Fun Pastel V&A Waterfront Wedding by Jana Marnewick

by gaby

Earlier this week we showcased a city wedding, and we’re spoilt enough to have another today, although Robyn & Jamaal’s shows off a completely different side to Cape Town. The couple, who met during one of our legendary summers, wanted to bring that feeling into their big day so they decided to not only host it at the iconic V&A Waterfront, but to bring the pastels of the surrounding buildings into their palette. They had a rooftop ceremony overlooking the harbour (love!) and a reception filled with pastel blooms (beautifully put together by awesome SBB Directory members Bright and Beautiful). And like all good Cape Town summer nights, this one ended on the dancefloor, where they partied late into the night. Jana Marnewick took these lovely images.

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Black, White & Gold Wedding at Emily Moon by Ruan Redelinghuys

by gaby

It’s Kate Spade-esque monochrome prints meets eclectic countryside chic in today’s wedding, which took place at the gorgeous Emily Moon in Plett, a venue I’ve been dying to feature for ages. I love the way that Stefan and Jemma, designers themselves, decided to work with the already-awesome venue aesthetic, but still managed to add their own stamp with their black, white and gold theme, which included whimsical ‘Woohoo’, ‘yay!’ and ‘yes’ banners (how could these fail to make you feel happy?), gold dipped vases, spray painted animals, stripes and spots, and flowers put together by a creative bunch of dear family and friends. And let’s not forget the sequin bridesmaid dresses, which Jemma ties in perfectly to her own romantic gown with a well-placed gold sash. It’s spots and stripes and lovely all over, and Ruan Redelinghuys was there to take these lovely images.

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Graphic Inner City Wedding at HQ Restaurant by Jules Morgan

by gaby

Modern Black and White Wedding

It’s a happy day for me when I get the opportunity to share an city wedding for a change, although happily more brides and grooms these days are opting for a bit of urban chic. And why not – after all, if it’s reflective of your style, you can make it absolutely amazing, especially in a city as fabulous as Cape Town. With both of them being architects, perhaps it’s no wonder that Elbé and Ross decided to get married in amongst their favourite buildings and inner city vibe, and they chose a graphic, monochrome style with a touch of metallic and geometric detailing to make it really pop. I just love this look SO much – everything from the incorporation of textures like leather and cement to Elbé’s contemporary pared-down bridal style (complemented beautifully by jewellery from Kirsten Goss). From their church ceremony to their laid-back restaurant reception, all on Heritage Square, it was a collection of their favourite things shared with their favourite people. And speaking of favourites, one of our own, Jules Morgan, was on the scene to deliver these beautifully atmospheric images.

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Feminine Bridesmaid Inspiration

by gaby

I’ve probably said this before, but one of my absolute favourite times in a wedding day is those blissful (and busy!) few hours spent between a bride and her retinue on the morning of the big day, sipping champagne and giggling with excitement as hair and makeup get done and the big moment approaches. It’s such a special time to spend with your girls – the women who have supported you, and loved you, and are there on this day to usher you into this next magical phase of your life. A memory to cherish. So I’m all for making sure that you all feel pretty and comfortable, even before the dresses are on and the shoe straps are tied. That’s one of the reasons I adore Plum Pretty Sugar, whose whisper-soft robes in garden-inspired prints are perfect for a wedding morning. But beyond that, the Plum Pretty Sugar accessories and apparel are part of a feminine, romantic lifestyle brand, and you’ll feel beautiful in their line long after the wedding day… the honeymoon, newlywed life – even on into maternity. So when Aisle Society bloggers Elizabeth Anne Designs & Coastal Bride teamed up with PPS to create a Southern styled shoot, you can imagine how excited I was to share the images! These pics take us right up to those moments before the walk down the aisle, with the girls in their dreamy PPS Couture bridesmaid gowns, and the beautiful, laughing bride, complete with protea bouquet (you know I love that!) And don’t forget that PPS ships to South Africa, and beyond.

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Inspiration Board: Rum Punch

by gaby

Hello lovely ones, time for some colour inspiration. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving this ‘tropical’ month on SBB – it’s always such fun to be able to play with bright colours and lush textures and there are so many ways to play this kind of a theme. There’s the more subtle colour schemes, absolutely, but I couldn’t let the month end without creating something with more of a punch of colour, and there’s no better inspiration than one of my favourite tropical cocktails, a rum punch. I love the mix of colours in this board, ranging from a deep coral to peach to soft citrusy orange, with a bit of gold for good measure. It reminds me of ripe mangos, and beach sunsets, and everything that is good and summery.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Colours: Coral, peach, pale apricot, gold

Top row (l-r): Rum punch (Asia de Cuba) | bouquet (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose) | tropical table (KT Merry/David Fittin)
Row 2: Hibiscus invitation (Mospens Studio) | watercolour cocktails sign (Lindsay Madden Photography/Momentus Special Events & More/Julie Song Ink) | centrepiece (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose)
Row 3: Watercolour table number (KATELYN JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY/THE WEEKEND TYPE) | bride in coral dress (Isa Photography) | Mango Rouched Lace Maxi Dress | ring with blooms (Cyn Kain Photography/Amber Housley/Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, LTD.)

Row 1: Printable Wedding Bar Menu Sign by Wedding Sundae Studio | Row 2: Watercolor & Hand Lettered Table Numbers by Modern Arria (left); Anchor Hocking Heritage Hill Glass Beverage Dispenser (right) | Row 3: Hibiscus Beach Wedding Invitation by Mospens Studio | Row 4: Hibiscus Clutch by A Maui Day (left); Summer Coral & Cream Floral Crown by Shop Laurel Lane (right) | Row 5: Hibiscus Flowers Wax Seal by Zoe Craft Supply (left); Surfboard Custom Sign by Atomic Kraftworks (right) | Row 6: Surfboard Wedding Guestbook Sign by Miss to Mrs Design (left); True Decadence Tall Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress (right)

 

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

by gaby

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

*UPDATED FOR 2021* All of this month we’ve been talking tropical weddings, and a tropical (or any beachy) wedding deserves a beautiful beach wedding dress that’s perfect for sand and sunshine. And, while a girl can pretty much rock whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned, the practical aspects of a beach wedding (sand, heat, humidity) definitely lend themselves to a gown that’s lighter as well as less formal. I love the way that soft textures (which happen to be light and perfect to wear) look in photographs, especially in beautiful beach portraits with the setting sun or the wind ruffling out layers of sheer fabric, so that’s what I’d personally opt for, and while simple shapes work well, there’s no lack of creativity you can apply when adding touches like portrait backs or lace or beading. I’ve rounded up 30 shut-the-front-door-that’s-amazing beach wedding dresses from editorials, real weddings and Etsy – each dreamier than the last.

*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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Country Classic Wedding at Olive Rock by Kristi Agier

by gaby

Country Classic Wedding by Kristi Agier

We have a day full of wedding inspiration ahead of us, brideys, so let’s get this party started! Today we have one of those special features (my bestest kind, in fact) where we not only get to show off a beautiful wedding, but where that wedding is a collaboration between some of our favourite wedding pros, and in this case one of the first venues unveiled as part of the SBB Venue Collection, Olive Rock. We adore this country chic locale in the Witzenberg Valley, and the scenery was totally showing off the day of Megan and Nick’s wedding, creating the perfect romantic backdrop to their nuptials. The lovebirds settled on a classic white wedding with gorgeous country touches, like wreaths for the bridesmaids instead of bouquets, and Megan looked drop dead gorgeous in her Janita Toerien gown (having found this talented designer via SBB), with hair and makeup by another of our faves, Adri Hugo. Design by Marcel did an amazing job on the flowers, and we even have a lovely little video by Latsky Multimedia to complement the atmospheric images by Kristi Agier. As Hannibal would have said: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

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Gauguin Inspired Tropical Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

I’m doing a little happy dance right now, which is actually making it difficult to type, but I can’t help it because oh my WORD but this shoot is AMAZING. I’m so jazzed I get to share it with you guys, because I have been in proper love with it, ever since I spotted it in the December issue of our fave SA wedding magazine, Wedding Inspirations. So when we picked February as Tropical Month, I just had to ask if they’d mind us sharing it here as well. Inspired by Paul Gauguin’s Tahiti paintings, it’s more than just a tropical wedding inspired shoot (although it’s all of that, with a gorgeous tropical table, two insanely lovely tropical cakes, hanging florals, amazing hair and makeup and some oh-so-gorgeous stationery). It’s an editorial in the true sense of the word, like stepping into another world – you can almost imagine Gauguin will emerge grumpily from his cabin and get painting. So you’ll forgive me if I went a bit nuts on the pics, but I seriously couldn’t narrow this down any further. The amazing colours, the attention to detail, and the incredible photography – that’s what wedding bloggers’ dreams are made of. Huge congrats to a brilliant team for pulling this off, led by Ninirichi Style Studio, Tickled Pink Weddings and Events & Gingerale Photography, with some of the gorgeous dresses from our friends at Gelique.

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Bridesmaids in Jumpsuits

by gaby

Jumpsuit Bridesmaid Trend

Well, here’s a trend I never thought I would be covering, let alone coveting: bridesmaid jumpsuits! You may have noticed that jumpsuits, pantsuits and rompers are all over the catwalks, to the extent that brides in jumpsuits are a thing now and looking absolutely gorgeous doing it. And where brides lead, bridesmaids will follow, or vice versa. Bridesmaids in pants and jumpsuits, while not super common, have been popping up as a very chic (and comfy) alternative to the traditional dress or even skirt and top. And I have to say, I actually love the look. I think it’s the mix of sexy but not revealing, and formal but not too formal, that makes jumpsuits such a great occasionwear fit to a wedding. Of course, this isn’t everyone’s thing – I could definitely see it more at a sophisticated city soiree than a romantic countryside affair, but if it appeals, go for it. And even if not for your girls, all the jumpsuits in the ‘shop the look’ section below would make fab rehearsal dinner/going away outfits for a bride-to-be! *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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Charming Braai Wedding at Allesverloren by Adele Kloppers

by gaby

I have to tell you, Anel and Marius, today’s adorable bride and groom, had me at ‘Braailofsfees’. Because okay, I’m South African, so a braai is always a good idea (to paraphrase Audrey Hepburn in a totally Saffa way), but also because their description of their big day also shows how playful and relaxed they were about it all. But a braai wedding where the groom wears jeans and the bride says she feels as comfy as if she was in shorts and flip flops? Surely that can’t also be… pretty? Well, this wedding shows that it can. Big time. The couple’s big day had all the details we love here at SBB – soft flowers in mismatched vases, wreaths, bunting and fairylights, a short blush wedding dress, chalkboard stationery, a romantic bouquet… but it was also the kind of laid-back celebration that totally suited the bride and groom. And it’s officially the first wedding we’ve featured that I can really call a SouthBound Braai. Love it. Adele Kloppers took these lovely pics.

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