Best of 2015: Groomswear

by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! This morning was all about the ladies, as we rounded up our favourite wedding dresses, but now it’s the boys’ turn – and what a stylish lot the boys have been this year! From formal to casual and everything in between, and from matching parties to cleverly mismatched groom & groomsmen, it seems like the guys are really getting into their wedding day look these days. Long may it last! While men’s fashion changes a bit more slowly than its female counterpart, coloured suits continue to be strong, and bowties are definitely (finally!) having their day here in South Africa. I’ve seen a lot fewer tuxes, but beautiful formal suits have taken their place, for the most part, and braces are always a favourite, especially with the groomsmen. And finally, look out for plenty of non-flower boutonniere creativity, where lasercut especially has made it possible to express wedding theme or personality by what’s on your lapel.

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Best of 2015: Wedding Dresses

by gaby

In some ways, this is one of my favourite posts of the year, but in another, it’s always one of the hardest to narrow down. I swear, ever year the dresses get prettier! 2015 has been no exception, and after last year’s explosion of colour, it has definitely been the year of lace, with gorgeous portrait backs and illusion necklines, long lace sleeves, nude lace underlays, and plenty of soft, sheer contrasting fabrics. SO romantic. Not that colour didn’t get a look in – I think my absolute favourite gown this year was gold and glam and gorgeous all over, and there was also some seriously pretty ombre going on, as well as soft blush, peach and champagne. What will 2016 bring? I can’t wait to find out.

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Best of 2015: Inspiration Boards

by gaby

I really can’t believe that it’s been over five years now of creating inspiration boards. You’d think by now I’d be bored, but I still absolutely love creating these tiny worlds of inspiration and sharing them with you all! So, while we’re doing roundups of the best of 2015, it’s only right that I round up the Top 10 inspiration boards – those that have had the most love on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the blog. I had a complicated algorithm (and by algorithm, I actually mean Excel spreadsheet) to work the ranking out, but funnily enough, I think these are my ten favourites for the year anyway. There’s a range of colours and ideas here, but I think if they have anything in common, it’s that they’re all on the romantic and elegant side. And if next year’s weddings look anything like them, I’ll be one happy wedding blogger! Let’s count ’em off, shall we?

1. SONG OF THE SEA

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Best of 2015: Bouquets

by gaby

It’s that time of the year again, lovelies, when we start rounding up all our faves from the year that was. And what a pretty year it was too! I thought I’d start things off with a bang, with our Top 20 bouquets, because let’s be honest, I LOVE a good bouquet! This year there’s been a huge variety – pops of bright colour, soft rustic nudes and whites, lots of greenery and creativity and texture. These are the florals that got the most love from you all on Facebook and Pinterest and Insta, and some of my favourites too. Basically, the best of the best! Let’s get inspired.Read More

Inspiration Board: Partridge in a Pear Tree

by gaby

Hello lovely ones! Every year when Christmas comes around, I take a peek into my archive for festive posts and I’m always reminded of a little board I did way back in 2010 (how have I been doing this more than five years already?). I love the use of fruit in wedding design, and the whole idea of frosted pears and misty mornings just appeals to me, but with the bird wedding theme long having come and gone, I thought it could use a little shake up and renovation. This is the first time I’ve made over one of my own boards, and it was fun! Mix in the current trends for lots of gorgeous greenery in both table arrangements and bouquets, mismatched bridesmaids in grey, a groom in tweed, and those beautiful pears, and you have a Christmas wedding that is definitely not too themey and would work beautifully at any time of year. What do you think?

Top row (l-r): Partridge in a Pear Tree rug; Christmas tags {K is for Calligraphy}; bride in garden {Cameron Ingalls}
Row 2: Tweed groom {Lev Kuperman/Hudson Valley Events/J. Crew}; frosted pears {Jeanna Hayes/WhipperBerry Blog}; bird Christmas tree ornament {Paloma’s Nest}
Row 3: Cake with pear decoration {Caroline Joy/Mayhar Design/Blue Note Bakery}; bridesmaids with greenery bouquets {When He Found Her}; table decor with pears {Lexi Vornberg/Marti’s Floral Designs}

 

Monsoon Bridal Collection 2016

by gaby

Here at SBB you know we love beautiful bridal fashion, and that goes from the top of the range designer couture collections right on to the more affordable side of the spectrum – every bride deserves to look AMAZING, whatever her budget. In fact, many of the brides we’ve featured who caused the biggest stir of pinning and liking were rocking off-the-rack dresses, and that’s why I was so excited to hear that Monsoon had launched a new collection of bridalwear. Pretty is the word that comes to mind – truly pretty, in a grown up, European princess at an chic event in Monaco kind of way. Silhouettes are sleek (and there are some lovely options for brides wanting to go for a short hemline), and there’s plenty of lace and metallic embellishment – both classic and on-trend. Best of all – they’re all under £500. Let’s have a peek, shall we?Read More

Colourful Yarnbomb Wedding at Langkloof Roses by Katherine Newman

by gaby

Some weddings land in my inbox and I feel like an elegant symphony should be playing when I open them. For others, it’s more like a carnival band, and those celebrations full of colour and life always make me smile just a little wider! Today’s is one of those – Kelly and Kieran’s big day has that delicious laid-back feeling of a summer afternoon, with one element more common in the colder months: wool. From the most adorable crochet bunting to table numbers, yarn makes its appearance, bringing a sense of brightness and playfulness. This is underscored beautifully by the flowers, which were created by SBB faves Green Goddess flower studio – I just love the magic these ladies create! Kieran and Kelly (who looked particularly gorgeous thanks to another SBB fave, Ida Webster) seem like such a lovely couple – you can sense that special bond in the way they laugh together in all their photos. They also completed the questions together, so you get both groom and bride’s perspective on the big day, which I love. And finally, let’s not forget to mention that these beautiful pics were taken by Katherine Newman, who captured all of that colourful, smiley goodness in her images. Strike up the band!Read More

Monsoon Flowergirl Dress Inspiration

by gaby

With the festive season comes party season and that means party dresses – and not just for adult ladies either. Little ladies also have a chance to get their glam frocks on, and that means there’s great pickin’s when it comes to dresses that would make for adorable flower girl gowns. I’m personally partial to flowergirls rocking tiny versions of dresses I wish I could wear myself, and Monsoon happens to be brilliant at them – this season there’s more tulle and sequin and floral applique going on than ever before and I love it. So I thought I would round up ten of my favourite party gowns and combine them with some of our favourite inspiration boards to show you how party can translate perfectly into wedding where these little dresses are concerned. The only part that sucks? Knowing I am way, waaaaay to old to fit into them.Read More

Inspiration Board: Marsala Christmas

by gaby

Okay okay, I said I’d never do another Marsala inspiration board, but as we bid farewell to 2015’s colour of the year and welcome a seriously exciting new pair (more on that in January), I thought I’d look back on it just one last time, since it does, after all, offer a fresh spin on Christmas red. I haven’t yet decided what my holiday table will look like, but I must admit I’m tempted by this deep shade of berry combined with natural elements like pinecones and cranberries (ridiculous in a South African summer of course, but who cares). And also, I absolutely must move into that snowy Marsala house RIGHT NOW. (Or at least get myself a print of it in all its glory from artist Kristine Patti.) All in all, I think a Marsala Christmas would be a great way to say goodbye to the year (and the colour) that was – don’t you agree?

Colours: Marsala, white, emerald, wood

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Margherita Calati/Il Giorno che Vorrei}; table with candles {Ashley Cook Photography/Dream Design}; cranberry cocktail {Sacramento Street}
Row 2: Bridesmaids {Troy Grover Photographers/Michelle McGregor}; earrings {Endora Jewellery/Etsy}; cranberry escort cards {David Stark/Susan Montagna}
Row 3: Christmas house {Kristine Patti}; chocolate berry cake {Rebecca Hollis/Romancing the Stone}; Marsala wreath {Marigold’s Designs/Etsy}; place setting {Chantall Marshall Photography/Kadou}

 

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Chic Rustic Farm Wedding by Lilly-Owl Photography

by gaby

Hello lovelies! I’ve been a bit scarce on the blog this week, but it’s only because I’m working on something HUGE behind the scenes. Actually, not just one huge thing but two – let’s just say I’m excited about January! But I couldn’t let another day go by without sharing this lovely rustic wedding with one of my favourite colour schemes ever (red and shades of blue – so gorgeous!) After all, getting married in a farm-style venue tucked away on the outskirts of rural Zeerust is every bit as romantic as you might imagine – as proven by Anneme and Ruben’s wedding, which included magical details like Moroccan lamps (LOVE THIS), smoky mercury glass and blue goblets on the tables, red berries, string upon string of fairy lights, a ‘bush chapel’ and a customised dancefloor. And with Lilly-Owl Photography there to capture this beautiful day, you won’t have to miss a thing!Read More