A Wedding in the Family

In September of last year, my mom announced that she would be marrying her long-time boyfriend, Clive. Everyone on both sides knew that it would eventually happen, but that doesn't mean we're any less excited! My sister-from-another-mister Nats (who is, incidentally, Clive's daughter) and I are not only the two bridesmaids, but have been tasked with putting the whole shindig together. So for the last four months we have been diligently scouring Pinterest for inspiration and ideas to make this thing happen. You can check out the board here.

The couple have chosen a regal palette of deep red, black and champagne, and our brief was straightforward.

Keep it classy, keep it natural, keep it simple.

And that is just what we've done.

They've settled on a small wedding and a short outdoor ceremony, using nature as their decor. Because of their shared love of nature I decided to use birds as a theme running through all the stationery. Soft, romantic and slightly rustic. Programs printed on paper bags holding confetti could add a nice touch to the proceedings - I just have to convince my mom!

The reception, leading us into the evening, is a slightly more serious affair with it's rich colour and abundant candlelight. Table decor is kept simple with an emphasis on candles over flowers. Little touches tie the whole affair together - CD favours of the couple's soundtrack, good and hearty food, and, of course, a gorgeous red velvet wedding cake!

We've decided to go the DIY route for much of the wedding. I've designed the stationery and Nats will be helping me with the hard labour of printing and assembling invitations. We've enlisted the help of my aunt to set up the reception decor on the day, and we three ladies of the bridal party will be getting together the day before the wedding to make our bouquets and bond over cups of tea. It really is a family affair!

Still seven months to go, but anyone who has ever been involved in planning a wedding can tell you how time flies! I'll share a few snaps of the day to show you how it turned out, but until then this mood board can inspire you.

Peace and Love!

{Trend} Ombré: Yay or Nay?

ombré  (adj) \ˈäm-ˌbrā\  :  having colors or tones that shade into each other —used especially of fabrics in which the color is graduated from light to dark

It is unbelievably difficult to browse Pinterest nowadays without coming across at least 3,482 examples of ombré wedding elements each time! Before I joined Pinterest, I'd never even heard of this trend but, then again, Pinterest has an uncanny knack for uncovering and popularising the oddest of things...

I've thought long and hard about whether or not I subscribe to this particular trend, and my answer is as such - everything in moderation! I do believe that if one is going to create a whole wedding of ombré elements, we may as well take a trip down to Sesame Street, but a few touches here and there can add quite the impact to one's event.

Alice in Kempton Park

This is just a short one today - something I've been meaning to share with you for the last few weeks! A bit of a photo entry, shall we say? As you may know (or not...have I even mentioned it?), we're busy working on the Matric Farewell Ball for Shangri-La Academy in Kempton Park, and a few weeks ago we had our decor mock-up! I'm quite excited about this event! Not only was I at school with a few of the teachers, but I was also taught by a number of them in primary school, so this event is close to my heart. I can't explain how excited I was when we got the job!

Their chosen theme is Alice in Wonderland - could a girl ask for any more creative freedom!?! I've had so much fun brainstorming ideas. Below is the inspiration board I came up with to set us on our path.

{Inspiration} The Colours in a Sunrise

High above the world I sit and I watch.

The dark blue velvet sky turns pale as the morning sun shows her proud face.

The yellow moon hangs in pale blues

And pinks and purples,

And slowly sets its weary head down to rest after a long, sleepless night.

In the distance lights flicker on and off,

And on again.

Lovers stir in their beds

And birds begin to chirp, singing out a morning song.

The pinks and purples fade away and the sky reveals her crystal clarity,

Like a sapphire expanding across the heavens.

The sun's golden rays dart across the sky, warming the earth.

Dreams fade to memory and the world slowly sits up.

A new day has begun.

                                                                                              - T.J.S. (2002)