Inspiration Board: Denim, Peach & Coral

Peach and coral together are so my current fave. Or coral and blush. It’s that developing ombre-ness of it that really gets me. But the thing is, that these shades are a bit… well, I don’t know, tropical? without a bit of a cool base to ground them. A certain shade of indigo works wonders. So does navy. But today, I’ve paired them with one of my absolute best blues, because it not only comes with a pretty colour but with texture and chilledness too. I am talking denim, as you can probably guess by now. Denim, which you can actually make chic for a wedding, because, like burlap, it’s a surprising and interesting texture that can be softened or glammed up with the addition of more romantic tones. Play around with modern and classic, traditional and irreverent, for a combination that is 100% you. I love the mixture. But what do you think?

Colours: Blue, coral & peach

Top row (l-r): Cake {Sweet & Saucy Shop}; bouquet {Bryan Rupp Photography/Champagne Wedding Coordination}; bride in denim jacket; peach neon; bridesmaids {Tec Petaja}
Row 2: Love is like denim… {Brancoprata}; rings; bridesmaid bouquet {Brit Rene Photo}
Row 3: Couple {ee Photography/Sweet Sunday Events}; caravan; table setting {Elizabeth Scott}; cocktail {Rebecca Wood}.

 

Inspiration Board: Botanical Blush

Monday, Monday… Never my favourite day of the week, except for one thing. We always get to start it off with a lovely inspiration board, yay! I absolutely love today’s – botanical has been a gorgeous theme that has come up in wedding design recently, and ferns are one of the florals that have been a big part of that. So I thought, what if you combined these pretty organic elements with just the softest touch of blush, for romance? I have to say, I LOVE the effect – what do you think?

Colours: Fern green, blush pink

Top row (l-r): Bride with fern {Heather Roth Photography/Simply & Forever}; fern table arrangements {Erin Grace Photography/Fieldwork Floral Operation}; cake {Heather Roth Photography/Simply & Forever}; bride in blush dress {Landon Jacob/Parkside Wedding Studio}
Row 2: Fern wedding invitation suite {Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria}; blush patent shoes {Aaron Snow Photography/Gibson Events}; table setting {Leo Patrone/Honey of Thousand Flowers}; ferns in vintage vases {Dear Heart Photographer/Function Flowers}
Row 3: Marquee {Birds of a Feather/Amorology}; fern wreaths {Leo Patrone/Honey of Thousand Flowers}; place setting {Anneli Marinovich Photography/Branco Prata -Sofia Ferreira}; chair {Jose Villa /Laurie Arons Special Events}; bouquet {Katie Stoops Photography/Events in the city}.

 

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: Neutrally Beautiful

Hello lovelies! How was your weekend? Just to let you know, this week I am off to Joburg and Kruger with reduced email and internet access, so while you’ll still be getting fresh inspiration every day, there will be a reduced number of posts compared to normal. We’ll be back to doubles next week! Of course, there’s still plenty to inspire you, starting off with this board which I am absolutely loving! Mixed neutrals are such a pretty look, especially when you add in the softest puce. A lot of brides would associate this palette with a vintage look, but I personally love the romantic elegance of this board, a sort of Elizabeth Messina softness. Which is your favourite detail?

Colours: Mixed neutrals, puce, black and white

Top row (l-r): Bride and groom {Chelsea Mitchell Photo/Oak and the Owl/Twine Events}; bridesmaids {Birds of a Feather/Amorology}; invitation {Steve Steinhardt Photography/Beth Helmstetter Events}; champagne with blackberries {Jennifer Lindberg}
Row 2: Bouquet; shoes; pashminas {Carrie Rodman Photography/Raina Dawn Events}; bridesmaid dresses; key escort cards on door {Zelo Photography/Couture Events}
Row 3: Statue {Elizabeth Messina}; printed ring pillow {Laura Murray Photography}; table setting {KT Merry/Aisle Candy}; cake.

 

Inspiration Board: Portrait of a Lady

Happy Monday friends! How was your weekend? The weather has been completely mis here in Durban, although happily I was safely installed in a box for the Sharks game yesterday instead of sitting in the stands in all that rain. Hopefully the summer starts hitting South Africa a bit more soon though, because my tan is fading fast… Anyway, Monday morning means inspiration board time, and I must say, I am loving this one. A lovely dark teal (does that colour have a name?) with blush is the perfect combination of soft romance with dark jewel tones that are very much on-trend at the moment. The look is very sophisticated but pretty at the same time. What do you think?

Colours: Teal, blush and gold

Top row (l-r): Bride with statement necklace {Christine Meintjes/The Pretty Blog}; bridesmaids {Reg Campbell Wedding & Editorials/Keely Thorne Events}; shoes and bouquet {Desi Baytan Photography/Modern LA Weddings}; tablescape {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; teal groom’s suit {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}
Row 2: Cake with blush flower detail; bouquet {Elisa B Photography/Southern Blooms}; car {Erin Hearts Court}; macaroon {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; flower in gold goblet {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; flower girl {Elisa B Photography}
Row 3: Bride {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; blush cocktail; pink calligraphy stationery {Ryder Evans Photography/White+White}; teal door; flowers {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}.

 

Inspiration Board: Lemon & Peach Sorbet

Time for some proper gorgeousness my friends. Peach has been beautiful in many ways this year, but today it is especially beautiful in the company of a soft lemony pastel yellow. It’s sweet and delicious, like a cup of cool sorbet on a summer afternoon. How amazing are the rananculus bouquets? Not to mention a bit of portrait lace back perfection on the bride. When you choose a colour scheme like this one, you don’t need to go overboard – choose a light, bright, white venue and fill it with pastel and gently ombre details and a bit of milk glass (real or imitation), and then just let the colours and the season speak for themselves. Awesomesauce.

Colours: Peach and lemon

Top row (l-r): Bride in Claire Pettibone dress {Annabella Charles/Everbloom Designs}; bouquet {Elizabeth Messina/Flowerwild}; ombre place cards; bride and bridesmaids {Eric Kelly Photography}
Row 2: Flowers in milk glass {Shipra Panosian Photography/Emily Grace Design}; threads; centrepiece {Elizabeth Messina/Flowerwild}; macaroons {KT Merry/Aisle Candy}
Row 3: Ombre ball cake {Emmaline Bride}; bridesmaid {Elizabeth Messina/Flowerwild}; table setting {KT Merry/Aisle Candy}; couple {source unknown}

 

Inspiration Board: Teal with a Kiss

Good morning my lovely friends! This is such a special week for me, I’m so excited for it to start! Because my awesome friends Abs and Phil are in town, together with their three sons, all of them my godsons. I just adore these little guys, but because they live in Australia I haven’t seen them for almost five years (apart from on Skype, not the same). So I am beyond thrilled at the idea of spending some time with them – hopefully it won’t affect the blog schedule, but if I go quiet, you’ll know why. Sometimes, you just have to let life get in the way of work ;) ANYWAY, for today, we’re getting started with another beautiful inspiration board, with a colour combo that I have a feeling will be very popular. Teal and pink are just such a pretty pair, but when you add that little gold kiss… well. Heavenly!

Colours: Teal, rose & gold

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Lisa Dolan Photography/Lauren Field Design}; bridesmaids {Brandon Chesbro/CJ’s Off the Square}; gold champagne bottles {Clary Pfeiffer Photography/Bride’s Vision}; stationery suite {Cheree Berry Paper}
Row 2: Cracker {Jennifer O‘Donnell Photography/La Fete Event Design}; glitter blue confetti; breakout lounge area {Frenzel Photographers/Joyful Weddings and Events}
Row 3: Bride; gold shoes {Ever Whim Photographs}; gold cake {Metro Custom Cakes}; table setting {Lisa Dolan Photography/Lauren Field Design}; balloon.

 

Inspiration Board: Love Hearts

Pastel lovers, get ready, because today is your lucky day. I’ve really liked the ice cream pastels that have merrily floated their way into weddings in the last year or two – so pretty! Especially with mismatched pastel bridesmaids. This is a look that many brides have combined with a vintage (and sometimes rustic) look – baby’s breath bouquets, vintage books tied with lace, proteas, you know the drill. So today I wanted to reinvent the colour palette for modern romantic brides and grooms. A bit of a geometric detailing, a tiny touch of sparkle, and here you go. I think I have a new style crush :)

Colours: Mixed ice cream pastels

Top row (l-r): Love hearts; stationery set {Every Last Detail/Justin DeMutiis Photography}; wedding dress; ruffle ombre cake {Veronique Photography/Just Jack}
Row 2: Bouquet {Aaron Delesie/Kelly Oshiro Design}; place setting {Amelia Lyon/Amorology Weddings}; geometric place name holder {Indie Wed/Amanda Megan Miller Photography}; bridesmaids in pastels
Row 3: Tassel & geometric escort card display {Amelia Lyon/Amorology Weddings}; table with hanging geometric lamps {Indie Wed/Amanda Megan Miller Photography}; outdoor ceremony {Abigail K./Jade Customised Events}

 

Inspiration Board: Huckleberry Blues

Good morning my lovelies! Hope you had a brilliant weekend! Today’s board is all about a calm, serene, cool blue and a fizzy pop of vibrant red. I must say, I love this idea. Baby blue and bright red have been a popular combination for a while, but they’re usually associated with 50s diner style weddings, or Cath Kidston chintzes. I like the idea of it for a rustic farm or vineyard wedding, with beautiful blue tables and bushels of white flowers, and then every now and again, a powerful punch of red. After all, there’s something about red, isn’t there? A hint of red heels peeping out from under a lace dress, a bright red getaway car, or a scarlet bouquet in a bridesmaid’s arms. It’s sassy, and sassy is good. What do you think?

Colours: Baby blue, white and red

Top row (l-r): Barn setting {Andi Mans Photography & Design/Blush by Brandee Gaar}; bridesmaid with red bouquet {Elizabeth Messina/Elizabeth Messina}; blue and white meringues {Jennifer Hejna Photography}; wedding dress {Jose Villa}
Row 2: Raspberries; cutlery {Alea Lovely}; bouquet {Ashley Slater Photography/Spring Sweet}; red shoes {Elizabeth Messina}; blue flowers
Row 3: Bride & groom {Laura Murray Photography/Love This Day Events}; red getaway car {Jon Duenas Photography}; place setting {Millie Holloman Photography/Salt Harbor Designs}; blue invitation {Jose Villa /Linea Carta}

 

Pantone Spring 2014: Placid Blue & Hemlock

Time for some more inspiration! And I must admit, I am excited to see the reaction to this one. In the last while I’ve been noticing a drift toward the pairing of pale green and blue, and even though Dazzling Blue is the lead colour for this collection, the combination of Placid Blue and Hemlock is my tip for the perfect contemporary wedding look and one I think we’ll be seeing quite a bit of in 2014. It’s such a cool, fresh combination – so chilled and so elegant, and I love how it combines with elegant country details effortlessly, including lots of organic greens and blues. Like diving into a cool pool of water at the bottom of a shady garden. Don’t you love it?

Colours: Placid Blue & Hemlock

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaid’s bouquet {Anna Kuperberg}; dress {Scott Piner Photography}; bridesmaids {Judy Pak Photography/Bella Bridesmaids}; bouquet {Scott Andrew Studio/Tracy Taylor Ward Design}
Row 2: Cake; flowers in bottles {Pobke Photography/White Room Events}; macaroon with ring; bottles.