Dreamy Pastel Wedding Dresses

by gaby

Blush Wedding Photography/Diana McGregor Photography/Summer Watkins/Tara La Tour via Style Me Pretty

I don’t know if it’s just that a touch of pastel adds a bit of whimsy to these beauties, but I seriously think pastel wedding dresses are beyond romantic. I also adore the way that, as well as blush (which we’ll always love!), there are amazing options in mint, powder blue, lemon, lilac and peach too. It’s a subtle way to add a unique spin to your bridal style. Not convinced? Have a look at these beautiful pastel dresses, and you’re sure to fall in love!

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Contemporary Rustic Wedding at Zakopane Country Lodge by Louise Vorster {Nadea & Riaan}

by gaby

I was reading some forum yesterday (shouldn’t have, but got sucked in) where people were all ‘oh I hate wedding bloggers, they’re forever saying everything is gorgeous and amazing in their sicky sweet intros’. I had to laugh. I mean, if you met me in real life, you would know that I tell it like it is. But at the same time you guys, your weddings ARE all gorgeous and amazing! If the day ever comes where I can’t see the beauty (and I mean the real beauty, beyond the pretty details) in weddings, then I’ll pack up and go home. So… haters begone. Because we have another gorgeous and amazing wedding to share! This one comes from the delightful Louise Vorster, and is full of pastel greys and greens, rustic touches and clean contemporary design (a hard balance to pull off, but Nadea and Riaan did it perfectly!). And let’s not forget a healthy dose of shimmering, sparkly lights. Sigh.Read More

Blue by Enzoani 2016 Collection

by gaby

Time for some fashion inspiration, lovely ones! South African brides are huge fans of luxury European fashion line, Enzoani, and we’ve featured many real brides rocking their beautiful designs over the years. Today I wanted to share one of the latest Enzoani collections – their in-house Blue by Enzoani line – which I am sure we’ll see on many brides in future! From the romantic silhouettes to the gorgeous lace, they’re the kind of gowns that make you go “ooh!”. One thing I really like about these dresses is that, although they have gorgeous and interesting backs, the front detailing is just as lovely, which I sometimes think gets a bit neglected with illusion lace being such a bit thing these days. That said, there’s lots of on-trend sheer panelling and sparkly embellishment to satisfy those portrait back loving brides as well. Basically, it’s lovely, and this lookbook is all about the European princess look, so let’s indulge ourselves, shall we?Read More

Shimmering Pastels Wedding at Waterkloof by Linda Fourie {Sieglinda & Kobus}

by gaby

Today’s couple had one of those proposals that could have come straight out of a Hollywood movie, and one of those weddings that would be quite at home on the pages of a glossy magazine – I just LOVE the sparkle and the glitter mixed with soft pastel blush and some absolutely gorgeous soft florals from Sitting Pretty. In fact (and I swear I didn’t plan it this way) this wedding is kind of the perfect transition between our August and September ‘themes’, since it’s both glamorous and full of beautiful spring pastels! Hooray! I can’t not mention the bride’s absolutely amazing lace dress, which combined perfectly with her groom’s navy suit – don’t they just make the most stylish pair? Linda Fourie was on the scene to capture these lovely pictures of every smile and detail.Read More

Inspiration Board: Enchanted Blue

by gaby

It’s funny with inspiration boards – sometimes I feel like I’ve done loads of a particular colour or combination recently, and then I look back at my archive and realise I actually haven’t. So maybe it’s just all those colour combinations floating around in my head. That’s what happened with today’s board, because it turns out I haven’t done anything with pale blue for ages. That made me really happy, because it gave me an excuse to play with powder blue and gold, which I’m sorry, is just completely dreamy! I adore this romantic but not to feminine combo for a wedding, especially the way that the cool of the blue and the warmth of the gold complement each other perfectly. What more do I need to say?

Colours: Powder blue, sand & gold

Top row (l-r): Ballerina bride {Archetype}; blue & gold table decor {KT Merry/Joy Proctor}; individual cakes {Alicia Pyne Photography/Sugary And Chic Cake Boutique}
Row 2: Cake with coloured candles {Warm Photo/Special Day}; flower girl in lace crown {Whitney Neal Photography}; gold candyflossRow 3: Tent breakout area {Jemma Keech/Cathrin D’Entremont Weddings}; gold shoes {Marissa Lambert Photography/Jimmy Choo}; foiled pear placecard {Weddings By Sasha}; blue bridesmaid dresses {Elizabeth Henson Photos}

 

10 Ways to Style Sequin Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

You’ve probably figured out by now that sequin bridesmaid dresses are kind of a favourite here on SBB – let’s be honest, they look completely gorgeous and glamorous and they always make our pretty-loving hearts lift a mile. But by now you also know there are a ton of options for how to actually put that sparkly ensemble together. Long or short? Solids or skirts? Same dresses or mismatched? Well, we can’t make the decision for you, but we can do what we do, and bring you some delicious, glittering inspiration!Read More

Glamorous Olive Grove Engagement by Louise Vorster

by gaby

It’s been our month of glamour on SBB, but one of my favourite things is finding a way to inject a bit of glamour into an unexpected place: chandeliers hanging from a tree, ballroom style in an urban loft space… or a shimmering full length gold dress in an olive grove. That’s why I immediately fell in love with this beautiful shoot by Louise Vorster – the contrast between bride-to-be Adél’s glam gown and the rustic setting for her engagement shoot with her love, Jan, is so eye catching and gorgeous. And there’s something very intimate about it too – like the two lovebirds have sneaked off to have a fancy date in an secret location, and are having the time of their lives doing just that. It’s moments like this that give us a glimpse of the fun of being engaged, a welcome break in a sea of wedding planning, and a special memory captured forever.Read More

Proteas & Succulents Wedding at In the Vine by Cheryl McEwan {Jenna & Alan}

by gaby

I’m a true blue South African girl (or should that be true green and gold?) so the thought of a wedding full of indigenous flowers is my idea of paradise. That’s exactly what inspired today’s bride and groom, who filled their reception with a whimsical mix of succulents & proteas, with little touches of lace including Jenna’s seriously gorgeous Maggie Sottero portrait lace-back gown. It’s the perfect mix for a laid-back country celebration with a big heart, that includes a doggy attendant and a sweet mint and white colour scheme. SBB favourite Cheryl McEwan shot these gorgeous, light-filled images of the couple’s big day.Read More

Handmade Hydrangea Wedding at 401 Rozendal by Daniela Zondagh {Ronnilie & Niel}

by gaby

Once upon a time… I feel like today’s intro needs to start like a fairytale, since really, that’s how Ronnilie and Niel’s love story began – a moment straight out of a modern Sleeping Beauty! That fairytale beginning found its way to a magical wedding in the Cape Winelands (where the prince and princess met), handmade with love by family and friends, and carpeted in lush green hydrangeas. I’ve mentioned before how a single feature or installation can go a long way when it comes to decor, and that’s exactly what we have here – a hydrangea table runner making a stunning statement as a centrepiece of the reception. We also love the rustic wooden boxes, the mismatched neutral bridesmaids, the groomsmen’s paper boutonnieres! And all of it beautifully captured by photographer Daniela Zondagh. And so, as the story goes, they lived happily ever after…Read More

Rosa Clara 2016

by gaby

It’s always such a pleasure to scroll through the latest designs from Spanish label Rosa Clara. Not only do we already know the gorgeousness that is Spanish wedding couture, but Rosa Clara’s line always has such wonderful details and textures, and each time I scroll through I notice a new embellishment, a sleek silhouette, or an unusual neckline. The 2016 collection was inspired by divas of the 1930s and 1940s, and manages to mix classic elegance with pretty much every fashion forward bridal trend we’re loving at the moment – two-pieces, off-the-shoulder gowns, portrait backs. Plus, even though this collection is straight from Barcelona with love, I adore knowing that local brides can find Rosa Clara at Olivelli, which makes the line that much more special for South African readers. So let’s take a moment to immerse ourselves in these calming, elegant lookbook images, and dream of each of these lovelies sashaying down the aisle next season.Read More