gaby | SouthBound Bride

Blush & White Thaba Ya Batswana Wedding by As Sweet As Images {Sasha & Sergio}

24 January, 2014 by gaby

I love an involved groom, don’t you? In the last few years, it seems to have become the norm rather than the exception, which I think is awesome – after all, your wedding will best tell the story of your relationship if it comes from both of you. Today we not only have an involved groom, but we’re hearing the story of the wedding from his perspective! You can just hear the love Sergio has for his beautiful bride come through in his words. And even though their venue, Thaba Ya Batswana, is situated just outside Johannesburg, it has the lovely feeling of being in the African bushveld. The couple decided to complement this with a classic white wedding, with the prettiest hint of blush in the bridesmaids’ dresses and the rose bouquets. The fabulous As Sweet As Images were on the scene to record every sweet smile and happy moment for eternity.Read More

Winter Sunshine Styled Shoot by Jani B. & Absolute Perfection

23 January, 2014 by gaby

It may be summer sunshine in South Africa today (in fact, I’m taking a rare day off to head to the beach with my lovely mom), but this afternoon we’re giving a nod to our friends in the Northern Hemisphere instead. When I started SBB a few years back, winter weddings were just not a thing here in South Africa. I think I featured one cold-weather wedding that first year. Since then, I have loved seeing brides and grooms not only opt for an autumn or winter wedding day, but make the most of the season, incorporating sweet little wintry touches, serving warming winter dishes and drinks, and generally making guests feel cosy and welcome. Today’s styled shoot, from the dream team of Jani B. Photography and Absolute Perfection, turns the more traditional winter palettes on their heads, giving them a punch of colour with fuschia, lilac, orange and navy. The look was actually produced for one of Jani’s workshops, but I have a feeling that those of you who love the country vintage style will find this perfect for your wedding, whatever season you choose to celebrate it in.Read More

Romantic Fynbos Matjiesdrift Wedding by Illuminate Photography {Amy & Karl}

23 January, 2014 by gaby

Being back in South Africa for a few months has reminded me just how amazing the nature is here. Right outside my bedroom, in a garden full of indigenous plants and trees, are mongooses, monkeys, incredible birds and insects. It’s very cool. And so I love when couples take their natural environment as inspiration for their wedding, as Amy and Karl did for theirs. The blue of the sky and the soft blush of the earth formed the basis for their palette, and they filled their bouquets and venue with roses and fynbos, including garlands hanging from the ceiling (LOVE) above the long tables. It’s pure countryside romance, captured to perfection by Illuminate Photography. Oh, and PS? A brownie wedding cake. Yum!Read More

Ten Tables: Beach {Part 2}

22 January, 2014 by gaby

Hello lovelies! How did you enjoy Part 1 of our beach wedding tables series last week? Which was your favourite? Today we’re back with five more, and I hope you love them as much as I do! As before, I have broken each one down into its key components and shared my suggestions for recreating the look, including tips for budget and DIY brides. Each of these tables is different and would of course suit a different kind of beach reception (or can be adapted for a non-beach reception, if you take out some of the seaside elements like shells), but the main thing to notice is how they are built up layer by layer. That way, you can go out in search of your own lovely finds and bargains, and create your own perfect wedding table.

Table #1: Beach Blush

FLOWERS: Roses, dahlias, succulents, hare’s tail

Nautical Emoyeni Wedding by Lauren Kim {Abigail & Dean}

22 January, 2014 by gaby

Those of you who have been around here for a while will know that my love of nautical knowns no bounds. Like today’s bride describes herself, I’m a nautical fiend. There’s no bad day that a bit of crisp linen and bateau stripes can’t solve, no view that isn’t made better by having a ship on the horizon, and no end to the shiny nautical bits and bobs that I have to restrain myself from filling my home with. So I think what I really love about Abigail and Dean’s wedding is that, even though it isn’t located even remotely near the coast, that didn’t stop them from pulling off a sea-worthy festival of awesome. From the blue and white striped tablecloths to the nautical cake to the oh-so-adorable bridesmaids with their captain’s hats, photographer Lauren Kim has captured every lovely detail. (Oh and PS, if you love coastal style, come back later for more beach-themed table decor!)Read More

Something Red, Something Blue La Petite Dauphine Wedding by Jules Morgan {Ndoni & David}

21 January, 2014 by gaby

Get ready for wedding greatness people, because this one is a game changer! I am pretty much obsessed with this incredible wedding from the dream team of Wedding Concepts and photographer Jules Morgan, at the amazing La Petite Dauphine. Ndoni and David (what a gorgeous couple!) dreamed of a day that allowed them to chill out with their favourite people, and was designed in their favourite colours, red and blue. As a colour combo, that can be a challenge, because two primary colours are pretty strong together, so Wedding Concepts had the stroke of genius of splitting the decor into a blue period (so Picasso) and a red one. And that wasn’t the only innovation, because they also decided to throw the usual wedding timetable to the wind, starting instead with a relaxed jazzy blue-themed luncheon, followed by a sunset ceremony and a dazzling red reception. And not only does that mean a whole lot of decor amazingness, but it meant two dresses for Ndoni – LOVE a bride in a blue dress, not to mention the fairytale white one. As I say, wedding greatness. Let it begin!Read More

Fairytale Bride #5: The Decor

20 January, 2014 by gaby

This has been by far the absolute BEST part of planning this wedding for me. Just thinking about it, my heart begins to beat that little bit faster and my eyes start twinkling. I think what I’m loving the most out of the experience of planning a wedding so far, (apart from the fact that this is the most beautiful ‘joint’ project Rob and I have been able to work on), is the fact that it allows me to be SO creative. It allows me to find joy in the detail and get excited about the smallest little things, which is what will ultimately make the day memorable and special! I cannot wait to share this creativity that has been stirred up inside of me in that final blog post so that it leaves other lovely ladies inspired, smiling and dreaming big.

Escort card inspiration:

Inspiration Board: Forest Fantasy

20 January, 2014 by gaby

Happy Monday lovelies! It’s another week of inspiration on SouthBound Bride, and wedding planning for you all – how is it going? Are you finding everything you need here? Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or requests for features or ideas. We’re starting the week off, as we always do, with an inspiration board and this one comes straight from the enchanted forest – a theme that is very of-the-moment. We’re lucky in South Africa that we have lots of gorgeous foresty venues, and in today’s board I’ve taken a pretty straightforward (emphasis on the pretty) to the theme, with a palette of emerald and just a hint of soft blush and gold. I love the idea of woodland animals being part of the look, especially spraypainted gold (such a nifty little DIY), and handpainted in the invitation (handpainted designs being another big trend for 2014). It’s very rustic and romantic, but it also somehow has an air of formality and ‘specialness’, doesn’t it? Just perfect for a couple who loves nature.

Colours: Emerald, blush, gold

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Rebecca Hansen}; invitation {Lori Wemple}; table decor {Meg Van Kampen Studios/White Dress Events}
Row 2: Bouquet {Joe+Kathrina}; bride with floral garland {Brittany Mahood/Lace and Lavender}; forest table {Meghan Kay Sadler/Carly Rae Weddings}; dress in forest {Ampersand Photography}
Row 3: Bridesmaids {Alfred Lor}; cake with deer cake toppers {Mi Amore Foto}; ring in glass box {W & E Photographie/Kelly Dellinger Events}.

SouthBound Sundays {19 Jan 2014}

19 January, 2014 by gaby

Hey brideys, how has your Sunday been? I have been having a lazy day, catching up on sleep and working off a little whisky hangover from a Burns Night party I was invited to last night. Haggis, speeches and poetry, the whole deal – so fun! I hope you all have been having a good weekend, whatever you’ve been doing. Time now though to look at all the pretties from around the web on what has been an exceptionally lovely week.

♥ WEEKLY FAVES

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2014 {Part 2}

17 January, 2014 by gaby

Woo, the end of another work week! I’ve had such fun bringing you all kinds of wedding inspiration this week, and we’re rounding things off today with the second half of our 2014 honeymoon destination special. The first half has proved to be super popular, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already! In creating this list, I’ve combed through all the top travel trends and predictions from the various news outlets that pop up this time of year, and picked those that make for an amazing honeymoon. Because we all know that a honeymoon is unlike any other holiday you’re going to take. You’re looking for more luxury, more seclusion, more down time, and the most memorable, romantic backdrop imaginable. Here are five more places to find that in 2014.