Hello lovelies! How has your short work week been? It’s felt a bit weird for me having such a pared down week on the blog, but I promised myself last year that (since I work most weekends, late nights, etc.) I would take public holidays along with my lovely readers :) We’ll be back to a full schedule next week, but for today, I wanted to share some DIY goodness with you all. A while back I posted a Kraft & Blush inspiration board which proved to be SUPER popular – it showed how you can use this simple, budget-friendly material in an elegant way as well as for rustic or handcrafted style weddings. So I thought that I would track down my favourite Kraft (or brown, to us Saffas) paper DIY ideas that can be applied to your wedding. Here we go!
Pretty Peach & Traditional Zulu Weddings by Vita Bella Photography {Slindile & Siphile}
Last week, I was thrilled to bring you a traditional Xhosa wedding, and today I get to showcase another double celebration, including a joyous traditional Zulu wedding. I love seeing this gorgeous couple in their traditional garb (actually, I’m more than a little jealous of Slindile’s costume changes, since she also got to rock a princess dress and a hot little cocktail number for her reception at wedding number 1!). The two ceremonies couldn’t have been more different – one with an elegant peaches & cream palette while the other bursts with colour, but what they have in common is a sense of vibrancy and delight, and the biggest smiles from bride and groom. Chantel of Vita Bella Photography did an amazing job capturing both happy days, so you’ll understand why this is a bumper, photo-filled post!Read More
Black Tie Winter Wedding by Fiona Clair {Tamara & Paul}
You know it’s going to be a good day when a wedding from Fiona Clair is on the schedule. I love everything about her images (which is why I asked her to do my last portrait shoot) – so crisp and gorgeous and full of colour and light. Plus, she seems to attract some of my favourite brides and grooms, couples who are beautiful inside and out, and whose weddings are equal parts personal, romantic and stylish. You don’t need to look further than today’s elegant winter wedding to see what I mean – this really is both how to rock both a monochrome colour palette and a cold weather reception (fireplaces and gluhwein, yes please!). And to top it all off, bride Tamara is wearing a breathtaking gown from another SBB favourite, Casey Jeanne. Sigh. Yep, it’s definitely going to be a good day.Read More
Autumn Fruits Wedding Inspiration by Ecozest & Riaan Lourens
We started off the week with some autumn inspiration, and we’re ending it the same way, with a styled shoot in a rich harvest palette from the team at Ecozest (a floral design studio based in the Garden Route). The colours and decor in this shoot are absolutely gorgeous, with touches I love like pear plates grey strips and oh my goodness, the most gorgeous naked cake. In fact, all the food looks amazing, from cupcakes topped with pomegranate seeds to little apple & walnut loaves wrapped up in lace, to tiny pumpkin pies. This is a great example of how your food can really be used not just to complement but to enhance your chosen theme – it’s pretty much decor in its own right (and delicious too). I love the idea of a loose bouquet made up of nature’s bounty, and the young lovers’ boho, organic chic outfits totally work with the general feel. There are loads of ideas to inspire, so be sure to read the background that Ecozest sent over to find out more!Read More
Romantic Blush & Gold Allee Bleue Wedding by Lara Scott {Melissa & Lutgen}
We’re closing out a week of lovely weddings with this blush and gold winelands wedding from Lara Scott Photography. It’s a garden wedding meets a ballroom wedding, with just a touch of antique/vintage, and from the dreamy portraits of the bride in her incredible gown to a curtain of fairylights glittering behind the bride and groom as the sun goes down, it’s pure romance. You’ll be smiling (and maybe swooning, just a little!) over Lara’s lovely pics and Melissa’s sweet description of the day all through your lunch hour!Read More
Crepe Cakes & Other Brunch Wedding Dessert Alternatives
Time for some brunch wedding inspiration! One of the ways that I really think you can have fun at a morning wedding is with the food, and especially when it comes to the cake. Fortunately, there are loads of creative (and delicious) options, my favourite being crepe and pancake cakes. Actually, these are a trend on their own (and not just for brunch weddings) – I’m pretty sure crepe cakes are this year’s naked cake. I’m dying to try one – aren’t you? What’s nice about a lot of the ‘cakes’ and desserts featured here is that they can be DIYed by yourself or a friend/family member, which is great for the ol’ wedding budget. Of course there’s nothing stopping you from having a traditional tiered wedding cake, no matter what time of day you’re hosting a wedding, it’s just that these creative alternatives are a whimsical way of referencing your brunch theme, and they’re bound to put a smile on your guests’ faces. Plus, who doesn’t love breakfast food?
PANCAKES
Classic & Chic Toadbury Hall Wedding by Louise Vorster {Cristina & Richard}
You all know how much I love colour and pattern in wedding design, but there’s no denying the magical power of a classic. A little black dress, Chanel No. 5, Paris in the springtime, Casablanca… and of course, an elegant white wedding. Cristina and Richard’s big day was a modern classic all the way, from the bride’s cathedral length veil and white peony bouquet, to their romantic reception filled with mirrors, candlelight and more white peonies. (Oh, peonies, I love you so!) Louise Vorster‘s pictures from beginning to end are just so gorgeous, they take my breath away – I especially love her portraits of Cristina as she was getting ready, capturing such a beautiful moment in time. Oh, and speaking of beautiful moments, I think Richard’s proposal might be one of my all time favourites. Picnic on a mountaintop, 360 degree views, just the two of them… sigh.Read More
Elegant Periwinkle Kurland Hotel Wedding by Monica Dart {Tembakazi & Mateli}
As if this morning’s traditional wedding wasn’t awesome enough, I get to share this gorgeous Part 2 with you this afternoon! For their second ceremony, Tembakazi and Mateli chose to work with the amazing Wedding Concepts, who pulled together an elegant, luxe reception at the Kurland Hotel in Plett. From the rose garden ceremony to the marquee reception, where guests feasted and danced under a galaxy of lanterns, every detail was perfectly executed in shades of pink and periwinkle. The bride and groom made a spectacular entrance, dancing into their reception (with Tembakazi in the shorter evening version of her incredible dress). And as with their Xhosa wedding, Monica Dart was there to capture every beautiful moment.Read More
Traditional Xhosa Wedding by Monica Dart {Tembakazi & Mateli}
Today is a VERY special day. That’s because today I finally get to share our first full traditional South African wedding (our first, but by no means our last – in fact, look out for a gorgeous traditional Zulu wedding next week!). Up until recently, not many brides and grooms invited a pro photographer along to the traditional part of their weddings (as South Africans will know, many choose to have a ‘Western’ wedding as well – and we’ll be showcasing Tembakazi and Mateli’s separately this afternoon – don’t miss) but I’m slowly seeing that start to change. And being the fan of beautiful photography that I am, as well as everything South African, I’m thrilled. Monica Dart was just the perfect choice for this Eastern Cape bride and groom – she thrives on colour and movement and capturing those little moments that make up your memory of a day, and I’m absolutely in love with these images. Pots full of delicious food bubbling away on the fire, children laughing and playing, families and communities coming together – and of course the unique joy that surrounds two people in love.Read More
Inspiration Board: Pomegranate & Brass
Afternoon friends, I hope you’re enjoying a leisurely day off! With Easter being all about spring in the Northern Hemisphere, I can’t help but always be reminded that it’s also officially autumn in South Africa, so I thought it was about time for some pretty cold weather palette inspiration. As you’ve probably noticed by now, unusual metallics are on trend at the moment, including lovely, opulent brass. I thought it would be perfect with a deep pomegranate red, but to keep things multidimensional, I also added in a touch of soft peach. I really like how it all comes together – an updated take on traditional autumn hues.
Colours: Scarlet, peach & brass
Top row (l-r): Pomegranate escort cards {Duet Weddings/Lauren Ross}; brass candlesticks {Lani Elias/Ashley Nicole}; autumn bouquet {Kari Crowe Photography/Kate Foley Designs}; red bridesmaid dresses {Ruddock Photography/Bill Levkoff}
Row 2: Invitations {Lani Elias/Ashley Nicole}; pomegranate cocktails {Vela Images/On My Hand}; pomegranate cake {DianaMcGregor Photography/Timeless Love Events}; pomegranates {Debbie Lourens}
Row 3: Peach wedding dress {Sareh Nouri}; table setting {Catherine Marciniak/Style Perfect Weddings and Events}; roses in brass candleholder {Aralani Photography}
