Tag: proteas

Protea Pink Neethlingshof Estate Wedding by Nadine Aucamp {Larize & Jacques}

by gaby

You KNOW how much we love proteas here on SBB. Just when I think I may have seen enough of them, I buy a bunch and fall in love all over again. They’re like the mafia that way… just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in… ;) And today’s wedding shows you just why – not only do they make for lovely bouquets, they were the colour inspiration for the sweet mint and pink palette. I love the way these shades were brought in at the reception, against a cool backdrop of white on white, with lovely mint wood board runners, iced cookie favours, and even a ruffled pink cake topped with blushing brides (making another appearance in the bride’s hair, love!). Nadine Aucamp has captured the big day beautifully, adding a sprinkle of magic and romance to her images that perfectly reflects the love Larize and Jacques share.Read More

25 Fresh Pincushion Protea Bouquets

by gaby

Morning, lovelies! We have been having some hosting problems, so the schedule is a bit out of whack, but never mind – today is just going to be FULL of inspiration! We’re starting off with a roundup of no less that 25 gorgeous bouquets incorporating one of our favourite South African flowers, the pincushion protea. Since I first wrote about this spiky bloom a few years back, I’ve been delighted to see it used in some really creative and beautiful ways, so I thought it was about time I shared them. If you’d like a very South African feeling to your flowers, but are a bit over King Proteas, then this is a great choice.

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Wedding Video by The Shank Tank {Taetim & Darren}

by gaby

We don’t feature a lot of wedding films here on SBB, but some just capture my heart and my imagination, and today’s joy filled video by The Shank Tank was an immediate favourite. I adore Jewish weddings – they’re filled with the most incredible, meaningful traditions as well as a vibrant atmosphere of love and celebration (and lots and lots of dancing!). Tae and Darren’s film really captures all this as well as the connection between a gorgeous couple. And when I heard that my fave Fiona Clair had taken the pictures (including some breathtaking portraits of Tae in her beautiful lace dress!), I just had to do a mini wedding feature to celebrate.Read More

Perfectly Protea Vrede en Lust Wedding by Sybrand Cillié {Carlen & Lynton}

by gaby

This is the kind of wedding I live for, the kind that makes me wonder why anyone would get married anywhere else but our beautiful country (take note, Clooney, although I’d rather you eloped with me). Being talented graphic designers, the bride and groom also have exquisite taste, turning a protea-themed, rustic slash boho style wedding into something more than I’ve ever seen before. For one thing, there’s the floral arch – serious wow factor, and it has me falling in love with our big, bold, beautiful national flower all over again. Then Carlen’s flower crown and soft curls, and graceful Elbeth Gillis dress (one of my personal favourites of Elspeth’s designs, in fact). Succulent favours in tin mugs branded with the awesome protea logo the couple created. Tables filled with burlap and wildflowers and glass clear as the summer sky. A trio of fashionable bridesmaids. And to top it all off, dreamy pictures by the incredible Sybrand Cillié. In fact, the service providers list reads like a who’s who of brilliant SA wedding suppliers (and I’m delighted that SBB was part of helping Carlen & Lynton put their team together and plan their big day from abroad!). I love every inch of this one, and I’m sure you will too – so enjoy!Read More

Handcrafted Picnic Wedding by Howling Moon Photography {Marilet & Leon}

by gaby

When asked to sum her wedding up in three words, today’s beautiful bride said: Oh happy day! Best description ever. And if you look at these lovely pictures by Howling Moon Photography, you’ll see why – Marilet & Leon had such a relaxed, joyful celebration, handmade by friends, family and themselves. A picnic perfectly fit the no-stress-no-fuss vibe, along with tables set with copper milk urns full of fynbos, heaving under the weight of delicious treats, including an absolutely gorgeous succulent-bedecked cake! And to prove that fashion always runs in circles, Marilet’s breathtaking on-trend lace back gown was entirely vintage, handed down by her mother in law and styled for the reception with the prettiest crown of flowers. Sigh. Oh happy day indeed!Read More

Inspiration Board: Protea Glitz

by gaby

Some boards take me a while to put together, but some are so clear in my mind, it’s as if they’ve always existed. In fact, I had to go back and check my archives to be sure I hadn’t done this one before, because the concept of proteas + gold glitter is already such a favourite of mine. It’s like Joey eating Rachel’s beef trifle in Friends – to paraphrase: “What’s not to like? Proteas, good. Gold, good. Sequins, gooood!” It combines my favourite current wedding looks with our perennial South African favourite flower, and is as romantic as it is modern. And unlike beef, custard and jam, some ingredients really do just go together.

Colours: Blush, rose, gold & white

Top row: Bride with polka dot veil {Ali Harper Photography/Ginny Branch}; protea bouquet {Lavender & Twine/Twine Events}; glitter name cards {Rachel Carl on Etsy}
Row 2: Glitter cocktails {Rebecca Hansen Weddings/Style Me Pretty}; gold calligraphy invitation {Margot Madison on Etsy}; plate on sequin background {Justin Marantz/Julie Song}
Row 3: Protea centrepiece {Caroline Tran/Utterly Engaged Magazine/Propel}; confetti cake {Jen Huang/Sweet & Saucy Shop}; sequin wedding dress {Jeremiah and Rachel Photography/BHLDN}

 

Farm Fête Nutcracker Wedding by Anneli Marinovich {Anna & Piet}

by gaby

Oh happy day! I’m super excited to share this wedding with you, because not only is it full of shabby chic, farm wedding gorgeousness, it actually has a little SBB twist. Back when Anna and Piet first got engaged, the bride found her photographer Anneli Marinovich right here, and I was looking forward to hearing all about the (usually London-based) Anneli’s South African wedding. I’ve worked with Anneli loads myself and love her work, so I knew she would do an amazing job! It was such a pleasure not only to see her gorgeous pics, but to hear about how much fun she had with Anna and Piet and their exuberant families, and after a feature in Wedding Inspirations, it comes full circle with me sharing this farm fête here today. Just some of my favourite details: a custom aisle, a cluster of bridesmaids in pretty pastels, flowers in tins and the cheese cake!Read More

Peonies & Proteas Holden Manz Wedding by Nikki Meyer & Creation Events {Nina & Bernd}

by gaby

I just love when foreign couples decide to spend their big day under our big sky, don’t you? I mean, it’s no surprise – we already know how gorgeous South Africa is – but we love sharing it with others who have fallen for with our beautiful land and want to have it as the backdrop to their big day. Which by the way, is also an awesome way of ensuring you always have to come back for your anniversaries ;) Nina and Bernd are just such a couple – their love of SA runs deep, and they brought all their favourite people here to celebrate with them. I just love their concept of a chilled out high tea after the ceremony, with a civilised little siesta break, and then an elegant dinner. And the sophisticated design reflected these two parts of the reception, from colourful protea and fruit arrangements in rustic crates, to blush and white peonies and ranunculus on creamy tables over candlelight. Let’s just talk about those peonies for a second too, because I can’t help being in total love with Nina’s bouquet, can you? I’m so glad we’re seeing more and more of these very special blooms here in SA now. Two of my favourite wedding ladies were behind the scenes of this lovely wedding – Theresa Lazarevic of Creation Events (one of our long-time friends and sponsors), and the awesome Nikki Meyer, whose photos never fail to delight! And here they certainly do – I’m especially in love with the mountain backdrop, which has me longing for a trip to the Cape.Read More

Misty & Magical Netherwood Wedding by Knot Just Pics {Clea & Dave}

by gaby

GIANT words, proteas, and hydrangeas, handmade wooden crates, bridesmaids with statement necklaces and ballet buns…have I got your attention yet? :) That’s how today’s bride started her email to SBB, and I can’t think of a better way to introduce Clea and Dave’s wedding to you. It has all of these things and more, including a lovely, atmospheric misty day in the Midlands, a custom toast that paid tribute to how the couple met, and the prettiest pastel palette with the country vintage rustic decor I know so many of you just adore. I love the bridesmaids in buns, the groomsmen in shades, and the blending of families and traditions! It’s the perfect way to end off our week (although do stop in later for some dress-related prettiness). Yay! Oh, and how could I forget – the gorgeous, atmospheric pics are courtesy of the fab Knot Just Pics – love them!Read More

Protea Bouquet Recipe #1: Protea & Bougainvillea

by gaby

This is such an awesome week on SBB, with lots of exclusive content, created just for you! Today we’re debuting a brand new series, which I am super excited about. With a big bow to Wedding Chicks, who pretty much pioneered the whole idea of bouquet recipes, I wanted to focus on proteas – not just our national flower here in South Africa, but a current wedding trend that we have been rocking for quite some time. Because we South Africans love us our proteas, just like we love butternut, and avocado, and braais, right? Even after seeing literally hundreds of protea bouquets, I still get a thrill when I see a new one, especially when it uses an unusual variety or combines it in a different way. So I decided to throw out the challenge to South African floral designers, and we’ll regularly be bringing you gorgeous protea bouquets in all their glory, as well as broken down into their components. Kicking things off is the very lovely Lizl Pieterse of Flamboijant, one of our very special sponsors. Lizl’s bouquet is perfect for a summer wedding, and I loved that it not only used proteas and other fynbos, but incorporated Bougainvillea. I have such a summer flower crush on this plant, and I would LOVE to see it in more bouquets! As well as showing off the bouquet thanks to Lulia Photography & Design, we asked Lizl a few questions about her ideas and inspiration. Huge thanks to both these talented ladies for sharing this with us today!Read More