Category: Inspiration

Gold Sparkle Wedding Dresses

by gaby

Now here’s a fashion trend roundup I KNOW you all are going to LOVE. Because we’re all a little addicted to glitter, right? In fact, I’m pretty sure a meeting of brides and wedding pros could double as a glitter addiction support group, which should totally be a thing, because I for one (if I were shopping for a wedding dress right now) would not be able to resist one of the gorgeous gowns that have everything from a smattering to a full-scale sheen of sequins and gold beads and sparkly details. Then again, why resist? Designers from the high street to the high end couture catwalk (both local and abroad) have embraced this look, so I thought it was high time I did a roundup. Welcome to magpie heaven.Read More

Inspiration Board: Emerald & Blush

by gaby

Happy Monday, friends! Did you catch my little blogiversary post over the weekend? Well since our blog birthday got me thinking all things commemorative, I’ve decided to do a running series of inspiration boards inspired by birthstones, starting today. Although I almost canned that idea when I saw that the stone for May was emerald, since last year was ALL about this colour. But actually, it gave me a chance to revisit this gorgeous shade. That’s the thing about us bloggers – it’s not that once a colour has had its trend moment that we no longer like it, just that sometimes it’s a case of overkill. For us, because we see a hundred weddings a week, but not for you – and I personally still think emerald has a lot to offer a modern bride and groom, so it was a good time to look at it with fresh eyes. I started thinking about combinations, and I realised that somehow I’d not done emerald and blush before. Whaaaat? I couldn’t believe it, because the soft, romantic blush pink is PERFECT against the crisp, dark, emerald green. It’s the perfect alternative to blush and grey, or a more sophisticated version of blush and mint. What do you think?

Colours: Blush, emerald, white

Top row (l-r): Bride {Lizelle Lotter}; bouquet {Jemma Keech/Portobello Rose}; bridesmaids bouquets
Row 2: Staircase wreath {Jen Fariello Photography/Easton Events}; centrepiece {Leo Patrone}; bride with perfume {Ryan Ray/Stephanie Miles}; table setting with green glassware {Lauren Kriedeman/Green Goddess flower studio}
Row 3: Ceremony arch {Clary Pfeiffer Photography/Bride’s Vision}; ring {Erin Kate}; tables {Jose Villa}; bride with veil {Rachwal Photography}.

 

Marbled Wedding Invitations

by gaby

How’s the Friday afternoon going, lovelies? For this week’s trend, I wanted to share a little detail that I have noticed cropping up in weddings of late – you’ll see it in everything from cakes to runners, but where I love it most is as a little detail in the stationery, like an envelope liner or backing. And the good news is that, unlike most patterns, this is one that you can do DIY. In fact, it reminds me of when I did some youth business programme in high school, and our ‘company’ sold little notebooks we made with marbled covers. Went like hotcakes. And then I didn’t see much of it again for years, until now. As you’ll see below, talented stationers have been combining marbling with everything from Kraft paper to gold glitter, calligraphy to bold graphic fonts. For book or antique lovers, it’s a subtle nod, since the technique was so often used for endpapers in old books. Whatever your wedding style, this is a pretty detail/motif to consider adding into the mix, for a little bit of unexpected colour and visual texture.Read More

Clinton Lotter 2013/2014 Collection

by gaby

You know, I thought I was in love with South African-born, London-based wedding dress designer Clinton Lotter‘s 2012/2013 collection (okay, I definitely was). But this season’s collection is just… beyond. I’d go so far as to say that the Mia dress is my absolute favourite of all dresses I have seen this year so far. I mean, beautiful floor length French lace, covered buttons, a portrait back, a slinky silk crepe sheath and the most perfect combination of ivory and blush imaginable. And that’s just one of the gowns in this collection. Each of them is so elegantly tailored and has its own unique touches and details – I just can’t wait to see them on real brides. They’re exclusively sold through Blackburn Bridal in London, so those of you based in the UK, book your fitting!Read More

Inspiration Board: Protea Glitz

by gaby

Some boards take me a while to put together, but some are so clear in my mind, it’s as if they’ve always existed. In fact, I had to go back and check my archives to be sure I hadn’t done this one before, because the concept of proteas + gold glitter is already such a favourite of mine. It’s like Joey eating Rachel’s beef trifle in Friends – to paraphrase: “What’s not to like? Proteas, good. Gold, good. Sequins, gooood!” It combines my favourite current wedding looks with our perennial South African favourite flower, and is as romantic as it is modern. And unlike beef, custard and jam, some ingredients really do just go together.

Colours: Blush, rose, gold & white

Top row: Bride with polka dot veil {Ali Harper Photography/Ginny Branch}; protea bouquet {Lavender & Twine/Twine Events}; glitter name cards {Rachel Carl on Etsy}
Row 2: Glitter cocktails {Rebecca Hansen Weddings/Style Me Pretty}; gold calligraphy invitation {Margot Madison on Etsy}; plate on sequin background {Justin Marantz/Julie Song}
Row 3: Protea centrepiece {Caroline Tran/Utterly Engaged Magazine/Propel}; confetti cake {Jen Huang/Sweet & Saucy Shop}; sequin wedding dress {Jeremiah and Rachel Photography/BHLDN}

 

Kraft/Brown Paper DIY Roundup

by gaby

Hello lovelies! How has your short work week been? It’s felt a bit weird for me having such a pared down week on the blog, but I promised myself last year that (since I work most weekends, late nights, etc.) I would take public holidays along with my lovely readers :) We’ll be back to a full schedule next week, but for today, I wanted to share some DIY goodness with you all. A while back I posted a Kraft & Blush inspiration board which proved to be SUPER popular – it showed how you can use this simple, budget-friendly material in an elegant way as well as for rustic or handcrafted style weddings. So I thought that I would track down my favourite Kraft (or brown, to us Saffas) paper DIY ideas that can be applied to your wedding. Here we go!

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Autumn Fruits Wedding Inspiration by Ecozest & Riaan Lourens

by gaby

We started off the week with some autumn inspiration, and we’re ending it the same way, with a styled shoot in a rich harvest palette from the team at Ecozest (a floral design studio based in the Garden Route). The colours and decor in this shoot are absolutely gorgeous, with touches I love like pear plates grey strips and oh my goodness, the most gorgeous naked cake. In fact, all the food looks amazing, from cupcakes topped with pomegranate seeds to little apple & walnut loaves wrapped up in lace, to tiny pumpkin pies. This is a great example of how your food can really be used not just to complement but to enhance your chosen theme – it’s pretty much decor in its own right (and delicious too). I love the idea of a loose bouquet made up of nature’s bounty, and the young lovers’ boho, organic chic outfits totally work with the general feel. There are loads of ideas to inspire, so be sure to read the background that Ecozest sent over to find out more!Read More

Crepe Cakes & Other Brunch Wedding Dessert Alternatives

by gaby

Time for some brunch wedding inspiration! One of the ways that I really think you can have fun at a morning wedding is with the food, and especially when it comes to the cake. Fortunately, there are loads of creative (and delicious) options, my favourite being crepe and pancake cakes. Actually, these are a trend on their own (and not just for brunch weddings) – I’m pretty sure crepe cakes are this year’s naked cake. I’m dying to try one – aren’t you? What’s nice about a lot of the ‘cakes’ and desserts featured here is that they can be DIYed by yourself or a friend/family member, which is great for the ol’ wedding budget. Of course there’s nothing stopping you from having a traditional tiered wedding cake, no matter what time of day you’re hosting a wedding, it’s just that these creative alternatives are a whimsical way of referencing your brunch theme, and they’re bound to put a smile on your guests’ faces. Plus, who doesn’t love breakfast food?

PANCAKES

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Inspiration Board: Pomegranate & Brass

by gaby

Afternoon friends, I hope you’re enjoying a leisurely day off! With Easter being all about spring in the Northern Hemisphere, I can’t help but always be reminded that it’s also officially autumn in South Africa, so I thought it was about time for some pretty cold weather palette inspiration. As you’ve probably noticed by now, unusual metallics are on trend at the moment, including lovely, opulent brass. I thought it would be perfect with a deep pomegranate red, but to keep things multidimensional, I also added in a touch of soft peach. I really like how it all comes together – an updated take on traditional autumn hues.

Colours: Scarlet, peach & brass

Top row (l-r): Pomegranate escort cards {Duet Weddings/Lauren Ross}; brass candlesticks {Lani Elias/Ashley Nicole}; autumn bouquet {Kari Crowe Photography/Kate Foley Designs}; red bridesmaid dresses {Ruddock Photography/Bill Levkoff}
Row 2: Invitations {Lani Elias/Ashley Nicole}; pomegranate cocktails {Vela Images/On My Hand}; pomegranate cake {DianaMcGregor Photography/Timeless Love Events}; pomegranates {Debbie Lourens}
Row 3: Peach wedding dress {Sareh Nouri}; table setting {Catherine Marciniak/Style Perfect Weddings and Events}; roses in brass candleholder {Aralani Photography}

Inspiration Board: Pomegranate & Brass | SouthBound Bride

Easter Engagement by Carolien + Ben

by gaby

Happy Easter long weekend, lovelies! Whatever you have planned for the next few days, I hope you have a relaxed and blessed time (and drive safe on those roads, ‘kay?). But before we head off for the holiday, I just had to share this absolutely adorable engagement shoot of Easter lovebirds Fralene & Pieter from the very fab Carolien + Ben. It stars not just a happy bride and groom to be, but their very own Easter bunny. HOW CUTE IS THAT? It’s the sweetest way to celebrate the season of life and renewal and joy – here’s wishing you all the same and more!Read More