller}; groom {Judy Pak/Dreamlite Photography}
Row 3: Couple {Lacie Hansen}; wine bottle table numbers; olive leaf heart {Camille Soulayrol}; outdoor table {Kaella Lynn Events/Nirav Photography}; bride and groom in Positano {Forever Photography}.

 

Mediterranean Styled Shoot at Morgenster

So we went to France for inspiration this morning, and we’re keeping it Mediterranean this afternoon with a gorgeous styled shoot that reminds me a little bit of my beloved Italy. Long tables and long lunches in the sunshine, an abundance of food and wine, white linen, the laughter of children in the background… This was the idyllic inspiration for Theresa Lazarevic of Creation Events when she set about creating this styled shoot for new Somerset West venue Sofia’s @ Morgenster and wow, it is pretty. I kind of just want to jump into the pictures and live there. It’s not just how lovely the winelands venue is (and it is lovely), it’s the way Theresa has used materials local to the farm (which also grows olives) – how gorgeous are those olive leaf details? Not to mention how delicious that food looks! Sigh. Excuse me while I go to my happy place for a while.Read More