Delft Blaauw Wedding Inspiration

Sometimes I get a shoot in my inbox that just speaks to me, and today’s feature is very much one of those. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am crazy for anything Delft or Delft-inspired, and I LOVE seeing Delft pop up in wedding design. That very particular Delft blue is such a gorgeous shade, and it adds something really special (and very South African) to a table design. It can be played down, but my favourite is when the china is paired with big, bold blooms. In this shoot (put together by a talented team led by Marné of Marné Photography, NOVA Events, LUSH Signature Floral Styling, and Whispering Thorns), the blue and white tableware is placed with big blousy coral and pink peonies, bright purple orchids, lush peach roses, and more. It’s beyond gorgeous! The vibe is modern meets vintage with both contemporary and heirloom touches, and some amazing Delft-inspired touches like the hand-painted wedding dress and the fabulous cake. Basically, I’m in Delft heaven!

Read More

A Touch of Alice

If there’s one literary inspiration that weddings have embraced again and again, it’s Alice in Wonderland. I have a bit of a weakness for Alice myself, since I played her a million years ago in a school production, and the sense of wonder and whimsy that runs throughout the story has never been forgotten (I mean, croquet with flamingos? Fun!) So I just had to include some Alice-y inspiration in our month of fairytale wedding style, and today I get to share this lovely little shoot by Jaqui Franco and her team, which puts a fresh spin on this old favourite. The tea party element is still there, of course (with some to-die-for cakes and ‘eat me’ macarons!), but glitzed up with sparkly linens and foiled stationery. And there’s plenty of whimsy thanks especially to some oversize paper flowers, which would add a touch of Wonderland to any wedding celebration!

Read More

Rich Harvest Wedding Inspiration

As much as I hate to admit it (and I really, really do), there’s a chilly wind blowing since I touched back down in South Africa and autumn is definitely on its way. And while I’m sad to see the end of another summer, this season brings such pretty wedding inspiration with it, such gorgeous natural hues and such cozy details, that I can’t really complain. So in amongst our beach wedding goodness, I thought it was only appropriate to share this gorgeous harvest-themed styled shoot from a talented local team, led by Alicia S Photography and Kadou Decor and Flower Design. This is perfect for a bride between seasons, with soft, romantic details like an ombre dress and cake (sigh!) contrasting with bright oranges, deep reds and decidedly cold weather textures like leather and wood. And the touch of rosy gold foil? Bliss!

Read More

Spring Garden Wedding Inspiration

It’s Monday and that means another week of inspiration here on SBB! YAY. We’re starting it off with some more secret garden-style loveliness, this time from Nelani Van Zyl and her clever team! Inspired by the lush gardens and secret enclosures of their venue, Bellingham Homstead, they pulled together not one but two mini celebrations in one shoot – a whimsical afternoon tea party that Alice herself would be proud of, and an elegant candlelit reception overflowing with pastel blooms. I can just imagine this translating into a real wedding – your guests would love the fun of their own little garden tea party, and then you can take some of that garden prettiness indoors for a classic dinner. This is vintage done oh-so-right! I also have to give a special mention of the blush and beautiful bridesmaid dresses by Jacoba Clothing (who you’ll also find it our directory) – a PERFECT complement to the model bride’s stunning lace Cindy Bam gown. And let’s not forget the groom either, because he’s rocking a floral bow tie, which is one of my favourite current trends (more about that later this week!) Let’s dip a toe into the pretty pool shall we?

Read More

Kate Spade Wedding Inspiration

It’s the last day of our fashion-dedicated content on SBB, and it’s been so much fun running this theme that I might just have to make it an annual thing. Before we move on to our next editorial theme though, I’m closing things of with the last of our gorgeous styled shoots for the month, which comes courtesy of photographer Christine Skari Photography and JenEvents. Together with their team, they created this gorgeous shoot inspired by one of my fave designers, Kate Spade, complete with sparkly linens, bold monochrome stripes and dots (including a fabulous cake!), playing card motifs, bows, a preppy chic bride and groom, and the most beautiful florals, in shades of pink and peach and coral (that bouquet!!) – all the things that epitomise the Kate Spade brand. It’s fun, and whimsical and happy and stylish, just like the designer who inspired it, and just happens to be absolutely perfect for a modern bride and groom with a love for colour and chic decor. Let’s fall a bit head over heels, shall we?

Read More

Forest Fancy by Andywayne Photography and Red in Paris Events

If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise… in this case, because you’d find a fairytale table set up under the trees instead of a teddy bear’s picnic ;) Today’s mini-editorial comes to you courtesy of SBB Directory members Red in Paris, who set up a Jozi-fabulous table in the middle of a rustic woodland – love a bit of contrast to emphasise the glamour factor, don’t you? And we especially love a sparkly rose gold runner – because sequins! If you’re considering a formal wedding (whether it’s in a ballroom or the wild wood), you might want to consider the kind of opulent raised arrangements showcased here – they give guests the chance to see each other and chat, but you also get the height and visual interest. So let’s go down to the woods today and have a look, shall we…Read More

James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Video) by Vizion Photo

It’s been so much fun sharing this James Bond styled shoot, just in time for the release of Spectre (which I am amping to see, aren’t you?) Part I with its colourful Day of the Dead inspiration, sleek and sophisticated Part II. There’s one last little installment to share with you this afternoon, courtesy of Vizion Photo. We’ve generally featured their photographic work before, but today we get to share a video they put together to go along with Debbie Lourens‘ images from this shoot, and it is so worth a watch! Then finally, because we love you, we’re also including one last ‘scene’ from the editorial story put together by the styled shoot team, where James and his Bond girl go shopping for jewels at Uwe Koetter. And why not? After all, diamonds are forever ;)

Read More

James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Part II) by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess

James Bond is back in action! Everything he touches turns to excitement! (Or maybe it’s just that I finally got to quote the Goldfinger poster on my wedding blog, woo!) As you can gather, I’m a huge Bond fan (including having rocked a Bond theme for my 21st birthday party), so a new film is always cause for excitement, and even more so when it comes along with some dangerously beautiful, thrillingly gorgeous wedding inspiration. Tomorrow sees the worldwide release of Spectre, and to celebrate, we finally get to share Part II of this 007 editorial from Debbie Lourens and Green Goddess flower studio. These ladies and their talented team have pulled off not just one but three drop dead amazing looks – and you don’t get much more Bond girl than a helicopter flight in a couture dress decked with flowers. Eat your heart out, Ursula Andress. (In fact, all of the Gavin Rajah creations in this shoot are breathtaking!) And while it’s unlikely the real Bond would ever marry again (first wife? shot on wedding day), there’s no harm in dreaming about what it might look like. Glitzy, elegant, and of course a bit cheeky. SO – scroll away… AND there’s more, because we’ll be sharing a seriously cool video this afternoon, along with a bonus ‘scene’ we’re calling Diamonds Are Forever. Yup, you know you want to see it. In the meantime, let’s get shaken and stirred (and don’t forget to check out the Day of the Dead-style Part I).Read More

Darkness & Light by Tesoro Weddings

Boo! It’s Halloween tomorrow, so we’re dedicating our content today to everything creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky… and altogether ooky (as the Addams Family would say). Starting with this deliciously eerie editorial by SBB Directory members, Tesoro Weddings. Featuring gowns by local designers, Gelieft Couture, it explores both darkness and light with a black swan/white swan pairing of dresses. Not that it has to be Halloween to wear a black wedding dress, mind you, because we’ve seen many chic brides opting for the dark side in their bridalwear recently and looking utterly chic doing it. But for the record, if any of you are planning a Halloween wedding, I can’t think of anything more perfect for your bouquet than the mix of fynbos and fringed tulips in this shoot – the frayed look of the petals adds a gorgeously distressed texture to the flowers, especially with a circlet of feathers.Read More

James Bond Spectre Wedding Inspiration (Part I) by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess

There are days as a wedding blogger when something lands in your inbox and you think “HELL yes, this is why I do this job”. Today’s editorial (from a rockstar team including SBB Directory members Green Goddess and photographer Debbie Lourens) is one of those, and I’ve so been looking forward to sharing it with you! Not only is it inspired by the latest James Bond film, Spectre, which has its UK release today, but it’s also only the first part of this gorgeous collaboration (you’ll have to wait until next week for that – and for the film!). Oh, and did I mention it’s based around the Mexican festival of the Day of the Dead, which takes place at the end of October? Word is that Spectre opens with a scene at this festival, so it was the perfect place for our team to start their Bond fantasy. Bright colours, gorgeous stationery, and a Day of the Dead-inspired mask… plus, of course, a glamorous bride and groom to be. And just wait until you see Part II! Be sure to check in next Thursday – it will be worth the wait, I promise!Read More