Tag: Italy

Magical Italian Villa Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Every time I see pictures of Italy (anytime, but especially right now since I have a flight booked in May) all I can think is: TAKE ME THERE. Like, right now. Those of you who have been reading SBB for a while (and anyone who’s ever been around me during the soccer world cup LOL) will know that I’m proudly half Italian, and so the minute this dreamy romantic shoot at a villa looking over the city of Florence crossed my desk I was in LOVE. Can you imagine? The Villa Le Fontanelle includes the villa, a fortress and a beautiful garden in the grounds, and it made an incredible backdrop for this shoot. The talented team, led by planners The Tuscan Wedding, wanted to create a rustic, warm mood using neutral colors such as yellows, greens, browns, and reds. And it is warm, it’s inviting, it’s summery, and it’s oh-so-elegant. So let’s take ourselves there by diving into Storyett‘s dreamy pictures!

Read More

A Modern Mythology

by gaby

I’ve got my travel bug at the moment, with the 2017 Aisle Society retreat less than a month away, but looking at these photos I want to grab my passport and never look back until I reach Italy again. Oh, Italy. It’s not just the delicious light that photographers Magnolia & Magpie have captured in these truly gorgeous images, the beautiful gardens, or the feeling of classic, ancient beauty. It’s that feeling of pure beauty, expressed in delicate lace gowns, and delicately organic table decor, and a chapel filled with candles. The same feeling I get in Italy, when I’m surrounded by its incredible beauty, both natural and man-made. But you don’t actually have to get on a plane to capture that spirit, because not only can you dive into these images like a pool of clear water, but Cameo and Joey’s fine art aesthetic can be part of your big day too, since they’re part-based in Cape Town and, happily, part of the SBB Directory. Be sure to check them out – once you’re done swooning, of course!

Read More

Amalfi Blues Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of my all-time favourite places on earth. Back in my mid-twenties I went there on what we dubbed the ‘blonde roadtrip’ – three blondes in a convertible, ten days, just driving the coast and stopping over where we liked. It was awesome (except, maybe, for the actual driving part). Because fun! But also because it’s seriously one of the most beautiful places you will ever get to visit, with amazing food, and lovely people, and and and. Heaven, basically. So when my friend, Anneli Marinovich, attended a photography workshop (Moda e Arte) there a while back, I was super envious! And now I’m missing Amalfi all over again, as I get to share these beautiful images that Anneli took at the workshop, which was styled by the insanely talented Joy Proctor. We see our couple through their wedding to their clifftop reception, and on to their stylish honeymoon – in a convertible of course! It’s the perfect ‘something blue’ to finish off the week, and fit into our theme this month! Thanks for sharing, Anneli!

Read More

Bella Toscana Styled Shoot by TopVendor & Claire Harries

by gaby

Afternoon, brideys! I’m vastly excited to bring you this afternoon’s styled shoot, because it is all about Italy and if you don’t know this about me by now, I LOVE Italy. Partly because they gave me a passport (thanks, Italy!) and half of my family heritage, including a love of food, of company, of sunshine. I lived in Italy for a year when I was in my 20s, and for a month last year, and I’ve been dozens of times in between – I simply can’t get enough. So the TopVendor Wedding Awards team didn’t have much convincing to do when they sent over this gorgeous piece of inspiration, created with the rolling hills of Tuscany in mind that they put together recently with some of our favourite wedding suppliers, including the gorgeous floral stylings of Flowers in the Foyer. Come, enjoy it with me, and see how to bring a touch of la bella vita to your wedding day.Read More

Real Wedding at Eureka {Mark & Claudette}

by gaby

Many many years ago, I happened to watch an old film on TV about two teenagers who fall in love and decide that to stay together, they have to follow the tradition of kissing under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. I think I’ve loved the city ever since, even though both times I’ve been there with a boyfriend have been less than successful. Meh. Third time lucky, eh? I must be the only one though, because Venice is always filled with lovers, and something about a place built entirely on water seems to make the air thick with romance and possibility. Which is probably why today’s groom decided to do the grand proposal gesture on the Grand Canal, getting down on one knee on the famous Rialto Bridge. What followed was a Venetian-themed wedding, with the gilt and colour of the Carnevale but none of the cheese. I think it’s the perfect example of how you can pull off a theme on a budget, by using good design basics like a lovely colour palette and a cohesive stationery suite, and I love how personal this particular theme is to the couple (I bet there’ll be some anniversaries spent in Venice too!) SBB friends Art Photo were there to capture all the loveliness on the day.Read More