Hello lovelies! We’re about half way through our ‘Greenhouse’ month, and I’ve been looking through some of the botanical themed boards we’ve featured in the past and just loving every single one of them so much! I honestly think this is one of my favourite wedding trends/looks of all time. And, while many of these palettes use green as a base, you’ll see there’s no reason to limit yourself, which is great news if you’re loving the look of floral prints or botanical table details, but already have your heart set on a different colour or season. The main point is to get your creative juices flowing – get ready to be inspired!Read More
As much as I love featuring international wedding dress trends and designers, it’s always a happy day for me when I get to showcase some homegrown talent, especially when it’s a designer like Elbeth Gillis, who inspires complete devotion in her brides. If I had money for every time one of them told me what an amazing experience they had working with her! In the years since I started SBB I’ve featured many of Elbeth’s brides and worked with her in person, and at the same time I’ve watched as Elbeth’s star rises internationally. She’s especially making a big name for herself in the UK at the moment, and with dresses as absolutely drop-dead-gorgeous as the new Opulent collection, it’s no wonder. The gowns are a mix of sophisticated and whimsical, romantic and modern, with luxurious fabrics and dreamy details galore. Whether the silhouette you’re craving is slinky or fairytale, you’ll find something to adore here – in fact, I especially love that some of the dresses have a completely different look with the addition of a frothy overlay. Picking my favourite images was hard, you guys, so ENJOY.Read More
When I decided on ‘greenhouse’ as our theme for July, there was one supplier I immediately thought of and couldn’t wait to share with you guys, because every time I come across their work on the web it gives me a little thrill. And by little, I mean a huge OMG-I-want-that thrill. Oak & Orchid are an independent studio based out of the US (although they create bespoke designs for couples all over the world), and I’m particularly over the moon about their botanical range because they pretty much encapsulate everything that’s elegant and romantic and contemporary about this look for me. Receiving one would be like receiving a surprise bouquet – and we know how good that feels! Think restored antique botanical prints paired with rustic elements like wood and kraft paper, with special details like botanical envelope liners and calligraphy fonts. They are just SO pretty. And the best part of it is that even couples on a lower budget can access the Oak & Orchid design aesthetic with a range of printables from their Etsy shop. **As always, you can click on any of the images below to shop.**Read More
You probably don’t need me to tell you by now that proteas are my weakness – forget red roses, any man who really wants to impress me just needs to bring me a single fynbos bloom. The thing is, just when I think I’ve seen every variety I’m going to love, I come across another, and my current crush is the elegant Niobe protea, with its downy black-tipped petals. So when I saw Inghe & Christiaan’s relaxed rustic wedding style (photographed by the fab Tertius Gous), which was inspired by natural colours and textures, and the Niobes that are plentiful throughout, I couldn’t wait to share it with you all. Everything about this wedding is soft and unfussy, from a bride in boots to the hangover kit favours. So kick up your own heels, get your protea-loving Pinning fingers at the ready, and let’s go!Read More
There’s just something about the winelands that’s completely and utterly wonderful, isn’t there? I know my heart soars every time I near Stellenbosch, and stopping for lunch or a wine tasting (or two), I feel like I can just breathe in the romance. So no wonder so many SouthBound brides and grooms choose a vineyard setting for their wedding, and today’s couple added their own, utterly dreamy touches to their Molenvliet location. I’m especially enamoured with the flowers by Okasie, from the rose bedecked ceremony arch to hanging arrangements above the tables with tendrils of roses and greenery hanging down, as well as flower-lined tables and favours in tiny terracotta pots. Like a little garden fantasy, right in the middle of a wedding reception. Jilda G was there to take these beautiful pictures.Read More
So, are you as crazy in love with this tropical bridal shower inspiration as I am? Yep, of course you are. So fun! We’ve already published our guide on how to throw a tropical themed shower for yourself or your bestie, but I thought I would round up some fun stuff that you can use to make it extra pretty. Starting with invitations, because ALOHA, there are some seriously amazing invites on Etsy for a tropical theme shower! Like, enough to make me want to throw one just so I can buy them. Good luck picking your favourite – I know I couldn’t ;) Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
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
Sometimes I go through a phase where I do a bunch of more subtle and sedate inspiration boards, and I absolutely love working gentle or neutral tones and elegant, grown-up combinations. And then some days I just want to go mad and play with some colour. That’s today, and I have to tell you, I am loving the result. That’s the thing about using bold colour in your wedding- it adds a feeling of fun and happiness to the day, and there’s no reason why there has to be a trade-off in sophistication. Take today’s flower-filled inspiration board – big, bold punches of orange and fuschia and peach, with an underlying white to offset all of that colour. Modern, beautiful, and inspiring.
Lovelies, let’s close out the week with some DIY goodness, shall we? Since July is all about the ‘greenhouse’, I thought I’d find some fun ideas that fit into a botanical wedding (beyond just the gorgeous florals or greenery obviously!) I have to say, I’m loving these ideas, from invitations to escort cards to table numbers – some that weren’t designed for weddings, but that I think lend themselves to beautiful and unusual centrepieces or focal points. So pick your faves and get making!Read More
“The most delicate of French laces, sumptuous silks and opulent embellishment… gowns inspired by and named after the many heartfelt emotions felt by a bride on her most magical of days… all the feelings of love, endearment and joy that are experienced when a bride and groom come together as one…” When that’s how a new bridal collection is introduced, you can’t blame me for falling in love a little bit myself, especially since British designer Elizabeth Stuart‘s beautiful gowns are showcased in a series of dreamy lookbook images that I get to share with you today. Everything about this collection is lovely, from the classic-but-modern silhouettes to the fine fabrics (Chantilly lace, soft tulle, gold crepe silks – sigh). But then, why take my word for it? See for yourself…Read More
