Category: Inspiration

Inspiration board: Aqua & watermelon

by gaby

I had so much fun putting this one together! These shades of blue and pink really play off one another beautifully, and they have such a fresh, clean and fun feel about them. (They remind me of when I was a child, and my mother used to give me watermelon to eat in the pool since I used to get it all over the place. Yum!) They play off a simple white base perfectly, so use these pops of colour sparingly for maximum effect. I also like how the typewriter-style font for details like the confetti cones and the origami heart really ties this look together.

Colours: aqua blue, watermelon pink, white

Top row (l-r): Meringues; confetti; shoes; bride in car
Row 2: ‘I do!’ sticks; key necklace; origami heart; pom poms
Row 3: Bride; watermelon cocktail; bridesmaid; typewriter guest book.

Inspiration Board: Rustic Peach & Apricot

by gaby

Don’t you just adore farm weddings? Rustic details are always so charming, and give your celebration such a relaxed vibe. If you’re not lucky enough to have use of a private farm, today’s inspiration board would also be perfect for a venue like Rockhaven Farm or Beloftebos. The warm autumny colour palette, ranging from peach through apricot, pinks and purple was inspired by this beautiful wedding, but I think combines beautifully with rustic touches like the lamp, birdhouse and wooden ceremony sign. You could use burlap for the table cloths or runners, and I just love the ‘spread the love’ konfyt favours!

Colours: peach, apricot, pink, purple, white

Top row (l-r): Photo of lantern by The Nichols via Style Me Pretty; photo of birdhouse by Caroline Ghetes via Style Me Pretty; photo of ceremony sign via Green Wedding Shoes; photo of flowers by Caroline Ghetes via Style Me Pretty
Row 2: Photo of burlap ring pillow via Southern Weddings; peach tree photo by David Tsay via Snippet & Ink; photo of dresses via Style Me Pretty; photo of couple by Kristin Banta via Style Me Pretty
Row 3: Photo of signature cocktail by The Nichols via Style Me Pretty; photo of jam favours via Once Wed; photo of family picture wall via Style Me Pretty.

Inspiration Board: Vintage birds

by gaby

I’ve been wanting to do a green board for a little while, as I think it makes such an elegant wedding colour. I combined it with the vintage and bird trends that are so popular at the moment and I think it works beautifully – just the right mix of classic and rustic. There are little touches of grey and powder blue here, which you could play up, or you could combine the green with woody brown for a slightly more rustic effect.

Colours: green and white, with touches of grey, blue and gold

Top row (l-r): Birdcage with favours by Merci New York via Green Wedding Shoes; photo of shoes by Lynne Brubaker Photography; photo of nest by  Kristi Wright Photography via Style Me Pretty; photo of dress by Heidi Ryder via Love & Lavender
Row 2: Bridesmaid dresses from Martha Stewart Weddings; chocolate favours by Merci New York via Green Wedding Shoes; photo of typewriter guestbook by  Dana Grant via Green Wedding Shoes
Row 3: Photo of boutonniere by Simple Photo in Ontario via Style Me Pretty; wine lables via The Bride’s Guide; photo of bird escort cards by Henry Shoots via Style Me Pretty; photo of blankets by MIND|Castle Studios via Style Me Pretty; photo of cake by Amy & Stuart via Snippet & Ink.

How to Plan a Beach Wedding in Cape Town

by gaby

Beach Weddings in Cape Town

Today’s guest post comes from the lovely Kate Diaz over at Wedding Concepts, one of Cape Town (and South Africa’s!) top event designers. She and the rest of the Wedding Concepts team go out of their way to create distinctive celebrations, and I always love featuring their work here on SBB. Today, Kate’s here to offer some top tips for hosting a beach ceremony or reception in the area – including where to get a Cape Town beach wedding permit – essential advice for anyone who’s planning a seaside celebration!

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Bookshop Engagement Shoot

by gaby

I’m hugely excited to share Louise and Riaan’s engagement shoot with you! One, because it’s the first on this blog, and it’s completely original, gorgeous and inspiring. And two, because I get to introduce you to a pair of very talented designers and a young photographer who I think we’ll be seeing a lot more great things from in future. But first, get ready to do some serious oohing and aahing over the proposal!

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Inspiration Board: A Night at the Ballet

by gaby

I love the simple sophistication of this pink and black palette – I can just imagine it in a beautiful ballroom or marquee. Blush roses, bridesmaids in layers of tulle, pink champagne truffles, pretty calligraphy… and of course the prima ballerina – the gorgeous bride herself. Go for suave black suits for the groom and best men, and dance the night away on a black and white checked dancefloor.

Colours: Black, white, ballet pink

Top row (l-r): Ballet shoes from Floataway Studios; fortune teller game from Martha Stewart; photo of bridesmaid via The Wedding Chicks
Row 2: Dancefloor photo via The Knot; photo of car via Snippet & Ink; Chanel Coco Mademoiselle perfume; photo of bride and groom via 100 Layer Cake; photo of flowers via Brides.com
Row 3: Laura Hooper calligraphy via Elizabeth Anne Designs; cake via Style Me Pretty; wedding dress via Weddingbee; photo of pink dress via dress design decor.

 

How Good Posture Can Improve Your Wedding Pictures

by gaby

Today we have another fabulous guest post from Roberta Crumplin of Big Day Big Picture. Her latest topic is bad posture (erm, guilty!) – something I wouldn’t even have thought of, but which could potentially ruin those all-important wedding pics. (And as a photographer, she should know!) We all want to look good in wedding pictures, and it turns out that perfect posture is your secret weapon! Thanks for your words of wisdom, Roberta – those photos got me heading straight over to the Pilates studio!

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Bridesmaid Dos & Don’ts

by gaby

Image: Yolandé Marx on SouthBound Bride

What does being a bridesmaid mean to you? For me, it’s having your closest girl friends with you and part of one of the most important and exciting things you’ll do. Over the years we’re there to dry each other’s tears, be each other’s cheerleaders, celebrate each other’s successes. We’re sisters, whether by birth or by design. So there’s something very special about including those same women who have been with you through it all in the mechanics of your special day. Just like the heart of a wedding is the commitment between two people, the heart of having a wedding party is that they are your witnesses, and that makes them part of your marriage as well as your wedding. I’ve done my fair share of bridesmaiding over the years and loved every minute of it, but I’ve also learned some big lessons about what can make the experience wonderful and what can make it a chore on both sides. So here are my top tips for brides and bridesmaids!

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Inspiration Board: Duck Egg & Damask

by gaby

While looking for a fresh take on the ever-popular damask, I came across the interiors mood board from Ideal Home on the top right below and fell in love with it. The wedding it evokes is full of pretty spring style, with floaty dresses, botanical detailing and plenty of vintage touches, and could translate equally well to a garden, a marquee or a more formal ballroom wedding. And how cute are the gold-rimmed martinis?

Colours: duck egg blue, white, metallic

Top row (l-r): Photo of bridesmaids from InStyle Weddings; seating cards from Martha Stewart; white bouquet via Sugar Love Weddings; mood board from Ideal Home
Row 2: Place setting via 100 Layer Cake; photo of cake from Rebecca Thuss; vintage chairs via Annie Sloan
Row 3: Invitation by Star and Rose Stationery; martinis via Bridesmaid Stuff; silk shoe clips from The Blossom Shop at Etsy; fascinator via Bridal Express.