Author: gaby

Green & Gold Langkloof Roses Wedding by Real Simple Photography {Tamarin & Nicholas}

by gaby

Things my half-Italian self is not talking about today: soccer, the World Cup, or Luis Suarez. So instead, let’s talk about this little gem of a wedding from Real Simple Photography, in South Africa’s gorgeous national colours of green and gold (with a touch of silver). Tamarin and Nicholas (who planned their wedding from the UK) chose the divine Langkloof Roses as their venue, the most romantic of Cape country locations, and filled their tables with gold painted jars, elegant brass candlesticks, linen runners, puffs of white flowers and lasercut elephant table numbers. Adorable! With strings of hanging café lights and a dancefloor under the stars, they danced the night away with their friends from near and far.Read More

Folksy Autumn Glenbrae Wedding by Alice Swan {Jana & Jan-Dirk}

by gaby

Goodness, but this wedding makes me smile. From it’s flower crowned head right down to the tips of its barefoot boho toes, Jana and Jan-Dirk’s wedding was pure whimsical, romantic, folksy, handmade, autumn goodness. Each detail layers on top of the last, creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, not to mention a gorgeous reception filled with hundreds of paper cranes in flight, doily lanterns, oodles of bunting, and a lovely bohemian feel. A bride in a gorgeous belted dress and flower crown, a groom in a suit sourced from vintage markets and shops, bridesmaids in autumn-hued patterns with cardigans and mismatched tights. And lest we forget, a little sunshine coloured car. Jana is in fact a talented harpist (available for functions – check her out here), and with Jan-Dirk also being a musician, the air was filled with melody all day long… just the perfect way to throw a wedding. A big thanks to the lovely Alice Swan for submitting this vision of loveliness – how gorgeous are her pics?Read More

Inspiration Board: Lovely Laduree

by gaby

You didn’t think I’d let another Monday go by without a SouthBound Bride inspiration board did ya? This is a little colour combination I’ve been looking forward to working with, even since I saw the stationery set in the first row. I thought it was a gorgeous update to the grey and pink palette that has been so successful – a dark charcoal grey instead of a pale dove shade, a soft rosy blush, a baby blue and of course a bit of glamorous gold. It’s delicious, and I love how the pastels play so well together, but are made elegant and sophisticated by the neutral and metallic. The combination of pastels and gold reminded me a little of gorgeous Laduree macaron packaging, and the rest of the board was born!

Colours: Pastel pink & blue, charcoal and gold

Top row (l-r): Bride at Laduree {Jen Huang}; stationery suite; cake {The Cake Parlour}
Row 2: Macarons; rose centrepiece {Aaron Delesie/Lisa Vorce, Event Design & Production}; vintage daybed; champagne {Arielle Doneson Photography}
Row 3: Grey suit with pink bowtie {Adrienne Gunde Photography}; reception decor {Kristin Newman}; blue and pink bouquet; charcoal bridesmaid dresses {Forever Photography Studio/Something To Celebrate }

 

Tropical Boho Styled Shoot by Maxeen Kim Photography

by gaby

Good morning, brideys! We’re kicking off this week with some fresh, beachy inspiration courtesy of the awesome Maxeen Kim, who I first met last year when she was part of our Editorial Wedding workshop. When Maxeen let me know she was putting together a styled shoot loosely inspired by one of my absolute fave SBB inspiration boards, Hawaiian Honeysuckle, I was super excited, and even more so knowing it stars another of my favourite people, the beautiful Ché of indielovebooks. The original board was all about laid back surfy style, which the team translated into a beautiful, ethereal boho setting with a bold tropical palette and sweet ribbon details. I ADORE the Jenny Packham dress, and that casual, hand-tied bouquet with the perfect pop of fuschia complements it perfectly. Best of all, the tablescape was created with real (aka budget conscious) brides in mind, so get ready to be inspired!Read More

African Geometric Styled Shoot by Yolande Snyders & Yellow Papaya

by gaby

Happy Friday lovelies! I have some super sunny, summery inspiration to share with you today, an African take on sunshine yellow with (eep!) a dip-dyed Didi Couture gown. Wow. I adore everything about the styling of this shoot by Simone of Yellow Papaya – the use of geometrical and ombre elements, the relaxed farmyard vibe and the inclusion of shweshwe (which we KNOW I love!). It all makes for a wedding design that is familiar but unusual, and pretty without being overpoweringly girly. In short, super inspiring! Thanks to the awesome team behind this shoot for sharing it with us today, including fab photographer Yolande Snyders and video by The Wedding Revelation.Read More

25 Fresh Pincushion Protea Bouquets

by gaby

Morning, lovelies! We have been having some hosting problems, so the schedule is a bit out of whack, but never mind – today is just going to be FULL of inspiration! We’re starting off with a roundup of no less that 25 gorgeous bouquets incorporating one of our favourite South African flowers, the pincushion protea. Since I first wrote about this spiky bloom a few years back, I’ve been delighted to see it used in some really creative and beautiful ways, so I thought it was about time I shared them. If you’d like a very South African feeling to your flowers, but are a bit over King Proteas, then this is a great choice.

Read More

Intimate Scottish De Hoop Wedding by Illuminate Photography {Stacey & Stuart}

by gaby

Well, here’s something new – I’ve had grooms contribute to the questionnaire before, but never had a complete he said/she said view of a wedding. It just shows what a strong partnership Stuart and Stacey have, and how much their wedding was a mix of their personalities and backgrounds. Stuart is from Scotland, so beyond the traditional kilts (and let’s be honest, men look faaaabulous in kilts!) there was Highland-style dancing, merrymaking and bagpiping unfer the night sky. Bringing up the South African end, there was braaing, kuiering and gorgeous natural fynbos covering the tables. It’s like Rob Roy meets Jock of the Bushveld, in the perfect fusion of two lives and families. The lovely Tabitha of Illuminate Photography was there to capture every special moment.Read More

Travel Themed Old Mac Daddy Wedding by Yolandé Marx {Marli & Pieter}

by gaby

You all know how I feel about travel themed weddings (love ’em!). Which might have something to do with my own love of travel, but I also love how it can be a metaphor for life and relationships. Because life really is a journey, isn’t it? I’m the first to admit I don’t always look at the scenery along the way, preferring to focus on the destination, but in hindsight it’s always the journey that gets you somewhere that teaches you or inspires you or provides you with the lasting lessons or memories. Today’s couple, inspired by their awesome airstream trailer park venue (oh, we love Old Mac Daddy’s don’t we!), based their wedding around the idea of going on a trip together – kind of a perfect metaphor for starting out on the adventure of marriage. They incorporated this theme in sweet, subtle ways – through an airstream logo, and travel-themed stationery, and (my fave) little old school cartoon-hobo-style knapsacks on a stick to house the favours. Adorable! The vibe was light hearted and lovely, made even more so by the drop dead gorgeous pics by Yolandé Marx. I’m a huge fan of Yolandé’s work (in fact, check our her gorgeous new category images in our Supplier Directory – swoonage!), and her dreamy shots of Marli and Peter in their lakeside location are some of my favourites!Read More

Wedding Video by The Shank Tank {Taetim & Darren}

by gaby

We don’t feature a lot of wedding films here on SBB, but some just capture my heart and my imagination, and today’s joy filled video by The Shank Tank was an immediate favourite. I adore Jewish weddings – they’re filled with the most incredible, meaningful traditions as well as a vibrant atmosphere of love and celebration (and lots and lots of dancing!). Tae and Darren’s film really captures all this as well as the connection between a gorgeous couple. And when I heard that my fave Fiona Clair had taken the pictures (including some breathtaking portraits of Tae in her beautiful lace dress!), I just had to do a mini wedding feature to celebrate.Read More

Announcing the 2014 SBB Styled Shoot Contest

by gaby

Image from a shoot by Adene Photography & Anli Wahl Flowers & Event Styling, featured on Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding pros, I have SUCH an exciting announcement for you all! Today we’re launching a brand new initiative on SBB, one that is very close to my heart. Ever since I started the blog, it has been my aim not just to feature SA’s talented suppliers & brides, but also to try to share a little of what makes South Africa and South African weddings special with the world, and of course to help create and inspire with fresh ideas. Earlier this year I was inspired myself by the styled shoot contest run by my fellow wedding blogger Sara of Burnett’s Boards (which if you don’t follow yet, you MUST!), and with the winter months meaning a bit of playtime for the industry, I thought now was the perfect time to do something similar. So, here we are – the first ever SouthBound Bride Styled Shoot Contest!

And here’s the really exciting bit – the finalists will not only be published here on the blog, but the top team will win a fab sponsorship package. I’m honoured to announce that these winners will be chosen by me along with my fellow judges, the awesome Sara herself, as well as the talented Louise of b.loved (both of whom have a blogger’s editorial eye, a love for fresh inspiration, and experience as successful stylists to their credit). I’m so thrilled that both of them have agreed to be part of the contest.Read More