Ice Cream Pastels Wedding at Langkloof by Coba Engelbrecht {Kayleigh & Brendon}

by gaby

I’ve been a huge fan of Langkloof Roses, ever since I styled a shoot there a couple of years ago, and I can’t think of a more perfect place for a spring wedding, let alone one with mixed ice cream pastel shades (my favourite!). It’s the simple little touches that make Kayleigh and Brendon’s wedding so very charming – the ‘forever and always’ banner hanging over their chapel entrance, the petals in enamel buckets, the glimpses of gold along the wooden tables, the sparkler lined floor for the first dance (which by the way, has a hilarious story attached). And of course, those mixed pastel bridesmaid dresses that really draw the eye. All surrounded by fields of roses in the beautiful Cape winelands. One two three… SIGH. Coba Engelbrecht took the pics that are making our hearts flutter so!Read More

Get the Look: Sequin & Sparkle Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

Sequin Bridesmaid Dresses

We like to keep things fresh around here, and so today is the first step in something new for SBB. From now on we’ll be regularly featuring real bridesmaid dresses in our new ‘bridesmaid boutique’ features, so you can recreate the looks you love from your favourite bridal parties. We’ve curated a collection of current, gorgeous dresses from the US, UK and South Africa (most of which ship internationally too) at a range of price points. And here’s the really cool part, you can also find all of the dresses over on our brand new Bridesmaid Boutique Pinterest board, so be sure to follow the board and check in for updates and new gowns throughout the year. We’re starting today with one of your all-time favourite bridesmaid looks – sequins and sparkle! We’ve featured several gorgeous glittery bridal parties here on SBB and seen many more sequin bridesmaid dresses we loved all over the web – I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing them. The latest update to this look is full-on glamour: long, luxurious, shimmery bling, and bridal parties in mixed metallics. LOVE.
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Inspiration Board: Glam Safari

by gaby

Happy Monday, lovelies! It’s time for our weekly colour inspiration, and today we’re bringing you a board that would be perfect for a glam safari wedding, or one where the couple want to showcase their love of Africa. It started with the image top left for me – I just loved the idea of a gold zebra print paired with navy and elegant flowers like white orchids. For this look, you’ll want to stay subtle with the animal print details (although I’ve sneaked in some lion cakes and gold animal swizzle sticks (also a great idea for place settings), which allows the overall look to be sophisticated and not too themey. As an extra nod to safari style, I love the idea of leather luggage tag favours. Add in groomsmen and bridesmaids in smart navy, touches of glamorous gold including a cuff for the bride, and an ultra modern cake (not seen a navy one before – don’t you love it?), and you have the perfect combination for bushveld black tie.

Colours: Navy, gold, white

Top row (l-r): Invitation with zebra envelope {Blue Rose Photography/Simply by Tamara Nicole}; navy suit {Du Wayne Denton/House of Monatic}; navy cake {Cindy Gannon Photography/Georges Chakra}; gold animal swizzle sticks
Row 2: Lion cakes {Stephanie Wiley Photography/Bloom Designs Online}; zebra print invitation {Max Koliberdin Photography/Two Oranges/Katrin Krasnostanova}; gold shoes {Mango Studios/Melissa Andre Events}; leather luggage tag favours {HarLex}
Row 3: navy bridesmaid dresses {Miki and Sonja Photography/XOXO BRIDE}; orchid bouquet {Joey + Jessica Weddings/Tiger Lily Weddings}; place setting {The Nichols/Pearl Events}; bride with gold cuff

 

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2015 {Part 1}

by gaby

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably missing that holiday feeling right about now, which makes this the perfect time to do some honeymoon dreaming. So I’ve scoured the travel blogs and guides to bring you my pick of the ten hottest honeymoon destinations for 2015, and given myself a serious case of wanderlust in the process! A honeymoon is a chance to really get away from it all, to take in beautiful views and fascinating culture and history at a more relaxed pace to contrast with the hectic pace of wedding planning, with an extra dash of once-in-a-lifetime luxury. Each of these destinations fits the bill – but which is your favourite? (We’ll be counting down the second half of our top ten next Friday – don’t miss it!)

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Forest Tea Party Engagement Shoot by YeahYeah Photography

by gaby

My favourite type of engagement shoots are those that say something about the couple, and especially those where they get to just hang out together, doing what they love. That’s a perfect description of today’s shoot, since lovebirds Glen and Kelly share a love for teacups, so for their eshoot with Helena of YeahYeah Photography, they decided to have a tea party in a dusky forest, sharing a cake and reading some of their favourite books. Adorable! Kelly also happens to be a wedding planner, and she’s blogging about planning her own wedding over on her site, so be sure to check it out!Read More

Summery Pastel Wedding at Roodezand by Wrensch Lombard {Rita & Kirchual}

by gaby

Just a couple of days ago, I was saying how grooms in non-black suits were a huge trend for 2015, and here to prove it is today’s handsome groom in a gorgeous watermelon pastel. It’s the perfect complement to a wedding that is as simple as it is beautiful, with summer pastel flowers and soft fabric banners fluttering in the wind. And let’s just take a moment to appreciate bride Rita’s look, which is the epitomy of simple sophistication. Her portraits by photographer Wrensch Lombard are just breathtaking, as are all the gorgeous pictures of Rita and Kirchual’s happy day. Enjoy!Read More

From Catwalk to Aisle: 10 Key Wedding Dress Trends for 2015

by candice

Hello lovely readers – Candice here! With all the top designers hitting the runway late last year at New York Bridal Week showing off a variety of new trends, we really have been spoilt for choice. If you’re like me, you get a bit overwhelmed by all the magnificent options. So we’ve picked our top ten, stand-out runway and bridal fashion trends for 2015 – see which style you most identify with and how these trends can be interpreted into your dream wedding dress.

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Gorgeous Game Lodge Wedding at Bonamanzi by Fiona Clair {Melissa & Keenan}

by gaby

You guys don’t need me to tell you how much I love the African bushveld, it is my BEST THING. So of course I have a soft spot for couples who share that love, and as soon as I saw Melissa & Keenan’s wedding I knew that they were just that sort of couple. Long-distance lovers who now live in beautiful Kwazulu Natal, they planned a game lodge fabulous wedding complete with a chic bush ceremony arch, zebra bridesmaid robes, and just about every variety of protea. It’s super joyful and beautiful, and super South African, which makes it the perfect wedding to kick off our super SouthBound year! The phenomenal Fiona Clair was on-scene to capture these gorgeous pics.Read More

Introducing… Anna Georgina

by gaby

Afternoon gorgeous ones! As I mentioned yesterday, we’re upgrading fashion on SBB this year – think of it as a series regular here now rather than a guest star. And I’m never happier than when I’m showcasing South African designers, because we have some serious talent on these shores! A name that won’t be a stranger to any of you is Kobus Dippenaar, and today we’re shining the spotlight on Kobus’ bridal label, Anna Georgina, for the first time. These dresses are… well, WOW. Beautifully crafted, with the same beautiful detailing that Kobus’ red carpet gowns are known for, and undeniably feminine. We’re smitten. And the best part is that we were able to steal Kobus away from his studio for an exclusive interview, to go along with the latest Anna Georgina collection.Read More

Wedding Trends for 2015

by gaby

It’s that time of year again! I love these annual trend roundups, writing them always fills me with excitement for the year ahead. Of course, trends aren’t the most important thing in planning your wedding – they’re not even close to the most important thing – but as with fashion and interiors, it’s good to know the sort of looks that will be big (and more easily available!) in the year ahead. The other thing to bear in mind is that unlike fashion, wedding trends tend to have a little more longevity, so there’ll still be plenty of the trends I identified last year (and the year before) in 2015. Many of them have simply evolved. But for today, we’re focusing on the new and the beautiful. Here are my Top 10 predictions.

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