Elegant Safari Thaba Motswere Wedding by Maryke Harper {Melissa & Christian}

If you’ve been reading SBB for any amount of time, you’ll know that I am absolutely crazy for the African bush. Beaches and mountains I love, even cities with their chaotic charm enthrall me, but I never feel quite as at peace and at home with my soul as I do in the bushveld. Today’s couple feel the same way, and the bush has woven into their love story, so it was only natural they would choose a game lodge for their wedding day. So they found themselves exchanging vows under a bower of Marulas, mixing the vintage elegance of lace, lilies and lanterns with a crisp modern palette of navy and white. It works beautifully, a hint of old world safari, as well as a timelessly elegant look that gave centre stage to the magnificent wilderness all around them. I can’t think of a better place to say ‘I do!’. The lovely Maryke Harper captured these gorgeous images of the beautiful Melissa and her dashing groom.Read More

Refined Rustic Florence Farm Wedding by Maryke Harper {Lianie & Nicol}

I say it all the time – a wedding should be a reflection of who you are as a couple. Just that. Whatever it is. And today’s celebration is such a perfect example, with a bride and groom who are as comfortable in black tie as they are on the farm. As soon as I saw the pics of Lianie hanging with her bridesmaids reading Vogue on the morning of her wedding, I knew she was my kind of gal. Especially when I found out that, even though she was a very chic bride and styled her girls straight out of a Paris soiree with their elegant black dresses, that under the ruffles she was a barefoot bride. Lianie and Nicol’s style is such a unique mix – part laid-back casual, part up-town ritz – and they translated it perfectly to their wedding. It’s a rustic venue on a wintry day, a forest ceremony, a potjie dinner. And it’s also candlelight and pearls, and lacy doilies and calligraphy. The best of both worlds, captured beautifully by Maryke Harper.Read More

Real Wedding at Roodezand {Cara & Pieter}

Hello lovelies, from sunny Abu Dhabi! My plan not to have any interruption in service went a bit wrong yesterday when this wedding missed its schedule, but hey ho, here it is now, and come back this afternoon for another of our trend roundups (don’t worry, I’ll be checking in electronically to make sure my server hasn’t gone wrong). I’ve been having a fabulous time here so far, spending time with my friends and their baby, and checking out the UAE. It’s so new here, it feels slightly weird, but the lifestyle is awesome and I am so loving getting a bit of sun! Last night I even got a bit of exercise, with a run around the Formula 1 circuit! ANYWAY, back to the wedding in hand, which comes from Cape photographer Maryke Harper. I just love the fresh winter style of this wedding – it has a lovely curated feel, like a sweet little shop that you might stumble across one afternoon and lose yourself in for a couple of hours. (And even better, Cara and her mom have made use of everything they bought in their homes – such a great budget tip!) There’s exuberant use of herbs, which must have smelled amazing, and just the right amount of a nod to vintage without going overboard. So pretty! I also love the handmade/craft details, like stitched table numbers and even a bit of string art! A soft palette of green, grey and taupe sits just right. I know you’re going to love this one, so here we go!Read More