Tag: Trends & Ideas

Lasercut Wedding Invitations

by gaby

Source: Love Me Do Photography/Where Do You Go To Design Co. via 100 Layer Cake

There’s a lot of gorgeous happening in wedding paper design right now – with letterpress on one hand and foiling on the other, and watercolour and calligraphy and hand drawn beauties in the middle, I don’t know which to call my favourites. But if there’s one trend that South African brides and grooms have been embracing for a while now, it’s lasercuts, and stationery is no exception. Just like letterpress and foil embossing, lasercut adds a really special texture to any paper product and its fine detailing allows not only for intricate detail but the use of unusual materials like wood or perspex as well as paper. The possibilities are vast, and I think we’ve only just begun to see the creative juices start to flow with this design form. Even so, there’s a lot of very beautiful invitations going around at the moment – here are ten of my personal faves to inspire you!Read More

Ice Cream Pastel Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

Image: Skyla Walton/ via Green Wedding Shoes

Hello lovelies, have you recovered from the gorgeousness that was this morning’s wedding? Good-o, because this afternoon we’re continuing our series on the key bridesmaid looks for 2013, with inspiration from real weddings as well as some off-the-rack finds. So far you all have been loving this particular set of posts, and we’ve already covered lace and stripes, with more to come. Today is all about pastels – or more specifically, mix ‘n match ice cream pastels. I absolutely LOVE this look, whether with matching dresses in different colours or a complete mixed vibe. If your girls have quite different looks, this is a fantastic option, and it also goes brilliantly with the Cape country vintage look, as shown off by our Real Life Bride, Cheryl, last year. It’s colourful without being too bold, and just because you go for a mixed bridesmaid palette doesn’t mean that the rest of the wedding needs to be in multiple shades. That makes it really useable while still being pretty and whimsical and fun, which is probably why it’s gained in popularity. So here we go, my favourite sorbet bridesmaids – and some pastel pretties from the high street as well.

Click on any of the dress images below to shop. And for the most recent BM dress finds, check in with our Bridesmaid Boutique Pinterest Board.Read More

Striped Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

Image: Jonathan Canlas Photography/Thread Social via Brooklyn Bride

Hello lovelies – how are you enjoying your long weekend so far? Today I’m bringing you the latest in our new series on the top looks for bridesmaids in 2013, and this week we’re looking at a subset of prints – one of 2013’s biggest trends. Stripes are such an accessible print, particularly monochrome stripes, which are very much the look. They work well with a variety of looks – everything from a nautical wedding to a preppy one to those with a bit of a French influence, or just one that looks fresh and fashion forward. It’s no accident that the images I’m sharing today have already been pinned like crazy – every time a set of stripey bridesmaids hits the net we all fall madly in love with it. Just one word of advice – as a bride, you want your girls to feel comfy, and some stripey dresses can be super unflattering for a curvy bridesmaid. Opt for a narrower stripe, a stripey skirt with a block coloured top, or just make sure to let everyone try on your choice before you buy, as you never really know which are going to work until you get them on. Apart from that, stripes away! Here are some of my favourite looks, and some off-the-rack options to recreate them.

Click on any of the dress images below to shop. And for the most recent bridesmaid dress finds, check in with our Bridesmaid Boutique Pinterest Board.Read More

Painted Ladies

by gaby

I’m hardly the first to this party, but I thought it was high time I shared this gorgeous trend that has taken the wedding world by storm in the last year. Hand painted cakes are the ultimate in cake art – fondant that has been either stencilled or painted free hand for spectacularly lovely results. Each cake is as unique as the artist who creates them – some are super feminine and delicate, with representations of flowers, birds and romantic patterns like delft and toile. Some use more graphic patterns. Many have been inspired by decorative wallpaper at venues, wedding invitations, etc. As someone who has zero art skills, this is definitely one I would leave to the pros, but in fact if you or someone close to you is a talented illustrator, I’ve read that the technique is relatively straightforward and plain fondant cakes are definitely affordable. So it doesn’t have to be a trend reserved for celebrities and zillion dollar brides, although it certainly requires patience and talent! Here’s some eye candy from around the web to show you just how many lovely possibilities there are.Read More

Custom Wedding Dancefloors

by gaby

Image: welovepictures/Kraak via 100 Layer Cake

Some trends are more obvious – they tie in to more general trends in fashion, interiors, etc. Others just seem to happen, and this is one of them. For the last while, I’ve been noticing more and more (particularly South African) brides and grooms taking their wedding decor and personalisation one step further by creating statement dancefloors, and you guys, I love it! I mean, it’s indulgent – there really is no NEED for this at your wedding – but it’s just so cool! And depending on how bold you go, it can make a real statement that defines the decor of the whole reception space. Like the couple above, who painted the Kleinevalleij floor with mint stripes to go along with their gorgeous graphic decor. Together with the giant wall sign, it makes an amazing statement. Read More