Tag: The Shank Tank

Quirky Countryside Wedding at Crystal Barn by The Shank Tank

by gaby

This wedding is just a feast for the eyes in every way. First of all, it features the most gorgeous couple (who, by the way, are also living proof that it is possible to escape the friend zone and fall in love!). Then consider that it takes place at one of our all-time favourite venues, Crystal Barn, with its beautiful forest ceremony area and cool, eclectic reception decor, which Melissa and Pierre complemented perfectly with their opulent marsala, blush and rose gold decor. Not to mention the quirky little details: a draped faux arch for the seating plan, a hanging stand for the chocolate shard cake, geometric shapes, hoop bouquets for the bridesmaids, touches of transparent decor and macrame at the ceremony… I could go on. Or the attire – I’m loving everything about the mismatched bridesmaids, the suited and booted gents, and OMG the wedding dress! It’s all beautifully photographed by the fab Shank Tank team, who we adore. So yep. Pretty much all-round amazing!

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Winter Wedding with Two Gorgeous Gowns at Bellwood Cottages by The Shank Tank

by gaby

Winter Wedding with Two Gorgeous Gowns | Image: The Shank Tank

Once upon a time, there was a ballerina and a rugby player… if today’s wedding was a fairytale, it would start just like this, since Kayla and Shannon are a talented pair who met in their South African home town and now reside on the other side of the world living their dreams (Kayla is a dancer at the Paris Lido and Shannon plays rugby in France). Their wedding was country elegance at its finest – the prettiest details from top to bottom, perfect for a winter wedding in the Midlands! I especially love that there is a personal touch to almost everything, from the Starbucks favours to the brides TWO breathtaking gowns, which she worked on herself alongside her talented Parisian seamstress. It really gives a wedding that extra bit of magic to know that every detail has been thought about and personalised and crafted and has a story behind it, doesn’t it? Telling those stories with these gorgeous images is The Shank Tank.

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Atmospheric Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

“You had me at alpacas.” That’s what I told Stacey of The Shank Tank when she sent over this uniquely gorgeous styled shoot that combines wild, natural elements and dramatic scenery. It’s a little otherworldly, like a visit to another planet, but combined with that atmospheric strangeness is some seriously beautiful and inspiring inspiration, from gowns to table decor, stationery to hair and makeup, and a gold dripped cake for extra yumminess. And the flowers… oh my. SBB faves Natural Nostalgia were absolutely in their element here with a loose, wild bouquet arrangement, pastel-with-an-edge table arrangements, and a floral arch that is just boho perfection. Plus there’s ALPACAS. You can’t get cooler than that!

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Tropical Heat Bridal Shower by Oh Happy Day, Kelly Daniels & The Shank Tank

by gaby

A few months ago, I got to spend my afternoon in the best way possible, with some of the loveliest ladies (and one gent!) in the local wedding industry, as a guest of the delightful Joelene of Oh Happy Day. Joelene has burst onto the scene full of ideas and enthusiasm and sassiness, and on this particular day, she’d pulled together the talents of some seriously amazing people to help her create a tropical themed bridal shower styled shoot. It was so fun to see them at work, and even more fun sifting through the gorgeous results, thanks to the rockstar photographers, Kelly Daniels and The Shank Tank team. I was already a big fan of tropsy showers (see this post on how to plan one of your own) and now I’m even more so – think gold pineapples, floral print dresses, fruity cocktails (and watermelon on a stick, love), and even a little hula girl cake topper (which I somehow managed to resist slipping into my pocket and stealing away). I also have to make a special mention of the adorable stationery by Ruby + Swallow, as well as the fantastic cakes and sweets by Smith’s Bake Shop, with flavours just as delicious as they were pretty. So here we go – let’s head for the tropics! (PS If you love this ideas as much as I do, pop back this afternoon for some fun buys)Read More

Casey Jeanne’s Jeannelle la Amour Collection

by gaby

Hello beauties – time for some wedding fashion inspiration, courtesy of one of my favourite South African designers. Casey Jeanne is a star on a pretty meteoric rise (and you’ll remember we’ve featured her bespoke gowns in the past). Now, she’s come up with a splendid ready-to-wear collection, Jeannelle la Amour, that’s spreading the word far beyond her home in Durbs. Featuring the designers signature love of detail in lace tattoos, beading and sumptuous fabrics, each one of these gowns is a whisper of loveliness. It’s just hard to pick a favourite! I also love that the collection is a tribute to Casey’s French grandfather, who was orphaned and adopted during the war and moved to South Africa. Alexis Diack took the beautiful pictures, and be sure not to miss the fab video by Wes of The Shank Tank at the end.Read More

Gorgeous Game Lodge Wedding at Bonamanzi by Fiona Clair {Melissa & Keenan}

by gaby

You guys don’t need me to tell you how much I love the African bushveld, it is my BEST THING. So of course I have a soft spot for couples who share that love, and as soon as I saw Melissa & Keenan’s wedding I knew that they were just that sort of couple. Long-distance lovers who now live in beautiful Kwazulu Natal, they planned a game lodge fabulous wedding complete with a chic bush ceremony arch, zebra bridesmaid robes, and just about every variety of protea. It’s super joyful and beautiful, and super South African, which makes it the perfect wedding to kick off our super SouthBound year! The phenomenal Fiona Clair was on-scene to capture these gorgeous pics.Read More

Wedding Video: Joelene & Stef

by gaby

So how adorable was today’s real wedding? We couldn’t get enough of it, quite literally, so we had to sneak in another look at Jo & Stef’s big day by way of their wedding video by the fantastically talented Shank Tank team (as well as a couple of extra pics by the fab Fiona Clair). As well as getting a closer look at that dreamy decor (mixed metallic origami, wowsers) and chic bride and bridesmaid style (I’m even more in love with Jolene’s dress now!), you get a real sense of the excitement and love that went into this beautiful wedding. And that’s what it’s all about :)

[vimeo 101077054 w=610]

Winter Pastels Wedding at Calderwood Hall by Fiona Clair {Joelene & Stef}

by gaby

My love affair with Fiona Clair‘s photography goes a way back, but it didn’t take long for new SBB team member Candice to fall head over heels with her work as well. So when we snapped up this winter pastel wedding set in the Natal Midlands, we couldn’t stop gushing to each other about how gorgeous every single image was. You probably know by now that I’m a sucker for pastels, and I LOVED Jolene’s take on the palette, taking it from summer staple to winter whimsy completely effortlessly. Add in mixed metallics (♥), painted bottles and origami, a vintage plate table plan, a handpainted banner proclaiming ‘Oh happy day!’, an illusion lace dress, flower crowns, faux fur shrugs… every detail, basically. Oh happy day, indeed!Read More

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