• Category

    Weddings

    Category

    Way back when, there were beliefs that a veil protected a bride from evil spirits. Nowadays it’s just tradition to wear a veil as part of the wedding ensemble. If you’re not one for tradition (or you’re not bothered by evil spirits) and looking for some wedding veil alternatives, then have a look at some top choices.

    Tiara

    It’s your big day and if you’ve always dreams of being a princess, now is your chance! Tiaras come in all shapes, sizes and colours. It’s a great little sparkling touch to your bridal outfit.

    Image: Instagram

    Hair

     

     

    There are so many ways you can style your hair, look how simple and beautiful this is. 

    Image: Instagram

    Stunning clips

     

    Accessorise your hair style with elegant clips.

    Image: Instagram

    Flower crowns 

     

    Channel your inner Earth child with exquisite flower crowns.

    Image: Instagram

    Veil-free

     

    Less is more, as they say. Having no additions to your bridal look is a clean but gorgeous look. All eyes should be on you! Not the added extras.

    Image: Instagram

    Image: Pexels

    Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling recently got married in a lavish event fit for royalty. Although they exchanged vows at the York Minster Cathedral, the party only really started at Castle Howard, a stately home a few miles away. In true Ellie style, she opted for not one, but 5 show-stopping wedding looks, paving the way for ‘royal’ wedding trends to come.

    The first look, in which she tied the knot, consisted of a bespoke Chloé gown and a delicate silk tulle veil with an organza collar featuring her and Caspar’s initials. The veil reportedly took 591 hours to make. Talk about detail! The dress itself wasn’t shy of detail either – complete with hand-embroidered White Roses of York and subtle white glass bead embellishments, which took a further 640 hours to create.

    Image: Instagram

    The reception saw Ellie in her second ensemble – a sleek off-the-shoulder silk Cady dress, featuring diamond trim detail – a custom Stella McCartney design.

    Image: Instagram

    The third dress came straight from the Ralph & Russo AW19 runway – a bodice of pearls and silk, which she paired with an evening skirt.

    Image: Instagram

    For her fourth look, she turned to Olivier Rousteing from Balmain. Perfect for dancing the night away, Ellie showed some skin in a short dress with semi-sheer puffed sleeves and a high neckline with a plunging cut-out.

    Image: Instagram

    Fifth and finally, to end off her wedding weekend, Ellie appeared in a simple strapless black gown with a full skirt.

    Image: Instagram

    Feature image: Instagram / @elliegoulding

    Beauty and fashion YouTuber Victoria Magrath and Alex Harrison tied the knot in Provence on August 31. The couple opted for a weekend full of wedding festivities, including a pre-wedding event and a post nuptial brunch. Have a look at Victoria Magrath’s five bridal outfits.

    Pre-wedding celebration 

    The InTheFrow star opted for a powerhouse white pantsuit.

    The bride-to-be in a tailored Pronovias tuxedo. The suit featured a satin stripe down the sides of the pants along with a beautiful camisole.

    Image: Instagram

    Pool party 

    The second day of wedding festivities included a pool party for their guests. They enjoyed delicious cocktails and lunch while soaking up the French sun.

    Victoria wore an Amaio Swim bridal swimsuit. Made from Italian Euro jersey and French illusion mesh. The swimsuit was embellished with silver beads and cut out details.

    Image: Instagram

    The ceremony 

    This is what the whole weekend led up to. The wedding ceremony.

    The blushing bride wore a Phillipa Lepley Couture gown. The dress was made from luxurious silk crepe and consisted of a tight fitting corset along with thin straps. The back of the dress was embellished with buttons while the front featured a satin band.

    Image: Instagram

    The bridal gown also included an embroidered veil with unique detailing. “Hand stitched lavender and rose floral embroidery, and two tiny bees meeting in the middle of the veil to represent the city we came from (Manchester),” says Victoria.

    Image: Instagram 

    The reception

    After tying the knot, it was time to celebrate!

    The happy bride decided to wear a second Phillipa Lepley gown. The ballerina length dress consisted of a sweetheart neckline and a full tulle skirt that was embellished with crystals.

    Image: Instagram

    The newly weds busting a move!

    Image: Instagram

    Post-wedding brunch

    After the matrimony events, the pair decided to wrap up the weekend with a post-wedding brunch for their guests.

    After a long night of celebration, Victoria got into her final outfit for the weekend. A Suzanne Neville Orwell dress. It consisted of a fitted midi sleeve top, with an open V neck back and a flowing skirt.

    Image: Instagram 

    Feature image: Instagram/inthefrow

    This is basically your chance to make your ‘kid in a candy store’ dreams come true. Similar to a harvest table, the dessert table is usually at your wedding reception and served after dinner. It consists of a variety of sweets and treats. It’s normally laid out beautifully and makes for an #instaworthy moment.

    Candy bars

    This is a fun self-serve option. Dedicate a section to sweets! Put bags and scoops out for people to dish and pack.

    Look at all those candy options!

    Image: Instagram

    Mini cakes

    If you’re not feeling in the mood for a slice of wedding cake, mini cakes are a great option. Everyone loves bite-sized things, so you have more time to party.

    Beautiful dessert table featuring a variety of mini treats.

    Image: Instagram

    Dessert cups

    Pudding cups are tasty treats to have at your wedding.

    Yummy chocolate pudding cups

    Image: Instagram

    Doughnuts

    Dough-nut forget these yummy doughy snacks. Whether you opt for normal doughnuts or a wall, you can play it up as much as you’d like.

    A delicious doughnut wall display.

    Image: instagram

    Cookies

    Who doesn’t love a good biscuit? Your options are endless and you can provide little packets so your guests can take a little snack-to-go.

    Cookie jar display with a rustic feel.

    Image: Instagram

    Tarts

    Milk, lemon or chocolate, these classic tarts are a great addition to any dessert table.

    Stunning wedding tarts topped with fresh berries.

    Image: Instagram

    Fruit

    For your guests who are looking for a healthier sweet option, providing an array of fruits is a delicious option. Not only is it a ‘slimmer’ choice but it really makes the table look great!

    Get creative when laying out your fruit. All the shapes and colours really make a bold statement.

    Image: Instagram

    Feature image: Unsplash

     

    Gone are the days of getting a wedding cake big enough to feed an entire army, and then some. Nowadays, wedding cakes are as much a part of your decor as your flowers are, and we couldn’t be more pleased. Feast your eyes on some of the most beautiful creations – a true representation of when cake and art collide.

    Who needs flowers when you can have cake?

    Photo: Instagram

    Textural sugar pastes, delicate sugar crystals and hand-painted layers are what cake dreams are made of.

    Photo: Instagram

    Something so simple, yet so beautiful.

    Photo: Instagram

    Sometimes a pop of colour is all you need.

    Photo: Instagram

    Soft and feminine, a blushing bride’s dream.

    Photo: Instagram

    Feature image: Instagram / @cynzcakes

    In this series we’ll be featuring Lisa Brown International’s recent styled shoot, paying tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld, and showcasing her graduate students’ work. First up, we take a look at how incorporating bold hair accessories with sleek, old-Hollywood hair resulted in a timeless hair affair:

    Big, chunky pearl sliders and a glitter barrette keep hair neatly tucked behind your ear.

     

    A single barrette that matches your earrings looks clean and simple, while being functional. Earrings from Jade SA (www.jade-sa.co.za)

     

    Bold hair clips on either side of your parting help keep hair sleek and neat. Use two of the same on either side, or mix and match!

     

    A big headpiece might be daunting, but if the rest is kept simple, it can be quite striking. Earrings from LE RU (www.le-ru.co.za)

     

    It’s sweet and delicate – a detailed hairpiece can be the ideal choice for fine hair while still providing stability.

    All images by Pritti by Migneon Marais Photography

    Make-up and hair by Lisa Brown International
    Dresses all by Cindy Bam
    Styling by Claudia Waschefort from CW Make-up & Styling
    Coordinated by Love Lienkie Events
    Furniture & Decor Styling by Country Daughters
    Shot on location at La Paris Estate, Franschhoek

    Planning a wedding can be time-consuming and very stressful. This is why many soon-to-wed couples opt for a wedding planner. Someone who can take control and sort out all the details regarding their wedding. Before deciding it’s important to know the pros and cons of a wedding planner.

    Pros

    – Stress-ease

    Planning anything can be stressful so one can only imagine how hectic things can get when it’s time to start cracking on your wedding. One of the great things about a wedding planner is a lot of that stress is eliminated. It’s their job to plan and sort everything out, so this is your chance to sit back and relax.

    – Connections 

    Since your wedding planner is in the business, they obviously know quite a few people, which means connections. They’re able to obtain deals and specials from their contacts.

    – Experience

    They are the professionals here so they know exactly what needs to be done. They’ve planned a few weddings and are aware of basics that need to be covered and extras that you as an amateur might have forgotten.

    – Enjoy YOUR day

    We all know how things go down on the day of any event. It’s chaotic and everyone is running around like headless chickens trying to put finishing touches on things. Having a wedding planner allows you to enjoy yourself on your day. You won’t have to worry about the caterers knowing where to go and if the band got the playlist. That’s all for your wedding planner.

    Cons

    – Extra expense

    You’ll have to pay for your wedding planner which is an extra expense. It’ll be another cost added to your very long list.

    – Lack of personal touch

    This will obviously be someone else’s work. It’ll have their personal touch and style incorporated. That means that there’s a chance that your wedding may not feel like yours and your partners. This happens often especially when couples aren’t very involved in the planning.

    – Hand over some control 

    You’ve hired someone to plan your wedding so you’re going to have to let go a little bit. As hard as it may be for some, you have to understand that your planner is going to have a lot of control over your wedding day. You may want something and they may advise against it, since they’re the professional, you may have to give in.

    After evaluating the pros and cons of a wedding planner, the choice is ultimately yours. Wedding planners are great for couples that are very busy or maybe don’t know how to go about planning a wedding. For someone who loves to plan and knows a lot about weddings, it may be a bit more troublesome. With that being said, you can always communicate with your wedding planner and discuss your needs and desires. You’ll find that a lot of them are very accommodating.

    Picture: Pexels

    What are wedding harvest tables? Simply put they are snack tables. They are statement tables as food and nibbles are laid out beautifully and form part of the decoration. Harvest tables are usually embellished with greenery and topped with delicious foods.

    Harvest tables typically appear after the ceremony and before the reception. Your guests can enjoy the lovely snacks spread out while you and your parter take pictures or change for the reception. Think of it like the pre-starter.

    They aren’t ordinary snack tables, there generally needs to be a wide variety of nibbles laid out nicely.

    Your guests can enjoy a variety of canapés along with other treats while enjoying cocktails.

    Wedding harvest tables typically feature an assortment of cheeses, fruits, meats, crackers and breads.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Peak Summer with a touch of fall creeping in ?

    A post shared by Hunt&Harvest Catered Events ? (@huntandharvestevents) on

    The tables usually feature a lot of contrast and may coordinate with the weddings colours.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Harvest Table Goals ?? #festivalofdreams2019

    A post shared by Festival of Dreams (@festivalofdreams_events) on

    Picture: Unsplash

    Trends are ever-changing in the wedding world. If you’re looking for inspiration or maybe want to avoid what’s being overdone, then have a look at what’s trending in the wedding world of fashion and beauty. Whatever the reason, these trends are great ideas or additions to your wedding repertoire.

    Fashion

    – Wearable flowers

    Greenery shouldn’t have to be reserved for your decor alone. Sure we all know about flower crowns, but what about incorporating some florals in your wedding outfit as well?

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Floral bandeaus make us this happy too. We’re serious when we say bridal portraits with them need to be a thing!! • • Photo: @melissamarshallx // Style and Design: @maeandco_creative // Muah: @styledbymal_bridal // Model: @officiallyquigley // Pants: @chosenbyoneday // Earrings: @in.the.company.of • • • • • • • • • • #gypsybride #elopementcollective #bohobride #weddingphotomag #junebugweddings #oregonbride #austinbride #austinflorist #portlandflorist #pdxbride #portlandbride #texasbride #indiewedding #pnwedding #florist #weddingflorist #adventurebrides #radlovestories #justalittleloveinspo #goodseedfloral #floralinspo #flowerstagram #floralclothes #wearableflowers

    A post shared by Wedding Florist (@goodseedfloral) on

    – Statement headpieces

    The 2018 Met Gala’s theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, so it’s no surprise that statement headpieces are still in!

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    This headpiece + embroidered dress combo is SLAYING: on the blog today! ✨⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠・・・⁠ Photography: @emswanphotos⁠ Bride/Planner: @chels_mcewen⁠ Venue: @409southmain⁠ Flowers: @lynndoyleflowers⁠ Dress: @nataliewynndesign⁠ Bridesmaids Dresses: @modcloth⁠ Alterations: #greenneedlealterations ⁠ Hair: @cwacked⁠ Crown: @batcakes_couture⁠ Tux: @itailor⁠ Cake: @frostbakeshop⁠ Day-of Coordination: #aaronjones ⁠ Linens: @whitedoorevent⁠ Live Music: @weezypage ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠・・・⁠ #embroidereddress #celestialwedding #weddingheadpiece #nontraditionalwedding #alternativewedding #offbeatwedding #weddinginspo #weddings #weddingplanning #wedding #authenticwedding #weddingfashion #edgywedding⁠

    A post shared by Offbeat Bride (@offbeatbride) on

    – Sleeves

    The style may not be for everyone but wedding dresses featuring statement sleeves are trending. Strapless wedding gowns just seem so boring now.

    –Royal wedding inspo

    Who doesn’t want to be a princess? With the recent royal weddings, it’s understandable that the regal influence has made its way to the wedding world.

    – Wedding jumpsuits

    Who said brides have to wear a dress? Jumpsuits are so hot right now. They can be dressed up or down as much as you’d like.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    New blog post about the Open House last week. Link in bio. The Love Warrior is bohemian romance with hidden deep satin pockets, a sexy sheer bodice, wide 70s waistband and bell bottoms, bandana inspired lace, and a button back. Accesorized with my custom Flower Headband. @algawlik @lustrebella @thevineyardsatchappellodge @longg_livethequeen @thephotobusatx #indiebride #bohobride #bridalfashion #bridaljumpsuit #weddingjumpsuit #desireemariedesign #desireemariebride #southwestbride #southwesternstyle #austinbridaldesigner #austinbride #bespokedesigner #custommade #vintageinspired #sheer #vwbus #bellbottoms #lacejumpsuit #madeinatx #madeintexas #couturebridal #bridalcouture #couturefashion

    A post shared by Desireé Marie Design (@desireemariedesign) on

    Beauty

    – Natural make-up

    At the end of the day, it’s your big day and it’s your choice to go bold or not. With that said, many brides are opting for a more natural make-up look. It’s not as heavy and emphasises your natural beauty.


    – Red lips

    The passionate colour is in. It makes for a bold statement and really stands out well if you opt for wearing white on your wedding day.


    – Sun-kissed

    Keeping with the more natural make-up look, instead of going with a ‘Kardashian contour’ brides are choosing a more ‘bronzed goddess’ feel. The sun-kissed look is achieved by bronzing the high points and making use of subtle shimmer.

    – Sleek hair styles

    What’s great about this style is that it works for any length of hair. The sleek look will also allow your gorgeous face to stand out and be on display!

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    I often get asked what do I do on the weekends I don’t have weddings. I’m not sure if I ever told you but I help other photographers capture beautiful wedding days as a second photographer! It’s a lot of fun! ? This weekend I will be helping @erin_brennan_photography and I am so excited! . . HOST: @styledshootsacrossamerica PLANNING & DESIGN: @heatherbengeevents VENUE: @2400ontheriver GOWNS: @enaurabridal FLORALS: @intrigue_designs, @cecedesignsllc, @thorneandthistle HAIR: @bilgahmoka MAKEUP: @makeupbysarah.lord MODELS: @clickatl #georgiaweddings #filmphotography #ishootfilm #virginiaphotographer #dcweddingphotographer #weddingphotography #weddings #filmweddings #bridalportraits #bridaldetails #bridalhairstyle #sleekbride #sleekbridalupdo #bridalmakeup #virginiaweddingphotographer

    A post shared by Hana Gonzalez (@weddingsbyhana) on

    – Windswept style

    If having your face on full display doesn’t appeal to you, then going with a windswept look is a great option! Some brides prefer a neat and more put-together look, but if you’re looking for that ‘they must’ve used a fan to get this shot’ kinda vibe, then opt for a windswept style.

    Image: Unsplash

    Brides visualise the big day and walking down the aisle. One of the main elements for a bride on their wedding day is, ofcourse, the gown. Whether you’ve grown up gathering tips from celebs or looking for ideas now, here are some iconic brides and what they wore on their wedding day.

    Céline Dion

    The Canadian singer married Rene Angelil in December, 1994. She wore a beautiful Mirella and Steve Gentile ball gown. The dress featured a 20 foot train and took over 1000 hours to make.

    Priyanka Chopra

    The Indian actress wed Nick Jonas in December, 2018. Her traditional white gown was a custom Ralph Lauren. It featured a 75 foot long tulle veil and took over 1800 hours to make.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    And forever starts now… ❤️ @nickjonas

    A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) on

    Chiara Ferragni

    The Italian blogger married singer Fedez in September, 2018. Chiara wore two stunning haute couture Dior dresses. Her outfits consisted of 400 metres of material and took a total of 1600 hours to make.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Better than my dreams ✨ Love our custom made wedding bands designed by @pomellato ? #SuppliedByPomellato

    A post shared by Chiara Ferragni (@chiaraferragni) on

    Meghan Markle

    The royal wedding took place in May, 2018. The Duchess of Sussex wore a silk Givenchy gown, complete with a 16 foot long veil and one of Queen Mary’s diamond tiaras.

    Amal Clooney

    The Lebanese-British barrister married George Clooney in September, 2014. Amal wore a powerhouse Stella McCartney suit.

    Solange Knowles

    Keeping with the pantsuits, Solange married director Alan Ferguson in November, 2014. They arrived at their ceremony by bicycle with Solange rocking a Stéphane Rolland jumpsuit.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Oldie but Goodie It was in the twentieth century that women began to wear trousers as leisurewear, and eventually trousers became symbolic of female emancipation and empowerment. Bridal trousers and jumpsuits are therefore the perfect way to infuse the traditions of a wedding with more contemporary values surrounding gender equality – all while exuding an incomparable level of sophistication. You can opt for trousers that have a layer of organza or lace overlaying them to pay homage to the styles of more conventional wedding dresses. Jumpsuits are all about the beauty of the silhouette. No matter which design you choose, bridal trousers and jumpsuits always come with the added benefit of being comfortable so that you can fully enjoy every aspect of your big day.

    A post shared by Creative Planners (@perfectlyplanned4you) on

    Kate Middleton

    She wed Princess William in April, 2011. A vision in white, Kate wore an Alexander McQueen ivory and white satin dress. The gown featured a couture lace bodice and long sleeves.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Prince William married Catherine Middleton on April 29th 2011 at Westminster Abbey. On their wedding day, the Queen granted them the titles the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Earl and Countess of Strathearn and Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus. The best man was Prince William’s brother Prince Harry, and the maid of honour was Catherine’s sister Pippa. The four bridesmaids were – Lady Louise Windsor, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Grace van Custem and Eliza Lopes. The two page boys were – William Lowther-Pinkerton and Tom Pettifer. Catherine’s dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. After the ceremony, the couple made the traditional appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Prince Charles hosted a private dinner, followed by dancing, for close friends and family of the couple at Buckingham Palace.

    A post shared by Duchess Of Cambridge (@catherine.cambridge_) on

    Charlene Wittstock

    The Zimbabwean-South African former Olympic swimmer married Albert II, Prince of Monaco in July, 2011. Charlene wore a custom Giorgio Armani dress. The gown took 2500 hours to make and consisted of 40 000 Swarovski crystals.

    Elizabeth Taylor

    She married eight times and made a beautiful bride every time. Here a few of her gorgeous bridal looks.

    Grace Kelly

    The American actress wed Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in 1956. Her gown was made by MGM costume designer Helen Rose. This iconic dress took six weeks to make and featured 90 metres of silk net and hundreds of seed pearls. Her dress has inspired many bridal dresses over the years including Nicky Hilton and Miranda Kerr.

    Image: Instagram/Kensington Palace