Ten Must-Have wedding shots on your big day

You would think that this concept is quite simple and that photographers usually cover all the shots you would deem as necessary as representation of your big day. This is usually the case, but with the stress of the big day and all the chaos surrounding the photographer and you, it’s a good idea to have a list of Must-Have shots to be taken on your big day. You know... just in case!

Here are our top ten Must-Haves:

1. The Dress on its own
This is probably the most expensive piece of clothing you will ever wear. Ever. A good enough reason for this Must-Have! Over and above the fact that it's one of the most anticipated aspects of a wedding.

Photo credit: {pier23.typepad.com}

2. The bride walking down the aisle
It’s the moment you have been waiting for darling! Best you take a pic of it!

Photo credit: {zara-zoo.com}

3. The Groom looking nervous/tearful
It’s his big day too you know...

Photo credit: {www.momentjunkie.com}

4. The Big Kiss
Spontaneous, full of emotion....the first kiss as a married couple...aah what's not to love about this one?

Photo credit: {welovepictures}

5.Bridal party shots
You want to remember all the friends and family who made your big day possible, so this one is a no brainer...

Photo credit: {welovepictures}

6.Speeches
You have to capture the emotion of the speakers on the big day and of the guests! Not negotiable!

Photo credit: {lovemadevisible.co.za}

7. First dance
This shot is so intimate and romantic...sigh...

Photo credit: {lovemadevisible.co.za}

8.Cutting the cake
If you don’t make a big hoo haa about cutting the cake, then you may as well have thrown your reception at the local post office...

Photo credit: {welovepictures}

9. Party shots
You need to keep the memories of your awesome wedding-turned-disco-party-of-the-year...

Photo credit: {welovepictures}

10. Finally married shots
An intimate moment shared between the newly weds...is a TOTAL MUST-HAVE!

Photo credit: {simplyme.co.za}

Beautiful Balloon Inspiration

One of my favourite wedding trends (I actually don’t like the word trend to describe this, because I think it’s actually a timeless decor idea...but moving along) are wedding balloons. They add pops of colour and a festive-ness, can be used as decor (especially the big ones that look like lanterns) and as props for your photos. They are super cute, whimsical and are just all round awesome! Oh, and they are inexpensive. What’s not to love?

The best balloons I managed to find were big lantern type and heart shaped balloons (which are my favourite) at a balloon company based in Durban (www.balloonandprinting.co.za). Alternatively you can also try Jozi based www.skytoys.co.zain Mayfair. Remember that when it comes to helium balloons, only helium "type" balloons - not just any balloon! For more suppliers, a simple Google search for balloons in your area should also lead you to other balloon suppliers.

Here is some wedding balloon inspiration to get you going this Monday!



Photo credits: {www.whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com}{www.stylemepretty.com}{www.greylikesweddings.com}{www.middleofthemapweddings.com}{www.weddingchicks.com}
{styleunveiled.com}{www.loveandlavender.com}

Go Bokke!

And to celebrate the start of the Rugby World Cup 2011, we decided to leave you with a little green and gold inspiration! Have a wonderful weekend!



Photo credits:
{www.projectwedding.com} {www.makeupgeek.com} {www.anthropologie.com}{www.metmuseum.org} {www.bridalbuds.com} {imgfave.com} {erineverafter.blogspot.com}
{www.etsy.com

Cherry Blossom Inspiration

With Spring in full swing here in the Highveld, what better way to inspire you, our reader, with a beautiful array of cherry blossoms! They make great centrepieces, will add that extra Spring feeling to a wedding cake and the pretty pinks are just wonderfully fresh and bright...



Photo credits:
{dreamywhites.blogspot.com} {www.stylemepretty.com} {www.meliandangi.com} {www.stylemepretty.com} {www.marthastewartweddings.com}
{flowers.weddings.com} {www.etsy.com}

Succulent Inspiration

I'm loving the idea of using succulents at a wedding. They are actually such beautiful plants and the colours and shapes are amazing. If you thought that succulents could just be used as flowers or foliage, think again. You can use them as adornment on a headpiece, as little favours, in your boutonnieres and even on your cake or as a centrepiece. So so so pretty! Here is our succulent inspiration board for you to drool over:

Photo credits:

{www.stylemepretty.com} {iloveswmag.com} {cicekingdom.tumblr.com}{greenweddingshoes.com} {100layercake.com} {www.artessen.com} {honeybeeinthecity.blogspot.com} {prettychicky.com}

Vintage items for rent at Moi Decor

Moi Decor has added some new vintage items to their catalogue, and we got the first sneak peak! Old baby trophies, typewriters and baby birdcages are just some of the adorable items you can find on their catalogue. Since they specialise in the girly and the romantic, you will also find teacups, vintage books and suitcases to rent. They also have kloche and candy jars to rent for that fabulous candy buffet you have always wanted! Everything is so ‘tres jolie’!! Visit www.moidecor.co.za for more!





Photo credits: {moidecor.co.za}

Bridal Shower Inspiration: Vintage Tea Party

What better way to beat the Monday Blues with some seriously pretty pictures. I love this concept, shot by the guys at thesweetestoccasion.com. It's so girly and romantic and the colour palette is just to die for. This High Tea is perfect for a girly get together. Enjoy!

Photo credits: {thesweetestoccasion.com}

Fabulous Newtown Wedding

This post is quite special because:
* it’s of my cousin Marco and his lovely bride Lydia's wedding in December 2010
* Lydia has superb taste which was reflected in her choice of lighting and decor (go Lydia!!)
* the wedding was held at the Catholic Church in Newtown and reception at that super fabulous Turbine Hall in Newtown, which is one of my top 5 Gauteng venues
* the pics were taken by the awesome duo from welovepictures
* it was such a great party, which we all still relive every time we look at these pics :)

welovepictures have moved to the Cape since this wedding, but still service a few Gauteng weddings. You can call them on 082 826 4265. Visit welovepictures for more pics of this wedding and many others!

Pale Pink Antique Inspiration

I found this inspiration board on gracielouevents.com and I just HAD to share it - it’s so stunning and is such a wonderful colour palette. You can just sit and stare at it for hours...truly inspiring!



Photo credits:
{thesweetestoccasion.com} {melissaoholendt.com} {studioveritephotography.com }{amandakraftphotography.com}
{wedding-inspiration.com} {weddingelegancend.com}
{sarahpostma.com} {lanedittoe.com} {elizabethannedesigns} {rawphotodesign.com}

Wedding Cake Ideas

So I came across this wonderfully over-the-top "Alice in Wonderland-ish" cake by the super talented guys from choccywoccydoodah (based in the UK unfortunately) and it inspired me so much that I decided to do a post on Wedding Cake Ideas. Some of them are quite cute and quirky and I'm sure given the right brief, your cake baker can produce something similar...



Stylised Cakes
Just like the cake above, think cartoony and overemphasised decorative items such as bows and flowers being the main attraction on these cakes...



Cakes with Bunting
This is a very cute trend and its so easy to do...you could do it yourself!



Ruffled Cakes
It's just another way of piping the icing...but it looks oh so pretty!



Flower Cakes
Pretty traditional, I know, but if done properly, the dainty flowers can make such a difference...



Photo credits:
First pic: {choccywoccydoodah.com}
Stylised Cakes: {data.whichd.com} {cottonandcrumbs.co.uk}
Cakes with Bunting: {lunaandchloeweddings.com} {thesweetestoccastion.com}
Ruffled Cakes: {daisypinkcupcake.blogspot.com} {marthastewart.com}
Flower Cakes: {sweetandsaucyshop.com} {thebeautyinmystery.com}

DIY Idea: Brooch Bouquet

One of the most recent wedding trends I love is the idea of a brooch bouquet – its quirky, tasteful and allows you to incorporate a myriad of sentimental pieces into your wedding day. And the best is that this is a perfect DIY project that doesn’t shout “I’m a DIY project” on what many people may consider your most important day. By making the bouquet yourself, you can decide on the colour scheme and what baubles(earrings, hatpins) and brooches to add. And it will make a wonderful keepsake for years to come. I found an awesome tutorial on how to make your own bouquet because I couldn’t really find a supplier in Gauteng that does this – and I think it’s better because its more personal if you make your own. Visit fancypantsweddings.com to view the tutorial.

Photo credit: {etsy.com}