Ah proteas. The love affair that just keeps on going. Everytime I think I might have seen enough protea bouquets to last a lifetime (and let’s be honest, as the editor of a South African wedding blog, I’ve seen a LOT), I see just one more that melts my heart. Not to mention that everytime I buy myself one of these blooms, I spend hours looking at it. Proteas are just so cool. And that’s how you should feel about your wedding flowers, right? So I thought it was high time I did another roundup of gorgeous protea bouquets. Good luck picking a favourite – they’re all so lovely! And remember, you can find all my latest protea finds on our Protea Bouquet & Centrepieces Pinterest board.
Category: Inspiration
Pillow Fight Engagement Shoot by Kallah Ohr
Oh we have a treat of an engagement shoot to share this afternoon! A bed, in a field, and a pillow fight. Need say more? So ridiculously fun! Add in some thunder clouds, and of course the magnetic connection between Tanya and Johann, and you have all the ingredients for an epic session. The fab Kallah Ohr was on the scene to capture these beautiful images.Read More
Phase Eight Spring/Summer 2015
Gorgeous dress alert! Phase Eight havebrought out their 8 Bridal collection of wedding dresses, and I just had to share the brand new lookbook with you today. This sophisticated UK label really has something for everything in their bijou range, whether you’re a classic, vintage or contemporary bride. Short or long, sparkle or lace – I think everyone will find a favourite. Mine is Hope (pictured above), a spectacular beaded and embellished 1920s-inspired gown, with a sheer blouson top and sweet little train (total steal at £595, no?). It’s details like this that raise Phase Eight from high street to high fashion. And the best part is that the gowns are available online from different retailers, so South African brides don’t have to miss out. Winner winner, chicken dinner.Read More
Inspiration Board: Parisian Pastel
Happy Monday, lovelies! Valentine’s may be over, but we’re heading to the city of love for our inspiration today. I just love the combination of blush, dove grey and champagne, especially because it’s like the pastel version of mixed metallics. The perfect combination of soft and glamorous. Which is pretty much perfect for a Paris-inspired wedding. Throw in a beautiful croquembouche, a lush bouquet, rosé champagne, a chic topknot and (my favourite detail) bridesmaids carrying clutches instead of flowers, and you have the most romantic take on city glamour imaginable. And the best part? You don’t have to be wed in Paris to pull it off.
Colours: Blush, dove grey, champagne, white
Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids’ clutches {Davie and Chiyo/Desy Cheng}; stationery suite {Jen Fariello/Easton Events/Erika Jack}; bride with top knot {Kali Lu Photo/Cara Aeschliman/Kae + Ales}
Row 2: Croquembouche cake {Rebecca Yale Portraits}; silver heels {Vicki Grafton Photography}; Paris buildings
Row 3: Chanel perfume {Le Secret D’Audrey/Luxe Paris Events}; bouquet {Jose Villa}; grey ring box {The Mrs Box/Jose Villa}; champagne {Meg Smith}
5 Ways to Cultivate Real Love this Valentine’s Day (and Every Day!)
Valentine’s Day. You either love it or hate it.
For the last three years, hubby and I have celebrated our anniversary as a priority (ten days earlier) far from the crowds and general cheesiness of the holiday. (Sorry, die-hard romantics!) It might sound like a cop-out but it works for us. I have also personally learned that true love is more than random, grand romantic gestures It’s about daily sacrifices – dragging myself out of bed to make hubby a morning coffee (as he has done for me on countless occasions) or quietly packing away the 20 pairs of shoes spread out all over our home without moaning or making a fuss! It’s also about being intentional in the way you show love and appreciation to your partner, something that came up in conversation with some of my married girlfriends at our recent monthly dinner (aka free therapy session!).Read More
Pastel Wedding Inspiration Featuring Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
Hello, lovelies! I am so ridiculously excited to share today’s pastel wedding inspiration with you – it’s absolutely gorgeous, and it also happens to be perfect for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, since it is pure romance! The concept was based on a ‘boy meets girl’ idea, and you’ll see that the shoot follows through a journey from love at first sight to happy ever after, which I absolutely adore. Not to mention the gorgeous styling, the soft colours… I kind of just want to jump into one of the stunning images by Leandri Kers and live in them for a while. Instead, I get to share them all with you – the prettiest way possible to kick off your romantic V-Day weekend! UPDATE: Huge congrats to South Africa’s own Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017, the gorgeous model who is featured in these images!
40 Heart Shape Wedding Ideas
As you know, it’s Valentine’s Week, and that means all things heart-shaped and lovey dovey. Now, let’s be honest, hearts CAN be super cutesy and cheesy as a wedding detail. But used in the right way, this ancient symbol gets a new lease on life. I love every one of the elegant heart themed wedding ideas below, and so many are a fresh take on a heart themed wedding! Which is your favourite?
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
Get the Look: Red Hot Bridesmaid Dresses
It’s Valentine’s week! And that means we’re covering everything red, pink or heartshaped, with a stylish wedding twist, so this afternoon I’m rounding up some of my favourite red bridesmaid dresses. Now I’ll admit, red as a wedding colour is something I have a love/hate relationship with, and not all shades of red suit all people, but with these dresses, I am fast becoming a convert. They’re chic, they’re a little bit sexy, and will leave your girls feeling red hot and gorgeous.Read More
Inspiration Board: My City Valentine
Happy Valentine’s week, lovelies! I have some fantastic treats coming up for you in the next few days, but we’re kicking things off with an inspiration board that’s a fun urban twist on the traditional Valentine palette of pink and red. I personally love city weddings, especially those with a bit of an industrial twist or loft-style location, so this is right up my street! Think café lighting, elegant minimalist lettering, mini champagne bottle favours, textures like metal and distressed wood, and then add an array of soft, romantic blooms in the signature shades, and you’ve got this look all wrapped up. Of course, there’s no need to limit this inspiration to V-Day weddings either, because it would be chic at any time of the year.
Colours: Scarlet, brick, blush, rose pink & slate
Top row (l-r): LOVE letters {Landon Jacob Photography/Jove Meyer/2H Flowers}; centrepiece with proteas {Bellamint Photography/ Sunflower Creative}; bride & groom {ALLAN ZEPEDA/Lindsey Brunk }
Row 2: Champagne bottle minis {Leslee Mitchell}; hanging bulbs {Belathee Photography/Downey Street Events}; modern save the date {Little Red Press}; groom & groomsmen
Row 3: Bride {BHLDN}; industrial style escort card display {Archetype Studio Inc./Bourbon & Bloom Vintage Rentals}; bouquet {Melanie Bennett Photography/The Flower Farm/Valley House of Flowers}
Contemporary Cinderella Styled Shoot by Samantha Jackson
Hidey ho, brideys, happy Friday! It’s time for some editorial inspiration, courtesy of the lovely Samantha Jackson Photography. The theme for this one was a loose ‘vintage versus glamour’ style, with two separate tables sure to please both modern and vintage glamour brides! There’s also a cute shoe theme (because who doesn’t love SHOES, right?), with lots of pretty footwear from Anella, and did I mention, absolutely gorgeous dresses by Janita Toerien and Eve’s Bridal? From head to toe to table, there’s plenty here to inspire. And unlike actual Cinderella, you’ll get to take both your glass slippers home at the end of the night.Read More