Misty Bohemian Wedding at Corrie Lynn Farm by Duane Smith {Michane & Nic}

by gaby

Well, it has been a week y’all. (Yes, I know I’m not Southern, but I’m giving into my desire to say y’all because I can.) From tech issues to a very minor foot surgery that had me hobbling about with a cartoon-big bandage on my toe, it hasn’t got off to the best start. But that all changes now, because this wedding is insanely cool. So much so, that it took just one incredible image for me to mail talented photographer Duane Smith with an “OMG I must have that wedding” email.  I LOVE, heart and adore Michane’s bridal style – I’ve seen a lot of flower crowns but hers is just amazing, and I love that her daughter got to wear a mini version too. Then let’s talk about the floral print bridesmaid dresses (from PnP – budget bridesmaids for the win!), the beribboned feet, the red barn… All of that bright and beautiful against a backdrop of Midlands mist and rustic neutrals. It’s amazing. And I’m so excited to share it with you. My good week officially starts here.Read More

Inspiration Board: The Botanist

by gaby

Happy Monday, lovelies! When I was putting together last week’s post on the Etsy Wedding Fair, I just fell in love with the gorgeous Liberty print shoes by Hetty Rose, and I thought how amazing they would be for a botanical wedding, which got me all inspired to create a new botanical inspiration board. I really love the unusual colour scheme I’ve ended up with – the soft vintagey peach and off whites, with tiny punches of orange, red, coral and blue. In larger colour blocks, they’d be overpowering, but here they have a lovely, mismatched but pulled together feeling. I’m especially loving the flowers in the image top right and the flower wrapped oversize balloon, and the cutlery escort cards – those little details that catch the eye and spark the imagination. Fun!

Colours: Peach, ivory, emerald, coral, magenta, orange, purple & blue

Top row (l-r): Bride {Hetty Rose}; wreath invitation {Modern Hearts/Katrin Coetzer}; centrepiece {Rustic White/Molly Mckinley}
Row 2: Naked cake {Stephanie Yonce Photography/Amore Events by Cody/Maliha Creations}; cutlery escort cards {Clayton Austin}; cocktail; place setting with fern {Jessica May Photography/Paisley Petals}
Row 3: Balloon with floral tie; peach bridesmaid dresses; botanical wedding shoes {Hetty Rose}

Let’s just take a closer look at those gorgeous shoes, shall we?

They’re created using Liberty botanical print fabric in five different styles, and are made bespoke for you, so you can adapt each style with a heel of your choice and other design features. You’ll find the full range in the Hetty Rose Etsy store.

 

Embellished Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

One of my favourite types of SBB post is our bridesmaid fashion posts, because it gives me a chance to indulge in the latest fashion and lust over some gorgeous gowns and gown trends. And if there’s one current gown trend that really makes me get my ‘ooh’ on, it’s long, embellished dresses – those beaded and sequined beauties that immediately raise the style stakes when you see them on a bridal party. Even better, a mismatched bridal party, so there’s multiple dresses to fall in love with. If you’ve been loving this trend, you’ve probably noticed that there are a couple of specific dresses that have become synonymous with this look, and that those dresses happen to have been designed by one label, Adrianna Papell. Available in both the US and UK (and of course, shipping to SA from either), I’ve seen these gowns on everything from whole bridal parties, to maids of honour, to brides themselves (they’re perfect for an elopement or reception dress, or for a really chic engagement shoot look). Basically, we love Adrianna. So I thought it was high time that we did a post specifically dedicated to her dresses, and to this absolutely gorgeous bridesmaid look. As always, just click on any of the product images below to shop (or for UK shopping links click here).Read More

Elopement en Vogue by Green Goddess & Debbie Lourens

by gaby

When I put out a call for elopements and intimate weddings among our favourite SBB wedding pros, I was absolutely thrilled to receive this stylish gem by Green Goddess flower studio, with beautiful images by Debbie Lourens – one of those submissions I just think of as a ‘hell yes’. With a sort of 1950s Italian Vogue feel, it tells the story of a pair of starry-eyed lovers and a surprise elopement. Totally adorable, and incredibly romantic! I just love everything about it, from the bride’s gorgeous Gavin Rajah dress and coat to the flower-embellished umbrella, and the cake display that’s almost too pretty to eat. And even though it’s an editorial, I love the intimate, fun feeling that the team managed to create – the same feeling I imagine that a real couple would experience if they pulled off this wedding coup. This, friends, is why elopements are awesome.Read More

10 Unique Wedding Invitation Packages

by gaby

So as you all know, April is our month for intimate weddings, and one of the things we love about a small guest list is that you can allocate a bit more of your budget to extravagant details. Hands up, I’m a bit of a stationery fiend, and there’s also nothing I love more than sending and receiving little parcels, so when I see creative, elaborate invitations (especially those that require more than the usual envelope to send) I get really excited (yep, I’m dorky like that). The thing is, I know that those sorts of invitations don’t scale up well to 120 guests on a normal budget. So as I say, this is one of those details that’s absolutely perfect for a small, intimate, beautifully styled affair. Here are 10 of my all-time favourite wedding invitation packages, made by some of the most talented and creative designers in the industry!

Read More

Summer Rustic Wedding at Opstal Wine Estate by Dearheart Photos {Helene & Graeme}

by candice

While emailing Helene about this blog post, I got to know a little bit about this bubbly bride. The first fact was that her and her hubby are avid “adventurers”. Their first email came after they had been trekking through the mountains in Nepal. The follow up mail was sent from Istanbul, and the last one was sent from South Africa, just before they were about to head off to Swaziland! The second fact is that Helene is most definitely a people’s person (even over email!) and is one of those humans that you just immediately feel like you have known forever. (Read her story and you will understand why – this girl has a way with words!) Thirdly, Helene & Graeme have serious heart and it comes through in every detail of their wedding day. From the gold cement pots made by a rehabilitation center that focuses on teaching job creation skills, which displayed some of their flowers, to the absolute joy on their faces while celebrating surrounded by friends and family. I loved the vibrant summer flowers and the pops of gold in the decor (credited to Helene “feeling slightly gold crazy!”) the spectacular setting and all the special, intimate moments captured by the talented Lindsay from Dearheart Photos. I hope all you SBB readers enjoy this happy, love-filled day as much as Gaby and I did, and to Helene and Graeme, we wish you many more adventures together!Read More

Adorable At-home Engagement by Stefan Louw

by gaby

A little while ago I wrote a post on styling your engagement session, but after seeing today’s shoot, I reckon all I needed to say was: fill your house with balloons, and bring a puppy. Because OMG this is the cutest e-sesh I have ever seen, and I won’t lie, it’s partly down to the extreme adorableness that is Rouxnette and Johan’s bulldog. Just look at THAT FACE. No seriously, look at that it. I want to kiss that face off. But apart from the sweetest pup, what I really love about this engagement shoot is the way that the couple decided to make it as relaxed as possible, inviting photographer Stefan Louw into their home and their everyday lives, and just adding that touch of gorgeous whimsy with the balloons. It’s perfect. (PS And if you’re loving Rouxnette’s style as much as I am, be sure to check out her Gauteng wedding co-ordination business, Bona-Fide Events.)Read More

Lush Floral Wedding at Forest 44 by Justin Davis {Erine & Niel}

by gaby

With greenery and foliage weddings being such a huge trend at the moment, sometimes I forget how much I adore weddings that are awash with blooms. And then something special crosses my desk, like today’s gorgeous wedding from photographer Justin Davis. I swear, it took me all of five seconds to fall in love – the bright colours, the hydrangea-filled bouquets, the garden feeling of the wooden planters, the hanging roses, and can we just talk about how much I adore the ‘Come Away with Me’ box hanging above the main table? It’s all just SO romantic. And I’m also crazy for the way that this sense of (slightly vintage) romance translates to the bride’s beautiful lace gown, and the gorgeous getaway car. But I think my favourite of all is the couple’s how-we-met and proposal stories… I dare you to read them without a huge smile on your face! :)Read More

Introducing the Etsy Wedding Fair {Ticket Giveaway}

by gaby

Ever since I left London to come hang out in South Africa, there are a few things that I miss a lot. Sunny days in the park. Public transport. Yorkshire puddings. Not having to wait in endless bank queues (that’s a side-eye for you, Eugene). But one of the things that always makes me want to teleport (seriously, would someone just invent this already?) is when I get invited to awesome London wedding events, and this year’s Etsy Wedding Fair (which takes place from 16-17 May at Oui 2 Rooms, 89 Tichfield St., London) is definitely one of them. I mean, I LOVE Etsy, so what could be better than being able to browse wedding goods from some of their most talented makers and chat to them in person? Etsy have just announced the list of exhibitors, and oh my word, there are some seriously AMAZING sellers on the list! But good news for you readers living in or near London, because even if I don’t get to be there, you do. On me! Well, on Etsy actually, since they have been lovely enough to give me one pair of tickets to give away. Just leave a comment at the end of this post telling me which of the awesome sellers/exhibitors below you’re most looking forward to meeting, and I’ll announce the winner at the end of April. SO! Let’s get to it – here are some of the gorgeous labels you’ll be able to see up close and personal! (And for those of you shopping at home like me, just click on any image to head over to the Etsy store).Read More

Inspiration Board: Watercolour Wonderful

by gaby

If you’d asked me a couple of years ago, I would have told you probably that the watercolour trend that had just started then would be so over by now, but as I’m learning, trends in wedding world have a longer life and more staying power than I used to give them credit for. Especially since everything watercolour has gone from strength to strength – so much so that it has me wishing I could paint, and that’s saying something, since I have the artistic ability of a flea. Fortunately, I can satisfy myself with beautiful painterly palettes like this one, and gently washed out and handpainted details, from stationery to fabric to flowers. Best of all, if you like colour, you can really enjoy a multicoloured scheme, but with a very soft, romantic feel to it, which is basically perfect for a wedding. So ja. I’m #teamwatercolour all the way.

Colours: Fuschia, mauve, blush, purple, medium blue, navy & coral

Top row (l-r): Watercolour bridesmaids {Ali Harper}; cake {Alexa Loy}; ribbons {Jose Villa/Kate Holt Of Flowerwild }
Row 2: Reception decor {Jasmine Jade/Dream Occasions/Jades Flowers}; ceremony programmes {Harwell Photography/A Day In May Event Planning & Design}; groom in navy suit {Jenna Bechtholt Photography/Wedding & Events by elizaMade}
Row 3: Invitation {Oh My Good Mess}; bride {Emma Pilkington}; bouquet {JAC Photography/Just Chic Events/Commerce Flowers}