Inspiration Board: Marsala Christmas

Okay okay, I said I’d never do another Marsala inspiration board, but as we bid farewell to 2015’s colour of the year and welcome a seriously exciting new pair (more on that in January), I thought I’d look back on it just one last time, since it does, after all, offer a fresh spin on Christmas red. I haven’t yet decided what my holiday table will look like, but I must admit I’m tempted by this deep shade of berry combined with natural elements like pinecones and cranberries (ridiculous in a South African summer of course, but who cares). And also, I absolutely must move into that snowy Marsala house RIGHT NOW. (Or at least get myself a print of it in all its glory from artist Kristine Patti.) All in all, I think a Marsala Christmas would be a great way to say goodbye to the year (and the colour) that was – don’t you agree?

Colours: Marsala, white, emerald, wood

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Margherita Calati/Il Giorno che Vorrei}; table with candles {Ashley Cook Photography/Dream Design}; cranberry cocktail {Sacramento Street}
Row 2: Bridesmaids {Troy Grover Photographers/Michelle McGregor}; earrings {Endora Jewellery/Etsy}; cranberry escort cards {David Stark/Susan Montagna}
Row 3: Christmas house {Kristine Patti}; chocolate berry cake {Rebecca Hollis/Romancing the Stone}; Marsala wreath {Marigold’s Designs/Etsy}; place setting {Chantall Marshall Photography/Kadou}

 

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Inspiration Board: Mulled Wine

It’s time for the last in our series of wine-inspired boards (previously we’ve featured Rosé, Merlot & Champagne). This time, instead of focusing on an actual wine, I’ve focused on a wine cocktail – namely the mulled wine that’s always such a lovely part of Christmas (at least in a cold climate!). I loved the way that the deep red (a nod to this year’s colour of the year, Marsala) mixes with nutty browns like cinnamon and citrus orange, just like it does in the drink. I actually think this would make a gorgeous rustic winter or autumn wedding ‘theme’ – you could include touches of citrus and cinnamon or star anise in bouquets and table arrangements, or as dried place setting decorations, and all the colours and textures work beautifully together. Plus the orange adds a lot of warmth and punch to the burgundy, and it’s an unusual pairing, so looks fresh and fun. So there you go. Is it just me, or could you do a glass of mulled wine right now? Mmmm.

Colours: Burgundy, orange, mocha & green

Top row (l-r): Mulled wine {Flourishing Foodie}; bouquet {Jose Villa/Moon Canyon Design}; ring in box {Lani Elias Fine Art Photography/Julie Doan}
Row 2: Bridesmaids {Photographs by Jenna Leigh}; place setting with cinnamon stick {Park Road Photography by Sarah Elle/Taylor Perkins of Alisa Lewis Event Design}; bouquet with oranges {Erba Floral Studio}
Row 3: Groom with braces {Lavender & Twine}; calligraphy invitations {A Fabulous Fete}; kumquat naked cake {Michael and Kate Photography/Evoke Event Design and Coordination}; bride {Ashley Rae Photography/Alexandra Grecco}

 

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Inspiration Board: You Had Me at Merlot

Hello lovelies! Today we’re continuing the wine theme of this month’s inspiration boards (see last week’s, Rosé), with the rich jewel tones of Merlot. This board is like the darker, more dramatic cousin to the Marsala inspiration that’s been everywhere this year, but dark definitely doesn’t have to mean depressing. Rather, with a touch of gold, white and emerald, and some well-chosen wine-inspired details, it’s the perfect, elegant inspiration. I’m loving it. (Oh, and by the way, I totally nicked the title of today’s board from this adorable novel – such a fun read!)

Colours: Merlot, emerald, white & gold

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Ashley Cook Photography/Dream Design}; centrepiece and coloured glassware {William Innes Photography/Kristeen LaBrot Events/Fujiko’s Flowers}; wine cork ring shot {Jarrad Lister Photography/Perfect Italy Wedding}; candles on wine barrel {Abri Kruger/4 Every Event}
Row 2: Wine stain stationery {Jodi Miller Photography}; sparkly burgundy shoes {Studio 563}; bouquet {Jenny Jimenez/Ryder Sloan Events}
Row 3: Burgundy peonies; cake {Gingerale Photography/Absolute Perfection/Pippa and Polly Cakery}; merlot bridesmaids {Sarah Ainsworth Photography}

 

Inspiration Board: Greenhouse & Garnet

Time for some inspiration! As you may have heard last week, our theme for July is ‘Greenhouse’, so I’m letting myself be inspired by everything beautiful and botanical. I just LOVE the idea of a wedding in a greenhouse setting, and of course you’d want to include lots of lush greenery in that sort of setting, but there’s no reason why that shouldn’t mean a big pop of colour too. I love green and red together – they don’t need to look like Christmas either. Garnet is a gorgeous shade of red – just a berry breath away from this year’s colour of note, Marsala, and a super flattering shade for bridesmaids and flowers too. Doncha just love it?

Colours: Garnet red, emerald & white

Top row (l-r): Invitation suite {Visual Cravings/Laura & Co. Events/Rachel A. Clingen Wedding & Event Design/Paper & Poste}; bouquet {Lime Green Photography/Statice Couture}; greenhouse setting {Lane Dittoe/Greystone Mansion/Flower Wild}
Row 2: Table decor {Lani Elias/Ashley Nicole}; greenery & chandeliers {KT Merry}; red bridesmaid dresses {Azuree Wiitala/Elizabeth And James}
Row 3: Bride with flower crown {Floral Earth/Alise Taggart/Paula O’Hara} ; botanical gardens ceremony {The Wedding Artists Collective}; candles & ferns {Ryan Ray Photo/Signora e Mare/Sprout Flowers}

 

Inspiration Board: Autumn Grace

Hello lovelies! We have one last inspiration board to share for our autumn month, utilising some of the colours in the Pantone’s Fall 2015 palette. Truth #1: I wasn’t totally crazy about these colours when I first saw them, but as I’ve been working with them, I’ve found so many pretty possibilities – today’s is definitely my favourite. Truth #2: I swore I’d never do another Marsala inspiration board and I couldn’t help but include it here (although I still maintain this is more scarlet than Marsala, but whatevs). I’m not even sorry, because the deep blue and red paired with a soft touch of sage and a little glimmer of gold look absolutely amazing, and are beyond perfect for a sophisticated autumn wedding. Don’t you agree?

Colours: Pantone Reflecting Pond, Pantone Marsala, Pantone Desert Sage & Gold

Top row (l-r): Table setting {Kurt Boomer Photo/Joy Proctor Design}; bouquet {Amelia Johnson/Karson Butler Events/Sidra Forman}; leaf escort cards {Ann-Kathrin Koch Photography/Knot & Pop}
Row 2: Bride with flower crown {Yolandé Marx/Anneke Roux & Nicola Pretorius from The Pretty Blog}; blue cards {Jose Villa Photography/Pilgrim’s Quill/Jenna Lam Events}; boutonniere
Row 3: Bride in red dress & groom {Emilia Jane Photography}; invitation and rings {Brett Heidebrecht/Kylie Swanson/Lindsay Letters/Juliet Grace Designs}; flowers in urn {Christian Cruz For Max & Friends/Sweet Marie Designs}

 

Inspiration Board: Gypsy Rose

So you guys, how are you enjoying boho month? I must admit, Candice and I have been having a ball putting these special features together and we have lots more for you over the next couple of weeks! Although I’m sure we’ll be all boho-ed out after that ;) For a while anyway! Today we have another boho inspiration board – this one inspired by a gypsy wedding and no, I don’t mean the big fat reality TV kind. Think antique caravans, mixed textures, berry shades – basically the old school run away with the gypsies style romance. Hope you like it!

Colours: Scarlet, moss green, aubergine, rose & grey

Top row (l-r): Gypsy caravan elopement {Elizabeth Messina/Merryl Brown Events/Flower Wild/Imagine Design + Jamie Nelson Construction/Maryvonne Laparliere/Galvin Painting}; mason chandelier {Mathieu Photography}; scarlet bouquet {Aneta Mak}
Row 2: Fruit/vegetable centrepiece {Claire Dobson Photography/A Savvy Event/Loop Flowers}; boho bride {Katie May}; caravan steps {Elizabeth Messina/Merryl Brown Events/Flower Wild/Imagine Design + Jamie Nelson Construction}
Row 3: Bridesmaids {The Nichols/Bryan Long Flowers & Events}; menu {Anushé Low/B.loved Wedding Styling & Design/Philippa Craddock/The Story House}; table garland {Claire Dobson Photography/A Savvy Event/Loop Flowers}

 

Inspiration Board: Blackberry Boho

Morning lovely ones! It’s the start of a new month, and this time, Candice and I thought we would try something different and take a page out of the magazine playbook by having a bit of a theme for our features, and the one we’ve chosen is Boho. That’s not to say that everything we feature in March will be boho (so don’t despair, glamour brides, there’s something for everyone!) but we will be featuring lots of fab bohemian, boho luxe and boho rustic content during the month. So I thought I’d kick things off with a boho board today! You probably know by now how much I love incorporating natural elements like fruit into wedding design, so I was totally inspired a while back when I saw this flower crown that also included berries – SO pretty! That’s where this board started, and it’s ended up somewhere really pretty I think, with tones of blush, raspberry and blackberry against soft white. This is boho at its most romantic – I just want to dive right in.

Colours: Blush pink, garnet, mahogany, green & white

Top row (l-r): Flower crown with berries {Sonya Khegay/Ajur Wedding/Latte decor/Olga Chursina}; cake with berries {Eyelet Images/The Ruffle Effect/Elise Cakes}; bridesmaids {Jen Huang/Magnolia Rouge/Fleuriste}
Row 2: Bouquet {Mint Photography/Lindsey Zamora/Without Wax Katy}; blackberry cocktails {Anastasiya Belik Photography/Peony Art Decoration Studio}; rustic handdrawn invitation {Christie Graham Photography/The Written Word Calligraphy}
Row 3: Tablescape {Onelove Photography/WINK! Weddings/Seed Floral}; ceremony arch {Linda Chaja/Magnolia Event Design/NLC Productions}; red cocktail {Summer Street Photography/Whim Events}

Blackberry Boho Wedding Inspiration | SouthBound Bride

 

Inspiration Board: My City Valentine

Happy Valentine’s week, lovelies! I have some fantastic treats coming up for you in the next few days, but we’re kicking things off with an inspiration board that’s a fun urban twist on the traditional Valentine palette of pink and red. I personally love city weddings, especially those with a bit of an industrial twist or loft-style location, so this is right up my street! Think café lighting, elegant minimalist lettering, mini champagne bottle favours, textures like metal and distressed wood, and then add an array of soft, romantic blooms in the signature shades, and you’ve got this look all wrapped up. Of course, there’s no need to limit this inspiration to V-Day weddings either, because it would be chic at any time of the year.

Colours: Scarlet, brick, blush, rose pink & slate

Top row (l-r): LOVE letters {Landon Jacob Photography/Jove Meyer/2H Flowers}; centrepiece with proteas {Bellamint Photography/ Sunflower Creative}; bride & groom {ALLAN ZEPEDA/Lindsey Brunk }
Row 2: Champagne bottle minis {Leslee Mitchell}; hanging bulbs {Belathee Photography/Downey Street Events}; modern save the date {Little Red Press}; groom & groomsmen
Row 3: Bride {BHLDN}; industrial style escort card display {Archetype Studio Inc./Bourbon & Bloom Vintage Rentals}; bouquet {Melanie Bennett Photography/The Flower Farm/Valley House of Flowers}

 

Inspiration Board: Marsala Blush

Hello again friends! This time of year, I usually do a whole special on the Pantone colour of the year, but this year, I’m saying no. And why? Because I think that this year’s colour, Marsala, is quite frankly, a bit shite. Now don’t get me wrong, because I don’t have a problem with Marsala itself – it’s actually a pretty awesome interior accent and I’ve even seen some fashion bits and pieces that I liked coming through. It’s entirely possible it will grow on me even more. But as a primary wedding colour… it’s brown. I don’t care how many times the internet says it’s red-influenced or muted claret or berry, it’s BROWN. And you guys, don’t have a brown wedding. Because in 20 years time, you don’t want to be looking at your wedding pictures with your children asking why your bridesmaids are in dresses the colour of poop, saying (for the hundredth time): “It’s NOT brown, it’s Marsala” while they roll their eyes and think “people in 2015 were SO DUMB”. Now here’s the good news. Claret and berry shades are actually pretty hot right now. So if you don’t get too intense about the colour matching charts and veer over towards burgundy or ruby, you have yourself a winner. And I suspect that’s where most of the ‘Marsala’ wedding inspiration that’s about to be all over wedding blogs will go. And that’s sort of where I’ve gone today, combined with blush, in the one and only Marsala inspiration board you will see on SouthBound Bride.

Colours: Pantone Marsala (ish), blush pink, gold & ivory

Top row (l-r): Bride with bouquet {Eric Kelley Photography}; shoes; bouquet with ribbons {Lucy Munoz Photography/Divine Blooms & Designs}
Row 2: Centrepiece {Lani Elias Fine Art Photography/Ashley Nicole}; tassel garland {Your Cloud Parade}; gold place setting {The Nichols/Clink Events}; ribbon with ring {Lani Elias Fine Art Photography/Ashley Nicole}
Row 3: Candles in gold bottles {Sonya Khegay Photography/Latte Décor}; serving spoons {Lani Elias Fine Art Photography/Ashley Nicole}; bridesmaids {Tealily Photography/White Runway }

 

Inspiration Board: Lace Tattoo

I wasn’t even sure you all would have an inspiration board this week, what with Eskom and Telkom conspiring to make my weekend extra frustrating but I have to say, I am loving this board! Lace is no newcomer to weddings, but at the moment I am absolutely loving the way that nude lace has been making an appearance, mimicking the look of intricate lace designs against skin, but also introducing a lovely warm, neutral blush to the equation. In fact, it’s a combination that would be pretty on its own, but to add some extra drama, I’ve added just the tiniest pop of deep purpley red, and I absolutely love the sophisticated mixture. With lace tablecloths and cakes (not to mention wedding dresses) very much on trend, this would be an easy – but very impressive – look to pull off perhaps with the addition of a touch of gold for extra evening glitz. I’m especially loving the nude lace wedding invitation from Wedding Paper Divas – don’t you agree?

Colours: Nude blush, white, scarlet

Top row (l-r): Invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}; blush lace dress {Jose Villa Photography}; table with lace runner {Matthew Moore/Weddings International}
Row 2: Bouquet {Danielle Capito Photography/Davia Lee Weddings & Events/Renae’s Bouquet}; bride with lace dress & headpiece {Twigs & Honey/Elizabeth Messina}; lace manicure
Row 3: Lace cake {Paula at ‘Sweet and Simple Cakes’}; hanging lace embroidery frames {Simply Kissed Photography}; dresses {Naomi Kenton/Katya Shehurina}