Inspiration Board: Golden Leaves

Good lord, how is it Monday again already? And how is it NOVEMBER? There’s only one way to deal with my standard end-of-year panic that time has almost slipped by me today, and that’s with some wedding pretty. I must say, I am loving today’s combination. Partly because I’m a sucker for leaves and garlands, but also because I think that gold, kraft paper and mint make such a sweet mix I’m amazed I haven’t stumbled upon it before. Leaves make an elegant motif in this design, showing up everywhere from stationery to cake to shoes, and it’s a subtle but effective way of tying everything together. Add a mint suit for the groom, and I’m in style heaven.

Colours: Mint, kraft paper beige, gold

Top row (l-r): Wedding invitations {Minted}; leaf hair garland {Aya Jewellery}; dress {Shell de Mar}; cake {Alante Photography/Honey Crumb Cake Studio}
Row 2: Gold shoes; bridesmaids {Bryce Covey Photography/Adrianna Papell}; gold bunting {Toast}
Row 3: Kraft chair sign {Hunter Photographic/Baci Designer}; mint suit; gold stripe straws {Thatch & Thistle Co.}; tablescape with candle {Amanda K Photography}

 

Vintage Rustic Wedding at De Ouwe Klok by Heather Steyn {Fran & Matthew}

Morning all! Sorry we missed you yesterday – everything got thrown a bit by electrical storms sending the internet out of whack, and in the end I decided to chill out, stop staring angrily at my computer screen, and just enjoy cuddling up under the duvet with the dog and a cup of hot chocolate. Living in the moment, right? Well, today we’re back, and we have a gorgeous wedding to share with you all, a mix of vintage and rustic with a touch of high fashion glam, courtesy of the bride herself (what’s that expression in the South – the higher the hair, the closer to God?). But while the succulents and garlands and pegs and paper flowers make my heart sing, as usual what really captured me was the sheer joy that came through when Fran told me her fairytale love story (which started, would you believe it, at a party thrown by their ultimate wedding photographer, Heather Steyn!). This is a boy-meets-girl right out of a movie, and the sweetest part was that Matthew recreated the whole thing for his proposal. And if that’s how it started, this is one marriage that is going to be full to the brim with romance.Read More

Fynbos Garlands Natte Valleij Wedding by Abigail K. {Gem & Ben}

So there I was just a few weeks ago, declaring my love for garlands, and here’s a wedding that shows off everything I love about this gorgeous floral trend. They’re pretty, they’re whimsical, they’re rustic-pretty-perfection, and in the case of Gem & Ben’s gorgeous barn wedding, they’re fynbos, which makes the heart of this South African girl soar! But beyond the lovely greenery, there is so much more to love about this wedding from the fab Abigail K. – a palette of cool blues and greens with a touch of protea pink, the spectacular gardens of Natte Valleij bathed in ethereal light and OMG Gem’s amazing illusion back, frothy tulle skirt dress! This was a wedding where family was central, where love was tangible, and where lovers of rustic romantic style will find their home.Read More

Romantic Fynbos Matjiesdrift Wedding by Illuminate Photography {Amy & Karl}

Being back in South Africa for a few months has reminded me just how amazing the nature is here. Right outside my bedroom, in a garden full of indigenous plants and trees, are mongooses, monkeys, incredible birds and insects. It’s very cool. And so I love when couples take their natural environment as inspiration for their wedding, as Amy and Karl did for theirs. The blue of the sky and the soft blush of the earth formed the basis for their palette, and they filled their bouquets and venue with roses and fynbos, including garlands hanging from the ceiling (LOVE) above the long tables. It’s pure countryside romance, captured to perfection by Illuminate Photography. Oh, and PS? A brownie wedding cake. Yum!Read More

Table Garlands

It’s an exciting day at SBB HQ, and I have some lovely news to share with you this afternoon. When I do, you’ll see why I have garlands and continuous floral runner arrangements on the brain! This is one trend that I have absolutely loved seeing in 2013, and I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of it next season. Garlands are such a pleasing visual element to add to your decor – they look so lush and plentiful, and they really make long tables pop. Of course, a magic carpet of blooms is stunning, but you can also make this work with greenery, succulents, or even (as you’ll see below), photos! You can work with a single colour, a mix, or an ombre effect (love!), and incorporate tall candles or little votives along the way. The garlands can go straight or have a little twist to them, and they can come off the ends of your table or just work along its length. This probably isn’t a trend for budget brides, in that a floral garland tends to use a lot of blooms multiplied by all your tables, but if you’re madly in love with the idea and watching the pennies, why not just have a garland for the head table? Or, as one couple did in the pics below, for a central table that works as a real showstopper and centrepoint visually? That way, you’ll get some of the effect, without all of the expense.Read More