Harvest Abundance Wedding at Anura Vineyards by Lilys and Horns

by gaby

We’re coming to the end of our month of organic, farmer’s market, farm-to-table, generally rustic content, but before we do, we have a special wedding to share with you that has a completely unique take on farm weddings in general. When asked to describe the feeling she wanted to create for her wedding to Jake, Khanya came up with the word ‘abundance’. Abundance in food and drink, abundance in joy, and to reflect that, a feeling of plenty in the decor and design. Together with her interior designer mom, she interpreted that as a sort of farmer’s feast, decking the tables in vegetables instead of flowers, carrying a stunning bouquet that referenced the bird motif that was included throughout, and even having a few feathered friends peeking through the greenery or perched on urns and vases. It sort of reminds me of a harvest festival from a few centuries ago, but with a modern refinement, of course, and it’s safe to say we’ve never seen anything quite like it! (Plus, we’re in LOVE with Khanya’s gorgeous dress!) To make it even more special, the venue was the groom’s family wine farm and an event space that was created just in time for the wedding, and the images below are all from Lilys and Horns Photography, who also happens to be one of the bride’s BFFs.

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Light & Bright Botanical Wedding at Olive Rock by Adene Photography

by gaby

Some weddings are like a carnival, parading across my screen with colour and noise and celebration. Others, like today’s beautiful celebration from the fab Adene Photography, are more like a summer breeze, full of gentle details and whispers of lace, and sheer wedding day romance, and you just want to bask in their radiant glow. That’s Joandi and Jurgens’ big day to me – it’s light and bright and airy, and equal measures organic and contemporary, which is the perfect complement to the gorgeous space at Olive Rock (one of our fave SBB Collection venues). With delicate watercolour details in the stationery, fantastic white florals, and some of the sweetest bridesmaid dresses I’ve seen in a while (as well as Joandi’s incredible illusion neckline gown), it’s the prettiest way to kick off our week of weddings. The final cherry on top? Stacks of chocolate brownies for the guests to take home. Now that’s a sweet farewell.

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Julie Vino Santorini Collection

by gaby

Holiday! Celebrate! (You’ll be singing that all day now, sorrynotsorry.) Since today actually is a holiday, I thought it would be fun if you and I went on a holiday together – albeit a virtual one. I’ve picked one of my favourite destinations too, the glorious isle of Santorini in Greece, which is the inspiration and setting for Julie Vino‘s current collection. Sugarcube houses and sapphire seas, plus beautiful gowns, is a winning combination. It’s been a couple of years since we discovered Israeli designer Julie Vino, and her collections never fail to impress with their combination of sensual and feminine. This one is fit for a Grecian goddess – or just the luckiest of brides.

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Opulent Monochrome Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

When it comes to colour, you all know by now that I’m a little… fickle. I love bolds. I love pastels. I love pops. I love neutrals. And I love, love, love (with the part of my heart that is all Gucci and Chanel and gold jewellery and little black dresses) monochrome. As Coco herself said: “When I find a colour darker than black, I’ll wear it”! And when it comes to your wedding day, these days there’s no reason why you can’t rock a little black dress – or a lot of one. That’s what the model in today’s bold and beautiful styled shoot does, and what a dress! I absolutely adore this sexy, stylish gown from JVR Couture, and it’s the perfect centrepiece to a set-up that mixes opulence and simplicity. A strong, sophisticated palette of black, white and gold, with luxe touches like ruffles and chandeliers, and lush flowers, and gilded plates and pears. If you’re a glamorous bride, then this is very much going to be your vibe – what an awesome job by SBB Directory member Hello Love Photography!

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Romantic Rose Farm Wedding by Jack and Jane Photography

by gaby

From the minute I laid eyes on this rustic, romantic wedding, it melted my heart. Everything about it is soft, neutral perfection, from the rose farm setting and elegant barn venue (Ludwig’s rose barn, which I have been dying to feature for a while!), to the eucalyptus wreaths and swags and runners, and fairy lights against whitewashed brick, to the bride’s absolutely gorgeous dress, hair and makeup, to the naked cake. And let’s not forget Jack and Jane’s beautiful photographs, which were SO hard to narrow down because I wanted to share them all with you! Celeste and Dewald are just the sweetest couple, best friends who fell in love, and everything about their day shines with the light of that love. It’s countryside elegance at its very best, and I know you’re going to feel as swoony as I do about every minute, and every frame.

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Modern Vintage Wedding at Netherwood by Fiona Clair

by gaby

Hello brideys! Hope you’re all having a lovely Human Rights Day off, even if it is miserable and rainy in Durban, where I am. I was going to take a holiday myself, but then I realised we have just so many beautiful weddings and shoots to share with you, that I couldn’t wait any more, and this modern vintage feast by our darling Fiona Clair is just too good to miss! So consider it my holiday gift to you ;) Nic and Bianca’s wedding style is formal and glamorous and vintage – vintage in an Old Hollywood movie star kind of way, rather than the ‘vintage’ tag we often apply to weddings these days. They chose a monochrome colour scheme for their country nuptials, with touches of silver that ended up reflecting the beautiful misty day. Bianca wore a showstopper of a Casey Jeanne number, styling it with a chic updo and a long, trailing bouquet that was just perfection, and the perfect complement to Nic’s classic tux. The reception was light and white and airy, with the perfect little dash of rustic glamour in the gorgeous floral chandelier and all-white blooms. Get ready to fall in love.

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Romantic Art Life: Gentle Soul

by gaby

Brideys, do I ever have some beautiful inspiration for you today! Last year, I discovered Romantic Art Life, a collection of gorgeously intricate bridal hair accessories, which I shared on the blog. Well, I recently came across the 2016 collection, and I am in LOVE. Each one of these pieces is so special and perfect for a wedding day look (or even a bridal portrait shoot or engagement session, styled right). And there happens to be the most gorgeous lookbook too, full of beachy romance and lots of dress, hair and makeup inspiration on top of the amazing accessories – I couldn’t wait to share it! Here’s a bit more about the collection, entitled ‘Gentle Soul’, from designer Anastasiya: “My 2016 Bridal Collection “Gentle Soul” was inspired by the organic elements of Florida, pastel colors of the beach sand, relaxed feel of the sea and sky. I wanted to create a timeless style full of movement and romance. Our elegant bride believes in magic, loves to dance and sing, dreams about love. Her soft & romantic gowns from light & airy fabrics, accessories with intricate details in her hair, illuminate the beauty of her gentle soul. Her soul that is unprotected, beautiful and soft.“

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Rustic Farmer’s Market Style Wedding Invitations

by gaby

So, we’ve been chatting this month about farmer’s market slash farm to table slash generally organic and rustic wedding style. We’ve spoken about decor, we’ve spoken about food – but there’s one aspect we haven’t touched on yet at all. Paper! Yep, stationery for a wedding with this theme is as much fun to think about as ever! I had a little wander around Etsy and Minted, two of our faves, and I found some suites that I think you guys are going to LOVE. Some feature produce like fruit or vegetables, some cultivate that farmhouse table feel, and others are just generally rustic and gorgeous. So whether you’re planning a full-on farmer’s market theme, or just want a feeling of farminess (not a word, but whatevs) in your invitations, you’ll find something here.

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Formal Vintage Wedding at The Cape Town Club by Lilac Photography

by gaby

When I talk about a city wedding, I’m often thinking of chick city slicker style, or an edgier industrial urban look. But there’s another kind of city wedding, and cities like Cape Town are absolutely perfect for them. I’m thinking of those that tap into the historical aspects of our cities, the period architecture and antique decor that are the hallmarks of a bygone era. That’s what today’s couple, Rouxle and Shaun, who were married in beautiful Cape Town, chose to do. They selected a formal dresscode for their guests and then rocked the look themselves (with the groom in top hat and tails and the bride in an exquisite Janita Toerien gown – oh, Janita, we love you so!). And, after a church ceremony, they had their reception in a beautiful historical building, the Cape Town Club, which was the perfect atmosphere for their vintage-loving style. With a touch of Delft and a few (handmade!) nods to the winter weather, as well as a fit-for-royalty palette of rich jewel colours, the picture was complete. Lilac Photography were there to commit that beautiful picture to film.

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Bougainvillea Pink Wedding at Molenvliet by Moira West

by gaby

Romantic Vineyard Wedding by Moira West

Before I say anything about today’s wedding, I feel like I need to give the groom some applause, because as proposals go, his was awesome. Surprise flash mob at sundown, in a beautiful garden – so romantic! And that was just the start of Matt and Aly’s wedding journey, which cumulated in a gorgeous wedding at Molenvliet with a colour scheme inspired by one of Aly’s favourite flowers, the bougainvillea. I love the way that this punchy pink was worked through the flowers and stationery, with the rest of the details kept soft and pretty (beautifully co-ordinated by SBB Directory members Someday Soon and catered by the awesome Two Chefs). And Aly’s Janita Toerien dress! Total gorgeousness, and that’s even before you realise it was made from her mother’s wedding dress! It all wraps up to something sweet and splendid, delightfully captured by the fab Moira West.

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