Ceremony style has been a real focus in weddings this year, from gorgeous arches to stunning scenery, drapes to chandeliers, and everything in between. I’m so thrilled that ceremonies are finally getting the attention they deserve – after all, they should be the focal point of the day, and while extravagant decor must always take second place to the vows being exchanged, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to set the scene for full-blown romance! From boho to luxe, these were the ceremony setups we loved most this year.
Gorgeous gowns are one of the things I have come to love most about my job and year after year I’m stunned by the sheer beauty of our brides and their choices in bridal fashion, whether classic or daring. Each one comes with its own story, of how it came to be THE dress, and like finding a partner, finding the perfect dress can be a struggle. But every one of our brides tells us when you know, you know! The evidence is clear for all to see, and in between all the exciting talents emerging in the SA bridal fashion scene right now, it is SO hard to pick! But pick we did, with special reference to the dresses that YOU loved on social media in 2017. Each one of these is as special and unique as the woman who wears it, a reflection of the many hours of care that goes into creating a bridal masterpiece. That’s the hard work and talent of the designers we’re honouring here. But slaying it IN your dress? Well ladies, that’s all you.
Yay, bridesmaids! As y’all have probably picked up by now, BM fashion is one of my fave parts of wedding design- even after doing this job for so long, I always do a big OOOOOH! at any perfectly styled bridesmaid party! And just when I thought I’d seen it all, this year’s bevvy of bridesquad beauties came in and made everything fresh and pretty and awesome once more. From mismatched lineups to ladies rocking the same gown, every one of these 20 examples is sure to inspire! And not just for bridesmaids, for the love of fashion too! Which makes it extra handy that we’ve included lots of shopping options. (Post includes affilate links – SBB may receive a commission on any sales.)
Today we’re counting down our favourite cakes and I have to say, this is one wedding detail that I always love! Not just because cakes are yum (and I’ll bet every one of these was delicious beyond!) but because they often encapsulate the style or spirit of a wedding in one gorgeous element. No pressure or anything :) Fortunately, the talented cake designers of South Africa and beyond are well up to the task, and this year we’ve featured some absolute beauties! So here we’re counting down our faves from both real weddings and styled shoots, and whether your style is simple semi-naked or full on metallic glamour, you’ll find something to inspire here!
Hooray! It’s that time of year again! And I don’t mean Christmas (although yay Christmas!), I mean time for us to do our countdown of all our favourite details and pretties from the year that’s almost done. It’s something I look forward to, revisiting all the beautiful real weddings and styled shoots, although trust me, narrowing down a Top 20 in every category is hard! This year was no exception. Nevertheless, we’re kicking off with a roundup of the most breathtaking bouquets. These are the florals that made a big impression on us, and then made you go crazy on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram. And while they come in all shapes, sizes and colours, I’d definitely say that rich jewel tones made a big splash in 2016 (watch out for more of them next year!). I also loved seeing our native flowers – proteas, strelizias, fynbos, etc. – making a bouquet splash in new and exciting ways this year, and hope to see much more of that creativity going into the new year! So here we go – in no particular order, our top 20 bouquets!
Time for another holiday gift guide, and this is a special twist on gifts for couples and newlyweds. With so many couples now waiting a few months before taking a proper honeymoon, you have an extra chance to put together the perfect gift to get them excited about their trip, or just to make things more convenient when they get there. And guess what? There are lots of adorable his ‘n hers, holiday-worthy finds out there – and at a Christmas-friendly price point. Which means that these gifts double as the perfect little splurge for yourself, if you’re a honeymooner-to-be! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
For those of you who’ve just tied the knot, the festive season is a really fun time to check in with family and friends and thank them for their love and support – maybe share a few wedding photographs or double up with a thank you card in the envelope. Or maybe you’ve yet to marry, but as an engaged couple, you’re dying to take some holiday snaps and send your first card together. Sure it’s cheesy, but so fun! Well, as it turns out, the makers at Etsy have come up with some seriously adorable ways to say “Merry Christmas from US” – and I’ve rounded up 20 of my favourites! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
Some brides are all about extra-ness – enchanting embellishment, beautiful bling, statement lace, or frothy tulle skirts that wouldn’t look out of place at an embassy ball. But for some brides, less is more. Think clean lines, ’90s-style silhouettes, and minimal embellishment. For a sophisticated minimalist bride, it’s all about gorgeous fabrics, stunning cuts, and fresh, pared-back styling, and designers are LOVING the look of right now. So if you’re planning a modern minimalist wedding or just want to rock elegantly simple chic on your big day, I have the perfect roundup of minimalist wedding dresses, which also happen to be fairly minimalist on the ol’ pocketbook – forget high end designers; every one of these beauties comes from either Etsy or the high street!
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
I’m really not much of a cold weather gal, but every year when my Northern Hemisphere blogger friends start posting cosy autumn weddings and styled shoots, there’s a part of me that gets all nostalgic for crisp days, hot cider, cuddly blankets, and crackling fires. And even more than that, I LOVE a good autumn wedding palette! All those rich jewel tones, lavish textures… yum. That’s why I’m excited to share this lovely styled shoot submitted by co-ordinator & makeup artist Nicole Amory and captured by photographer Marsel Roothman, and styled by Melabee Events. Gorgeous dresses, fabulous florals, a plush table – and a palette of navy, burgundy and plum. If you’re a lover of rich colours and vintagey details, this will definitely make you ‘fall’ in love!
Well, I promised you guys modern minimalism this month and this shoot… is not it. Ha. But trust me, when you take a peek at the utter glam gorgeousness of this inspirational editorial? You won’t mind one bit. And minimalist it may not be, but it is modern, and its clean lines and cool palette will challenge even those of you with the most simple of tastes not to fall in love. But the thing I love most about this shoot by Claire Nicola, Lavishly Done and their team, is how it has that SouthBound African twist – strelizias painted gold (LOVE LOVE LOVE), ferns, pods and foliage in bronze, and driftwood adding a natural elegance to the gold, silver and bronze table decor. With the Conservatory as a venue, there’s also a touch of industrial glam, and the whole look put together is a glorious mishmash of styles that absolutely, totally works in a fresh and fabulous way. Add in a model in some gorgeous Janita Toerien gowns, some laser cut geometrics, and lots of lovely candlelight, and you have one of my fave featured shoots to date! Can someone do a wedding like this, pretty please? I’ll be first in line to feature ;)
