Tag: Mediterranean

Portuguese Rustic Styled Shoot by Piteira Photography

by gaby

Happy Friday, lovelies! We’re escaping the city for beautiful Portugal today, with an absolutely gorgeous styled shoot from our dear friends at Piteira Photography. Luis and Kerry live in this sun-kissed country for most of the year (the rest spent in South Africa, when they grace us with their talented presence for the summer wedding season) and so together with some fantastic local suppliers, put together a dreamy alfresco-style shoot complete with the most gorgeous rustic details. Portugal is a wedding destination that’s largely untapped, and it’s also a source of style inspiration that’s still very fresh and unique among Mediterranean countries. For example, if you love French country or Italian style, but want something just a little bit different, then adding a little bit of Portugal-inspired detail to your big day is a great idea. This shoot, with its pretty mismatched crockery, flowers in glass bottles, café lights hanging over cobbled streets, and perfect rustic dessert table has me dreaming of a trip across the ocean and of outdoor weddings full of sunshine and smiles.Read More

Inspiration Board: Olive & Stripe

by gaby

Happy Monday friends! There’s been a lot going on here at SBB headquarters, which I may or may not get around to sharing with you all. But it’s a new week, and that always means a fresh start and fresh inspiration. Today’s is one that sort of just came together, but I think if I had married, this might be what my wedding could have looked like. I love everything Italian (especially since I have been doing some writing jobs that are making me long to spend some time there again!) but while a rustic Tuscan farmhouse look is fab, I also love the idea of updating it a bit with a bit of a chic modern, black and white, Kate Spade look – the perfect combination of Mediterranean and contemporary graphic. Do you love it as much as I do?

Colours: Black, white and green

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Viera Photographics/The Stylish Soiree}; bridesmaids in black dresses {Ladybug Photography}; heels {Lacie Hansen}; olive leaf bouquet {M&J Photography/Weddings In Italy}
Row 2: Dress with sash {SimplyBloom Photography}; olive grove {Jose Villa}; striped straws {Caplan Miller}; groom {Judy Pak/Dreamlite Photography}
Row 3: Couple {Lacie Hansen}; wine bottle table numbers; olive leaf heart {Camille Soulayrol}; outdoor table {Kaella Lynn Events/Nirav Photography}; bride and groom in Positano {Forever Photography}.

 

Inspiration Board: Dolce Vita

by gaby

Good morning friends! Today we have something a little different for our inspiration board. It’s no news to you that I’m a fan of Cape Town photographer Cheryl McEwan‘s work as we’ve been working together for some time, but I’m delighted to feature her as one of our Days of December sponsors. Since an image is worth a thousand words, I’ve trawled through Cheryl’s archive (the happiest of tasks, with her dreamy style and attention to detail) to come up with a brand new SBB inspiration board. Cheryl’s a keen traveller (in fact, her husband Sven proposed to her in the middle of their world travel adventure!) so although she is based in South Africa for much of the year, I wanted to pay tribute to that love of travel in my choice of theme. And I personally find nothing more inspiring than a little trip to Italy. I took the palette for this board from Cheryl’s pic from the Cinque Terre, the muted mishmash of Mediterranean colour, sun bleached walls and intricate detailing that immediately sets a warm, summery tone for a wedding. Use heavy urns and candelabras, with platters of fruit instead of flowers on the tables, and of course plenty of wine! This makes me think of long Sunday afternoons and long tables, family, friends, laughter. All those things that make an Italian feast, a sweet life, and a beautiful wedding. Head over to Cheryl’s blog to see more of her gorgeous photography, including weddings, couple shoots and some personal travel gems.

Contact Cheryl McEwan:
 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cherylmcewan.co.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylmcewanphotography
Twitter: @CherylMcEwan_

SBB ♥ Cheryl McEwan Photography, a featured member of our Directory

 

Mediterranean Styled Shoot at Morgenster

by gaby

So we went to France for inspiration this morning, and we’re keeping it Mediterranean this afternoon with a gorgeous styled shoot that reminds me a little bit of my beloved Italy. Long tables and long lunches in the sunshine, an abundance of food and wine, white linen, the laughter of children in the background… This was the idyllic inspiration for Theresa Lazarevic of Creation Events when she set about creating this styled shoot for new Somerset West venue Sofia’s @ Morgenster and wow, it is pretty. I kind of just want to jump into the pictures and live there. It’s not just how lovely the winelands venue is (and it is lovely), it’s the way Theresa has used materials local to the farm (which also grows olives) – how gorgeous are those olive leaf details? Not to mention how delicious that food looks! Sigh. Excuse me while I go to my happy place for a while.Read More

Real Wedding at South Hill {Ciska & Warren}

by gaby

I don’t know if all of you know this about me, but I’m half Italian. And although my dad mostly grew up in SA, my grandparents were full blood, full throttle Italian. My Nonna was also the most incredible cook, so early on I learnt to appreciate the beauty of  Mediterranean cooking – not just the taste, or the amazing ingredients, but the way Italians cook and eat. Everything is generous: the quantities, the portions (the calories!), the time spent eating (never ever rushed), the sense of sharing and abundance celebrated at every meal. It’s the best. So when I see that in a wedding, I am hooked. Then add that to sunny rustic florals and details (especially in love with the wooden block place settings), a glowing bride and groom who are clearly having the best time, a sunny day and a gorgeous setting and it’s an official swoonfest. So in love with Ciska and Warren’s South Hill luncheon wedding was I, that I shot off an email to photographer Catherine Mac begging her to let me feature it. And because she’s lovely, she said yes! What really struck me about this one was how Ciska wanted the food itself to be the key part of the decor and mood – just like a kitchen is the heart of the home, the meal really was the heart of this incredible wedding. (Oh, and this is also the first wedding I’ve featured that has a ‘first look’ – something I think I like more every time I see it. What do you think?)Read More