Freedom of the City Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

As we come to the end of our month of industrial chic, I couldn’t resist slipping in one last lovely styled shoot with an urban theme, this time courtesy of fabulous SBB Directory member Blue Olive Events, and their team of Gauteng creatives. I’m fascinated with the Maboneng District as a wedding venue – it’s so achingly COOL, and the images from this shoot and from real weddings I have seen there in the past tell such a story of Johannesburg city romance. It’s no wonder that it was the inspiration for this editorial, which includes so many gorgeous details – a cake display to die for (macaron tower! copper dusted cake!), adorable cut-out cityscape stationery, lush florals, copper and Edison bulbs, a vintage car and OMG not one but two amazing Silver Swallow dresses. The palette is a sophisticated twist on Pantone Serenity and Rose Quartz, with the addition of that rich copper metallic and deep Marsala reds and greens, which really makes it stand out (and would be perfect for an autumn wedding!). And finally, let’s not forget the honeycomb table plan display – we do love an installation! It’s the perfect mix of modern and vintage, soft and hard, glam and industrial, beautifully captured by Christiaan David.

Read More

Bright & Bold Countryside Wedding by Christine Le Roux

by gaby

I feel like things have been a little muted around here recently, and while I adore a wedding in classic white or soft neutrals, it’s always a pleasure to have colour wash across my computer screen and warm my wedding-loving heart. Inspired by the colours of a country sunset, this bright and beautiful farm wedding does just that. Liree and Willie (who met as housemates – adorable!) took on a challenge when they picked a venue that needed everything brought in, but the result was a celebration that was exactly as they’d envisioned – a “proper fun farm get-together”. Mingling sophisticated touches like Liree’s gorgeous lace gown and glamorous gold elements with relaxed spit braai catering and ‘just picked’ flowers, they pulled off the perfect mix of laid back and luxe, and the fab Christine Le Roux was there to capture it all in these pictures.

Read More

How to Plan Your Wedding Using Aisle Society

by gaby

So, earlier today I shared a gorgeous styled shoot celebrating the official launch of the new Aisle Society website, but I wanted to pop back in and give you a better idea of how the site actually works, and more importantly, how you can use it as a bride or groom to plan your dream wedding – not instead of but as well as the tools you already use. We built the site for you, and we want you to love it, and use it, and be inspired by it, and make it part of your planning journey. The day a bride tells me for the first time that Aisle Society is her first stop when she opens her laptop? I’ll be happy as a happy person on Happy Day in Happyville.

Read More

Romantic Modern Wedding Inspiration from Aisle Society

by gaby

Happy Monday, lovelies! And it is indeed a happy Monday for me, because today I get to share something that’s really close to my heart and which, as I come up to the six year anniversary of founding SBB, has me feeling ever so proud and excited for the future! Over the last months, you’ve heard me mention Aisle Society, and you may remember that a couple of months ago I was lucky enough to go and hang out with my fellow Aisle Society bloggers in the Bahamas (more on that soon!), but you may have been wondering exactly what IS this new website? Is it just a new wedding blog? Well, the answer to that is no – Aisle Society is actually a curation of more than 30 of the world’s best wedding bloggers’ content, updated daily. Think of it as a hub – a place to go and find any kind of inspiration your wedding-loving heart desires, and then ultimately follow that link and see more of the things that inspire you. The AS bloggers come from all over, and we cover a huge range of different niches, from fashion-based inspiration to location or wedding style. And because the content’s already been featured on our own sites, you know it’s quality. Like the cream of Pinterest. Plus, you get to curate your own feed – not have it dictated to you by the kind of algorithms that everyone from Facebook to Instagram now employs. You can add certain bloggers or themes or colours or whatever you like to ‘your society’ and then, when you find a supplier that you love, not only find their information right there, but you can also make an enquiry. It’s awesome, and this afternoon I’m going to be giving you some practical step by step advice on how to plan your wedding using AS, but first, I wanted to share some gorgeous inspiration (because that’s what we’re here for, of course!). This is the Aisle Society brand shoot, created by two of the amazing founder members, Lauren of Every Last Detail and Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs, and a brilliant, beautiful team of creatives and models. I’m also delighted to be featuring Alexis June Weddings, whose photography I have loved from afar since, like, ever, and who I got to hang out with in the Bahamas as well. SO – enough from me. Let’s get our swoon on, shall we?

Read More

Equestrian Themed Wedding by Christine Joy Photography

by gaby

There’s something special about home weddings – they have such a sense of warmth and comfort and happiness about them, and I love picturing the couple returning time and again over the years and always thinking of their special day, and how this tree is the one they got married under and that spot is where the marquee was, or whatever it is. Today’s home-on-the-farm wedding is all that and more, because it also includes a very personal theme, perfect not just for the Karoo stud farm location, but for the horse-mad bride and groom. As well as getting married in a paddock, having their reception at the stables, and having plenty of their four-legged friends included as part of the day, Alex and Jess opted to include sweet equestrian elements in their decor, from horse shoe escort cards, to rosette table numbers, to tack and trophies on the tables, to ‘grass’ centrepieces. So fun, and so personal. And I can’t not mention Jess’ blushing bride bouquet, or the blushing bride-bedecked cake! My FAVE. Christine Joy took these lovely pictures that really capture all the down-home fun and happiness.

Read More

Summer’s Eve Wedding at Nooitgedacht by Marli Koen

by gaby

I love a good trans-continental love story, and while today’s gorgeous wedding took place in the Cape Winelands, it was against the far off bright lights of Los Angeles that local boy Heinrich met his California girl! Rochelle and Heinrich decided on a destination wedding in South Africa, with a simple, elegant, country vibe, and chose New Year’s Eve for their date. But instead of the kind of flashy, blingy New Years-themed weddings many couples opt for, this one was all about the understatement – white flowers, wooden tables, summery black tie attire, a meal under the trees and dancing beneath the stars. Just beautiful, and I can’t think of a better way to ring in both a new year, and a new life together! Marli Koen took these truly lovely pictures of the gorgeous couple and their ever-so-happy day.

Read More

BHLDN Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Collection

by gaby

From the city to the beach… this afternoon we’re taking a little virtual trip to the tropics with the latest collection from US bridal powerhouse BHLDN. With elopements getting more popular, and South Africa being a perfect place for an elopement or destination wedding (and have you seen our beaches? sublime) I just had to share it with you. From dreamy dresses (in soft, light fabrics, a destination wedding essential) to the most stylish honeymoon gear for a new Mrs, to some sweet accessories that you’ll want to wear well beyond the big day, you’ll find them here.

Read More

Industrial Vogue Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Happy Monday, brideys! We’re continuing on with our month of industrial inspiration with a gorgeous editorial that’s part fashion-inspired, part modern industrial, and all fabulous! Influenced by New York Fashion Week, it has a masculine-meets-feminine vibe that’s perfect for a city wedding, and a striking base palette of black, white, grey and gold with pops of amethyst, emerald and periwinkle. Alongside lush florals and crystal geode details, are industrial elements like custom dipped Edison  bulbs, concrete vases, and an urban chic setting. And don’t get me started on the stationery! Such gorgeous watercolour, fashion illustration style pieces, reflected beautifully in the statement cake, and of course the very stylish brides’ monochrome dress (that dress!) and suit (those shoes!). There’s even a cute little mini bar serving old fashioned Aviation cocktails! There’s loads to inspire, thanks to Jeff Brummett Visuals, Grit + Gold and their very talented team.

Read More

Industrial Chic Ceremony Spaces

by gaby

When I started researching ‘Industrial Chic’, which as you all know is our theme for April, one of the things I noticed is how many absolutely gorgeous ceremony spaces had been created and styled in areas that you might not have dreamed would be wedding appropriate. From factory corners to brick walls, staircases to windows and doorways, brides and grooms and stylists have been dreaming up installations and floral decorations and a million other ways to make those unassuming spaces special for the moment you say your ‘I do’s. And I couldn’t wait to round up 20 of my favourites. So here they are!

Read More

Organic Faith-filled Wedding at Kronenburg by Nadine Aucamp

by gaby

The best weddings, in my book anyway, are those that are infused with the couple they celebrate – their likes and loves, their history, the things that are central to their lives. For Marli and Inus, today’s bride and groom, that thing is their religion, and while I would never consider belief a wedding theme as such, they did bring their faith into concrete elements of the day, right down to the favours of olive oil and salt. Beyond that, the key word was simplicity – a neutral palette, garlands of olive leaves and succulents and soft white blooms, a combination of rustic and modern that worked beautifully against the blank canvas of their venue. The result is light, elegant, and allowed their love to take centre stage, just as it should do. The talented Nadine Aucamp, one of our SBB Directory members, captured the day in these beautiful images.

Read More