Black Beauty: Dark & Moody Wedding Inspiration

Happy Halloween! You know, every year at this time, I choose to feature at least one shoot that’s darker than my usual fare – a little bit kookier and spookier, although most haven’t actually been Halloween themed as such. But I don’t think there’s ever been a time where this kind of dark and moody inspiration is also super on-trend. Bold florals popping against black backgrounds and rich jewel toned palettes are definitely the look du jour as we head into the new season, and while this bold, glamorous look isn’t every bride’s cup of tea, it really makes for a stylish and refreshing visual change that is sure to get your guests talking! So while this might be the feast of All Hallows Eve, I think this gorgeous black wedding inspiration from a local team including A Dream Come True Events, Blue Olive Events, and  Anna Pepper Photography will be inspiring you SouthBound brides long past the holiday. Let’s get moody!

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Introducing… Blue Olive Events

Image: Andre M Photography

I always think you can tell a lot about someone by the way other people speak about them, and if that’s the case, then the talented wedding pro at the centre of today’s spotlight must be pretty darn amazing! Meet Zenobia of Blue Olive Events – I’m always hearing great things about this lovely lady from people in the industry, and we’ve had the pleasure of featuring some of Blue Olive’s gorgeous work right here on SBB. Today we’re finding out a bit more about this Johannesburg-based events company, and even hearing from one of Zenobia’s real life brides!

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Pantone Serenity & Rose Quartz Wedding Inspiration

Pastel Wedding Bouquet | Credit: Jack & Jane Photography

Can you feel it? It’s getting to that time of year again, where it becomes all about summer and holidays and parties and celebrations and the end of another year and the start of new things and new diaries and new dreams and goals and ideas. I don’t know about you all, but I spend most of my year wishing it would go more slowly and then get to November and wish it would go more quickly (because Christmas!). But one thing I’m always sad to say goodbye to this time of year is the Pantone colour of the year because while yes, I often start out lukewarm about it to begin with, by the end of the year I feel like it’s really come into its own as stylists and real brides have played with it and found a hundred new ways to make it beautiful. Of course, gone doesn’t mean forgotten, because even though the wedding and fashion industry move on to the next COY, that last one is still going to be making real weddings beautiful for months and years to come. That’s maybe never more true than with this year, when we got two colours, and both were wedding ready from Day 1. Serenity and Rose Quartz have been like a spring breeze or a summer sunset. I’ve loved them separately, and I’ve loved them together. So it only seems appropriate to celebrate them one more time with this gorgeous modern meets vintage styled shoot. Even better, it showcases the amazing talents of so many of our favourite service providers, including Blue Olive Events, Jack & Jane Photography, Janita Toerien (dress SWOON!) & Candi Makeup. These folks are not just great at what they do, they’re some of the nicest people in the industry, and together with the rest of their wonderful team, they’ve pulled off something truly inspirational. Enjoy!

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Freedom of the City Wedding Inspiration

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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