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!
20 More Metallic Wedding Cakes
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.
Summer Greenery Wedding at Ou Stal Equestrian Estate by Liesl Le Roux
If you ever thought that planning a wedding on a budget meant sacrificing style for your big day, then take note, because today’s wedding is budget beautiful. And that’s partly because bride and groom Bianca and MJ made some seriously smart decisions. First, they picked a venue that had a lot of natural beauty going for it and didn’t need a whole lot of dressing up, and that’s immediately half the battle right there. Then Bianca followed her own personal style preference, for casual minimalism, and picked a palette of white, green and gold, which allowed the use of budget-friendly florals that still look super elegant, like paper white baby’s breath and sage green eucalyptus. They still managed to add some adorable personal touches to the classic tables, like giant scrabble table ‘numbers’ and little terracotta plant pot favours. And finally, Bianca and MJ picked great suppliers they could rely on, and let them do their thing, including photographer Liesl Le Roux. The result? A perfect summer wedding day in the countryside, with all of the pretty but none of the fuss.
Romantic Preppy Wedding at Olive Rock by Tasha Seccombe
Every bride dreams of endless sunshine on her wedding day, but maybe not quite as much as Kelly and Dean had at theirs, which took place in a sweltering Tulbagh heatwave! You wouldn’t know it, though, from the photos, since the couple and their retinue look cool as can be, even with long dresses and tresses, and boys in bowties. It’s no wonder then, that their wedding style was crisp and romantic, a touch of preppiness (including bow tie favours, SO adorable!) in the middle of the countryside. The wedding took place at one of our favourite venues, Olive Rock (part of the SBB Collection), and the outdoor tables with their wooden frames and Wimbledon chairs, greenery runners, trails of fairy lights and crystal chandeliers are just the prettiest thing ever. As the heat of the sun gave way to golden hour, and the shadows on the mountain got longer, Tasha Seccombe was there to capture these gorgeous images.
Organic Bushveld Wedding by Rianka’s Wedding Photography
I think we all know by now that the South African bushveld is my happy place – everything about it makes me calm and joyful, and grateful for this beautiful country I get to call home. So safari-style weddings are kind of my wedding happy place too, especially when they’re pulled together as beautifully as this one! Chris-Marie and Heinrich chose to marry on the family farm near Pretoria and literally built their venue in the middle of the bush from scratch – laying the floors, making the tables, digging up the aloes that they used as decorations. A little oasis of wedding elegance in the middle of nature – and that’s just what their wedding reflects: natural, earthy goodness. There are so many details here to love – the hanging wreaths of greenery, the little stations built to make guests more comfortable (or well-watered) along the way, right down the bridesmaids unique (and gorgeous) skirt and top combos. And as if I couldn’t love it all more already, there’s a dash of copper glam to complement all those beautiful neutrals in the palette. Rianka’s Wedding Photography took these gorgeous pics – and there’s a bumper lot of them today! Too many pretty details to narrow down – and why would I? Like I say. Happy place.
Raw Elegance Styled Shoot
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!
Inspiration Board: Rose Quartz & Concrete
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 )
Fruit & Vegetable Place Settings
Before we all head off for the weekend, I have one last little post on our farmer’s market theme to share. I absolutely love place settings that include produce – whether fruit or vegetable – as a sweet little touch. In fact, I’ve used fruit in two of the editorials I’ve styled myself over the years. And I can’t think of a better way of getting across the feeling of farm-to-table than this. The great thing is that you can use pretty much any fruit and vegetable – we’ve seen absolutely beautiful designs using everything from pumpkins to pomegranates, from apples to artichokes, and everything in between. For extra green points, choose something local and seasonal, and place one at each setting. We’ve rounded up 20 of our favourite examples to inspire.
Inspiration Board: Farm & Field
Before our month of farm-fresh inspiration ends, I just had to create one more moodboard. This is what I really think of when I imagine a farm-to-table wedding – something organic, and natural, and rustic but very romantic. With a bit of a botanical feel and a neutral palette, and including fresh produce and natural textures. It may not seem ‘wedding-ey’ as a concept, but when you put it all together, I think it’s so pretty! If you’re drawn to this look, be sure to balance the ‘rougher’ elements with more elegant, traditional ones – calligraphy, fine linen and china, or touches of metallics, for example. The best part? You can send your guests home to cook their centrepieces for Sunday lunch ;)
Colours: Sage, taupe & white
Top posts (l-r): Artichoke table number (Sylvie Gil Photography/Shannon Leahy/Natalie Bowen) | tablescape (Ace Photography/Cedarwood Weddings) | calligraphy eggs (Ali Harper)
Row 2: Bride & groom (welovepictures) | artichoke centrepiece (Moira West Photography/Dear Idea) | cutlery tied with twine (Illuminate Photography)
Row 3: Seed packets | bridesmaids (Brosnan Photographic/Elegant Events) | cheese cake (Michelle Joubert-Martin/Fairview) | vegetable escort cards (Jeremiah And Rachel Photography/Habitat Events/Habitat Floral Studio)
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
- Farmers Market Sign by The Green Elephant Shop
- Farm to Table Letterpress Wedding Invitation by Moon Tree Press
- Veggie Tote Bag Favor by PCB Home
- Wood Berry Baskets by Bottle Cap Co.
- Mini Chalkboard Signs by Party Spin
- Vintage Unused Postage Stamps by AxmxZ
- Baker’s Twine Cording
- Baking Rubber Stamp by Substation Paperie
- Farmer’s Market Chalkboard Sign by Lily and Val
- Handmade Wicker Basket by Definitely Green
- Double-Sided Wedding Sign by Damrell Designs LLC
- Burlap Table Number by Rustic House Of Glitter
- Printable SUNFLOWER Seed Packet Favor by Sunnyside Print Party
- Rustic Wedding Menu Template by Minty Paperie Shop
Intimate Country Garden Wedding in the Natal Midlands by Long Exposure
When I was in high school I remember working on some anthology in English Lit that was all about the ‘Spirit of Place’. That’s a phrase that’s stuck with me ever since – in the literary sense, but it’s also often something I think of when it comes to weddings. Because there are some celebrations that really are infused with the spirit of a place – usually the one in which they take place – and I absolutely love that. It makes the wedding a full-on sensory experience, because guests aren’t just attending a wedding in a particular venue or region, but they’re experiencing the atmosphere of that place, and often getting a piece of the couple’s heart as they do. Heidi & Shaun’s wedding is one of those – the couple share a deep love for the Natal Midlands, spending time in its English countryside-style beauty as often as they can, and wanted to share that with an intimate group of their near and dear on their big day. Hosting the wedding at a friends’ homestead with a beautiful garden, and filling the ceremony and rustic reception with blousy garden-style flowers, they did just that. I ADORE the bouquet especially, from The Flower Shed, and how well it pairs with Heidi’s pretty-as-a-picture gown. And the final lovely touch? A reedbuck motif, dreamed up by the graphic designer bride, to reference the ‘deer’ moments (sorry, I couldn’t help myself) spent in that same countryside. Christy Long captured these super romantic pics.