You guys, THIS WEDDING. I first came across Mitzi and Klara’s big day on Insta, since Mitzi is one of SA’s top DJs (and has been featured multiple times on SBB) as DJ Chopper. I was instantly in love. An outdoor ceremony and reception in an unpolished, industrial setting, filled with bright blooms and tropical greenery, a tangible feeling of love and celebration, and two beautiful brides who clearly couldn’t keep their eyes off one another. I adore the bold palette of black and metallics underpinning pops of gorgeous colour, and the way that even though the couple chose an open, non-weddingy space (in the traditional sense), it has such a feeling of warmth and intimacy thanks to that palette, combined with clever lighting and reflective, transparent elements. Best of all, it looks like it was an absolute blast! The super talented Jenni Elizabeth was behind the camera, and was gracious enough to share these lovely images with us today. (PS Be sure to read the proposal story – so adorable!)
It’s been fun focusing on marble and minerals this month – really one of the most versatile trends I’ve seen in a long while, which works for wedding styles from sophisticated city soiree to organic boho celebration, and everything in between. And as we come to the end of August, I can’t think of a better way to end off than with this utterly gorgeous styled shoot, from some of my bestest local Durban suppliers, including my almost-neighbour, Toujours Wedding House, Planned to Perfection, and photographer Wilma Towell. Incorporating greenery, moody candlelight and sophisticated styling, mixed in with crystals and geodes and the prettiest of marble cakes and stationery, it just sums up everything I love about this look and gives it the perfect amount of industrial-meets-rustic flair. The gorgeous models rock swish suits and swoony gowns (oh, so swoony!), and the flowers… oh my. It’s fabulous, so ready, steady, let’s get inspired!
Happy Monday, brideys! We’re continuing on with our month of industrial inspiration with a gorgeous editorial that’s part fashion-inspired, part modern industrial, and all fabulous! Influenced by New York Fashion Week, it has a masculine-meets-feminine vibe that’s perfect for a city wedding, and a striking base palette of black, white, grey and gold with pops of amethyst, emerald and periwinkle. Alongside lush florals and crystal geode details, are industrial elements like custom dipped Edison bulbs, concrete vases, and an urban chic setting. And don’t get me started on the stationery! Such gorgeous watercolour, fashion illustration style pieces, reflected beautifully in the statement cake, and of course the very stylish brides’ monochrome dress (that dress!) and suit (those shoes!). There’s even a cute little mini bar serving old fashioned Aviation cocktails! There’s loads to inspire, thanks to Jeff Brummett Visuals, Grit + Gold and their very talented team.
When I started researching ‘Industrial Chic’, which as you all know is our theme for April, one of the things I noticed is how many absolutely gorgeous ceremony spaces had been created and styled in areas that you might not have dreamed would be wedding appropriate. From factory corners to brick walls, staircases to windows and doorways, brides and grooms and stylists have been dreaming up installations and floral decorations and a million other ways to make those unassuming spaces special for the moment you say your ‘I do’s. And I couldn’t wait to round up 20 of my favourites. So here they are!
Sometimes a submission crosses my desk that makes me fall in love with wedding design all over again, a submission I literally cannot wait to share with you all, and this exquisite little gem from Jenna Henderson and Cedarwood Weddings is one of those. As you know, I love contrast, and that’s one of the reasons why I picked industrial chic as this month’s theme, but I’ll be honest, when I think of that contrast it’s still more in an indoor setting. Like industrial + glamour or industrial + romantic. This shoot turns that on its head, combining industrial elements with organic, bohemian style and my goodness, it is GORGEOUS. The mix of cool metals and silvery eucalyptus and olive, for example. The industrial-style chairs in an alfresco setting. A signature drink that’s as sophisticated as it is natural. And a Claire Pettibone dress that has me swooning all over my keyboard (that back, though!). This is a look that really resonates with the modern bride, bringing together both her urban and rural sides, and culminating in a design that’s as inspiring as it is do-able. Thrilled to share it with you today!
I’ve featured a lot of styled shoots on SBB, but I’m not kidding when I say that this might be one of my all-time favourites. It’s so thoroughly South African, from its shweshwe top to its shimmery gold toes. Natalie Elliot of Tickled Pink and her seriously impressive team of suppliers (including Ninirichi Style Studio, who styled it to creative perfection!) have done an amazing job, putting together one idea after another, each reflecting beautiful homegrown wedding style (as well as industrial wedding chic), and giving us a faux wedding that’s as fun and modern as it is glamorous. There are SO MANY clever, stealable details making up this Jozi love story, that you need to look at it over and over again to see them all – from the ‘Ag Sweet’ candy buffet laden with local favourites to the colourful table, but I think the ceremony area with concrete breeze block and wooden protea aisle, as well as textured metal skyline backdrop is my best. Take some time to scroll through the gorgeous pics by As Sweet As Images, and be inspired. (And yes, I included more than usual, but seriously, how could I not?)Read More
A lot of the inspiration we share here is countrified or beachy – and after all, there’s a huge chunk of South Africa and beautiful South African venues that are situated beyond city limits or even in pockets of countryside within them. But I think city weddings are on the up – especially with some gorgeous city venues especially in Joburg. And while this style isn’t for everyone, I personally adore urban style – there’s something so elegant and sophisticated about it, and I adore the contrast between industrial textures like steel, glass and brick with soft tulle or verdant blooms. So I’m thrilled to be bringing you today’s styled shoot by a fab team including the dynamic Vizion Photo and Celeste Styled Events. You may have seen it in the previous issue of our fave magazine, Wedding Inspirations, but here is an extended look at all the lovely details, including two swish tablescapes, two variations on the bridal look (LOVE the denim jacket, and that floral neckpiece – wow!), and even a pie ‘cake’, all set against a slick, modern backdrop. Be inspired!Read More
Afternoon lovelies! Very excited to share this styled shoot with you today, which comes from a very talented team of suppliers, including photographers Heathyr Huss and Nicole Rich, as well as event designer Nicola Jane Wedding & Event Specialist. The theme of the shoot was Nutopia, a romantic infusion of citrus and slate. I am always a huge fan of modern wedding styling, especially when it uses innovative colours or textures and this shoot is chock full of lovely ideas to inspire you. First of all, it is sunshine yellow, which has to be the most cheerful colour ever. With a healthy dose of citrus detailing and gorgeous flowers (including pincushion proteas, my best), parts of the look are really organic and certainly very summery. And did I mention the romance of the dresses? Wow, Elbeth Gillis gets me every time! These soft aspects contrast with some industrial elements – not scary industrial though, pretty modern industrial. As in, hanging bulbs, concrete planters (LOVE this idea), and slate grey which really makes the lemon yellow pop. The whole look is fresh and elegant and gorgeous!Read More
Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day… But you can trust that I’ll be brightening up your Monday with a brand new inspiration board on the blog! And this time it’s even brighter than usual, with a yellow-themed board created just for reader Bronwyn. She’s having a summer wedding in Johannesburg, and wants a modern theme for her big day. She’s looking for something clean cut, including square tables, as well as a few quirky ideas. I just loved putting this one together! Yellow is a bold colour choice, but I can’t emphasise enough what a happy colour it is, and I really think that it gets everything off to a wonderful start. With Bronwyn’s ideas as a starting point, I immediately thought of two elements. The first is chevron – the pattern you’ll see under the ring and on the runner below. Chevron is huge in design at the moment, partly because it has links to Art Deco and the 1920s trend, but also because it’s a great balance of clean cut and preppy with a little retro twist to it. And it is just sooo pretty! So I would definitely use chevron as a key motif for this wedding – in stationery, on table runners, etc. There are tons of chevron ideas to play with – just tap it into Pinterest to see a selection. The second element I thought would be great is a focus on typography, which like Bronwyn’s specification, is also modern and clean cut (and brings in the black and white part of the colour palette beautifully). Again, there are lots of ideas around, but at the wedding I’ve included below, the couple really went to town, having hanging ‘banners’ above the reception space with absolutely gorgeous type. You could also type up quotes or meaningful words in your chosen font and frame them to create an installation on one wall at the reception. Add in a few industrial elements (naked lighbulbs, for example, or the quirky but very cool clip escort card idea), use square white vases on the tables, and bring in bold pops of yellow in your flowers (love the tulip bouquet), shoes, bridesmaid dresses, and even your veil. What a gorgeous wedding – I for one can’t wait to see how it all turns out. Hope you like your board, Bronwyn!
