Harvest Brights Wedding Inspiration by Leipzig & Nicola Bester

Good morning, lovelies! And happy Friday! There’s a weekend full of excitement ahead (rugbyyyyyyyy!!!!) but before that happens, there’s a day of inspiration here on the blog. And we’re starting it off with a gorgeous piece of editorial from some of our absolute favourite suppliers, including Leipzig, Flamboijant, Corlé Barnard and Nicola Bester. These ladies do colour to perfection, and today they’re bringing us a table full of harvest brights – rich shades of pumpkin, butternut, tangerine and honey that would be amazing for an autumn wedding but could work just as well in the summer too (or really, any season – as the team says, be daring with your colours!). With the Leipzig team involved, it’s no surprise the florals are AMAZE, but I am also head over heels in LOVE with the cake and its dripping metallics! And of course Corlé has brought her special touch to hair and makeup. Basically, it’s gorgeous, so let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?Read More

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

Moroccan Magic Wedding Inspiration by Illuminate Photography

Boy do I ever have a gorgeous editorial for you all today! Thanks to Tabitha Mee at Illuminate Photography and her talented team, we’re transporting you to the sands of Morocco for a styled shoot that’s as beautiful as it is inspiring. In fact, it’s almost easy to forget that it was shot in Cape Town, and not high in the Atlas mountains, amid citrus and walnut groves, and flat-roofed hamlets.  I absolutely love a touch of Moroccan style (which also happens to be perfect for a boho wedding theme), and with a mix of shiny brass, warm earthy tones and pops of orange from pincushion proteas, berries and kumquats (as well as a dreamy Robyn Roberts dress), I’m in heaven. This would be such a gorgeous colour scheme for a wedding – the florals created by our faves at Green Goddess flower studio would translate beautifully to a reception table, not to mention the sheer romance of a little desert breakout area beneath the stars. Sigh. And pass the mint tea.Read More

Local Colour Styled Shoot from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

We’re kicking off a new week with a punch of colour – and more than a touch of homegrown style, which as you all know, is our FAVE. As it’s Heritage month, our friends at Wedding Inspirations magazine have commissioned a seriously wonderful ‘Local is Lovely’ issue, celebrating everything beautiful and South African, from indigenous florals to beadwork-inspired cakes. There’s so much to inspire you here, so do be sure to go out and grab yourself a copy. Today, we’re delighted to share this seriously gorgeous shoot from the September issue, a modern twist on traditional local motifs (shwe shwe, yay!), against the modern blank canvas of White Light. With decor and styling by Ribbon Creative Studio and photography by SBB Directory members Jack and Jane, you know you’re going to see something completely fresh and lovely, so let’s dive on in! (And PS, you’ll find all the info on how to get the look for yourself in the magazine.)Read More

Styled Shoot Turned Surprise Elopement by Angie Capri

This shoot, you guys. It is so filled with love. In most of the styled shoots that I feature here on the blog, it’s all about the details – the pretty flowers, the table, the stationery, the cake… and of course, the ideas that are meant to inspire all of you brideys for your own, larger-scale weddings. Over the years, I’ve seen a few styled shoots that turned into engagements, because let’s be honest, is there a prettier way to pop the question? But when this same-sex shoot from Angie Capri crossed my desk, I knew it was something extra special. Not only did the lovebirds, Kylie & Andrea, have the moment when Andrea got down on one knee captured on film, but they were married on the spot in the most romantic surprise elopement I can imagine. So today, we get to not only be inspired by the pretty details created by Angie and her team, but by the sheer love as well.Read More

Black Magic Styled Shoot from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

When it comes to wedding design, one of my favourite looks is layering of a single colour, with texture adding the visual interest that a mix of colours often brings. And okay, that colour is usually white, but in creating today’s styled shoot, the talented team at TGC Photography & Sålt+Støne decided to layer black on black instead. The effect is chic, daring and very glamorous, and is definitely a fresh twist that will get your guests talking! From the black painted proteas to dark plums and shiny Coke bottles, there are many clever textural touches used throughout, and sparkling jewels and Venetian masks for that extra bit of mystery and glam. This is the kind of cutting edge inspiration you can expect to find in every issue of Wedding Inspirations, who were kind enough to share this lovely shoot from their brand new issue with us today. Be sure to pick up a copy to find out how to recreate the look, and take a peek at their other gorgeous weddings and styled shoots of the moment. Until then, as Amy Winehouse would say, let’s go back to black…Read More

Tropical Heat Bridal Shower by Oh Happy Day, Kelly Daniels & The Shank Tank

A few months ago, I got to spend my afternoon in the best way possible, with some of the loveliest ladies (and one gent!) in the local wedding industry, as a guest of the delightful Joelene of Oh Happy Day. Joelene has burst onto the scene full of ideas and enthusiasm and sassiness, and on this particular day, she’d pulled together the talents of some seriously amazing people to help her create a tropical themed bridal shower styled shoot. It was so fun to see them at work, and even more fun sifting through the gorgeous results, thanks to the rockstar photographers, Kelly Daniels and The Shank Tank team. I was already a big fan of tropsy showers (see this post on how to plan one of your own) and now I’m even more so – think gold pineapples, floral print dresses, fruity cocktails (and watermelon on a stick, love), and even a little hula girl cake topper (which I somehow managed to resist slipping into my pocket and stealing away). I also have to make a special mention of the adorable stationery by Ruby + Swallow, as well as the fantastic cakes and sweets by Smith’s Bake Shop, with flavours just as delicious as they were pretty. So here we go – let’s head for the tropics! (PS If you love this ideas as much as I do, pop back this afternoon for some fun buys)Read More

Desert Watercolour Bridal Portrait Shoot by Jack and Jane

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this lovely bridal portrait shoot with you for a while, and I can’t think of a better time than in our month of everything floral. Cindy (whose wedding we featured a couple of months back) opted to do a bridal portrait shoot (I must say, I just love these!) with the fabulous Jack and Jane Photography, the idea behind it being that “beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out” (holla!). I just adore the way that these images have a watercolour quality to them, not just from the mix of pastel and floral print gowns that Cindy wears and the beautiful flower crown and ladder, but from the desert background that gives everything that amazing painterly quality. Pretty, pretty, PRETTY.Read More

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

Romantic Rooftop Elopement Inspiration by Black Frame Photography & Runaway Romance

Holy cannoli, do I have something special to share with you guys today! As you know, it is our month of small weddings, and this fine morning we have a super creative elopement inspiration from a brilliant team. It combines a few of our favourite things – a wedding for two, urban chic, and a city skyline. But what tickled me was the little details – a naked red velvet cake, a table runner made of 5 cent pieces (seriously, I LOVE THIS), and a sparkly birdcage veil (which huzzah, we’ll be sharing a DIY tutorial for later on today). It’s so fun and unique and South African – basically everything we like to celebrate here on the blog. Thank you so much to the awesome Rebecca of Runaway Romance and her team for sharing!Read More