Tag: sparkle

Real Wedding at Kleinevalleij {Alicia & Stefan}

by gaby

Glitter, y’all! The magic word to get a girl excited. And actually quite an appropriate one for me today, because for the last couple of weeks that’s exactly what I have been on the hunt for. Let’s just say, I figured out why I get so many queries about glitter bridesmaid dresses from South Africa. Sequins may be everywhere in the UK, but I’ve been hard pressed to find the outfit I had in mind for my latest portrait shoot (taking place as you read this, eek!). In the end, I stumbled into YDE, which I have to say is the last place I thought I would find what I wanted. Last time I was there, I was a skinny 21 year old, and even so, I don’t think those dresses would have fitted on one thigh. I just assumed it was for very tiny, very young people, but today it turned out to be a surprise shopping success. So it made sense to see that today’s gold-loving bride also dressed some of her sequin-clad bridesmaids in YDE dresses – and they look amazing, as does the rest of the glimmering decor. I know the time will come when I’ll get sick of this trend, but for now, it still makes me get all swoony, especially when paired with a touch of lace and a splash of duck egg blue. Get ready for some really beautiful pictures from the talented Adene Photography, one of the cutest pups ever, and an all-round wonder of a wedding!Read More

Gold & Glitter DIY Roundup

by gaby

Evening, friends! You know, in the reader survey (which I’m still keeping open for a day or two – would LOVE it if you would fill it in!), one of the big things people said they’re like to see more of was DIY. So I’ll be making a plan on that front! But in the meantime, I have an awesome DIY roundup to share with you – and it’s all about the sparkle! Contrary to the saying that ‘all is not gold that glitters’, we’ve rounded up fifteen absolutely gorgeous tutorials for gold or glitter (or both) accents that will add that extra special something to your wedding style. Just, um, don’t use them all at once, obvs.

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Inspiration Board: Teal with a Kiss

by gaby

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.

 

Kate Spade: A Love Letter

by gaby

I’m not going to lie, this might be one of my most self-indulgent posts ever. Especially since Kate Spade isn’t actually available in South Africa just yet. But what can I say, it’s an excellent excuse to start sucking up to whichever friend/relative/co-worker you know who might be going to Europe or the States before your wedding to get them to bring you a pair, because Kate’s shoes are MADE for weddings. The perfect mix of classic and cute, they all also have that extra little something, which often just happens to be a bit of sparkle, and as you guys know, I am kind of obsessed with a touch of sparkle. It never looks prettier than on a bride’s feet, even when there’s no other glitter in an otherwise traditional palette. So it’s no wonder that so many brides opt for Kate, and that everytime they do, their shoe pics get Pinned a zillion times over. Feel free to do just that with all of these lovelies. ;)

The ‘classic’ Kate Spade wedding shoe is the Charm slingback, which comes in black, gold, silver and a bright multicolour glitter. One day, these shoes WILL BE MINE.

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Sparkle & Metallic Wedding Cakes

by gaby

Some days, my job as a wedding blogger just doesn’t feel like work, and I have to say that this morning, as I put these gorgeous pictures of sparkly and shiny cakes together, the only difficulty was in narrowing down the selection. You’ll know by now that I’m a total magpie, and in love with everything that glimmers, but I think that love went to a new level when foiled wedding cakes came on the scene. I saw one for the first time in person last year in Durban, and it really does make an impression. I also love the way that it can be used as a texture, mixed in with ruffles, patterns, flowers, etc. As always, the line between glitzy and gaudy is a fine one, but here are 20 wedding cakes that I think walk the line perfectly. They’re almost too pretty to cut into, but the contrast between cake and metallic makes them look, if possible, even more delicious!Read More

Real Wedding at Kleinevalleij {Lana & Albertus}

by gaby

Get ready for wedding gorgeousness you guys! I have been dying to share Lana and Albertus’ wedding for a while now, and you don’t have to look much further than the sparkly bridesmaid dresses to see why! But in fact, that’s just one (very) pretty detail in what is otherwise a light and bright, clean yellow wedding with sweet origami touches and a lovely summery feel. It all comes together so perfectly! Chevron is something we’ve been seeing a lot of, and I think the print is used so perfectly here – nice, subtle touches like the groomsmen’s ties, the ring pillow and the dance floor. The result is a look that’s very much of-the-moment, but to be honest, I don’t feel that you’ll look back on this and feel it’s very dated in years to come, as the basic blank canvas is very classic. And isn’t that what so many brides aim to achieve? Great job, guys! And speaking of great jobs, as always I am LOVING the pics from the awesome Moira West – she always captures the look of a wedding so beautifully.Read More

Sparkle & Blush

by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! It’s time for Part 2 of today’s Sparkle & Blush fest. Hopefully you won’t be tired of seeing this shoot already, but I couldn’t resist doing a full post of all my favourite images (some that you won’t have seen before). That said, I’ll shut up and let you enjoy them! ;)Read More

From Inspiration to Invitation to Reality: Sparkle & Blush

by gaby

Back when I moved into my current home and set up my office, I painted one wall in chalkboard and wrote a list in one corner. It was called milestones, and it was a list of ten things I wanted for my blog. On that list, was turning one of my inspiration boards into a styled shoot (what they used to call ‘inspiration to reality’ on Style Me Pretty). It seems like such a long time ago now, but I can still remember the first tentative posts on what was then Cap Classique, the first attempts at inspiration boards. Today (having been featured in magazines and on Wedding Chicks already) that milestone comes full circle, and I want to celebrate that, but more importantly I wanted to share what I learned about wedding design along the way. So before I share the full Sparkle & Blush post this afternoon, I thought I would take you through the whole journey, and hopefully inspire you along the way. :) (Remember, a styled shoot isn’t there to suggest you replicate it exactly the way we designed it. Rather, it’s big on ideas – just pinch one or two that fit your theme and budget.)
It started with an inspiration board…

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