*UPDATED FOR 2018* It’s funny how fashion totally changes your taste, isn’t it? And then changes it again. Back when I was 12, I was head over heels in love with a dress my mom ended up buying me from Woolies: it was black and electric blue, with a dropped waist, made of shiny watermark taffeta that ruffled when you walked, had an off the shoulder ruffle and a niiiice net rose to finish it off. God, it was hideous. But at the time, which for the record, was the late ’80s, I thought it made me look awesome. Just a few years later, I wouldn’t have been seen dead in it. And the way fashion goes, I wouldn’t be surprised if one day (gulp) I look at something similar and think it looks good again. (Note to future self: NO.) The nice thing is that when trends come round again, they often do it in a gentler, subtler way. And so it is with peplum wedding dresses. I want to hate them, I really do, but then I look at how flattering they are, and what a difference it makes when they’re made with wedding dress materials, like floaty lace or tulle, and how many of the top designers are including peplum dresses in their collections, and I have to admit, I’m a convert. So I thought I would round up some of my favourites! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
I don’t know about you, but I love cheese wedding cakes – they’re by far my favourite alternative to the traditional wedding cake. It’s not just the abundance of delicious cheese (cheese!) but the fact that they can be so prettily styled. Fruit, crackers, edible flowers, herbs, drizzled honey, ribbon and of course different varieties, colours and shapes of cheeses can make each cake look unique and work to suit just about any wedding style. Plus, it’s easy to put this together yourself (see our cheese wedding cake DIY instructions here). Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a big fan of actual cake, but it doesn’t suit all couples and I think it’s great that nowadays people don’t feel pressured to spend a fortune on something they don’t want to eat themselves. A few weeks ago we looked at dessert table alternatives, but today I thought I would round up 20 gorgeous examples of cheese towers to give you style inspiration! Which is your favourite? Oh and PS, you can see more of the latest cheese wedding cake looks on our special Pinterest board.Read More
Hello lovelies! You know, when I first did posts on fruit and vegetables in wedding design three years ago, I had no idea how much they would become part of the floral landscape, but I have to say, I absolutely LOVE them. It’s the texture that’s added by the unusual shapes or colours, as well as the pop of something unexpected. Not to mention, of course, that many brides and grooms now choose to include them because of the green credentials of working with something that can be eaten and not wasted. I’m amazed by the creativity of wedding floral designers (or should that be floral, fruit & veg designers nowadays?). So today I thought I would round up 25 of my absolute favourite bouquets that include a combination of flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. They’re all so deliciously beautiful! Keep an eye out for veg patch favourites like kale (very much of the moment), cabbage, artichokes and then fruity berries and citrus, although the possibilities are really endless.Read More
It’s actually hilarious that I love nautical style as much as I do, considering the complete lack of sailing skills that I have. Seriously, if I ever gave it a try, I’d probably get smacked with the boom before I even figured out which side was starboard. Even so, nautical wedding details never fail to raise an excited “ooh!” from me – they’re just so preppy and punchy, and the perfect combination of contemporary, vintage and rustic. You all clearly feel the same, since our roundup of nautical wedding details is still one of SBB’s most popular posts. So today I thought I would round up some of the seriously ship-shape DIYs that are sailing about the internet. Awesome, ahoy! (Yes, I’ll stop now.)
Hello lovelies! Since we’ve been looking again at dessert alternatives this week, I thought that we should have a peek at some traditions from other countries. If you’d like to do something different, this is a great option, particularly if you have some kind of heritage or tie to the country, or have travelled there. For example, did you get engaged in Paris? Well, why not have a French wedding cake? It’s a really fun way to make things personal and surprise your guests. Of course, many countries don’t have specific wedding cake traditions, or they share the tradition of tiered cakes, and some of the examples below are not so much wedding cakes but special occasion cakes that could be used as a wedding cake. But they’re all so pretty, that I had to share!Read More
Over the years, I’ve seen all kinds of fun cakes and not-cakes at weddings but by far the biggest trend has been the candy buffet or dessert table. And it’s not hard to see why, since it’s more than just a dessert – it doubles up as decor, as a favour – even as entertainment. It creates a gorgeous focal point in one part of your reception, a striking visual reinforcement of your colours or theme. I love these tables, but what I love even more maybe are the ways that even this alternative has sprouted alternatives! With personalised menus being a big trend for weddings, the specialised food station really comes into its own, and can be a fun twist to the dessert table, especially if you’re planning something a bit different like a brunch wedding. And it’s not limited to food either – you can apply the same principle of taking a basic treat and turning it into a visual feast and apply it to drinks as well. Here are ten of my favourite dessert and candy buffet alternatives, along with some ideas for creating the look at your wedding.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
Not a far cry from a dessert table, the great advantage of a cookie or biscuit bar is that it’s something you and your friends and family can DIY, since it’s possible to make ahead of time if properly stored. You could ask your loved ones to each contribute a specialty, or you could make a few bases and then provide toppings and dips for guests to choose their own. Add little glassine bags to the spread and encourage guests to take a selection for the trip home or a midnight snack.
I’m a big fan of this one, in case you hadn’t already noticed. I styled the one pictured above, and I had so much fun playing around with different artisan breads and cheeses. I think this makes a great accompaniment to a pre-reception wine tasting, or an alternative to a sweet dessert for savoury-loving couples. You can have a cheese cake as your centrepiece and then surround it with breads, fruits, chutneys, etc. or spread out the cheeses themselves in belljars and on different stands and platters. Make sure there’s a variety of heights and include textures like ribbon tied around loaves or cutlery.
Speaking of savoury loving couples, charcuterie is another delicious way to spoil your guests during cocktail hour, as this couple did (don’t you love the idea of presenting it on a cart?). As always, variety is key, so get a range of meats, cheeses, breads and crackers, dips, chutneys and butters, as well as extras like different kinds of olives. Add lasercut tags or special labels so guests know what everything is. This is perfect if you have a bit of a Mediterranean theme to your decor (although it isn’t necessary, of course!) or just a rustic vibe going on.
Show me the way to the next whisky bar… no need to ask why, when it looks as pretty as this one. Add cigars and this is a little paradise for the boys, one they’ll be talking about long after the big day. We have a great little DIY article on how to put your own whisky bar together from a real SouthBound bride.
The perfect beach version of a candy bar – your guests will love the childhood delight of being able to build their own ice creams and sundaes and it’ll keep them cool on a summer day too. Styling the ice creams, cones and toppings to look like an old school ice cream parlour adds to the fun and nostalgia. See here for a DIY tutorial including downloads and templates if you like the look above.
Okay, you KNOW that many of your guests are going to just adore this idea! I mean, who doesn’t love popcorn? By all accounts, this is a really simple alternative to a dessert bar, and one that guests can interact with if you include a number of toppings and flavourings. I love the rustic styling of the one above (you can get all the printable elements here), but you could make this work for any setting by customising the labels and table.
If you’re hosting a morning wedding or if the bride or groom have a real passion for tea or coffee, this is a fun way to go. Provide a number of varieties, beautifully laid out, and encourage guests to try a few. Make sure you include lots of visual variety so it doesn’t just look like the tea table at a PTA meeting.
Brunch weddings are so awesome, and the food is a big part of what makes them so fun. I love the idea of a cereal buffet (even if I personally loathe cereal) – it’s such a fun breakfasty twist on the candy buffet! This kind of cheeky twist is exactly what makes alternative food stations so fun, and a real talking point for guests. Who hopefully like cereal more than I do.
Donut even joke, donut displays are where it’s at right now for wedding treats! And there are so many cool ways to display them, from donut walls, to towers of donuts, to donut wedding cakes, etc. etc. Yum.
A few weeks ago, we looked at some of the gorgeousness and variety that has been floating around the web in the form of protea bouquets, from pincushions to kings to Blushing Brides. Today I’m showcasing ten gorgeous centrepieces, also containing proteas, from weddings around the world. I love every one of them, and although proteas work beautifully on their own, I’m amazed how striking they can be with other flowers and interesting containers. So much lovely inspiration for South African brides! And remember, you can always find the latest protea looks on the SBB ♥ Proteas Pinterest board.Read More
There’s a lot of gorgeous happening in wedding paper design right now – with letterpress on one hand and foiling on the other, and watercolour and calligraphy and hand drawn beauties in the middle, I don’t know which to call my favourites. But if there’s one trend that South African brides and grooms have been embracing for a while now, it’s lasercuts, and stationery is no exception. Just like letterpress and foil embossing, lasercut adds a really special texture to any paper product and its fine detailing allows not only for intricate detail but the use of unusual materials like wood or perspex as well as paper. The possibilities are vast, and I think we’ve only just begun to see the creative juices start to flow with this design form. Even so, there’s a lot of very beautiful invitations going around at the moment – here are ten of my personal faves to inspire you!Read More
*UPDATED FOR 2021* Sometimes I feel like I’m split between two halves, a foot on either shore. For example, this week has been boiling here in London (no complaints, summer is way overdue) and even as I write this I’m sweltering in front of a fan with a very restless cat stretched out on the cool floor at my feet. But I know that for my readers in South Africa, it’s the middle of winter and thoughts are of cosy nights under blankets, walks in wellies and frosty mornings, and this post is just for you. More brides are now looking towards winter weddings for the cost savings and increased availability that the off-season brings, and winter itself can be a sort of wedding theme or motif. In the northern hemisphere, winter is all very Christmassy, but fortunately you don’t need to come over all Santa Claus just to harness the delights of the season. So I’ve put together ten gorgeous winter wedding favour ideas – with links to DIY tutorials and Etsy stores wherever possible!
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
Happy Friday, lovelies! I have such a treat for you today! A while back, we asked the lovely Theresa Lazarevic of Creation Events to share her advice for bridesmaids and maids of honour. I knew her advice was good, but I couldn’t imagine how many times it would be read and shared by brides all over the world – it’s been consistently our top post ever since (over 125,000 views so far!), and has been pinned and repinned thousands of times on Pinterest as well. So we thought it was about time that we gave the guys a turn, and Theresa has been good enough to gather more of her straightforward, sensible advice for the groomsmen and best men of the world. Send this off to the hubs-to-be and his besties, pin it for future reference and rest assured that now your whole bridal party will know exactly what needs to be done. Thanks so much, Theresa! Over to you…
