Real Wedding in Simon’s Town {Joy & Dylan}

by gaby

When I was 22 I lived in Italy, and I dated a boy there. We used to go and get drinks by the canals, and stare into each other’s eyes and he would tell me I had “the look”. What look? The look of luuuurve my friends. Googly-eyed, starry-eyed, whatever you want to call it. Well, you see those two up there? Yup, that’s The Look. But the fact that Dylan and Joy are blatantly glowing with how crazy they are for one another is not the only reason I love today’s wedding (although it’s my favourite reason). The fact is that this wedding is unbeeeeleeeeeevably gorgeous. As in, make oooh faces at it, poise your mouse over the favourites button before you’ve even finished reading it type of gorgeous. In fact, I’m making The Look at this wedding right now because I’m so in love with it. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it has an achingly pretty (and contemporary) palette of soft pink and grey, or that the bride is a stone cold fox and her husband a strapping professional rugby player, or that the photographs are by up-and-coming and super talented photographer Nastassja Harvey (who you should totally book now while you still have the chance). And apparently the folks over at Top Billing agree, since Joy and Dylan’s wedding was featured on the show last week (yay!). Whether you managed to catch it or not, you are going to love the chance to savour every image from this beautiful day.Read More

Real Wedding at Schaftplaas {Liana & Toy}

by gaby

A while back I remember coming across a wedding online where, during the reception, one of the groomsmen proposed to one of the bridesmaids. Cute, right? But I remember thinking how if you were going to do that, you would have to be part of a group of friends who would be so excited for you that they wouldn’t feel you were upstaging the bride and groom, simply making the whole night even more special for everyone. It wasn’t until I was putting this post together that I realised Liana and Toy were that couple! And now I can see exactly why the proposal was perfect for them – they are clearly warm and down to earth folks, and like nothing better than chilling out with the people they love. And the great thing is, that’s EXACTLY what their wedding was all about. Forget trends and trappings, this is one wedding that was totally original, because it was designed completely around who the bride and groom really are. From their outfits to the ultimate rustic venue (Schaftplaas), to the proudly South African touches like tin cups and malva pudding for dessert. From the horse cart and hay ride arrivals, to the barbed wire table decorations, to the barn dance festivities and the dogs hanging out like they were just another guest. It all looks like so much FUN! And if you weren’t already convinced that personalised weddings are the Way To Go, then welcome to your conversion. Liana and Toy – you guys rock. Thank you so much for sharing your day with us! And another great big thank you to photographer Annemari Ruthven, who is as talented as she is lovely and took these gorgeous pictures. I’m so excited to have her on the blog again!

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Real Wedding at De Hollandsche Molen {Michelle & Frans}

by gaby

Ok, confession. I’ve always kinda had this thing where I wished I was born Southern. As in, Southern American, not from the south of, like, the earth (in which case I did pretty well). For one thing, it’s a beautiful place, and for another I would make a great steel magnolia. Plus, growing up I would have got to kiss boys who sounded like Harry Connick Jnr and called their mothers ma’am. But most of all, I would have got to use expressions like “that dog don’t hunt” and “finer than a frog’s hair split four ways” in my lilting Southern drawl. I’ve tried them in my Saaf Effrikan accent and… well, that dog don’t hunt. But let’s just pretend for today that I AM Southern and that I could say things like that, because y’all, today’s wedding really is finer than a frog’s hair split four ways. Take a beautiful Cape day, add proteas and laughter and pretty vintage details, and you have the epitomy of wedding gorgeousness. Every little part of Frans and Michelle’s day at De Hollandsche Molen seems effortless and graceful and bathed in golden light, and their joy is so beautifully captured by Rebecca Meissner of Love Made Visible, it’s infectious. So grab an ice tea and sit a spell, and enjoy this nugget of Southern (African) goodness.Read More

Inspiration Board: Coral & Grey

by gaby

Happy Monday! We’ll soon be featuring a stunning wedding in Simonstown, and looking at the pics got me to thinking about vintage naval prints and nautical weddings. Although navy and red is the most obvious colour combination for this theme, I love the subtler beachy beauty of coral and grey, which also happen to be two colours that are bang on trend right now. Then I remembered these gorgeous invitations from Ruby & Willow and I knew I had to do a board. I think the final result is classy and just a little rustic – perfect for a venue by the sea.

Colours: Coral, grey, charcoal and white

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom; Anthropologie whale ornament; coral invitations
Row 2: Coral cufflinks; heart pin boutonniere; ship’s wheel; succelent with rings; coral earrings
Row 3: Shell necklace; vintage naval print; coral peonies.

Real Wedding at Groenrivier {Huibré & Schalk}

by gaby

Time to kick off our real weddings for 2011!! And I can’t think of a better one to get us started than Schalk & Huibré’s. It’s the PERFECT balance between laid back, vintagey farm cool and stylish sophistication; I die over the little details every time I look at them. The stationery is, quite simply, amazing. Playful and eclectic and totally covetable. (Of course, it never hurts when the groom’s aunt is the fabulous Elsje of Elsje Designs!) The venue is gorgeous (Groenrivier in Riebeek West, about an hour from Cape Town). And Ian Mitchinson‘s pictures are quite simply… wow. (Wait till you see the couple shoot taken around Riebeek Kasteel) I can’t even pick which is my favourite part – the plum coloured dresses, the antique brooches on the bride’s bouquet, the SHOES, the homely little vintage touches like coffee cans and kitchen scales adorned with roses… and the truly astounding part is that it was organised in THREE MONTHS! Yes, it’s actually possible (although I’m convinced Huibré must be some kind of wedding savant to pull this off). So prepare to be awed!Read More

Hot Wedding Trends for 2011

by gaby

I’ve been in two minds about writing this post. On the one hand, it feels a little… presumptious. What do I know, right? But on the other, if I was newly engaged, it’s something I would be asking. What IS happening in weddings these days? And who better to ask than someone who reads hundreds of wedding blogs every day? (That’s me!) So here’s where I think things are going, and what I think South African brides can expect to see more of in the coming year.

1. The Royal Wedding
There’s no getting away from it – this will be a game changer. And that may mean that we haven’t seen the last of the tiara, or that royal touches like monograms and dramatic ballgowns will be big news again. However, indications from the palace are that Kate & Wills will have some modern elements (maybe even a slinkier gown?), and these are likely to be the ones that will be in our collective wedding consciousness for years to come.Read More

DIY: Christmas Crackers

by gaby

Now that the wedding craziness of last week is over, it’s time to get the family festive celebrations on the road, so I hope you’ll forgive me if we’re not completely wedding focused this week! My mom asked if I would make us individual crackers for our Christmas dinner, and I thought I would share them as a holiday DIY. They’re a little fiddly and take a couple of hours, but really make things personal and extra fun at the Christmas table. And for South African readers I picked up most of the necessaries at my local CNA, so everything’s easily available locally for a spot of last-minute DIY. These would be great favours for a holiday wedding or even another time of year with different decoration!

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Guest Blogger: IndieBerries

by gaby

You guys, I am so excited about this guest post! One of my personal daily must-reads is indieBerries – a completely fresh and original (and award-winning!) blog just bursting with fun and creativity, written by the awesome Che.  She documents her life in a series of hilarious cartoons, and she also just happens to be a craft goddess with a penchant for pretty stationery. I’m so  honoured that she’s agreed to guest post for me today. Thank you so much Che! (I’ll give Durbs a big hello from you today!)

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Hi, I’m Che from the blog indieBerries. I’m South African currently teaching English in South Korea and I write a personal/inspirational/design/cartoon-infused blog.

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Free Printable Grey & Yellow Invitation Suite by Brancoprata

by gaby

When I started this whole wedding blogging thing, it didn’t take me long to come across two of the rising stars in the industry – Sofia and André from Brancoprata. Talk about a match made in creative heaven! I was (and still am) blown away by their amazing, inspirational ideas and André’s beautiful photography (head over to their blog to be overwhelmed by the prettiness yourself). What I didn’t know then is that they are also incredibly lovely, and I have so enjoyed getting to know them. And I am still pinching myself that they not only agreed to guest blog while I’m in South Africa, but that they’ve also created some AWESOME free downloads to share with all of you! Muito obrigado, you two!

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Hello, you lovely readers from South Africa and beyond!! We are Sofia and André from Brancoprata, a Portuguese wedding company who specializes in design, decor and photography!
When Gaby asked us to guest post here we were delighted and completely honored with this opportunity to show you what we do!
So when we start thinking about what we wanted to post, we thought about something we never done before… a free download!! Something that could easily be printed and assembled at home!
So, without further delay, we give you a lifetime chance (…just kidding) to have a classic chic meets fresh and modern invitation!

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Sew in Love Bridal Shower by Luna and Chloe Weddings

by gaby

Sew in Love Sewing Themed Bridal Shower

You know how with some blogs you stop in and immediately know you’ve found a second home? Well, Luna and Chloe Weddings was one of those for me – I loved it from the first time I visited. Kristi has an amazing eye for detail, and a talent for seeing the potential for beauty in everyday objects. So I can’t even tell you how excited I am that not only did Kristi agree to do a guest blog for me while I’m away, but she was kind enough to create this incredible bridal shower inspiration shoot, which I am absolutely dying over! I can’t think of a better way to kick off my series of guest blogs – thank you so much, Kristi! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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