Board#226: Blissful Bali

I hope you're feeling a little zen this Friday morning, cause we're taking our inspiration from Bali today. Not so much the bright vibrant colours of Bali, but more the natural ones that are found in the landscape. Obviously I'm in need of a holiday I think! I've travelled a lot but have never been to Bali... believe me it's on the list! I think it would be such an incredible destination spot for a wedding. Where would be your dream wedding destination?

Photos from top left; Cake | Jose Villa, Bride | Aaron Delesie , Lanterns on Staircase | Erin hearts Court, Bride & Groom | The Knot, Chair decoration and Lily Pads | Aaron Delesie, Bride & Groom | Jonas Peterson

A colour story - Caramel & Pecan

Ooo I'm such a sucker for neutrals... especially when they combine lots of scrumptious textures like this does! This was the colour shoot I did for the current issue of {MAG}rouge, and one thing I learnt was 'never include so much sweet treats on a shoot'!! I mean as much as I like a good pear, you can bet your bottom dollar that was my last option with hazlenut meringues, coconut marshmallows and hokey pokey on offer! Nom, nom!!

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Board#209: Honeyed Lace

Ahh this board makes me swoon, the different textures, the warm honey glow to it, and the pretty lace dresses. Such a timeless palette for a wedding!

Couple | Lucida Photography, Lace back dress | Danelle Bohane, Couple | Lucida Photography, Cake | Kristyn Hogan, Hair piece | Aaron Delesie, Bride | Polly Alexandre, Lace dress and sandals | Sabine Scherer, Chair | Tine K Home

Board#203: Green Manor

How is your week going? I'm so glad it's warmed up a bit and not so hideously cold at the moment. I'd like to think we're through the worst of winter and on the downhill run to spring so here's hoping!You really can't go wrong with a clean green palette, and there are so many shades and textures within nature to use, it is anything but one dimensional. I love using it with natural burlap and twine, but it doesn't necessarily have to be rustic, it can be quite polished if you use lots of white and perhaps a touch of black. It's such a timeless look don't you think?

Photos from top left; Wreath | Katherine Holly, Atlanta History Centre, Tablesetting | via Veranda Mag, Table for two | Elizabeth Messina, Invitation | Ruby & Willow, Flower girls | Rebecca Hansen, Bride | Ali Harper, Bridesmaids | Joey & Jessica, Tent | Alexandra Kolendrianos

Board#188: Natural Goodness

How has your week been? I'm so looking forward to the weekend, a bit of downtime, someone else to occupy Charlie hopefully, and to be honest quite a bit of work on the cards!!! It's Mother's day this weekend too... does anyone have anything special planned? I keen hinting that it should be puppy mummy's day too? Let's see if that got through!! I'd kill for a lovely pampering session right about now!

So we're making progress with Charlie... although unfortunately she's also making progress with us!! Yesterday was the second day after leaving her in her pen outside for an hour or so while I was out, that I drove home to have her greet me at my car!!! God only know's how long she'd been wandering around the local properties for, and we have horses literally 30 meters from our house so that would have been an interesting site to see. I've seen them have a bit of a stand off so I'm hoping she doesn't have the guts to approach them! She's outwitting us so we're going to have to be a bit more clever about it... dang us for having such an intelligent puppy :-)

How lovely and serene is this board? Makes me happy that's for sure! Enjoy the rest of your week folks! xo

Photos; Bride with wheat wreath | Jose Villa, Birch Petal Cone | White Loft Studio, Icecream | Herriot Grace, Stationery | Sweet Monday, Tan shoes | Jose Villa, Wooden Cutlery | Austin Gros, White table display | Sweet Paul Magazine, Pumpkin | Country Living, Macarons | Cannelle et Vanille

Natural & White Dining Style

You've probably gathered by now that I love throwing different things together and playing with the styling and then photographing it. Outside of the invite design, it's just something I love to do and am really just experimenting with it all to be honest. I recently found this fabulous white sideboard unit for our dining room which is the perfect piece to display all my 'bits and bobs' on, and of course I have to play with different colour schemes on it. The plan is to change it up every couple of months with different colours/items, although I must say it seems to take me far longer to do in reality than it does in my head. Anyway this is how it started... all yummy and neutral, but it's recently been changed so I'll share those pictures with you when I get the chance to take them too.

Board#174: A Winters Beauty

Whilst I wouldn't describe myself as a 'winter girl' and I'm not sure that I could live somewhere that had heavy snow for months on end (I did it for one winter and that was enough!!), there is no denying that winter has a certain romantic element to it that is very appealing. Especially a fresh snow fall that turns everything it touches to magic. So getting married in this environment would be rather special I think, especially if you had a cute and cozy little place to stay in whilst getting ready or to honeymoon in. Nothing like an open fire and toasting marshmallows to get the romance element up! Would do you think... would you have a winter wedding?

Photos; House | Steve Veilleux, Couple in snow | Benj Haisch, Flatware | Chris Court, Tablesetting | Sweet Paul Magazine, Couple | Anastasia Photography via Grey Likes Weddings, Cabin | Jose Villa, Birch Trees, Twig Pencils | Sunday Suppers

Board#170: On Golden Sands

Beach weddings don't always have to be about blues or corals... I love the idea of using a neutral palette sprinkled with metallics to take a beach affair from casual to chic. And who says you can't wear a ruffly dress to your beach nuptials?

Photos; Gold Sandals | Troy & Aimee Grover via Grey Likes Weddings, Ruffle Dress | We heart it, Tent on beach | Anders Schonnemann, Starfish escort Cards, Gold headpiece | BHLDN,  Lace dress | Jose Villa, Gold Orchid & Rose bouquet | Martha Stewart Weddings, Gold Earrings | Anthropologie, Natural Makeup | Studio EMP via Wedding Chicks, Shell Boutonniere | In Style

Board#165: French Lace

If you're anything like me you'll be yearning for a European holiday after seeing this board. Oh to be wandering the cobblestone streets of Salzburg, travelling through the lovely villages in the South of France, exploring the narrow alley ways of Venice, taking in the beauty of the fiords in Norway, gazing up at the amazing churches in Estonia... I could go on forever! I feel so lucky that I have managed to see a lot of Europe but it's been a few years now and I am itching to return, quite simply to just wander and soak it all up. When I travel I just love to explore (the husband not so much... he likes to know what we're doing!!) and see how the other half live. I always want to immerse myself into their lives just for a short spell! Anyhow before I get too carried away with my soliloquy, where does this board take you to? Or where does it have you wanting to visit? Wherever it is I'm sure you'll agree it makes for the prettiest of wedding inspiration right? Living in a young country like New Zealand we don't have these types of amazing buildings and I always think they make for the most elegant of venues.

Photos; Bride in Ruffle dress and Lace dress | Polly Alexandre, Ivory Cake | Jose Villa, Tablesetting | styled by Jill La Fleur, photo by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Car | Polly Alexandre, Le Domaine aux Quat Saisons by Polly Alexandre, Courtyard | Cooper Carras via Snippet & Ink

Board#145: Country Blues

Morning all! It's such a stunning Monday here... which is always a great way to kick start the week!! I have a full week of catching up to do after my break so hoping for a very productive one!! I don't naturally think of the colour blue when it comes to country or rustic farm style weddings, but I'm not sure why as paired with a warm wheat colour it is adorable if you ask me! What do you think?

Board#130: Feather & Twine

Now there's not too many occasions where one could get away with wearing a pheasant feather head piece with a fur vest and underwear but hey it certainly makes for a pretty photo right? Please don't take this as literal wedding inspiration... think you may get a few funny looks walking up the aisle in this getup!! Although I also think you'd also get some admiring looks if you can pull off wearing a striking veil with said feathers... they're such a pretty accessory. On your head, on the cake, on the tables... so many uses for them! What do you think... would you incorporate feathers into your day?

Photos from top left; Cake | 509 Photo via Southern Weddings, Escort Cards | Eye Spy via Style Me Pretty, Feather Headpiece | Elizabeth Messina
2nd row; Keys | Elizabeth Messina, Dessert Stand | Sunday Suppers, Twine | Max Attenborough
3rd row; Pheasant Feather Placemat | Carrie Patterson, Bride | Jessamyn Harris via Style Me Pretty, Placesetting | We love Pictures via Love & Lavender, Bride | Trent Bailey

Board#115: Fields of Gold

Oooo this has me wanting to go and seek out a golden sunlit field like this one to go for an afternoon stroll in... isn't it just heavenly? If you've been reading this blog for a while you'll know that I have a thing for neutrals and texture and anything rustic so this ticks more than a few boxes for me. How incredible is that outdoor altar?

Photos from top left; Couple in field | Jeff Wallace via Grey likes Weddings, Mini Burgers | Martha Stewart Weddings, Riding Hat | Larissa Cleveland via Snippet & Ink
2nd row; Dining Table | Style Me Pretty, Shoes | Austin Gros, Outdoor Altar | unknown source
3rd row; Cabin | Max Wanger, Horseshoe | Union Photography, Blackboard | Hugh Forte via 100 Layer Cake, Bride | Jessica Claire via Style Me Pretty

Board#114: Wheat Fields

Like most people around the world I have been glued to the TV this weekend in utter shock at the devastating images we're seeing coming out of Japan. After our own local tragedy in Christchurch only a few short weeks ago, I had reached saturation point of reading and watching about it as I found it so upsetting, however I feel guilty at even thinking or saying that as the people suffering through it don't have the option of simply turning off the TV or closing the paper... they're in a living nightmare 24/7. For the first time in months on Saturday I simply didn't have it in me to put a post up, it just didn't feel right looking through pretty pictures that seem so frivolous and trivial as such a time as this, and inspiration has certainly been hard to come by over the past few days. I know everyone goes through times when they're not feeling inspired and sometimes it feels as though it won't come back but I'm sure it will in it's own good time! Thankfully I have a few backup posts which takes the pressure off :-) I hope that despite the catastrophic world events, this brings a little sunshine to your day! Sending all my thoughts out to those in Japan.

Photos from top left; Model in field | Rebekah Westover via Ruffled, Books & Pipe | Shannon Nicole Smith via Ruffled, Love letters | Helen Norman, Bride in leaves | Dixie Pixel via Be Inspired

2nd row; Bikes | unknown source, Cups on tray | Sunday Suppers, Metal Hearts | Jose Villa

Saint Valentines Inspiration Board + a sneak peek

Happy Valentines everyone!!! Did you all have a wonderful weekend? I went down to the stunning Hawkes Bay and saw Sting in concert at the Mission Estate which was truly fabulous!! It's such a gorgeous part of the country too, I can see why so many couples choose to get married there amongst the beautiful vineyards. So I hope all you romantics (and even the not-so-romantics) have something lovely planned for the day. I know we're a little bit more low-key over Valentines day here in New Zealand... in fact when I jokingly mentioned a 'grandiose present' to my husband, he told me that grand gestures were hollow and every day was Valentines day in our house!! Really he did say that... and he's kinda right. We don't go all out with big things, a card is about the extent of our givings and he tends to do random things throughout the year rather than at the time 'he's expected to'. And I truly believe that sometimes it's the littlest every day things which are the most romantic. What do you think, would you rather have a grand gesture on February 14th each year, or less obviously romantic thoughts throughout the year?

Below is a little sneak peek at a shoot I worked on last week with the fabulous team of Greta from Vela Images, Judit from Artisan Cakes, and Melissa from Eterno. And below that, the board that inspired it.

Photos from top left; Purple Dress | Elizabeth Messina, Statue | source, Table Setting | unknown source, Girl with red heart | Elizabeth Messina, Statue | unknown

2nd row; Love letters | Helen Norman, Red Shoes | Stephanie Williams, Red heart | All the Beautiful Things, Red Chairs | via Snippet & Ink
3rd row; Hydrangeas | unknown source, Reception | Sedona Bride, Hair piece | Dixie Pixel via Be Inspired

Board#108: Au Naturale

In my eyes you simply can't go wrong with an all neutral colour palette when you throw in lots of texture. You all know I love colour by now I'm sure, but my first instinct is always for a neutral palette... it's so soothing. Wouldn't you just love to dine under the skies by that gorgeous tree? I know I would!!

Photos from top left; Bride in Cotton field | Green Tree Photography, Twig Pencils | Sunday Suppers, Button Pillow | Jen Kroll
2nd row; Shell Spoons | Ellen Silverman, Couple in field | White Album Weddings via Style Me Pretty
3rd row; Outdoor Setting | Janne Peters, Twine | Heather Banks via Style Me Pretty, Utensils | Max Attenborough, Stationery | Sweet Monday

Board#95: Blooming Lovely

Hooray for hump day!! How is your week going? We are still being traumatised by those nasty but teeny tiny mosquitoes which is resulting in some very broken nights sleep! I'm finally kinda, sorta starting to feel like I'm getting things under control (and I really do mean kinda, sorta, starting too mind you...). This weekend I'm hosting my first baby shower for one of my very best friends in the world so I'm excited about that, and sinking myself into making it look all purdy!!
So today's inspiration board... a few weeks ago on Twitter I noticed that one of my all time favourite photographers said how much they loved my inspiration boards. Well if that didn't just downright make my week right then and there nothing would right? I mean the girls... Vania & Christine (yep we're on first name basis now ;-) from Simply Bloom are rockstars in the wedding world right now, and I'm fairly certain they're just at the beginning of their game. Remember this insanely beautiful Italian wedding I went on about a while back... yep all theirs! In fact I would be so bold to say that with only 3 weeks left in the year this one will go down as my wedding of the year! So of course  after such an accolade I simply had to do a board that was all about them and their stunning work. I hope I don't sound too pathetic and gushy and I'll stop in a sec, but not before saying that on top of being just ridiculously talented, they are so incredibly nice and sweet and we may just have done a little project together (more on that soon...). All of these images are taken from different shoots they've done. For this and far more loveliness check out their beautiful blog.
Happy hump day y'all!

Board#88: Farm Fresh Goodness

Hi lovelies..... I'm baaaaack!!! (I know I did a wee shoe post but that didn't count!) And I've missed you all... I've kinda been checking in on my phone but only got internet up and running as of yesterday so it's been a frustrating week - thank goodness for my fabulous guest posters!! If you're waiting for an email from me I promise it's coming!! So up until a few hours before we were due to settle it was all up in the air as to whether we could even move in on the day - and to say that created a wee bit of stress and a husband about to explode at someone would be an understatement! Anyway long story short we're in (although technically still waiting to settle!!) and I am truly in my own little slice of heaven. For my long time friends who knew me as an Anne of Green Gables obsessed teenager this will come as no surprise!! I went for a walk to document my new neighbourhood in the evening sun last night with the biggest smile on my face cause it really is all a bit of a dream come true and I feel truly lucky to be living somewhere like this.

Anyway enough gushing.... because of my new country girl status (yeh you bet I'm going to get some mileage out of that!) I thought I'd post an appropriate board for my new lifestyle (seriously the way I'm going on you'd think I lived on a 1000 acre farm in the middle of nowhere!). Today's inspiration is all about the food and in particular the kind of fresh food that you get at your local farmers markets. There are so many creative ways to display food for your wedding; present it in gorgeous wooden crates, have fun signs highlighting your favourite foods, wrap goodies in fabric and twine, fill mason jars will nuts and hang them with cute hand-written signs... the list goes on! I know there isn't much else going on in this board apart from the food but I think overall it gives you a 'feeling' that you would want to replicate on your big day. You agree?

Photos from top left; Butter | Ellen Silverman, Cheese | Sunday Suppers, Mason Jars | Jack Wittbold via Style Me Pretty
2nd row; Horse shot | Larissa Cleveland via Snippet & Ink, Apricot Jam | Michael & Anna Costa, Eggs | Carlie Statsky via Green Wedding Shoes
3rd row; Bread | unknown, Nuts | Millie Holloman , Acorns in Jars | Pottery Barn, Pumpkins on Fence | Martha Stewart

Board#75: Macarons & Milk

Happy Monday kids!! Did you have a good weekend? How many of you attended a wedding? Whilst we're just heading into wedding season here, I've had a few clients get married in recent weeks. I want to wish a belated fabulous wedding day to the superbly lovely Hayley & Troy who got married on Saturday in Australia. Your wedding sounded absolutely fabulous and I can't wait to see the photos of it.
For today's inspiration board I've gone for a lovely muted aqua tone, with tan and a pale mint green. Don't you love these all together? It's such a serene look. And would translate well into so many different styles. Macaron's have been popular for weddings for a while now and I am in no way getting sick of them. Although I do think I need to start tasting a few more! Once upon a time there was milk & cookies... but milk & macaron's sounds far more fancy to me!!
Have a wonderful day!

Photos from top left: Dress | Jose Villa, Milk | Canelle Vanille, Macarons | My Sweet & Saucy, Bride | Allyson Magda
2nd row; Dress | Jim Helm, Cake | Jessamyn Harris via Style Me Pretty, Flowers | Jose Villa
3rd row; Couple | Allyson Magda, Shoes | Aaron Delesie, Bride | Team Rhodes via Ruffled

Board#72: Tales of Texture

Ask anyone who knows me... I'm a neutral girl. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE colour, but I go with mostly neutrals and throw in a dash of colour in my personal life. Brown especially - it's such an underrated colour! And texture... well that just brings everything to life really doesn't it. So a collection like this really makes my heart sing. From lace to wool, bricks to wood, I love all of it. And if you stick to neutrals you can combine so many elements within your wedding to create your own unique look.

Photos from top left; Papel Picado by Belathee Photography via Style Me Pretty, Lace Petticoat unknown, Photo by Eva Lindh
2nd row; Lace votives via Sunday Suppers, Table setting Tracy Turpen via Style Me Pretty, Dress by Kate Webber, Cake by Larissa Cleveland
3rd row; Room by Ditte Isager, Nest unknown, Blackboard by Hugh Forte via 100 Layer Cake, Mantells

Board#63: Country Road

Morning everyone! We're opening up the week with a lovely rustic country style board with hints of red. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with red, and generally I'm not a huge fan of it when I see it in weddings, but done in the 'right' way it can look fabulous. Tomorrow I'll share with you some of the ways in which I DO love it. In the meantime let me know how you would use red in a wedding.



Photos from top left; Flower in tin unknown, Photo by Kristin Vining via SW Mag, Table setting via Style Me Pretty
2nd row; Pegs by Ken Kienow via Green Wedding Shoes, Apple by Allyson Magda, Bouquet by Aaron Delesie, Raspberries by Erin hearts Court
3rd row; Escort Cards via Martha Stewart Weddings, Vintage Trolley via Style Me Pretty, Photo by Kristin Vining via SW Mag