Tag: Couple Shoots

Safari Valentine

by gaby

Happy Valentine’s Day, lovelies! Totally one of my favourite days of the year. And to celebrate, I have a dreamy styled engagement shoot to share with you today that is truly South African! Kyle and Lindsay love the bushveld, so for their couple sesh, they settled on a glamorous safari shoot. They chose Glen Afric as their location – a wildlife sanctuary and rehabilitation centre with an outstanding reputation for animal care, which was also the filming location for the BBC series Wild at Heart. They took a walk in the bush in their finery (including that iconic Silver Swallow gown!) and came across the facility’s elephant family, who let’s be honest, totally steal the show! Marissa of Studio40Six was on scene to capture the magic.

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James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Part I) by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess

by gaby

There are days as a wedding blogger when something lands in your inbox and you think “HELL yes, this is why I do this job”. Today’s editorial (from a rockstar team including SBB Directory members Green Goddess and photographer Debbie Lourens) is one of those, and I’ve so been looking forward to sharing it with you! Not only is it inspired by the latest James Bond film, Spectre, which has its UK release today, but it’s also only the first part of this gorgeous collaboration (you’ll have to wait until next week for that – and for the film!). Oh, and did I mention it’s based around the Mexican festival of the Day of the Dead, which takes place at the end of October? Word is that Spectre opens with a scene at this festival, so it was the perfect place for our team to start their Bond fantasy. Bright colours, gorgeous stationery, and a Day of the Dead-inspired mask… plus, of course, a glamorous bride and groom to be. And just wait until you see Part II! Be sure to check in next Thursday – it will be worth the wait, I promise!Read More

Top Tips for Spring Engagement Shoots

by gaby

It’s that time of year again, when summer brides and grooms book a bit of extra time with their photographers for that all-important engagement shoot (hands down the best way to get yourselves used to being in front of the camera before your Big Day). And let’s be honest, there’s no better time to plan a couple shoot than the spring – think blossoms, greenery, fresh colours, and dreamy light! There are a few things you should take into account, though, so we’ve asked a couple of our favourite local photographers to share their top 10 tips – as well as some of their favourite spring engagement pics. You can also find more e-shoot inspiration in our archives.

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Glamorous Olive Grove Engagement by Louise Vorster

by gaby

It’s been our month of glamour on SBB, but one of my favourite things is finding a way to inject a bit of glamour into an unexpected place: chandeliers hanging from a tree, ballroom style in an urban loft space… or a shimmering full length gold dress in an olive grove. That’s why I immediately fell in love with this beautiful shoot by Louise Vorster – the contrast between bride-to-be Adél’s glam gown and the rustic setting for her engagement shoot with her love, Jan, is so eye catching and gorgeous. And there’s something very intimate about it too – like the two lovebirds have sneaked off to have a fancy date in an secret location, and are having the time of their lives doing just that. It’s moments like this that give us a glimpse of the fun of being engaged, a welcome break in a sea of wedding planning, and a special memory captured forever.Read More

Styled Shoot Turned Surprise Elopement by Angie Capri

by gaby

This shoot, you guys. It is so filled with love. In most of the styled shoots that I feature here on the blog, it’s all about the details – the pretty flowers, the table, the stationery, the cake… and of course, the ideas that are meant to inspire all of you brideys for your own, larger-scale weddings. Over the years, I’ve seen a few styled shoots that turned into engagements, because let’s be honest, is there a prettier way to pop the question? But when this same-sex shoot from Angie Capri crossed my desk, I knew it was something extra special. Not only did the lovebirds, Kylie & Andrea, have the moment when Andrea got down on one knee captured on film, but they were married on the spot in the most romantic surprise elopement I can imagine. So today, we get to not only be inspired by the pretty details created by Angie and her team, but by the sheer love as well.Read More

Up & Away Styled Engagement by Beatrix Events & Louise Vorster

by gaby

It’s FRIDAY! The happiest day of the week. And it’s about to get even happier with the most gorgeous engagement shoot! We’ve heard of engagement shoots that use balloons as props, we’ve heard of styled e-shoots, but this is really a whole other level of awesome, since it includes a spectacular (and inspiring!) table created by Beatrix Events, an adorable couple, a bit of a travel theme, and an actual hot air balloon! You know, just casually hanging out in the background, like the coolest prop ever ;) Not to mention beautiful pictures by Louise Vorster. So what are we waiting for! Up, up and away!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

Durban Beachfront Engagement Shoot

by gaby

Next up today, we have a sweet little engagement shoot from Kate van Onselen, which takes place close to my current little ‘hood, on the Durban beachfront. Chelsea (who hails from North Carolina in the US) and local boy James make such an adorable couple, and I especially love the way that Chelsea is rocking a beautiful boho headpiece, but the love and happiness between the couple are rightfully at the centre of these sweet pics. I always say this, but that’s what it’s really all about!Read More

How to Style Your Engagement Shoot

by gaby

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It’s that time of year when lots of you will be planning your summer engagement shoots (something I wholeheartedly approve because trust me, you are going to want a chance to get comfy in front of a camera!). That’s all good, but one of the questions I get a lot from readers is: what in the name of Beyonce’s extensions do I wear? Now, I’m all for spontaneity and comfort, but this is one thing you definitely want to put some thought into. So like a good bestie (because we so ARE besties now, right?) I’ve put together 10 top tips to get you started. And even better, I’ve rounded up four fab engagement shoots from the lovely Migneon Marais of Pritti to show you how it’s done. The best part is that none of the four couples we’re featuring were specifically ‘styled’ or told what to wear for their shoots with Migneon, but in their own ways, each nailed the subtle details that turn a pair of outfits from drab to fab in front of the lens.Read More

Out of Africa Engagement Shoot by Peartree Photography

by gaby

Earlier today we shared Sandra and Murray’s gorgeous bushveld black tie wedding, but we have an one more treat in store before we’re done. The couple, who have a “farm in Ahfrihcah” in the Free State (where their wedding was held), also organised to have a gorgeous safari-style engagement shoot with their photographer, Wil Punt of Peartree Photography. With a few well-chosen props, a gorgeous sunset and a camp fire, they created something really special to reflect their love of Africa and their new home. It’s so fabulously ‘Out of Africa’ that you can almost hear Mozart floating out from a gramophone across the plains. Beautiful.Read More