Invitations for Every Wedding Style

by gaby

When it comes to wedding planning, I’m a big fan of choosing a style that best reflects you and your husband- or wife-to-be before making any big decisions (see my step-by-step guide to figuring out your wedding style & colours). From venue to decor to attire, that style weaves its way through your whole day, right down to the smaller details like stationery. Smaller but definitely no less important! A good suite of paper can really bring everything together, which is another reason why its so important you pick the right one. Today I’m super stoked to introduce you to the new collection from Wedding Paper Divas. This clever invitation brand has a user friendly site that allows you to search by style, theme and colour and more, as well as plenty of cool matching details from coasters to address labels. But I especially LOVE that Wedding Paper Divas does a free sample kit option, because there’s just nothing quite like holding the actual paper in your hand to confirm you’ve made the right decision. Here are a few of my favourites from the collection, as well as all the info you need to get those samples!

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7 Reasons to Have a Destination Beach Wedding (and Exciting News!)

by gaby

Friends, hello! I know I have been a bit scarce on SBB in March, but it has been a crazy, crazy (seriously, crazy) month and I’m also in the middle of travelling at the moment. I promise that as soon as I’m back in SA we’ll be returning to normal. But in the meantime, I get to share some of the tropical love (appropriate, since I’m heading to Cuba today!), as well as some exciting news! Aisle Society is thrilled to announce we have partnered with Abaco Beach Resort to offer you Aisle Society Weddings. These carefully curated weddings were specially designed for Abaco (a fabulous little gem in the Bahamas) by some of the world’s top wedding editors, and offer an authentically Bahamian vibe and some of the most gorgeous tropical design details. I’m going to be sharing a peek at what Aisle Society Weddings have to offer, alongside my top 7 reasons why a destination beach wedding is basically the best thing ever.

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Glam Beach Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Hello lovelies! If you’re a glam bride or groom and you’re thinking that a beach celebration has to have a more rustic, shabby chic vibe then think again, because a beach can be every bit as glamorous as a ballroom. Look no further than this gorgeous shoot by The Artistry, As Sweet As Images, Tickled Pink Weddings & Events and their team to show you why – I’ve been dying to share this inspiration with you for a while, and our beach month is the perfect moment! I love that this has a sort of exclusive beach club vibe, with champagne, oysters and a little cabana breakout area with curtains fluttering in the sea breeze. Pure white with touches of dusty blue and tropical pink makes for the perfect palette, and I love the little details like the oyster place card setup, the starfish motif, and the calligraphy-style stationery elements. Let’s pour an imaginary glass of that champers and dive right in!

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Top Tips for Planning a Beach Wedding

by gaby

Beach Wedding Planning Tips | SouthBound Bride

Image: Deborah-Ann Photography/Wildeflower on SouthBound Bride

Hello friends! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, so my apologies for being so scarce on SBB. I’ve been working on a Kickstarter campaign for Aisle Society that is just seven days away from deadline and wow – what an experience! I’d love it if you all would check it out and consider supporting us (even $1 is very much appreciated!). But meanwhile, I’ve been dying to bring you the beachy inspiration I have lined up, especially since I’m heading for the Caribbean tomorrow for the Aisle Society retreat! So beach is very much on my mind ;) Beach weddings, I have to tell you, are a huge favourite of mine – although I’ve yet to actually attend one in person, *sad face*. I just adore the whole feet in the sand, relaxed but elegant vibe. But while planning a beach wedding IS fun, it does have challenges that other weddings do not. There’s a lot to think about to ensure everything goes off smoothly, so here are SBB’s top tips for the perfect beach wedding.

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Urban Bohemian Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

We’re turning for our inspiration today to the city, with an eclectic urban chic vignette straight from the streets of New York City. (Which is especially cool for me, because I’ll be there next week, yay!) Last year, during New York Bridal Fashion Week, Aisle Society threw our second annual party, and the Aisle Society Experience presented by Minted turned out to be the hottest ticket in town! Our bloggers came up with a series of gorgeous themes, from mountain to luxe, and with the help of some very talented wedding pros including amazing stationery from Minted, made each one come to life – quite literally in some cases, as there was a touch of live theatre from the models! So cool. SBB was a small part of the planning of the Hip & Bohemian inspiration, which I’m sharing with you here. Imagine, if you will, that two art students grew up and got hitched, infusing downtown grit and dreamy wonder into a wedding style that is uniquely theirs, with lush floral art wall, cozy lounge – and even a vending machine stocked with wedding favours! I only wish I had been there, but I feel like I was, because I have these beautiful images from Sasithon Photography to immerse myself in!

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Inspiration Board: Beach House

by gaby

Happy Monday lovelies! And it’s a blue Monday – but in a good way, as we’re kicking off this month’s beachy editorial theme with a whitewashed, sundrenched inspiration board inspired by the dream house by the sea in a range of ocean blues. I love the mix of preppy nautical and laid back in this board – as much for a stylish waterside wedding as I do for a holiday home, and I love the idea of recreating the vibe of December chill with family and friends at your wedding reception. Oh and PS, the soft serve style cupcakes in this board? How. Cute. Is. That? (Links in bold denote affiliate links – SBB may receive a commission on any sales made)

Top row (l-r): Watercolor Stripe Wedding Invitation (Minted) | Bride & groom on beach (Alfred Lor) | Nautical stripe bunting (David Long Photography)
Row 2: Choc 99 Cupcakes (Jason Mark Harris) | Beachy table decor (Renee Nicole Photography) | Groomsmen’s shoes (brilliant studios)
Row 3: Ombre dipped wedding dress (Meredith Lord Photography/Phoebe Blockley Bridal) | Starfish decorations (Kimberly Frost Photography) | Beach house decor (A Beach Cottage) | Ring (Jenny Ostenson Photography/BC Calligraphy)

Beach House Wedding Inspiration Board | SouthBound Bride

I’m loving this washed out watercolour stripe invitation from Minted – either in blue or grey for beach wedding perfection or in a brighter shade for the perfect summer stationery vibe!

 

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Modern Monochrome Glamour Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Well, it’s been a week… I’ll bet I’m not the only one who wants to throw up my hands and cry “is Friday over yet?” Well, it isn’t, not quite, and just as well because we’re ending it off here on SBB with something sleek and glam and deliciously sophisticated. Think of it as the cocktail you deserve, but without the cost of an Uber home. To create this chic setting, the team at Bells & Whistles Event Styling were inspired by the incredible setting, the ballroom at Fine Living by David Muirhead. It has silver embossed pressed ceilings, decor in dramatic charcoal, grey and white tones, and I’m absolutely loving the bold botanical artwork which gives it a tropical, African touch. Add in a bride in gorgeous gowns (including separates – LOVE!), stunning orchids (which I should just declare our flower of the week!), candlelight, glitzy gold touches, and modern black ghost chairs (hello new chair crush!), and let us not forget, that cake! Because metallic and ruffles… well. This girl is in stylish wedding heaven. If anyone needs me, I’ll just be over here sipping my martini and poring over the pretty.

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Elegant Modern Asian Wedding at The Campus by Wynand van der Merwe

by gaby

Bridesmaids in Silver Grey Dresses and Bride in Elie Saab | Image: Wynand van der Merwe

Today is very exciting, because not only do I get to share this chic wedding with you, but we’re also introducing four new venues to the SBB Collection, all members of the renowned Forum Company. Forum venues and elegant modern celebrations go together like James Bond and martinis, and today we’re showcasing Kate and David’s wedding at The Campus in Johannesburg, an incredible city space – all clean lines and clear glass and smooth marble. It goes perfectly with the white on white orchid design that this stylish couple chose for the ceremony portion of their big day, which also perfectly illustrated the traditional meets modern, east meets west style that they were trying to create. And after the formalities were over, they kicked off their heels (Louboutins, in Kate’s case!) and threw a party at one of their favourite Chinese restaurants – so fun! I can’t not mention Kate’s incredible Elie Saab gown – the back of which just leaves me breathless! Or her bridesmaids’ fluttery, silver-grey dresses – they all looked like a bunch of supermodels together. There to capture all that gorgeousness was Wynand van der Merwe.

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20 Bridal Hairstyles with Real Flowers

by gaby

These last several seasons, it has been allllll about the floral crown in wedding lala land, and I couldn’t have been happier, because flower crowns combine two of my favourites – gorgeous bridal style and fresh flowers! But this season there’s been another emerging trend – a little more subtle but no less pretty, and I am loving it. Brides have been rocking fresh flowers – in arrangements at the tuck of a chignon, as single blooms pinned behind one ear, tucked into their veil, or even woven into a braid. SO pretty. And with this being our month dedicated to secret garden prettiness, I just had to round up twenty of my faves. Now hands up, ladies – which is your fave?

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A Modern Mythology

by gaby

I’ve got my travel bug at the moment, with the 2017 Aisle Society retreat less than a month away, but looking at these photos I want to grab my passport and never look back until I reach Italy again. Oh, Italy. It’s not just the delicious light that photographers Magnolia & Magpie have captured in these truly gorgeous images, the beautiful gardens, or the feeling of classic, ancient beauty. It’s that feeling of pure beauty, expressed in delicate lace gowns, and delicately organic table decor, and a chapel filled with candles. The same feeling I get in Italy, when I’m surrounded by its incredible beauty, both natural and man-made. But you don’t actually have to get on a plane to capture that spirit, because not only can you dive into these images like a pool of clear water, but Cameo and Joey’s fine art aesthetic can be part of your big day too, since they’re part-based in Cape Town and, happily, part of the SBB Directory. Be sure to check them out – once you’re done swooning, of course!

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