Category: Inspiration Boards

Inspiration Board: The Lake House

by gaby

Good morning, friends! Who’s ready for an inspiration-filled week? Well, I hope you are, because this week we have not one but FIVE reader requested inspiration boards to share with you. That’s a different board every day, and five different looks to fall in love with. And that’s alongside our usual raft of loveliness, so get ready to get in trouble with your IT department for stopping by SBB at least twice a day! ;) (Of course, if that’s a problem, you can always subscribe via email.) So let’s get started! Today’s board is for reader Ashley, who’s planning an autumn wedding at a lake house in Minnesota. How romantic does that sound? And romantic is the right word for the palette she’s chosen (LOVE): navy, mint and blush. Most autumn palettes are warm, but this combination of cool shades makes me think of those first chilly mornings by the water (how I miss my river runs!). Ashley’s theme for her wedding is ‘happy, love, best friends’ and she wants a mix of classic, vintage and casual comfy. I think we’ve struck the right balance here and I love the typographic elements – the invitation using the ‘today I marry my best friend’ quote and the thank you card at each guest place. The final result is soft but a little preppy, and very very pretty. Hope you like your board, Ashley!

Colours: Navy, mint & blush

Top row (l-r): Cocktail with blueberries {Chrisman Studios}; flower garland {KT Merry Photography/Beauty in the Making}; table with mint chairs {Martha Stewart}; thank you card; window with heart {Elizabeth Messina}
Row 2: ‘Today I marry my best friend’ invitation; bridesmaids with blush wraps {Emily Steffen Photography}; mint and clear vases {Laura Ashbrook Photography/Floral Occasions}; lemonade in mason jars {Ulmer Studios}
Row 3: Bride and groom on pier {Caroline + Ben Photography}; wrapped box; pink dress {Elizabeth Messina}; pink shoes; macaroons.

 

Inspiration Board: Amber Glow

by gaby

And we’re back with another lovely inspiration board, yay! This time, we’re exploring the warm end of the spectrum, in a board that combines red, yellow, peach and gold. Reader Emily made the request for her romantic summer wedding, and I absolutely love it, don’t you? It’s the kind of palette that often gets used for autumn weddings, which is great, but I think also works perfectly for an intimate outdoor summer feel as well. As always, I love the inclusion of organic colour through fruits, berries and flowers, and you can have a lot of fun adding glitz – maybe some spraypainted fruit pomegranate placecards, for example? I’ve really gone for gold with the bridesmaids, all in spangly dresses, as well as a gold stationery suite – love this combined with the magical fairy lights! One of my favourite summer touches is the alcoholic fruit jellies – a fun but sophisticated dessert option! Hope you like your board, Emily and good luck with the rest of your planning!

Colours: Peach, red, yellow & gold

Top row (l-r): Centrepiece {Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography/Poppies & Posies}; gold sparkly shoes {Tamiz Photography/Belle Destination Weddings and Events}; glitter names {Arrow & Apple}; peach and white lanterns {Lisa Lefkowitz/Rebecca Reategui Weddings & Special Events}
Row 2: Gold bridesmaids dresses {Tec Petaja/Bash, Please}; gold stationery {Jose Villa Photography/Kristeen LaBrot Events}; boho headpiece {Kym Ventola/Mignonne Handmade}
Row 3: Bouquet {Kari Crowe Photography/Kate Foley Designs}; table setting {Imagery Immaculate/Wedding Jeannie}; jelly shots {Martha Stewart}; outdoor tables {Stephen Karlisch/Meredith Commender}

Inspiration Board: Amber Glow

Inspiration Board: Antique Teal & Rose

by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! I have two gorgeous inspiration boards to share with you today, both requests from you, our SBB readers. The first is all about the soft vintage palette of dusty pink and teal, and is just for Janel, who is planning a summer wedding at a wine farm. She told me she loves girly things, like lace, flowers and ribbon, and wanted to incorporate these. I can’t think of a prettier, girlier motif than a bit of lace, hanging from the trees in embroidery hoops, draped along the table as a runner. Use vintage objects to create an antique shop feel (just like this couple did so successfully), and the softest pink flowers (in LOVE with this bouquet!), bridesmaids’ dresses and shoes for the bride. I also love the romantic teal touches – paper pom poms, glass jars, and gorgeous painted chairs (if only Anthro did hiring!). Hope you like your board, Janel!

Colours: Soft dusky pink, teal & white

Top row (l-r): Bride {Paul Johnson}; bouquet; lace embroidery hoops {White Rabbit Studio}; lace table runner {Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay/Tiger Lily Weddings}
Row 2: Pink shoes {Marie Labbancz}; wrought iron chair {Anthropologie}; paper pom poms; antique shoe stretch {Maryke Harper Photography}
Row 3: Suitcase & books; pink champagne cocktails {Jose Villa Photography}; pink bridesmaids dresses {Alexis Diack}; vintage teal and rose table setup {Events by Heather Ham/Picotte Weddings}.

 

Inspiration Board: Nautical Rustic

by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! It’s a new day, a new week: what will you accomplish? I’m feeling super fired up myself, as this week we’re launching a little project that’s been developing off-camera for quite some time, and I can’t wait to share it with you! So look out for an announcement (especially my lovely photographer friends and followers!). Anyway, let’s move on to today’s wedding inspiration, which is a request from reader Natassja. She’s chosen nautical rustic as her theme, and I absolutely fell in love with the concept! Natassja is getting married at Swartvlei beach, and she’s using a classic nautical palette of blue, red and off white. The great thing about nautical style is that there are lots of rustic textures, and texture is what rustic styling is all about. Think lots of rope, net and real boating ephemera. I love the idea of the rope table numbers especially, and the rope wrapped vases (both easy and effective DIY projects). Use the same big textures as statement pieces at the ceremony, or knot a rope curtain at your makeshift altar. Keep stationery crisp, or incorporate the gorgeous watercolour motif that’s so popular at the moment. I especially like the semaphore motif, which has the couple’s monogram spelled out with flags! And just because we’re going nautical doesn’t mean I couldn’t include this year’s rustic wedding must-have: the naked cake! How gorgeous (and delicious!) is this red velvet creation? I absolutely love this look – hope you do too, Natassja!

Colours: Navy, cherry red, off-white, taupe

Top row (l-r): Rope heart {Rachel Peters Photography/Kiss The Bride}; red velvet naked cake {Michelle March/Unearthed Vintage}; cake toppers {Jaco le Roux}; rope table number {}; origami boat {Purple Tree Wedding Photography/Affairy Event}
Row 2: Invitation {Swiss Cottage Designs/Love* Jenna Calligraphy}; ceremony area {Erin hearts Court/Five Star Weddings and Events}; rope vases {Bayside Bride}; bridesmaid with yay sign {Captured Photography by Jenny/My Event Boutique }
Row 3: Ship’s netting decoration {Fox Fotography/Dairing Events}; red anemone bouquet {Michelle March/Unearthed Vintage}; semaphore invitation {}; bride and groom with ship wheel {Troy and Aimee Grover}.

 

Inspiration Board: Coral & Chalk

by gaby

Time for a last bit of inspiration before everyone runs off to get their Friday evening cocktails in hand.  And much as I love doing reader requests, this is one of my own. We’ve seen a lot of coral in the last year, but I got to thinking how perfect it would be matched up with the slate black of chalkboard and a touch of soft blush pink. It’s fresh, modern and fun, and it could work on a number of venues from a blank canvas country style (such as Kleinevalleij) to a beach wedding to a city rooftop or restaurant. It’s also perfect for a DIY kinda bride. There are, of course, lots of ways you can use chalkboard, but this particular style calls for some of the more irreverent – I love the place mat idea with drawn on knives, forks and a plate and the dessert table backdrop telling guests what everything is. Put favours in a sweet little Anthropologie jar painted in white and coral with a chalkboard label, and line the table with a ‘runner’ of single bold, bright peony blooms. LOVE. (Oh, and PS, if you want to add an extra note of colour complexity, a dash of peach is perfect here.)

Colours: Coral, blush and slate

Top row (l-r): Dotty bridesmaid {Sara Lucero}; groom with coral boutonniere {Yvonne Wong Photography}; cocktails {Abby Grace Photography/Capitol Romance}; cake pop macaroons; coral framed chalkboard
Row 2: Single bloom runner {Martha Stewart Weddings}; chalkboard style invitation; chalkboard spice jar {Anthropologie}; boutonnieres {Charmed Events Planning/Vincent Au}
Row 3: Bride with balloons {Alea Lovely}; dessert table backdrop {Elsie Larson}; chalkboard place setting

 

Inspiration Board: Sugarplum Fairy

by gaby

Hello lovely friends – hope you all had a fabulous weekend. London was COLD, so I spent it wrapped up warm inside! Last Thursday I indulged myself in all things Sparkle & Blush, but today I’m moving on to a whole new pink and glitter inspiration board obsession. This one was created especially for reader Marielen, who is planning a spring wedding in Canada. She’s a fan of everything ballerina, and wanted something classic, modern and romantic, as well as warm and inviting, in pinks and golds. Well, pink and gold is one of my absolute favourite combos, and Marielen could just go for basic ballerina blush, pairing it with gold glitter (which is itself a lovely combo), but I really love the addition of a hot pink (this is also a great colour combo if you’re going to use graphic black and white as a base). It just adds that extra bit of warmth and brings the look bang up to date. Adding a bit of ballerina style is no problem – there are many gorgeous ballet-inspired dresses around at the moment, and I do love a bride in ballet slippers. Make sure bride (and maids) are in chic buns, and accessories with lots of tulle and ruffles and ribbon – both in the bridal party and at the reception. I love the use of roses here – they really are a classic – and especially the sweet escort cards and also a little rose bud at each place setting. Another lovely touch is the glittery ribbon for the bouquet. And speaking of ribbon, an idea I really love (that is a subtle but very pretty reference to the ballet stage) is to have a ribbon curtain for the aisle – how gorgeous does it look? It’s something you could do inside (against a blank wall) or out as pictured here, and will really make an impact! If possible, you can also re-use the curtain (now ungathered) behind the main table at the reception. I must say, I really love this look – hope you do too, Marielen!

Colours: Blush pink, candy pink, hot pink, gold glitter

Top row (l-r): Ballerina {Asian Bees}; rose escort cards {A Bryan Photo/Calder Clark Designs}; blush cocktails {Insight Creative/Carbine Avenue}; centrepiece {A Bryan Photo/Calder Clark Designs}; ballet shoes {Yan Photo/Honey of a Thousand Flowers}
Row 2: Gold cutlery; pink and gold invitation {Fine & Dandy Paperie}; pink and gold ribbons {Insight Creative/Carbine Avenue}; sparkly bouquet tie {Confetti Pop }; aisle {Edyta Szyszlo/lovely little details}
Row 3: Pink ombre cake {Edyta Szyszlo/lovely little details}; place setting with rosebud {Q Weddings/Suzanne Court Catering & Events}; bouquet {nbarrett photography/Lavender Joy Weddings}; pink flower boutonniere {Confetti Pop}; bride and groom {Rebekah Westover Photography/Attention 2 Detail Events}.

 

Pantone Fall 2013 Colour Report

by gaby

Goodness, but time is rushing by! It seems like just yesterday that the Pantone Spring 2013 colour report came out, and I’ve had so much fun working with the colours this year, including colour of the year, Emerald. But with the days finally starting to get longer on this side of the world comes the Fall report, and as before, the colours are bolder and brighter and perfect for a statement look. This time around they all really remind me of Morocco, and what I’m really looking forward to doing is pairing them with soft neutrals as well as each other, as they are here. So how might you go about using them? As usual, I’ve put together a selection of mini-boards to give you some ideas! Which is your fave?

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Inspiration Board: V is for Violet

by gaby

Good morning, SouthBound Brides, and a special welcome to all the new readers with Valentine’s Day proposals! You know, as you all start planning, some of you will find that you have a clear vision – a palette you’ve always loved, a style that’s distinctly your own, a venue that dictates where you go with your decor. But for others, it’s harder. You like some of this, some of that. I get the feeling that the bride who requested today’s pretty board falls into this category (and if you do too, worry not – it’s completely normal!) In her mail, Shylet asked for a board for her summer Zimbabwean wedding. She wanted it to be chic and contemporary, but she also wanted it to be vintage. She wanted extravagant centrepieces and a cake, but she also wanted DIY. It could be a bit of a mishmash, but I think I know what Shylet is after. See, what many brides now think of as vintage – lacey, girly, prettiness – doesn’t have to be old fashioned at all. And items can be DIY without looking crafty. It all starts with a great palette, and Shylet definitely has that covered – with purple, yellow and grey as her colours (I opted for a pretty violet that goes so nicely with a fresh lemon zest yellow!). In putting the board together, I immediately thought of this SBB wedding – notice how the tables have dramatic tall arrangements (made of baby’s breath, which saves a ton) as well as lower arrangements for colour. It’s a very effective look. The bride also chose an amazing cake, which was a replica of the stunning Peggy Porschen creation below. Team this with soft bouquets and frosted lemons on platters for a really elegant look. I’d limit DIYs to things like this pretty wall of table plan frames, or maybe to interesting favours (Martha Stewart’s Good Things are the perfect place to look for this sort of idea) – that way you can feel that you’ve made your personal mark without changing the overall sophistication of the look. Hope you like your board Shylet!

Colours: African violet, lemon zest, grey

Top row (l-r): Table setting {Adene Photography/Marina Moorcroft}; bouquet {Lavender & Twine Photography/Flowers By Roni}; cake {Nick Tucker/Peggy Porschen}; bridesmaids {Alejandra Vidal at Imaginale Design/Lettie Peterson at Rust and Lace}; dress with sash {Christian Oth Studio}
Row 2: Sugared lemons {Martha Stewart}; boutonnieres {Martha Stewart}; letterpress thumbprint invitations {Essie Letterpress}; peony centrepiece {Kate Preftakes Photography/Flowers by Fancy}; lemons {Jessica Schilling Photography}
Row 3: Bridesmaid’s bouquet {Jackie Wonders/Kristen Tencer}; shoes {Veil and Bow/Salt Harbor Designs}; table plan frame wall {Martha Stewart}; lavender champagne {Debra McClinton}; flower girl {NK Photography}.

 

Inspiration Board: My Funny Valentine

by gaby

Hello friends! And a happy Valentine’s Day to you all – hope you have a wonderful, romantic day, whatever you choose to do. And don’t forget to take a moment to remember all the other people you love, since nobody says V Day has to be only about romantic love. (For me, I’m sending out a big hug to my mom and especially dad, who has sent me a card every Valentine’s Day of my life – love you guys! xx) Anyway, we have quite a bit of V Day goodness coming to you today, and I thought I would kick it off with this little inspiration board (last time I did this, a lovely bride actually based her wedding on it!). It had to be red and white, but instead of the classic red, I thought I would go for a colour combo that’s part of the current Pantone stable – poppy red together with linen. The bright red and off-white neutral work so beautifully together, and when you add a little glow from gold, it really comes together. So here it is, folks, my little valentine to you all…

Colours: Poppy red, linen, gold

Clockwise (from top left): Cocktails {Martha Stewart}; bride with red lips {Tasha Seccombe}; Valentine menu {Cynthia Warren}; glitter dress {Monique Lhullier}; gold heart shoes {welovepictures}; poppy bouquet {Sutherland Kovach}; nude bridesmaid dresses {Elizabeth Messina}; heart macarons.

 

Inspiration Board: Duck Egg & Peach

by gaby

Happy Monday, friends – hope you had a lovely weekend! Are you all ready for Valentine’s Day? Last week we combined pretty peach with modern mint for an inspiration board that was probably my most shared in a while, and today we’re working with peach again, this time paired with a beautiful duck egg blue. As soon as reader Alana wrote to tell me about her colours I absolutely fell in love with them, and I’ve been really looking forward to this board. Alana is getting married in early spring/late winter at Kruger, so while this is a perfect warm weather palette I’ve included some more sophisticated touches for an indoor venue. Alana wanted a touch of vintage, so I included letterpress silhouettes and pretty bow-decked shoes. Peach bouquets (and a peach wedding dress!) look beautiful with the soft blue bridesmaid dresses, together with peach cocktails and an adorable blue cake. Greet guests with rolls wrapped up in blue napkins and fresh preserves, and serve cool peachy cocktails. Alana also asked for a few quirky touches – I loved the idea of bells for your guests (to be rung after the ceremony) and my all-time favourite quirky yet elegant touch is umbrellas suspended above the dance floor. It makes quite an impression, but is actually relatively easy to pull off. Hope you like your board Alana!

Colours: Duck egg blue & peach

Top row (l-r): peach wedding dress {Cluney Photo }; duck egg blue bridesmaids {Veil and Bow}; blue ruffle cake {Sweet & Saucy Shop}; peach cocktail {Cookie + Kate}
Row 2: Bread roll place card {Martha Stewart}; marmalade favour {Tink Photography}; thumb print guest tree {Verity Stubbs/Ginger and Mint Photography/Christina Prochazka/Chrisp Pictures}; bell favours {Beaux Arts Photographie}
Row 3: Bride & groom {Melanie Wessels}; silhouette letterpress {Farrell and Chase}; peach shoes {Insight Creative/Carbine Avenue}