Tag: Christmas

Inspiration Board: Partridge in a Pear Tree

by gaby

Hello lovely ones! Every year when Christmas comes around, I take a peek into my archive for festive posts and I’m always reminded of a little board I did way back in 2010 (how have I been doing this more than five years already?). I love the use of fruit in wedding design, and the whole idea of frosted pears and misty mornings just appeals to me, but with the bird wedding theme long having come and gone, I thought it could use a little shake up and renovation. This is the first time I’ve made over one of my own boards, and it was fun! Mix in the current trends for lots of gorgeous greenery in both table arrangements and bouquets, mismatched bridesmaids in grey, a groom in tweed, and those beautiful pears, and you have a Christmas wedding that is definitely not too themey and would work beautifully at any time of year. What do you think?

Top row (l-r): Partridge in a Pear Tree rug; Christmas tags {K is for Calligraphy}; bride in garden {Cameron Ingalls}
Row 2: Tweed groom {Lev Kuperman/Hudson Valley Events/J. Crew}; frosted pears {Jeanna Hayes/WhipperBerry Blog}; bird Christmas tree ornament {Paloma’s Nest}
Row 3: Cake with pear decoration {Caroline Joy/Mayhar Design/Blue Note Bakery}; bridesmaids with greenery bouquets {When He Found Her}; table decor with pears {Lexi Vornberg/Marti’s Floral Designs}

 

Inspiration Board: Marsala Christmas

by gaby

Okay okay, I said I’d never do another Marsala inspiration board, but as we bid farewell to 2015’s colour of the year and welcome a seriously exciting new pair (more on that in January), I thought I’d look back on it just one last time, since it does, after all, offer a fresh spin on Christmas red. I haven’t yet decided what my holiday table will look like, but I must admit I’m tempted by this deep shade of berry combined with natural elements like pinecones and cranberries (ridiculous in a South African summer of course, but who cares). And also, I absolutely must move into that snowy Marsala house RIGHT NOW. (Or at least get myself a print of it in all its glory from artist Kristine Patti.) All in all, I think a Marsala Christmas would be a great way to say goodbye to the year (and the colour) that was – don’t you agree?

Colours: Marsala, white, emerald, wood

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Margherita Calati/Il Giorno che Vorrei}; table with candles {Ashley Cook Photography/Dream Design}; cranberry cocktail {Sacramento Street}
Row 2: Bridesmaids {Troy Grover Photographers/Michelle McGregor}; earrings {Endora Jewellery/Etsy}; cranberry escort cards {David Stark/Susan Montagna}
Row 3: Christmas house {Kristine Patti}; chocolate berry cake {Rebecca Hollis/Romancing the Stone}; Marsala wreath {Marigold’s Designs/Etsy}; place setting {Chantall Marshall Photography/Kadou}

 

Save

CYBER WEEKEND SPECIAL Gift Guide: His ‘n Hers Timepieces

by gaby

Hello friends! I’m stopping in on a Sunday just to give you some time-sensitive (ha ha) news of the Christmas gift variety. Watches are always a wonderful gift for the man or woman in your life – they’re personal in the sense that they wear them every day, and feel like a real spoil to receive as a gift. But since I know that wedding planning can get expensive, I really sat up when I heard that Ernest Jones were running a 50% sale for Cyber Weekend, which included some gorgeous timepieces from brands like Gucci and Michael Kors. I’ve picked some of my favourites, but you’ll need to get in quick, as they’re selling fast! (PS Don’t forget you can find these and lots more gift ideas in our dedicated 2015 Christmas Gift Guide Pinterest Board)Read More

Ten Christmas Decor Items You Can Use At Your Wedding

by gaby

Hello lovelies! Tomorrow we officially kick off our end of year blog schedule, but for this morning we’re going all Christmassy in honour of the fact that I’ll be tree trimming all day. I know that budget is a constraint for so many brides, and I can’t help but think about weddings when I see some of the decorations that are available these days – they’re definitely not of the cheese-tastic Santa’s grotto variety! With most of them being on sale at huge discounts from Boxing Day onwards, I got to thinking about how this was a good time for 2014 brides to stock up on some of their decor items in a brilliant stroke of forward planning. Some of these are more obvious, some require some creative thinking, but all of them will enhance your wedding, which doesn’t necessarily need to have a winter or a Christmas theme. Here are my Top 10 finds to look out for.

#1: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Read More

Inspiration Board: Gingerbread Biscuit

by gaby

Hello lovelies! Well, as you read this, I’ll be far away in Tuscany, enjoying some fantastic summer sun. But to make sure my readers in South Africa don’t feel TOO jealous, it being mid-winter and all, I’ve put together this toasty winter board. Gingerbread is, of course, something that we often associate with Christmas, but in the Southern hemisphere it’s much more appropriate for the middle of the year, and it’s the warm copper tones of this biscuit that have inspired today’s board. I think ‘brown’ (or rather, earth toned, as I like to think of them) weddings can get a bad rap – after all, if you use natural textures like wood and dark glass and set it against lush white flowers, pretty detailing and other classic whites, then there’s no reason why it has to be dark and drab at all. Treat your guests to a coffee station (how much do I love these custom calligraphy coffee mug holders?), and warm their fingers and toes at an open fire. There’s a pretty touch of vintage here, but it’s all understated and perfect for the season. What do you think? Would you consider having a winter wedding?

Colours: Mocha, cappuccino, white

Top row (l-r): Bride {Elizabeth Messina}; gingerbread cookies; bouquet {Elizabeth Messina/Mindy Rice}; coffee station
Row 2: Cake table {Ashley Rose}; invitation; brown bottles; gingerbread heart cookies; vintage post card guest book alternative {Oh Darling Photography}
Row 3: Holy matrimony sign; calligraphy cup holder {Oh, How Charming!/Mindy Rice Floral and Event Design/Paperfinger/Aaron Delesie}; escort cards {Carrie Patterson Photography}; white flowers {Polly Alexandre Photography}; Dress with brown overlay {Studio Bella}.

 

Christmas Decor Inspiration

by gaby

Good morning, friends! I usually keep things to weddings here on SBB, but with many of you having your last day in the office today, I couldn’t help but make an exception and include this lovely, rustic Christmas table from the ladies at Green Goddess Flower Studio, Coral and Chantell. I’m a HUGE sucker for the holidays, but sometimes it’s nice to take a fresh look at Christmas decor, especially for a sunny season as we have in South Africa. I’ve always been the one in charge of the Christmas table (mostly because I was well into my 30s before my mom would let me anywhere near the kitchen), and I would love to put together something like this for the family next time – the bright orange of the pincushion protea is evocative of the richness of traditional Christmas colours, but combined with aqua and soft neutrals, is all sunny days. I love the rough hewn wood of the hearts and angels, the fun gold touches (especially the hippo – EVERY Christmas should have a hippo!), the succulents and especially the way that the blocks create visual interest with varying heights for the centrepiece, raising the look (literally!) to something extra special. Sadly, this year I won’t be home for Christmas, but I’ll just have to look at these pics to feel some summer Christmas inspiration, and I hope you will too! For those of you leaving us until the New Year – drive safe and be smart, and have a truly wonderful festive season!Read More

DIY: Christmas Crackers

by gaby

Now that the wedding craziness of last week is over, it’s time to get the family festive celebrations on the road, so I hope you’ll forgive me if we’re not completely wedding focused this week! My mom asked if I would make us individual crackers for our Christmas dinner, and I thought I would share them as a holiday DIY. They’re a little fiddly and take a couple of hours, but really make things personal and extra fun at the Christmas table. And for South African readers I picked up most of the necessaries at my local CNA, so everything’s easily available locally for a spot of last-minute DIY. These would be great favours for a holiday wedding or even another time of year with different decoration!

Read More