gaby | SouthBound Bride

Glamorous Gold Lourensford Wedding by Du Wayne Photography {Grethe & Bernard}

23 July, 2014 by gaby

Today’s wedding is extra special, not just because it’s gaaaahwjuss (in different shades of glittering gold, I die), but because it features a couple who I feel are part of the SBB family. I’ve been working with photographer Bernard Bravenboer since the early days of SBB, and from his tweets I picked up that he had a sweetheart called Grethe (who assists him often at weddings). Fast forward a few years, and Grethe got in touch to ask my advice on some of her hiring, and when she told me what they had planned for their big day, I knew it would be beautiful! Seeing the breathtaking images by Du Wayne Denton, I wasn’t disappointed – it’s not just the sparkly, shiny loveliness, but the whole day seems bathed in a golden glow that can only be true love. There are some fantastic ideas here to inspire – I loved the dummy cakes, the white flowers against sequin linens, and the way that the couple wove a favourite CS Lewis quote into their day especially. Congrats Grethe & Bernard!Read More

Portrait of a Marriage: Carmen & Costa

21 July, 2014 by gaby

Hooray, you guys! Today we’re debuting a brand new feature (which after this you’ll be able to catch on Sundays). This idea came out of a chat I had with my friend Belinda late last year, when she suggested a bit of a SouthBound Bride revisited feature, asking our lovely brides and grooms which is their favourite wedding picture, now that years have passed, and why. I thought it was a brilliant concept (thanks Bel!), and it’s a great chance not only to check in with the couples we’ve featured, but to get their take on life beyond the wedding. Back when I started SBB (when it was still Cap Classique), the very very first bride I featured was my friend Carmen, so I thought it was only appropriate that we kick off our new feature with her and husband Costa too!

Which of your wedding pictures has remained your favourite?
My fav pic is the one with the sun setting behind us.

What changes have happened since your wedding?
We now have another little Savvas in our little family, the mischievious monkey Luka :-) Oh and I’m now officially British :-) Life is a lot more rushed and frantic but so much fun with the little feet running about the house :-)

Any marriage advice for SBB readers?
Discuss everything with your partner, be open and honest at all times. Fight, it’s healthy! But always make up and remember to say I love you before bedtime every night :-) A cheesy quote which I saw recently is ‘We don’t get married to escape the world; we get married to heal it together’.

See Carmen & Costa’s full wedding feature here.

Inspiration Board: Black Tie Botanical

21 July, 2014 by gaby

Morning, lovelies! I have a busy week ahead (including throwing a very special party for my mum), so let’s start it off right with a mix of two gorgeous styles that I think make a beautiful wedding combination! Lots of weddings that incorporate the botanical trend have a rustic feel (which is fantastic) but I think that the botanical look just as easily lends itself to a very glamorous, black tie wedding as well, with just a few sophisticated tweaks. The look is lush and luxurious, in classic shades of white, black, emerald green and gold, with the tiniest hint of blush. Swoonage!

Colours: Black, white, gold, emerald, blush

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Three Nails Photography/Clementine Custom Events}; cake {Anushé Low/B.loved Wedding Styling & Design/Cakes By Krishanthi}; table setting {Bryce Covey}; botanical invitations {Aubrey Renee Photography/Tiffany Collins Events}
Row 2: Botanical escort cards {Aubrey Renee Photography/Tiffany Collins Events}; rosemary cocktails {Jose Villa/Laurie Arons}; table setting {Alissa Saylor Photography}
Row 3: Boutonnieres {Onelove Photography/JL Designs & Events}; bouquet {Leo Patrone/Honey of Thousand Flowers}; gold shoes in cloche {Simply Bloom Photography}; groom in tuxedo {Trent Bailey/Inspired Bride/Daughter of Design}

A SouthBound Guide to Wedding Cake Terminology

18 July, 2014 by gaby

Yay, it’s Friday. And yay, it’s time for the latest in our SouthBound Guides, teaching you all the wedding lingo you need to communicate effectively with your lovely suppliers. Since this is about the time that many of you will be finalising your cake choices, I thought today was a good day to talk about just that – and with it being Nelson Mandela’s birthday, a cake feels kind of appropriate. In fact, it’s been a cake-y kinda week here on SBB, so feel free to indulge yourself in something sugary as you enjoy each of these handy (pinnable!) examples. (Any excuse, right?)

Sweet as Sugar Morgenhof Wedding by Leani Holmes {Storm & Daryn}

17 July, 2014 by gaby

I’ve seen a lot of pretty dessert tables over the years but today’s – if you’ll pardon the pun – takes the cake! I just loved Storm & Daryn’s ‘share a cake’ concept (not to mention how delish said cakes actually look), but it’s also just one detail that I think encapsulates the simple sweetness of this pastel pink wedding that was cute as cupcakes and a true labour of DIY love. Every aspect, from a beautiful heirloom dress to lace-decked vases collected by the couple’s circle to for months ahead of time speaks of family and friendship and the true sweetness of love. The wonderful Leani Holmes, who is a member of the SBB family, was on hand to take every dreamy picture.Read More

15 Rustic Winter Wedding Cakes

16 July, 2014 by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! Even though the sun is back out today, I’ve had winter on the mind, and recently I’ve been absolutely loving the rustic winter woodland style cakes I have been seeing – so perfect for a cold weather wedding! Whether they’re iced or naked, covered in fruit, berries or evergreens, they all look delicious and they all look like something out of a Christmas card fairytale. It’s a lovely way to carry through the winter or rustic theme for a wedding, so I’ve rounded up fifteen of my favourites!Read More

Gatsby-esque Cocktail Wedding Reception at an Antique Storeroom by Alfred Lor {Lindi & Morgan}

15 July, 2014 by gaby

I told you we were on a winning streak with two gorgeous weddings today, and here we are with Part 2! Lindi and Morgan’s celebration was twice as nice – an intimate celebration with elegant Delft-inspired decor (see it here), and then a blowout 1920s influenced cocktail reception for their wider circle in what has to be one of the coolest and most unique venues I’ve seen – a converted antique showroom full of the most incredible mirrors and chandeliers – wow! I love that Lindi used her contacts as a designer to come up with something a bit different, and it’s just perfect for the Gatsby vibe that the couple were trying to create. Add a few tables groaning with treats, guests jazzed up for the Jazz Era theme, and just as much love and joy as in the first wedding, and you have an absolutely incredible sequel. Pics are by the fab Alfred Lor.Read More

Darling Delft Babylonstoren Wedding by Moira West {Lindi & Morgan}

15 July, 2014 by gaby

It’s not every day that I get to showcase not just one but TWO beautiful weddings, but then it’s not every couple brave enough to plan two separate celebrations! But for Lindi and Morgan, it was a way of experiencing both the intimacy of a small, private wedding with just their closest family and friends, as well as including their wider circle in a huge party. Both celebrations (held two days apart) are GORGEOUS, and we’re kicking things off with the first, a Delft-themed dinner at the beautiful Babylonstoren. Moira West captured it as gorgeously as only she knows how, and there are so many clever touches that make my detail-loving heart sing! And don’t forget to come back later, because there’s a Gatsby-esque cocktail hour on its way!Read More

Inspiration Board: The New Rustic

14 July, 2014 by gaby

Hello lovelies! How was your weekend? I spent most of it cuddled up on the couch (who knew Durban got so chilly?) with a dog and a glass of wine, working on some behind the scenes technical stuff (aka the things that make my head hurt). So I loved getting to the creative work of putting together this week’s inspiration board. This time, I was inspired by a shift in rustic weddings over the last year, from a very vintage influence to a little bit more of a rustic, boho vibe. It’s not a dramatic shift, but it is a good way of keeping things fresh and pretty, while allowing vintage-loving brides to still incorporate a lot of the touches they love, like found objects and lace. So here it is – the new rustic!

Top row (l-r): Boho wedding dress {Poise by Nadia}; place setting; wreath invitation; door {Eric Kelley/Shindig Weddings and Events}
Row 2: Poppy pods; boho bridesmaids {Braedon Flynn}; craft beer; flowers in watering can {Yolande Marx}
Row 3: Lanterns {Caroline Tran Photographer/Kelly Oshiro Design}; boho bride {Danelle Bohane}; table decor

Sea Point Blues Engagement Shoot by Danieka Erasmus

10 July, 2014 by gaby

Afternoon, loves! I have such a beautiful engagement shoot to share with you this afternoon, from the fab Danieka Erasmus (aka Picturist). With moody blue tones on the Sea Point beachfront, a gorgeous couple in love, and Danieka’s pics capturing magic and emotion amidst the drama of sea and sky, it’s everything we love an engagement shoot to be.Read More