Inspiration Board: Song of the Sea

There’s just something about the sea that’s mesmerising, isn’t there? It’s good for the soul. So what better place to join two lives, than with the saltwater air swirling around you, and the sound of the tides at your back? Today’s board was inspired by the truly romantic side of beach weddings, by shipwrecks and mermaids and sirens, by tempests and treasure. And with silvery blues making waves right now (pun intended), it’s also the perfect palette for a contemporary, memorable celebration.

Colours: Cerulean, seafoam, silver & grey

Top row (l-r): Seaglass escort cards (Keith Morrison); vintage tray with calligraphy (Kyle John Photography/Linn P. Wheeler/Jenna Blazevich); sparkly wedding dress
Row 2: Oyster ring box (Samantha Melanson Photography/BHLDN); blue table decor (Melanie Gabrielle/Ever After Floral Design); hydrangea shell bouquet (mdsfloraldesigns.com)
Row 3: De Havilland Wedding Gown by Gibson Bespoke (Image: Tamara Lichtenstein); watercolour invitation suite (Elisa Bricker/Mallory Joyce/Julie Song Ink); silver wedding dress (Elie Saab)

Row 1: De Havilland Wedding Gown by Gibson Bespoke (Image: Tamara Lichtenstein) | Row 2: Euro Ceramica Fez Wine/Water Goblet Glasses (left); Sea Glass Place Cards by Letters from Eden (right) | Row 3: Sea Glass Inspired Table Numbers by Forever Whitney Young (left); Vintage Clam Shell Jewellery Dish from Lacuna Shop (right) | Row 4: Mermaid of Honor Bachelorette Tattoo by Tats4now (left); Grey Pillar Candles (right) | Row 5: Custom Dyed Silk Table Runner by Pompom Blossom | Row 6: Rainbow Angel Aura Raw Crystal Hair Comb by The Fawn & the Sparrow (left); Custom Hand-Painted Wedding Invitation Suite: Ocean by Brush and Nib Studio (right)

 

Save

Inspiration Board: Parisian Pastel

Happy Monday, lovelies! Valentine’s may be over, but we’re heading to the city of love for our inspiration today. I just love the combination of blush, dove grey and champagne, especially because it’s like the pastel version of mixed metallics. The perfect combination of soft and glamorous. Which is pretty much perfect for a Paris-inspired wedding. Throw in a beautiful croquembouche, a lush bouquet, rosé champagne, a chic topknot and (my favourite detail) bridesmaids carrying clutches instead of flowers, and you have the most romantic take on city glamour imaginable. And the best part? You don’t have to be wed in Paris to pull it off.

Colours: Blush, dove grey, champagne, white

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids’ clutches {Davie and Chiyo/Desy Cheng}; stationery suite {Jen Fariello/Easton Events/Erika Jack}; bride with top knot {Kali Lu Photo/Cara Aeschliman/Kae + Ales}
Row 2: Croquembouche cake {Rebecca Yale Portraits}; silver heels {Vicki Grafton Photography}; Paris buildings
Row 3: Chanel perfume {Le Secret D’Audrey/Luxe Paris Events}; bouquet {Jose Villa}; grey ring box {The Mrs Box/Jose Villa}; champagne {Meg Smith}

 

Inspiration Board: My City Valentine

Happy Valentine’s week, lovelies! I have some fantastic treats coming up for you in the next few days, but we’re kicking things off with an inspiration board that’s a fun urban twist on the traditional Valentine palette of pink and red. I personally love city weddings, especially those with a bit of an industrial twist or loft-style location, so this is right up my street! Think café lighting, elegant minimalist lettering, mini champagne bottle favours, textures like metal and distressed wood, and then add an array of soft, romantic blooms in the signature shades, and you’ve got this look all wrapped up. Of course, there’s no need to limit this inspiration to V-Day weddings either, because it would be chic at any time of the year.

Colours: Scarlet, brick, blush, rose pink & slate

Top row (l-r): LOVE letters {Landon Jacob Photography/Jove Meyer/2H Flowers}; centrepiece with proteas {Bellamint Photography/ Sunflower Creative}; bride & groom {ALLAN ZEPEDA/Lindsey Brunk }
Row 2: Champagne bottle minis {Leslee Mitchell}; hanging bulbs {Belathee Photography/Downey Street Events}; modern save the date {Little Red Press}; groom & groomsmen
Row 3: Bride {BHLDN}; industrial style escort card display {Archetype Studio Inc./Bourbon & Bloom Vintage Rentals}; bouquet {Melanie Bennett Photography/The Flower Farm/Valley House of Flowers}

 

Inspiration Board: Moroccan Lemon

Happy Monday, lovelies, and welcome aboard SBB Airlines, where we’ll soon be taking off for gorgeous Morocco with today’s North African-inspired board. It’s been a while since I did a Moroccan board, but as destination influences go, it’s still one of my favourites, and this time I’ve pulled together a fresh palette of turquoise and lemon to keep things interesting. Preserved lemon is actually a traditional Moroccan dish, and would make a great favour, but I also really love the way that actual lemons add that punch of colour and life to cool whites and blues. Hire in your favourite Moroccan pieces – lamps, chairs and cushions, tented breakout areas, tea glasses, and then add some intricate detailing inspired by Moroccan doors and tiles to your stationery and linens. It’s a million miles from feeling like a theme party, but still exotic enough to wrap your guests in a jasmine-scented fantasy.

Colours: Turquoise, white, lemon, brass

Top row (l-r): Beach table setup {Stewart Leishman Photography/Intique & Co}; bride in jewelled hairpiece {Stewart Leishman Photography/Intique & Co}; door {Birgit Hart Fotografie}; seats {Samara Leung/The LANE}
Row 2: Lemons {Christine Dovey/Yazy Jo}; bridesmaids’ lamp {Open Vintage Shutters}; Moroccan stationery suite {Laura Goldenberger/Stacy Paige/Wedding Paper Divas}
Row 3: Lemon preserve jar favours {Thoughtful Day/Karen Mordechai}; tea glass candles; dress with belt detail {Jose Villa/Canvas & Canopy/Bona Drag}; spices {Birgit Hart Fotografie}

 

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}

 

Inspiration Board: Marsala Blush

Hello again friends! This time of year, I usually do a whole special on the Pantone colour of the year, but this year, I’m saying no. And why? Because I think that this year’s colour, Marsala, is quite frankly, a bit shite. Now don’t get me wrong, because I don’t have a problem with Marsala itself – it’s actually a pretty awesome interior accent and I’ve even seen some fashion bits and pieces that I liked coming through. It’s entirely possible it will grow on me even more. But as a primary wedding colour… it’s brown. I don’t care how many times the internet says it’s red-influenced or muted claret or berry, it’s BROWN. And you guys, don’t have a brown wedding. Because in 20 years time, you don’t want to be looking at your wedding pictures with your children asking why your bridesmaids are in dresses the colour of poop, saying (for the hundredth time): “It’s NOT brown, it’s Marsala” while they roll their eyes and think “people in 2015 were SO DUMB”. Now here’s the good news. Claret and berry shades are actually pretty hot right now. So if you don’t get too intense about the colour matching charts and veer over towards burgundy or ruby, you have yourself a winner. And I suspect that’s where most of the ‘Marsala’ wedding inspiration that’s about to be all over wedding blogs will go. And that’s sort of where I’ve gone today, combined with blush, in the one and only Marsala inspiration board you will see on SouthBound Bride.

Colours: Pantone Marsala (ish), blush pink, gold & ivory

Top row (l-r): Bride with bouquet {Eric Kelley Photography}; shoes; bouquet with ribbons {Lucy Munoz Photography/Divine Blooms & Designs}
Row 2: Centrepiece {Lani Elias Fine Art Photography/Ashley Nicole}; tassel garland {Your Cloud Parade}; gold place setting {The Nichols/Clink Events}; ribbon with ring {Lani Elias Fine Art Photography/Ashley Nicole}
Row 3: Candles in gold bottles {Sonya Khegay Photography/Latte Décor}; serving spoons {Lani Elias Fine Art Photography/Ashley Nicole}; bridesmaids {Tealily Photography/White Runway }

 

Best of 2014: Inspiration Boards

Good morning lovelies! As the year winds down, it’s a SBB tradition to spend the last couple of weeks looking back at the year that was, and pinpointing some of our favourite details and images from real weddings, shoots, engagements, and other inspirations shared throughout the year. So fun! And since it’s a Monday, we’re starting off with inspiration boards. Based on likes, shares, comments and views, these are the top 10 inspiration boards of 2014. Which is YOUR favourite?

1. Kraft & Blush

Read More

Inspiration Board: Pansy & Pastel

Hello friends! We’re entering the final stretch of the year now, and I don’t know about you, but my head is all over Christmas and new year. Starting next week, we’ll be looking back at our favourite parts of the year here on SBB, but first, we still have some more fresh inspiration to send your way. And first up is this pretty inspiration board, which mixes a strong pansy purple with soft pastel greens and blues. I think it’s so pretty, don’t you? And absolutely lovely for a summer wedding, allowing you to bring in the bright berry shades that are so popular at the moment, balanced with the softer summer hues. Gorgeousness.

Colours: Purple, mint & pastel blue

Top row (l-r): Invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}; bridesmaid dresses {Jose Villa/Style Me Pretty Weddings}; boutonniere {Caro Hutchings Photography/Scarlet & Violet
}
Row 2: Cake {SpectacularSpectacular/Ikonica/Bobbette & Belle}; blue and green glass containers with white flowers; lavender arch {SpectacularSpectacular/Ikonica/Todd Kjargaard}; pansy lollipops {SprinkleBakes}
Row 3: Table setting {Cassidy Carson/12th Table/Kelly Lenard}; table plan {The Wedding of My Dreams}; candles in teacups {Georgica Pond}; portrait back wedding dress {Pepper Nix Photography/Claire Pettibone}.

 

Inspiration Board: Copper & Blue Velvet

A couple of weeks back, I did an inspiration board featuring copper, grey, lilac and a touch of navy. Well, I loved that one, but the whole copper and navy combo clearly made a bit of an impression because ever since, I’ve been wanting to do a sort of antique but preppy-looking take on navy and grey with copper as the magic ingredient. And I have to say, I think it’s a winner – the perfect mix of modern, sophisticated and old world romance. One thing to remember if you pick a palette like this, is there’s no need to be matchy-matchy. For example, I love the idea of having the bridesmaids in white, and the groom and his guys in grey. So stylish! But it also means you don’t have overkill on the colours, which on a blank(ish) canvas, really speak for themselves.
*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Colours: Navy, copper, grey & white

Top tow (l-r): Menu on mirror; bride & groom (Jose Villa Workshop/Lisa Vorce/Mindy Rice); acorn boutonniere (Rustic White Photography/Mandy of Waiting on Martha, Inc./Lindsay Coletta)
Row 2: Dresses; table (jason + anna photography/Engaged & InspiredFloral Theory); invitation suite (Little Bit Heart/KT Merry); shoes (Matt Edge/Exquisit Event Specialists)
Row 3: Bride (Fiona Clair); bridesmaids (Troy Grover Photographers/Coastyle Events); grey watercolour cake (Clary Pfeiffer/Gingersnap Sweets & Such); copper lanterns (Birds Of A Feather/La Boheme Events)

Row 1: Octagon Velvet Ring Box by Voeu Du Coeur | Row 2: DEBENHAMS Home Collection Bronze Glass Lantern (left); Aqua Blue Sealing Wax by sweetzakkahouse (right) | Row 3: Navy Velvet Ribbon by Talksite (left); Navy Blue Velvet Table Runner by Magpie Linens (right) | Row 4: C/Meo Collective Sequin Mini Dress (left); Rupert Sanderson Velvet Pumps (right) | Row 5: Bespoke Monogram Invitation by Appleberry Paper Goods | Row 6: ASOS Super Skinny Fit Suit Jacket In Navy (left); Celesta Gold Shoulder Necklace by Blair Nadeau Bridal (right) | Row 7: Custom Wedding Signage by Palette and Ink

Navy, Copper & Grey Wedding Inspiration | SouthBound Bride

 

Inspiration Board: Lace Tattoo

I wasn’t even sure you all would have an inspiration board this week, what with Eskom and Telkom conspiring to make my weekend extra frustrating but I have to say, I am loving this board! Lace is no newcomer to weddings, but at the moment I am absolutely loving the way that nude lace has been making an appearance, mimicking the look of intricate lace designs against skin, but also introducing a lovely warm, neutral blush to the equation. In fact, it’s a combination that would be pretty on its own, but to add some extra drama, I’ve added just the tiniest pop of deep purpley red, and I absolutely love the sophisticated mixture. With lace tablecloths and cakes (not to mention wedding dresses) very much on trend, this would be an easy – but very impressive – look to pull off perhaps with the addition of a touch of gold for extra evening glitz. I’m especially loving the nude lace wedding invitation from Wedding Paper Divas – don’t you agree?

Colours: Nude blush, white, scarlet

Top row (l-r): Invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}; blush lace dress {Jose Villa Photography}; table with lace runner {Matthew Moore/Weddings International}
Row 2: Bouquet {Danielle Capito Photography/Davia Lee Weddings & Events/Renae’s Bouquet}; bride with lace dress & headpiece {Twigs & Honey/Elizabeth Messina}; lace manicure
Row 3: Lace cake {Paula at ‘Sweet and Simple Cakes’}; hanging lace embroidery frames {Simply Kissed Photography}; dresses {Naomi Kenton/Katya Shehurina}