Category: Inspiration

Honeymoon Inspiration: The Cotswolds

by gaby

It may be that a list of your typical honeymoon dream destinations  runs more like a Beach Boys song (Aruba, Jamaica…) than a list of the English counties, but with period drama like Downton Abbey as popular as it is, it’s a safe bet that there’s at least a part of you that dreams of cuddling up by the fire in a country pile, pulling on your Hunters for a brisk walk around the estate with the spaniel or taking a spot of afternoon tea before retiring to the four-poster with your new hubby. I mean, who doesn’t want to be Kate Middleton, just a little bit? If that sounds familiar, then today’s honeymoon inspiration is for you! I recently spent some time in the Cotswolds myself, soaking in the honey coloured buildings, the grand scenery, and the idyllic rural vibe, and today I wanted to share my top finds.Read More

Wedding Dresses for Column Shaped Brides

by gaby

Wedding Dress For Banana Body Shape

*UPDATED FOR 2018* Time for the second installment in our new series on how to pick a wedding dress for your body shape, and I must admit, as an hourglass I am more than a little jealous of the tube shaped body silhouette (we always want what we don’t have, right?).Columns/bananas/rectangles/tubes are slim builds, often athletic, with similar measurements throughout the bust/waist/hip zones.They have narrow shoulders, lean limbs, narrow hips and flat bums. They also tend to have long waists with little definition. The look is angular (and very easy to dress well), with both a small upper and trim lower body to accentuate. And of course, I’ve chosen some beautiful dresses from Etsy to illustrate. *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Read More

Farm to Table

by gaby

Credits: see below

It’s Wednesday Trendsday, lovelies, and to follow up on the post a few weeks ago with fruit and vegetable bouquets (how much did we LOVE them?), today I’m focusing on ten tables, centrepieces and place settings that look like they came straight from a farmer’s market. This little wedding theme is a fun translation of the growing farm to table movement as well as part of the beautiful botanicals trend, and floral designers and savvy brides around the world have come up with the most beautiful ways of presenting unexpected additions to the table, including edible ones. Putting one of these tables together is a little like arranging a still life for a painter – it’s certainly no haphazard dumping of produce on a table, and neither should it look so organised that it reminds guests of a supermarket veggie aisle. Shape, texture and colour are all there to be played with, and I for one love the results!Read More

1950s Diner-style Engagement

by gaby

Well goodness gracious great balls of fire, do we have a bit of retro fun to share with you this afternoon! I love it when a couple is playful with their e-shoot, and even better if they find an awesome location to inspire. For Zerina and Hano, that location was On a Roll, a gourmet hotdog restaurant in Cape Town with a 1950s diner vibe. The couple decided to dress up accordingly, sharing some happy moments while photographer Carmen Visser snapped away, resulting in a set of colourful, fun pics that I’m so happy to share with you today. And, since it’s their wedding this coming weekend, to wish them a wonderful celebration! (Oh, and PS – On a Roll do food vans, which I think would make an AWESOME wedding snack!) Read More

Colour Story: Mint & Peach

by gaby

Afternoon, friends – time for another colour story to follow up on one of your favourite inspiration boards. This colour combo was a real winner when I put it together back in February. There’s something soft and pretty but also quite zingy about the way mint and peach work together. In fact, I liked the combination so much myself that I used it for our EdWed logo. Here’s the original board:

Full credits here.

What’s more, mint and peach are the absolute perfect colour combo for a spring wedding, making them extra lovely at this time of year in South Africa. Add loads of white details – layers of tulle, crisp linens, bundles of soft white blooms, for even more beautiful country style, or keep things sleek and modern for a city celebration. There are so many possibilities.

Read More

Inspiration Board: Huckleberry Blues

by gaby

Good morning my lovelies! Hope you had a brilliant weekend! Today’s board is all about a calm, serene, cool blue and a fizzy pop of vibrant red. I must say, I love this idea. Baby blue and bright red have been a popular combination for a while, but they’re usually associated with 50s diner style weddings, or Cath Kidston chintzes. I like the idea of it for a rustic farm or vineyard wedding, with beautiful blue tables and bushels of white flowers, and then every now and again, a powerful punch of red. After all, there’s something about red, isn’t there? A hint of red heels peeping out from under a lace dress, a bright red getaway car, or a scarlet bouquet in a bridesmaid’s arms. It’s sassy, and sassy is good. What do you think?

Colours: Baby blue, white and red

Top row (l-r): Barn setting {Andi Mans Photography & Design/Blush by Brandee Gaar}; bridesmaid with red bouquet {Elizabeth Messina/Elizabeth Messina}; blue and white meringues {Jennifer Hejna Photography}; wedding dress {Jose Villa}
Row 2: Raspberries; cutlery {Alea Lovely}; bouquet {Ashley Slater Photography/Spring Sweet}; red shoes {Elizabeth Messina}; blue flowers
Row 3: Bride & groom {Laura Murray Photography/Love This Day Events}; red getaway car {Jon Duenas Photography}; place setting {Millie Holloman Photography/Salt Harbor Designs}; blue invitation {Jose Villa /Linea Carta}

 

Bridal Showers & Hen Nights: Who Pays?

by gaby

Happy Friday, lovelies! This post comes out of an email I received from a mother of the bride asking for a bit of etiquette advice in planning her daughter’s shower. Having come across some sticky situations with regard to the financial side of bridal showers and hen parties over the years, I thought it would be a good one to discuss. Because, let’s be honest, none of us like to talk about money, but it can cause all kinds of unpleasantness.

In talking etiquette, I find it really helpful to go back to the principles on which the rules are based. The key ones here are:

  • Hosting: The rule is that if you host an event, you pay for it.
  • Gifts: Generally, guests attending an event where they are expected to give a gift should not have to pay for themselves as well.
  • Consideration: In situations where guests are expected to pay, the organiser should always take their budget into account. Aim towards the lower end of the scale, not the highest. Let people know costs upfront, and allow them the opportunity to withdraw. When the costs are shared, you need to be democratic.

Hen Parties/Bachelorette Nights:
In general these days, costs for hen parties are broken up per head. Guests contribute the cost of their activities, their dinners, their drinks and, if it’s a weekend, accommodation and travel costs. It isn’t a hosted activity (although it may be organised by the bridal party) so this is generally acceptable. Gifts shouldn’t be expected. If there are decorations and goodie bags, the bridal party will usually cover these.Read More

Downton Abbey Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

What’s the expression: we plan and God laughs? Well, it’s been that kind of a day. The wedding I had for you had to be put on ice at the last minute, for one. But that is no worries, because it just means that I get to share this piece of loveliness with you all a bit sooner. I don’t know how many of you are Downton Abbey fans (and I can’t believe how behind SA is…) but I definitely am, and I’m totally amped for Series 3. And as much as I’m a Gatsby girl, I also love the alternative wedding style from the same era that Downton offers. While Gatsby is all about loud, wild, flapper style (even if you don’t go all out Baz Luhrmann), Downton is much more refined, more elegant, but just as opulent in its own way. So I was absolutely thrilled when South Africa’s own Nuptial Network got in touch with their latest styled shoot project, which was inspired by Lady Mary et al. And it is gorgeous – you vintage loving brides are going to ADORE it. But what I especially love is how many little touches could be incorporated into any kind of wedding – the subtle sweetness of an ombre cake, the pretty chair ties, the ceremony area (LOVE), the pretty styling of the bride and bridesmaids. The table draped in lace. With lace and silver and lasercut, and pretty pretty flowers, all you need is Carson to lead you in to dinner. Ready, my lords and ladies?

Read More

Pantone Spring 2014: Placid Blue & Hemlock

by gaby

Time for some more inspiration! And I must admit, I am excited to see the reaction to this one. In the last while I’ve been noticing a drift toward the pairing of pale green and blue, and even though Dazzling Blue is the lead colour for this collection, the combination of Placid Blue and Hemlock is my tip for the perfect contemporary wedding look and one I think we’ll be seeing quite a bit of in 2014. It’s such a cool, fresh combination – so chilled and so elegant, and I love how it combines with elegant country details effortlessly, including lots of organic greens and blues. Like diving into a cool pool of water at the bottom of a shady garden. Don’t you love it?

Colours: Placid Blue & Hemlock

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaid’s bouquet {Anna Kuperberg}; dress {Scott Piner Photography}; bridesmaids {Judy Pak Photography/Bella Bridesmaids}; bouquet {Scott Andrew Studio/Tracy Taylor Ward Design}
Row 2: Cake; flowers in bottles {Pobke Photography/White Room Events}; macaroon with ring; bottles.

 

Pantone Spring 2014 Colour Report

by gaby

Happy Wednesday, friends! Today we’re continuing our celebration of the new Pantone colour report with even more fresh inspiration. The great thing about these reports isn’t that anyone expects brides to slavishly follow the new colours or feel like the ones they already have are ‘out’. But it’s a chance to take a fresh look at the colours you’re using, play with new combinations if you haven’t chosen a palette yet. But best of all, it’s an insight into the colours that are coming into homeware and fashion. Why should that matter? Well, as anyone who tried to find coral bridesmaid dresses three years ago will tell you, it does. When Emerald first made an appearance last year, I’d only seen it on celebrities – this year I have been spoilt for emerald images and bridesmaid dress options – even wedding dresses. So picking one or more of these colours might make your life easier if you’re planning a wedding in the next year. So those are the practical aspects. But for today, we’re just going to enjoy the colours. I really love this year’s choices – they’re not far off what we’ve seen before, but a bit more matte or with a bit more depth, or a bit lighter. Pastel blue and green are a big trend for 2014 in my view, and Hemlock and Placid Blue are perfect for that. The neutrals are also lovely – Paloma and Sand – just with a bit of warmth for grey and taupe shades. There are two very pretty purples – Violet Tulip and Radiant Orchid. And then some fabulous brights – Cayenne (LOVE this red), Celosia Orange and a gorgeous pop of Freesia yellow. But the colour that leads the collection is Dazzling Blue, a cousin of the blues that have been showing up for a couple of years now, that has really come of age. Get ready to see a LOT more of this one. This week we’ve already seen two full boards using the Spring 2014 colours, and there’ll be even more later today and Friday, but here I thought I would do some mini boards to inspire – which is your favourite combo?Read More