Real Wedding at Inkungu Lodge {Kylie & Patrick}

by gaby

Hello friends! It’s that bittersweet time of the year, when everything seems to be winding down, but there’s still the holidays and celebrations to look forward to. I always feel slightly depressed in December that the year has flown by so fast, and even more so today as it’s my last day in Cape Town. I have no idea where the time went, I seem to have only seen a tiny portion of the people I was hoping to! Anyway, I am ending it off in style, with a mini-shoot out in the winelands – watch this space! Here on the blog, we’re also winding down through our last couple of new real weddings of the year, and I have been saving this one for you, because it is FAB. First, it’s shot by the gorgeous Jacki Bruniquel, who is awesome, but then you find that it’s full of bright orange folded paper loveliness (seriously, the bouquets, LOVE) and happiness and love (not to mention some rainy day blessings) and you can’t help but fall in love with it. None of the bitter, all of the sweet. Enjoy!Read More

Ruby Bride #2: The Accessories

by gaby

My wedding shoes are killing me.

They’re gold, glittery, sky-high and were bought on a complete whim at the Oriental Plaza in Jo’burg. I realise now, this isn’t the best way to buy bridal accessories but – good heavens – they are pretty. Pretty and painful.

I always knew I wanted minimal, classic wedding accessories. My dress features really beautiful lace and I didn’t want to distract from my dress design with over-the-top accessories. I’ve chosen to wear just my mother’s pearl earrings (something borrowed) and my grandmother’s wedding ring (something old) that I inherited years ago and have worn every day since.

Inspiration images: Anna Campbell via One Fab Day (left); This Modern Romance via Before the Big Day (top right); Nikki Meyer/Elbeth Gillis (bottom right)

I’m really happy with the jewellery decisions but I started to have second thoughts because, well, I like shiny things. I love glitter! And while my neutral white-and-blush wedding isn’t the best time to embrace my love of ALL THE THINGS THAT SPARKLE, I couldn’t shake the feeling something was… missing.

My mom and I were trawling the Oriental Plaza for traditional Indian jewellery for our rehearsal dinner when I spotted them: killer, gold, sparkly heels. I tried them on, they pinched a little, but I bought them anyway.

Now, don’t get me wrong: I love my wedding shoes. Love them! They add the perfect amount of sparkle to my otherwise classic outfit.

Shoe inspiration: Sarah Kate via Wed Society

But I feel a little stuck: should I go ahead and murder my feet in the prettiest shoes ever (I won’t be the first bride to kick off her shoes come 10pm) or should I find a sensible pair of shoes I’m not mad about and spare myself the pain? What do you recommend? Seriously, I need some help.

(We’d love to hear your advice for Jerusha – leave her some of your tips in the comments!)

The series so far: The Proposal

 

Fairytale Bride #2: The Stationery

by gaby

Oh stationery…it really is a beautiful thing. It has the ability to set the tone for the whole wedding journey. It is that first glimpse that guests get to see…that first little taste of the magic that awaits them; our enchanting golden ribbon that ties our wedding together from start to finish. Not only has it allowed us to introduce our look and feel, but also let our creative selves shine! We have had SO much fun dreaming up the designs and exchanging endless happy emails with Seven Swans to get our pretties looking absolutely stunning. Colours, types of paper, fonts…oh the joy! Here are some of the inspirations I started with…

Image sources (clockwise from top left): 1- via Martha Stewart; 2-Ruby & Willow via Magnolia Rouge; 3- Byron Loves Fawn/One Lantern via 100 Layer Cake; 4- Abigail Seymour Photography/The Aerialist Press via Wedding Chicks; 5- Starry Night Paperie

Our wedding logo
Apart from us having our dreamy, fairytale wedding style, we felt that there had to be a specific theme (or rather a logo) running throughout the wedding. Something that could act as our stamp from start to finish; Almost to give us an opportunity to brand our special day, but in a very personal and meaningful way. Cape Town has captured our hearts and we want to share this love with our family and friends. We soon realized that there is no better way to visually show this ‘love’ and represent our special day, than the stunning African continent with a heart over Cape Town. Even further fitting since 90% of our guests are traveling to Cape Town from other continents! And that is how ‘Robin and Stella’s wedding logo’ was born. Believe me, this won’t be the last time you come across this beauty. We have included it throughout the whole wedding through sweet little touches here, there and everywhere!

 Our Save the Dates
Who doesn’t like a bit of storytelling!? Because it gets engrained in our precious little heads from very early in life (especially the fairytales!), I’m sure we all have a love for it. That is one of the main reasons we decided to take the storytelling route for our first stationery item and transformed our love story into our Save The Dates. The second main reason for going this route is that our relationship has been nothing ‘normal’ since the beginning. We felt it necessary to capture, both verbally and visually, the journey we have been on so far. We couldn’t be happier with how our beautiful creations turned out. Notice the two stickers at the back…those are meant to be placed in our guests’ diaries/planners. Our guests absolutely loved them and they make us smile from ear to ear every time we look at them.

Our invitations
Think romantic, not too formal but very delicate in nature. A lot more elegant than our Save the Dates but both pieces of stationery tied together through our wedding colours – ivory, blush, mint green, grey and coral. A bit of twine to bring in the rustic feel and finished off with a little wooden African continent (with heart of course!). I am in love ☺ We also included a mini information pamphlet for our guests, which covers our 3-day wedding itinerary, a checklist for what our guests need to do, as well as some information on the wedding gifts. Practical, yet beautiful.

My top stationery tips:

  • Find a stationer that you fall in love with by not only looking at their work but also by meeting them (virtually or in person). You want someone that will get excited with you in the planning and design process because they love what they do so much. We certainly did. Thank you Anelle and Ella from Seven Swans for your unrelenting happiness and positive attitude. It has been an absolute joy working with you!
  • If planning a wedding where a lot of your guests are traveling from near or far to be there, create a wedding website! Don’t replace your paper stationery with a website but include the web address in your stationery. It will save you so much time as you can direct guests to the website for any questions and updates.

All other stationery above, Seven Swans. Images: Bride’s own

The series so far: The Proposal

 

The Honeymoon Diaries: Seychelles

by gaby

Hello friends. Well, it’s a sad day for us South Africans today, and it always seems weird to be talking weddings in the middle of loss. However, at the same time, celebrating love and life is so important – and we’ll be back to doing that next week. For today, we’re just going to take things easy, take ourselves off for a little holiday, courtesy of awesome photographer Megan van Zyl, who is opening her honeymoon album to us this afternoon. So let’s take a few minutes to think of happy times and smooth sailing, and head off to the blue seas of the Seychelles.Read More

Love & Laughter Engagement

by gaby

I don’t feature a lot of e-shoots on SBB, and unlike weddings, it can be hard to put my finger on what makes me want to share one with you. Maybe it’s the way it’s styled, or maybe the way it’s photographed, or a cool location, or fun props (I’m the last person who is going to tell you that you have to have props, but they can be a fun focal point). Today’s engagement shoot from Moira West has all of these aspects going for it – a gorgeous on-trend mint colour scheme, a few fun hearts and balloons (mint balloons, love!) and to-die-for golden hour light in Moira’s pics. But what I love about it? Is that the bride and groom-to-be are CANNING themselves laughing in just about every photo. I’m a firm believer that if you’re going to spend the rest of your life with someone, they had better be someone who makes you laugh every day, and just by the giggles that Eon and Mariette were getting into doing this e-shoot, you know that their lives will be full of happy smiles. So that’s what’s really inspiring me today, and I hope it’s inspiring you. Go out and enjoy some belly laughs with the one you love this evening. :)Read More

Real Wedding at Kliplapa {Lauren & Michael}

by gaby

You guys… Yesterday was a good news/bad news kinda day. Good news! You’re in Cape Town! Bad news… someone’s driven into your hire car. Good news! You get to see a friend for lunch! Bad news… there’s no parking. Good news! It’s time to visit some wedding creatives in their uber cool new office space! Bad news… there’s no parking (seriously Capetonians, whaddup?). Anyway, we’re starting today off on the right note, with this lovely wedding from Shireen Louw, who just so happens to be one of the sweetest people to work with as well as being a fab photographer. Lauren and Michael clearly have a very well-developed sense of fun, as their wedding is full of spontaneity and laughter, and cute props. Not to mention proteas and antique candelabras – fusing two of the biggest trends at the moment. As I say, it’s a happy way to start the day – enjoy!Read More

Lightbulb Wedding Decor

by gaby

It’s Wednesday Trendsday, and today we’re looking at a little decor trend that I am absolutely smitten with. I first fell in love with the look earlier this year when we featured Chris and Rich’s gorgeous wedding, with big, round custom-shipped Edison bulbs hanging at intervals along the tables – they were gorgeous touches of stylish retro during the day and at night helped to create an intimate, magical atmosphere. Love.Read More

The Joys of Spring

by gaby

Hello lovelies! Time for some beautiful inspiration for this early summer afternoon (how is it DECEMBER already?). Today we’re showing off the talents of two friends of the blog (photographer Cheryl McEwan and co-ordinator Theresa of Creation Events), together with a team of talented people who put together this spring/summer inspiration for you. With bright florals, pretty boho bridal styling and the cutest retinue of little people, it feels like an Easter parade. So fun! Choose this palette and your guests won’t be able to hold back their sunny smiles!Read More

Real Wedding at Lourensford {Tessa & Nick}

by gaby

Do I ever have a pretty wedding to share with you today! It had me at hello. Hello breathtaking and unusual bridal gown, hello soft lavender bridesmaids’ pleats, hello muted pastel blooms against grey tablecloths and rustic wooden boards at the reception, hello bang on trend calligraphy details, hello lacy cake. So you won’t be surprised to know that some of South Africa’s finest service providers are involved, including photographer Jani B., Wedding Concepts, Okasie and Roxanne Floquet (who just happened to be one of the bridesmaids!). And of course I was delighted to hear that SBB was one of bride Tessa’s favourite blogs – what can I say, the girl’s got taste ;) Pour yourself a cup of your favourite something hot, settle in and enjoy.Read More

Inspiration Board: Plumfetti

by gaby

Happy Monday my lovely friends! Is everyone ready to be inspired? Today I thought we would play with one of my favourite things at the moment (glitter, you know it). Usually we see it combined with bright and soft pinks, but I got to thinking how lovely it would be with a range of purples. Plums, soft violets, lavender and lilac. Paired with glamorous gold, crisp whites and dreamy tulles. What’s not to love?

Colours: Lavender, plum & gold

Top row (l-r): Bouquet {Shari + Mike Photographers/Everything Beautiful Events}; dress with gold detail {Kim Maguire Photography}; bride & bridesmaids {Mint Photography}; ring box {Sarah Gawler}; place setting {Paige and Blake Photography}
Row 2: Gold paper straws; desserts on frames {Be Inspired PR/Be Inspired PR}; dress detailing {Kim Maguire Photography}; cork monogram {Stacy Able Photography}
Row 3: Bride & groom {Troy Grover Photographers}; flower girl; glitter {Robyn Kessler/Rebecca Wright}; gold shoes; champagne bottle.