Author: gaby

20 Vineyard Wedding Ideas

by gaby

Vineyard Wedding Ideas

Image credit: Dasha Caffrey of Exhibit Emotions/Jasmine Champion Weddings via Bridal Musings

*UPDATED FOR 2021* Since we’re talking vineyard weddings in October, I thought it was the perfect moment for me to round up 20 ways that you can bring a winery theme to your wedding – even if you aren’t planning a wine route celebration. There are so many cute vineyard wedding ideas out there, from decor to favours to guest books, and while of course you’re not going to want to do ALL of them (too themey!), adding in a couple will add that extra layer of detail that makes your guests go ‘ooh!’ I’ve tried to find some fresh new ideas, as well as some classics, so scroll down and find your favourite. And don’t forget to check out the fabulous vineyard wedding details I found for sale on Etsy! I think you’ll agree, they’re all rather ‘wine-derful’! (Lame joke, I know. Sorrynotsorry.)

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Inspiration Board: Champagne

by gaby

Is it too early in the morning for champagne? Ha, don’t be silly. It’s NEVER too early for champagne. Of course, this is the kind of champagne that won’t get you into trouble with your boss, the latest in our inspiration boards designed for wine varieties (see Rosé & Merlot if you missed them) in honour of our vineyard wedding month. And I have to say, I love this sparkly neutral, which pairs beautifully with many other romantic shades – gold, blush, grey… But today we’re sticking to the single colour, and loving the delicate balance of sophistication and dreaminess. So what do you say – champers, darling?

Colours: Champagne & white

Top row (l-r): Bride in champagne wedding dress {Jennifer Ebert Photography/La Boheme Events/Lovely Bride}; candle tablescape {Wendell T. Webber}; champagne in bucket {Pasha Belman}
Row 2: Peony centrepiece {Kate Murphy Photography/The Amalfi Experience Wedding & Event Management/Francesco Di Bianco}; love letter {Lavender Calligraphy}; bridesmaids {Kate Murphy Photography/The Amalfi Experience Wedding & Event Management}
Row 3: Place setting {Sylvie Gil/Bliss Event Productions}; bridesmaid & invitation {Josh Gruetzmacher/Aerialist Press}; cake {Coco Tran/Lara Kreutner}; champagne coupés {Frank & Joy}

 

Bohemian Delft Wedding at Kalmoesfontein by Hearts in a Shutter {Natasha & Gavin}

by gaby

‘Boho’ is a term that gets applied to a lot of weddings these days, but I feel like today’s wedding really deserves it. It’s got that laid-back, mismatched, organic look down to a tee, with a touch of whimsy, from the maypole ceremony area to the wooden tables to the bride’s yellow-gold dress (and we do love a coloured wedding dress, don’t we!) I think my favourite touch, though, is the use of Delft-style vases and plates on the tables – mixed in with proteas, wildflowers, fruits and silver candelabras, it’s the perfect mix of casual and formal, not to mention oh so pretty! We don’t have a story to share with you today (for the best possible reason – Natasha & Gavin now have a little one demanding their attention!) but we’ll let Brenda Wardell of Hearts in a Shutter’s warm and wonderful pictures tell their own tale.Read More

Wood & Rose Gold Wedding at Old Mac Daddy by Claire Thomson {Mia & Johan}

by gaby

Sometimes, when I’m selecting a wedding for publication, there are details I notice but don’t really understand, and then when I read the bride’s story, everything makes sense. Those are kind of my favourites, because it means that they’re personal in a way that something just taken off Pinterest never can be. That was the case with the poem inscribed on the floor-to-ceiling windows of Old Mac Daddy in today’s wedding, and it turned out to be just one of the lovely tributes from the bride and groom, in memory of their much-missed parents. Such a special touch, and those tributes fitted seamlessly into the clean lines of this beautifully designed, minimalist, organic wedding day. From the stationery ‘branding’ (repeated in the cake toppers and boxes, adorable) to the signs telling the couple’s story down the aisle (even more adorable!), to the rose gold (rose gold! we love!) and wood detailing, to the chevron sparkle bridesmaid dresses and the bride’s convertible princess gown (not to mention immaculate hair and makeup by Corlé Barnard), everything about it is a breath of fresh air and an expression of Mia and Johan. The wonderful Claire Thomson captured these fantastic pics.Read More

Stephanie Allin 2016: Love Letters Collection

by gaby

Fashion is very much at the forefront of my mind (and my insta) at the moment, what with all the amazingness happening over in New York, but today we’re heading back over the pond to England, to showcase an absolutely gorgeous new collection from one of the UK’s top bridal designers, Stephanie Allin. It’s both current and timeless – not only is it full of classic silhouettes and beautiful heirloom-style laces, it has lots of elements that are very much in vogue, including a range of breathtaking separates and accessories. (Amazing two-piece gown alert!) That means you can mix and match to make your wedding day look very much your own, and have a gown that makes you feel on trend both on the day and in years to come. I also happen to be in love with the slightly bonkers but oh-so-gorgeous and inspirational lookbook images (“don’t mind me, I’m just swanning about my country pile in a wedding dress… mind I don’t snag the fabric as I tend to my bees!”). Mind you, if I had a bunch of money and a country estate, I’d probably like to swan around it in amazing gowns too. The point is, these are beautiful dresses, and beautiful images – so let’s get on and start swooning over them, shall we?Read More

Inspiration Board: You Had Me at Merlot

by gaby

Hello lovelies! Today we’re continuing the wine theme of this month’s inspiration boards (see last week’s, Rosé), with the rich jewel tones of Merlot. This board is like the darker, more dramatic cousin to the Marsala inspiration that’s been everywhere this year, but dark definitely doesn’t have to mean depressing. Rather, with a touch of gold, white and emerald, and some well-chosen wine-inspired details, it’s the perfect, elegant inspiration. I’m loving it. (Oh, and by the way, I totally nicked the title of today’s board from this adorable novel – such a fun read!)

Colours: Merlot, emerald, white & gold

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Ashley Cook Photography/Dream Design}; centrepiece and coloured glassware {William Innes Photography/Kristeen LaBrot Events/Fujiko’s Flowers}; wine cork ring shot {Jarrad Lister Photography/Perfect Italy Wedding}; candles on wine barrel {Abri Kruger/4 Every Event}
Row 2: Wine stain stationery {Jodi Miller Photography}; sparkly burgundy shoes {Studio 563}; bouquet {Jenny Jimenez/Ryder Sloan Events}
Row 3: Burgundy peonies; cake {Gingerale Photography/Absolute Perfection/Pippa and Polly Cakery}; merlot bridesmaids {Sarah Ainsworth Photography}

 

Aubergine & Vine Wedding Inspiration by Debbie Lourens & Kadou

by gaby

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

20 Stylish Short Wedding Dresses

by gaby

Floral Lace Mini Dress by Jordan De Ruiter (Image: Sounds like Yellow Photography)

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Full length gowns will always be awesome, but just like a wedding dress doesn’t have to be white, you can pick a length that suits you too. And with elopements, micro weddings and minimony celebrations being all the rage in 2020, short wedding dresses are having their day in the sun. So! Where to start? Well, you know we love finding new designers on Etsy, and this is a category where these designers really shine. There’s a wealth of pretty, flirty, fabulous gowns on the site, and we’ve picked 20 of our absolute faves! As always, click through on the links or images to see more of each dress.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Easter Rustic Wedding at Langkloof Roses by Peartree Photography & Bright and Beautiful {Jess & Gerard}

by gaby

The happy faces say it all – this rustic celebration is full of fun! Jess and Gerard are one of those couples you can see from a mile off have a jol together, and that kind of relaxed goodness infused itself into their wedding day, through everything from an ice-cream cart to Easter bunnies on the table (a nod to the timing of their big day), to his-and-hers cakes to a surprise flashmob at the reception. But that’s not to say it was short on pretty – oh no! SBB Directory star Neva Ward of Bright and Beautiful did an amazing job of bringing Jess’s navy and blush palette to life, and we also love the stylish mix of two-tone bridesmaids, navy suited groom and groomsmen, and of course Jess’s seriously gorgeous Pronovias gown. All beautifully captured by Wil Punt of Peartree Photography !Read More

15 Ways to Use Wine Barrels in Your Wedding Decor

by gaby

Y’all already know that I am all about the details when it comes to wedding decor, and when it comes to winelands weddings, there are a couple of details that can really add an elegantly rustic vineyard ‘theme’ to complement the venue. We’ll be rounding up a whole lot of these ideas soon, but for today, we’re focusing on one of my favourites: wooden wine barrels. I never get tired of seeing these at real weddings – I don’t know why, but there’s something so romantic about them as a feature piece, maybe because they bring to mind the French countryside, or a vintage cellar. Whatever the reason, they’re lovely, and the good news is that they’re also pretty versatile in terms of how you can use them. Here are 15 of my favourite ideas from around the web.Read More