Just in case I'm your first stop on this blogging adventure, let me give you the basics. I have the honor to be a part of a collective of twenty fabulous wedding blogs from all over the world, which will each be publishing one or two photos from this safari-themed styled photo shoot today. You can check out the exact release order and participating blogs below. As you can see, I'm actually #18 on the list, so if you haven't already, be sure to go back and check out all of the other goodies that have already been published this morning!
First, isn't this wedding cake by Kick Ass Kakes absolutely amazing??? When I saw it, I knew that it was "the one" for me. You'll notice that the cake has a tree motif on the second layer, which is one of a few motifs used throughout the photo shoot - on the menus, cupcake toppers, wedding invitations and more. It's a great way to integrate the safari theme in a way that remains stylish and elegant (because the last thing anyone wants on their wedding day is a bear skin rug!).
I'll be totally honest...Before I began researching motifs for this post, I always thought that a motif was in reference to something floral. However, a floral motif is just one of the many possibilities! Being the nerdy writer that I am, I looked it up, and Dictionary.com defines a motif as "a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper." In wedding terms, this basically means that a motif is any design element that is used multiple times throughout your event - in the decor, paper, food, flowers, etc. Integrating a motif into your wedding decor is an awesome way to establish continuity amongst the millions of wedding details that we all love to stress over. You can print it on your wedding invitations months before the wedding, then again on the ceremony programs, the dinner menus at your reception, the escort cards, the wedding favors and the wedding cake, of course. I think that a lot of brides and planners rely on color to create that same sort of cohesiveness, but sticking to the same peach and blush color palette can be limiting. Using a discintive motif is another way of going about it.
While floral and ornate motifs are popular, there are many others that have the potential to make your wedding day amazing. You'll notice that the safari shoot does a great job of integrating a few select motifs of the tree pictured above, as well as a couple of exotic animals. This establishes the safari theme; it makes everything sort of "fit" together. To provide further inspiration, I pulled together some of my favorite motifs for weddings just below, including bumblebees, bicycles, silhouettes, hot air balloons and "love birds" :)
Motifs in Wedding Decor - Click on photo to view source
...And now, be sure to head on over to Engaged and Inspired for your next stop on our blogging journey!
Other blogs featuring our #OutOfAfrica #blogaroundtheworld photo shoot are:
Bubble Rock Studios | Cap Classique | The Unreal Bride | Brancoprata | Bijoux Bride | Bridal Musings | The Oceanside Bride | Hey Gorgeous | Sparkle and Hay | Wedding Pickle | The Perfect Palette | Oh Lovely Day | La Petite Coquin | Brenda's Wedding Blog | Fab You Bliss | Landlocked Bride | Bow Ties and Bliss | The Charity Wedding
Photo Shoot Credits:
Location: Out of Africa Wildlife Park and Along the Verde River, Camp Verde, AZ
Coordination & Concept: Alicia French of The Charity Wedding
Event Design: KD Event Designs
Photography: Fancy Fin Photography
Bouquet: Glamorous Occasions
Cake & pastries: Kick Ass Kakes
Invitations, Menu, Dessert Toppers and Hang Tags: Wedding Girl
Model: Dahlee
Makeup Artist: Sabrina Sweet Makeup
Hair Artist: Erin McDonald of Aveda Red 115 Salon
Gown: La Belle Reve
Jewelry: Genevieve
Cupcakes: Handmade by Alicia
