Dearly Beloved

I like to think all the shoots we feature on SBB are special, but today’s really is something extra. As well as being oh-so-pretty, it’s a personal tribute from stylist Kate Bell of Bells & Whistles Event Styling to her lovely grandmother, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Using flowers that reminded Kate of her grandmother’s garden, where she played as a little girl, and a pair of treasured vintage scissors as a prop, Kate drew inspiration from cherished memories of someone who really was “dearly beloved”. As well as being an utterly beautiful way of honouring someone, I think this is a lesson for brides and grooms too, because as I always say, a wedding should be a reflection of you and your story. So when you’re deciding on your wedding design, be sure to allow your imagination to run wild, dig deep into your most precious memories and keepsakes, and what you create really will be truly you. The wonderful Stella Uys took these gorgeous images!

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A Vision of Eden Styled Shoot

Hello friends! This month we’ve been all about the greenery, but today’s shoot isn’t just about loving botanicals – it’s about wearing them! Inspired by the work of Carol Jillian, who creates botanical and floral couture in Austin, Texas, this talented US-based creative team put together three looks that evoke the Garden of Eden and are pure botanical couture! And since we love bold ideas and fresh inspirations here on SBB, I couldn’t wait to feature them. Even if you’re not going to wear a wedding gown made of foliage, you can still be thoroughly inspired by the gorgeous colour combos, lush tablescapes and sweet treats on display here, thanks to these fabulous images by Ronnie Bliss Photography.

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Bijoux Botanical Wedding at Lalapanzi Lodge by Michelle du Toit

There’s an expression I always remember from one of my favourite films, that goes: Simple may not always be best, but the best is always simple. That’s what I think about when I come across weddings like Carla & Bruce’s, that take an idea (in this case, greenery with a touch of gold) and make it incredibly elegant. Add in a romantic forest ceremony in the most beautiful surroundings, natural elements like glass and wood, and little personal touches like olive oil favours and a tribute to their missing loved ones, and you have something really special. You won’t be surprised to know that I’m in love with Carla’s wild, organic style bouquet, which worked so beautifully with her Robyn Roberts gown, or that I think Michelle du Toit‘s swoony photography is the final, perfect touch! Simple just became extraordinary.

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Light & Bright Botanical Wedding at Olive Rock by Adene Photography

Some weddings are like a carnival, parading across my screen with colour and noise and celebration. Others, like today’s beautiful celebration from the fab Adene Photography, are more like a summer breeze, full of gentle details and whispers of lace, and sheer wedding day romance, and you just want to bask in their radiant glow. That’s Joandi and Jurgens’ big day to me – it’s light and bright and airy, and equal measures organic and contemporary, which is the perfect complement to the gorgeous space at Olive Rock (one of our fave SBB Collection venues). With delicate watercolour details in the stationery, fantastic white florals, and some of the sweetest bridesmaid dresses I’ve seen in a while (as well as Joandi’s incredible illusion neckline gown), it’s the prettiest way to kick off our week of weddings. The final cherry on top? Stacks of chocolate brownies for the guests to take home. Now that’s a sweet farewell.

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Dreamy Botanical Wedding Inspiration by Nicola Bester

I’m starting my weekend early by rushing off to PE for my high school reunion, where I will play Romy (and Michelle), and tell everyone I invented Post-its. But I can’t think of a better way to end off our month of Greenhouse gorgeousness than with this shoot, which just embodies the romantic garden feel that everything floral and botanical and beautiful means to me. There’s such an ethereal look to this shoot, thanks in part to the frothy fantasy gowns created by SBB fave Janita Toerien, as well as Nicola Bester Photography‘s lovely pics, and I’m also loving the whimsical watercolour stationery and pretty table design with just a touch of gold, not to mention Minke du Plessis‘ immaculate hair & makeup! To be honest, put these elements together into a wedding, and I’m pretty much in heaven. So enjoy, and pop back later this afternoon for a final dose of floral print to finish off July’s theme.Read More

Fruitful Farm Wedding at Babylonstoren by Claire Thomson {Simona & Emile}

When you’re picking a wedding design, we’d always advise that you take your venue into consideration – after all, as much as I love contrasts, there are some venues that just will never suit some themes, and you don’t want to spend a year of engagement trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. But for some couples, the venue goes so much further, completely inspiring the look and feel of the wedding, especially when they’re as crazy about the place as Simona and Emile are about Babylonstoren. Fair dues, it is a pretty amazing place, and I especially loved that this sweet couple wanted to share this place that is so special to them with their favourite people. They completely embraced the Babylonstoren aesthetic, the vast, edible gardens and greenhouses, the elegant but simple menu. And, thanks to Simona’s trust in her suppliers, their flowers had a special fruity element to them which I especially love! It’s just the perfect embodiment of farmhouse botanical style, beautifully captured by Claire Thomson.Read More

20 Botanical & Floral Bridal Hairpieces

Time for some gorgeous adornment, brideys! I’m forever getting stopped in my tracks while browsing Etsy by some of the absolutely spectacularly gorgeous bridal hair accessories – and I’m especially partial to those with a bit of a botanical bent. Cleverly crafted gold and silver leaves in goddess-like crowns, pearls and crystals fashioned to look like flowers and berries… I just wish I had an excuse to wear one of them, but they might be a bit faaancy for the supermarket, no? Anyway, if you’re planning your big day accessories, I really don’t think you’ll get much prettier than these 20 nature-inspired hair accessories, from some of my favourite Etsy makers. (Contains affiliate links – the cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission on any sales)Read More

10 Botanical Wedding Inspiration Boards

Hello lovelies! We’re about half way through our ‘Greenhouse’ month, and I’ve been looking through some of the botanical themed boards we’ve featured in the past and just loving every single one of them so much! I honestly think this is one of my favourite wedding trends/looks of all time. And, while many of these palettes use green as a base, you’ll see there’s no reason to limit yourself, which is great news if you’re loving the look of floral prints or botanical table details, but already have your heart set on a different colour or season. The main point is to get your creative juices flowing – get ready to be inspired!Read More

Supplier Spotlight: Oak & Orchid

When I decided on ‘greenhouse’ as our theme for July, there was one supplier I immediately thought of and couldn’t wait to share with you guys, because every time I come across their work on the web it gives me a little thrill. And by little, I mean a huge OMG-I-want-that thrill. Oak & Orchid are an independent studio based out of the US (although they create bespoke designs for couples all over the world), and I’m particularly over the moon about their botanical range because they pretty much encapsulate everything that’s elegant and romantic and contemporary about this look for me. Receiving one would be like receiving a surprise bouquet – and we know how good that feels! Think restored antique botanical prints paired with rustic elements like wood and kraft paper, with special details like botanical envelope liners and calligraphy fonts. They are just SO pretty. And the best part of it is that even couples on a lower budget can access the Oak & Orchid design aesthetic with a range of printables from their Etsy shop. **As always, you can click on any of the images below to shop.**Read More

Inspiration Board: Blossom & Grow

Sometimes I go through a phase where I do a bunch of more subtle and sedate inspiration boards, and I absolutely love working gentle or neutral tones and elegant, grown-up combinations. And then some days I just want to go mad and play with some colour. That’s today, and I have to tell you, I am loving the result. That’s the thing about using bold colour in your wedding- it adds a feeling of fun and happiness to the day, and there’s no reason why there has to be a trade-off in sophistication. Take today’s flower-filled inspiration board – big, bold punches of orange and fuschia and peach, with an underlying white to offset all of that colour. Modern, beautiful, and inspiring.

Colours: Peach, orange, fuschia

Top row (l-r): Bride in flower crown {Ali Harper Photography/Amy Osaba}; bouquet {Stylish & Hip Weddings/Shiramisu/The Green Vase}; floral print bridesmaid dress
Row 2: Tablescape {Rebecca Wood Photography/Cynthia Martyn Events Inc./Stemz}; floral invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}; paint dipped cutlery {KT Merry/David Arthur Fittin/Lucia Paul Design}; cake {JoPhoto}
Row 3: Cocktails {Christy Tyler Photography/Reenie Rose}; table with peaches {Justin DeMutiis Photography/Jade Lee Events}; flowers in wire basket {Rebecca Wood Photography/Cynthia Martyn Events Inc./Stemz}

 

Blossom & Grow Pink, Peach & Orange Floral Wedding Inspiration | SouthBound Bride