gaby | SouthBound Bride

Colour Story: Kraft & Blush

7 April, 2014 by gaby

We love us some colour inspiration here on SBB, and so after this morning’s inspiration board I thought it was time for a wee colour story this afternoon. As in small, not actual wee, since a wee coloured wedding would be weird. Obvs. Anyway, so I took my starting point from a board I created a little while ago that proved to be soopa popular both on the site and social media – I guess the love of blush isn’t going anywhere soon! Here’s the original board:

Full credits here

For me, I love how the soft colour brings sophistication to kraft/brown paper (especially with some calligraphy), which otherwise is usually associated with more rustic weddings. And it’s also quite an easy wedding palette to work with in that you’ll find a lot of blush, white and kraft details available in the shops at the moment (which always helps a lot). Whether you’re donning a pretty blush gown or putting your bridesmaids in this flattering shade, there are lots of stunning options.

Inspiration Board: Milk & Honey

7 April, 2014 by gaby

Good morning darlin’s – how was your weekend? Mine was super chilled, mostly working away behind the scenes and catching up on some zzzzs! On the technical side, you may notice (I hope!) that SBB is sooopa fast today, which is down to some upgrades I have been making to ensure the site is at its very best for you all. And while it’s always a hassle to migrate to a new server, it’s a tribute to the fact that there are now so many of you visiting SBB on a daily basis that the previous one couldn’t cope. I am so grateful for you all! And so excited for what I have planned for this year – it feels like everything is moving organically in the best of directions. ANYWAY, enough of that, it’s time for our weekly inspiration. Today I thought I would take the concept of milk and honey for a wedding, updating the bee motif that we were seeing a bit of a couple of years ago, and bringing it to a really warm, rustic wedding concept that would be absolutely PERFECT for a brunch wedding in the countryside. Can’t you just imagine it? Rays of morning sun peeking out from behind the clouds as you promise your love to each other, followed by a breakfast of pancakes and butter and honey at long open air tables, with milk white daisies forming your bouquet. Morning weddings have never been so pretty.

Colours: Off-white, honey yellow, taupe and gingerbread

Top row (l-r): Milk & honeycomb {Sunday Suppers}; outdoor table {Aaron Delesie/Beth Helmstetter Events}; honey favours {This Love of Yours Photography/Engaged & Inspired}; wedding dress {Jane Allen Photography/Scout & Charm}
Row 2: Bridesmaids; daisy bouquet {Jemma Keech}; bee stationery {Brooke Boling/Lauren Ledbetter}
Row 3: Honey cake {Love Me Do Photography}; honey dipper favours {Brancoprata}; milk vases; bride with flower crown {Elizabeth Messina}

SouthBound Sundays {6 April 2014}

6 April, 2014 by gaby

Hello friends! It’s been a few weeks since I did a SouthBound Sunday (blame tax season, bleugh), but I have been rounding up all my faves from around the web this weekend and I can’t wait to share them with you! Every week I am just blown away by how much creativity and gorgeousness is going on in wedding world, as well as by you ladies, with all your enthusiasm and spirit! I really do love my job :)

♥ WEEKLY FAVES

How to Plan the Perfect Bridal Shower (With Printable Bridal Shower Timeline)

4 April, 2014 by gaby

If you follow SBB on Facebook you may have seen that I was invited back this last Tuesday to chat to the lovely Yolanda Martens at OFM, a radio station based in Bloem, as part of her wedding planner series. This time, we were talking all about bridal showers, hen dos, kitchen teas, bachelorettes – whatever you want to call them, I shared lots of info and ideas for bridal shower planning. (You can hear the podcasts here.) To tie in with my interview, I thought this afternoon I would post the complete SBB guide to how to plan the perfect bridal shower (that is, the more sedate day-time party!). If you scroll to the end, you’ll even find a very handy printable bridal shower timeline and checklist that your Maid of Honour or bridesmaids can use to help them in their planning, so don’t forget to pin it! I’ve thrown quite a few showers in my time (both bridal and baby), and organisation is the key to make it as stress-free for the planner as well as for the bride and guests as possible. It’s such a special gift to give one of your best friends – an afternoon with her favourite people, celebrating their relationships with her – but it doesn’t happen by magic. So here’s everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect bridal shower.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Autumn Glitter Styled Shoot by Veronique Photography

4 April, 2014 by gaby

OH YOU GUYS. I think it’s safe to say I am totally, completely, head over heels, over the moon in love with today’s wedding style inspiration, which comes from a truly fantastic team (including Veronique Mills, Just Jack and Whispers of May – who just happens to be one of our own SouthBound Brides). It’s glittery, it’s gorgeous, and it’s a brand new take on autumn/fall weddings, using the warm shades of copper or rose gold to glam up a clean white space. Just the palette is enough to have me pinning all afternoon, but I also happen to adore the details – dipped feather place names, a sequin runner, breathtaking florals, and a sweet metallic cake. It’s just perfect, and I have a feeling you all will think so too. Oh, and PS, we have a bit of a behind-the-scenes bonus today, so head over to our Facebook page for a glimpse at how it all gets put together :)Read More

Fired Up Engagement by Alexis Diack

3 April, 2014 by gaby

Who doesn’t love a man in uniform? And when that uniform is a fire fighter’s… well. Take one handsome fireman (who some of you might recognise from the most recent series of Survivor SA) and one drop dead gorgeous makeup artist, and sparks fly. Philip and Lynnal are the loved-up couple in today’s fab, colourful engagement shoot from Alexis Diack – and Philip even brought along his gear for a few of the pics! I adore Lynnal’s stylish outfit changes too, and the fact that they ended of with a bit of flare, literally (supervised by Fireman Philip of course!).Read More

Peonies & Proteas Holden Manz Wedding by Nikki Meyer & Creation Events {Nina & Bernd}

3 April, 2014 by gaby

I just love when foreign couples decide to spend their big day under our big sky, don’t you? I mean, it’s no surprise – we already know how gorgeous South Africa is – but we love sharing it with others who have fallen for with our beautiful land and want to have it as the backdrop to their big day. Which by the way, is also an awesome way of ensuring you always have to come back for your anniversaries ;) Nina and Bernd are just such a couple – their love of SA runs deep, and they brought all their favourite people here to celebrate with them. I just love their concept of a chilled out high tea after the ceremony, with a civilised little siesta break, and then an elegant dinner. And the sophisticated design reflected these two parts of the reception, from colourful protea and fruit arrangements in rustic crates, to blush and white peonies and ranunculus on creamy tables over candlelight. Let’s just talk about those peonies for a second too, because I can’t help being in total love with Nina’s bouquet, can you? I’m so glad we’re seeing more and more of these very special blooms here in SA now. Two of my favourite wedding ladies were behind the scenes of this lovely wedding – Theresa Lazarevic of Creation Events (one of our long-time friends and sponsors), and the awesome Nikki Meyer, whose photos never fail to delight! And here they certainly do – I’m especially in love with the mountain backdrop, which has me longing for a trip to the Cape.Read More

Elegant Safari Thaba Motswere Wedding by Maryke Harper {Melissa & Christian}

2 April, 2014 by gaby

If you’ve been reading SBB for any amount of time, you’ll know that I am absolutely crazy for the African bush. Beaches and mountains I love, even cities with their chaotic charm enthrall me, but I never feel quite as at peace and at home with my soul as I do in the bushveld. Today’s couple feel the same way, and the bush has woven into their love story, so it was only natural they would choose a game lodge for their wedding day. So they found themselves exchanging vows under a bower of Marulas, mixing the vintage elegance of lace, lilies and lanterns with a crisp modern palette of navy and white. It works beautifully, a hint of old world safari, as well as a timelessly elegant look that gave centre stage to the magnificent wilderness all around them. I can’t think of a better place to say ‘I do!’. The lovely Maryke Harper captured these gorgeous images of the beautiful Melissa and her dashing groom.Read More

Stylish Intimate Garden Wedding by Lad and Lass Photography {Nandi & Brett}

1 April, 2014 by gaby

We feature all kinds of weddings here on SBB, but I must admit to having a huge soft spot for those that take place in a garden or backyard. I love the idea of getting married somewhere that literally feels like home, being able to go back there again and again and make new memories, as well as the loving and intimate feel you always get from an at-home celebration. Today’s wedding is just a perfect example of that, and it’s effortlessly chic too – I love that bride Nandi was inspired by her mum, and wanted the decor to look like something that came from her cupboards. And can we just take a minute to salute Nandi’s dress? Absolutely love it, especially paired with a pretty braid and a crown of flowers. As I said, effortlessly chic. I can’t think of a better choice of photographer for this wedding than Lad and Lass Photography, as their style really complements the couple’s – a perfect match. Just like Nandi and Brett. And just like backyards and beautiful receptions. ;)Read More

Inspiration Board: Teal & Oatmeal

31 March, 2014 by gaby

Hang on lovelies, does anyone even know how it got to be the last day of March? Eek. As usual, time is running away from me – after spending the whole of last week buried in tax and accounts, I have spent the weekend catching up with email (a couple of hundred down, several hundred to go…) and getting ready to share some more seriously lovely weddings with you all this week. But first, it’s Monday, and you know what that means! Yep – it means another inspiration board. And I have to say, I am absolutely loving the colour combination on this one. A soft teal – almost a greyed jade – and beautiful neutral oatmealy taupe. And guys, it works sooo well, right? I love the slightly boho vibe to this board – it would work for a country wedding, a farm wedding, and definitely for a beach wedding. Beautiful.

Colours: Teal, oatmeal, white and emerald

Top row (l-r): Boho bride {Adrian Michael}; flowing dress {Jose Villa/Kelly Oshiro Design}; door {Tec Petaja}
Row 2: Stationery suite {Rylee Hitchner/Sarah Robins Powell}; centrepiece {Esther Sun Photography/At Your Door Events}; bridesmaid dress {Elizabeth Messina/Ruche}; door seating plan {Clary Pfeiffer/Eventity Inc.}
Row 3: Flowers in urn; boutonnieres {The Nichols/The Nouveau Romantics}; bouquet {Tanja Lippert Photography/Blooms by Martha Andrews}; wedding dress {Jessica Lorren Organic Photography}