Real Wedding at South Hill {Estie & Francois}

by gaby

A few months ago, as you may recall, I opened up our Real Life Bride feature to our readers. I was hoping to hear from one or two of you, but instead, within days, my inbox was full. The BEST kind of emails – mails full of passion and excitement and plans and inspirations. I felt like I could picture each and every one of those weddings, and even though I could only pick one (okay, I picked three), I knew it wasn’t the last I wanted to hear of the others. One of my favourites was a submission from self-confessed “huge SouthBound Bride follower” Estie, whose big day was too soon for the series, but who described in detail the French-inspired fantasy wedding she and her fiance had dreamed up (with a bit of help from SBB!). She described a spring wedding, romantic and glamorous in Parisian shades of mauve, pewter, black & white, with a water feature and a transparent marquee full of twinkling lights reflecting the stars above. It sounded… well, dreamy is the only word I can come up with (even if it makes me sound like I should be at a sock-hop). Anyway, fast forward to a few weeks ago when talented Cape photographer Adene told me about her latest wedding, which she described as A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. And amazing it was. It also turned out to be Estie’s, and I’m thrilled to be sharing it with you today! (Oh, and PS: THAT CAKE!)Read More

A Bride Abroad #3: The Venue

by gaby

When you start planning your wedding, friends and guides will tell you there are three things you need to book first: venue, DJ and photographer; the first of these being the venue. Finding one in the Western Cape is not a difficult task – they are there in abundance! Finding the right venue for your wedding (and that from a distance) = not so simple. More so if you’re picky. And Chris and I are picky. Boy, are we picky!

We had a whole list of requirements. The venue had to be beautiful, of course. It had to be a one-stop venue with ceremony and reception site in one place. It had to have onsite catering and accommodation. It had to be available until after twelve. The chairs at the venue had to be nice so that they didn’t have to be covered (I despise a seat cover). Linen, crockery and cutlery had to be included in the venue hire. And, last but not least, it needed to be available for the date we had chosen. Well, that narrowed down the search all right!

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Inspiration Board: Mellow Yellow

by gaby

Sometimes I get the COOLEST requests for inspiration boards, and I have been looking forward to this one for a while. Reader Leigh-Anne mailed to tell me about her trendy urban meets country chic summer wedding, with bold black and white stripes and punches of yellow. The relaxed but elegant celebration will feature a number of fun touches to reflect their hip personalities, including black Converses, a braai menu, orchids, peonies and a Vespa! Wow. The board kind of created itself! First stop was a great table setting (check out this wedding for more) – I love the striped table runners and the yellow chargers, and bringing in an organic yellow (lemons) is a fun nod to the country chic aspect. I love the soft flowers, especially this yellow orchid bouquet, and the white painted mason jars are the coolest. Stripes of course are a big motif – as well as the table runners and invitations (how stylish are those envelope liners?), I have fallen in LOVE with these striped Bruno Frisonis, but alternatively you could pair a yellow shoe with a striped sash (I know Leigh-Anne is planning some Louboutins). Bridesmaids could also do stripes, but I love these black belted yellow numbers (especially if paired with soft white bouquets) and stylish heels. I love the idea of the groom in a yellow bowtie and suspenders (reflecting the stripes) – and they go perfectly with the Converse look. I love the sound of a braai menu, and it made me think of what photographer Christine Meintjes told me about her sister’s wedding, where they had a braai station with all sorts of mini braai treats during cocktail hour. So cute. Finally, for equally stylish guests (and fun photos), give cheap shades as a favour, and then ride off into the sunset on a yellow Vespa. Just one last tip for Leigh-Anne, not pictured here, is to grab some black and white striped washi tape – there will be a zillion fun last-minute uses for it. Good luck with the rest of your planning Leigh-Anne, can’t wait to see your wedding!

Colours: Black, white and yellow

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Stephanie Saul Photography/Jessica Frey Photography/House of Flowers}; flowers in white mason jars; escort cards {Erin Hearts Court/La Partie Events}; yellow orchid bouquet
Row 2: Dress with striped sash {Erin Hearts Court/La Partie Events}; striped envelope liner invitation {Cheree Berry Paper/Edyta Szyszlo}; yellow bridesmaids dresses {Krissy Allori Photography + Courtney Jade Photography/Double Take Event Styling}; groom in Converse {Marianne Taylor}
Row 3: Bride and groom {Aaron Shintaku/JL Designs}; shoes {Bruno Frisoni}; sunglasses favour {Marianne Wilson Photography}; yellow Vespa {Carla Mendes}; braai station {Catherine Mac}.

 

Real Wedding at the Chartfield Guest House {Kate & Steve}

by gaby

All weddings are lovely, no question. But there are some that seem to have a special kind of glow, where the joy and love seem to radiate from every photograph, on every face. Where I find myself smiling as I’m editing. Today’s is one of those. Kate and Steve are clearly made for each other, and they celebrated their union in a day that reminds me a little of a wedding in a French village, with a procession from the church, an open air reception under acres of bunting, sunset toasts and late night dancing. It’s just so LOVELY. And it’s inspiring, because it makes me want to rush out and discover new, unusual venues like the Chartfield Guest House, that showcase some incredible Cape views but lend themselves to this kind of relaxed celebration with a backyard feel. Even better, US photographer Julie Wilhite was in town to capture every detail as only she can – lucky for us she has a sister in Cape Town, as we just love featuring her work!Read More

Molteno Creations Bridal Shoot

by gaby

Good afternoon, lovelies, I have some eye candy for you. Because we all love to look at gorgeous dresses, don’t we? Especially when they come from a local designer – in this case, Molteno Creations. I am hearting the hell out of the way that these pretty, unique but extremely wearable dresses have been styled with a slight vintage edge – I’m LOVING the red lip and feather headpiece (from Carrie B.) especially. Fab Cape photographer Abigail K. was behind the lens, capturing all the bridal fashion loveliness to share with you.Read More

Real Wedding at The Boma {Claire & Ryan}

by gaby

Some days do not go the way you planned. Yesterday was definitely one of those days, not least because I spent a good portion of it hiding from a mouse that the cats brought in, while simultaneously trying to make sure they didn’t torture it to death. Because I’m an animal lover, even with animals that I have a massive phobia for. It’s complicated. Anyway, so our second wedding of the week happens today, and we’ll have the third on Friday, for a change. Because a change is as good as a holiday, right? And boy do I need a holiday… Fortunately, today’s wedding is sure to brighten up anyone’s morning. It has a vintage travelling circus vibe, with top hats and peacock feathers, and feathers and ribbons. I probably don’t even need to say much more than that for you to know it’s ace. But as well as checking out Taryn Rahl‘s beautiful pics, you’ll want to give the story a read because we have a his and hers version going on – so cute. Claire and Ryan are clearly one very fun couple, and I’m super excited to share their big day with you!Read More

Mismatched Groomsmen

by gaby

Good morning, friends! I have another fabulous wedding coming your way later, but first I thought I would change things up a bit and bring you some inspiration for the boys. Didn’t think bridesmaids were going to have all the mismatching fun, did you? Seriously though, this is one trend that will make your future husband (and his best friends) love you – allowing them to express themselves a bit and to be comfortable in what they are wearing is bound to be a huge plus. Like the same trend for girls, there are lots of different levels of mismatch, from having the same suit and different accessories, to having different looks for the groom and the groomsmen, to a general colour or style guideline, to a full-scale mix and match. What you choose will depend on practical aspects like hire versus purchase, as well as the overall style of your big day (this works particularly well for vintage or boho weddings, for example). And here are some pretty pics to get you started. (Pretty pics? That feels weird when they’re all boys. Handsome pics.)Read More

Real Wedding at Providence {Nicola & Colin}

by gaby

I’ve had such a brilliant reaction to the inspiration board I posted last week, with rich shades of red, orange, yellow and copper, that I know you’re going to love today’s classic autumn wedding. In fact, autumn seems to be a bit of a thing here this week, but it’s such a beautiful season – I have only to look out of my office window at the tapestry of leaves all over our garden to be inspired. So I was delighted a while back when my lovely friend Nicola told me she was booking an autumn wedding and really embracing the season and the palette; I knew it would be gorgeous. Nix is another of my varsity girlies – she was my partner in crime back in the day (we even shared a 21st – it rocked, if I say so myself) and I’ve seen her grow from a farm girl from Estcourt into a switched-on sophisticate (albeit a fun and down-to-earth one), and this was one wedding I was devastated to miss. Especially since Nix married the loveliest man, and I wanted to be among the first to wish them the happiest of lives together. But instead, I get to do that here, and to relive their special day through Nix’s words, and KZN photographer David Rees’ pictures. I am so loving the colours in this wedding, especially since they work perfectly with the natural backdrop of the season. Who needs a summer wedding, right? I for one think Nix and Col are onto something.Read More

Let Them Eat Wedding Cake #10: The Honeymoon

by gaby

It’s less than three weeks until the day we are married and the craziness of wedding planning has officially hit. With all the loose ends to tie up some things are of course going awry, others better than expected – fun, excitement, stress – but what is standing out more than ever in all this planning madness is how incredibly remarkable my ‘almost-husband’ is. He’s been like anti-stress on this planning adventure. Wonderful in every way and with the wedding drawing nearer even more wonderful as the stressors increase. More than five years have passed and I still miss him when he leaves a room and get excited to see him upon his return. And I get to marry him. SOON! To say that I am excited to meet him at the church may be the greatest understatement that ever leaves my lips. :)

But what on earth will we do once the wedding is over? When everything has been taken down and the boxes of goods used on our special day are packed away and returned? Shall it be London, Paris, New York? All these amazing options were under serious consideration until our search was interrupted by a perfect find and we both knew we had found our answer. A Mauritian paradise it was destined to be. :)

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Inspiration Board: Harvest Sunshine

by gaby

Today’s board was one of those unexpected little surprises. It came from helping a friend who was looking for autumn wedding ideas, particularly incorporating pumpkins and gourds (love how these have become a lovely decor option recently). I started thinking about colour palettes and how, while the more typical autumn colour combinations – russet, yellow and orange in particular – are always rich and gorgeous, they wouldn’t be for everyone. I often think of blue and yellow as a spring or summer combination but looking at some of Pantone’s current feature colours including dusky blue and sunflower, I began to think they would make a beautiful, unusual autumn palette especially when paired up with yellow squash and white pumpkin textures. I’d keep flowers simple (although LOVE the pumpkin ‘vase’) with a big statement sunflower bouquet and then include warming autumn touches like a cardigan for the bride or bridesmaids, beeswax candle favours, and delicious cold weather menu options. It’s also a good chance to include prints, which as you know are a big deal right now. What do you think?

Colours: Dusk blue, sunflower yellow, ivory and soft grey

Top row (l-r): Mini white pumpkins; billy buttons in milk glass {Portobello Bride /ngg studios}; bridesmaids {Our Labor of Love}; beeswax candles
Row 2: Table setting with pumpkins and gourds; pumpkin vase; yellow letterpress invitation; yellow striped tie; forks on print fabric
Row 3: Sunflower bouquet {Dove Wedding Photography}; favour wraps; table setting with book pages; bride in yellow cardigan {Cameron Ingalls}

Harvest Sunshine Inspiration Board