Pronovias 2016 Collection

I can’t be absolutely sure, but I’m pretty certain that I’ve been swept of Planet Earth and taken to some kind of heaven for lace lovers. At least, that’s how it feels looking at the latest collection of Pronovias gowns. I mean, seriously. There’s a silhouette here for every bride, a silk or a satin or a lace (oh, those laces!) for every taste. Each one is just as romantic and chic as you’d expect from the brand, but they all have that little something extra – a metallic embellishment perhaps, a flash of skin, a blush of pink. They’re beautiful, but this is only one small part of the collection, so be sure to check out the rest of it on their site or in-store. And then you can be in heaven too! ;)Read More

Travel Theme Wedding Cakes

Whether you’re planning a travel themed wedding or simply want to add a nod to your love of travel together or how far you’ve come (literally) to get to your big day, a travel themed wedding cake is a great idea. Even so, when I started browsing around looking for travel themed wedding cakes, I wasn’t sure I’d have enough for a feature, but guess what? Instead of unearthing one badly made fondant suitcase stack after another (okay, truth, I found them too), I came across some really chic, fun and clever ideas! No surprise, the shiny map ones are my faves, but there’s lots of different styles of travel inspired cake here to give you ideas, whether or not you’ll have other travel themed wedding ideas popping up on your big day! And you’ll even find a selection of some of our fave travel themed cake toppers at the end!

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Pastel Festival-style Wedding at Kloofzicht Lodge by Jack and Jane Photography

When a music-loving gal meets her muso prince at an outdoor music festival, there’s really only one way to get married – a stretch tent wedding in beautiful surroundings, with live music and craft food and beer, and a perfect mix of romantic pastels and rustic decor. That’s what Andy, a local musician (drummer for Dan Patlansky, Connel Cruise & Duis:lig), and fiancee Belinda dreamed up for their big day, and with baby blues and blush pinks in everything from the bridesmaids to the food (pastel donuts, be still my detail-loving heart!), wine barrel stands and raw wood tables, a popcorn bar, and beautiful floral print stationery, it was the picture of country elegance, with a touch of vintage. But the most romantic moment of all – of course – was when Andy played his new wife a song he’d written just for her, making the musical fairytale complete. Our faves Jack and Jane were there to capture all these lovely pics.Read More

Modern Snow White Wedding Inspiration by Carolien and Ben & Bona-Fide Events

Some days, I’ll be honest with you, blogging life can be… hard. Other days? Well, other days I get a shoot like this one in my inbox, or I get to share it with you all and I’m brought back to why I love this job. A collaboration between talented suppliers at one of my favourite venues, incorporating a breathtaking gown, a gorgeous modern table, pops of bright red mixed in with muted pastels and a crisp white backdrop? Heaven. Not to mention a contemporary white dessert display (white macaron tower, love!), soft candlelight, and a bride rocking a red lip to perfection. The cherry on the cake, of course, is that the shoot was put together by some of our favourite people, including SBB Directory members Bona-Fide Events, and photographers Carolien and Ben. All together, it makes my day (pretty) – so let’s go ahead and make yours!Read More

20 Printable Travel Theme Wedding Invitations

*UPDATED FOR 2020* One of the benefits of choosing a theme for your wedding like travel is that it can really help out the budget because you don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to things like stationery. And as much as I always love the idea of custom stationery, I know that’s not in the budget for many couples, which is where printable invites can be a great saver. You buy the design and have it customised with your names and details, and then have it printed either through an online print on demand service like PSPrint, or at your local printshop. The best part is that you don’t have to compromise on the design itself, because there are so many great options in places like Etsy. Today I’ve rounded up 20 fab travel and destination invitations, save the dates, and stationery suites with a travel theme – some absolute gems here for wanderlust-worthy weddings!

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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Pastel Garden Party Wedding at Olive Rock by Adene Photography {Kerry & Tim}

One of the things that not a lot of people realise about wedding pros is that this is really not just like any other job. I mean, yes, plenty of people care about what they do, but not all of them have the responsibility weighing heavy on them of making two people’s most cherished day come to life. Cheesy as it sounds, they’re in the business of granting wishes. And I think that’s why so many of them will go above and beyond to make a wedding perfect. Take, for example, today’s wedding – a relaxed garden soiree awash with pastels. Not only was photographer Adene on the scene to capture gorgeous shots, she stepped up as a fairy godmother when a crisis almost stopped it all from happening. Or take Ro of Botanica Flowers (one of SBB’s cherished Directory members), who took the time to listen to her bride, right down to the finest detail. Everyone – from mothers to dressmakers to the couple (and their woodworking friends) made this particular dream come true, and when you think about all of those hands creating a labour of love, it makes it that much more special to enjoy.Read More

Inspiration Board: Stars to Guide Us Home

Morning lovely ones – as I mentioned last week, for our travel-themed wedding month, I wanted to create a few boards that had fresh twists on the idea of travel and journeys. Last week, we got all tropical, and today I wanted to get a bit nautical (but nice, haha). I’ve always found the idea of sailors being guided home by the stars to be super romantic, so I’ve combined a vintage nautical and celestial motifs, and I have to tell you, I LOVE it. Not only are these themes compatible from a concept perspective – they’re a perfect fit from a design angle too, especially if you love navy as much as I do!
* Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Colours: Navy, gold & white

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom on sailboat (Hamilton Photography); celestial wedding invitation (Minted); compass escort cards
Row 2: Contellation table runner (Miniature Rhino); navy candles (Odalys Mendez/Simply Charming Socials); navy macarons (The French Confection Co./Minted & Vintage/Silence of the Lens)
Row 3: Cake with constellations (Meg Ruth Photo/Peridot Sweets); groom in navy suit (Amy & Jordan Photography); constellation map centrepiece (Arielle Doneson Photography/Kirkbrides/Bouquet Studio); navy sparkle shoes (BHLDN)

Row 1: Celestial Wedding Invitation from Minted | Row 2: Jimmy Choo Romy 40 Pumps (left); Anchor & Sail Nautical Signs by Z Create Design (right) | Row 3: Compass Cufflinks by Vintage Stamp Jewels (left); Anthropologie Swivel Globe (right) | Row 4: Constellation Star Table Numbers by soumyasdesigns(left); Sequin Fishtail Maxi Dress by Club L (right) | Row 5: Navy Sequin Tablecloth by Lino and Co. | Row 6: Star Hair Pins by Blair Nadeau Bridal (left); Personalized Compass Wooden Wedding Place Cards by Sooooound(right)

 

James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Video) by Vizion Photo

It’s been so much fun sharing this James Bond styled shoot, just in time for the release of Spectre (which I am amping to see, aren’t you?) Part I with its colourful Day of the Dead inspiration, sleek and sophisticated Part II. There’s one last little installment to share with you this afternoon, courtesy of Vizion Photo. We’ve generally featured their photographic work before, but today we get to share a video they put together to go along with Debbie Lourens‘ images from this shoot, and it is so worth a watch! Then finally, because we love you, we’re also including one last ‘scene’ from the editorial story put together by the styled shoot team, where James and his Bond girl go shopping for jewels at Uwe Koetter. And why not? After all, diamonds are forever ;)

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James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Part II) by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess

James Bond is back in action! Everything he touches turns to excitement! (Or maybe it’s just that I finally got to quote the Goldfinger poster on my wedding blog, woo!) As you can gather, I’m a huge Bond fan (including having rocked a Bond theme for my 21st birthday party), so a new film is always cause for excitement, and even more so when it comes along with some dangerously beautiful, thrillingly gorgeous wedding inspiration. Tomorrow sees the worldwide release of Spectre, and to celebrate, we finally get to share Part II of this 007 editorial from Debbie Lourens and Green Goddess flower studio. These ladies and their talented team have pulled off not just one but three drop dead amazing looks – and you don’t get much more Bond girl than a helicopter flight in a couture dress decked with flowers. Eat your heart out, Ursula Andress. (In fact, all of the Gavin Rajah creations in this shoot are breathtaking!) And while it’s unlikely the real Bond would ever marry again (first wife? shot on wedding day), there’s no harm in dreaming about what it might look like. Glitzy, elegant, and of course a bit cheeky. SO – scroll away… AND there’s more, because we’ll be sharing a seriously cool video this afternoon, along with a bonus ‘scene’ we’re calling Diamonds Are Forever. Yup, you know you want to see it. In the meantime, let’s get shaken and stirred (and don’t forget to check out the Day of the Dead-style Part I).Read More

Maggie Sottero Fall 2015 Collection

Bridal fashion time again! I realised recently that we’d never actually featured one of Maggie Sottero‘s collections, which is a bit mad, because not only do we love Maggie’s gowns, but it’s one of the collections available in South Africa. Turns out there’s never been a more perfect time to start though, since the Fall 2015 lineup is just ridiculously pretty. Seriously, there are so many showstoppers here – and so many that I think will really suit SA brides’ style. It’s all about detailing and femininity – the decoration on these dresses is just gorgeous. I think my favourite thing is the move towards gilded lace style embellishment using crystals and beads – it reminds me of wrought ironwork on the balconies of Paris, or the leaded glass of Notre Dame Cathedral. Combined with dreamy tulle? Heaven.Read More