Tag: boho weddings

Hair Inspiration: The Boho Bride

by gaby

Sources (l-r): Clayton Austin; The Robertsons; Plum Pretty Sugar

It’s been a while since we had some hair inspiration on SBB, but I know from Pinterest that it’s something you brides-to-be are always looking for. If you’re anything like me, i.e. incapable of explaining what I want to a hairdresser without a picture, then it’s no wonder. So today we’re bringing you a gorgeous selection of inspiring looks, from loose curls to braids and updos. There’s one thing they all have in common, and that’s that they’re perfect for the boho bride. Flower crowns optional!Read More

Real Wedding at Die Klipskuur {Natalia & Darryl}

by gaby

Good morning, brideys! How has your week been so far? Mine is not ideal, as I am nursing the flu (again? seriously?) but the cure for everything is a pretty wedding, and I have a lovely one for you today. As you all know by now, I am a huge sucker for couples who infuse their personal style, taste, likes, etc. into their wedding design, and Natalia and Darryl really did that. Although it’s a rustic vintage wedding, and that’s a popular style right now, every detail was thought out and included with love, including many heirloom pieces and special touches. The couple, being landscapers, have a huge love for nature, and I also love that they tried to complement the beautiful surroundings of their venue, instead of making it over. Their flowers and decor reflect the soft tones of the veld, as captured so strikingly by photographer Melanie Wessels. And you guys, how much are we loving Natalia’s juliet cap veil? So, so pretty!Read More

Real Wedding at Little Stream {Lynsay & Graham}

by gaby

As a blogger, there have been a few times unfortunately where I’ve had to face the question of whether to blog in the face of unhappy events, whether home or abroad. This isn’t a news blog, but it can seem trivial to talk about weddings when there’s a major earthquake, or when my American readers are dealing with a national tragedy like what happened yesterday in Boston. I’m a runner, and my heart goes out to everyone who was injured or was there, and their friends and families. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned as a runner, it’s to carry on, even when things feel bad, when your legs are pounding and a part of your brain is telling you you’d be crazy not to stop. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned as someone who has also experienced loss of my own and through others, it’s that one of the very reasons that we have to hold tight to those shining moments of joy like the celebration of two people falling in love and promising a lifetime to one another, is because life isn’t always cupcakes and toile. So I’m blogging today. And frankly, there couldn’t be a wedding that is more full of life and love and promise and light than this one. Lynsay and Graham opted for a picnic wedding at the picturesque Little Stream in Constantia, and everything from the luminous bride and her boho bridesmaids to the high tea-style tables laden with food, the hanging teacups and acres of bunting, to the ice cream cart bringing smiles of delight to adults and kids alike is a gentle celebration of family and friends, nature and romance. Charlene Schreuder is a genius at capturing this sort of wedding, and she’s done so in her usual gorgeous style.Read More

Real Wedding at De Uijlenes {Nadine & Alan}

by gaby

I have such a special wedding to share with you today! We hear a lot about ‘boho’ weddings, but today’s bride and groom really embody the bohemian life, and not just because the bride wore a flower crown on her big day. When they tired of the corporate world and wanted more freedom, they started their own business creating the most beautiful lasercut lights. Groom Alan is also a skateboarder, and spends the rest of his time skating or filming for skate videos and magazines. Nadine signs all her emails ‘love and light’, and that’s exactly the feeling I have when I look at their INCREDIBLE photos from Love Made Visible. Bex and Bruce have outdone themselves with their gentle documentary style that always captures the amazing emotion of a wedding day, and there’s so much love and joy throughout Nadine and Alan’s forest ceremony and eco chic reception. I love that they did things a little differently, with sack and egg & spoon races instead of throwing the garter and bouquet, and ended their night with their guests around the fire, singing and playing the guitar. Get ready for loveliness!Read More

Real Wedding at Umtamvuna River Lodge {Anna & Robbie}

by gaby

I know many of you out there are probably fans of Paulo Coelho. I have to admit, I’m not, but the first time I read The Alchemist I had just broken up with my first love, and it gave me comfort. Years later, I published an educational edition of the book, so I read it again, and even though this time it wasn’t my thing, I did appreciate the whole idea of life being a journey and how sometimes random things conspire to point in a particular direction. It’s an amazing feeling when that happens, and I couldn’t help being reminded of that story and feeling when I read today’s couple’s ‘how we met’ story, which really is like a journey of signs. Very cool. Of course, all love stories end in a celebration, and Anna and Robbie’s ended this chapter in a wonderful wedding at Umtamvuna. I adore their laid back style (and Anna’s amazing Temperley London dress!) as well as their literary theme (having played Toad of Toad Hall in my younger years I’m particularly delighted by the Wind in the Willows slant!), and especially Andrea Carlyle‘s epic photographs capturing the stormy skies. So much loveliness.Read More

Kelsey Genna Wedding Dress Collection

by gaby

I’m so excited to bring you this post today and introduce you to the work of New Zealand-based dress designer, Kelsey Genna, because believe me when I say this is really a name to watch. When Kelsey sent me her very first bridal campaign, I was immediately struck by how unique, gorgeous and wearable her dresses are. I know many brides who aren’t into the whole traditional dress thing, and want something more boho without sacrificing that wow factor – in fact, I’ve featured many such brides right here, and I can really see Kelsey’s designs on South African brides. They’d be amazing at a farm wedding, for example, and I love that they combine a slightly vintage edge with an elegance inspired by flowers. Not to mention that I’m dying over these campaign images and how beautifully the dresses have been styled – I do love me a good floral crown! If you’re thinking “I love these, but New Zealand is, like, far”, then worry not, because Kelsey often works with brides in other countries and will happily ensure the dress is made to measure and supremely flattering. I can’t wait to see real life brides in these beauties, and to follow what Kelsey does next.Read More

Inspiration Board: La Boheme

by gaby

Good morning, wedding belles! Sorry for the late start this Monday, but I’m sure you’ll grant me a bank holiday lie-in. Anyway, I’m super excited about today’s board, which was a request from lovely reader Cara. It just makes my day when I get unusual themes and ideas for inspiration board requests, and ever since I read Cara’s email I’ve been dying to put this one together. Cara and her fiancé are planning a French bohemian style for their Johannesburg wedding. They hadn’t chosen colours yet, but were looking for something rustic, hippy and down to earth, but classy. I also didn’t start out with a colour scheme, but this evolved into a palette of rust, copper and green, and I think it has just the right amount of French country boho charm (although, as an alternative to neutrals, I’d recommend purple, including lots of lovely lavender). A headband (or a crown of flowers) for the bride is a must, and bridesmaids should be put in a range of lacey dresses with mismatched accessories (matching bridesmaids is a definite no here). Flowers are rustic and slightly wild, and I’d probably incorporate fruits as well, like figs and grapes, into the mix. Heavy urns with overflowing greenery, whimsical adornments like feathers (love how these just sit in the groom’s pocket instead of a boutonniere), long tables, rugs and scatter cushions. To some degree, anything goes. Hope you like this Cara – I am sure it’ll be absolutely beautiful!

Colours: Copper, rust and green

Top row (l-r): Boho bride {Johanna Johnson}; glasses {S: Jessica Sloane of lovebird style; P: Brooke Boling Photography}; door handle {P: Tamiz Photography}; centrepiece {P: Scott Clark Photo}; feathers in place of boutonniere {P: Nancy Neil}
Row 2: Decor {P: Tamiz Photography}; bouquet {F: Panacea Event Floral Design; P: Chloe of Mike Larson Inc}; champagne on tray {S: Davia Lee Events; P: Danielle Capito Photography }; bridesmaids’ dresses {P: Josh Goleman}
Row 3: Tables {Scott Clark Photo}; cherub with crown {P: Braedon Photography}; rustic door {via trekearth.com)}; table decor {D: Lace and Likes; P: Swoon by Katie}; wedding reception {P: Tamiz Photography}

 

Moroccan Themed Wedding Details

by gaby

Source: Jose Villa/Cortnie of Canvas and Canopy for Rue Magazine

Welcome to Part 2 of our Moroccan-themed inspiration Friday! Didn’t you just love the dresses I showcased this morning? Not to mention the gorgeous backdrop… Of course, I’ve never actually been to Morocco (although I have done Tunisia and Egypt) but it is most definitely on the list. There’s just something so romantic and English Patienty about it all, isn’t there? Which is probably why it makes a great wedding theme, and I’ve been seeing full-scale Moroccan style weddings or just weddings with Moroccan touches popping up all over the place. But there’s one big word of warning here. Going overboard will make this theme look like a cheap Christmas party. Do not – I repeat, do NOT – go overboard. Don’t lean towards the obvious, but rather be inspired by the general North African design aesthetic, and then have fun with it.Read More

Real Wedding at Strandkombuis {Ingrid & Pieter}

by gaby

Ok, I have to tell you, I am in LOVE with this wedding. Like, properly. Full-blown, fill your mailbox with orange tictacs, build you a house of candles, stand outside your window with a boombox kind of love. You may even have seen it before, but I don’t care. It is the absolute definition of boho beach perfection and it’s filled with my favourite things. Floral crowns for the bride and bridesmaids, blackboards, proteas, flocks of origami birds, hanging bottle vases, lots of bright whites, sparkly lights and the cutest fringed beach umbrellas. Not to mention a fab venue (Strandkombuis), a beautiful couple who are completely gaga for one another and the most gorgeous, swoonworthy photographs from dream team welovepictures. I have stars in my eyes just looking at it all, and when I heard about the bride’s entrance music (Florence and the Machine’s Cosmic Love) I so choked up. (Take a moment, get out your iPod. It may be the best entrance ever.) Sit back and immerse yourself in the amazingness…Read More

Flowers in her Hair

by gaby

The Savannah Floral Crown by Love Sparkle Pretty (Image: Mallory Dawn)

*UPDATED FOR 2018* A couple of weeks ago I featured a roundup of beautiful birdcage veils, but if your style is more bohemian than retro, I have a bridal accessory trend that’s just for you. Brides with flowers in their hair are nothing new (although they’ve gained a lot of popularity as an alternative to veils in the last couple of years), but recently I have been seeing a bloom of brides wearing full-on floral crowns. And you guys, I LOVE them! Once the preserve of ’80s flowergirls, the new wave of flower wreaths are soft and sweet but with a bold, high fashion edge. They’re not subtle, but boy are they beautiful. Check out these gorgeous flower crowns, including some beautiful silk flower options that you can buy from Etsy.
*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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