Tag: blue

Ombre Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

Image: Our Labor of Love

We’re heading towards the end of our series on the top bridesmaid looks for 2013, and I must say, I have loved pulling them together! I honestly don’t know how you all are choosing which one to go with, because I love them all. And today’s is no exception – as you may have figured out by now, I’m a huge fan of ombre, the French term for graduated colour – see more of this wedding look here. It also happens to work perfectly with the watercolour trend that’s making everything so pretty right now. There are lots of ways to bring ombre into your wedding, but one of my favourites is through bridesmaid dresses – it’s the perfect evolution of the mismatched look. But what IS the difference between ombre and mismatched bridesmaids? Well, the key is really in the colours, of course. With mismatched, you could pick a colour (green, for example) and let your girls buy whatever dresses they liked, as long as they’re blue. With ombre, you’ll need to be a bit more OCD about it, picking an exact shade along the same colour spectrum for each bridesmaid, starting at an intense colour and ending at a light one, spaced out according to the number of BMs you have. Sound complicated? Well, it can be – one way to make it a bit easier is to have dresses made (the same or in different styles) so you have a bit more control. Take paint samples with you when you go shopping for material or dresses – each will usually show you an ombre colour family, so they’re the perfect reference. But even if you go high street, it’s not as difficult as you might imagine, and to show you, I’ve put together three ombre looks from current high street finds. My favourite is the peach ombre look – it just works so perfectly!

Click on any of the dress images below to shop. For the most recent BM dress finds, check in with our Bridesmaid Boutique Pinterest Board.Read More

Inspiration Board: Seafoam Vineyard

by gaby

Good morning friends, and what a beautiful morning it is in London. The sun is out again, the garden’s freshly mowed (thanks Olly), and there’s still the hint of woodsmoke in the air from using the outdoor stove last night (unfortunately temperatures aren’t quite summery yet). Today’s board is a reader request from Kate, who’s planning a summer wedding at Constantia Uitsig (one of my favourite venues, and somewhere I am dying to stay!). Even though it’s very much a wine country wedding, with a rustic boho vibe and an incredible view of the vineyards and Table Mountain, Kate’s chosen a palette inspired by the sea, with soft blues, greens and cream as her colours. I love this – in fact, it’s the same palette my friend Heidi chose a couple of years ago for a garden-style wedding, and it looked fantastic. Using these cool colours is sure to make everything seem fresh and natural, and it’s also easy to warm them up with tiny touches of peach or pink. Kate had some really lovely ideas that she’ll be including, and hopefully I’ve added a few more to the mix with her board. Hope you like it, Kate!

Colours: Pastel blue, green and cream

Top row (l-r): Boho bride {Rylee Hitchner/Joy Thigpen}; barrels as tables {Caroline Tran Photographer/Malibu Family Wines}; loose bouquet {Erich McVey}; blue and green glass containers with white flowers
Row 2: Bridesmaids {Judy Pak Photography}; hanging carnations; doily cutlery wraps; reception sign {Braedon Photography}; cake {Abi Q Photography/Sugar & Fluff}
Row 3: Constantia Uitsig; cork escort cards {Braedon Photography}; hydrangea bouquet {Scott Piner}; dress {Scott Piner}; groomsmen {Jenna Walker Photographers}

 

Inspiration Board: Urban Alice

by gaby

Hello lovelies! I am rushing around backstage, getting the last bits ready for our Editorial Wedding workshop… tomorrow! Eek! Anyway, I had just enough time to put together an inspiration board – and this was such a cool reader request! Kayla wrote to tell me about her summer wedding at The Cheney Place, which is an absolutely stunning venue with face brick walls and an elegantly urban loft sort of vibe. She and her fiance want candles and string lights everywhere, a wedding that is casual, romantic and fun. They also want a bit of an Alice in Wonderland theme going on. I have to say, I absolutely LOVED this whole idea (using a palette of navy, cerulean blue and white, although you could add in a rose or blush shade for extra colour). Candles and hanging lights (love the bulbs!) are so magical, and work beautifully against brick. Keep bridesmaids chic in navy and flowers soft, but with a bit of an unexpected edge like the spiky accents to the bouquet below. Alice is a great theme, but can be completely overdone – you can keep the motif fun and classy with stationery details (love these character card place settings with the original artwork so much!), a few clocks and keys and then some slightly mad touches, like the hanging teacup installation or the teacup glasses (how cute are these?). You just need enough mad hatter to give your guests the idea that this is a fun, slightly avant-garde celebration, and then let them take it from there! Have a great wedding Kayla – can’t wait to see it and hope you like your board!

Colours: Navy, cerulean, white

Top row (l-r): Urban candlelight setting; Alice in Wonderland place card {Carmen and Ingo}; navy bridesmaid dress {Kristin Vining/Weddings in the Bahamas}; blue ruffle cake {Adrienne Page/Tara Guérard Soirée/Val Cakes}
Row 2: Key escort cards; table setting {Carmen and Ingo}; drinks {Liga Photography}; clocks {Braedon Photography/Tricia Fountaine}
Row 3: Table with lights {Krista Mason/Chic Celebrations}; bride with clock {Alyssa Marie Photography}; bouquet {Krista Mason/Chic Celebrations}; Alice in Wonderland place card {Carmen and Ingo}; teacup glasses; hanging teacups.

 

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Inspiration Board: Cape of Storms

by gaby

Good morning friends! I have another very special inspiration board to share today – this time we’re featuring the photographs of photographer Jo-Ann Stokes. Going through a photographer’s portfolio to put a board together is so interesting, as it really allows me to get a sense of their style, and I love the way Jo-Ann uses shadows and light to create atmospheric pics that are a little bit fashion and a little bit cinematic. I couldn’t help but be drawn to some of the moody blue images, as they remind me of the changeable weather in the Cape, and all of that natural beauty. So that’s where we went with the board. I think this is such a good look for a local wedding – soft naturals, a whole range of shades from grey to blue, and again that interplay between shadows and light. I love it, and I hope you will too! Head over to Jo-Ann’s blog to see examples of her lovely work, and remember that she’s taking bookings for your big day!

 

Contact Jo-Ann Stokes:
 Email: [email protected]
Phone: +27 (0)82 650 9238
Website: www.joannstokes.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Photography-by-Jo-Ann-Stokes

 

Real Wedding at the Chartfield Guest House {Kate & Steve}

by gaby

All weddings are lovely, no question. But there are some that seem to have a special kind of glow, where the joy and love seem to radiate from every photograph, on every face. Where I find myself smiling as I’m editing. Today’s is one of those. Kate and Steve are clearly made for each other, and they celebrated their union in a day that reminds me a little of a wedding in a French village, with a procession from the church, an open air reception under acres of bunting, sunset toasts and late night dancing. It’s just so LOVELY. And it’s inspiring, because it makes me want to rush out and discover new, unusual venues like the Chartfield Guest House, that showcase some incredible Cape views but lend themselves to this kind of relaxed celebration with a backyard feel. Even better, US photographer Julie Wilhite was in town to capture every detail as only she can – lucky for us she has a sister in Cape Town, as we just love featuring her work!Read More

Inspiration Board: Skipping Stones

by gaby

Sjoe. I have been getting more reader requests for inspiration boards than I can keep up with, but I absolutely love hearing from you and will get to as many as I can, so please do be patient! Our second board for the week is for Kelsey, who is planning a summer wedding at the college she and her fiance attended. I’ve seen quite a few college weddings on US blogs, and I think it’s a lovely place for a wedding – something I sort of wish we did in SA. Mind you, I don’t think you could pay me enough money to get married at the ugly shoebox that was the Stellenbosch arts building! Anyway, I digress. Kelsey dreams of a wedding that’s delicate, simple and romantic, and wanted to include both lace (because of the pretty vintage factor) and stones, because her fiance proposed while they were skipping rocks on the Boise River. How adorable is that? I love this sort of personal touch, and luckily I have come up with some really cute ideas. Kelsey’s palette is absolutely dreamy, and incredibly contemporary – light blue and light grey are such an of-the-moment colour combo. LOVE. I’m envisioning a classic wedding with some pretty but not too fussy touches. I adore the idea of a blue or grey wedding dress, but bridesmaids in these shades are just as wonderful, and I’d recommend bringing in quite a bit of sheer fabric if possible (also a big trend for 2013). The lace motif comes in through a lacy wrap for the bride, pretty lacy stationery (I wouldn’t use too much actual lace on the tables, to keep it unfussy), a lace decoration on the cake and even a lace backdrop for the photobooth. Flowers are mostly white, as is the rest of the table decor I’m picturing. (If Kelsey would like to keep it simpler, she could scale down that table decor.) For a vintage touch, I’d include simple details like ‘something blue’ embroidery, piles of ‘love letters’ tied together with ribbon (a new take on the book table decor trend), and how adorable are these crochet covered stones? The stone motif was the most fun to include – I absolutely heart the runner, because it reminds me a little of a riverbed (so appropriate here) but other ways to bring them in are though giving your guests wishing stones to hold during the ceremony, or stones to write on as a guest book alternative, stones inside hurricane jars with candles on the table, or even stones covered in clay with names stamped in as place cards (although not all at once please!). The end result is so pretty and romantic, don’t you think? Hope you agree Kelsey – good luck with the rest of your planning!

Colours: Powder blue & grey

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {P: Ngg studios; S: Imbue Weddings}; embroidery; bouquet {P: Marta Locklear Photography; F: The Enchanted Florist}; table setting {P: Alicia Swedenborg; S: Vintage Honeymoon}; lace monogram cake {P: Juliet Elizabeth Photography; C: A Charleston Bride}
Row 2: Stones with crochet detail {P: Jose Villa; S: Joy Thigpen}; bride and bridesmaids {P: Costantine Delis for Vogue}; love letter decor {P: Briana Moore Photography}; stone aisle runner {P & D: Designs By Courtney}
Row 3: Sheer blue dress {P: Alicia Swedenborg; S: Vintage Honeymoon}; tags {P: Melissa Musgrove Photography: C: La Fete Weddings}; stones guest book {P: Lauren Kinsey Photography; C: Fete Weddings & Events}; hairstyle; lace cover-up {P: Samm Blake}

 

Inspiration Board: Denim & Berry

by gaby

I’ve been focusing on reader requested boards for a while, but today I wanted to do one of my own that’s been brewing in my mind for a few weeks now. South Africans might be celebrating spring, but here in London it’s gone straight into winter, with casserole weather pretty much all of last week, boo. With that chill in the air, my thoughts begin to turn to rich cold season colours, particularly beautiful winter berries, and I’ve paired them here with dusky blue denim. I absolutely adore the idea of denim runners or napkins (ever since I featured this amazing wedding that did it), plus it’s a very of-the-moment colour (see the latest Pantone report, for example), so there’s really no better time for denim to smarten itself up a bit and have a wedding style revival. I’ve softened it up with some whimsical letterpress and charcoal accents, as well as the fresh berries and a tiny touch of gold. Doesn’t it look surprisingly spectacular?

Colours: Monaco blue, dusk blue, plum, violet & gold

Top row (l-r): Rings & denim {Levi Strauss}; bride with bridesmaids {Erin Hearts Court}; bowtie escort cards {Martha Stewart}
Row 2: Purple shoes {Lillian & Leonard}; letterpress invitation {S: Cynthia Warren}; cocktails with fresh berries {P: The Nichols Photography; S: The Nouveau Romantics}; chalkboard menu {P: Lauren Wakefield Photography}; groom in demin suit {P: Tec Petaja}
Row 3: Outdoor table with strings of lights {P: Jimena Roquero Weddings; C: KOMODO Producciones}; bride and groom with bougainvillea {P: Tec Petaja}; denim-style napkin {P: Olivia Leigh Photographie}

Inspiration Board: A Preppy Romance

by gaby

Happy Monday, folks! The inspiration board requests have been flooding in lately, and I’ve been having so much fun turning your ideas into collages. This week I’m featuring two reader request boards that couldn’t be more different (look out for the other on Friday afternoon), starting with this piece of East Coast summery goodness. Philani wrote to tell me about her colour scheme of ‘new leaf green’ (isn’t that the sweetest way of describing it?) and white with touches of bright blue (I’ve gone for a sort of royal blue here, but this could be lightened up as far as aqua if Philani prefers). She described her style as ‘plain but elegant, kind of less is more’, which together with her colour choice immediately made me think of preppy style. Think Jackie O. – simple elegance is what this whole look is about. Stripes are a key component, as are fabrics like cotton and grosgrain, and the look is surprisingly easy to put together, especially if Philani focuses on relatively clean tables with bright green flowers and punches of blue in the napkins or stationery. I adore these bridesmaids in tops and striped skirts, and groomsmen in bowties are a must! For the bride, a relaxed but formal dress – maybe a full skirt with pockets – would be ideal. Serve signature cocktails with striped paper straws on the lawn, and don’t forget lots of lovely ribbon! Hope you like your board, Philani!

Colours: Apple green, royal blue and white

Top row (l-r): Wedding party {P: Jacque Lynn Photography; D: Events by LMG}; green striped bowtie; blue shoes {P: Elizabeth Scott Photography}; escort cards in bed of limes {P: Mishelle Lamarand Photography; D: La Fete}
Row 2: Blue and green love story invitation {D: Hello Tenfold}; blue and green table arrangement {P: Studio 28 Photography; D: The Green Ribbon Party Planning Co.}; green paper straws; wedding dress with pockets {P: Crystal Genes Photography}
Row 3: Room decor {P: Sarah Rhoads Photographers; C: Party Resources}; cocktail sticks with ribbon {P: Love Life Images; D: Simply Chic Events}; green bouquet with blue ribbon {P: Studio 28 Photography; D: The Green Ribbon Party Planning Co.}; bridesmaid with green striped skirt and blue top {P: Jacque Lynn Photography; D: Events by LMG}; green striped cake {P: Mary Ellen Bartley; C: Bijoux Doux Specialty Cakes}

 

Real Wedding at Café Felix {Elmiene & Johan}

by gaby

I don’t think I’ve said this before, but my first love as a wedding blogger was inspiration boards. Even before they were ‘invented’, I was always putting together ideas for friends who were getting married and I’ll never forget stumbling across Snippet & Ink and The Perfect Palette and just adoring what they were doing (and that was before I even was introduced to the other board legends who are Magnolia Rouge and Postcards & Pretties). You guys seem to like what I do with the boards every week, but the truth is that even if you didn’t, I’d probably still be making them, because they’re a piece of creative work that gives me a lot of pleasure. So when I started the blog, a day I really looked forward to was when I could feature a wedding that owed some of its inspiration to one of my boards. And friends, that day is today. I didn’t create the ‘Valentine Red‘ board especially for reader Elmiene, but when she wrote to tell me that it had been part of her design concept, I was thrilled – and even more so when I saw pictures of her cherry red, white and navy wedding with its cheeky touches like bright red shoes and heart-shaped sunglasses. I love love love how she included handmade elements like crocheted flowers and sewn hearts and acres of Petersham ribbon. Not to mention her candy-striped cake and cake toppers. It all works perfectly with their venue, Café Felix, which is the perfect mix of elegance and whimsy to offset this super fun wedding. I couldn’t have dreamed it up better myself. The cherry on the cupcake for me is that Elmiene and Jonny had Jaco le Roux as their photographer, as I’ve been looking forward to sharing his lovely pictures with you here on SBB. Which all in all, makes this a very good day for me. Yayness.Read More

Inspiration Board: Olympian Blue

by gaby

Hooray for Mondays, SouthBound Bride! And it’s no surprise I have the Olympics on my mind today. I was going to do a gold, silver and bronze board, but having just done mixed metallics last week, I thought I would focus on Olympian Blue, one of the beautiful colours from Pantone’s Fall 2012 lineup, mixed in with a bit of shiny gold, for obvious reasons. Hopefully there’ll be at least one gold to South Africa’s name by the time you read this! This blue is lovely and fresh, but it’s also quite intense, so I’ve added a light denimy blue in as well, and gone for a look that’s kind of a cross between urban and rustic, and just a bit Anthropologie. It works beautifully with the BHLDN dress top left, which I have been in love with for the last year. Another detail I absolutely adore is the calligraphed tiles for place cards (no surprise, an innovation from Martha Stewart). And for a final Olympic touch, there’s a pretty laurel-inspired gold headband. Hope you like it, and hope you’re all enjoying the games this week! (To find out more about the Pantone range and see some colour combos, check out this post.)

Colours: Olympian blue, pale blue, grey, gold

Top row (l-r): BHLDN dress {S: Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations; P: Mike Larson Photographers, Inc.}; blue bridesmaids dresses and anemone bouquets {C: Bluebird Events; P: Leo Patrone Photography}; ceremony backdrop {P: Jason Durnin}; gold cake
Row 2: Calligraphy invitation {Sycamore Street Press/Betsy Dunlap}; laurel headband; gold and white bunting; calligraphy tile place cards: topaz ring
Row 3: Olympic rings; blue shoes {C: Jenny Brown; P: Alea Lovely Photo + Video}; reception venue {P: Jason Durnin}; spraypainted bottles.