Black Magic Styled Shoot from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

When it comes to wedding design, one of my favourite looks is layering of a single colour, with texture adding the visual interest that a mix of colours often brings. And okay, that colour is usually white, but in creating today’s styled shoot, the talented team at TGC Photography & Sålt+Støne decided to layer black on black instead. The effect is chic, daring and very glamorous, and is definitely a fresh twist that will get your guests talking! From the black painted proteas to dark plums and shiny Coke bottles, there are many clever textural touches used throughout, and sparkling jewels and Venetian masks for that extra bit of mystery and glam. This is the kind of cutting edge inspiration you can expect to find in every issue of Wedding Inspirations, who were kind enough to share this lovely shoot from their brand new issue with us today. Be sure to pick up a copy to find out how to recreate the look, and take a peek at their other gorgeous weddings and styled shoots of the moment. Until then, as Amy Winehouse would say, let’s go back to black…Read More

Forest Foliage Wedding Inspiration from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

Hooray, lovelies! It’s that time again, when you can grab a brand new copy of Wedding Inspirations magazine from the local newsagent, pour a large cup of coffee (or glass of wine – it’s five o’ clock somewhere) and thumb through its pretty pages to your heart’s content. As always, there’s a ton of inspiration in store for you in the new issue, and we’re delighted to be sharing just a little slice of it here. This particular little editorial focuses on foliage, which as you’ll have gathered by now, is one of 2015’s loveliest trends. Don’t get me wrong, flowers are forever, but as Carol-Anne Frey & Andre Sonnekus, the team behind the shoot, say: “Foliage is finally enjoying its day in the sun. It’s nature’s answer to organic, budget-friendly decor that lends itself to just about any theme or venue.” So let’s get to enjoying a bit of this gorgeous greenery, shall we?Read More

Frozen Fairytale Styled Shoot from the New Wedding Inspirations Magazine

On a day like today, where every fan in the house is on full blast and I’m still wilting at my desk, it seems a million miles away to be featuring an editorial shoot with misty castles and frozen gems, but that’s another reason why I love it so much! Loosely inspired by Disney’s Frozen, it’s the tale of a princess who is trapped in a freezing castle, dreaming of escape and a world of colour and sunlight and laughter. But even though it’s so fantastical, at the heart of these gorgeous images is a set of super inspiring wedding details, from berry-laden table and cake, to the most GORGEOUS gowns by Gavin Rajah, that would make any bride feel like an absolute princess. We’re sharing this shoot from the pages of the current Wedding Inspirations magazine, and inside you’ll find all the info you need to reproduce this stunning wintery look from the lovely Celeste Potgieter of Celeste Styled Events, as well as loads more wonderful wedding inspiration, so do grab a copy today. In the meantime, let’s sit back and enjoy these beautiful images by Claire Harries and Kristi Agier.Read More

Candy Crush: Fashion Preview from Wedding Inspirations Magazine

It’s no secret that we love Wedding Inspirations magazine around these here parts, and it’s always a super exciting time when I get to share a little sneak peek with you of the latest issue (which was released yesterday, YAY!). Today we’re taking a dip into the fashion pages, where in this issue the WI team are showcasing a bit of a love affair with blush wedding dresses – and we know just how they feel, don’t we? In the last few years, since blush gowns first became a whisper on the lips of fashion-forward weddingistas, I’ve fallen more and more for this sweet, romantic look and there are some absolutely GORGEOUS dresses now available off the peg for blush-loving brideys. So without further ado, let’s take a look! And don’t forget to pick up your copy of the new Wedding Inspirations, where you can find all the details on these dresses and so much more loveliness besides.Read More

Urban Romance Styled Shoot by Vizion Photo & Celeste Styled Events

A lot of the inspiration we share here is countrified or beachy – and after all, there’s a huge chunk of South Africa and beautiful South African venues that are situated beyond city limits or even in pockets of countryside within them. But I think city weddings are on the up – especially with some gorgeous city venues especially in Joburg. And while this style isn’t for everyone, I personally adore urban style – there’s something so elegant and sophisticated about it, and I adore the contrast between industrial textures like steel, glass and brick with soft tulle or verdant blooms. So I’m thrilled to be bringing you today’s styled shoot by a fab team including the dynamic Vizion Photo and Celeste Styled Events. You may have seen it in the previous issue of our fave magazine, Wedding Inspirations, but here is an extended look at all the lovely details, including two swish tablescapes, two variations on the bridal look (LOVE the denim jacket, and that floral neckpiece – wow!), and even a pie ‘cake’, all set against a slick, modern backdrop. Be inspired!Read More

Whimsical White Wedding Style from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

Hello lovelies! If you stopped by yesterday, you will have seen that SBB had some unexpected downtime (I’d like to say I was zen about it, but that would be a lie!). So our schedule has had a bit of a mix up for the week – but why not, change is as good as a holiday, right? This morning I’m excited to be bringing you a gorgeous styled shoot straight from the pages of the brand new Wedding Inspirations magazine, which hit the shelves yesterday. It’s their very first white issue, so you’ll not only find gorgeous decor inspiration (and I DO mean gorgeous!) along a white theme, but fashion and beauty ideas too, as well as the usual awesome content that makes this one of our favourite wedding mags. With it being the White Issue, I just had to share this little taster of one of the shoots, styled in the most beautiful, romantic white on white. I absolutely love the little details, especially those that make use of curls of paper, like the groom’s boutonniere and the table settings, not to mention the cake that reflects this motif with fondant curls. And the flower-bedecked mannequin standing in the reception space? Heavenly! The talented team behind this shoot was led by Marius Barnard of Weddings by Marius and Michelle van Staden of Michelle Photography – huge thanks to them and to the Wedding Inspirations team for sharing this with us today!Read More

Pink Flamingo

Hello friends! I am winging my way back to Durbs today (hi mom, please don’t forget to pick me up at the airport!), but while I do, I have the most gorgeous little taste of inspiration to share with you. I have a minor obsession with flamingos, not sure why (might have something to do with having been Alice in Wonderland in a play once), but I absolutely love them and the elegant yet slightly kitsch tropical lounge vibe that they add to an event when used as a motif. So I was super excited to see this shoot from Absolute Collection and Abri Kruger in the latest Wedding Inspirations magazine. I mean, we’re talking gold and pink (only one of this summer’s hottest colour combos), awesome lasercut goodies, ombre stationery (love love love) and the CAKES. Seriously, I could write about those cakes (from Cakes by Wade) on their own all day. Anyway, so here’s a little sneak peek at the feature, but you’ll have to buy the magazine to see the rest. When you do, you’ll find everything from a gorgeous bridal fashion feature to ideas for using jars as wedding favours to Peggy Porschen cupcakes and alternative hen party ideas. I’ll be reading mine cover to cover on the plane!Read More

Beach Beautiful

What are the two magic words guaranteed to set any wedding blogger’s heart a-thumping? (And no, they’re not ‘mason jar’.) Jose Villa. Only my favourite photographer, ever. And what are three magic words guaranteed to get South African brides excited? Why, ‘new Wedding Inspirations‘, of course. One of my all-time favourite wedding magazines, and the first thing I picked up a copy of when I landed in SA. So what happens when you put the two together? Well, that’s what I get to share with you today. I’ll explain – the brand new issue of Wedding Inspirations is out now, and it’s an absolute feast. There’s ideas, advice, fashion and some absolutely beautiful shoots. Including this one, which was not only photographed by the aforementioned Jose Villa, but styled by the fab Joy Proctor of Joy de Vivre, a super talented wedding stylist in the States who is bringing her considerable skills to the SA market. It’s a beautiful, romantic and refined coastal look, with selected vintagey accents and a soft but classic colour palette. I’m more than a little in love with it, and I’m so thrilled that our friends at Wedding Inspirations have allowed me to spotlight it here today.Read More

Featured in Wedding Inspirations

 

Happy Sunday lovelies! I have been having an AWESOME weekend, including having spent yesterday with some brilliant blogging and industry buddies at a full day workshop with top photographer Victoria Grech learning all about photography and even getting to have a go at a styled shoot. So fun to be behind the camera, although my photographer friends will be glad to know that their jobs are more than safe! I might have to invest in a proper camera though… ANYWAY, I’m delighted to have some other fantastic news to share with you today. Back in May, at the tail end of three months in South Africa, I was lucky enough to work with some amazing SA suppliers to style a shoot based on my Toile & Rose inspiration board and stationery suite. It involved: three days of running around like a mad person (big thanks to my lovely friend Robs for the moral support!), turning up to lovely Elbeth Gillis‘ studio drenched from a rainstorm (thankfully she still trusted me with three of her gorgeous creations), pushing rogue shopping trolleys around Canal Walk and losing my car in the parking lot, buying Fairview out of their morning bread stock, a tour around Langkloof with manager Adelaine (who is just the sweetest) where photographer Cheryl McEwan and I basically had our mouths hanging open the whole time from how stunning it is, a courier driver who got lost with half of our decor, an amazing team on the day who not only cheerfully did their jobs but also jumped in and helped out whenever needed to assist Cheryl and myself, and finally, a set of images that I am totally in love with. And I’m delighted that I’m finally able to share these with you in the latest issue of Wedding Inspirations over TEN WHOLE PAGES. That’s a lot of awesome inspiration! The magazine is on shelves now, so get out there South Africans, and grab yours! (Everyone else will have to wait a liiiiittle while longer, but I promise it will be worth it!) HUGE thanks to the Wedding Inspirations team for this opportunity, and to every single one of the dream team (see full credits below). Yayness.Read More

Coral and Aqua Styled Shoot

My goodness am I excited to share this little beauty with you! I spied with my little eye, something beginning with coral and aqua on the Wedding Concepts blog last year when this shoot, which was styled and co-ordinated by the WC team, was featured in Wedding Inspirations magazine. That single pincushion protea place setting really stuck in my mind, and I was so thrilled to get hold of a copy of the magazine and devour every gorgeous pic by one of my photography faves, Annemari Ruthven. So you can imagine I was even happier when the lovely Hannes of Wedding Concepts asked if I’d like to feature it right here on SBB. Um, yes please, Hannes! The thing with styled shoots (and it’s a reason some blogs don’t always feature them) is that it’s unlikely you can replicate the whole thing on the grand scale of a wedding, unless you’re getting set to be a Real Housewife of Constantia maybe. The art of it all is to be inspired, by the mood of the shoot perhaps, by the colours (although don’t forget you can translate a look you like to a whole new palette), or by a single detail or set of details. And that’s what’s so great about this one, because it is just teeming with original and inspiring ideas. First, the colour scheme – we’ve seen it before, and both coral and aqua are huge colours right now. But this shoot shows you how to be bold AND classy in the way that colour is used. Natural textures like the pincushions and coral itself, set against the clean lines of milk glass and graphic stationery are the way to  go. The table base is neutral, but through ribbons, flowers and lovely homeware items, the palette comes through. And that’s not where it ends. I love unexpected touches: the bride’s boho styling, the macaroon lollipops, the Bloody Mary bar, or DIY details like the ribbon garland or the paint dipped glass vases. It’s awesome, and I hope you enjoy poring over it just as much as I have!Read More