gaby | SouthBound Bride

20 Best Wedding Cakes of 2017

19 December, 2017 by gaby

Today we’re counting down our favourite cakes and I have to say, this is one wedding detail that I always love! Not just because cakes are yum (and I’ll bet every one of these was delicious beyond!) but because they often encapsulate the style or spirit of a wedding in one gorgeous element. No pressure or anything :) Fortunately, the talented cake designers of South Africa and beyond are well up to the task, and this year we’ve featured some absolute beauties! So here we’re counting down our faves from both real weddings and styled shoots, and whether your style is simple semi-naked or full on metallic glamour, you’ll find something to inspire here!

20 Best Wedding Bouquets of 2017

18 December, 2017 by gaby

Hooray! It’s that time of year again! And I don’t mean Christmas (although yay Christmas!), I mean time for us to do our countdown of all our favourite details and pretties from the year that’s almost done. It’s something I look forward to, revisiting all the beautiful real weddings and styled shoots, although trust me, narrowing down a Top 20 in every category is hard! This year was no exception. Nevertheless, we’re kicking off with a roundup of the most breathtaking bouquets. These are the florals that made a big impression on us, and then made you go crazy on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram. And while they come in all shapes, sizes and colours, I’d definitely say that rich jewel tones made a big splash in 2016 (watch out for more of them next year!). I also loved seeing our native flowers – proteas, strelizias, fynbos, etc. – making a bouquet splash in new and exciting ways this year, and hope to see much more of that creativity going into the new year! So here we go – in no particular order, our top 20 bouquets!

25 Adorable Newlywed Christmas Ornaments

15 December, 2017 by gaby

1. White Geo Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament with Calligraphy Lettering by LH Calligraphy

**UPDATED FOR 2020** Christmas during your first year married is such a special time, so why not commemorate it with an ornament you can hang on the tree and enjoy for years to come? It’s such a sweet keepsake item and the start of a new tradition. As you hang this ornament every year, you’ll be able think back to the time when you were newlyweds – your first married little Christmas! I’ve rounded up 25 gorgeous handmade newlywed Christmas ornaments that will suit any style of tree and decor, from modern to rustic to whimsical, all from the clever makers at Etsy!

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

Gift Ideas for Your In-Laws

14 December, 2017 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2021* One of a couple’s biggest gift giving challenges is finding the perfect gift for the in-laws. Whether it’s for Christmas, an anniversary, as a thank you for their help with the wedding, or any other occasion, this is one you definitely want to get right! After all, his/her family is your family now, and you want to make a great impression, whether this is the first time you’re meeting or have been around each other for a while. Well, we’ve got you! The key to buying great gifts for your in-laws is to go for something thoughtful and classic, without going overboard. We’ve rounded up 20 gifts for in-laws that’ll make you their new favourite! (And bonus, some of these are great ideas for your own parents too!)

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Wedding Pros

12 December, 2017 by gaby

**UPDATED FOR 2018** Looking for a great gift for your wedding planner? While most of our gift guides focus on your nearest and dearest, allow me for a moment to dwell on the lovely people who make MY job better, and who make YOUR weddings wonderful! Those people who very often start the year as a stranger and end it feeling like you’ve known them all your lives. I’m talking about your wedding pros! And of course there’s no obligation to buy him or her anything – whether it’s just after the wedding or over the holiday season (most of these gifts would be totally appropriate for either occasion), but sometimes that bond just goes beyond the professional and becomes more of a friendship. For example, the planner who calmed you down through your ridiculous late night “will the napkins match?” panics, worked out a table plan that has kept old family feuds from kicking off, and best of all, kept you sane, so you could enjoy your wedding planning and this special time with your fiancé. Or the photographer who made you look better at your engagement shoot than you thought you could, and all while giggling and enjoying time with your partner instead of stressing about the camera. Good wedding pros are worth their weight in gold, and the holidays are a great time to make them feel appreciated. So here are some fun ways I found to do just that, and BONUS – most of these will make PERFECT gifts for your favourite creative entrepreneur or small business owner, whatever the industry!
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Couples

11 December, 2017 by gaby

I’m not usually a fan of two-for-one gifts – not in the bargain sense (love a bargain!), but in the combined gift sense. Which isn’t a big surprise since my birthday’s in December and I’ve had my share of combined birthday and Christmas gifts (which for the record sucks, don’t do it). But I have to say that when it comes to couples, combined gifts can be frikkin ADORABLE. Especially if we’re talking the newly engaged couple, or newlyweds, who are basking in their coupleyness. That’s the time to bring out the his and hers cuteness, and if you don’t believe me, just have a look at the totes adorbs roundup of Mr and Mrs gifts below! They’ll love it, and that’s two ticks off the old gift list – bonus! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Groomsmen

8 December, 2017 by gaby

Image: Jani B on SouthBound Bride

Confession time: I am WAY behind on Christmas shopping. Which is kind of a first for me, since I usually get excited and do it all in November. So if you’re anything like me this year, you’ll need some ideas, and that’s why I’ve put together another gift guide – and this time it’s for the boys. Each of these would be perfect for a groomsman – or even as a stocking filler or smaller gift for the hubs, since all of them are under fifty bucks! Yay! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Honeymooners

7 December, 2017 by gaby

Time for another holiday gift guide, and this is a special twist on gifts for couples and newlyweds. With so many couples now waiting a few months before taking a proper honeymoon, you have an extra chance to put together the perfect gift to get them excited about their trip, or just to make things more convenient when they get there. And guess what? There are lots of adorable his ‘n hers, holiday-worthy finds out there – and at a Christmas-friendly price point. Which means that these gifts double as the perfect little splurge for yourself, if you’re a honeymooner-to-be! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Your Flower Girl

6 December, 2017 by gaby

We’re continuing on with our Christmas shopping, and today it’s the flower girls who are getting all the attention. I personally just adore shopping for kids, especially girls because I remember what I loved when I was that age, and I’ve had so much fun coming up with this list of 20 shamelessly girly-girl gifts for the little lady in your life. They’re perfect as stocking stuffers or Christmas pressies for nieces too, or as gifts for your mini entourage on the big day, whatever the season! Whenever you choose, and whichever gift catches your eye, each one is sure to make her feel like a princess :) Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Your Bridesmaids

5 December, 2017 by gaby

Image: Leandri Kers on SouthBound Bride

Whether you’re looking for the most awesome bridesmaid gift ideas or christmas shopping for your BFF, you’ll find a selection of unique gifts here – all reasonably priced (bonus!). The holidays are a great time to show your appreciation for your besties, not just for everything they are and all your years of friendship, but for the fact that, let’s be honest, it has probably been all about you in the run-up to your wedding. These are the women who’ve been helping you with DIYs or listened to you endlessly nattering away about colour palettes, created Pinterest boards just for you, or Whatsapped you pics of everything they see that might be perfect for your wedding vision. They’re the ones who’ll be feeding you Rescue Remedy on the big day, and who will be keeping the dancefloor pumping all night long. Basically, they deserve a lovely present. And PS: each of these would also make perfect last minute Christmas gifts for the other women on your list!
Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.