Good morning, friends! I have another fabulous wedding coming your way later, but first I thought I would change things up a bit and bring you some inspiration for the boys. Didn’t think bridesmaids were going to have all the mismatching fun, did you? Seriously though, this is one trend that will make your future husband (and his best friends) love you – allowing them to express themselves a bit and to be comfortable in what they are wearing is bound to be a huge plus. Like the same trend for girls, there are lots of different levels of mismatch, from having the same suit and different accessories, to having different looks for the groom and the groomsmen, to a general colour or style guideline, to a full-scale mix and match. What you choose will depend on practical aspects like hire versus purchase, as well as the overall style of your big day (this works particularly well for vintage or boho weddings, for example). And here are some pretty pics to get you started. (Pretty pics? That feels weird when they’re all boys. Handsome pics.)Read More
Here’s a random trend: oversized letters. I’ve been noticing these in weddings and events from the US to South Africa, and they really appeal to my sense of fun. And we’re not talking the kind of big letters you might buy in a decor shop that you and your hubby can hold sedately for your photos. No, when I say big, I mean giant. Letters almost as big as you are, bigger sometimes. Aren’t they AWESOME? Frankly, there’s no rhyme or reason to include these in your decor… but there’s no rhyme or reason not to. It will definitely make for amazing pics, and is something your guests will be talking about. And from what I’ve picked up in my search, they’re not even the end of the world difficult to DIY. You could go for your names, your initials, or even a word like ‘love’ or ‘celebrate’. Or why not get super creative and spell out something unusual? Either way, this is a trend that I L-O-V-E-love.Read More
Time for some afternoon inspiration! Last week I was thrilled to be asked by BrideTide (a brilliant hub for wedding news, as well as the keepers of the prestigious Top 100 Wedding Blogs list) to be one of 20 bloggers predicting the big wedding trends for 2013. What an honour to be in the company of some of my absolute favourite bloggers, and people I respect immensely. The list is still being updated, but you can find it here.
Trends are always hard to predict, since sometimes it feels like by the time you notice them, they’re almost over, but there was one that I feel absolutely sure will be a defining look for next year, and that’s prints (or ‘prints charming’, as the article so sweetly phrases it!). In some ways, this is a natural extension of some of the fabric trends we’ve already seen: damask, stripes, chevron, toile as well as the move towards painterly style and modern graphics, resulting in bolder or bespoke choices in linen, be they table runners or napkins. Of course, prints are also big news in fashion, and with mismatched bridesmaids being a much-loved look, it was only a matter of time until brides took the leap into dressing at least one of their girls in a print as well. Some brides have already managed to work a lovely layered print look, incorporating it into their stationery as well – this can work best for a shabby chic or country vibe – or adopting a single look which, again, is incorporated into their stationery or ‘branding’. I have to say, I’m a huge fan of the style in its many guises, particularly the way that a unique fabric on the tables or in the bridal party can really make your colours pop and bring everything together. And, while having all your maids in prints can look amazing, I think my favourite BM groupings are the ones that have a range of colours and textures, including at least one print and one sparkly dress. But that’s just me! I’ve put together a whole gallery of inspiration for you, so you can see that this look doesn’t have to be scary. Let’s start with whole groups of bridesmaids in matching prints…Read More
It’s my favourite time of year again – Pantone have just released their latest spring fashion palette, and man, is it a good one! I absolutely love every one of these pretty, preppy colours, from punchy Poppy Red or Lemon Zest to cool Monaco Blue (best name ever) and Linen, which pretty much go with everything. Greyed Jade and African Violet are lovely soft versions of purple and green, and Tender Shoots and Nectarine offer chilled out alternatives to chartreuse and coral. I also love emerald and dusky blue – lovely, cool colours you just want to dive on into. There are SO many combinations of these colours that would look amazing at a wedding, but I’ve put together a few mini palettes to get you started. Which is your favourite?
Does what it says on the tin. That’s the principle we follow in naming educational textbooks in my other life, and that’s what I’m doing today. No crazy preamble, just 20 gorgeous bouquets that have been making my little heart skip a beat lately. Lush!!
It’s the ciiiiiiircle of liiiiife…. Okay okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic (and also? the last time you’ll hear me singing a song a) by Elton John and b) from a musical), but there’s no denying that a circle is an appropriate symbol at a wedding. It represents connectedness, eternity, the wedding rings. And when it’s made out of flowers – well, it’s just so gosh darn purdy. I’ve been noticing wreaths all over weddings for a while now, and every time I do they catch my attention, so today I thought we’d just bask a little in the eye candy.Read More
K-Patz in happier days. Tut tut, Kristin. No more sparkly boyfriend for you.
Blame it on Kristin Stewart. (I mean, she’s getting blamed for everything else right now, why not.) I thought the biggest style statement of that there Twilight wedding would be the hanging blooms, but it turns out that Bella’s gorgeous illusion back gown was the big winner. With lace being huge right now, I am seeing beautiful lace backs popping up everywhere, and goodness if they don’t always catch my breath. Now I’ll admit, there’s a bit of envy here because no way no how am I ever going to be wearing one of these in any form (let’s just say the look gets a little ruined by a bra strap, and I get a little ruined without a bra), but for you ladies who can pull this look off, they make an incredibly stylish and romantic statement. (For the rest of us, of course, there are still illusion necklines which are also a big trend, but that’s another post). There’s something about the mixture of covered and sheer, of lace and skin, that makes them simultaneously demure and sexy. Just one note of caution – if you have your heart set on wearing your hair down (or even half down, or in a ponytail), give this dress style a miss. No point in covering up Mona Lisa’s smile!
To get you inspired, I thought I would introduce you to some of the key designers who have been working this look recently, and then show you my local favourite.Read More
Hello friends! Isn’t this week just the best? So thrilling to see another South African gold in the pool last night, and an absolutely brilliant one at that. Go the Chad. Just one post today, as I’m heading off to Wimbledon to watch some Olympic tennis. So exciting! I don’t know exactly what we’ll get to see live, but I know Andy Murray’s playing in the afternoon, so I’m sure the atmosphere will be amazing! But right back in Weddingville, we’re getting excited about shoes. For a change. Okay, yes, we’re always excited about shoes here, but in this case it’s shoes that reflect the mismatched bridesmaid trend we’ve been seeing in the last couple of seasons. A couple of weeks ago we spoke about one type of lovely mismatched accessory (flowers) and today it’s all about letting your BMs’ feet do the talking. Get ready to say “shoe-wa-wa!” Read More
One of the biggest trends of the last couple of years has to be the move away from uniform bridesmaid dresses, to putting your girls in a variety of styles or colours that complement each other. I still get a little thrill whenever I see this done well, and I know that it’s made many bridesmaids themselves happy, including me. But what if you really want your girls to wear the same dresses, and still want to distinguish them? To let them each express their personality a little? Then this series of posts is for you. In Part 1 we’ll be looking at the mini-trend of individual bouquets. This has to be one of my all-time favourite bridesmaid trends! Probably because of how much I love flowers – the idea of having several beautiful bouquets instead of just one with variations really excites me.Read More
First of all, can I just say one thing (in my other life, I’m a book editor; I need to get this out of my system, because I see it on wedding blogs – even the big ones – every day). It’s not an isle. That’s an island, aka a piece of land surrounded by water, aka no man is one, aka tropical the island breeze all of nature wild and free. It’s an aisle, folks. And that is what you’ll be walking down or up or whatever in the not too distant future. Just had to put that out there. Now here’s the thing about the aisle. It’s not a huge part of your wedding decor, it doesn’t mean that much to your guests, and whatever you do to it, I’d bet on your guy not even really noticing as long as you show up at the end of it. So if the budget is tight, you can pretty much leave it as it is, or go with the traditional flowers on every other pew. Nothing wrong with that. But the aisle is also a view that is unique to you (okay, and your dad and your bridesmaids), and it’s the place you are going to see your husband-to-be’s face as he watches you walk towards him. So it’s already going to be romantic. But if you’re creative, it could be the most romantic view you ever have. Think Twilight. Or think: this.
