Author: candice

Summer Rustic Wedding at Opstal Wine Estate by Dearheart Photos {Helene & Graeme}

by candice

While emailing Helene about this blog post, I got to know a little bit about this bubbly bride. The first fact was that her and her hubby are avid “adventurers”. Their first email came after they had been trekking through the mountains in Nepal. The follow up mail was sent from Istanbul, and the last one was sent from South Africa, just before they were about to head off to Swaziland! The second fact is that Helene is most definitely a people’s person (even over email!) and is one of those humans that you just immediately feel like you have known forever. (Read her story and you will understand why – this girl has a way with words!) Thirdly, Helene & Graeme have serious heart and it comes through in every detail of their wedding day. From the gold cement pots made by a rehabilitation center that focuses on teaching job creation skills, which displayed some of their flowers, to the absolute joy on their faces while celebrating surrounded by friends and family. I loved the vibrant summer flowers and the pops of gold in the decor (credited to Helene “feeling slightly gold crazy!”) the spectacular setting and all the special, intimate moments captured by the talented Lindsay from Dearheart Photos. I hope all you SBB readers enjoy this happy, love-filled day as much as Gaby and I did, and to Helene and Graeme, we wish you many more adventures together!Read More

How to Create a Boho Cocktail Bar for Your Wedding

by candice

Credit: Kimberly Chau Photography/Two Be Wed via Junebug Weddings

How does one justify making loads of herb infused vodka? Create a Boho Cocktail Bar of course! When we came across this clever little alcoholic DIY, it inspired us to come up with five top tips for styling a boho cocktail bar of your own, filled with both natural/organic and bohemian mismatched elements. Perfect for a themed wedding (where it’ll keep your guests entertained while you have your photos taken), bridal shower, or even just a fun get together with your girlfriends. Set up your bar on a vintage table or dresser (or even better, on an antique bar cart) underneath a shady old tree, tie some ribbons and dream catchers onto the branches and lay down an assortment of persian rugs, crochet blankets and pillows to lounge on – your guests won’t want to leave!Read More

Cape Town’s Top 10 Food Trucks for Weddings

by candice

Image: Nastassja Harvey

For those of you lovely brides planning a whimsical wedding in an enchanted forest or field of wildflowers (which may very well not have catering facilities), the great advantage of hiring a food truck is that they come armed with their own food prepping facilities and are ready to serve! Fast, convenient and tasty. What better combination can you get? And the even bigger plus is that most of them are also just oh-so-aesthetically-pleasing. Have a peek at some of our Top 10 local food trucks. We love that our selection of mobile kitchens are willing to serve a wide variety of palates and tastebuds. From organic and ‘rawsome’ to some sugary goodness, all your foodie dreams for your wedding can come true. Why not choose a few?!Read More

5 Ways to Cultivate Real Love this Valentine’s Day (and Every Day!)

by candice

Valentine’s Day. You either love it or hate it.

For the last three years, hubby and I have celebrated our anniversary as a priority (ten days earlier) far from the crowds and general cheesiness of the holiday. (Sorry, die-hard romantics!) It might sound like a cop-out but it works for us. I have also personally learned that true love is more than random, grand romantic gestures It’s about daily sacrifices – dragging myself out of bed to make hubby a morning coffee (as he has done for me on countless occasions) or quietly packing away the 20 pairs of shoes spread out all over our home without moaning or making a fuss! It’s also about being intentional in the way you show love and appreciation to your partner, something that came up in conversation with some of my married girlfriends at our recent monthly dinner (aka free therapy session!).Read More

SBB Visits The Alphen Hotel

by candice

Ladies, 2015 is the year for boutique weddings, and if that is what you’re after, we have the most perfect venue for you! On behalf of SBB, I was invited to share in experiencing the magic of the Alphen Boutique Hotel, and was left in awe.

This gem of a hotel is tucked away in the beautiful leafy suburb of Constantia, and you are immediately transported away from the humdrum of daily life as you drive through the entrance. We were greeted by the lovely Nadia, from Greater Than Events, Rosalie Greener, the charming Events Coordinator at the Alphen, and Angela Lorimer, the Sales & Marketing Manager, who were all so warm and welcoming, I felt as if I had known them forever. (Definitely a good sign for people with whom you will be planning one of the most important days of your life!)Read More

Safari & Orchids Wedding at Garden Route Game Lodge by Nelis Engelbrecht {Luzanne & Jean}

by candice

Today’s wedding is such a happy mix of some of my favourite trends. There’s a little bit of floral print (love those napkins) and pop of pink colour against a palette of neutrals in the flower choice (orchids, such an elegant bloom, and a personal choice for the bride). There’s a touch of sparkle (amazing bridesmaids dresses alert!), and a whisper of lace (ditto for the wedding dress!). There’s a bit of rustic, a hint of vintage, and of course a safari feel thanks to the Garden Route Game Lodge location. And even though it’s an eclectic mixture in some ways, it totally works. Like the wedding equivalent of ‘these are a few of my favourite things’. (That song’s going to be in your head for the rest of the day now, SORRY.) The lovely Luzanne and her hubby Jean pulled off a fabulous weekend fete, and photographer Nelis Engelbrecht, was there to capture every perfect moment.Read More

From Catwalk to Aisle: 10 Key Wedding Dress Trends for 2015

by candice

Hello lovely readers – Candice here! With all the top designers hitting the runway late last year at New York Bridal Week showing off a variety of new trends, we really have been spoilt for choice. If you’re like me, you get a bit overwhelmed by all the magnificent options. So we’ve picked our top ten, stand-out runway and bridal fashion trends for 2015 – see which style you most identify with and how these trends can be interpreted into your dream wedding dress.

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Best of 2014: Stationery

by candice

Hello lovelies! We’re making another weekend house call to stop in and share some of the beautiful stationery that has graced the pages of SouthBound Bride this year. Being a paper aficionado (and designer) herself, Candice has been trawling through the archives to bring you fifteen stand-out stationery moments from both weddings and styled shoots, and featuring the work of some of our favourite SA talents, including Seven Swans, indieberries and Lezanne’s Designs (whose designs feature a fantastic three times in this countdown!). Over to you, Candice…

Glamorous Gold Art Deco

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Best of 2014: Bridesmaids

by candice

Hello SouthBound Brides – Candice here! I am so excited that I get to chat to you guys about all of our favourite bridesmaid dress trends from 2014.
I have been a bridesmaid six times and counting (hint hint, sis!) and have loved each experience. I have worn a ’50s style mint green tea dress, a floral and lace strapless number, a frilly country style sundress, the classic satin and organza creation with a waist sash, a gorgeous J.Crew-esque floor length gown and also been left to my own devices to choose a dress of my choice in a specific colour palette. Each dress was perfect for the relevant bride’s big day, and wearing them signified that I was somehow specially involved and invested in each amazing celebration. Whether the dress itself is flattering or not, putting it on and getting ready with the bride before such a big and wonderful occasion is what it is all about. Having said that, here are our top 20 picks for 2014 (in no particular order). Hopefully they inspire you to choose gorgeous dresses for your bridesmaids as there is not a single unflattering gown to be seen! (Lucky girls!) How do we even begin to choose our favourites?!

1. Sleek Winter White

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Modern Black Tie Wedding at the Maharani Hotel by Kate Martens {Taryn & Kevin}

by candice

Some weddings have you at Hello, but this one had me at a cat in a bowtie. I mean, it’s a cat. In a bowtie! And the fashionable feline wasn’t where the chic ended – Taryn’s dress is incredible! I just love when a bride decides to do something different, in keeping with her personal style, and this Dior-inspired creation was really something special. Add a groom in sleek black tie, a hotel ballroom full of classic monochrome and delicate roses, and an adorable tiny bridesmaid in the form of Taryn and Kevin’s baby daughter, and you have a beautiful, unique celebration, captured with panache by Kate Martens. AND there’s a cat in a bowtie. ;)Read More