Tag: watercolour

Inspiration Board: Traveller’s Journal

by gaby

I have to say, I’m having fun with the inspiration boards this month, reinventing the travel theme for current trends and styles. Today’s is no exception. For this one, I was inspired by the idea of a watercolour travel journal, which immediately made me think of this amazing stationery suite, and that made me think of sunny days in the beautiful Italian countryside. I love the way that neutrals as a colour scheme can look so romantic – it’s all about textures. Soft tulle, honey brickwork, soft leather, ribbon, lace… This is one travel-styled wedding that will never date.

Colours: Shades of neutral & white

Top row (l-r): Travel journal invitation suite {Ceci New York}; stone building {Jose Villa Photography}; place setting {Jose Villa/Easton Events}
Row 2: Bride in veil {Jose Villa Photography}; getaway car {Jose Villa Photography}; leather luggage tags {HarLex}
Row 3: Cake {KT Merry/Moda e Arte Workshop/Joy Proctor Design/Hotel Caruso}; bride & groom {Jose Villa Photography/Joy de Vivre Design Boutique}; bridesmaids & bouquets {Kate Preftakes Photography/Events by Sorrell/Apotheca Flowers}

 

20 Watercolour Wedding Invitations

by gaby

I suck at art in general, but if there was one technique I wish I could just magically wake up having mastered, it would probably be watercolour. I just love it, and it’s been so lovely to see watercolour make its way into wedding design the last couple of years. One area where I think it’s particularly adaptable (as in, you don’t have to be having a watercolour or ombre wedding in general to incorporate it) is through stationery – a watercolour wash never fails to look lovely and romantic. It also happens to go brilliantly with pastel colour schemes, so I thought it was the perfect time for us to round up 20 gorgeous options from those clever folks at Etsy. Pick your invitation, choose your shade, and you’re good to go. Just click on any of the links or images below to see more :)Read More

Floral Print Bridesmaid Dresses from Plum Pretty Sugar (PPS Couture)

by gaby

floral-print-pastel-bridesmaid-dresses (1)

Well, this morning we were all about autumn, but this afternoon we’re taking a step back into spring and summer for a second, because I have the most beautiful collection of bridesmaid dresses to share with you from Plum Pretty Sugar‘s new PPS Couture line. I mean, I’ve seen and been crushing on floral print dresses for some time, but these really take the cake. You may already have spotted them on a couple of the US wedding blogs, but with gowns this gorgeous (and dreamy pics by the legendary Jose Villa), I just had to share them with my lovely South African brides too. The four gowns in the collection are made from silk and chiffon, and are full of pretty little details to complement the ethereal floral prints (which just happen to mix and match to perfection). With boys names (cute!) but a distinctly feminine aesthetic, I have a hard time picking my fave. And just in case you think they’re out of local reach, you’ll be happy to know that PPS ships worldwide.Read More

Inspiration Board: Watercolour Wonderful

by gaby

If you’d asked me a couple of years ago, I would have told you probably that the watercolour trend that had just started then would be so over by now, but as I’m learning, trends in wedding world have a longer life and more staying power than I used to give them credit for. Especially since everything watercolour has gone from strength to strength – so much so that it has me wishing I could paint, and that’s saying something, since I have the artistic ability of a flea. Fortunately, I can satisfy myself with beautiful painterly palettes like this one, and gently washed out and handpainted details, from stationery to fabric to flowers. Best of all, if you like colour, you can really enjoy a multicoloured scheme, but with a very soft, romantic feel to it, which is basically perfect for a wedding. So ja. I’m #teamwatercolour all the way.

Colours: Fuschia, mauve, blush, purple, medium blue, navy & coral

Top row (l-r): Watercolour bridesmaids {Ali Harper}; cake {Alexa Loy}; ribbons {Jose Villa/Kate Holt Of Flowerwild }
Row 2: Reception decor {Jasmine Jade/Dream Occasions/Jades Flowers}; ceremony programmes {Harwell Photography/A Day In May Event Planning & Design}; groom in navy suit {Jenna Bechtholt Photography/Wedding & Events by elizaMade}
Row 3: Invitation {Oh My Good Mess}; bride {Emma Pilkington}; bouquet {JAC Photography/Just Chic Events/Commerce Flowers}

 

Marsala Romance by Nyx Photography {Plus Poached Figs in Red Wine Recipe}

by gaby

Happy Thursday, lovely friends! It feels like the long weekend has already begun, but we have lots more inspiration to bring to your pretty faces first. Yay! I’ve been looking forward to sharing this particular shoot for a while – and it’s in this year’s hottest colour, Marsala! Okay, I have mixed feelings about Marsala, but I definitely don’t have mixed feelings about how lovely the Marsala tones look on this particular tablescape and dashing couple. The team behind the shoot, including Natalie Loots of Nyx Photography and Colleen from Lieflingkind Design, used natural berry shades from fruits like pomegranates and grapes, alongside the loveliest watercolour-style stationery – and of course, lush Marsala blooms, and dresses for the ‘bride’. The end result feels a little baroque without being over the top, and has a lovely sense of natural abundance. Plus! Natalie sent over a recipe for the figs – just for you!Read More

Watercolour DIY Roundup

by gaby

In the recent reader survey we did (results coming soon!), one thing that lots of you asked for was more DIY-related content here on the blog – we hear you! So you can expect to see more of our roundups and other DIYs heading your way soon. Today we’re touching on a trend that has grown and grown in weddings – I honestly just can’t get enough of the watercolour look, so much so that I’m planning on dabbling in painting watercolours myself (just for fun mind you, my artistic abilities don’t stretch very far). With this being a popular and versatile look, it’s no surprise that there are loads of really gorgeous watercolour DIY projects out there, and we’ve rounded up 15 of our favourites for you to choose from. (PS Loads of these come from local design powerhouse Susan Brand – love seeing South African talent out there!)

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The Ruby Bride’s EnGedi Wedding by Lad & Lass Photography {Jerusha & Gideon}

by gaby

I’ve just adored meeting our Real Life Brides this season, haven’t you? Jerusha, our Ruby Bride, always made me laugh with her hilarious take on wedding planning, and I knew that when it came to the day she married her beloved Gideon, that humour would be firmly in place, come what may. Fortunately, it was smooth sailing – a beautiful Gauteng day, a joining of two families, and a massive celebration of friendship and love. Jerusha made such a stunning bride – she’s so elegant and poised, like a ballerina, and her gorgeous lace dress was perfection. And of course, she rocked red lipstick and ruby nails! The tablescapes dotted with teacup candles were the perfect complement to the watercolour stationery design, and I love the bridesmaids’ lace cap sleeve dresses, but what really stands out in Lad and Lass‘s incredible photos is the Moments. Those memories that really make a wedding day what it is – the rest is just (very pretty) window dressing. From the look Jerusha shared with her dad as they prepared to walk down the aisle, to a bridesmaid dance party, to the newlyweds laughing together, they’ve captured them all, and I can’t but finish this post with a huge smile on my face. Congrats Jerusha and Gideon!Read More

Elegant Watercolour Oxbow Estate Wedding by Howling Moon Photography {Annine & Pieter}

by gaby

Rush rush rush! I’m off on a MUCH needed mini-holiday today, to spend a weekend with some of my besties in (hopefully) sunny Plett. No laptop for four days :) But first, I wanted to share this lovely little wedding with you all. Taking classic elements and adding a few personal twists and clever touches, like a super cute escort card display and lovely little watercolours on the tables (what a sweet way to add colour and flowers that aren’t flowers, if you know what I mean). Pieter and Annine obviously had a lot of fun putting their personalities and history into the day, so that it was a true celebration of their past, present and future. Howling Moon Photography captured every moment in these lovely, light-filled images.Read More

How to Create a Peach Watercolour Wedding

by gaby

Call me crazy, but the days I get to show off styled shoots that I have been a part of are some of my favourites! And I have been dying to share this one, which I styled with a team of awesome suppliers last autumn. It all started with a conversation between myself and the lovely Anneli Marinovich – she wanted to photograph a rustic table in a field, and we loved the idea of using peach blossom, as peach is such an awesome colour to have in your wedding right now. As the English summer wore on though, we worried that our little dream wouldn’t work as it was getting a bit late in the year, but when the day finally dawned in October, the sun came out for us (even if the wind did too). We had such a lovely day shooting in and around Gaynes Park, which has to be one of my absolute favourite UK venues, and working with the nicest (and most talented) bunch of people you could hope to find. The shoot subsequently was featured in Wedding and Wedding Flowers in the UK, and on Wedding Chicks blog. Honoured! Anyway, today we’re finally bringing it home to SBB.Read More

Ombre Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

Image: Our Labor of Love

We’re heading towards the end of our series on the top bridesmaid looks for 2013, and I must say, I have loved pulling them together! I honestly don’t know how you all are choosing which one to go with, because I love them all. And today’s is no exception – as you may have figured out by now, I’m a huge fan of ombre, the French term for graduated colour – see more of this wedding look here. It also happens to work perfectly with the watercolour trend that’s making everything so pretty right now. There are lots of ways to bring ombre into your wedding, but one of my favourites is through bridesmaid dresses – it’s the perfect evolution of the mismatched look. But what IS the difference between ombre and mismatched bridesmaids? Well, the key is really in the colours, of course. With mismatched, you could pick a colour (green, for example) and let your girls buy whatever dresses they liked, as long as they’re blue. With ombre, you’ll need to be a bit more OCD about it, picking an exact shade along the same colour spectrum for each bridesmaid, starting at an intense colour and ending at a light one, spaced out according to the number of BMs you have. Sound complicated? Well, it can be – one way to make it a bit easier is to have dresses made (the same or in different styles) so you have a bit more control. Take paint samples with you when you go shopping for material or dresses – each will usually show you an ombre colour family, so they’re the perfect reference. But even if you go high street, it’s not as difficult as you might imagine, and to show you, I’ve put together three ombre looks from current high street finds. My favourite is the peach ombre look – it just works so perfectly!

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