Inspiration Board: Each Peach Pear Plum

by gaby

Time for some colour inspiration, lovelies! I’ve said it before, my favourite thing about using fruit and veg (since farm fresh decor is what we’re talking about this month) is the purity of natural colour, which is just never quite the same in synthetic form. So when it came to designing a board in the colour plum, I knew I wanted to follow the natural variation of actual plums instead of just the deep paint shade – a mix of Marsala or burgundy red moving right into rich purple. And to keep things bright and romantic, I’ve combined it with peach and white. I’m pretty much in love with the result – how about you?

Colours: Plum, burgundy, peach & white

Top row (l-r): Bouquet (Twig & Twine/Adelphi Productions/Christina McNeill); place setting (Hudson Nichols Photography/Bottle Pop Party Co./Fresh Designs Florist); plums (Claire Thomson)
Row 2: Flower crown (Heather Hawkins Photography/Bows And Arrows/Makeup Santa Fe); peach bridesmaids (Belle and Beau); peach cocktail
Row 3: Plum escort cards (Adam Barnes); peach wedding dress (Sara Hasstedt/A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals/Violet Floral Design); ruffle cake (Kina Wicks)

 

Robyn Roberts Collection 2016

by gaby

Over the years here on SBB, we’ve featured a lot of real weddings and gorgeous wedding dresses, but the days that there’s a Robyn Roberts gown on the books, are always special. One of SA’s top bridalwear talents, Robyn’s gowns walk that perfect line between modern and romantic, contemporary and whimsical, and make brides feel both like supermodels and princesses on their big day. Honestly, I’ve never met a Robyn Roberts dress I didn’t love, and so I’m absolutely delighted to be sharing the brand new collection exclusively on SBB today. These gowns are ah-mazing – bang on trend, but oh so wearable! According to Robyn, the idea was to create a range of dreamy dresses with a modern edge. Textured effects were created by layering multiple ethereal, whisper-soft fabrics, and focusing on back details and soft, comfortable skirts. The colours vary from crisp white to creamy ivories and rich blush undertones – swoon! And not only do we get to bask in all the fashion glory, but we also get to enjoy some drop dead gorgeous florals from our faves at Green Goddess flower studio as well. Told you it was a special day!

Read More

20 More Fruit & Vegetable Wedding Bouquets

by gaby

When our Farmer’s Market theme for March was decided on, there was one post from our archives that I was particularly excited to revisit. This roundup of fruit & vegetable bouquets has been popular ever since it was published, and I loved all the combos that were included in it, with their range of produce inclusions, but over the years since, I’ve often found myself doing a little blogger swoon over something new and thinking how much prettier bouquets with edible bouquets just seem to keep getting. So it was awesome to have a chance to revisit the look and share some more beauties – I honestly think these are some of my absolute favourite bouquets ever! You’ll find a range of whimsical, colourful and downright quirky inclusions here, from litchis to chilli peppers, and including some perennial favourites like citrus and artichokes and kale. The bottom line? Whether or not you’re having a farm-to-table style wedding, don’t be afraid to think outside of the traditional box when it comes to the work of art you carry down the aisle with you.

Read More

Classic Wedding with a Twist at D’aria by The Picturess

by gaby

I love to be surprised. Not so much in a “surprise!-it’s-your-birthday-and-everyone’s-here-at-your-surprise-party-waiting-for-your-reaction-and-it’s-kind-of-awkward” way, and definitely not in a “surprise!-shonda-killed-mcdreamy” way, but visually, I love to be surprised. A bouquet with an unusual texture, a dress with  special detail at the back, an unexpected theme or motif or detail. The kind that makes you look twice, and maybe even “ooh!” a little. That’s why I love Dale & Kirsten’s wedding. On the surface it seems like a classic white wedding, with touches of green and charcoal, and a beautiful forest setting, and a bride who looks (and feels) like a Disney princess. But look again, and you’ll see fun little details you don’t expect. Huge crepe paper flowers for the bridesmaids (reflected with paper flowers at each setting). Flowers enclosed in little transparent lightbulbs hanging from the trees at the ceremony. The ferns from the bride’s father’s garden in the centrepieces reflected in a sparkling fern clip in her hair. Those little visual surprises that make you go “ooh!”. And of course, in amongst them, all the classic beauty that we love, including gorgeous blooms by SBB Directory members Bright and Beautiful, and lovely pics by The Picturess.

Read More

Timeless Blush Wedding at Kleinevalleij by Lauren Kriedemann

by gaby

Romantic Wedding Ring

I don’t know what it is exactly that makes a wedding sing “timeless” and “classic” and “elegant”, but whatever it is, Nikki & Robbie’s has it in spades. Of course, it has a lot to do with the beautiful elements they chose for their big day – a super romantic lace wedding gown for Nikki, groomsmen in tuxes, bridesmaids in blush, and a reception hall decked out in lush white flowers that trailed off the tables in graceful garlands (oh my gosh, not to mention Nikki’s glorious bouquet – masterfully put together by our faves at Green Goddess flower studio!). But this wedding has bags of personality too, from the Portuguese traditions they incorporated, to the vintage cars that delivered the wedding party to the church and reception, to the delicious ice creams and oversized Jenga that entertained guests during cocktail hour. And, my fave, a garter that was made from the bride’s grandmother’s dress. Every detail was thought about so carefully, and while the style is classic, it has Nikki and Robbie all over it. Capturing it in her gorgeously romantic style, is photographer Lauren Kriedemann.

Read More

Hanrie Lues Fleur de Ballet Collection

by gaby

If you follow us on Instagram (and if you don’t, you totally should!), you may have seen that some exciting mail arrived at SBB HQ the other day, specifically the brand new lookbook from Hanrie Lues Bridal. Durban-based designer Hanrie is part of our sponsor family, and while we’ve always loved her beautiful bespoke gowns, she’s just launched a demi-couture collection which will be available both from her studio and from Calegra Bridal House in Cape Town and Joburg, and I couldn’t wait to see it! Called ‘Fleur de Ballet’, it was inspired by the ballet, which I absolutely love, and it has the same combination of structure and sheer femininity that makes ballerinas’ gowns the stuff that dreams are made of. With the most gorgeous fabrics and an inspiration straight from the ballet, these dresses are perfect for the modern South African bride, employing breathtaking illusion elements and elegant shapes and details that make each gown special and unique, and will make each woman who wears them feel like a prima ballerina on her own opening night.

Read More

Enchanting Berry-tone Wedding at The Glades by CC Rossler

by gaby

Enchanting Berry-tone Wedding

When I asked today’s bride, Nicol, about her wedding, she said something that really tickled me: “Up until the Friday before our wedding it had been pouring with rain and there was even a snow warning, but on the Saturday the weather was perfect. Okay, it was still chilly, but a bride’s superpower is not to feel the cold!” I love that. A bride’s superpower. So true! Although I have to say that this particular bride (and her husband, Roland) had another superpower up their sleeve – namely, gorgeous taste. They filled their reception at the rustic-fabulous Glades farm with incredible flowers in berry hues, including trailing fronds of amaranthus and jewel coloured orchids in Nicol’s bouquet, and paired them with copper vessels, raw wooden tables, embroidery hoop table numbers, and tiny wreaths made of rosemary at each setting. The botanical element was mirrored in the bridesmaids floral print dresses, and there were plenty of personal details, including local coffee (the groom’s fave) and a VW Combi photobooth. It’s that perfect mix of pretty and personal, beautifully captured by the lovely CC Rossler. And despite that chill in the air, it’ll leave you with warm hearts and bruised Pinning fingers ;)

Read More

A Farm-to-table Romance

by gaby

So as you know, March on SBB is all about farmer’s market and farm-to-table themed weddings, which is great news for all you rustic, farm wedding-loving brides and grooms! But, while the word ‘rustic’ might mean simple and unsophisticated, and real farm life is definitely not glamorous, that doesn’t mean that your rustic wedding can’t be as elegant as you like. And bringing produce – whether that be fruits or vegetables – into your decor doesn’t change that a bit. Exhibit A: this seriously dreamy shoot from talented US photographer Christa-Taylor, which she and her team have been kind enough to share with us today. Christa’s beautiful fine art film images combined with styling by Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination and Form And Flora‘s gorgeous florals make this farm-to-table inspired shoot the ultimate in rustic romance. From the lush local produce used as both decadent decor and ingredients for delicious dishes, to the pie dessert bar and jam favours, it takes the farm-to-table concept and makes it beautiful. And that’s even before you fall in love with the amazing Stephanie D Couture gowns and the lovely calligraphy and watercolour stationery by Katie Michelle Designs. Let’s feast our little eyes on it a while, shall we?

Read More

Farmer’s Market Wedding Details

by gaby

Image: Ryan Ray Photography/Lavender Joy Weddings/Bows + Arrows via Style Me Pretty

Happy Monday, lovelies! The theme for this month is farmer’s market, and we’ll be focusing on everything farm-to-table and organic and rustic and generally farm fabulous, alongside our usual real weddings, of course. We’re sharing the most gorgeous styled shoot this afternoon that embodies the elegance that can be achieved with this theme, but first I thought I would kick things off with a little roundup of 20 farmer’s market wedding details that you can include in your big day to create a farmer’s market theme, or just add a little bit of a market vibe to your big day.

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

Read More

Rustic High Tea Wedding at Oewerzicht Farm Cottages by Yeah Yeah Photography

by gaby

It’s been a bumper week of weddings here on SBB, and we’re finishing off with the most adorable rustic high tea wedding in Greyton. High school sweethearts, Rachel and Peter, wanted to share one of their favourite getaway destinations, Oewerzicht Farms, with an intimate group of family and friends. They had their ceremony on a koppie with the most magnificent views, then adjourned for their reception at long, greenery-bedecked tables, before dancing the night away beneath the stars. And with the boys in traditional kilts, you just know it was a proper knees up! These captures of breathtaking scenery and heartfelt moments were taken by Yeah Yeah Photography.

Read More