21 Something Blue Engagement Rings

by gaby

Blue Engagement Rings

Ice Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring by Eidel Precious

*UPDATED FOR 2021* Engagement rings with coloured gemstones are a trend that’s definitely here to stay. And as much as I do love a classic diamond, I’m also loving seeing this trend evolve, because why shouldn’t there be as much choice in rings as there is taste in jewellery? Pink and yellow engagement rings have had their moment in the spotlight, but now blue engagement rings are having their moment. The sapphires, the aquamarines, the blue topazes, the blue diamonds, and of course, tanzanite. It’s amazing how many beautiful options there are with these gems, and best of all, they’re at a huge variety of price points to suit any budget. So if blue is your colour and you want lots of bling for your buck, consider this statement alternative. After all, if a sapphire was good enough for Kate Middleton…

*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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Golden Gate Romance with a Rose Quartz Dress

by gaby

We don’t feature a lot of e-sessions on SBB anymore, but there are engagement shoots… and then there are engagement shoots. Today’s is definitely one of the latter – when it crossed my desk it took my breath away! With a smitten couple in love, in one of South Africa’s most majestic locations up among the mountains of Golden Gate National Park, featuring a crazy gorgeous Rose Quartz dress by Silver Swallow and with the most beautiful images by photographer Ian Odendaal, it’s sheer romance. Like that opening scene of The Sound of Music where she’s twirling around because the hills are alive, but better, because there’s no Nazis, and nobody’s wearing an ugly pinafore or singing about goatherds (or singing at all, actually). So just the twirling, and the big big sky, and the sense of pure, unadulterated joy. Ah, love.

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20 Breathtaking Blue Wedding Dresses

by gaby

Winter Wedding Dress by Reev Bridal

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

**Updated for 2020** Get ready for some serious dress love, my darlings! A while back, I rounded up some of the absolute DREAMIEST pastel gowns on SBB, and I haven’t stopped dreaming about them since. So when the theme for May was settled on as ‘Something Blue’, I couldn’t wait to go out and source some spectacular blue (and blue-grey) wedding gowns from our favourite online inspirational marketplace, Etsy. And my word, but did I ever find some beauties. Every single one of these blue wedding dresses has something that makes it extra special beyond just the colour (which let’s be honest, is pretty awesome on its own, from baby blue to ice blue to dusty blue!) – a lace detail here, a sparkle there, and a whole lot of cloud-soft tulle. If you weren’t thinking of a ‘something blue’ wedding gown before? Well, you will be now!

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Charming Forest Wedding at Florence Farm by Carolien & Ben

by gaby

Charming Forest Wedding | Credit: Carolien & Ben

This couple, you guys! They are just too cute for words. Exhibit A: Chris’ absolutely awesome surprise proposal on top of a mountain in the Drakensberg (just try watching the video without smiling!). Exhibit B: A forest ceremony with thousands of paper cranes dancing in the breeze above, and so many happy tears from the groom and bride, and father of the bride, and basically everyone who was there, when Ursula made her entrance. Or how about the romantic signage – the quote about forests at the altar, or the banner that declared they’d decided on forever? Or the farm-style rustic reception with country vintage details and pastel flowers, and lovely little wooden crates stencilled with the wedding date? There’s so much to love in this forest-meets-farm chic wedding, but the love between the couple are at the centre of it all, and Carolien & Ben did a fabulous job in capturing that in their beautiful, light-filled way. *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

See more real forest weddings on SBB!

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Inspiration Board: Berries & Blues

by gaby

Something pretty for your Monday, lovelies? Don’t mind if we do. I’ve always loved the combination of navy blue with rich reds and berry tones (navy & Marsala was one of my favourite board combos last year), but when I saw an image of a bridesmaid in a slightly lighter French blue holding a bouquet in the same shades, I knew I’d found my new colour crush. I just love how these colours work together, and while it’s a natural autumn palette, I’d love it just as much at any other time of year. What do you think?

Colours: French blue, indigo, burgundy, red, pink & white

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaid (Olivia Leigh Photographie/Fleur) | Blue menu (Minted) | Blue door villa (Charla Storey Photography/Grit + Gold)
Row 2: Groom in blue suit (Natalie Schutt/Krista Jon/Banana Republic) | Bouquet (Jose Villa/Stacy Mccain Event Planning/Flowerwild) | Napkin with blue ribbon (The Lauren & Delwyn Project/Southern Belle Styling & Events)
Row 3: Tablescape (Rach Loves Troy Photo + Cinema/Posh Petals & Pearls/August Event Design) | Cake (Samantha Broderick Photography/Allison Baddley/Annie Bee Cakery) | Bride & groom (Le Sueur Photography)

 

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Handmade Natural Wedding at DuVon Estate by Marli Koen

by gaby

For a couple who love the outdoors, it’s a natural (pardon the pun) choice to bring a sense of Mother Nature’s own elegance to their big day. Hannes and Wilna decided to keep things simple, focusing on the things that really mattered to them, keeping the details simple and beautiful, and letting the stunning setting of the area they grew up in speak for itself. Add to that: lovingly crafted handmade details (including the bride’s gorgeous fits-like-a-glove lace dress, made by her mama), a mix of greenery and white blooms (including oversize bouquets – LOVE), good food, good wine and good company, and you have the magic combination. Marli Koen captured it all in these lovely pictures.

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Something Blue Wedding Bouquets

by gaby

As you know, we’re singin’ the blues in May, and one of my favourite ways to have a something blue at your wedding is via a blue bouquet. But blue bouquets are a funny thing – because there aren’t that many blue blooms (compared to, say, pink or white), an-all blue arrangement can be a bit… overwhelming, or at least look a bit artificial. Which is why, even when they’re planning a wedding with a blue palette, many brides choose to go with white or silvery flowers and foliage. But with the right flowers in season, and the right combinations and accessories (blue ribbons? love), it can be done – and these 20 incredible bouquets show just how beautifully so.

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Classic Pastel Winelands Wedding at Holden Manz by Illuminate Photography

by gaby

There’s just no denying it – a wedding in the Cape winelands is always enchanting. But when it takes place at Holden Manz, with its emerald vineyards and breathtaking Franschhoek Valley views, and has Illuminate Photography behind the lens… well, now we’re talking. Tom and Jess, high school sweethearts from Zim who now live in Australia, chose a classic, elegant vibe for their wedding day, with soft pastel colours, lush blooms and little rustic touches like jam favours and distressed wooden lanterns filled with flowers on their tables. I just loved their romantic outdoor ceremony too, with a draped arch, petals lining the aisle, and wine barrels to finish off the look. Timeless!

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Inspiration Board: Organic Blues

by gaby

I’ve cut back a bit on inspiration boards this year, as you may have noticed – not that I don’t still love creating them, but after six years, I feel like quality is the priority over quantity. But this month, with our editorial theme a colour, how can I resist? While blue is beautiful mixed in with other shades, no doubt, I also absolutely love the look of different shades of blue – right across the range from dark and formal navy to the softest whisper of baby blue – making up the whole. And when you add in a touch of organic wedding style (hands down my current fave), you get a look that’s cool and calm and beautiful. So I’m pretty much head over heels in love with this one, how about you?

Colours: Navy, grey, Serenity, powder blue, baby blue & green

Top row (l-r): Envelopes with blue seal (Michelle Boyd Photography/Westcott Weddings/Bristol Lane Florals/Graceline Art) | Bride & groom (Photographs by Caileigh/Ginny Au/Erich McVey Workshop/Ashley Beyer) | Place setting (Photographs by Caileigh/Ginny Au/Erich McVey Workshop/Ashley Beyer)
Row 2: Blue bridesmaids (Austin Gros Photography/Jessica Sloane Event Styling & Design/Vintage Florals) | Blue engagement ring (WOOKIE Photography/Coco Wedding Venues/St Erasmus Via Liberty In Love) | Organic bouquet (Lauren/Ginny Au/Tinge Floral)
Row 3: Figs on blue plate (Tulle & Grace /Belle Lumière/Ginny Au/12th Table) | Groom in grey suit & blue tie (Taylor Lord Photography/Lindsey Zamora/Suit Supply) | Bride in grey-blue dress (Cathy Telle)

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Beach Bohemian Wedding at De Vette Mossel by Anina Harmse

by gaby

I’m not exactly known for being at a loss for words (Gaby by name, gabby by nature), but I honestly don’t know where to begin with this wedding. I properly love every single thing about it, from the bride’s stop-you-in-your-tracks AMAZING boho ensemble, to the beach ceremony, complete with Moroccan touches like carpets and lanterns and drapes, to the super laid-back rustic oceanside reception in shades of scarlet and protea, to the gorgeous portraits of Conrad and Lucinda by photographer Anina Harmse on the sand. I kind of had to pinch myself a couple of times when it landed in my inbox, and I have definitely gone a little overboard in the photo selection, but I just couldn’t resist the mix of boho perfection and toes in the sand chill. It’s awesome. And let’s just take another moment to talk about Lucinda’s dress and her sandals, because bride looks like an absolute goddess, which was actually her inspiration (and which, by the way, I loved). So I’ll stop going on, trying and failing to introduce this bohemian loveliness, and let you get an eyeful instead.

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