gaby | SouthBound Bride

Fresh Ideas for Travel Themed Weddings

5 June, 2013 by gaby

So I’ve been doing this blog thing for over three years now, and although some posts and ideas disappear into the archives, some keep getting hits again and again. But lately, instead of just feeling pleased (thanks for the love!) I’ve been feeling a tiny bit embarrassed. I started wondering if the posts had got a little outdated. I’m happy to say that having read them again, I still think they’d be useful, but it also got me thinking about all the new ideas that have popped up in that time (and still do so). These trends would have died out by now if that hadn’t happened. And while I am the last person to tell you not to use something you love (if it resonates with you, I don’t care how many times you’ve seen it on Pinterest, do it), I thought it was about time I revisited the SBB archive and brought you some updated inspiration. So here I am! Wedding trends 2.0.

Today we’re looking at travel themed weddings – I find it quite funny that I called it a ‘mini-trend’ in my original post (still one of our Top 20 most read articles!) when clearly it’s a theme that has run and run – just recently a planner told me it’s by far her most requested theme. Some of that has to do with the vintage decor movement, but with so many couples either meeting abroad, coming from different places, or just enjoying travelling together, I can see why it’s so popular. And just like everyone’s journeys are personal experiences, you can make your travel themed wedding personal too. In the original post, I covered all the basic motifs: maps, luggage, airmail, postcards, etc. and there’s still lots there for you to start with, but here I’m going to be looking at recent ideas or looks or fresh twists that made me stop and take notice. Like those bridesmaids with vintage vanity cases above – love that! Although to be fair, they didn’t actually carry them down the aisle – maybe a bit much, I don’t know.Read More

Wedding Video: Vicky & Arri

4 June, 2013 by gaby

I don’t do a lot of videos on SBB. They’re awesome and everything, but I suppose I relate more to the words and photos side of things. But every now and again I’m compelled to share one from our real weddings, and let me tell you, this is a goodie. Lump-in-your-throat, tear-in-your-eye, smile-on-your-face, goosebumps kind of good. If you fell in love with Vicky and Arri’s beach wedding today as much as I did, this video really brings it to life, but also adds all the energy and joy (this is one couple who are truly in the moment) and I defy anyone not to feel a bit choked up when they hit the excerpt from Arri’s brother’s speech. It’s spectacularly edited, perfectly matched to an awesome soundtrack, and I am pretty confident that whatever kind of afternoon you’re having, this will send you off with a smile and remind you what this wedding and love stuff is all about. Serious kudos to Hand Stitched Films, and thanks to Vicky and Arri for sharing!

Still images by Natural Light Photography.

Real Wedding at Grootvlei {Vicky & Arri}

4 June, 2013 by gaby

Get ready, people, because this might be my favourite beach wedding EVER. Bold claim, I know, but just wait until you see it. I don’t know where to start! Of course, I shouldn’t be surprised – this is what happens when two creative people get together and fall in love. Arri is a 3D animator and Vicky is the designer behind the awesome Mocho Loco brand (so you can get a bit of her genius for your own wedding, win). He’s South African, she brings her Argentinian heritage to the table – and you’ll see how much dancing and fun went down, starting right there on the beach. Seriously, this is the only wedding I have seen with the bride and groom hula hooping – it. is. awesome. The couple went BEYOND when it came to DIY – they made everything, and it is all so gorgeous. My favourite is the door entrance to the ceremony area (beach perfection!), and I also loved the swing for two that they sat on during the speeches. The table decor includes some of my favourite DIY elements tied together perfectly with Vicky’s lovely stationery. And my goodness, I can’t not mention Vicky’s beautiful dress! But I keep coming back to the dancing – it’s the heartbeat of this joyous wedding, bringing together family and friends from two continents in an incredible celebration. The amazing Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography was there to capture everything, and capture it she did in the most gorgeous photos. It was so hard to choose, so you’re getting a bit of a photo bonanza today. Okay! Enough raving from me. Here it is! Oh, and PS, if you want to see more, come back later for the video!Read More

Inspiration Board: Love Shines Bright

3 June, 2013 by gaby

Morning, lovelies! How was your weekend? I am still playing catchup with admin – sometimes it seems never-ending, doesn’t it? But I’m here with an inspiration board to literally brighten your morning. Okes, this might be one of my favourite colour combos ever. When neon brights started making their way into weddings, I was first a little horrified, then intrigued. I decided I liked them, but in a sort of graphic, modern way. But I’ve also been quietly intrigued as to how you could use them in a pretty, soft way as well, one that would suit more brides. And this is pretty much it. A palette of soft grey, coral and then a pop of lumo yellow. Sounds insane, but the brights really bring out the other colours and I just adore the end result! What do you think?

Colours: Mushroom, peach, coral and neon yellow

Top row (l-r): Bouquet {Shoot This Not That}; bridesmaids {Kate Harrison Photography/Enjoy Events Co. Inc.}; neon table number {Shoot This Not That}
Row 2: Coral shoes {Laura Murray Photography/Holly Gerard}; cutlery bundle {Shoot This Not That}; coral table decor {Elizabeth Scott Photography/Sweet November Events}
Row 3: Neon necklace {Imbue Weddings/Byron Loves Fawn}; flowers; menu with neon string {Kate Harrison Photography/Enjoy Events Co. Inc.}

Recent Press

2 June, 2013 by gaby

Before this Sunday comes to an end (although on this side of the equator with the sun still out, it feels like it might be endless), I wanted to share some recent press that SouthBound Bride has been delighted to have. I only do a select number of photoshoots every year, so I’m always really thrilled when they get featured in print and online, and especially so when they get picked up way beyond what we’d initially hoped!

WEDDING FLOWERS

First up is a gorgeous shoot I did with Anneli Marinovich late last year, which you’ll be seeing more of soon. It has been featured in the May/June issue of Wedding Flowers, which both Anneli and I are delighted by. There were SUCH gorgeous details on this shoot (even if we had to battle some wind to shoot them!) so if you’re in the UK make sure you pick up a copy while you still have a chance, as it’s almost time for the new issue.Read More

Ombre Bridesmaid Dresses

29 May, 2013 by gaby

Image: Our Labor of Love

We’re heading towards the end of our series on the top bridesmaid looks for 2013, and I must say, I have loved pulling them together! I honestly don’t know how you all are choosing which one to go with, because I love them all. And today’s is no exception – as you may have figured out by now, I’m a huge fan of ombre, the French term for graduated colour – see more of this wedding look here. It also happens to work perfectly with the watercolour trend that’s making everything so pretty right now. There are lots of ways to bring ombre into your wedding, but one of my favourites is through bridesmaid dresses – it’s the perfect evolution of the mismatched look. But what IS the difference between ombre and mismatched bridesmaids? Well, the key is really in the colours, of course. With mismatched, you could pick a colour (green, for example) and let your girls buy whatever dresses they liked, as long as they’re blue. With ombre, you’ll need to be a bit more OCD about it, picking an exact shade along the same colour spectrum for each bridesmaid, starting at an intense colour and ending at a light one, spaced out according to the number of BMs you have. Sound complicated? Well, it can be – one way to make it a bit easier is to have dresses made (the same or in different styles) so you have a bit more control. Take paint samples with you when you go shopping for material or dresses – each will usually show you an ombre colour family, so they’re the perfect reference. But even if you go high street, it’s not as difficult as you might imagine, and to show you, I’ve put together three ombre looks from current high street finds. My favourite is the peach ombre look – it just works so perfectly!

Click on any of the dress images below to shop. For the most recent BM dress finds, check in with our Bridesmaid Boutique Pinterest Board.Read More

Real Wedding at Shepstone Gardens {Luisa & Simon}

29 May, 2013 by gaby

What is it about proteas, you guys? Is it something innately South African in me, that falls in love with them every time I see them and even more so when I see and smell one up close, hold it in both hands, marvel at its size, sturdiness, delicacy? Maybe, but then the whole world is currently falling madly in love with our national flower. When I started in weddings, there were already lots of SA brides using them, and I used to get comments about how unique the bouquets I featured were, but now I see them in weddings from all over. I like to think that maybe, just maybe, myself and my fellow SA bloggers and photographers and brides may have a little something to do with spreading the word about this gorgeous flower, in all her many guises. You’re welcome, The World. Anyway, what’s got me musing on all this is today’s lovely wedding, which has pincushion proteas at its very heart. I love these spiky blooms – especially when paired with the kind of no nonsense prettiness of shiny tin vases, fynbos, and the rich green of a spring morning in the bushveld as they were in Luisa and Simon’s wedding. The look contrasts perfectly with the easy elegance of their Shepstone Gardens venue, reflecting the ‘opposites attract’ nature of our bride and groom’s relationship. Andrea Carlyle was there to take these gorgeous pictures.Read More

Rainbow Wedding Ideas

28 May, 2013 by gaby

Jessica Hunt via For Your Party

*UPDATED FOR 2021* So it’s come time to choose your wedding colours and you just can’t narrow it down. You want a big, bright, bold celebration that’s a riot of alllll the colours. Or maybe you’re a same sex couple and you want to infuse rainbow elements into your gay or lesbian wedding as a nod to the pride flag and that #lovealwayswins. Whatever the reason to choose a rainbow wedding, it’s a joyful choice. It really allows you to play with colour and produce something fun and relaxed. And there are so many ways to make rainbow wedding details work, whether you go all-out on a rainbow-themed wedding or just include one or two rainbow wedding ideas. For example, rainbow bridesmaids are a fun look that also allows you to dress your girls according to their style and colouring instead of having a one-shade-fits-all approach. Or you could have your girls in neutrals carrying a rainbow of bouquets or each wearing a different colour of shoes, etc. Get creative! When it comes to the tables, it’s also a good idea to keep the base relatively neutral so that the colours in the flowers really pop. You could have deconstructed arrangements in mismatched containers (stick to one colour per container – this works well in groupings of different heights or along a long table) or have your florist create an ombre runner. Colourful glassware or crockery are other ways to make a rainbow wedding table work. And let’s not forget the rainbow cake! If this is a look you love, read on for more rainbow wedding ideas and products to inspire.

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

Rainbow Rustic

28 May, 2013 by gaby

Hello lovelies – how has your Tuesday been going so far? Mine didn’t get off to an ideal start, but never mind that, because we have such a lovely styled shoot to brighten things up this afternoon. And I’m particularly excited about this one, in that it was created especially for us by an awesome team from the Nuptial Network, using some of the beautiful stationery from the SBB Collection at Invitation Gallery. I’ve loved seeing rainbow brights make their way into weddings in the last couple of years, and while this isn’t strictly a rainbow-themed affair, it’s colourful and rustic and a look that is really easy to recreate. I love it for a summer farm wedding, for example. The basic details are budget friendly – glass jars with different coloured flowers, fruit used for its natural hues (I really love how natural colour makes a table pop) and, of course, the stationery. This particular suite (Will We Have Rainbows by Mister and Missis) is one of my faves – it has such a fun, playful carnival vibe, and it also works perfectly with the neon trend that is going on at the moment (without looking like someone threw up 1992). I hope you’ll all be as inspired as I am by it – come back this evening and I’ll have a bit of a style guide for you if you want to recreate this yourself. But for now, let’s get colourful! Huge thanks to photographer Abigail K., co-ordinator Mosaic Wedding Company and the rest of the Nuptial Network team (full credits at the end).Read More