Author: gaby

Up & Away Styled Engagement by Beatrix Events & Louise Vorster

by gaby

It’s FRIDAY! The happiest day of the week. And it’s about to get even happier with the most gorgeous engagement shoot! We’ve heard of engagement shoots that use balloons as props, we’ve heard of styled e-shoots, but this is really a whole other level of awesome, since it includes a spectacular (and inspiring!) table created by Beatrix Events, an adorable couple, a bit of a travel theme, and an actual hot air balloon! You know, just casually hanging out in the background, like the coolest prop ever ;) Not to mention beautiful pictures by Louise Vorster. So what are we waiting for! Up, up and away!Read More

DIY Edible Autumn Wedding Favours

by gaby

When I started putting together a roundup of autumn wedding DIYs, I discovered that lots of the ideas out there were for DIY edible wedding favours with a bit of an autumn twist. Since edible favours are a big favourite of mine (after all, guests are always less likely to leave something delicious behind at the end of the night), I thought it warranted a dedicated post! There are so many fun ideas here – the only bad part was trying to control my tummy rumbling and my sweet tooth crying out while I was sorting through them! Some of the links have packaging suggestions or even printables included, but you can always adapt the idea to suit your own colour scheme and look. Consider glass canning and jam jars, glass bottles, kraft boxes and paper bags, among your options, and pretty up with ribbon, twine and calligraphy.
*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

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Contemporary Carnival Wedding at The Quarry by Yolande Snyders {Leana & Hennie}

by gaby

What do you get when you combine a laid-back carnival (including market-style booths with all kinds of yummy South African goodies) with a clean, contemporary wedding reception? Well, this lovely little gem by the fab Yolande Snyders, that’s what. Leana and Hennie wanted a crisp white-on-white wedding palette, but mixed it up with their fun carnival theme, filling the venue with balloons, bunting, tulips, hydrangeas, and of course modern marquee lights. From the hi-lo convertible wedding dress (probably the fashion twist on ‘business up front, party in the back’, no?) to the love story wedding cake (LOVE this detail!), the couple recruited talented friends and family to help them put together their dream day. I declare this carnival now open!Read More

15 Cosy & Chic Autumn Wedding Details & Ideas

by gaby

Image credit: Jenna Joseph Photography/Kelsey Rae Designs on SouthBound Bride

I’ll tell you a secret. When I started wedding blogging, it wasn’t the dreamy dresses or the rising trends or even the beautiful photography that first drew me in – it was the details. Those surprising little elements that I would come across and think “wow, that’s a cool idea,” and sort of file away in my memory in case I ever needed to use it. Five years and many, many real weddings on my own and others’ blogs, and there are way too many of those details for me to ever try and store in my brain. And that’s why I love doing these little roundups, because it gives me a chance to go back and remember some of those cool ideas, and share them with you all. This month, as you know, we’re all about autumn weddings, and there’s an absolute WEALTH of stuff you can do – fruits, vegetables and flowers that are iconic of the harvest season, cosy warm weather activities, autumn palettes, traditional change-of-season food. Adding a few of these elements and autumn wedding decorations into your own fall wedding is a great way to warm your guests, body and soul!Read More

Romantic Mint & Gold Wedding at White Light by Piteira Photography {Steph & Dylan}

by gaby

Every time I dive into a wedding by Piteria Photography, I feel like I’m stepping into a dream. Their style is so soft, romantic and natural that it feels like a different world. Once a year, they spend some time in South Africa for the summer season, which isn’t just good news for local brides but it’s great news for us, because we get the chance to feature their weddings again. And you guys, this one is a beauty. Set in the elegant ‘blank canvas’ venue, White Light, it’s a celebration that will speak to you no matter your style. It’s a little bit rustic, a little bit contemporary, and a lot romantic. Add in the irresistible combination of mint and gold, wood detailing, and the most delightful beaded cap sleeve dress, and it has me oohing for days.Read More

Mira Zwillinger Stardust Collection

by gaby

Some things are an annual tradition for me. Buying peonies as soon as I can find them. Getting excited when a new season of Greys hits my TV screen (not no more though, thanks Shonda). And every year, when I see the latest collection by Israeli mother and daughter-run label Mira Zwillinger, I declare that this is it, it couldn’t possibly get more lovely and amazing. Except that every year it does. And this year… Wow. I mean, seriously. Wow. Sparkle and lace and illusion and softness and romance and elegant silhouettes. Every single gown in the new Stardust collection is absolutely breathtaking, heart-stopping, knee-melting. As beautiful wedding dresses go, I can’t imagine it gets any better than this. Except that, as is tradition, it probably will ;) Until then… let’s fall in love.Read More

Bright Botanical Wedding at Asara by Blank Canvas & Debbie Lourens {Adriana & Ken}

by gaby

Some weddings just make me so happy! I find myself grinning as I look at the pictures of the couple and their guests, and as I read the words of the bubbly bride – their joy is infectious. Of course, it also helps when the wedding is infused with colour, packed with bright botanicals in the form of some of the most gorgeous table arrangements (and cake! wow), stationery, and boho floral crown. Not to mention the bride’s incredible (and unusual) lace dress. It’s a colourful celebration that’s not only worthy of Adriana’s Brazilian heritage, but of the Caribbean island where she and Ken first met. Blank Canvas Event Design did an amazing job putting this one together, and I am in love with Debbie Lourens‘ beautiful photos!Read More

Inspiration Board: Pumpkin & Lavender

by gaby

Happy Monday friends! As part of our month of autumn awesome, over the next few weeks we’ll be focusing our colour inspiration on Pantone’s Fall 2015 palette (be sure to check in this afternoon, when we’ll be introducing all the colours and pairing them up with gorgeous bridesmaid dresses). Today we’re starting with a combination of mustardy yellow and bright violet shades – absolutely perfect for a warm but very pretty autumn wedding. Add touches of soft purple and pumpkin shell orange to round it out, and you have a beautiful seasonal look.

Colours: Pantone Amethyst Orchid, Pantone Oak Buff, heather & orange

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids {Stephanie Williams/Jenny Yoo}; place setting {KT Merry Photography/Clara Tuma Photography}; leaf
Row 2: Tablescape {Love Made Visible/De Liefde}; carved pumpkins {Laughter & Light}; mason jar centrepieces {Beaux Arts Photographie}
Row 3: Bride & groom {Amy Lashelle/Scenemakers}; wedding dress {Catherine Hall Studios/Holliday Weddings/Vera Wang}; bouquet {Anna Kidman/Mildred & Co + Lu Diamond Flowers}; naked cake {Paige Reaux Photography}

 

Flowers in Season: Autumn

by gaby

Hello lovelies! You don’t normally see me on a Sunday, but with load shedding and internet issues this week, I didn’t get to bring you this little bit of floral loveliness, and I couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you. In South Africa we’re lucky that we don’t have such clear-cut seasons, so some blooms are available for longer in the year, but even so, I always think it’s a lovely thing to consider seasonal flowers when planning your wedding. Not only do they look amazing and natural, but they’re also often a little friendlier on the budget (and the environment). A while back we rounded up some winter flowers, and today, in line with our theme for the month of May, we’re showcasing a few beauties you might not yet have considered for your autumn wedding – along with some pretty bouquet and stationery inspiration, of course! Let’s go!Read More

Casey Jeanne’s Jeannelle la Amour Collection

by gaby

Hello beauties – time for some wedding fashion inspiration, courtesy of one of my favourite South African designers. Casey Jeanne is a star on a pretty meteoric rise (and you’ll remember we’ve featured her bespoke gowns in the past). Now, she’s come up with a splendid ready-to-wear collection, Jeannelle la Amour, that’s spreading the word far beyond her home in Durbs. Featuring the designers signature love of detail in lace tattoos, beading and sumptuous fabrics, each one of these gowns is a whisper of loveliness. It’s just hard to pick a favourite! I also love that the collection is a tribute to Casey’s French grandfather, who was orphaned and adopted during the war and moved to South Africa. Alexis Diack took the beautiful pictures, and be sure not to miss the fab video by Wes of The Shank Tank at the end.Read More