Inspiration Board: The New Rustic

Hello lovelies! How was your weekend? I spent most of it cuddled up on the couch (who knew Durban got so chilly?) with a dog and a glass of wine, working on some behind the scenes technical stuff (aka the things that make my head hurt). So I loved getting to the creative work of putting together this week’s inspiration board. This time, I was inspired by a shift in rustic weddings over the last year, from a very vintage influence to a little bit more of a rustic, boho vibe. It’s not a dramatic shift, but it is a good way of keeping things fresh and pretty, while allowing vintage-loving brides to still incorporate a lot of the touches they love, like found objects and lace. So here it is – the new rustic!

Top row (l-r): Boho wedding dress {Poise by Nadia}; place setting; wreath invitation; door {Eric Kelley/Shindig Weddings and Events}
Row 2: Poppy pods; boho bridesmaids {Braedon Flynn}; craft beer; flowers in watering can {Yolande Marx}
Row 3: Lanterns {Caroline Tran Photographer/Kelly Oshiro Design}; boho bride {Danelle Bohane}; table decor

 

Inspiration Board: Milk & Honey

Good morning darlin’s – how was your weekend? Mine was super chilled, mostly working away behind the scenes and catching up on some zzzzs! On the technical side, you may notice (I hope!) that SBB is sooopa fast today, which is down to some upgrades I have been making to ensure the site is at its very best for you all. And while it’s always a hassle to migrate to a new server, it’s a tribute to the fact that there are now so many of you visiting SBB on a daily basis that the previous one couldn’t cope. I am so grateful for you all! And so excited for what I have planned for this year – it feels like everything is moving organically in the best of directions. ANYWAY, enough of that, it’s time for our weekly inspiration. Today I thought I would take the concept of milk and honey for a wedding, updating the bee motif that we were seeing a bit of a couple of years ago, and bringing it to a really warm, rustic wedding concept that would be absolutely PERFECT for a brunch wedding in the countryside. Can’t you just imagine it? Rays of morning sun peeking out from behind the clouds as you promise your love to each other, followed by a breakfast of pancakes and butter and honey at long open air tables, with milk white daisies forming your bouquet. Morning weddings have never been so pretty.

Colours: Off-white, honey yellow, taupe and gingerbread

Top row (l-r): Milk & honeycomb {Sunday Suppers}; outdoor table {Aaron Delesie/Beth Helmstetter Events}; honey favours {This Love of Yours Photography/Engaged & Inspired}; wedding dress {Jane Allen Photography/Scout & Charm}
Row 2: Bridesmaids; daisy bouquet {Jemma Keech}; bee stationery {Brooke Boling/Lauren Ledbetter}
Row 3: Honey cake {Love Me Do Photography}; honey dipper favours {Brancoprata}; milk vases; bride with flower crown {Elizabeth Messina}

Inspiration Board: Milk & Honey

 

Inspiration Board: Dove Grey & Rose Gold

Some colour combinations I just fall completely in love with when I’m working with them, and I have to say, this is one of them! I mentioned rose gold as one of 2013’s biggest trends, so I thought I would combine it with a soft bluey-grey, and wow. Don’t you just adore it? I can just imagine this romantic palette being used at a sophisticated wedding with delicate fabrics, elegant florals, and of course, rose gold jewellery. Copper (and of course, normal gold) would also work, but I think the rose gold is especially pretty, and it works beautifully with blousy blush florals and ruffly bridesmaid dresses. (PS We’re debuting a slightly different format for SBB inspiration boards today, one that’s Instagram-friendly. What do you think?)

Colours: Rose gold, dove grey & white

Top row (l-r): Feather headpiece {Victoria Millésime}; dress {Jessica Burke Photography/Amanda O’Shannessy Creative}; individual bundt cakes; blush bouquet {Belathee Photography}
Row 2: Ruffle bridesmaids {Jessica Lorren,}; rose gold rings and invitation {Jennifer Blair Photography}; dress {Jessica Burke Photography/Amanda O’Shannessy Creative}
Row 3: Rose gold boxes {Muhs Home}; earrings {Crystal Avenues}; ruffled chair backs {Phyllis Lane Photographer/Victoria Canada Weddings & Events}

 

Inspiration Board: Nordic Nuptials

Hello lovelies! Time for some wedding inspiration from the far north today – Scandinavia to be precise. I don’t know about you, but I love Scandi style, especially the clean, elegant neutrals that they use in their design. I wanted to put them together into a beautiful, modern but a little rustic and woodsy wedding design. I think this would be perfect just about anywhere in the world – and it doesn’t just have to be for winter weddings either. Oh and PS, antlers are totally a hot wedding motif at the moment. I have no idea why. But they’re pretty awesome.

Colours: White and beige neutrals

Top row (l-r): Antler art {Kari Herer}; bride {Love Made Visible}; kransekake; pie pops {Call Me Cupcake}; stone church
Row 2: Scandinavian wedding decor {Kate McLuckie/Mariah Breitenberg & Jess Pedersen}; antler monogram {Lydia Abbott Designs}; ring bowl {Paloma’s Nest}; antler candlesticks
Row 3: Flower girl in crown; wedding dress {Delphine Manivet}; lamps {Beautiful Days/White Loft Studio}; bride and groom {Fotograf Bjervig}.

 

Inspiration Board: Neutrally Beautiful

Hello lovelies! How was your weekend? Just to let you know, this week I am off to Joburg and Kruger with reduced email and internet access, so while you’ll still be getting fresh inspiration every day, there will be a reduced number of posts compared to normal. We’ll be back to doubles next week! Of course, there’s still plenty to inspire you, starting off with this board which I am absolutely loving! Mixed neutrals are such a pretty look, especially when you add in the softest puce. A lot of brides would associate this palette with a vintage look, but I personally love the romantic elegance of this board, a sort of Elizabeth Messina softness. Which is your favourite detail?

Colours: Mixed neutrals, puce, black and white

Top row (l-r): Bride and groom {Chelsea Mitchell Photo/Oak and the Owl/Twine Events}; bridesmaids {Birds of a Feather/Amorology}; invitation {Steve Steinhardt Photography/Beth Helmstetter Events}; champagne with blackberries {Jennifer Lindberg}
Row 2: Bouquet; shoes; pashminas {Carrie Rodman Photography/Raina Dawn Events}; bridesmaid dresses; key escort cards on door {Zelo Photography/Couture Events}
Row 3: Statue {Elizabeth Messina}; printed ring pillow {Laura Murray Photography}; table setting {KT Merry/Aisle Candy}; cake.

 

Inspiration Board: Gingerbread Biscuit

Hello lovelies! Well, as you read this, I’ll be far away in Tuscany, enjoying some fantastic summer sun. But to make sure my readers in South Africa don’t feel TOO jealous, it being mid-winter and all, I’ve put together this toasty winter board. Gingerbread is, of course, something that we often associate with Christmas, but in the Southern hemisphere it’s much more appropriate for the middle of the year, and it’s the warm copper tones of this biscuit that have inspired today’s board. I think ‘brown’ (or rather, earth toned, as I like to think of them) weddings can get a bad rap – after all, if you use natural textures like wood and dark glass and set it against lush white flowers, pretty detailing and other classic whites, then there’s no reason why it has to be dark and drab at all. Treat your guests to a coffee station (how much do I love these custom calligraphy coffee mug holders?), and warm their fingers and toes at an open fire. There’s a pretty touch of vintage here, but it’s all understated and perfect for the season. What do you think? Would you consider having a winter wedding?

Colours: Mocha, cappuccino, white

Top row (l-r): Bride {Elizabeth Messina}; gingerbread cookies; bouquet {Elizabeth Messina/Mindy Rice}; coffee station
Row 2: Cake table {Ashley Rose}; invitation; brown bottles; gingerbread heart cookies; vintage post card guest book alternative {Oh Darling Photography}
Row 3: Holy matrimony sign; calligraphy cup holder {Oh, How Charming!/Mindy Rice Floral and Event Design/Paperfinger/Aaron Delesie}; escort cards {Carrie Patterson Photography}; white flowers {Polly Alexandre Photography}; Dress with brown overlay {Studio Bella}.

 

Inspiration Board: Blanc de Blanc

Happy Monday SouthBound Brides! And happy first day of the month. Eeks, how did it get to be the second half of the year already? Anyway, for today’s inspiration colour scheme we have… no colour scheme. I’ve gone back to basics, because as much as punches of colour are fabulous, I still love a white on white wedding. Especially when you add some soft, country touches with just a whisper of rustic-ey vintage. Lush garden blooms, a beautiful open-sided marquee, and textured detailing like a ruffly cake and lace-iced biscuits. My favourite idea? Why not hang distressed white-painted mirrors in a row with table assignments written on them?

Colours: White

Top row (l-r): Single bloom bouquet {Jose Villa}; flowers and letter; table setting {Beth Helmstetter Events/Steve Steinhardt}; half up hairstyle; white books
Row 2: White bridesmaids dresses {Jemma Keech Photography}; table number {Kristen Wood/Denise Addesso}; iced biscuits {Kiss Me Kate/Studio 76 Artist Group}; white shoes {Jose Villa}; hanging mirrors
Row 3: White wedding car {Jose Villa/Rosemary Special Events}; cake with ruffles; dessert table; white flowers; open-sided marquee {Jose Villa/Rosemary Special Events}.

 

Inspiration Board: Olive & Stripe

Happy Monday friends! There’s been a lot going on here at SBB headquarters, which I may or may not get around to sharing with you all. But it’s a new week, and that always means a fresh start and fresh inspiration. Today’s is one that sort of just came together, but I think if I had married, this might be what my wedding could have looked like. I love everything Italian (especially since I have been doing some writing jobs that are making me long to spend some time there again!) but while a rustic Tuscan farmhouse look is fab, I also love the idea of updating it a bit with a bit of a chic modern, black and white, Kate Spade look – the perfect combination of Mediterranean and contemporary graphic. Do you love it as much as I do?

Colours: Black, white and green

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Viera Photographics/The Stylish Soiree}; bridesmaids in black dresses {Ladybug Photography}; heels {Lacie Hansen}; olive leaf bouquet {M&J Photography/Weddings In Italy}
Row 2: Dress with sash {SimplyBloom Photography}; olive grove {Jose Villa}; striped straws {Caplan Miller}; groom {Judy Pak/Dreamlite Photography}
Row 3: Couple {Lacie Hansen}; wine bottle table numbers; olive leaf heart {Camille Soulayrol}; outdoor table {Kaella Lynn Events/Nirav Photography}; bride and groom in Positano {Forever Photography}.

 

Inspiration Board: Copper & Ostrich Egg

Monday means inspiration board time, and today I’ve decided to do one of my own. I wanted to create a look that was truly South African, but at the same time contemporary, elegant and understated. Neutrals were the way to go, and I love the ostrich shell offwhite combined with black and sage, with copper metallics as a trendy little twist. Another current trend that works well here is the fashion for prints, here using the gorgeous Skinny LaMinx range with their gorgeous pincushion proteas (an ideal complement to the white king proteas in the bouquet and table arrangement pictured here). Add neutral bridesmaids dresses, copper foil stamped stationery and some other shiny copper touches, and you have the perfect fusion of classic black and white, down-to-earth South African-ness and fresh 2013 style. So usable – what do you think?

Colours: Black, ecru, sage and copper

Top row (l-r): Bouquet {I Heart Weddings/flower talk}; copper shoes {Anthropologie}; protea under bell jar {Just Jack/Cari Eksteen}; table setting {Skinny laMinx}; marquee setting {Kym Ventola Photography/Some Like It Classic}
Row 2: Neutral bridesmaids {Kym Ventola Photography/Some Like It Classic}; succulent in copper vase {Kym Ventola Photography/Some Like It Classic}; pincushion protea wall art; copper foil stamped invitation {Jolie Jolie}
Row 3: Bride & groom {rylee hitchner/abany bauer}; print napkin {Skinny laMinx}; copper wrapped boutonniere {Wedding Artists Collective/Gloria Wong Design}; hanging copper tins {Dave Lapham/Laura Helm at Ashton Events}; cake on copper cake stand {A Fabulous Fete on Etsy}.

 

Inspiration Board: Elgin Spring

I have an extra special inspiration board today, as it’s for my beautiful cousin Caitlin, who’s currently planning her wedding. Caty grew up on an apple, pear and now wine farm in Elgin – one of the most beautiful places ever – and that’s where she and her fiance will be having their late spring wedding this year. It’s going to be gorgeous, and I love Caty’s idea of using a soft, dreamy palette of whites, creams, grey and pale blush pink with lush blooms and some rustic textures that pay tribute to the farm with wine barrels and apple crates. I think when you go for this sort of look, the best thing is to keep it simple but do the basics well – gorgeous flowers are the biggest building block, along with soft hair, flowy bridesmaids’ dresses (in grey, white or blush will work). I’d mix up the bouquets to include a variety of blooms including silver brunia, but also blushing bride proteas (a big floral crush of mine at the moment!). Use rustic shutters (to hold escort cards?), calligraphed signs and printed calligraphy napkin menus, and apple cocktails for after the ceremony (also love these painted white apples as place or escort cards, or just for fun). I’ve also included a little nod to Caty’s rowing talents with an oar guest book (although another sweet idea is to use paddles as signposts). It all adds up to a classic but contemporary look that is super romantic.

Colours: White, cream, blush and grey

Top row (l-r): Bouquet with blushing brides {Florali}; printed calligraphy napkin {Rylee Hitchner Photography/Jessica Sloane Event Styling & Design}; oar guest book {Alea Lovely}; bride and groom {Marta Locklear Photography/Diamond Events}
Row 2: Bridesmaids {Polly Alexandre Photography}; crate with olive leaf details and table number {Punam Bean Photography}; bride and flowergirl {Hristina Piltz}
Row 3: Ceremony with wine barrel entrance {Jose Villa}; wine barrel and shutter escort cards {Laura Gordon Photography/Tyler Flood}; ceremony sign {Jose Villa/Laurie Arons Special Events}; flowers and silver vase {Gia Canali Photography/Delicate Details}.

Rustic Romantic Inspiration Board