Beauty in Colour Tropical Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

OK SERIOUSLY, HOW IS IT OCTOBER? I’m sulking a bit, I have to admit (especially as I have a birthday looming at the end of the year) but fortunately, if I wanted cheering up there is literally no better way than with this month’s theme. Because in October we are ALL about the colour. Summer Brights, to be specific. It’s like jumping out of the cool muted hues of the fine art features of the last month straight into a neon rainbow, and I love it. I also can’t think of a better way to kick it off than with today’s feature, which comes from the wonderful Hello Love Photography and Dominique’s talented team of vendors (have to make special mention of Oopsie Daisy Flowers for these flowers!). This is actually a two-parter (look out for more inspiration tomorrow) but today we have a riot of tropical colours, bold makeup, bright blooms, and general incredibleness. In fact, if you were ever on the fence about whether too much colour could be a good thing, this will change your mind! So let’s embrace this new season and dive in, shall we? Yay!

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How to Style a Fine Art Wedding

by gaby

Image: Magnolia & Magpie Photography/Honey & Cinnamon/ISA Events on SouthBound Bride

*UPDATED FOR 2021* As we come to the end of our month of Fine Art Wedding inspiration, I thought that it might be a fun idea to put everything together into one neat little guide. There are of course no hard and fast rules in wedding styling, but if this is a look you love, there are a few elements that, when put together, will recreate the look (or when added one by one, will add just a touch of that fine art wedding style to any big day). There are also some important elements that I haven’t included here. Photography is the most obvious, since that’s where it all began – if this is a look you love, you’ll want to connect with a photographer who shoots film or digital with a film look (think light, airy, ethereal). After all, the point of these particular details is that they photograph beautifully! The next guiding principle is to choose a muted palette (and not to get matchy about colours) – taupes, greys, muted pastels, etc. When it comes to your venue, you’ll want to lean towards a romantic, old world style rather than something too modern (and yes, I know we can’t all book a villa in Tuscany, but there are many local options that will work just as well, with a South African twist!) Finally, embrace texture and quality when it comes to the details. Beautiful linens, handmade stationery, dreamy gowns with unique colour or embellishment, lush blooms. And that’s where all of the ideas below come in. I’ve included some gorgeous inspiration from around the web, as well as shoppable items from Etsy, so you can easily recreate the look for yourself.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Dreamy Spring Film Engagement

by gaby

One of the things  haven’t spoken about so much this month of Fine Art Weddings is photography, and TBH that’s a bit of an oversight, because so much of this style comes from the whole movement of fine art wedding photography, and the stylists who regularly work with the pioneers of that style and have together created this new trend in wedding design. And after all, there’s no point in putting all that effort into styling your big day if you’re not going to get it photographed by someone who ‘gets it’. Think Jose Villa, Elizabeth Messina, Jen Huang. That dreamy, ethereal look they are known for has a lot to do with the fact that they shoot on film, and while this is nothing new, it’s taken a while for film to make its way to SA weddings for various reasons. But over the last year or two, I’ve seen it offered more and more, and it makes my little heart so happy. Of course, film is more expensive, and digital work can be just as lovely, but I’m so glad that couples who love this look now have more options in terms of being able to choose it (most photographers who offer this as part of their wedding package shoot a combo of film and digital). One of my favourite local photographers in general, and on film in particular, is Rensche Mari. A few weeks back we featured Luan & Marné’s wedding, which she captured beautifully, and today we get to share their engagement shoot, which also happens to be all film! So you’ll get to see a perfect example of what I’m talking about. The idea is simple – an outdoor picnic, a walk among the willows. But through Rensche’s lens, it takes on a truly magical quality. Sigh!

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Lavender Fields Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Friends, this is a good day. I not only get to share this BEAUTIFUL styled shoot, the last of the series in our Fine Art Weddings month, which will absolutely send you into fits of swoonage with its painterly prettiness and impressionist charm, but I also get to introduce you to an exciting new friend. A few weeks back, I discovered the very lovely Mary-Ann Wiggill of Mary-Ann Art, who offers something really special and exciting when it comes to weddings: live art. Working from the sidelines while your magical day is going on, Mary-Ann creates acrylic paintings that recreate a scene from the wedding. Can you imagine a keepsake more lovely than that? (Not to mention that your guests will get such a kick from seeing it happening!) Today’s shoot has Mary-Ann in her element, capturing the romance of a couple in a field of lavender (we seriously could be in France right now) and includes even more gorgeous fine art-inspired details, like a hand painted cake, a floral gown, an artist’s palette a bouquet alternative (genius!) and the loveliest stationery by our talented friends at Blooming Wonderful, and of course dreamy images by Natasha Taljard. Which just goes to show: every wedding is a work of art, but some can be a masterpiece!

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Wedding Veils for the Fine Art Bride

by gaby

Lace Mantilla Veil by Sibo Designs (Image: Brumley & Wells)

The other day we rounded up some GORGEOUS fine art wedding dresses from Etsy, but I’m not done yet with the pretty, oh no. Because a fine art bride also wants to rock a beautiful veil. And why wouldn”t she? Veils are quintessentially romantic and feminine, they look incredible on film (especially those with extra length or lace detailing) and they can also add a bit of vintage flair, whether that’s a touch of Art Deco glamour or a swish of old European grace. But don’t just take it from me. Dive into these 20 spectacular beauties, and you’re sure to agree! Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Windswept Modern Romance Wedding at Landtscap by Pritti

by gaby

When it comes to wedding day weather, it’s rain that makes most brides’ toes curl in terror, but wind never really gets a mention although if you live in the Cape, you know it’s a fact of life sometimes. So when I was looking at the images of Chanel and Rikus’ wedding – these beautiful portraits made even more beautiful by the fact that some are a little wild and windswept, I was wondering to myself if it had bothered them, or if they’d realised how much extra movement it would add to Migneon Marais’ of Pritti‘s gorgeous pictures of their big day. Then I read their story, and discovered that the wind is their talisman – a literal force of nature that brought them together and showed up to surround them with love as they exchanged their vows. That’s magical, isn’t it? And looking at these two, you can see that their love is something natural and unstoppable too. The romance! I’m totally neglecting to talk about the details here, but trust, they are awesome too – greenery done in a modern, minimalist way, and super fun touches like a blockbuster first dance, bridesmaids rocking contemporary Audrey Hepburn LBDs and updos, incredible catering from amazing SBB faves, Two Chefs, and a glow stick dance party. Let’s all get swept away, shall we?

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Relaxed Zimbabwe Garden Wedding by GingerAle Photography

by gaby

Consider this wedding an ode to everything we love about the relaxed southern African lifestyle: beautiful scenery, friendly faces, nights spent under the stars to the beat of an African drum. The charming grounds of Portsalon Lodge in Harare, Zimbabwe, were the host to this laid-back affair. From the first look to the last dance, Gus and Carly were bright with smiles and laughter, which they shared with their nearest and dearest in a succession of lovely tableaux that spanned the tiers of the Portsalon gardens. First up, cocktail hour followed by an outdoor ceremony, and then the reception, which paired simple greenery with hundreds of fairy lights, to magical effect. With these lovely images taken by GingerAle Photography, you’ll be smiling for days too!

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Intimate Winter Winelands Wedding at Spier by Helette Photography

by gaby

Wondering if an intimate wedding is for you? Well, look no further for inspiration. There’s a quiet sophistication we love about Melissa and William’s Stellenbosch celebration – a destination wedding at their favourite estate, Spier – it’s hard to believe it really only took two months to pull together! The white tulip bouquet, the beautiful blooms, the floral arch… The look is classic elegance, letting the couple’s love and happiness shine above all else, and the winter season and pared back guest list kept things intimate and cozy. Love the way that the couple treated their guests to a wine tasting while they had their couple shoot – one of those experiences you can really maximise on creating for your guests when you have fewer of them. Helette Photography took these lovely pics!

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20 Wedding Dresses for a Fine Art Bride

by gaby

Ophelia Gown by Hannah Tikkanen (Image: Simply Sweet Photography by Nomo Akisawa)

This morning we’re focusing on one of my favourite elements of a fine art wedding – the dreamiest gowns you can imagine! Because of course, you want to look like a masterpiece on your wedding day! So what IS a wedding dress for a fine art bride, exactly? Well, it’s less a specific look than a feeling: ethereal, hand crafted, unique, with beautiful fabrics and intricate details. It’s definitely not your standard wedding salon ivory ballgown, and often it isn’t white or ivory at all – colour is definitely part of the equation. Above all, a fine art dress photographs beautifully, which is another reason why you’ll often see dreamy rivers of tulle in fine art inspiration shoots. But where to find these one-off beauties? Well, there are some local designers who lean in this direction, but you could also take the leap and look to the artisan dressmakers on Etsy, which is what I have rounded up here today. Get ready for full scale swoonage. This might be our prettiest dress roundup EVER. Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Cozy Protea-filled Wedding at Old Haliwell by Kristi Smith

by gaby

I swear, I am always so discombobulated when it comes to seasons. For one thing, right when I’m curled up in blankets drinking hot chocolate with my dog, my Aisle Society sisters are sipping sweet tea or heading for Martha’s Vineyard, or whatever it is they do over in the States when it’s summer. And right when we start getting summer vibes, there’s tons of autumnal wedding inspiration that hits the net. And then, of course, there’s the fact that we often feature weddings months after they happen, which is why now is the time of so many cold weather weddings and cozy receptions for me, and as much as I’m a summer girl, I LOVE it. Case in point: Anzél and Jaun’s Midlands celebration, which is cold weather wedding style done oh-so-right. Rich colours (including and inspired by beautiful Proteas and complemented by classic black), long sleeves (Anzél’s lace gown is to die for, and her bridesmaids are rocking black lace in a big way!), and cozy homemade touches like rusk favours and a rustic cheese wheel cake. Leaves on the ground, love in the heart – it’s wonderful. And be sure to read the couple’s story, because they have one of the cutest ‘how we met’ stories ever! Kristi Smith took these lovely, moody pics.

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