Pastels & Lace Jewish Wedding at Lourensford by Moira West {Shana & Kevin}

I honestly think I must have the best job in the world, and it’s not because I sit around all day reading Martha Stewart Weddings, eating macarons and sniffing at peonies. Although I totally do, obvs. But seriously, what makes me so lucky I think is that I have the privilege to be given a peek into some of the most special and wonderful moments in a couple’s lives, to sort through photographs as full of joy and laughter and lifelong memory as they are of prettiness. Some weddings really remind me of this, and Shana and Kevin’s is one of them – not only do the vintagey lace and watercolour-like pastels paint a picture, but the energy the couple radiates is also a portrait of the love they share. And, as she does so well, Moira West was on the scene to capture these beautiful images of all of it.Read More

Desert Watercolour Bridal Portrait Shoot by Jack and Jane

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this lovely bridal portrait shoot with you for a while, and I can’t think of a better time than in our month of everything floral. Cindy (whose wedding we featured a couple of months back) opted to do a bridal portrait shoot (I must say, I just love these!) with the fabulous Jack and Jane Photography, the idea behind it being that “beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out” (holla!). I just adore the way that these images have a watercolour quality to them, not just from the mix of pastel and floral print gowns that Cindy wears and the beautiful flower crown and ladder, but from the desert background that gives everything that amazing painterly quality. Pretty, pretty, PRETTY.Read More

Rustic Shabby Chic Wedding at Nooitgedacht by Cheryl McEwan {Caryn & Geoff}

It’s funny how sometimes when someone meets the person they’re meant to be with, it’s obvious – not just to them, but to the people around them too – it just fits. They bring the best out in one another, they make each other happier, more centred somehow, still themselves but in the most awesome way. That’s how it was when Geoff (a friend of mine from London) met the lovely Caryn – pretty much immediately I couldn’t imagine them not being together. So it was with much happiness that I heard he’d popped the question, and much delight that I pored over the beautiful pics of their wedding by SBB’s dear friend Cheryl McEwan. The day was relaxed and fun (a perfect reflection of the couple, right down to Geoff’s Durban-boy flip flops), and full of soft, summery, shabby-chic details that worked perfectly in the elegantly rustic setting of Nooitgedacht estate. I also have to make a special mention of my friend Belinda, the cake making legend, because she’s always been such a big fan and supporter of my blog – awesome job, Bels! So happy to share this particular wedding with you all today :)Read More

Opulent Pastel Wedding at Webersburg by Warren Williams {Vabakshnee & Geoff}

We have a bit of a celebrity wedding today, lovelies! You may have already seen lovely SABC news anchor Vabakshnee Chetty’s wedding to hubby Geoffrey Miller on Top Billing, but I couldn’t resist sharing their beautiful pastel celebration with you again here. I’ve seen lots of pastel weddings over the years, but I absolutely love how this one manages to be incredibly elegant and opulent as well as sweet and romantic, and the pastel palette is just part of that – like a box of Ladurée macarons or a froth of blush or baby blue on the Oscars red carpet. Vee, as her friends call her, looked absolutely gorgeous in not just one but two amazing dresses, and after a lakeside meal complete with soft white drapes and sparkling crystal chandeliers, the couple and their guests danced the night away with her in the second, intricate lace creation. Warren Williams captured all the fun, frolicks and finery, as only he can.
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Floral Print Bridesmaid Dresses from Plum Pretty Sugar (PPS Couture)

floral-print-pastel-bridesmaid-dresses (1)

Well, this morning we were all about autumn, but this afternoon we’re taking a step back into spring and summer for a second, because I have the most beautiful collection of bridesmaid dresses to share with you from Plum Pretty Sugar‘s new PPS Couture line. I mean, I’ve seen and been crushing on floral print dresses for some time, but these really take the cake. You may already have spotted them on a couple of the US wedding blogs, but with gowns this gorgeous (and dreamy pics by the legendary Jose Villa), I just had to share them with my lovely South African brides too. The four gowns in the collection are made from silk and chiffon, and are full of pretty little details to complement the ethereal floral prints (which just happen to mix and match to perfection). With boys names (cute!) but a distinctly feminine aesthetic, I have a hard time picking my fave. And just in case you think they’re out of local reach, you’ll be happy to know that PPS ships worldwide.Read More

Musical Pastel Wedding at Kleinevalleij by Nikki Meyer {Alexia & Wimpie}

Wimpie and Alexia’s wedding had me at hello, if by “hello” I mean the giant Mumford & Sons quote that dominated one wall of their reception venue. Being a lyric lover myself, I just adore it when couples incorporate quotes and lyrics that mean something to them into their big day – it adds such a special touch, and gives a little insight into their taste and what resonates with them. Of course, that’s not where my wedding crush ends, because with a soft pastel and neutral palette, sparkly bridesmaid dresses, elegant details, fairy lights and even rhino bouts for the boys, there’s a lot to love. I’m also super excited to welcome photographer Nikki Meyer back to SBB – we love Nikki, and we think it’s been far too long since we’ve worked together. Just look at the beautiful pictures below and you’ll see why we missed her.Read More

Rustic Pastel Geometric Wedding at Kalmoesfontein by Natural Light Photography {Zarah & Matt}

You’ve heard me say it enough times – I just love it when a couple’s wedding style really reflects who they are! And frankly, I can’t think of a better example than today’s lovely wedding, which is a fusion of the bride and groom’s tastes, styles, loves, lifestyle and venue. Even writing the title really made me smile – pastels + rustic + geometric? And I could have added ‘braai’ and ‘boho’ in there too, since Zarah and Matt’s lovely wedding also incorporated those elements, all in a completely charming and seamless way. The end result is bang on trend, but it’s also a true original, and more than that, it’s heartfelt and meaningful and fun (how much do I LOVE, for example, the maypole-style ceremony area?). Which, in my book, pretty much ticks every box on the ‘awesome wedding’ shortlist. Except, of course, for beautiful images – but with Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography on the job, that was a given anyway!Read More

Inspiration Board: Parisian Pastel

Happy Monday, lovelies! Valentine’s may be over, but we’re heading to the city of love for our inspiration today. I just love the combination of blush, dove grey and champagne, especially because it’s like the pastel version of mixed metallics. The perfect combination of soft and glamorous. Which is pretty much perfect for a Paris-inspired wedding. Throw in a beautiful croquembouche, a lush bouquet, rosé champagne, a chic topknot and (my favourite detail) bridesmaids carrying clutches instead of flowers, and you have the most romantic take on city glamour imaginable. And the best part? You don’t have to be wed in Paris to pull it off.

Colours: Blush, dove grey, champagne, white

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids’ clutches {Davie and Chiyo/Desy Cheng}; stationery suite {Jen Fariello/Easton Events/Erika Jack}; bride with top knot {Kali Lu Photo/Cara Aeschliman/Kae + Ales}
Row 2: Croquembouche cake {Rebecca Yale Portraits}; silver heels {Vicki Grafton Photography}; Paris buildings
Row 3: Chanel perfume {Le Secret D’Audrey/Luxe Paris Events}; bouquet {Jose Villa}; grey ring box {The Mrs Box/Jose Villa}; champagne {Meg Smith}

 

Pastel Wedding Inspiration Featuring Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

Summer Bridal Style | Credit: Leandri Kers | Featuring Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

Hello, lovelies! I am so ridiculously excited to share today’s pastel wedding inspiration with you – it’s absolutely gorgeous, and it also happens to be perfect for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, since it is pure romance! The concept was based on a ‘boy meets girl’ idea, and you’ll see that the shoot follows through a journey from love at first sight to happy ever after, which I absolutely adore. Not to mention the gorgeous styling, the soft colours… I kind of just want to jump into one of the stunning images by Leandri Kers and live in them for a while. Instead, I get to share them all with you – the prettiest way possible to kick off your romantic V-Day weekend! UPDATE: Huge congrats to South Africa’s own Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017, the gorgeous model who is featured in these images!

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Ice Cream Pastels Wedding at Langkloof by Coba Engelbrecht {Kayleigh & Brendon}

I’ve been a huge fan of Langkloof Roses, ever since I styled a shoot there a couple of years ago, and I can’t think of a more perfect place for a spring wedding, let alone one with mixed ice cream pastel shades (my favourite!). It’s the simple little touches that make Kayleigh and Brendon’s wedding so very charming – the ‘forever and always’ banner hanging over their chapel entrance, the petals in enamel buckets, the glimpses of gold along the wooden tables, the sparkler lined floor for the first dance (which by the way, has a hilarious story attached). And of course, those mixed pastel bridesmaid dresses that really draw the eye. All surrounded by fields of roses in the beautiful Cape winelands. One two three… SIGH. Coba Engelbrecht took the pics that are making our hearts flutter so!Read More