Stylish Citrus Country Wedding by Charlie Ray Photography

Mismatched Bridesmaid Separates | Credit: Charlie Ray Photography

A touch of citrus, a touch of vintage glamour. It’s the perfect pairing for Karlien and Daneel’s elegant farm affair – after all, it took place in a clear marquee in the grounds of the bride’s family home, right in the middle of Eastern Cape citrus country. And citrus was very much part of the design concept (just as it was part of the couple’s story – after all, they got engaged in an orchard!). From the bright pops of grapefruit pink and clementine orange in the abundant floral decorations (oh, those florals!), to the wedges of lemon peeking from glass vases, to the strings of dried citrus slices that formed a unique backdrop to the main table, all complemented with mixed metallics (including the bridesmaids’ gorgeous separates), there were plenty of wow moments that made this a modern take on a country affair. It all unfolds below, through the lens of Charlie Ray Photography!

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Inspiration Board: Summer Citrus

OMG seriously, how is October rushing past so fast, dammit? I have so much more bright and colourful inspiration to share before the month is out, and it’s high time we did some palette play. I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with citrus as a wedding element, and I’ve made a few boards using oranges and lemons before, but for today’s board it is citrus turned up to LOUD. Lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit acid brights. And yet, with a backdrop of soft blue and romantic details, it still manages to be elegant. This might be my fave summer board ever!

Top row (l-r): Place setting (Michael Radford Photography/Tinge) | Centrepiece (Tony Gigov/Lovely Weddings/A Very Beloved Wedding/Evelyn Kühr) | Citrus invitation suite (Melissa Jill Photography/Copper + Cotton/Lola Lee Invitations)
Row 2: Ring boxes (Jose Villa/The Mrs. Box) | Table number (Mike Larson/Reed + James/Loop Flowers) | Orlando Wedding Dress by JuLee Collections (Image: Rahel Menig Photography)*
Row 3: Bouquet (Adrienne Gunde/Valley Flora/Amy Kaneko Events) | Bright bridesmaid dresses (Cassie Loree Photography/Petals Couture Floral & Event Design/Bella Bridesmaids) | Cake with kumquats (Michael Radford Photography/Tinge/Pippa Cakery)
*Affiliate link. SBB may receive a commission on any sales.

Summer Citrus Wedding Inspiration Board | SouthBound Bride

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Inspiration Board: Orange Blossom

You know, I think orange might be one of the great underrated colours in the wedding palette – less so in the last few years, but still. And I get it, because orange can really be overpowering and very un-pretty when done badly. But when done well, it has such a warm pop of colour that it’s pretty much the most perfect colour for a summer wedding ever. My absolute favourite way to work with strong colours is in their natural state, which might be why citrus has long been one of my favourite wedding motifs. I wanted to pay tribute to that, but also to pair oranges with their beautiful blooms – after all, is there anything more gorgeous than a swag of orange blossom? Add in a Claire Pettibone dress that’s even called ‘Orange Blossom’ and a vintage botanical twist, and you have an orange wedding done absolutely right.

Colours: Orange, white & green

Top row (l-r): Claire Pettibone dress {Vela Images/Claire Pettibone}; orange blossoms {Mowielicious}; cake {Lewis Miller Designs}
Row 2: Centrepiece {Ngoc Minh Ngo/Nicolette Owen}; botanical orange print; chairs with garlands {Aaron Delesie/Belle Destination Weddings & Events, Inc./ Bella Bloom}
Row 3: Bouquet {Finch & Thistle Event Design/Stephanie Cristalli}; cocktail {Tim Ryan Smith}; orange stationery suite {A Day in May}; wedding dress with orange detailing {Jasmine Star/Bow Tie + Bustle}

 

Winter Citrus Wedding at Steenburg Golf Estate by Cheryl McEwan {Gabi & Gary}

Two reasons I knew from the start that this wedding would be gorgeous. One, the bride’s called Gabi so OBVIOUSLY that immediately makes her awesome (and I’m not biased about my namesake at all). And secondly, this clementine, lemon & lime coloured celebration was put together by some of my absolute favourite suppliers, including photographer Cheryl McEwan, fabulous flowersBright & Beautiful and Seven Swans (by the way, do read Gabi & Gary’s ceremony programs, because they are adorable!). I just love all the citrus elements in the bouquets and on the tables, adding a bright punch of colour to a rainy Cape winter day, right down to sweet lemon meringue tarts baked specially by the groom’s mom. Even the food is fun – who doesn’t love burgers served on custom wooden boards? It was the perfect way to send off these high school sweethearts into married life, and here’s wishing them one as sweet as a bag of oranges.Read More

Citrus & Slate Styled Shoot at Kelvin Grove

Afternoon lovelies! Very excited to share this styled shoot with you today, which comes from a very talented team of suppliers, including photographers Heathyr Huss and Nicole Rich, as well as event designer Nicola Jane Wedding & Event Specialist. The theme of the shoot was Nutopia, a romantic infusion of citrus and slate. I am always a huge fan of modern wedding styling, especially when it uses innovative colours or textures and this shoot is chock full of lovely ideas to inspire you. First of all, it is sunshine yellow, which has to be the most cheerful colour ever. With a healthy dose of citrus detailing and gorgeous flowers (including pincushion proteas, my best), parts of the look are really organic and certainly very summery. And did I mention the romance of the dresses? Wow, Elbeth Gillis gets me every time! These soft aspects contrast with some industrial elements – not scary industrial though, pretty modern industrial. As in, hanging bulbs, concrete planters (LOVE this idea), and slate grey which really makes the lemon yellow pop. The whole look is fresh and elegant and gorgeous!Read More

Inspiration Board: Blood Orange

Good morning, lovely friends! I’m back in Durbs after a really lovely week away. After spending time with a few old friends (and new babies!) I headed to Kruger Park on Thursday with my mom, one of her best friends, and her daughter (who was my absolute bestie growing up). They used to live across the road from us in Johannesburg, so I have literally known them both my whole life. What an awesome girls’ weekend, enjoying the quiet and beauty of the African bushveld (in my element!), spotting game (no cats this time sadly, but I was so happy and relieved to spot some rhino), and generally chilling out catching up. Of course, there’s lots to catch up on now (when is there not?) but it’s always lovely to see more of our beautiful country. Even if you do land up driving home in thunder, lightning and in rain. Speaking of that particular witch’s brew, with Halloween happening this week, I thought it would be fun to create a bit of a spooky All Hallows inspiration board. Of course, this is a super elegant, totally non-cheesy version of a Halloween wedding, with the colour scheme of orange and black the only real nod to the holiday. For the rest, it’s black tie elegance with pops of bright citrus, and a bit of a formal vintagey feel. Don’t you love it? Of course, the black Vera Wang dresses just take the cake – so, so beautiful. Happy Halloween folks!

Colours: Orange, black and white

Top row (l-r): Black Vera Wang wedding dress {Jose Villa/Joy Thigpen}; citrus centrepiece {Belathée Photography/McKenzie Powell Designs}; groom {Magnolia Pair/Meade Wenzel}; outdoor wedding {Wedding Artists Collective/Gloria Wong Design}; blood orange cake
Row 2: Bridesmaids with black lace back dresses {Amber Glanville}; place setting {Krista Mason/Calligraphy Katrina}; citrus garland; black shoes with bow
Row 3: Blood orange cocktail; black calligraphy place names {Andrea Nay}; opera glasses {Brandon Kidd Photography/Amorology}; Vera Wang dress; centrepiece {Honey of a Thousand Flowers}.

 

Inspiration Board: Citrus Martini

This week we’re featuring three citrus-themed inspiration boards inspired by Cape venues to show how a single theme can be interpreted in a number of different ways. Which one is your favourite?

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Today’s board is something completely different from the rustic vintage vibe we featured yesterday. It’s all about funky, modern design, using bright orange and yellow, and playful citrusey details. I adore the ceiling-high table arrangements and stationery (which both come from this amazing concept shoot), and the way grey makes the brighter colours pop. Not to mention the use of actual oranges in the bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets – so fun! And what’s a sophisticated orange and lemon-themed soiree without a signature martini? The perfect Cape venue space for this light, contemporary design is The Conservatory in Franschoek, with its huge glass panels and mod grey accents – ideal for a lunchtime wedding where your guests can really appreciate the views. For more on The Conservatory see our venue spotlight, and for more chic modern options, have a look at the Amazing Spaces website.

Colours: Bright orange, yellow and slate grey

Top row (l-r): The Conservatory ; table with branch arrangement; martinis; bride & groom
Row 2: Bridesmaids; ribbon wands; ring; The Conservatory
Row 3: Naartjie name tag; place setting; invitation; tulip bouquet.

If you’d like to see more lovely examples of fruit as part of wedding design, have a look at our feature here.

Note: None of the posts in this series have been sponsored by the featured venues, including The Conservatory.

Inspiration Board: Rustic Orchard

I have something special for you this week! One of the reasons I love wedding design is the way a concept can can have a number of different interpretations, depending on the look and feel you’re going for and (very importantly) your venue. So over the next few days I have not one but three citrus-themed inspiration boards for you, all with very unique looks inspired by three fabulous Cape venues. Which one is your favourite?

Today’s board has the rustic, slightly vintagey vibe that I know so many of you love (as do I). It includes elements like vintage citrus fruit advertising, wooden crates (love these as centrepieces), wreaths and dried fruit slices. I also really like the idea of orange favours/escort cards wrapped in brown paper for that farmer’s market feel. For me, you won’t find a more perfect venue for this look than Beloftebos near Stanford, a beautiful farm setting with an outdoors ‘chapel’ in the middle of a grove of oak trees – it is just spectacular! We’ve already featured one gorgeous wedding here, so check it out if this is your preferred style.

Colours: Muted yellow, orange, green and brown.

Top row: Oranges; wreath; cake; lemonade; couple in orange grove
Row 2: Beloftebos; orange favour; vintage car; vintage advertisement
Row 3: Juggling groom; tablescape; candles; vintage advertisement; ladder.

If you’d like to see more lovely examples of fruit as part of wedding design, have a look at our feature here.

Note: None of the posts in this series have been sponsored by the featured venues, including Beloftebos.