We’re ringing in our Thursday with some classic romantic style of the bridal hair variety. Because how much do we love a pretty updo? Tons. It’s the ultimate in sleek sophisticated, but what amazes me is that even after all this time, stylists keep coming up with new and beautiful twists (literally! and braids and curls, etc.) on traditional looks like buns and chignons and tucks. Each of the styles we’ve gathered together has the glamour of an updo, but with the softness and sweetness that a romantic bride craves. But good luck picking a favourite, because they’re all divine!
It’s the start of a new month editorially on SBB, and if you’re the kind of bride who’d describe her style as classic and romantic, you’re going to love it! This month we’re focusing on the timeless and the traditional, with a heavy helping of romance. So what better way to kick it off than with lace, candlelight and roses? This styled boudoir session by Nadia of Wildflower Photography and her team of talented creatives pays tribute to those moments of sweet serenity before a wedding day begins, just a bride in her boudoir. I do love a pretty boudoir session and this one has all the most gorgeous ingredients – love letter-style stationery, evergreen wreaths, macarons, beautiful soft light. All wedding mornings should be as lovely as this one!
Every bride dreams of endless sunshine on her wedding day, but maybe not quite as much as Kelly and Dean had at theirs, which took place in a sweltering Tulbagh heatwave! You wouldn’t know it, though, from the photos, since the couple and their retinue look cool as can be, even with long dresses and tresses, and boys in bowties. It’s no wonder then, that their wedding style was crisp and romantic, a touch of preppiness (including bow tie favours, SO adorable!) in the middle of the countryside. The wedding took place at one of our favourite venues, Olive Rock (part of the SBB Collection), and the outdoor tables with their wooden frames and Wimbledon chairs, greenery runners, trails of fairy lights and crystal chandeliers are just the prettiest thing ever. As the heat of the sun gave way to golden hour, and the shadows on the mountain got longer, Tasha Seccombe was there to capture these gorgeous images.
Oh do we ever have a romantic wedding for you all today! Kezia and Daniel’s big day is a BEAUTY, combining romantic blush (including lush, opulent textures like blousy white roses and draping (which perfectly complements Shepstone Gardens’ gorgeous glass marquee), and elegant glamour – sparkling rose gold table cloths, shiny metallic votive holders, crystal and chandeliers. Add to that a touch of botanic with the delightful stationery, hanging floral chandeliers, bridesmaids in long white dresses, and of course Kezia’s amazing Kobus Dippenaar gown… I could just go on all day, there’s so much prettiness. So what do you say, shall we get on with enjoying it? Our faves Jack and Jane documented the day in all its dreamy glory.
Maybe I just watched way too many soap operas in the ’90s, but there’s something particularly romantic about an open fire, isn’t there? (Open fire, bearskin rug, cheesy music in the background – you get the picture.) So while a beachy honeymoon is peachy, I can’t help but think that it would be fun to go the other way completely and enjoy a winter break tucked up in a cosy love nest – maybe in the Alps, or in a little cabin deep in a snowy forest. Lots of hotels have amazing open fireplaces in their sitting or dining rooms, but for an extra special experience, you’ll want your very own in-room fireplace. Staring into the flames over a bottle of red, sharing your hopes and dreams, snuggling up under a single blanket… total romance. I’ve been scouring les internets for a selection of international fireside suites – the perfect way to end off our month of cosy autumn content!
1. Cordee Des Alpes, Switzerland The Swiss Alps are the perfect place to start when it comes to cold-weather honeymoons, and this stylish new luxury hotel in Verbier is the perfect base. If you can drag yourself away from your room, there’s world-class skiing on offer, and after a long day on the slopes there’s a 14m pool, spa, and fine dining to look forward to. And then, of course, that stone fireplace… Read More
Here in South Africa, we love our green and gold – for us it isn’t just a pretty colour combo, but the one our sportsmen wear, two of the colours from our flag, colours of the green land we call home and the gold that runs through its veins deep beneath the earth. So I can’t actually think of a better palette for a South African wedding than this one, but just because you pick green and gold doesn’t mean your wedding has to end up looking like game day at Ellis Park. In fact, if you’re lucky, it might look a little like today’s breathtakingly gorgeous editorial, which comes to us all the way from Austin, Texas, and a very talented group of wedding pros there who put it together. It’s the perfect mix of rustic and romantic, and has a cosy glow that makes it an elegant choice for an autumn or winter wedding. From the lush greenery arch to the groupings of gold-dipped candles and gold wax-sealed stationery, from the amazing wood-textured cake to the bride’s oh-so-delicate beaded crown, and most especially the dreamy film photography from Kelly at Mint Photography, this is pure inspiration.Read More
I love hearing stories of high school sweethearts who grow up and get married, don’t you? Although, I should add, that I also thank the good lord for not making me personally end up with any of the boys I liked in high school. Let’s just say… well, let’s not just say. But no. Today’s couple, on the other hand, are one of those sweet success stories – and eight years down the line they tied the knot on the same farm where they built a home, the same home where Jacques proposed. Isn’t that so lovely? And even though this was a farm wedding with a touch of rustic, Sherri had the romantic wedding style down to a tee. Amongst many, my favourite detail is the little calligraphed glass cloche table numbers – the sort of special touch that makes my heart happy, and perfectly finishes off a perfectly wonderful day. The always-awesome Vanilla Photography were there to take these super dreamy pics.Read More
You guys. I feel like this shoot is my very own Valentine’s gift. To me, from an awesome team of suppliers, including stylist Sarah Reynolds and photographer Christy-Lee Hosking of Pickle Photography. And from me to you. I absolutely fell in LOVE with this dreamy beach styled shoot the minute it landed in my inbox – the soft Jose Villa-esque quality of a chair amid the dunes and the sky, the beautiful barefoot bride and groom (who are a real couple, how gorgeous are they?) – and who could resist dresses that included a pale blue ballerina skirt? I’m just so smitten by every image, and in a completely non-cheesy way, I think it captures the very essence of romance on this, the most romantic of days. I loved that the team took a pared-down approach, and focused on the love, because as much as we get excited over pretty details here, the love is always, ALWAYS what matters most. So huge thanks to the team for sharing it with us… and here’s wishing you a day full of real love.Read More
Oh my word, I am SO excited to share today’s wedding, as it features none other than my very beautiful cousin, Caitlin. I remember when I was younger and we would visit Caty (then just a little girl) and her awesome family on their farm in Elgin – I thought that it was the most gorgeous place in the world. (I admit, there was a part of me at Stellenbosch that was half on the lookout for an apple farmer husband, just so I could move there myself one day!) Fast forward a few years, and Caty was all grown up and set to marry her beau, Mike. Caitlin’s mom, Carol, has absolutely exquisite taste, so I knew it would be lovely, especially after Caty shared some of her own ideas with me (you can see the inspiration board I made for her here). The plan was a super romantic springtime wedding among the new blossoms and abundant roses on the family wine farm. Well… sometimes, life has other plans. Turned out that the weekend the couple picked for their big day was the one in which the Cape was beset by floods. Now, I’m sure there were some brides that weekend who let the weather get them down, but not this one, and not her groom or their families. The night before, the Facebook updates were full of laughter as everyone pulled together to raise dancefloors, move ceremony areas, and build extra marquees. I have so much admiration for their attitude, and it made all the difference (along with a team of awesome suppliers). The result was not only stylish, but unique and memorable and filled with smiles as much as it was filled with showers – as Caitlin summed it up herself: ‘rain, dancing and love’! And if the way these two look at one another is any indication, this is one love story that deserved a legendary celebration. The awesome Tasha Seccombe was there to capture every moment in what was essentially a photographer’s worst nightmare from a technical perspective. She hit it for a six, and I’m so happy to share the results with you today! (Caty and Mike, congrats again and big love to you both, and to the rest of the family who read this too! xxx) Read More
I read a lot of wedding blogs, but one that consistently inspires is the fab Magnolia Rouge – I never fail to be inspired by what Kate features! This week one of the pics she posted from a shoot by the fabulously talented Annabella Charles caught my eye, and I was immediately carried away with the idea of a beautiful Midsummer Night’s Dream garden party theme – a delicious twist on the soft pink, green and gold colour scheme that I know so many of you are in love with at the moment. Delicate climbing vines (how pretty is this table?), lush blooms, curly calligraphy, a mossy bed for the rings, a touch of glitz and a night dancing under the stars. It’s elegant, but soft and romantic and even a little bit playful – the perfect combination!
