Category: Styled Shoots

Modern Snow White Wedding Inspiration by Carolien and Ben & Bona-Fide Events

by gaby

Some days, I’ll be honest with you, blogging life can be… hard. Other days? Well, other days I get a shoot like this one in my inbox, or I get to share it with you all and I’m brought back to why I love this job. A collaboration between talented suppliers at one of my favourite venues, incorporating a breathtaking gown, a gorgeous modern table, pops of bright red mixed in with muted pastels and a crisp white backdrop? Heaven. Not to mention a contemporary white dessert display (white macaron tower, love!), soft candlelight, and a bride rocking a red lip to perfection. The cherry on the cake, of course, is that the shoot was put together by some of our favourite people, including SBB Directory members Bona-Fide Events, and photographers Carolien and Ben. All together, it makes my day (pretty) – so let’s go ahead and make yours!Read More

James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Video) by Vizion Photo

by gaby

It’s been so much fun sharing this James Bond styled shoot, just in time for the release of Spectre (which I am amping to see, aren’t you?) Part I with its colourful Day of the Dead inspiration, sleek and sophisticated Part II. There’s one last little installment to share with you this afternoon, courtesy of Vizion Photo. We’ve generally featured their photographic work before, but today we get to share a video they put together to go along with Debbie Lourens‘ images from this shoot, and it is so worth a watch! Then finally, because we love you, we’re also including one last ‘scene’ from the editorial story put together by the styled shoot team, where James and his Bond girl go shopping for jewels at Uwe Koetter. And why not? After all, diamonds are forever ;)

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James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Part II) by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess

by gaby

James Bond is back in action! Everything he touches turns to excitement! (Or maybe it’s just that I finally got to quote the Goldfinger poster on my wedding blog, woo!) As you can gather, I’m a huge Bond fan (including having rocked a Bond theme for my 21st birthday party), so a new film is always cause for excitement, and even more so when it comes along with some dangerously beautiful, thrillingly gorgeous wedding inspiration. Tomorrow sees the worldwide release of Spectre, and to celebrate, we finally get to share Part II of this 007 editorial from Debbie Lourens and Green Goddess flower studio. These ladies and their talented team have pulled off not just one but three drop dead amazing looks – and you don’t get much more Bond girl than a helicopter flight in a couture dress decked with flowers. Eat your heart out, Ursula Andress. (In fact, all of the Gavin Rajah creations in this shoot are breathtaking!) And while it’s unlikely the real Bond would ever marry again (first wife? shot on wedding day), there’s no harm in dreaming about what it might look like. Glitzy, elegant, and of course a bit cheeky. SO – scroll away… AND there’s more, because we’ll be sharing a seriously cool video this afternoon, along with a bonus ‘scene’ we’re calling Diamonds Are Forever. Yup, you know you want to see it. In the meantime, let’s get shaken and stirred (and don’t forget to check out the Day of the Dead-style Part I).Read More

Darkness & Light by Tesoro Weddings

by gaby

Boo! It’s Halloween tomorrow, so we’re dedicating our content today to everything creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky… and altogether ooky (as the Addams Family would say). Starting with this deliciously eerie editorial by SBB Directory members, Tesoro Weddings. Featuring gowns by local designers, Gelieft Couture, it explores both darkness and light with a black swan/white swan pairing of dresses. Not that it has to be Halloween to wear a black wedding dress, mind you, because we’ve seen many chic brides opting for the dark side in their bridalwear recently and looking utterly chic doing it. But for the record, if any of you are planning a Halloween wedding, I can’t think of anything more perfect for your bouquet than the mix of fynbos and fringed tulips in this shoot – the frayed look of the petals adds a gorgeously distressed texture to the flowers, especially with a circlet of feathers.Read More

James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Part I) by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess

by gaby

There are days as a wedding blogger when something lands in your inbox and you think “HELL yes, this is why I do this job”. Today’s editorial (from a rockstar team including SBB Directory members Green Goddess and photographer Debbie Lourens) is one of those, and I’ve so been looking forward to sharing it with you! Not only is it inspired by the latest James Bond film, Spectre, which has its UK release today, but it’s also only the first part of this gorgeous collaboration (you’ll have to wait until next week for that – and for the film!). Oh, and did I mention it’s based around the Mexican festival of the Day of the Dead, which takes place at the end of October? Word is that Spectre opens with a scene at this festival, so it was the perfect place for our team to start their Bond fantasy. Bright colours, gorgeous stationery, and a Day of the Dead-inspired mask… plus, of course, a glamorous bride and groom to be. And just wait until you see Part II! Be sure to check in next Thursday – it will be worth the wait, I promise!Read More

Harvest Brights Wedding Inspiration by Leipzig & Nicola Bester

by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! And happy Friday! There’s a weekend full of excitement ahead (rugbyyyyyyyy!!!!) but before that happens, there’s a day of inspiration here on the blog. And we’re starting it off with a gorgeous piece of editorial from some of our absolute favourite suppliers, including Leipzig, Flamboijant, Corlé Barnard and Nicola Bester. These ladies do colour to perfection, and today they’re bringing us a table full of harvest brights – rich shades of pumpkin, butternut, tangerine and honey that would be amazing for an autumn wedding but could work just as well in the summer too (or really, any season – as the team says, be daring with your colours!). With the Leipzig team involved, it’s no surprise the florals are AMAZE, but I am also head over heels in LOVE with the cake and its dripping metallics! And of course Corlé has brought her special touch to hair and makeup. Basically, it’s gorgeous, so let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?Read More

Aubergine & Vine Wedding Inspiration by Debbie Lourens & Kadou

by gaby

When this little gem of a styled shoot from photographer Debbie Lourens and stylist Kadou crossed my desk, I knew it would be just PERFECT for our vineyard wedding month. Not only was it shot at Spier, but the deep shades featured are so reminiscent of wine and the winelands – aubergine, burgundy, plum, fig, a deep vine green… all accented with glorious gold. This is the kind of colour scheme that often gets used for autumn or winter weddings, but with a vineyard wedding, it would be appropriate all year round as a nod to your surroundings. I just love the way these colours work together, creating something cosy but also very elegant. I also love the way that with an eggplant coloured wrap and a berry lip (courtesy of talented SBB Directory member Corlé Barnard), our model’s look perfectly complements the decor. And a seed pod crown? Adore.Read More

Moroccan Magic Wedding Inspiration by Illuminate Photography

by gaby

Boy do I ever have a gorgeous editorial for you all today! Thanks to Tabitha Mee at Illuminate Photography and her talented team, we’re transporting you to the sands of Morocco for a styled shoot that’s as beautiful as it is inspiring. In fact, it’s almost easy to forget that it was shot in Cape Town, and not high in the Atlas mountains, amid citrus and walnut groves, and flat-roofed hamlets.  I absolutely love a touch of Moroccan style (which also happens to be perfect for a boho wedding theme), and with a mix of shiny brass, warm earthy tones and pops of orange from pincushion proteas, berries and kumquats (as well as a dreamy Robyn Roberts dress), I’m in heaven. This would be such a gorgeous colour scheme for a wedding – the florals created by our faves at Green Goddess flower studio would translate beautifully to a reception table, not to mention the sheer romance of a little desert breakout area beneath the stars. Sigh. And pass the mint tea.Read More

Local Colour Styled Shoot from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

by gaby

We’re kicking off a new week with a punch of colour – and more than a touch of homegrown style, which as you all know, is our FAVE. As it’s Heritage month, our friends at Wedding Inspirations magazine have commissioned a seriously wonderful ‘Local is Lovely’ issue, celebrating everything beautiful and South African, from indigenous florals to beadwork-inspired cakes. There’s so much to inspire you here, so do be sure to go out and grab yourself a copy. Today, we’re delighted to share this seriously gorgeous shoot from the September issue, a modern twist on traditional local motifs (shwe shwe, yay!), against the modern blank canvas of White Light. With decor and styling by Ribbon Creative Studio and photography by SBB Directory members Jack and Jane, you know you’re going to see something completely fresh and lovely, so let’s dive on in! (And PS, you’ll find all the info on how to get the look for yourself in the magazine.)Read More

Styled Shoot Turned Surprise Elopement by Angie Capri

by gaby

This shoot, you guys. It is so filled with love. In most of the styled shoots that I feature here on the blog, it’s all about the details – the pretty flowers, the table, the stationery, the cake… and of course, the ideas that are meant to inspire all of you brideys for your own, larger-scale weddings. Over the years, I’ve seen a few styled shoots that turned into engagements, because let’s be honest, is there a prettier way to pop the question? But when this same-sex shoot from Angie Capri crossed my desk, I knew it was something extra special. Not only did the lovebirds, Kylie & Andrea, have the moment when Andrea got down on one knee captured on film, but they were married on the spot in the most romantic surprise elopement I can imagine. So today, we get to not only be inspired by the pretty details created by Angie and her team, but by the sheer love as well.Read More