Tag: navy

Real Wedding at Tanglewood {Maria & Gerrit}

by gaby

Serendipity. It’s the loveliest of words, isn’t it? Happy accidents. And with some couples, it really seems to fit, so it was no surprise to me that when I read Maria’s story of her beautiful wedding it was a word that she used herself. See, Gerrit and Maria have a serendipitous beginning – both religious, they decided to ready themselves for a lasting relationship with a marriage course at their church, and it was there that they found each other. They share a surname – another happy accident – and you can see from the love and happiness surrounding them on their wedding day that that’s just one of many things that they share. And goodness me, how much am I in love with Maria’s incredible grey silk dress and floor-length mantilla combo? Wow. Not to mention the really fresh styling of their decor, in bold green, navy and pink with an adorable cartoon stationery touch. My favourite part is the ficus trees they’ve used as centrepieces – such a unique touch, but one that is part of their story, as all the best wedding day details are. This is really a wedding to pore over and fall properly in love with, and that’s in no small part down to the stunning images from Cari Photography – love, love, love!Read More

Inspiration Board: The Lake House

by gaby

Good morning, friends! Who’s ready for an inspiration-filled week? Well, I hope you are, because this week we have not one but FIVE reader requested inspiration boards to share with you. That’s a different board every day, and five different looks to fall in love with. And that’s alongside our usual raft of loveliness, so get ready to get in trouble with your IT department for stopping by SBB at least twice a day! ;) (Of course, if that’s a problem, you can always subscribe via email.) So let’s get started! Today’s board is for reader Ashley, who’s planning an autumn wedding at a lake house in Minnesota. How romantic does that sound? And romantic is the right word for the palette she’s chosen (LOVE): navy, mint and blush. Most autumn palettes are warm, but this combination of cool shades makes me think of those first chilly mornings by the water (how I miss my river runs!). Ashley’s theme for her wedding is ‘happy, love, best friends’ and she wants a mix of classic, vintage and casual comfy. I think we’ve struck the right balance here and I love the typographic elements – the invitation using the ‘today I marry my best friend’ quote and the thank you card at each guest place. The final result is soft but a little preppy, and very very pretty. Hope you like your board, Ashley!

Colours: Navy, mint & blush

Top row (l-r): Cocktail with blueberries {Chrisman Studios}; flower garland {KT Merry Photography/Beauty in the Making}; table with mint chairs {Martha Stewart}; thank you card; window with heart {Elizabeth Messina}
Row 2: ‘Today I marry my best friend’ invitation; bridesmaids with blush wraps {Emily Steffen Photography}; mint and clear vases {Laura Ashbrook Photography/Floral Occasions}; lemonade in mason jars {Ulmer Studios}
Row 3: Bride and groom on pier {Caroline + Ben Photography}; wrapped box; pink dress {Elizabeth Messina}; pink shoes; macaroons.

 

Inspiration Board: Nautical Rustic

by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! It’s a new day, a new week: what will you accomplish? I’m feeling super fired up myself, as this week we’re launching a little project that’s been developing off-camera for quite some time, and I can’t wait to share it with you! So look out for an announcement (especially my lovely photographer friends and followers!). Anyway, let’s move on to today’s wedding inspiration, which is a request from reader Natassja. She’s chosen nautical rustic as her theme, and I absolutely fell in love with the concept! Natassja is getting married at Swartvlei beach, and she’s using a classic nautical palette of blue, red and off white. The great thing about nautical style is that there are lots of rustic textures, and texture is what rustic styling is all about. Think lots of rope, net and real boating ephemera. I love the idea of the rope table numbers especially, and the rope wrapped vases (both easy and effective DIY projects). Use the same big textures as statement pieces at the ceremony, or knot a rope curtain at your makeshift altar. Keep stationery crisp, or incorporate the gorgeous watercolour motif that’s so popular at the moment. I especially like the semaphore motif, which has the couple’s monogram spelled out with flags! And just because we’re going nautical doesn’t mean I couldn’t include this year’s rustic wedding must-have: the naked cake! How gorgeous (and delicious!) is this red velvet creation? I absolutely love this look – hope you do too, Natassja!

Colours: Navy, cherry red, off-white, taupe

Top row (l-r): Rope heart {Rachel Peters Photography/Kiss The Bride}; red velvet naked cake {Michelle March/Unearthed Vintage}; cake toppers {Jaco le Roux}; rope table number {}; origami boat {Purple Tree Wedding Photography/Affairy Event}
Row 2: Invitation {Swiss Cottage Designs/Love* Jenna Calligraphy}; ceremony area {Erin hearts Court/Five Star Weddings and Events}; rope vases {Bayside Bride}; bridesmaid with yay sign {Captured Photography by Jenny/My Event Boutique }
Row 3: Ship’s netting decoration {Fox Fotography/Dairing Events}; red anemone bouquet {Michelle March/Unearthed Vintage}; semaphore invitation {}; bride and groom with ship wheel {Troy and Aimee Grover}.

 

Real Wedding at De Hoop Nature Reserve {El-Ray & Tinus}

by gaby

Time for another real wedding, folks! This one comes from SBB friend and sponsor Dreampix Photography. If there are two things I’m a great big fan of it’s the colour navy and an outdoor wedding. Even more so when that outdoor wedding has an ‘indoor outdoor’ feel – a transfer of elegant indoor (ballroom) decor like chandeliers and checked dancefloor to an outdoor space under the trees. There’s something so romantic about that, like a table for two set up on a beach, or sleeping under the stars, don’t you think? Tinus and El-Ray had both of these elements in their De Hoop Nature Reserve wedding, and they came together beautifully. I also love that they had games for guests in a scenic drinks reception after the ceremony – so fun! Thanks to Kobus of Dreampix for sending this one over. Oh, and PS, it’s clearly fun nailpolish day here on SBB – loving the navy on the bridesmaids!Read More

Inspiration Board: Carnevale

by gaby

Good morning friends? How were your weekends? I had a really good one, doing more January planning and organising as well as catching up with Louise from b.loved and chatting about our big blog and business plans for 2013 – all very exciting! You’ll also get to kuier with her a bit later this week. But for now, it’s time for our Monday inspiration board. I wanted to start the year with something bold and new, and after telling you that copper was one of the year’s hot colours, I just had to get stuck in. I’ve decided to combine it with both teal and navy, and it’s rich, opulent and exciting – maybe even slightly mysterious. It reminded me a little of Venice (hence the name). I’d just love to see this one come to life!

Colours: Navy, teal and copper

Top row (l-r): Copper and teal dress; glitter giftwrap {Grey Likes Weddings/T&H Photography}; copper shoes {Desiree Dawn Events/Shea Christine}; sparkly top {Fiona Kelly/b.loved Weddings}; keys {Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge/Chelsea Nicole}
Row 2: Sweets; teal stationery suite {Sean Flanigan/Lilia DeGregory}; copper cake {Missy Photography/Merci New York}; ribbons {Grey Likes Weddings/T&H Photography}; gorgeous redhead bride
Row 3: Opulent bride {Fiona Kelly/b.loved Weddings}; navy bridesmaids; table settings; Venice.

 

Real Wedding at The Roundhouse {Bonnie & Antonie}

by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! Time for some gorgeous wedding inspiration. First and foremost, I have to mention Bonnie’s dress because OMG SERIOUSLY. I mean, it’s Jenny Packham, so this should be no surprise, but Bonnie wears that dress like she was born to do it. It is SPLENDID. And moving beyond that for a second, I am loving the understatedly colourful decor (navy and red, je t’aime), the stationery, the beautiful navy bridesmaids’ dresses, the groom’s boutonniere (both bride and groom are avid cyclists), Lindt chocolate and hangover kit favours, the stunning Roundhouse setting, the getaway car… I could go on and on. But all of this prettiness is made even prettier through the photographic stylings of Gavin Casey. We knew he was talented, but this wedding really blows me away – I love every single shot. So it’s pretty much the perfect wedding to start your morning. Enjoy. But come back later, because we have even more in store!Read More

Inspiration Board: Navy & Chalkboard

by gaby

Hello friends! I’m rounding up this afternoon with a reader request board – you’ll be seeing a lot of these in the next few weeks as I am trying to finish all of them off from this year as I know there’ll be lots of new requests for 2013! I do try to do all of them, but it’s getting tough to keep up with demand, so do bear with me :) Anyway, this one is for the lovely Stacy, who’s getting married at Shalwyn in Natal next summer. She and her fiance chose the venue because of the relaxed feel and open fields, so they’re looking to reflect this with an elegantly rustic wedding in shades of navy, grey and white. LOVE. And I love even more that Stacy loves chalkboard and succulents. They go together just beautifully, and with a cool palette, you have that combination of elegance and rusticity (is that a word? no? should be.). Chalkboard can be quite beautiful, especially when combine with calligraphy, but my favourite detail here is the altar platform decorated with chalkboard paint and words of love. Hope you like your board, Stacy – enjoy your planning!

Colours: navy, light grey, white

Top row (l-r): Wedding dress {Elizabeth Scott Photography}; bridesmaid with succulent bouquet {Kate Harrison/Downey Street Events/Eventscapes}; navy shoes {Visions by Heather}; silver tipped glasses {Fiona Kelly/Helen Carter Weddings}; chalkboard programme
Row 2: Chalkboard ceremony platform {Sybrand Cillié/Aleit Wedding Coordination}; succulent and burlap decor {Kate Harrison Photography/Off the Beaten Path Weddings}; LOVE chalkboard {Tanamachi Studio}; striped navy paper straws
Row 3: Navy bridesmaids {Jen Huang Photography}; chalkboard; centrepiece {Eric Kelley/Lora Kelley and Mallory Joyce}; chevron cake with succulent accent {Sweet & Saucy}; Shalwyn couple {Brightgirl Photography}.

 

Real Wedding at Café Felix {Elmiene & Johan}

by gaby

I don’t think I’ve said this before, but my first love as a wedding blogger was inspiration boards. Even before they were ‘invented’, I was always putting together ideas for friends who were getting married and I’ll never forget stumbling across Snippet & Ink and The Perfect Palette and just adoring what they were doing (and that was before I even was introduced to the other board legends who are Magnolia Rouge and Postcards & Pretties). You guys seem to like what I do with the boards every week, but the truth is that even if you didn’t, I’d probably still be making them, because they’re a piece of creative work that gives me a lot of pleasure. So when I started the blog, a day I really looked forward to was when I could feature a wedding that owed some of its inspiration to one of my boards. And friends, that day is today. I didn’t create the ‘Valentine Red‘ board especially for reader Elmiene, but when she wrote to tell me that it had been part of her design concept, I was thrilled – and even more so when I saw pictures of her cherry red, white and navy wedding with its cheeky touches like bright red shoes and heart-shaped sunglasses. I love love love how she included handmade elements like crocheted flowers and sewn hearts and acres of Petersham ribbon. Not to mention her candy-striped cake and cake toppers. It all works perfectly with their venue, Café Felix, which is the perfect mix of elegance and whimsy to offset this super fun wedding. I couldn’t have dreamed it up better myself. The cherry on the cupcake for me is that Elmiene and Jonny had Jaco le Roux as their photographer, as I’ve been looking forward to sharing his lovely pictures with you here on SBB. Which all in all, makes this a very good day for me. Yayness.Read More

Real Wedding at Oranje Guest Farm {Liezel & Louw}

by gaby

I love weddings. (Surprise! I bet you didn’t know that.) And this year has been all about attending weddings for me – five so far, and number six coming up on Friday. I can’t WAIT. You’d think by now I’d be sick to death of looking at them, but no. They’re a gift that just keeps on giving. Take today’s gorgeous wedding, from Michael Tree Photography (welcome, Michael!). It’s so elegant, with a palette of navy, mint and grey. (Just take another minute to be delighted by that colour combo, because I totally am.) The bride is rocking a stunning dress and I love that she’s wearing her hair short and loose – it looks amazing. The design has a touch of vintage (cute car alert!), but somehow manages to feel modern as well. And it took place amid some spectacular South African scenery. There are even white proteas, which basically make me want to punch the air. In fact, the whole thing does. Yay for this wedding, and yay that I get to write about it. I love my job!Read More

Inspiration Board: Cape Dutch

by gaby

Oh I do love Inspiration Board Monday. These babies are one of my favourite things about running the site, and I’ve been getting lots of requests from you for boards for your weddings – keep ’em coming! Today’s scheme is one which is HUGE news in the South African wedding scene, and an awesome next step for brides who have loved the Victorian country vintage look of the last two years but want something slightly fresher. With this look, you can still use your proteas, still use your vintage touches, but instead of sticking to soft pinks and neutrals, you combine it with navy blue. My prediction is that you’ll see a lot of this colour next season. It reminds me a little of the Dutch still life themed tables which I have seen a few times recently, especially when combined with Delft pottery in blue and white. As I mentioned in my Love List this weekend, the look is particularly apt for the South African market, what with having so many wedding venues that include Cape Dutch architecture. Enjoy!

Colours: Navy, white, pink and neutrals

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids’ dresses {S: Amy Bridges Events; Verite Photography}; cupcake; bride {S: Kirkbrides; P: Arielle Doneson Photography}; books and watches {S: Kirkbrides; P: Arielle Doneson Photography}; protea decor {P: Love Made Visible}
Row 2: Delft table plan {S: Aleit; P: Glee Photography}; protea bouquet {P: Love Made Visible}; lace and navy invitation {D: The Paper Guppy; S: Revel & Bloom; P: Trulife Photography}; quails eggs {S: Canvas and Canopy; P: Braedon Photography}; navy tables {S: Engaging Affairs; P: Liga Photography}
Row 3: Curtain and chair {P: Exhibit Emotions}; protea; table decor with candelabra {P: Love Made Visible}; Delft plates; Cape Dutch homestead {Babylonstoren}.