Hello lovelies! You know, when I first did posts on fruit and vegetables in wedding design three years ago, I had no idea how much they would become part of the floral landscape, but I have to say, I absolutely LOVE them. It’s the texture that’s added by the unusual shapes or colours, as well as the pop of something unexpected. Not to mention, of course, that many brides and grooms now choose to include them because of the green credentials of working with something that can be eaten and not wasted. I’m amazed by the creativity of wedding floral designers (or should that be floral, fruit & veg designers nowadays?). So today I thought I would round up 25 of my absolute favourite bouquets that include a combination of flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. They’re all so deliciously beautiful! Keep an eye out for veg patch favourites like kale (very much of the moment), cabbage, artichokes and then fruity berries and citrus, although the possibilities are really endless.Read More
I always smile when I see that episode of How I Met Your Mother when Ted tells his kids that long distance relationships hardly ever work. I mean, he’s right. Most of the time, they’re a disaster. But I’ve read enough love stories here on SBB to know that there’s a big gap between “hardly ever work” and “impossible”. In fact, sometimes it’s weathering the storms of long distance love that can show a couple that the vessel they have built together is made of stronger stuff. Guess that makes it a relation-ship, boom boom. Okay, I’ll stop with the nautical metaphors, except to say that today’s couple, having made it through some time apart in their courtship and been all the stronger for it, were ready to sail off into the sunset. Which they did, figuratively, with a beautiful wedding (and literally, when they emigrated to Australia). I love the sweet little touches they added to their day – Lerize’s shoes that said “I do”, little wooden hearts tied with lace, a ribbon backdrop. And I also love Michelle Joubert-Martin‘s beautiful photos, that really capture the depth of emotion that these two were feeling.Read More
It’s actually hilarious that I love nautical style as much as I do, considering the complete lack of sailing skills that I have. Seriously, if I ever gave it a try, I’d probably get smacked with the boom before I even figured out which side was starboard. Even so, nautical wedding details never fail to raise an excited “ooh!” from me – they’re just so preppy and punchy, and the perfect combination of contemporary, vintage and rustic. You all clearly feel the same, since our roundup of nautical wedding details is still one of SBB’s most popular posts. So today I thought I would round up some of the seriously ship-shape DIYs that are sailing about the internet. Awesome, ahoy! (Yes, I’ll stop now.)
Today’s bride and groom are, quite simply, my kind of people. Carin’s philosophy of weddings could probably be my motto for life: good food, enough drinks, excellent music – add in lovely people and a gorgeous view and that’s pretty much all you need to be happy as far as I’m concerned. Luckily the couple had both of those too, surrounded by family and friends and getting married in the heart of the Cape winelands at Brenaissance. I love the classic style of their wedding, the perspex decor accents, the white tulips, the duck egg blue tablecloths, Carin’s pretty dress, her mismatched bridesmaids and OMG I love their food stations. Like, LOVE. Such delicious and fun combinations and there’s even a braai station! Stylishly presented, of course. It’s the perfect combination of old school elegance and minimalist modernism, and it works perfectly. Plus, there are the crazy beautiful pictures taken by Yolande Marx. So what are you waiting for? Get pinning!Read More
Some weddings are all tradition and formality and classic palettes. Invitations are engraved, etiquette is followed. They’re lovely, of course. But the other kind of wedding I love is when a couple takes their cue from their favourite kind of party: a brunch, a dinner party, a picnic, a festival even. Or, in the case of this board, a summer garden party. Sundresses for the ladies, lemonade, alcoholic popsicles, ribbon wands. Red, pink and orange were a popular colour combo a few years ago, but they’re updated here with melon, pink and a punch of yellow – and how gorgeous is that bright citrusy table and bouquet? This would be such a fun wedding to host and attend, and is perfect for a couple who would like to keep things more lighthearted with their palette.
As someone who has been reading answers to the bride’s advice portion of our questionnaire here on SBB for three years, it’s no surprise that there are certain themes that emerge. One that I have heard over and over again is from brides who either booked a videographer last minute and were so glad they did, or decided to forgo the video and now regret it. While wedding photography is a uniquely intimate way of keeping your memories intact, it’s true that there are some things that it can’t do, such as capture the vows or the speeches. I rarely meet a bride who says it isn’t money well spent. In SA we have a number of incredible, talented videography pros (check them out in our supplier listings) but as brilliant and worth every Rand as they are, I know that professional video is just not in everyone’s wedding budget. A while back, I came across an alternative that had cropped up in the US, and I was really excited to discover that a similar company has now launched in SA. The idea behind uFilm is just that – you (well, your guests) do the filming with cameras that are rented to you for the occasion, and then you simply hand them back and receive a professionally edited final product. Clever, right?
Now, I’m not going to pretend that your friends’ video skills are the same as the pros, any more than I would tell you that a mate with an SLR is better than a professional photographer. But if you’re happy with a bit of a home video feel or you’re on a strict budget, this is a brilliant alternative. It means that you not only get a wedding video, but that it’s hassle free (meaning you won’t have to go through hours of trying to figure out editing software on your laptop), properly put together, and you may even find that guests are more relaxed with someone they know behind the camera. Who knows, you may even find a budding Spielberg at one of your tables. Here’s an example of one of uFilm’s edited videos:
uFilm have a number of packages for weddings and events, and are also able to customise according to your needs. The camcorders they hire out are HD Panasonic and Sony models with a powerful optical zoom, and a lightweight body. Editing takes around three weeks, but a rush service is available.
Hello lovelies! Since we’ve been looking again at dessert alternatives this week, I thought that we should have a peek at some traditions from other countries. If you’d like to do something different, this is a great option, particularly if you have some kind of heritage or tie to the country, or have travelled there. For example, did you get engaged in Paris? Well, why not have a French wedding cake? It’s a really fun way to make things personal and surprise your guests. Of course, many countries don’t have specific wedding cake traditions, or they share the tradition of tiered cakes, and some of the examples below are not so much wedding cakes but special occasion cakes that could be used as a wedding cake. But they’re all so pretty, that I had to share!Read More
There are plans afoot to add more regular honeymoon inspiration to SBB, much of which will centre around destinations close to or in South Africa. But for today, I thought I would profile a destination close to my heart. Because I’m there. Right now. Yes, I know, I am totally that person who posts pictures of their holiday on Facebook just to try to make you jealous. Well, be jealous, because Tuscany is every bit as gorgeous and magical as you’ve always imagined it to be. I fell in love with it in a very serious way when I saw the film Room With a View aged about 12, which I then went on to watch maybe a zillion more times (by the way, if you love Maggie Smith in Downton, catch her in RWAV as well – she’s awesome). I finally got to Florence in my twenties, and it was exactly as I’d pictured it. So was the rest of the countryside. Now, don’t get me wrong, Italy is a lot more than the Tuscan stereotype and you should definitely check out its other regions too, all I’m saying is that the stereotype is there for a reason. Cypress-lined drives, hilltop villages, a sun-kissed landscape dotted with olive groves and vineyards, fields of sunflowers. Not to mention cities full of art and history and beautiful architecture. All of which makes it one of the most picture perfect European destinations for a honeymoon. Personally, I’d spend all my time chilling in a villa, drinking wine and driving around the beautiful countryside (um, not in that order, obvs), but if you want a bit of beach time you have that option too, as the Tuscan coastline is lovely, and you could even exile yourself Napoleon-style to the island of Elba. Here’s a quick run-down on what you need to know to start dreaming up your Tuscan honeymoon.Read More
It only took one look at today’s wedding to know I would feature it here on SBB, because what can I say, a bride who gets married in her veldskoens, is most definitely a SouthBound Bride! For our overseas readers, veldskoene are a type of traditional South African shoe. And that’s not the only South African icon making an appearance in this Potchefstroom wedding, as it took place in the old factory of one of our signature brands, Snowflake. Add pretty Victorian/Dutch vintage details, navy lace runners, jewel tones, adorable book pear details and a grey lace dress (swoon) and you’re talking all kinds of lovely. But I think what I heart the most is the story that Rochelle and De Markhoff have – true love at first sight, and young love at that! Kallah Ohr was there to capture every moment of this joyous day, including the moment that De Markhoff clearly fell in love at first sight all over again as his bride walked down the aisle.Read More
Over the years, I’ve seen all kinds of fun cakes and not-cakes at weddings but by far the biggest trend has been the candy buffet or dessert table. And it’s not hard to see why, since it’s more than just a dessert – it doubles up as decor, as a favour – even as entertainment. It creates a gorgeous focal point in one part of your reception, a striking visual reinforcement of your colours or theme. I love these tables, but what I love even more maybe are the ways that even this alternative has sprouted alternatives! With personalised menus being a big trend for weddings, the specialised food station really comes into its own, and can be a fun twist to the dessert table, especially if you’re planning something a bit different like a brunch wedding. And it’s not limited to food either – you can apply the same principle of taking a basic treat and turning it into a visual feast and apply it to drinks as well. Here are ten of my favourite dessert and candy buffet alternatives, along with some ideas for creating the look at your wedding.
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Not a far cry from a dessert table, the great advantage of a cookie or biscuit bar is that it’s something you and your friends and family can DIY, since it’s possible to make ahead of time if properly stored. You could ask your loved ones to each contribute a specialty, or you could make a few bases and then provide toppings and dips for guests to choose their own. Add little glassine bags to the spread and encourage guests to take a selection for the trip home or a midnight snack.
I’m a big fan of this one, in case you hadn’t already noticed. I styled the one pictured above, and I had so much fun playing around with different artisan breads and cheeses. I think this makes a great accompaniment to a pre-reception wine tasting, or an alternative to a sweet dessert for savoury-loving couples. You can have a cheese cake as your centrepiece and then surround it with breads, fruits, chutneys, etc. or spread out the cheeses themselves in belljars and on different stands and platters. Make sure there’s a variety of heights and include textures like ribbon tied around loaves or cutlery.
Speaking of savoury loving couples, charcuterie is another delicious way to spoil your guests during cocktail hour, as this couple did (don’t you love the idea of presenting it on a cart?). As always, variety is key, so get a range of meats, cheeses, breads and crackers, dips, chutneys and butters, as well as extras like different kinds of olives. Add lasercut tags or special labels so guests know what everything is. This is perfect if you have a bit of a Mediterranean theme to your decor (although it isn’t necessary, of course!) or just a rustic vibe going on.
Show me the way to the next whisky bar… no need to ask why, when it looks as pretty as this one. Add cigars and this is a little paradise for the boys, one they’ll be talking about long after the big day. We have a great little DIY article on how to put your own whisky bar together from a real SouthBound bride.
The perfect beach version of a candy bar – your guests will love the childhood delight of being able to build their own ice creams and sundaes and it’ll keep them cool on a summer day too. Styling the ice creams, cones and toppings to look like an old school ice cream parlour adds to the fun and nostalgia. See here for a DIY tutorial including downloads and templates if you like the look above.
Okay, you KNOW that many of your guests are going to just adore this idea! I mean, who doesn’t love popcorn? By all accounts, this is a really simple alternative to a dessert bar, and one that guests can interact with if you include a number of toppings and flavourings. I love the rustic styling of the one above (you can get all the printable elements here), but you could make this work for any setting by customising the labels and table.
If you’re hosting a morning wedding or if the bride or groom have a real passion for tea or coffee, this is a fun way to go. Provide a number of varieties, beautifully laid out, and encourage guests to try a few. Make sure you include lots of visual variety so it doesn’t just look like the tea table at a PTA meeting.
Brunch weddings are so awesome, and the food is a big part of what makes them so fun. I love the idea of a cereal buffet (even if I personally loathe cereal) – it’s such a fun breakfasty twist on the candy buffet! This kind of cheeky twist is exactly what makes alternative food stations so fun, and a real talking point for guests. Who hopefully like cereal more than I do.
Donut even joke, donut displays are where it’s at right now for wedding treats! And there are so many cool ways to display them, from donut walls, to towers of donuts, to donut wedding cakes, etc. etc. Yum.
