Inspiration Board: Dandelion Days

Good morning friends! Hope you had a fab weekend! Mine was good – I had the privilege of spending yesterday with a group of fantastic wedding industry people assisting on a shoot for my friend Louise of (aka @bijouxbride). Lots of hard work, but it was so fun, and I can’t wait to see the pictures. I know there are a lot of people who don’t like inspiration shoots, but for me, they’re a great way to pull together an idea (like a mood board, but on a bigger scale) and I know they’re where I get a lot of the ideas I use in my boards. Plus, they’re great for table settings, which I know brides struggle with sometimes. What do you think? Love ’em or hate ’em?

Anyway, on to today’s board. While it’s gone very cold and grey in London town, I know everyone in South Africa is on the other side of the spring/autumn equation, so I thought I would bring you a lovely spring palette to enjoy. A lot of brides shy away from yellow because it’s such a strong colour, but if canary yellow is too bold and mustard is too yellow, consider a soft pastel lemon. Combined with pale green and grey, it’s fresh and flattering, and it brought to mind for me the pretty gardeny side of the Kate Moss nuptials – a traditional church, lots of little flowergirls in white, wildflowers. Add in yellow shoes and a polka dot dress, plus of course a little hair braid (because we do love braids, don’t we!). And if you like the lovely invitations pictured here by my clever friends at Brancoprata, you can download the template for free right here. Perfect, non?

Colours: Pale yellow, green and soft grey

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom (Jose Villa); yellow shoes (Christine Meintjes); polka dot dress; frosted lemons (A. Hana Design); lemonade
Row 2: Dessert table (Amy Atlas); invitation (Brancoprata); macaroon ring shot (Kim Mendoza Photography); vintage car (Photogen Inc.)
Row 3: Dandelion; bridesmaid (Katelyn James); braided updo; flower girls; pretty church from Kate Moss Wedding (Mario Testino/Vogue)

Inspiration Board: Candyfloss & Lemonade

Ah, summer. There’s nothing like it. And for the most part, this British summer has been nothing like it. Which is why I’m off to Greece on Friday, woohoo! But in the meantime, I’m dreaming of a lighthearted beach wedding in shades of candy pink and warm yellow, with candyfloss and pinwheels and bunting and ribbon and stripy straws, and everything that makes a day at the beach carefree and wonderful transported into a wedding. You could even have a cake made to look like a sandcastle, and why not? Compliment your decor with soft flowers including cute Billy balls, and dress your bridesmaids in adorable alternating pink and yellow dresses. Oh, and don’t forget the popsicles/lollies! I love the idea of making alcoholic versions of these and serving them to your guests instead of cocktails. How cute would that be?

Colours: Pink and yellow

Top row (l-r): Candyfloss; flip flops (Natalie Spencer); bride door sign (Kristen Weaver Photography); pink and yellow bouquet (Honey & Poppies); heart sweets (Creative Push)
Row 2: Summer love sign (Sarah Layne Photography); sunglasses; beachy dessert table (Party Dreamz/Frog Prince Paperie); pink and yellow bunting (Stephanie Cristalli); lollies
Row 3: Bride with bridesmaids (Kai Heeringa); ribbon garland (Party Dreamz/Frog Prince Paperie); ribbon wands (Cameron + Kelly/Sedona Bride); lemonade with stripy straws.

Inspiration Board: Spring Daffodils

When you think ‘Spring’, what do you think of? A host of golden daffodils? Too right, Will Wordsworth. Daffodils are just about the most Springey flower I know, with their fresh yellow colour and buttery soft petals. I heart them big time. And I know Easter’s over, but when I started putting this yellow and aqua inspiration board together this morning, those symbols of happiness and new life kept sneaking in there. I think this would make a gorgeous theme for a Spring wedding in South African September or an Easter wedding in April, with just the prettiest flowers on the block. Hope it gives you a smile this morning if you’re back at work (I’m not! Woo!) and that whatever you got up to this long weekend you had a lovely one! :)

Colours: Yellow, aqua and white

Top row (l-r): Daffodils in aqua glass; San Pellegrino Lemon drinks; egg basket; wedding dress (Jose Villa)
Row 2: Yellow shoes; lemon place setting (Hugh Forte); Easter chick (Abby Jiu); aqua bridesmaid’s dresses (Jenna Davis Photography)
Row 3: Couple with yellow baloons (Adam LeSage Photography); aqua Hunter wellies; daffodil bouquet; blue and yellow cake bunting; flower girl (Girl Friday Weddings)

Inspiration Board: Coral & Grey

Happy Monday! We’ll soon be featuring a stunning wedding in Simonstown, and looking at the pics got me to thinking about vintage naval prints and nautical weddings. Although navy and red is the most obvious colour combination for this theme, I love the subtler beachy beauty of coral and grey, which also happen to be two colours that are bang on trend right now. Then I remembered these gorgeous invitations from Ruby & Willow and I knew I had to do a board. I think the final result is classy and just a little rustic – perfect for a venue by the sea.

Colours: Coral, grey, charcoal and white

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom; Anthropologie whale ornament; coral invitations
Row 2: Coral cufflinks; heart pin boutonniere; ship’s wheel; succelent with rings; coral earrings
Row 3: Shell necklace; vintage naval print; coral peonies.

Inspiration Board: Citrus Martini

This week we’re featuring three citrus-themed inspiration boards inspired by Cape venues to show how a single theme can be interpreted in a number of different ways. Which one is your favourite?

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Today’s board is something completely different from the rustic vintage vibe we featured yesterday. It’s all about funky, modern design, using bright orange and yellow, and playful citrusey details. I adore the ceiling-high table arrangements and stationery (which both come from this amazing concept shoot), and the way grey makes the brighter colours pop. Not to mention the use of actual oranges in the bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets – so fun! And what’s a sophisticated orange and lemon-themed soiree without a signature martini? The perfect Cape venue space for this light, contemporary design is The Conservatory in Franschoek, with its huge glass panels and mod grey accents – ideal for a lunchtime wedding where your guests can really appreciate the views. For more on The Conservatory see our venue spotlight, and for more chic modern options, have a look at the Amazing Spaces website.

Colours: Bright orange, yellow and slate grey

Top row (l-r): The Conservatory ; table with branch arrangement; martinis; bride & groom
Row 2: Bridesmaids; ribbon wands; ring; The Conservatory
Row 3: Naartjie name tag; place setting; invitation; tulip bouquet.

If you’d like to see more lovely examples of fruit as part of wedding design, have a look at our feature here.

Note: None of the posts in this series have been sponsored by the featured venues, including The Conservatory.

Inspiration Board: Rustic Orchard

I have something special for you this week! One of the reasons I love wedding design is the way a concept can can have a number of different interpretations, depending on the look and feel you’re going for and (very importantly) your venue. So over the next few days I have not one but three citrus-themed inspiration boards for you, all with very unique looks inspired by three fabulous Cape venues. Which one is your favourite?

Today’s board has the rustic, slightly vintagey vibe that I know so many of you love (as do I). It includes elements like vintage citrus fruit advertising, wooden crates (love these as centrepieces), wreaths and dried fruit slices. I also really like the idea of orange favours/escort cards wrapped in brown paper for that farmer’s market feel. For me, you won’t find a more perfect venue for this look than Beloftebos near Stanford, a beautiful farm setting with an outdoors ‘chapel’ in the middle of a grove of oak trees – it is just spectacular! We’ve already featured one gorgeous wedding here, so check it out if this is your preferred style.

Colours: Muted yellow, orange, green and brown.

Top row: Oranges; wreath; cake; lemonade; couple in orange grove
Row 2: Beloftebos; orange favour; vintage car; vintage advertisement
Row 3: Juggling groom; tablescape; candles; vintage advertisement; ladder.

If you’d like to see more lovely examples of fruit as part of wedding design, have a look at our feature here.

Note: None of the posts in this series have been sponsored by the featured venues, including Beloftebos.