Inspiring Copper & Brights Wedding at The Orchards by Summertown Pictures

by gaby

If there were ever a pair to give us #CoupleGoals, then it would be Kelsi & Tim. They’ve already been through more than many couples do in a lifetime, after a near-tragic car accident three years ago left Kelsi with over 20 broken bones, and a long road to recovery, where she had to learn to walk again. Tim was there by her side all the way. Today, Kelsi still struggles with constant pain, but you wouldn’t know it from the positivity, devotion and joy that radiate from the couple, especially on their wedding day. It’s a reminder of what really matters – the love and commitment at the centre of a marriage, which eclipses all the pretty details. But, as it happens, those pretty details are also in abundance, with the flower-loving duo choosing a bright palette of yellows and pinks and oranges and creams, with touches of copper to add a sophisticated edge. And speaking of sophisticated, the lovebirds rocked their own looks – Tim in a velvet blazer, and Kelsi in an exquisite custom-made gown from SBB fave Hanri Lues. And let’s not forget photographer Katie Wisdom, who was on the scene to take these beautiful photos!

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Contemporary Luxe Wedding at Bordeaux Game Farm by Louise Vorster

by gaby

Fair warning, lovelies – your Pinterest boards are about to get a whole lot prettier (and more crowded)! I am pretty much obsessing over everything about today’s wedding, from the venue (the amazing Bordeaux Game Farm, which we love so much we included it in our SBB Collection) to the blue, white and gold colour scheme, with chinoiserie-like vases and stationery and glamorous gold flatware, to the crisp white orchids, to the bridesmaids’ gowns. It all fits together into the most gorgeous contemporary luxe whole, with the beautiful bride and her dashing groom, Allane & Wim, at its centre. And with photographer Louise Vorster there to take these fantastic images, the picture is complete.

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Elbeth Gillis 2017 Collection: Luxury

by gaby

It’s always a good day when we get to share the latest from one of our favourite South African wedding designers, Elbeth Gillis! Having dressed South African brides to perfection for years, Elbeth is now making waves overseas as well, and we couldn’t be happier to see foreign editors and brides-to-be discovering her collections. This year, there are two capsule collections, and today we’re highlighting the first. Called ‘Luxury’, it’s a line-up of eight sophisticated gowns, with an emphasis on backs and shoulders and the exquisite details that are Elbeth’s trademark. There are a variety of necklines and silhouettes, all made up from the most gorgeous fabrics: stretch satins, silk chiffons, lace overlays and tattoos. The only question? How to pick a favourite.

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Inspiration Board: Winter White

by gaby

Hello lovelies! After a few days off being under the weather last week, I’m back in action and ready to share some gorgeous winter inspiration with you today! We’re kicking things off with an inspiration board, and what could be better or more classic than a white on white colour scheme? It’s perfect for a wintery wedding (whether or not you have snow to make the look complete) – just add a few gentle neutrals and metallics and otherwise keep things clean and crisp and… well, even. (Aaaaand now I’ll be humming Good King Wenceslas all day, thanks brain.) Paired with a beautiful lace sleeve wedding dress, it’s winter wedding perfection! (This post contains affiliate links)

Colours: White, ivory, sage, gold

Winter White1

Top row (l-r): Candles | Invitation suite (Jon Cu/Yvonne Xue/Paper Birch) | Wedding dress with lace sleeves (A Creative Atelier)
Row 2: Baby’s breath ceremony arch (Anastasia Belik/PEONY studio/Мarina Shentyapina) | Snow ring shot (Janelle Rodriguez Photography) | boutonnieres (Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography/Just A Little Ditty/Floral Images Design Studio)
Row 3: Iced biscuits (Michelle Photography/Weddings by Marius/Plum Tree Cakes) | Couple in snow (Rebecca Hollis Photography/Beargrass Gardens Floral & Events) | White place setting (Joy Michelle Photography/Hailey Grace Events/Anchor Point Paper Co.) | Cake with gold glitter (Cavin Elizabeth Photography/Luxe Events/Sweet Cheeks Baking Company)

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Aren’t we just loving the lace sleeve wedding dress featured on this board? It’s available on Etsy from A Creative Atelier.

We’ve rounded up more long sleeve wedding dress inspiration HERE, or have a peek at our current high street lace sleeve bridal finds:

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Enchanted Frost Winter Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

We’ve been loving everything blue on SBB throughout May, but I’ve been holding on to this little blue beauty right until the end and I’m so thrilled to share it with you all! And it’s actually the most perfect way to transition to next month’s theme – winter – because this shoot was inspired by snow and frost and blizzard, by ice queens and snow princesses, to create an enchanting wintery world that Elsa herself would be at home in. A super talented local team, headed by photographer Debbie Lourens, stylist Blank Canvas, and Leipzig Floral Design, created something really special here, with the details that range from practical to whimsical, and from pretty to fantastic. The gowns are incredible, the setup divine, and hello, headpieces!

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Inspiration Board: Blue Agate

by gaby

I’ve had so much fun creating blue inspiration boards this month – it really has been one of my favourite themes, and it’s reminded me how much potential there is when using blue as one of your colours. Or rather, blues, because there are so many shades and each one has something special about it. So I definitely had to do a board using blue ombre, and when I connected that with blue agate and its degrees of blue, I knew it was the perfect basis for a beautiful wedding design! Pretty, modern and elegant. (Note: This is not a sponsored post but contains affiliate links)

Colours: Navy, cobalt, powder blue, sand

Top row (l-r): Gilt agate wedding invitation (Minted) | Agate calligraphy escorts (Fox and Sparrow Design) | Anemone bouquet with blue ribbons (Vivian Chen Photography/Southern Social Events Experiences/Bella Vita Event Productions)
Row 2: Couple with agate name markers (Kristen Joy Photography/Weddings & Events by Emily) | Blue ombre bridesmaids (Virgil Bunao)
Row 3: Bride with veil (Kristen Kilpatrick/Monique Lhuillier) | Tablescape with hanging greenery (Jessica Lorren Organic Photography/Jessica Sloane) | Blue ombre icing wedding cake (Esther Sun/Sarah Park Events/M Cake Sweets)

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Blue agate wedding invitation

Gilt Agate wedding invitation by Minted

Blue agate escort cards

Brazilian agate wedding place cards by Fox & Sparrow Design on Etsy

10 Blue Wedding Colour Palettes

by gaby

blue palettes 2

Happy new week, brideys! We’re almost at the end of our ‘something blue’ journey, and I actually have a brand new blue inspiration board to share with you later today, but first I thought I would round up 10 of my favourites from the archives. There’s a whole range of styles and combinations from elegant to beachy here, but what they share is an anchor shade from the cool blue range. Whether you decide to mix your blue with similar shades and keep things cool and beautiful, or pair them with a hot bright shade so that the colour really pops, you pretty much can’t go wrong! Which is your favourite?

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Amalfi Blues Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of my all-time favourite places on earth. Back in my mid-twenties I went there on what we dubbed the ‘blonde roadtrip’ – three blondes in a convertible, ten days, just driving the coast and stopping over where we liked. It was awesome (except, maybe, for the actual driving part). Because fun! But also because it’s seriously one of the most beautiful places you will ever get to visit, with amazing food, and lovely people, and and and. Heaven, basically. So when my friend, Anneli Marinovich, attended a photography workshop (Moda e Arte) there a while back, I was super envious! And now I’m missing Amalfi all over again, as I get to share these beautiful images that Anneli took at the workshop, which was styled by the insanely talented Joy Proctor. We see our couple through their wedding to their clifftop reception, and on to their stylish honeymoon – in a convertible of course! It’s the perfect ‘something blue’ to finish off the week, and fit into our theme this month! Thanks for sharing, Anneli!

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Relaxed Rustic Wedding at The Stone Cellar by Leandri Kers

by gaby

They say home is where the heart is (and I say, where the wine is ;) ) so it’s no wonder that today’s sweet couple, Chris & Karin, wanted to create a home-away-from-home atmosphere for their wedding, in the relaxed, rustic setting of the Stone Cellar. The decor was simple and lovely – lace runners on long wooden tables, hanging greenery and wreaths, lasercut elements, a classic palette of white and green – all of which perfectly complemented the family-style dining and casual canapés that they had in mind. Add in some gorgeous scenery and photographer Leandri Kers to up the romance stakes with her dreamy pictures, and you have a wedding that’s as warm and welcoming as it is pretty.

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A Swartland Sonnet

by gaby

Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography has a way with the camera that just makes me melt – since the beginning of SBB, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing her work and marveling at her magic touch, and just how romantic every image is. Today we’re sharing one of Maree’s styled shoots, and this one’s extra special, because it marks a new chapter for her, that of film photography. For years, I’ve been enviously watching all of those incredible overseas photographers who work only or mostly in film, while in South Africa we’ve only had one or two (very talented) folks with this offering. To see another of my favourite snappers make this step makes me so happy, and I hope that in the next few years more photographers (and crucially, more brides and grooms) will opt for fine art film weddings, or a combination of film and digital, so that this aspect of local photography can flourish. But back to this shoot, because it is absolutely dreamy – the kind of pretty that makes me want to get pinning straight away. Lush florals, calligraphy, vintage elements, a touch of gold – and an adorable mint ruffled cake. To bring her vision to life, Maree worked with a brilliant team, including Anli Wahl, My Green Love Affair, Nikki Albertyn and Vicky of Mocholoco (herself a real SouthBound bride!), who also acted as the model. Let’s get inspired!

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