Wedding Trends for 2014

I love new year, don’t you? It’s a time for renewal and perspective, and it’s also a chance to dream about the year ahead. Here on the blog, that means our annual rundown of the hottest trends in weddings. I love doing this yearly post, and seeing all the trends unfold and be reinterpreted and gain surprising new twists throughout the year. And as I looked back at last year’s post today, it was fab to see that not only had this happened in 2013, but that there was so much mileage still in the trends I called – I still think 2014 will have loads of lovely coloured wedding dresses, portrait lace backs, mixed prints, copper and brass details, and lasercut, for example. So if you’ve just got engaged, be sure to check out the 2013 roundup for even more ideas to add to these ones. But for now, it’s in with the new!

Bryce Covey via Once Wed (left); Julie Cate Photography via 100 Layer Cake (centre); Elizabeth Messina/Claire Pettibone via Wedding Chicks (right)

1. Wedding dresses: beading, cap sleeves, long sleevesRead More

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Naturally Beautiful}

Here we are at the end of our Top 10 weddings for 2013, and at the end of the year! It’s been hard to pick the favourites, but this has been one of mine ever since we featured it in February, for its gentle outdoor vibe and sweetly rustic decor. Lizaan and Michael are two sporty South Africans who have made their lives in Australia, and returned to our golden shores for their dream wedding. Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography captured the glorious goodness of their big day.Read More

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Good As Gold}

For these high school sweethearts from Gauteng, Carin and Marius‘ shared love of food and wine pointed straight to the Cape winelands when choosing a venue for their wedding. With an understated but elegant palette of gold and duck egg blue, shiny perspex lasercut detailing and (my favourite) innovative food stalls to delight their guests, not to mention a surprise musical appearance from Heinz Winckler, they struck just the right balance between relaxed enjoyment and sophisticated splendour. Photographer Yolande Marx was there to capture every golden moment.Read More

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Made in Africa}

When New York-based couple Michael and Lisa got engaged, Lisa wanted to celebrate their wedding according to her Zulu heritage, in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, the Cape winelands (and one of the best venues, 401 Rozendal. Their combination of homegrown decor and traditional food wowed guests who attended from all over the world (and made for gorgeous pics, courtesy of the fab Carmen Visser). Dressed in gorgeous traditional garb and carrying our national flower, the protea, Lisa was truly a SouthBound Bride.Read More

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Winter Wildflowers}

I have such a soft spot for this wedding. In the last few years, we’ve seen the vintage trend rise and rise, and now I often speak to brides who want the same gentle country feeling with found objects used as decor, but are over birdcages and books tied up with lace. Cara and Pieter‘s wedding to me is the perfect evolution of vintage, a soft grey and green palette, textures of lace and wood, generous use of herbs and (my favourite part), home decor used as wedding decor. This is a great way to re-use your wedding decor afterwards (and stretch the budget), but it’s also a lovely way to create a chic, curated aspect to your wedding design. Inspiring!Read More

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Lasercut Loveliness}

Every now and again, I come across a wedding design that blows me away for its originality and forward thinking, and Anlika and Philip‘s wedding was one of these. It combined an original spin on one of my favourite trends, lasercut, incorporating lasercut flowers with the real thing (love). It also used a chic modern palette of navy and olive green, and mixed things up with unexpected floral elements and such a cool motif, salt, that was entirely personal to the couple. With gorgeous proteas and stylish contemporary details, it’s a chic and unique reception that sets trends for the new year. The fab Andre of Vivid Blue was there to take these beautiful pictures.Read More

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Forest Boho}

Bohemian-styled weddings have been a huge trend this year, but Nadine and Alan’s was the real deal, a barefoot eco-friendly celebration that started with a forest ceremony and ended late that night with songs around the fire. Decor was woodsy and wonderful, from the mismatched green glass vases and repurposed jam jars to the wooden candle holders and the lasercut signs that welcomed guests to the reception. The awesome Love Made Visible duo captured this one perfectly, documenting the love and joy of the moment in their unobtrusive, documentary styleRead More

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Blush Fairytale}

What to do when your favourite flower is out of season? It’s a problem encountered by many peony-loving brides, with this delicate bloom only making its appearance for a few weeks a year. Bride Hestelle found the perfect solution: paper and fabric flowers that had the same lush white petals but lasted forever and contributed a uniquely modern aspect to the wedding. Add a touch of blush, an incredible dress and a fairytale backdrop of twinkly lights to complement the soft autumn light, and you have one of the most magical weddings we’ve ever featured.Read More

Happy Christmas!

Hello lovelies! I’m just stopping in very quickly to wish both you and yours an amazing Christmas holiday today. Whether it’s a religious festival for you or a secular one, I hope it’s a chance to spend time with family and friends, spoil yourself with yummy food, and be spoiled yourself by Santa! I’ll be sweltering in the sunshine this year (no complaints!), although I must admit I love a frosty London Christmas, and it’s bound to snow (which it does whenever I leave the country, you can put money on it). Whichever you’re enjoying, I’ll be raising a glass of something bubbly to you. Thank you for all your love and support throughout the year.

Gaby xox

PS Our beautiful protea wreath Christmas ecard is thanks to the lovely & talented C{dot}Love

 

Top 10 Weddings of 2013 {Beach Bliss}

It must have been Fate that brought Vicky and Arri together – she from Argentina and he from South Africa – at a Colorado ski resort. But snow was the last thing on their mind as they celebrated their marriage with an incredible beach celebration at Grootvlei (captured to perfection by Natural Light Photography) that not only combined tradition and heritage from both their countries and cultures, but also showcased their creative talents (he’s an animator and Vicky owns Mocho Loco stationery design). Everything from the blow-me-away original ceremony area to the coral and turquoise reception decor was made by hand. The carnival atmosphere started early with dancing on the beach, and went on long into the night.Read More