Time for another holiday gift guide, and this is a special twist on gifts for couples and newlyweds. With so many couples now waiting a few months before taking a proper honeymoon, you have an extra chance to put together the perfect gift to get them excited about their trip, or just to make things more convenient when they get there. And guess what? There are lots of adorable his ‘n hers, holiday-worthy finds out there – and at a Christmas-friendly price point. Which means that these gifts double as the perfect little splurge for yourself, if you’re a honeymooner-to-be! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
From the city to the beach… this afternoon we’re taking a little virtual trip to the tropics with the latest collection from US bridal powerhouse BHLDN. With elopements getting more popular, and South Africa being a perfect place for an elopement or destination wedding (and have you seen our beaches? sublime) I just had to share it with you. From dreamy dresses (in soft, light fabrics, a destination wedding essential) to the most stylish honeymoon gear for a new Mrs, to some sweet accessories that you’ll want to wear well beyond the big day, you’ll find them here.
Before we close out the week, I wanted to share a little hideaway I discovered recently: The Cavern hotel in the Drakensberg. Originally I was planning to meet friends from Joburg there (it’s half way-ish between Joburg and Durban, making it a convenient weekend break from either) but in the end my mum came out with me for a couple of days of R&R, and you guys, it was awesome. A few days of mountain air (and limited time on social media) was just what I needed to clear my head and relax. It’s a great resort for families, but it’s also the perfect place for a honeymoon, a bit of a romantic mini-break or even a pre-wedding girl’s chill-out weekend, so of course I had to share it with you too!Read More
I am soooooooop-ah excited about this couple shoot, because you guys, it is not only breathtaking, but it has such an awesome story attached. I’m a huge fan of photographer Claire Morgan (a South African now based in Europe, although she travels, and I would dearly love to feature a South African wedding she shoots, hint hint). I guess an artist is never off duty, because she happened to be wandering around Goa, India (as you do) and came across this gorgeous couple at a picturesque waterfall. Anna and Ilya were on a visit from Russia (where Anna is actually a photographer herself) and after striking up a conversation, Claire offered to do an impromtu couple shoot for them. This is the kind of shoot you can’t style – completely spontaneous and natural and real, but it looks like it could be out of the fashion pages of a top magazine. Claire’s pics have such a sense of place, and Anna and Ilya have such an amazing chemistry – how lovely to hear from Claire that they are since engaged :) This might be one of my all-time favourites – enjoy! And thanks so much for sharing Claire!Read More
It may be that a list of your typical honeymoon dream destinations runs more like a Beach Boys song (Aruba, Jamaica…) than a list of the English counties, but with period drama like Downton Abbey as popular as it is, it’s a safe bet that there’s at least a part of you that dreams of cuddling up by the fire in a country pile, pulling on your Hunters for a brisk walk around the estate with the spaniel or taking a spot of afternoon tea before retiring to the four-poster with your new hubby. I mean, who doesn’t want to be Kate Middleton, just a little bit? If that sounds familiar, then today’s honeymoon inspiration is for you! I recently spent some time in the Cotswolds myself, soaking in the honey coloured buildings, the grand scenery, and the idyllic rural vibe, and today I wanted to share my top finds.Read More
There are plans afoot to add more regular honeymoon inspiration to SBB, much of which will centre around destinations close to or in South Africa. But for today, I thought I would profile a destination close to my heart. Because I’m there. Right now. Yes, I know, I am totally that person who posts pictures of their holiday on Facebook just to try to make you jealous. Well, be jealous, because Tuscany is every bit as gorgeous and magical as you’ve always imagined it to be. I fell in love with it in a very serious way when I saw the film Room With a View aged about 12, which I then went on to watch maybe a zillion more times (by the way, if you love Maggie Smith in Downton, catch her in RWAV as well – she’s awesome). I finally got to Florence in my twenties, and it was exactly as I’d pictured it. So was the rest of the countryside. Now, don’t get me wrong, Italy is a lot more than the Tuscan stereotype and you should definitely check out its other regions too, all I’m saying is that the stereotype is there for a reason. Cypress-lined drives, hilltop villages, a sun-kissed landscape dotted with olive groves and vineyards, fields of sunflowers. Not to mention cities full of art and history and beautiful architecture. All of which makes it one of the most picture perfect European destinations for a honeymoon. Personally, I’d spend all my time chilling in a villa, drinking wine and driving around the beautiful countryside (um, not in that order, obvs), but if you want a bit of beach time you have that option too, as the Tuscan coastline is lovely, and you could even exile yourself Napoleon-style to the island of Elba. Here’s a quick run-down on what you need to know to start dreaming up your Tuscan honeymoon.Read More
It’s less than three weeks until the day we are married and the craziness of wedding planning has officially hit. With all the loose ends to tie up some things are of course going awry, others better than expected – fun, excitement, stress – but what is standing out more than ever in all this planning madness is how incredibly remarkable my ‘almost-husband’ is. He’s been like anti-stress on this planning adventure. Wonderful in every way and with the wedding drawing nearer even more wonderful as the stressors increase. More than five years have passed and I still miss him when he leaves a room and get excited to see him upon his return. And I get to marry him. SOON! To say that I am excited to meet him at the church may be the greatest understatement that ever leaves my lips. :)
But what on earth will we do once the wedding is over? When everything has been taken down and the boxes of goods used on our special day are packed away and returned? Shall it be London, Paris, New York? All these amazing options were under serious consideration until our search was interrupted by a perfect find and we both knew we had found our answer. A Mauritian paradise it was destined to be. :)
