Author: gaby

Real Wedding at Collisheen Estate {Julia & Waylon}

by gaby

Some days, I don’t feel like I have the words. After all, there are only so many ways to say ‘pretty’. Graceful, lovely, charming, fair. Today’s wedding is all of those things. It enters and floats across the stage like a blythe spirit, trailing beauty in its wake. There’s the dress, for one. I need about a dozen words for that alone, because it’s one of my favourites ever – and I still can’t believe that the radiant bride designed it herself and made it together with her mother. It is seriously spectacular (illusion lace, where have you been all my life?). Or the gorgeous reception, elegant but with personal touches like handmade napkins/tea towels, billows of baby’s breath, bridesmaids in blue. And of course the games aspect that the bride and groom added – such a sweet personal detail. Pretty definitely isn’t enough of a word to cover it, and yet pretty it is. Of course, I’m also in love with the talented Fiona Clair‘s gorgeous pics, that capture all the sweetness of this couple on their big day, and every soft and splendid moment. And I have some fab news to share (well, fab news for Cape brides anyway) – Fiona is relocating to Cape Town in early 2014, so KZN’s loss will definitely be your gain.Read More

Colour Story: Placid Blue & Hemlock

by gaby

Not long ago, when I put together some inspiration boards for the new Pantone spring colour palette, I predicted that the combo of pastel green and blue would be a favourite, and that this might just be the key colour combination for 2014. Well, we won’t know for a while yet if I was right, but judging on the many Facebook likes and shares and Pinterest pins the board has had since then, I’d say I might have been on to something. So I thought there was no better pairing for a colour story! Here’s the original board:

Full credits here.

Those cool tones just meld together into perfect prettiness, don’t they? When you use two colours that are close to each other on the colour spectrum, another advantage is that you can easily create a sort of ombre effect with your colours, instead of going too mix and match. Mix your pastels with whites and neutrals – again, this gives you quite a lot of flexibility. And with blues and greens not being too girly, it’s a colour combo that your groom is sure to love too.

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Inspiration Board: Portrait of a Lady

by gaby

Happy Monday friends! How was your weekend? The weather has been completely mis here in Durban, although happily I was safely installed in a box for the Sharks game yesterday instead of sitting in the stands in all that rain. Hopefully the summer starts hitting South Africa a bit more soon though, because my tan is fading fast… Anyway, Monday morning means inspiration board time, and I must say, I am loving this one. A lovely dark teal (does that colour have a name?) with blush is the perfect combination of soft romance with dark jewel tones that are very much on-trend at the moment. The look is very sophisticated but pretty at the same time. What do you think?

Colours: Teal, blush and gold

Top row (l-r): Bride with statement necklace {Christine Meintjes/The Pretty Blog}; bridesmaids {Reg Campbell Wedding & Editorials/Keely Thorne Events}; shoes and bouquet {Desi Baytan Photography/Modern LA Weddings}; tablescape {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; teal groom’s suit {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}
Row 2: Cake with blush flower detail; bouquet {Elisa B Photography/Southern Blooms}; car {Erin Hearts Court}; macaroon {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; flower in gold goblet {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; flower girl {Elisa B Photography}
Row 3: Bride {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}; blush cocktail; pink calligraphy stationery {Ryder Evans Photography/White+White}; teal door; flowers {Fondly Forever Photography/Yellow Bird Events}.

 

Guest Post: Guest Books by Indieberries

by gaby

Are you all sick of hearing from our friend Ché of Indieberries yet? No, of course you’re not. Because she is Awesome.Sauce. We love Ché. And we especially loved all the fab ideas she had for her wedding, from her Save the Dates to her invites to her guest book. And that’s what Ché is sharing with us today, along with a bunch of brilliant advice for how to make your own guest book awesome. UN-fortunately, we don’t get to see Ché’s actual wedding or pro pics of her guest book because… well, something bad happened to the photos. We won’t talk about it. Moving on. But let’s just say that this lady is not only a legend at producing an incredible wedding and choosing a very lovely man to marry, she is also the queen of grace under fire and an awesome example of someone who loves the pretty but knows what marriage is really all about. Maybe one day I’ll ask her to tell you about that. But for today, she’s talking guest books. Thanks Ché!

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After searching for a wedding guestbook and only finding standard run-of-the-mill, not-too-exciting options I decided to crack on and create my own personalised coffee-table keepsake. (Although to be fair, I didn’t search too hard for the aforementioned guestbook because I always knew I wanted to make my own).Read More

Budget Tips From SouthBound Brides

by gaby

Image above by Adene Photography – see the full wedding here.

Happy Friday friends! You may have noticed, but I’m working hard behind the scenes to bring you more of what you love, and one thing I always get feedback about is practical/advice posts. You’ll be seeing plenty of these in the coming weeks and months! In the Reader Survey, you also told me that one of the ways SBB has really helped you is by reading the advice given by our real brides in each wedding post. So I thought, who better to give you some advice than our own SouthBound brides? Keeping costs down is one topic that always comes up, so I’ve trawled through our archives to find all the very best tips and ideas for budget-conscious couples. Each of them is summarised in a handy card, so go ahead and add the ones that resonate with you to your Pinterest boards as reminders while you go through your planning process. And feel free to share your own advice and ideas in the comments!Read More

The EdWed Recap (Part 2)

by gaby

We’re back this afternoon with the second part of our recap from The Editorial Wedding. From our talented students’ work earlier you will have had a good idea of the gorgeousness that Louise of b.loved Wedding Design and Styling created for us that day, but now it’s time to share the full shoot from my EdWed partner, Anneli Marinovich Photography. Anneli’s love of colour was so perfect for highlighting Louise’s design – like the ‘Kate Spade meets Elizabeth Messina’ theme, it was a marriage made in heaven. Lou’s inspired idea was to mix bold glitzy graphic prints with soft florals, and to introduce colour gradually through the design. So starting with the set-up of the bridal suite, which has just a little touch of gold, black and white to offset the romantic vintage gown and accessories, it moves into an emerald and gold ceremony area and on into a riot of gorgeous colour at the reception. I love it. In fact, I loved it so much that I’m surprised Louise managed to take any of it home, as I wanted to steal every glass, every invitation, every plate, every glittery peg and tassel to hang up in my house and stare at forever.Read More

The Editorial Wedding Recap (Part 1)

by gaby

The Editorial Wedding Class of 2013, image by Anneli Marinovich

I am SO HOTDAMN EXCITED to be sharing todays posts with all of you, brides-to-be and industry peeps alike. Pictures from my first ever workshop, the debut of The Editorial Wedding (or the EdWed, as it came to be known). You may remember me mentioning this a few months back, but in case you don’t, The Editorial Wedding was a workshop and styled shoot for wedding photographers to learn everything they needed to know about shooting editorially and submitting their work successfully to magazines and blogs. Today I finally get to share it with all of you – and photographers in the UK and SA, please be sure to read all the way to the end for a very special announcement! This morning I’m showcasing the awesome students’ work (click through to their websites to see more of their portfolios) and this afternoon I’ll be sharing the full styled shoot.Read More

Gatsby Glam Bridal Hairstyle Inspiration

by gaby

Great Gatsby Bridal Hairstyle

The Nickersons/ via Style Me Pretty

*UPDATED FOR 2020* I have always been more than a little obsessed with The Great Gatsby. The novel is one of my favourite books, and I have had a huge crush on the 1920s since I read it as a teenager. And I am also a huge, huge Baz Luhrmann fan – despite some bad reviews, I ADORED every second of his film version. Now I won’t go into the many reasons why it’s one of my favourite movies, except for one – Gatsby styling is awesome. The dresses, the hair… wouldn’t we all want to play dress up as Daisy Buchanan for one night? Incredibly flattering. So it’s really no surprise that I love the 1920s trend that has made its way into weddings (and stayed) – what is surprising to me in a way is just how popular it has been with everyone else. Our post on Gatsby bridesmaid dresses is a perennial favourite, and it got me thinking that maybe it would be fun to do a hair feature on 1920s and 1930s-inspired styles. They’re not period replicas, but this series of beautiful (very flattering) styles incorporates some 1920s trademarks – finger waves, bobs, beautiful Art Deco hairpieces, soft buns curled into the nape. I dare you not to fall in love with one, or several, old sport!

*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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Real Wedding at Delsma Farm {Elmarie & Sakkie}

by gaby

Today’s real wedding was a submission from the bride herself, the lovely Elmarie, who worked her pretty socks off to pull off the handmade vintagey country look for her big day. It’s all here: pastel painted faux milk glass vases, bunting, doilies, ribbons, flags and bunting. It’s like a Pinterest board come to life! I ADORE the bridesmaids’ dresses and even more so their bouquets – I just never get tired of these little wooden proteas as a truly South African floral alternative. But I think my favourite touch is the sheepies – the bride and groom come from farming backgrounds and they brought this in in such a cute way through both the boutonnieres and the table plan – such a simple but effective and memorable design! I have a feeling this one is going to have a  very high Pin count – enjoy!Read More

Dairy Farm Engagement Shoot

by gaby

We’re carrying on with our farm theme today with a gorgeous e-shoot from SBB friend and sponsor Dreampix. Helen (one of our lovely readers!) and hubby-to-be Johan decided to do their engagement shoot in the Cape on a dairy farm, and the cows (and even an owl!) looked on happily as the couple shared this special moment. What can I say: so moooooo(i)!Read More