Category: Styled Shoots

Dreamy Botanical Wedding Inspiration by Nicola Bester

by gaby

I’m starting my weekend early by rushing off to PE for my high school reunion, where I will play Romy (and Michelle), and tell everyone I invented Post-its. But I can’t think of a better way to end off our month of Greenhouse gorgeousness than with this shoot, which just embodies the romantic garden feel that everything floral and botanical and beautiful means to me. There’s such an ethereal look to this shoot, thanks in part to the frothy fantasy gowns created by SBB fave Janita Toerien, as well as Nicola Bester Photography‘s lovely pics, and I’m also loving the whimsical watercolour stationery and pretty table design with just a touch of gold, not to mention Minke du Plessis‘ immaculate hair & makeup! To be honest, put these elements together into a wedding, and I’m pretty much in heaven. So enjoy, and pop back later this afternoon for a final dose of floral print to finish off July’s theme.Read More

Black Magic Styled Shoot from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

by gaby

When it comes to wedding design, one of my favourite looks is layering of a single colour, with texture adding the visual interest that a mix of colours often brings. And okay, that colour is usually white, but in creating today’s styled shoot, the talented team at TGC Photography & Sålt+Støne decided to layer black on black instead. The effect is chic, daring and very glamorous, and is definitely a fresh twist that will get your guests talking! From the black painted proteas to dark plums and shiny Coke bottles, there are many clever textural touches used throughout, and sparkling jewels and Venetian masks for that extra bit of mystery and glam. This is the kind of cutting edge inspiration you can expect to find in every issue of Wedding Inspirations, who were kind enough to share this lovely shoot from their brand new issue with us today. Be sure to pick up a copy to find out how to recreate the look, and take a peek at their other gorgeous weddings and styled shoots of the moment. Until then, as Amy Winehouse would say, let’s go back to black…Read More

Tropical Heat Bridal Shower by Oh Happy Day, Kelly Daniels & The Shank Tank

by gaby

A few months ago, I got to spend my afternoon in the best way possible, with some of the loveliest ladies (and one gent!) in the local wedding industry, as a guest of the delightful Joelene of Oh Happy Day. Joelene has burst onto the scene full of ideas and enthusiasm and sassiness, and on this particular day, she’d pulled together the talents of some seriously amazing people to help her create a tropical themed bridal shower styled shoot. It was so fun to see them at work, and even more fun sifting through the gorgeous results, thanks to the rockstar photographers, Kelly Daniels and The Shank Tank team. I was already a big fan of tropsy showers (see this post on how to plan one of your own) and now I’m even more so – think gold pineapples, floral print dresses, fruity cocktails (and watermelon on a stick, love), and even a little hula girl cake topper (which I somehow managed to resist slipping into my pocket and stealing away). I also have to make a special mention of the adorable stationery by Ruby + Swallow, as well as the fantastic cakes and sweets by Smith’s Bake Shop, with flavours just as delicious as they were pretty. So here we go – let’s head for the tropics! (PS If you love this ideas as much as I do, pop back this afternoon for some fun buys)Read More

Desert Watercolour Bridal Portrait Shoot by Jack and Jane

by gaby

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this lovely bridal portrait shoot with you for a while, and I can’t think of a better time than in our month of everything floral. Cindy (whose wedding we featured a couple of months back) opted to do a bridal portrait shoot (I must say, I just love these!) with the fabulous Jack and Jane Photography, the idea behind it being that “beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out” (holla!). I just adore the way that these images have a watercolour quality to them, not just from the mix of pastel and floral print gowns that Cindy wears and the beautiful flower crown and ladder, but from the desert background that gives everything that amazing painterly quality. Pretty, pretty, PRETTY.Read More

Desert Neutrals by Corette Faux

by gaby

Time for something pretty! As you know, this month we’re focusing on natural beauty – getting back to basics, and taking joy in simplicity. Today’s bridal portrait shoot does just that, pairing a naturally neutral beauty spot with an uncomplicated white dress, elegantly simple flowers – and the cutest little donkey! Whoever said you shouldn’t work with children and animals clearly hadn’t seen this guy. Photographer Corette Faux and a small team of pros put this session together to inspire.Read More

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

Romantic Rooftop Elopement Inspiration by Black Frame Photography & Runaway Romance

by gaby

Holy cannoli, do I have something special to share with you guys today! As you know, it is our month of small weddings, and this fine morning we have a super creative elopement inspiration from a brilliant team. It combines a few of our favourite things – a wedding for two, urban chic, and a city skyline. But what tickled me was the little details – a naked red velvet cake, a table runner made of 5 cent pieces (seriously, I LOVE THIS), and a sparkly birdcage veil (which huzzah, we’ll be sharing a DIY tutorial for later on today). It’s so fun and unique and South African – basically everything we like to celebrate here on the blog. Thank you so much to the awesome Rebecca of Runaway Romance and her team for sharing!Read More

Elopement en Vogue by Green Goddess & Debbie Lourens

by gaby

When I put out a call for elopements and intimate weddings among our favourite SBB wedding pros, I was absolutely thrilled to receive this stylish gem by Green Goddess flower studio, with beautiful images by Debbie Lourens – one of those submissions I just think of as a ‘hell yes’. With a sort of 1950s Italian Vogue feel, it tells the story of a pair of starry-eyed lovers and a surprise elopement. Totally adorable, and incredibly romantic! I just love everything about it, from the bride’s gorgeous Gavin Rajah dress and coat to the flower-embellished umbrella, and the cake display that’s almost too pretty to eat. And even though it’s an editorial, I love the intimate, fun feeling that the team managed to create – the same feeling I imagine that a real couple would experience if they pulled off this wedding coup. This, friends, is why elopements are awesome.Read More

Forest Foliage Wedding Inspiration from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

by gaby

Hooray, lovelies! It’s that time again, when you can grab a brand new copy of Wedding Inspirations magazine from the local newsagent, pour a large cup of coffee (or glass of wine – it’s five o’ clock somewhere) and thumb through its pretty pages to your heart’s content. As always, there’s a ton of inspiration in store for you in the new issue, and we’re delighted to be sharing just a little slice of it here. This particular little editorial focuses on foliage, which as you’ll have gathered by now, is one of 2015’s loveliest trends. Don’t get me wrong, flowers are forever, but as Carol-Anne Frey & Andre Sonnekus, the team behind the shoot, say: “Foliage is finally enjoying its day in the sun. It’s nature’s answer to organic, budget-friendly decor that lends itself to just about any theme or venue.” So let’s get to enjoying a bit of this gorgeous greenery, shall we?Read More

Marsala Romance by Nyx Photography {Plus Poached Figs in Red Wine Recipe}

by gaby

Happy Thursday, lovely friends! It feels like the long weekend has already begun, but we have lots more inspiration to bring to your pretty faces first. Yay! I’ve been looking forward to sharing this particular shoot for a while – and it’s in this year’s hottest colour, Marsala! Okay, I have mixed feelings about Marsala, but I definitely don’t have mixed feelings about how lovely the Marsala tones look on this particular tablescape and dashing couple. The team behind the shoot, including Natalie Loots of Nyx Photography and Colleen from Lieflingkind Design, used natural berry shades from fruits like pomegranates and grapes, alongside the loveliest watercolour-style stationery – and of course, lush Marsala blooms, and dresses for the ‘bride’. The end result feels a little baroque without being over the top, and has a lovely sense of natural abundance. Plus! Natalie sent over a recipe for the figs – just for you!Read More