How’s the Friday afternoon going, lovelies? For this week’s trend, I wanted to share a little detail that I have noticed cropping up in weddings of late – you’ll see it in everything from cakes to runners, but where I love it most is as a little detail in the stationery, like an envelope liner or backing. And the good news is that, unlike most patterns, this is one that you can do DIY. In fact, it reminds me of when I did some youth business programme in high school, and our ‘company’ sold little notebooks we made with marbled covers. Went like hotcakes. And then I didn’t see much of it again for years, until now. As you’ll see below, talented stationers have been combining marbling with everything from Kraft paper to gold glitter, calligraphy to bold graphic fonts. For book or antique lovers, it’s a subtle nod, since the technique was so often used for endpapers in old books. Whatever your wedding style, this is a pretty detail/motif to consider adding into the mix, for a little bit of unexpected colour and visual texture.Read More
Author: gaby
Rustic Strelizia Kuthaba Bush Lodge Wedding by Dreampix Photography {Helen & Johan}
As a huge fan of our indigenous flowers, I have always wished more strelizias popped up in wedding design (that’s ‘bird of paradise’ flowers to you overseas readers) – they aren’t as versatile as proteas, sure, but they’re another bloom that immediately makes me think of home. And that’s not the only homegrown touch that Helen and Johan incorporated in their gorgeous, rustic, South African-inspired wedding – from Karoo style details like tin windmills and enamel cups, to a boma reception, this is truly a sunny SouthBound wedding. My favourite moment though? Johan picking up a guitar and singing to his bride during his speech. Not a dry eye in the house – it doesn’t get much more romantic than that! Kobus of Dreampix was there to capture every colourful moment (as he was for the couple’s farm engagement shoot, previously featured on SBB).Read More
Clinton Lotter 2013/2014 Collection
You know, I thought I was in love with South African-born, London-based wedding dress designer Clinton Lotter‘s 2012/2013 collection (okay, I definitely was). But this season’s collection is just… beyond. I’d go so far as to say that the Mia dress is my absolute favourite of all dresses I have seen this year so far. I mean, beautiful floor length French lace, covered buttons, a portrait back, a slinky silk crepe sheath and the most perfect combination of ivory and blush imaginable. And that’s just one of the gowns in this collection. Each of them is so elegantly tailored and has its own unique touches and details – I just can’t wait to see them on real brides. They’re exclusively sold through Blackburn Bridal in London, so those of you based in the UK, book your fitting!Read More
The Ruby Bride’s EnGedi Wedding by Lad & Lass Photography {Jerusha & Gideon}
I’ve just adored meeting our Real Life Brides this season, haven’t you? Jerusha, our Ruby Bride, always made me laugh with her hilarious take on wedding planning, and I knew that when it came to the day she married her beloved Gideon, that humour would be firmly in place, come what may. Fortunately, it was smooth sailing – a beautiful Gauteng day, a joining of two families, and a massive celebration of friendship and love. Jerusha made such a stunning bride – she’s so elegant and poised, like a ballerina, and her gorgeous lace dress was perfection. And of course, she rocked red lipstick and ruby nails! The tablescapes dotted with teacup candles were the perfect complement to the watercolour stationery design, and I love the bridesmaids’ lace cap sleeve dresses, but what really stands out in Lad and Lass‘s incredible photos is the Moments. Those memories that really make a wedding day what it is – the rest is just (very pretty) window dressing. From the look Jerusha shared with her dad as they prepared to walk down the aisle, to a bridesmaid dance party, to the newlyweds laughing together, they’ve captured them all, and I can’t but finish this post with a huge smile on my face. Congrats Jerusha and Gideon!Read More
Inspiration Board: Protea Glitz
Some boards take me a while to put together, but some are so clear in my mind, it’s as if they’ve always existed. In fact, I had to go back and check my archives to be sure I hadn’t done this one before, because the concept of proteas + gold glitter is already such a favourite of mine. It’s like Joey eating Rachel’s beef trifle in Friends – to paraphrase: “What’s not to like? Proteas, good. Gold, good. Sequins, gooood!” It combines my favourite current wedding looks with our perennial South African favourite flower, and is as romantic as it is modern. And unlike beef, custard and jam, some ingredients really do just go together.
Colours: Blush, rose, gold & white
Top row: Bride with polka dot veil {Ali Harper Photography/Ginny Branch}; protea bouquet {Lavender & Twine/Twine Events}; glitter name cards {Rachel Carl on Etsy}
Row 2: Glitter cocktails {Rebecca Hansen Weddings/Style Me Pretty}; gold calligraphy invitation {Margot Madison on Etsy}; plate on sequin background {Justin Marantz/Julie Song}
Row 3: Protea centrepiece {Caroline Tran/Utterly Engaged Magazine/Propel}; confetti cake {Jen Huang/Sweet & Saucy Shop}; sequin wedding dress {Jeremiah and Rachel Photography/BHLDN}
Kraft/Brown Paper DIY Roundup
Hello lovelies! How has your short work week been? It’s felt a bit weird for me having such a pared down week on the blog, but I promised myself last year that (since I work most weekends, late nights, etc.) I would take public holidays along with my lovely readers :) We’ll be back to a full schedule next week, but for today, I wanted to share some DIY goodness with you all. A while back I posted a Kraft & Blush inspiration board which proved to be SUPER popular – it showed how you can use this simple, budget-friendly material in an elegant way as well as for rustic or handcrafted style weddings. So I thought that I would track down my favourite Kraft (or brown, to us Saffas) paper DIY ideas that can be applied to your wedding. Here we go!
Pretty Peach & Traditional Zulu Weddings by Vita Bella Photography {Slindile & Siphile}
Last week, I was thrilled to bring you a traditional Xhosa wedding, and today I get to showcase another double celebration, including a joyous traditional Zulu wedding. I love seeing this gorgeous couple in their traditional garb (actually, I’m more than a little jealous of Slindile’s costume changes, since she also got to rock a princess dress and a hot little cocktail number for her reception at wedding number 1!). The two ceremonies couldn’t have been more different – one with an elegant peaches & cream palette while the other bursts with colour, but what they have in common is a sense of vibrancy and delight, and the biggest smiles from bride and groom. Chantel of Vita Bella Photography did an amazing job capturing both happy days, so you’ll understand why this is a bumper, photo-filled post!Read More
Black Tie Winter Wedding by Fiona Clair {Tamara & Paul}
You know it’s going to be a good day when a wedding from Fiona Clair is on the schedule. I love everything about her images (which is why I asked her to do my last portrait shoot) – so crisp and gorgeous and full of colour and light. Plus, she seems to attract some of my favourite brides and grooms, couples who are beautiful inside and out, and whose weddings are equal parts personal, romantic and stylish. You don’t need to look further than today’s elegant winter wedding to see what I mean – this really is both how to rock both a monochrome colour palette and a cold weather reception (fireplaces and gluhwein, yes please!). And to top it all off, bride Tamara is wearing a breathtaking gown from another SBB favourite, Casey Jeanne. Sigh. Yep, it’s definitely going to be a good day.Read More
Autumn Fruits Wedding Inspiration by Ecozest & Riaan Lourens
We started off the week with some autumn inspiration, and we’re ending it the same way, with a styled shoot in a rich harvest palette from the team at Ecozest (a floral design studio based in the Garden Route). The colours and decor in this shoot are absolutely gorgeous, with touches I love like pear plates grey strips and oh my goodness, the most gorgeous naked cake. In fact, all the food looks amazing, from cupcakes topped with pomegranate seeds to little apple & walnut loaves wrapped up in lace, to tiny pumpkin pies. This is a great example of how your food can really be used not just to complement but to enhance your chosen theme – it’s pretty much decor in its own right (and delicious too). I love the idea of a loose bouquet made up of nature’s bounty, and the young lovers’ boho, organic chic outfits totally work with the general feel. There are loads of ideas to inspire, so be sure to read the background that Ecozest sent over to find out more!Read More
Romantic Blush & Gold Allee Bleue Wedding by Lara Scott {Melissa & Lutgen}
We’re closing out a week of lovely weddings with this blush and gold winelands wedding from Lara Scott Photography. It’s a garden wedding meets a ballroom wedding, with just a touch of antique/vintage, and from the dreamy portraits of the bride in her incredible gown to a curtain of fairylights glittering behind the bride and groom as the sun goes down, it’s pure romance. You’ll be smiling (and maybe swooning, just a little!) over Lara’s lovely pics and Melissa’s sweet description of the day all through your lunch hour!Read More