Mira Zwillinger Stardust Collection

by gaby

Some things are an annual tradition for me. Buying peonies as soon as I can find them. Getting excited when a new season of Greys hits my TV screen (not no more though, thanks Shonda). And every year, when I see the latest collection by Israeli mother and daughter-run label Mira Zwillinger, I declare that this is it, it couldn’t possibly get more lovely and amazing. Except that every year it does. And this year… Wow. I mean, seriously. Wow. Sparkle and lace and illusion and softness and romance and elegant silhouettes. Every single gown in the new Stardust collection is absolutely breathtaking, heart-stopping, knee-melting. As beautiful wedding dresses go, I can’t imagine it gets any better than this. Except that, as is tradition, it probably will ;) Until then… let’s fall in love.Read More

Bright Botanical Wedding at Asara by Blank Canvas & Debbie Lourens {Adriana & Ken}

by gaby

Some weddings just make me so happy! I find myself grinning as I look at the pictures of the couple and their guests, and as I read the words of the bubbly bride – their joy is infectious. Of course, it also helps when the wedding is infused with colour, packed with bright botanicals in the form of some of the most gorgeous table arrangements (and cake! wow), stationery, and boho floral crown. Not to mention the bride’s incredible (and unusual) lace dress. It’s a colourful celebration that’s not only worthy of Adriana’s Brazilian heritage, but of the Caribbean island where she and Ken first met. Blank Canvas Event Design did an amazing job putting this one together, and I am in love with Debbie Lourens‘ beautiful photos!Read More

Inspiration Board: Pumpkin & Lavender

by gaby

Happy Monday friends! As part of our month of autumn awesome, over the next few weeks we’ll be focusing our colour inspiration on Pantone’s Fall 2015 palette (be sure to check in this afternoon, when we’ll be introducing all the colours and pairing them up with gorgeous bridesmaid dresses). Today we’re starting with a combination of mustardy yellow and bright violet shades – absolutely perfect for a warm but very pretty autumn wedding. Add touches of soft purple and pumpkin shell orange to round it out, and you have a beautiful seasonal look.

Colours: Pantone Amethyst Orchid, Pantone Oak Buff, heather & orange

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids {Stephanie Williams/Jenny Yoo}; place setting {KT Merry Photography/Clara Tuma Photography}; leaf
Row 2: Tablescape {Love Made Visible/De Liefde}; carved pumpkins {Laughter & Light}; mason jar centrepieces {Beaux Arts Photographie}
Row 3: Bride & groom {Amy Lashelle/Scenemakers}; wedding dress {Catherine Hall Studios/Holliday Weddings/Vera Wang}; bouquet {Anna Kidman/Mildred & Co + Lu Diamond Flowers}; naked cake {Paige Reaux Photography}

 

Flowers in Season: Autumn

by gaby

Hello lovelies! You don’t normally see me on a Sunday, but with load shedding and internet issues this week, I didn’t get to bring you this little bit of floral loveliness, and I couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you. In South Africa we’re lucky that we don’t have such clear-cut seasons, so some blooms are available for longer in the year, but even so, I always think it’s a lovely thing to consider seasonal flowers when planning your wedding. Not only do they look amazing and natural, but they’re also often a little friendlier on the budget (and the environment). A while back we rounded up some winter flowers, and today, in line with our theme for the month of May, we’re showcasing a few beauties you might not yet have considered for your autumn wedding – along with some pretty bouquet and stationery inspiration, of course! Let’s go!Read More

Casey Jeanne’s Jeannelle la Amour Collection

by gaby

Hello beauties – time for some wedding fashion inspiration, courtesy of one of my favourite South African designers. Casey Jeanne is a star on a pretty meteoric rise (and you’ll remember we’ve featured her bespoke gowns in the past). Now, she’s come up with a splendid ready-to-wear collection, Jeannelle la Amour, that’s spreading the word far beyond her home in Durbs. Featuring the designers signature love of detail in lace tattoos, beading and sumptuous fabrics, each one of these gowns is a whisper of loveliness. It’s just hard to pick a favourite! I also love that the collection is a tribute to Casey’s French grandfather, who was orphaned and adopted during the war and moved to South Africa. Alexis Diack took the beautiful pictures, and be sure not to miss the fab video by Wes of The Shank Tank at the end.Read More

Proteas & Pallets Rustic Wedding at Leeuwrivier by Nikki Meyer {Martine & Bruno}

by gaby

Protea lovers, rejoice! Today’s wedding not only includes tons of these gorgeous South African blooms, but balances them with modern stripes and cafe lights, as well as strong wooden elements, including the most awesome pallet backdrop and ceremony arch detail. It’s this kind of signature element that really gets my heart racing, and shows that rustic wedding style is always open to fresh ideas and new details. And detail is really where this wedding is at, from the custom protea badges for groomsmen and family members, to the teal Chevrolet, to the lacy bunting hanging above the reception space. Happy smiles all round!  The delightful Nikki Meyer‘s clean photographic style captures it all to perfection.Read More

20 Naked Cakes for an Autumn Wedding

by gaby

One of the things I love most about wedding world in the internet age is that when a gorgeous new trend comes along, all the amazing creative hands and minds across the globe take it as a challenge to create their own spin, and sometimes I look around and just think wow, this is amazing. That’s how I feel every time a beautiful naked cake pops up on Pinterest that I haven’t seen before, and gives me that little thrill of OMG. So when we chose Autumn as our theme for May, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to round up some of those sweet confections, which just happen to be perfect for a rustic, seasonal theme. Let’s go! (PS See our previous roundup of naked cakes here.)Read More

City Botanical Wedding at The Pot Luck Club by Marli Koen {Catherine & Jason}

by gaby

Brides and grooms, I beg of you, consider a city wedding, because OMG they are so fabulous. And as cities go, let’s be honest, Cape Town is amazing. So when you combine urban chic with lush botanical styling and a Table Mountain skyline, you get the wedding we have today – super romantic with a touch of glitz… fun, intimate and relaxed… and did I mention pretty? I’m especially in love with both the bride and bridesmaids’ dresses, as well as the greenery that Catherine and Jason chose to decorate both the church (Kate and Wills-style) and their favourite restaurant, The Pot Luck Club. Flowing greenery, inspired by a meadow, bringing the outdoors indoor, and perfectly complementing the city location. Perfect. The lovely Marli Koen was on the scene, capturing every smiley moment and flash of sequin and lace.Read More

20 Ways to Incorporate Autumn Leaves into Your Wedding

by gaby

Just a couple of days into our autumn theme month, and I’m already absolutely loving these change of season details (which is just as well, because usually the end of summer just makes me sad!). One thing I love to do in wedding design is to add a little motif to the overall look – not a theme as such, just a little something that reflects the overall style and makes for memorable details. There are lots of autumn motifs, but the most obvious is fallen leaves, and since these are a great budget option (as well as a really beautiful one), I thought that’s where I would focus today. I found lots of pretty ideas for incorporating the leaves into your big day – some more obvious (but beautifully rendered) and others creative and unexpected. Pick the ones you love for your autumn celebration!Read More

Floral Romance Wedding at The Oyster Box Hotel by Vivid Blue Photography {Kerry & Marinus}

by gaby

Isn’t it an amazing thing how a smell can instantly take you back to a time and place, or remind you of a person or a feeling? Someone just has to spritz Issy Miyake in my direction and I’m instantly 20 again, getting ready for a night out at Stellenbosch (if only I still looked 20, but that’s another story!). Today’s bride not only filled her elegant reception with enough beautiful flowers that they’d give off the scent of a small garden, but gave each of her female guests perfume to spray, so the whole room was filled with a delicious scent that none of them would ever forget. I love the romance of that, and romance is exactly what Kerry and Marinus’ wedding delivered, from Kerry’s spectacular lace dress, to the Oyster Box location, to the soft pink lighting that infused the scented reception. And all of it was captured to absolute perfection by SBB fave, Vivid Blue Photography. Oh, and PS – flash mob proposal! Wow. :)Read More