Author: gaby

Real Wedding at Kliplapa {Lauren & Michael}

by gaby

You guys… Yesterday was a good news/bad news kinda day. Good news! You’re in Cape Town! Bad news… someone’s driven into your hire car. Good news! You get to see a friend for lunch! Bad news… there’s no parking. Good news! It’s time to visit some wedding creatives in their uber cool new office space! Bad news… there’s no parking (seriously Capetonians, whaddup?). Anyway, we’re starting today off on the right note, with this lovely wedding from Shireen Louw, who just so happens to be one of the sweetest people to work with as well as being a fab photographer. Lauren and Michael clearly have a very well-developed sense of fun, as their wedding is full of spontaneity and laughter, and cute props. Not to mention proteas and antique candelabras – fusing two of the biggest trends at the moment. As I say, it’s a happy way to start the day – enjoy!Read More

Lightbulb Wedding Decor

by gaby

It’s Wednesday Trendsday, and today we’re looking at a little decor trend that I am absolutely smitten with. I first fell in love with the look earlier this year when we featured Chris and Rich’s gorgeous wedding, with big, round custom-shipped Edison bulbs hanging at intervals along the tables – they were gorgeous touches of stylish retro during the day and at night helped to create an intimate, magical atmosphere. Love.Read More

The Joys of Spring

by gaby

Hello lovelies! Time for some beautiful inspiration for this early summer afternoon (how is it DECEMBER already?). Today we’re showing off the talents of two friends of the blog (photographer Cheryl McEwan and co-ordinator Theresa of Creation Events), together with a team of talented people who put together this spring/summer inspiration for you. With bright florals, pretty boho bridal styling and the cutest retinue of little people, it feels like an Easter parade. So fun! Choose this palette and your guests won’t be able to hold back their sunny smiles!Read More

Real Wedding at Lourensford {Tessa & Nick}

by gaby

Do I ever have a pretty wedding to share with you today! It had me at hello. Hello breathtaking and unusual bridal gown, hello soft lavender bridesmaids’ pleats, hello muted pastel blooms against grey tablecloths and rustic wooden boards at the reception, hello bang on trend calligraphy details, hello lacy cake. So you won’t be surprised to know that some of South Africa’s finest service providers are involved, including photographer Jani B., Wedding Concepts, Okasie and Roxanne Floquet (who just happened to be one of the bridesmaids!). And of course I was delighted to hear that SBB was one of bride Tessa’s favourite blogs – what can I say, the girl’s got taste ;) Pour yourself a cup of your favourite something hot, settle in and enjoy.Read More

Inspiration Board: Plumfetti

by gaby

Happy Monday my lovely friends! Is everyone ready to be inspired? Today I thought we would play with one of my favourite things at the moment (glitter, you know it). Usually we see it combined with bright and soft pinks, but I got to thinking how lovely it would be with a range of purples. Plums, soft violets, lavender and lilac. Paired with glamorous gold, crisp whites and dreamy tulles. What’s not to love?

Colours: Lavender, plum & gold

Top row (l-r): Bouquet {Shari + Mike Photographers/Everything Beautiful Events}; dress with gold detail {Kim Maguire Photography}; bride & bridesmaids {Mint Photography}; ring box {Sarah Gawler}; place setting {Paige and Blake Photography}
Row 2: Gold paper straws; desserts on frames {Be Inspired PR/Be Inspired PR}; dress detailing {Kim Maguire Photography}; cork monogram {Stacy Able Photography}
Row 3: Bride & groom {Troy Grover Photographers}; flower girl; glitter {Robyn Kessler/Rebecca Wright}; gold shoes; champagne bottle.

 

Mira Zwillinger 2014

by gaby

Happy Friday, folks! We end off this week of loveliness with one more piece of lovely that will have you swooning your swooniest swoons. I’ve been in love with Mira Zwillinger‘s dresses ever since we featured them in this shoot, but I think it’s a love that has gone to a whole new level with the 2013/2014 collection. Like the previous one, it’s built on a combination of soft fabrics and fine lace details, but if it’s possible, this year it’s even more feminine and beautiful. These are the kind of dresses you just want to wrap up in tissue paper and sigh over. They’re definitely the kind of bridal couture that will make a breathtaking impression on any bride. My favourite is the New Beatrice (first below), a revision on one of the incredible dresses I worked with – I didn’t think it was possible to make it more beautiful, but Mira has. So here we go. Meet your new favourite dresses.Read More

Colour Story: Peach Blossom

by gaby

Afternoon, SouthBound brideys – oh, and by the way, a very happy Thanksgiving to our American readers! This afternoon we’re continuing with our day of everything peachy, following the Peach Watercolour shoot I featured this morning. It’s time to take a second look at the gorgeous Peach Blossom Bride stationery suite created for the SBB Collection by Magpie Collections. The shoot itself wasn’t based on one inspiration board, but we’ve featured loads of peach ones here on the blog – here are just a few…Read More

How to Create a Peach Watercolour Wedding

by gaby

Call me crazy, but the days I get to show off styled shoots that I have been a part of are some of my favourites! And I have been dying to share this one, which I styled with a team of awesome suppliers last autumn. It all started with a conversation between myself and the lovely Anneli Marinovich – she wanted to photograph a rustic table in a field, and we loved the idea of using peach blossom, as peach is such an awesome colour to have in your wedding right now. As the English summer wore on though, we worried that our little dream wouldn’t work as it was getting a bit late in the year, but when the day finally dawned in October, the sun came out for us (even if the wind did too). We had such a lovely day shooting in and around Gaynes Park, which has to be one of my absolute favourite UK venues, and working with the nicest (and most talented) bunch of people you could hope to find. The shoot subsequently was featured in Wedding and Wedding Flowers in the UK, and on Wedding Chicks blog. Honoured! Anyway, today we’re finally bringing it home to SBB.Read More

Lovely Long Veils

by gaby

cathedral length wedding veils

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Get ready for some beautiful inspiration friends, because today we’re talking veils. And not just veils. These are veils and a half: cathedral (or at least chapel) length, full-scale veily gorgeousness. There’s no messing around with these veils. They mean business. But let’s rewind a sec, because while long veils certainly aren’t a new thing, they’re definitely a trend. Back when I started this blog a few years ago, you couldn’t find a long veil for love nor money. It was all about the birdcage then. And then it was about flowers and braids and floral crowns. But slowly, I started to see these beautiful veils creeping into my peripheral vision. And each time they did, I would do a double take. Veils started making a comeback, especially dramatic full-length ones. Then Kate Moss did it, and it was officially a Thing. And here we are. And I have to tell you ladies, I LOVE this look. I mean, I still like other veil types, but this is hands down my current fave. Whether plain or patterned, cathedral length veils make a style statement, and the good news is (as you’ll see from my roundup of lovely below) that they go with a huge variety of dress types and wedding styles. So go on. Go long. You know you want to.

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

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Polaroid Engagement Shoot

by gaby

How much do I love the idea of this shoot? A LOT, that’s how much. A couple, two big smiles and a Polaroid camera. Simples. It makes for such a fun and natural engagement shoot, without being posey but still being cute. Coba Engelbrecht was there to capture every giggle, every kiss and every lovely image of Phillip and Liezl. Which is especially lovely, since the bride-to-be is family!Read More