Pastel Garden Party Wedding at Olive Rock by Adene Photography {Kerry & Tim}

One of the things that not a lot of people realise about wedding pros is that this is really not just like any other job. I mean, yes, plenty of people care about what they do, but not all of them have the responsibility weighing heavy on them of making two people’s most cherished day come to life. Cheesy as it sounds, they’re in the business of granting wishes. And I think that’s why so many of them will go above and beyond to make a wedding perfect. Take, for example, today’s wedding – a relaxed garden soiree awash with pastels. Not only was photographer Adene on the scene to capture gorgeous shots, she stepped up as a fairy godmother when a crisis almost stopped it all from happening. Or take Ro of Botanica Flowers (one of SBB’s cherished Directory members), who took the time to listen to her bride, right down to the finest detail. Everyone – from mothers to dressmakers to the couple (and their woodworking friends) made this particular dream come true, and when you think about all of those hands creating a labour of love, it makes it that much more special to enjoy.Read More

Magical Midlands Wedding at The Glades Farm by CC Rossler {Faye & Gary}

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.” I have no idea where that quote comes from, but it pretty perfectly sums up how I feel about today’s wedding. A couple of years ago, I shared this love story, which belongs to my friends Sven and Louise. What I didn’t know was that their wedding wasn’t the end of the bigger picture love story. Because while we were toasting the happy couple with chilled rosé, the wheels of Fate were turning in the background. Who would have known that bringing together Sven, Louise, their planner (Faye of Poetry Weddings) and their photographer CC Rossler (who happened to be a friend of Sven’s friend Gary) would ultimately lead to Faye and Gary finding their very own fairytale? There’s something kind of magical about that. Serendipity. So I’m super excited to be sharing Faye and Gary’s rainy, romantic Midlands wedding (beautifully captured by CC, of course!) with you today.Read More

Romantic Country-Chic Wedding at Orchards by Crystal Malloy {Julia & Geoff}

Don’t you just hate people who tell you that rain on your wedding day is a blessing? Because, come on, everyone’s hoping for a dry day for their nuptials (even if it is lucky). But here’s what I can honestly say from both personal experience and featuring hundreds of weddings on the blog: some of the best weddings happen on the days that the heavens open. I don’t know if it’s the fun photo oppportunities or the feeling of intimacy that develops, or maybe it’s just a bit of devil-may-care attitude that creeps in when the best laid plans have to be abandoned and everyone just relaxes and remembers what really matters. Whatever it is, I’m a fan, and today’s wedding just goes to prove my point. While Julia and Geoff didn’t have a downpour, there was enough of a spatter to get the umbrellas out and create that beautiful cold, clear light that rain brings with it, which streamed in through the windows at their ceremony, and made their country chic decor at their reception in shades of pink, purple, coral and red look even more pretty and inviting. I love the colourful touches that make it all work together, from the stunning bouquet to the berry-shaded bridesmaid dresses, and every lovely moment was captured to perfection by Crystal Malloy. We don’t have the bride’s words to share today, so instead let’s just sit back and let the pictures tell the story themselves.Read More

Natural DIY Wedding at Waterwoods by Duane Smith {Kim & Christiaan}

If there’s one thing that was clear from our recent survey, it’s that you guys LOVE a DIY wedding. And who could blame you? There’s the whole creative aspect, the fact that (even if you’re following a tutorial) the way you put it together will be uniquely ‘you’, and best of all, the fact that it’s a bonding experience for family and friends who lend their talents – literally, a labour of love. That’s exactly the kind of day that Kim and Christiaan envisioned, and I especially love the way that they chose to incorporate bare and natural textures like bulbs and raw wood, which perfectly complement their rustic venue. And then there’s that touch of pure glamour that is Kim’s dress! (Because who says you can’t be rustic AND glam?) Photographer Duane Smith was there to capture every single piece of magic – be sure to check out his profile in our directory!Read More

Boho Country Chic Wedding at Talloula by Vanilla Photography {Katy and Shaun}

Some weddings are just easy breezy – I just have to look at them to know I want to feature them on SBB! Today’s is one of those – I absolutely adore Katy & Shaun’s mix of boho, rustic and clean, contemporary style with a dash of pastels – it’s just sheer prettiness. The attention to detail in the wedding reception is brilliant – the effect may be relaxed, but I love the little touches like champagne cork menu holders, tiny tin watering cans filled with delicate pink blooms, floral chandeliers, and a LOVE sign shining delicately against the pure white backdrop of the Talloula reception space. And let’s not forget the bride’s gorgeous flower crown and lace sleeve dress combo, bridesmaids in soft blush, and boys in bowties. As I say, easy breezy – and beautifully photographed by the fab Vanilla Photography too.Read More

Leisurely Luncheon Wedding at Sibton Hill by Bright Girl Photography {Lauren & Luke}

For our third gorgeous wedding of the week, we’re heading to the KZN countryside for a relaxed luncheon bathed in golden light and awash with proteas. Because in case you haven’t noticed by now, we bloody love proteas around here. And I love that Lauren and Luke used them as the basis for their colour scheme, along with lanterns, mismatched glass jars and vases and custom laurel monogram napkins. Add beautifully rustic wooden tables and lace bunting, blush dresses for the bridesmaids and Lauren’s dreamy lace-back dress, and it’s everything an elegant country wedding should be. Everything and more, since it’s photographed to romantic perfection by the lovely Eileen of Bright Girl Photography. What a way to end the week!Read More

Winter Pastels Wedding at Calderwood Hall by Fiona Clair {Joelene & Stef}

My love affair with Fiona Clair‘s photography goes a way back, but it didn’t take long for new SBB team member Candice to fall head over heels with her work as well. So when we snapped up this winter pastel wedding set in the Natal Midlands, we couldn’t stop gushing to each other about how gorgeous every single image was. You probably know by now that I’m a sucker for pastels, and I LOVED Jolene’s take on the palette, taking it from summer staple to winter whimsy completely effortlessly. Add in mixed metallics (), painted bottles and origami, a vintage plate table plan, a handpainted banner proclaiming ‘Oh happy day!’, an illusion lace dress, flower crowns, faux fur shrugs… every detail, basically. Oh happy day, indeed!Read More

Natural Beauty Wedding at Wolfkloof by Adel Photography {Grethe & GR}

Natural Beauty Wedding at Wolfkloof by Adel Photography {Grethe & GR} | SouthBound Bride

Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed a big trend towards ‘natural’ weddings – ones that brides describe not just as ‘rustic’ but as ‘organic’, and that include shades from nature rather than artificial hues. Maybe it’s part of the eco movement, or maybe it’s a reflection of South Africans’ love of the outdoors. I absolutely love it, and I really love when the relaxed feeling in decor transfers over to a relaxed feeling in the wedding as a whole. Grethe & GR’s wedding is just a perfect example of this – they chose bunches and green garlands of eucalyptus leaves for their decor, muted pastels for their bridesmaids, a family-style feast for their meal, and a big tree as their ceremony backdrop. It’s the kind of long, sunny, food-and-wine-filled afternoon that makes me want to pack up my laptop, grab a picnic blanket and head outside to the open air. Adel Ferreira was on the scene to take these lovely pictures of the laid-back lovebirds and their happy guests.Read More

Country Casual Wedding at The Glades by Summertown Pictures {Ash & Peter}

Some weddings just remind me of the simple, wonderful pleasure in life – a cool breeze on a hot day, a new sundress, melting butter on fresh, hot bread. Today’s wedding is like that – pure happiness and country casual chic. Ash and Peter chose a palette of soft neutrals with a touch of peach and a little glimmer of gold (I love how subtly this metallic is used throughout, it’s so perfect), with lovely lace showing up in both the bride and the bridesmaids’ stunning dresses. The florals are a beautiful mix – I especially love the blushing bride proteas. And speaking of these blooms, I just loved how they were used to decorate Ash’s naked cake, and would you believe it, she made it herself! Clever bride, beautiful wedding, happy days. Ooh, and let’s not forget the swooney images from Summertown Pictures too!Read More

French Copper Café Felix Wedding by Moira West {Liezel & Christo}

Do I ever have a treat for you all  today. This is the kind of wedding that makes my little heart leap for joy – it’s beautiful, it’s original and it has tons of personality. It might just be my favourite winter wedding yet. Bride Liezel (who totally reminds me of the gorgeous Hayden Panettiere, no?) is a lover of everything French, and together with her sister (who is one of the ladies behind Dear Idea flowers, decor and styling), she combined this provincial country flare with a warm winter palette that included copper and antique gold, together with white, green, tiny pops of yellow and cool navy for the bridesmaids. I am crazy in love with the aloes on the tables, the wreaths carried by the girls, and Liezel’s dress and gold fern hair embellishment. Everywhere you look there’s something else to love, and especially with the incredible Moira West‘s atmospheric photos. Man, I love my job.Read More