Category: Inspiration

Inspiration Board: Citrus Martini

by gaby

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

by gaby

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.

Ten Reasons to Get Married in the Western Cape

by gaby

I love the Cape longtime, and in my opinion there’s really no better place to tie the knot. There are lots of reasons why, but to break down their personal top ten I’m thrilled to welcome back the fabulous team from Wedding Concepts, an exclusive wedding planning and co-ordination company based in the heart of Cape Town. These ladies and gents are some of the most creative and friendly people in the industry, and I’ve been lucky enough to feature some of their work on the blog – look out next week for another incredible wedding from them!

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Image: Jean-Pierre Uys/Wedding Concepts

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Wedding cake alternatives

by gaby

There was a time, not too long ago, when a wedding cake was a completely standard part of every wedding reception. And, in fact, when it would have been pretty much unheard of for that cake not to be a traditional fruit cake. (As a lifelong raisin hater, let me tell you, I was at the front of the queue cheering when that tradition gave way to all sorts of new and yummy cake options.) Then came the cupcake revolution, which felt very cutting edge at the time. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a cupcake? I still think they’re a great option. But recently, couples have been getting more and more creative and personalised in choosing their ‘cake’ (which usually doubles as their dessert). It’s just one more way to show your personality or extend your wedding theme, and can provide a charming talking point for your guests.

Probably my favourite cake alternative (for those without a sweet tooth) is the cheese cake – literally, rounds of cake stacked up to look like a cheese. We featured a fab one as part of Kira & Jason’s wedding, and here are some of my favourites (especially LOVE the goat’s cheese one!)

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Inspiration Board: Dreams and Love

by gaby

This week’s board is inspired by the gorgeous Miss Dior Cherie advert (top left) – with its pretty pastels and Parisian backdrop it makes the perfect starting point for a chic and whimsical wedding. Balloons are also bang on trend, with many couples already inspired by the movie Up! Finish the look with dashes of cerise, pale pink and aqua – and don’t forget the macaroons!

Colours: Pastels plus aqua, pale pink and cerise

Top row (l-r): Miss Dior advert; cake; bridesmaid; macaroon placecard holders; bubbles
Row 2: ‘Nothing is real but dreams and love’; Parisian details; cupcakes with flags
Row 3: Flowers; groom details; bride and groom with balloons; bunting table assignments; interior decor

DIY: Easy Paper Bunting

by gaby

Hooray! Abbie’s back with another DIY project today and this one’s very close to my own heart… BUNTING! I just can’t get enough of this stuff. And if you caught today’s bunting roundup, you’ll have lots of inspiration for how to use this for your own wedding or party (or, you know, just because). Enjoy! Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Inspiration Board: Toile & Rose

by gaby

I’m feeling a bit of love for French wedding style at the moment so I put together this little inspiration board using one of my favourite patterns, toile, combined with touches of dusky rose and a hint of grey (which just goes with everything, doesn’t it?). I’m imagining a gorgeous French chateau, chandeliers hanging from the trees, wonderful food, fine wine… Sigh. Vive la France.

Colours: Navy, powder blue, rose and grey.

Top row (l-r): Blueberries; statue; book detail; rose button favours; toile fans
Row 2: Chateau; bridesmaid’s dress; gift bags; tablescape
Row 3: Croquembouche; gift tags; table with chandelier; DIY linen satchels.

Bridesmaid Survival Kit

by gaby

Image: Vanilla Photography on SouthBound Bride

One of the best pieces of advice I picked up ahead of my first stint as a bridesmaid was to make sure I had an emergency kit with me to sort out any little problems that cropped up on the day. For the bride especially, of course, but often I’ve found that guests need to delve into the kit as much as anyone else! On a stressful day, it makes such a difference to have one person who is cool, calm and collected, and comes prepared to nip any minimergencies in the bud. Here’s what I’ll be carrying when one of my best friends ties the knot in December – put them together in a little case and you have your very own DIY bridesmaid survival kit! *Links in bold denote affiliate links – SBB may receive a commission on any sales made.

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Inspiration Board: Shades of Pink & Grey

by gaby

When I saw this fabulous post by Lana from lanalou style, I knew I would have to do a wedding inspiration board based on her idea of shades of pink and grey. I love the flexibility of using a range of different shades of a colour, and pink and grey look amazing (and very fresh) together. Add a bit of sparkle and hey presto, you have a modern, pretty and sophisticated palette.

Colours: Pink and grey

Top row (l-r): Flowers; bride & groom; groom’s tie and boutonniere; bridesmaid’s dress
Row 2: Macaroons; necklace; fortune cookies
Row 3: Peonies; bride with cupcake; diamonds; cake; shoes.

Inspiration Board: Pine & Cider

by gaby

Brrr! For all of you South Africans waking up to a chilly winter morning, here’s a little bit of inspiration to warm you up. Summer weddings are glorious, but I adore winter ones too – what an opportunity to make the most of all those lovely cold comforts: open fires, hot cider, butternut soup… I just love this woodsy combination of forest green and brown, and pinecones make a lovely motif for stationery, etc. And isn’t the pinecone bouquet is just gorgeous? I love the garland as well.

Colours: Forest green and chocolate brown, with touches of mocha and yellow

Top row (l-r): Cider; bridesmaid dress; pinecone bouquet; Uggs bride
Row 2: Lemon cookies; pinecone garland; caramel apples; programmes; butternut soup
Row 3: Wood invitations; cheese cake; mason jar candles; sapling favours.