Glitter & Greenery Wedding at Maroupi by Carmen Roberts

It’s Friday! And while we can’t pop the bubbly until after work, Lauren and Sean’s wedding has just the right amount of fizz and sparkle to keep us more than happy until champagne ‘o clock. This effervescent couple chose the lovely Maroupi as their venue and dressed it up with greenery and a dusting of glitz in the form of shimmery linens and gold sprayed eucalyptus – so pretty! And for an extra touch of festive flair, they placed a cracker at each setting – I love this Christmassy touch which is sure to delight your guests whatever the time of year. (For a cracker making tutorial, see here.) I’m also utterly in love with Lauren’s gown, which comes from chic boutique Toujours Wedding House, and fit the bride like a glove! But my favourite idea? The wine and charcuterie spread for cocktail hour – (clearly this is a couple after my own heart!) Carmen Roberts took these lovely pics – cheers to all the pretty!

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Modern Gems Wedding Inspiration

It’s been fun focusing on marble and minerals this month – really one of the most versatile trends I’ve seen in a long while, which works for wedding styles from sophisticated city soiree to organic boho celebration, and everything in between. And as we come to the end of August, I can’t think of a better way to end off than with this utterly gorgeous styled shoot, from some of my bestest local Durban suppliers, including my almost-neighbour, Toujours Wedding House, Planned to Perfection, and photographer Wilma Towell. Incorporating greenery, moody candlelight and sophisticated styling, mixed in with crystals and geodes and the prettiest of marble cakes and stationery, it just sums up everything I love about this look and gives it the perfect amount of industrial-meets-rustic flair. The gorgeous models rock swish suits and swoony gowns (oh, so swoony!), and the flowers… oh my. It’s fabulous, so ready, steady, let’s get inspired!

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Toujours Wedding House Boutique Tour

Maybe it’s from watching too many movies, but when I think about wedding dress shopping, I picture a charming little shop full of soft light and plush chairs and flowers and champagne – a place where dreams are made, and where somewhere in amongst the silk, tulle and lace, that perfect wedding dress is just waiting for you to try it on and fall crazy in love, and share that amazing moment with your mum or best friend. Sadly, reality sometimes falls short of the fantasy. So you can imagine how thrilled I was last year to discover the most wonderful little boutique right here in Durban, tucked in amongst the leafy streets of Westville that I know so well. Toujours Wedding House is an absolute gem – a light, bright studio nestled off a sunny courtyard, with just the right amount of chic understated detail to let the gowns, veils and accessories take centre stage. Guiding her brides through their experience is owner Tracey Laubscher, who you immediately warm to like she’s an extra bridesmaid, and who knows and cherishes each dress in her collection like a favourite song. I couldn’t wait to go back to the boutique to do a special little tour, together with the talented Eileen Laubscher of Bright Girl Photography. We spent our morning drinking tea, shooting these beautiful images, and chatting to Tracey about what makes Toujours such a special place…

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