Category: Inspiration

Freedom of the City Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

As we come to the end of our month of industrial chic, I couldn’t resist slipping in one last lovely styled shoot with an urban theme, this time courtesy of fabulous SBB Directory member Blue Olive Events, and their team of Gauteng creatives. I’m fascinated with the Maboneng District as a wedding venue – it’s so achingly COOL, and the images from this shoot and from real weddings I have seen there in the past tell such a story of Johannesburg city romance. It’s no wonder that it was the inspiration for this editorial, which includes so many gorgeous details – a cake display to die for (macaron tower! copper dusted cake!), adorable cut-out cityscape stationery, lush florals, copper and Edison bulbs, a vintage car and OMG not one but two amazing Silver Swallow dresses. The palette is a sophisticated twist on Pantone Serenity and Rose Quartz, with the addition of that rich copper metallic and deep Marsala reds and greens, which really makes it stand out (and would be perfect for an autumn wedding!). And finally, let’s not forget the honeycomb table plan display – we do love an installation! It’s the perfect mix of modern and vintage, soft and hard, glam and industrial, beautifully captured by Christiaan David.

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How to Plan Your Wedding Using Aisle Society

by gaby

So, earlier today I shared a gorgeous styled shoot celebrating the official launch of the new Aisle Society website, but I wanted to pop back in and give you a better idea of how the site actually works, and more importantly, how you can use it as a bride or groom to plan your dream wedding – not instead of but as well as the tools you already use. We built the site for you, and we want you to love it, and use it, and be inspired by it, and make it part of your planning journey. The day a bride tells me for the first time that Aisle Society is her first stop when she opens her laptop? I’ll be happy as a happy person on Happy Day in Happyville.

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Romantic Modern Wedding Inspiration from Aisle Society

by gaby

Happy Monday, lovelies! And it is indeed a happy Monday for me, because today I get to share something that’s really close to my heart and which, as I come up to the six year anniversary of founding SBB, has me feeling ever so proud and excited for the future! Over the last months, you’ve heard me mention Aisle Society, and you may remember that a couple of months ago I was lucky enough to go and hang out with my fellow Aisle Society bloggers in the Bahamas (more on that soon!), but you may have been wondering exactly what IS this new website? Is it just a new wedding blog? Well, the answer to that is no – Aisle Society is actually a curation of more than 30 of the world’s best wedding bloggers’ content, updated daily. Think of it as a hub – a place to go and find any kind of inspiration your wedding-loving heart desires, and then ultimately follow that link and see more of the things that inspire you. The AS bloggers come from all over, and we cover a huge range of different niches, from fashion-based inspiration to location or wedding style. And because the content’s already been featured on our own sites, you know it’s quality. Like the cream of Pinterest. Plus, you get to curate your own feed – not have it dictated to you by the kind of algorithms that everyone from Facebook to Instagram now employs. You can add certain bloggers or themes or colours or whatever you like to ‘your society’ and then, when you find a supplier that you love, not only find their information right there, but you can also make an enquiry. It’s awesome, and this afternoon I’m going to be giving you some practical step by step advice on how to plan your wedding using AS, but first, I wanted to share some gorgeous inspiration (because that’s what we’re here for, of course!). This is the Aisle Society brand shoot, created by two of the amazing founder members, Lauren of Every Last Detail and Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs, and a brilliant, beautiful team of creatives and models. I’m also delighted to be featuring Alexis June Weddings, whose photography I have loved from afar since, like, ever, and who I got to hang out with in the Bahamas as well. SO – enough from me. Let’s get our swoon on, shall we?

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BHLDN Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Collection

by gaby

From the city to the beach… this afternoon we’re taking a little virtual trip to the tropics with the latest collection from US bridal powerhouse BHLDN. With elopements getting more popular, and South Africa being a perfect place for an elopement or destination wedding (and have you seen our beaches? sublime) I just had to share it with you. From dreamy dresses (in soft, light fabrics, a destination wedding essential) to the most stylish honeymoon gear for a new Mrs, to some sweet accessories that you’ll want to wear well beyond the big day, you’ll find them here.

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Industrial Vogue Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Happy Monday, brideys! We’re continuing on with our month of industrial inspiration with a gorgeous editorial that’s part fashion-inspired, part modern industrial, and all fabulous! Influenced by New York Fashion Week, it has a masculine-meets-feminine vibe that’s perfect for a city wedding, and a striking base palette of black, white, grey and gold with pops of amethyst, emerald and periwinkle. Alongside lush florals and crystal geode details, are industrial elements like custom dipped Edison  bulbs, concrete vases, and an urban chic setting. And don’t get me started on the stationery! Such gorgeous watercolour, fashion illustration style pieces, reflected beautifully in the statement cake, and of course the very stylish brides’ monochrome dress (that dress!) and suit (those shoes!). There’s even a cute little mini bar serving old fashioned Aviation cocktails! There’s loads to inspire, thanks to Jeff Brummett Visuals, Grit + Gold and their very talented team.

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Industrial Chic Ceremony Spaces

by gaby

When I started researching ‘Industrial Chic’, which as you all know is our theme for April, one of the things I noticed is how many absolutely gorgeous ceremony spaces had been created and styled in areas that you might not have dreamed would be wedding appropriate. From factory corners to brick walls, staircases to windows and doorways, brides and grooms and stylists have been dreaming up installations and floral decorations and a million other ways to make those unassuming spaces special for the moment you say your ‘I do’s. And I couldn’t wait to round up 20 of my favourites. So here they are!

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Wild Industrial Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Sometimes a submission crosses my desk that makes me fall in love with wedding design all over again, a submission I literally cannot wait to share with you all, and this exquisite little gem from Jenna Henderson and Cedarwood Weddings is one of those. As you know, I love contrast, and that’s one of the reasons why I picked industrial chic as this month’s theme, but I’ll be honest, when I think of that contrast it’s still more in an indoor setting. Like industrial + glamour or industrial + romantic. This shoot turns that on its head, combining industrial elements with organic, bohemian style and my goodness, it is GORGEOUS. The mix of cool metals and silvery eucalyptus and olive, for example. The industrial-style chairs in an alfresco setting. A signature drink that’s as sophisticated as it is natural. And a Claire Pettibone dress that has me swooning all over my keyboard (that back, though!). This is a look that really resonates with the modern bride, bringing together both her urban and rural sides, and culminating in a design that’s as inspiring as it is do-able. Thrilled to share it with you today!

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20 More Metallic Wedding Cakes

by gaby

Happy Friday, lovelies! Before we close out the week, I have some more lovely wedding inspiration to share – and warning, this might make you hungry as well as inspired! I just love a gorgeous cake, which is why a couple of years ago I rounded up 20 sparkle & metallic wedding cakes – a trend that has just grown and grown since! Because who doesn’t love a shiny cake, right? So, with this being our month of all things industrial chic, I thought it was only appropriate to bring you 20 more metallic cakes – whether you’re choosing an industrial wedding style or just want something a bit bling on your cake table, and whether your preference is gold, silver, or copper, you’ll find something to love here.

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Raw Elegance Styled Shoot

by gaby

So, as I mentioned this morning, this month we’re all about industrial wedding inspiration, which for me means mixing soft and romantic with utilitarian, traditionally unromantic textures and objects. Which somehow manages to look whimsical and wonderful instead of just plain wrong – in the same way that chandeliers in a barn are awesome, or black tie weddings in the bushveld. It’s all about the contrast. And that’s what today’s styled shoot is all about too – it’s called ‘Rustic Elegance’ and mixes an offbeat vibe with softer elements like beautiful florals and a frothy gown. The venue is Gauteng’s own Katy’s Palace, which has eclectic vintage industrial decor, and is just the perfect setting for this bridal editorial by Ribbon Creative Studio and Maiden Moose Photography. Enjoy!

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Inspiration Board: Rose Quartz & Concrete

by gaby

You guys. HOW is it April already? Seriously, it kills me how fast this year is going (again), but at least with a new month comes a new ‘theme’ and this time we’re turning sharply from country to city weddings, and rustic to glam. Well, maybe not glam, since April is all about industrial wedding themes, and it’s the use of utilitarian industrial elements combined with romantic and glam elements that makes this look so awesome (and such a huge trend for 2016). And actually, you don’t have to be having a city wedding to pull it off (for example, you’ll find industrial chic details at The Venue Fontana, which works beautifully in a converted barn setting too). To demonstrate that contrast, I’ve picked a big one for today’s inspiration board, by combining one of the least romantic textures (concrete) with the soft rose quartz, one of Pantone’s colours of the year. It’s a distinctly modern twist on the blush and grey wedding trend, which also happens to go spectacularly with mixed metallics, and I have to tell you, I’m in love. What do you think?

Colours: Pantone Rose Quartz, concrete grey, white & mixed metallics

Top row (l-r): Blush wedding dress (Carousel Fashion) | DIY concrete candle holders | shoes (Kerry Bartlett/Harriet Wilde)
Row 2: Silver stripe invitations (Minted) | bride with ring box (Kristin Partin Photography/Caryn’s Bridals/Kays/The Mrs. Box) | pink martini
Row 3: Concrete & gold effect cake (Sweet Bakes) | concrete geometric votive holders | mismatched bridesmaid dresses (Michael and Carina Photography) | peony bouquet (Joy Proctor/Melanie Duerkopp Photography )