Tag: trends and ideas

Table Garlands

by gaby

It’s an exciting day at SBB HQ, and I have some lovely news to share with you this afternoon. When I do, you’ll see why I have garlands and continuous floral runner arrangements on the brain! This is one trend that I have absolutely loved seeing in 2013, and I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of it next season. Garlands are such a pleasing visual element to add to your decor – they look so lush and plentiful, and they really make long tables pop. Of course, a magic carpet of blooms is stunning, but you can also make this work with greenery, succulents, or even (as you’ll see below), photos! You can work with a single colour, a mix, or an ombre effect (love!), and incorporate tall candles or little votives along the way. The garlands can go straight or have a little twist to them, and they can come off the ends of your table or just work along its length. This probably isn’t a trend for budget brides, in that a floral garland tends to use a lot of blooms multiplied by all your tables, but if you’re madly in love with the idea and watching the pennies, why not just have a garland for the head table? Or, as one couple did in the pics below, for a central table that works as a real showstopper and centrepoint visually? That way, you’ll get some of the effect, without all of the expense.Read More

Make a Statement

by gaby

Images: Wedding Concepts/Annemari Ruthven on SBB (left); Elizabeth Messina/Stylish Silhouette/Canvas and Canopy Events via Green Wedding Shoes (centre); Kyle Hale via Green Wedding Shoes (right)

Ten years ago, if I’d been writing this blog (if blogs even existed then, which they probably didn’t), I’d no doubt have been telling you ladies to style your (strapless, obvs) wedding dress with a simple pearl necklace or a diamond solitaire. Nothing too flashy, mind. And don’t get me wrong – diamonds and pearls are ALWAYS a good idea. But if it was me styling my wedding dress, I have to admit that I’d probably be looking in the direction of a trend that has grown and grown among brides – the statement necklace. A few years back, my dear friend Kath rocked this herself, wearing the most gorgeous chunky creation made from various brooches and heirlooms – it looked amazing. And since then, I’ve seen brides in any number of bold and lovely pieces. Every time I do, it gives me a little fashion thrill. Of course, I’m a fan of statement jewellery in general, and this trend isn’t for every bride, but if you’re willing to take a risk, you can turn even a plain gown into a bit of a showstopper. In fact, a plain gown is often a better bet for a bit of styling – you definitely need to have a bit of balance. The other piece of advice is to make sure that whatever you’re doing with your hair allows the necklace to be shown off properly – up is better but long hair down can work, though it’s definitely something to check when you do your hair trial. You can go for bling, layers of pearls – even colour. Here are my most inspiring web finds.Read More

Lace Wedding Cakes

by gaby

Hello lovelies! We have a cute little wedding coming up soon, but first, here’s our weekly roundup. Actually, this post was going to be about a whole other cake trend, but when I asked myself what sort of cake I could see South African brides really going for in the next year, one answer immediately sprang to mind: lace. I mean, we love lace, right? Especially all you Cape Country Vintage brides. It’s a beautiful texture to add to a cake without having to go too bold – in fact it’s the perfect way to amp up a classic white cake. Not that you can’t do something more colourful, as you’ll see below – the base cake or the lace itself can be any number of colours. I think my absolute favourite look is the blush/nude cake with a white lace overlay, since it reminds me of the illusion/portrait back trend we’re seeing in dresses so much at the moment – so gorgeous! I’ve gathered up my Top 20 lace cakes – which is your favourite?Read More

Words as Wedding Decor

by gaby

Cari Photography/The Aleit Group on SBB (left); Paige Lowe Photography/Sitting In A Tree via Green Wedding Shoes (centre); Tammy Horton Photography via Style Me Pretty (right)

Something that always amazes me about Pinterest – it being a visual medium – is that one of the most popular things people pin is quotes. Beautifully designed renderings of quotes, yes, but words. Pictures of words. It’s a little odd, right? But then, I get it. After all, I am, if nothing else, a words person. So here’s a quote for you, from Elie Wiesel: Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds. I like that quote. Because it reminds me that even though actions are important, sometimes words can be every bit as good. Like how, if I’m sick, I just have to call my mom and hear her say “I’m so sorry you’re sick, my darling” to feel better – those words are like a hug. Or how words can be a slap in the face, or a handshake, or a pat on the back. Sometimes they wrap around you like a blanket, or sweep you up like a conga line. And sometimes, when the action is as big as giving your whole heart to someone, you need words to share that with the people you love. So they can feel it with you. Which is all a totally poetic way of saying that today’s post is about words. As decor. It’s one of my top 10 trend predictions for 2013, and I officially love it!Read More

Twinkle Twinkle

by gaby

I hate Christmas lights. Said no one, ever. Because seriously, who doesn’t love a good string o’ lights? I know I do. In fact, the first time I saw the tree at Rockefeller Centre in New York, I almost passed out with delight. And the second, and the third. (I liked that tree a LOT.) Admittedly, actually getting them wound around a tree I am less a fan of (cue: annual family tree argument) but once they’re up, twinkling away, there’s nothing quite like it. Maybe that’s why fairy lights/ twinkle lights/potato/potahtoe are always such an exciting component of wedding decor – maybe they remind us of things magical and childlike. Or maybe we all just like shiny stuff. Whatever the cause, it’s coming on Christmas, and I feel like looking at some sparklies, so today’s post is sheer fairy light indulgence. Some of these babies go big on quantity, but they’re also big on impact and romance. Lights transform an outdoor area into an intimate evening space, or warm up a winter wedding, or create an illusion of height, or just add that extra bit of wow. Hang them in strings, wind them around trees, hang them vertically from the ceiling. Create a wall of light, or a curtain, or a path. But whatever you do, take a few moments to drink them in – the hundred tiny stars shining just for you.Read More

Book Themed Wedding Ideas

by gaby

Literary Wedding Ideas Penguin Books Poster Wedding Gift

Vintage Penguin Book Style Personalised Wedding Poster Print by WizBitArt on Etsy

Today’s post is inspired by my dear friend Shannon, who just so happens to work at Penguin, and just so happens to be getting married next year. I don’t think she’s using Penguin books as part of her decor, but probably because of her I’ve been more aware of a few instances of them coming up in weddings recently. I have to say though, that I wouldn’t call this a trend – it’s certainly not for everyone. But for a certain type of bride and groom (library wedding, love of books, English Lit graduates, writers or editors, etc.) it makes a lovely and personal motif. All books would, of course, but Penguin books marry literature so successfully with iconic design. There are, of course, the original Penguins – those single colour covers that we all instantly recognise. But more recently, there’s been the work of Coralie Bickford-Smith, a senior designer at Penguin who has won awards and acclaim for her beautiful, covetable covers (I own a complete set of the Fitzgerald ones and I’M COMPLETELY IN LOVE with them). Including these in your decor immediately adds an element of great design, and I think that’s why some couples have been using them so successfully. Let’s have a look.
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