One of the things that has been BEYOND exciting this year, is that SouthBound Bride has received some lovely press coverage, both in South Africa and the UK. This has been a big goal of mine, and I feel really proud that I have been able to work with some really amazing magazines with hopefully more to come in 2013. So far it’s been styled shoots, but I’m very excited about a different kind of feature that’s in the latest issue of Wedding Album, which is on South African shelves right now. A few months back, the lovely WA team asked if I would answer a few questions, and I’m thrilled to be included in their roundup of industry pros discussing the latest trends and what inspires us. It made me feel properly proud. Head over to your nearest newsagent to pick up a copy or download a digimag as I did!) and let me know what you think! And a huge thank you both to Monica Dart (who took the pic of me) and to Wedding Album for allowing me to participate. :)Read More
When one of my friends gets engaged, I always advise them to sit down with their groom and pick three things that mean the most to them – three things that they will spend money on, that they won’t compromise on. And then, to some degree, to let the other things go. Every couple chooses different things, but if it was me, I know the first thing I would be prioritising: photography. It’s no secret that I’m in LOVE with wedding photography, of course – I couldn’t do what I do if I wasn’t. (And lucky for me that I can be a blogger, because I sure as hell couldn’t have been a photographer!) I love the way a photographer can capture those moments that you might miss (after all, a bride can’t be everywhere) as well as the ones you will never forget. I love how good they can make you look (anyone who says differently is lying), and I love the way that a great photographer has a sense of narrative, so that the pictures tell a story all on their own. Having spent so much time chatting to photographers, I also know how much hard work, knowledge and passion goes into their work – it really is worth every penny. At the end of the day, your pictures are the one physical thing you really can carry with you from your big day – nothing else really compares. So photography would be at the top of my list.
If you agree, then there’s one homegrown talent that you really have to meet. Claire Morgan is a photographer whose work I have admired since I got started in this industry – every time one of her weddings pops up in my Reader I stop whatever I’m doing and take a peek. Originally from South Africa, she’s based in Austria for much of the year, where she shoots the most beautiful, luxurious European weddings in incredible locations, and gives to each of them a sense both of drama and intimacy. And Claire hasn’t just shot in Vienna – she’s worked in the Seychelles, Armenia, New York, Italy, Greece, Mallorca and Chile, among others. Her work is regularly featured in top magazines and blogs – Grace Ormonde Style, Wedding Magazine, Style Me Pretty. I’ve even been lucky enough to feature some of it here. She has a slew of awards and honourable mentions, but she’s still incredibly lovely and down-to-earth. In short, she’s just the kind of photographer you want at the top of your list. And even better, she is available to shoot in South Africa during summer months – contact Claire for more info.
But enough telling you how awesome Claire is. Time for you to see for yourself… after all, as I said before, the pictures tell a story all on their own…Read More
Happy Monday people! For those of you who haven’t yet gone on holiday, I have some lovely inspiration for you today. First of all, it’s time to meet another great supplier (or two, in this case). Last week, I shared some Christmas table inspiration from Green Goddess, and today we’re going to chat to the two lovely ladies behind the name, Coral and Chantell.
Hi ladies! Tell me a bit about your company. Green Goddess Flower Studio is named for the green arum lily, indigenous to Southern Africa. We are a boutique floral studio offering a very personalised wedding flower and décor service. We are big on attention to detail and it is our hearts’ desire to get to know our clients and really amaze them with the beautiful and unusual work that we love to do. We also do flowers for other special occasions such as birthday parties, corporate functions, product launches and love doing commercial work that requires out of the box thinking and results.Read More
Time to meet a new friend! It’s been such a pleasure to introduce you to great new suppliers through the Days of December, promotion, and today we’re getting to know Marinda of Saffron Functions. I think personality is such a huge part of choosing your suppliers – particularly photographer and planner. You have to find someone you click with, so a Q&A is a great start. I asked the lovely Marinda a few fun questions, and here’s what she said…
Hi Marinda – thanks for chatting to us today! Tell me a bit about your company.
I started Saffron two years ago. I’m very passionate about food, flowers and functions and after working in the floral design side of weddings and functions in Stellenbosch for seven years, I decided to combine my knowledge of food and co-ordinating, as so many of my clients wanted the ‘whole’ package from one supplier. Hence the name Saffron as it is has the food and floral connection, and is a flower with three stigmas (representing food, flowers and functions).Read More
Good morning, friends! I usually keep things to weddings here on SBB, but with many of you having your last day in the office today, I couldn’t help but make an exception and include this lovely, rustic Christmas table from the ladies at Green Goddess Flower Studio, Coral and Chantell. I’m a HUGE sucker for the holidays, but sometimes it’s nice to take a fresh look at Christmas decor, especially for a sunny season as we have in South Africa. I’ve always been the one in charge of the Christmas table (mostly because I was well into my 30s before my mom would let me anywhere near the kitchen), and I would love to put together something like this for the family next time – the bright orange of the pincushion protea is evocative of the richness of traditional Christmas colours, but combined with aqua and soft neutrals, is all sunny days. I love the rough hewn wood of the hearts and angels, the fun gold touches (especially the hippo – EVERY Christmas should have a hippo!), the succulents and especially the way that the blocks create visual interest with varying heights for the centrepiece, raising the look (literally!) to something extra special. Sadly, this year I won’t be home for Christmas, but I’ll just have to look at these pics to feel some summer Christmas inspiration, and I hope you will too! For those of you leaving us until the New Year – drive safe and be smart, and have a truly wonderful festive season!Read More
If there’s one wedding trend that South African brides and grooms have embraced wholeheartedly, it’s lasercut stationery. I think this has a lot to do with the talented stationers and designers we have in SA, especially Doodles Laser, who have really made this form their own. I love seeing Doodles work crop up in the weddings I feature (as it frequently does), and spotting all the new and exciting ideas that the team come up with. I was also lucky enough to work with Leigh from Doodles on a shoot earlier this year (see it now in the latest issue of Wedding Inspirations) and she is such a pleasure to work with, and full of awesome ideas. But what’s the best way to incorporate lasercut into your wedding decor? We’ve rounded up three clever ways, with lots of eye candy! All stationery below is by Doodles Laser.
Good morning, lovelies! Time for some gorgeous wedding inspiration. First and foremost, I have to mention Bonnie’s dress because OMG SERIOUSLY. I mean, it’s Jenny Packham, so this should be no surprise, but Bonnie wears that dress like she was born to do it. It is SPLENDID. And moving beyond that for a second, I am loving the understatedly colourful decor (navy and red, je t’aime), the stationery, the beautiful navy bridesmaids’ dresses, the groom’s boutonniere (both bride and groom are avid cyclists), Lindt chocolate and hangover kit favours, the stunning Roundhouse setting, the getaway car… I could go on and on. But all of this prettiness is made even prettier through the photographic stylings of Gavin Casey. We knew he was talented, but this wedding really blows me away – I love every single shot. So it’s pretty much the perfect wedding to start your morning. Enjoy. But come back later, because we have even more in store!Read More
Hello friends! I’m rounding up this afternoon with a reader request board – you’ll be seeing a lot of these in the next few weeks as I am trying to finish all of them off from this year as I know there’ll be lots of new requests for 2013! I do try to do all of them, but it’s getting tough to keep up with demand, so do bear with me :) Anyway, this one is for the lovely Stacy, who’s getting married at Shalwyn in Natal next summer. She and her fiance chose the venue because of the relaxed feel and open fields, so they’re looking to reflect this with an elegantly rustic wedding in shades of navy, grey and white. LOVE. And I love even more that Stacy loves chalkboard and succulents. They go together just beautifully, and with a cool palette, you have that combination of elegance and rusticity (is that a word? no? should be.). Chalkboard can be quite beautiful, especially when combine with calligraphy, but my favourite detail here is the altar platform decorated with chalkboard paint and words of love. Hope you like your board, Stacy – enjoy your planning!
Good morning friends! I have another very special inspiration board to share today – this time we’re featuring the photographs of photographer Jo-Ann Stokes. Going through a photographer’s portfolio to put a board together is so interesting, as it really allows me to get a sense of their style, and I love the way Jo-Ann uses shadows and light to create atmospheric pics that are a little bit fashion and a little bit cinematic. I couldn’t help but be drawn to some of the moody blue images, as they remind me of the changeable weather in the Cape, and all of that natural beauty. So that’s where we went with the board. I think this is such a good look for a local wedding – soft naturals, a whole range of shades from grey to blue, and again that interplay between shadows and light. I love it, and I hope you will too! Head over to Jo-Ann’s blog to see examples of her lovely work, and remember that she’s taking bookings for your big day!
Happy Sunday lovelies! I have been having an AWESOME weekend, including having spent yesterday with some brilliant blogging and industry buddies at a full day workshop with top photographer Victoria Grech learning all about photography and even getting to have a go at a styled shoot. So fun to be behind the camera, although my photographer friends will be glad to know that their jobs are more than safe! I might have to invest in a proper camera though… ANYWAY, I’m delighted to have some other fantastic news to share with you today. Back in May, at the tail end of three months in South Africa, I was lucky enough to work with some amazing SA suppliers to style a shoot based on my Toile & Rose inspiration board and stationery suite. It involved: three days of running around like a mad person (big thanks to my lovely friend Robs for the moral support!), turning up to lovely Elbeth Gillis‘ studio drenched from a rainstorm (thankfully she still trusted me with three of her gorgeous creations), pushing rogue shopping trolleys around Canal Walk and losing my car in the parking lot, buying Fairview out of their morning bread stock, a tour around Langkloof with manager Adelaine (who is just the sweetest) where photographer Cheryl McEwan and I basically had our mouths hanging open the whole time from how stunning it is, a courier driver who got lost with half of our decor, an amazing team on the day who not only cheerfully did their jobs but also jumped in and helped out whenever needed to assist Cheryl and myself, and finally, a set of images that I am totally in love with. And I’m delighted that I’m finally able to share these with you in the latest issue of Wedding Inspirations over TEN WHOLE PAGES. That’s a lot of awesome inspiration! The magazine is on shelves now, so get out there South Africans, and grab yours! (Everyone else will have to wait a liiiiittle while longer, but I promise it will be worth it!) HUGE thanks to the Wedding Inspirations team for this opportunity, and to every single one of the dream team (see full credits below). Yayness.Read More
