Category: Styled Shoots

Get the Look: Voortrekker Frontiers

by gaby

The best part of a styled shoot for brides and grooms (apart from basking in the sheer prettiness, of course!) is the wealth of fresh ideas that you can borrow to add an extra special touch to your own celebrations. As part of our Styled Shoot Competition showcase this week, we’re breaking down five of our favourite ideas from each shoot, as well as bringing you tips and advice for recreating the look from the talented team behind each entry. Next up, we’re taking a second look at our Voortrekker Frontiers shoot by the dream team of Wesley Vorster and Leipzig.Read More

Voortrekker Frontiers by Wesley Vorster & Leipzig

by gaby

We’re at the half-way mark of our week of homegrown inspiration and I am loving it – aren’t you? There are so many clever ideas and beautiful images in these shoots that I have literally found myself dreaming about them! Today’s finalist is something so original, so rooted in a (sometimes controversial) aspect of South African history, and yet is a somewhat playful (hanging paper bonnets I love), always stylish, exploration of themes that we all share, like new frontiers and exploration. It’s a showcase for some seriously amazing and innovative local design talent (including fashionista Mieke Vermeulen), and with Leipzig‘s flawless florals and attention to detail and Wesley Vorster‘s crisp images, the result is FIERCE.Read More

Get the Look: Protea Landscape

by gaby

The best part of a styled shoot for brides and grooms (apart from basking in the sheer prettiness, of course!) is the wealth of fresh ideas that you can borrow to add an extra special touch to your own celebrations. As part of our Styled Shoot Competition showcase this week, we’re breaking down five of our favourite ideas from each shoot, as well as bringing you tips and advice for recreating the look from the talented team behind each entry. Next up, we’re taking a second look at the Karoo chic of this Protea Landscape shoot by Kadou (who made many of the amazing details by hand, right down to painting the chairs) and Michelle Wiese.Read More

Protea Landscape by Michelle Wiese & Kadou

by gaby

Day Two of styled shoot inspiration begins! From the beach yesterday, today we’re off to the Karoo, where the arid landscape inspired our latest team of wedding pros to come up with a very special shoot that has so many elements to it. Led by photographer Michelle Wiese and Kadou, they created some dramatic bridal looks and two variations on a homegrown rustic tablescape that include (shut the front door, seriously) a paper protea table garland. I love how some of the starker elements, like concrete and wood textures, geometric elements and an earthy palette contrast with softer touches like a dreamy tulle peplum dress and watercolour washes. And you can’t get a more classic South African motif than our national flower- which turns up in all sorts of fresh ways. Love it!Read More

Get the Look: We All Have Roots in Africa

by gaby

The best part of a styled shoot for brides and grooms (apart from basking in the sheer prettiness, of course!) is the wealth of fresh ideas that you can borrow to add an extra special touch to your own celebrations. As part of our Styled Shoot Competition showcase this week, we’re breaking down five of our favourite ideas from each shoot, as well as bringing you tips and advice for recreating the look from the talented team behind each entry. Next up, we’re taking a second look at multi-textured We All Have Roots in Africa shoot by lovelies Cheryl McEwan and Creation Events.Read More

We All Have Roots in Africa by Cheryl McEwan & Creation Events

by gaby

Ready, steady, let’s GO! I’m so excited to share a week of proudly South African wedding inspiration here on SBB, starting with this delightful shoot from two long-time supporters of the blog (along with their talented team), stylist Theresa of Creation Events and photographer Cheryl McEwan. Instead of choosing a single South African twist, they were inspired by just how eclectic and diverse our cumulative culture is (one of the things I love most about SA) and created a look for both ceremony and reception that incorporated a mix of the gorgeous textures and colours of our nation. Including a beadwork cake, which I am absolutely DYING over, leather accented stationery (how. cool. is. that.) and lots of beautiful, beautiful proteas. Put simply, these are a few of our favourite things :)Read More

Rock (‘n Roll) The Frock Styled Bridal Portrait

by gaby

Am I ever glad to see Friday – it’s not been my favourite week, and I’m very glad the weekend is finally here. Especially since I’ll be working on the posts for next week’s SUPER exciting reveal of the styled shoot finalists. Wait until you see them! But first, we have a styled shoot of a very different kind. I love the creativity that Debbie Lourens always brings to her styled bridal portraits, and today’s is for a statement modern bride (with a bit of a love for retro). Together with Marnel Toerien on hair and makeup, she channeled her love of the ’80s into a funky rock the frock (literally!) session full of vinyl, glitter and alternative bridal style. Gorge.Read More

Contemporary Winter Styled Shoot by Topshelf Weddings & Events

by gaby

Brrr! We’re starting off our Monday with some frosty wintery inspiration – a decor scheme that has every bit of the magic of winter, Narnia-style, but with a minimalist contemporary twist. Which makes it pretty much perfect for a modern winter bride. With a palette of bright white and neutrals, clean florals (tulips and lilies) mixed with the texture of a ‘snow covered’ tree centrepiece, and a mix of Tiffany chairs and soft fluffy faux furs draped over others, it’s the kind of look that’s easy to carry off but will make a great impression on your guests.Read More

Urban Romance Styled Shoot by Vizion Photo & Celeste Styled Events

by gaby

A lot of the inspiration we share here is countrified or beachy – and after all, there’s a huge chunk of South Africa and beautiful South African venues that are situated beyond city limits or even in pockets of countryside within them. But I think city weddings are on the up – especially with some gorgeous city venues especially in Joburg. And while this style isn’t for everyone, I personally adore urban style – there’s something so elegant and sophisticated about it, and I adore the contrast between industrial textures like steel, glass and brick with soft tulle or verdant blooms. So I’m thrilled to be bringing you today’s styled shoot by a fab team including the dynamic Vizion Photo and Celeste Styled Events. You may have seen it in the previous issue of our fave magazine, Wedding Inspirations, but here is an extended look at all the lovely details, including two swish tablescapes, two variations on the bridal look (LOVE the denim jacket, and that floral neckpiece – wow!), and even a pie ‘cake’, all set against a slick, modern backdrop. Be inspired!Read More

Tropical Boho Styled Shoot by Maxeen Kim Photography

by gaby

Good morning, brideys! We’re kicking off this week with some fresh, beachy inspiration courtesy of the awesome Maxeen Kim, who I first met last year when she was part of our Editorial Wedding workshop. When Maxeen let me know she was putting together a styled shoot loosely inspired by one of my absolute fave SBB inspiration boards, Hawaiian Honeysuckle, I was super excited, and even more so knowing it stars another of my favourite people, the beautiful Ché of indielovebooks. The original board was all about laid back surfy style, which the team translated into a beautiful, ethereal boho setting with a bold tropical palette and sweet ribbon details. I ADORE the Jenny Packham dress, and that casual, hand-tied bouquet with the perfect pop of fuschia complements it perfectly. Best of all, the tablescape was created with real (aka budget conscious) brides in mind, so get ready to be inspired!Read More