gaby | SouthBound Bride

Modern Monochrome & Greenery Wedding at White Light by Daniel West

3 October, 2018 by gaby

‘Your day, your way’ has pretty much always been our mantra around here, because if a wedding doesn’t reflect the two people it celebrates, what will? Today’s special couple, Francois and Taryn, totally got that. They dreamed up a day that perfectly encapsulated their chic, modern style with its clean monochrome palette (along with touches of greenery and copper, so pretty!), geometric details, and general feeling of light and space (thanks in no small part to their fab venue, White Light). But while the look is very contemporary and stylish, the vibe is full of fun! From the skateboard-riding groom to the bride positively overflowing with happiness, the talented Daniel West has captured a real spirit of joie de vivre in these images, and I LOVE it.

Delicate Garden Wedding Inspiration

2 October, 2018 by gaby

Oh garden weddings, you have my heart! Today’s styled shoot has such a lovely, genteel feel about it – a delicate take on garden wedding style in the most delicious shades of lemon, cream and pale blue (a palette that on its own made me fall right in love!). Shot at the Bramble Tree Estate in Florida, USA, the creative team brought their vision to life with romantic touches like soft linens, vintage plates, gorgeous calligraphy invitations, and a wow-factor gown that is just perfect for the pretty summer vibe! With the bride sporting a beautifully whimsical updo, and the groom handsome but laid back in an open shirt and suit, this is my kind of warm weather wedding style – just add lemonade! Thanks to photographer Amy Saavedra and her team of talents for sharing this prettiness with us!

15 Iridescent Wedding Details to Love

28 September, 2018 by gaby

If you haven’t noticed, we’re loving iridescence in wedding world this year – just a couple of weeks ago we featured some on-trend inspiration that would make any mermaid blush with pleasure! Whether you’re a full-scale, unicorn-loving, iridescence junkie, or just someone who wants to add a few magical rainbow touches to your wedding decor, we have some great, grown-up, iridescent wedding ideas to share.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Strawberries & Cream Wedding Inspiration

27 September, 2018 by gaby

Summer is finally in the air in this part of the world, and it has me dreaming of days full of sunshine and sweetness. So I couldn’t have been happier when this adorable styled shoot landed in my inbox – inspired entirely by strawberries! The most gorgeous and yummy desserts, a brunch-wedding worthy waffle station, checked tablecloths, watercolour stationery, a strawberry vine bouquet, strawberry mango mint julep cocktails, and of course, the most delectable cake! I just want to step into these photos right now (and eat all the fresh strawberry donuts, obvs)! Dreamed up by Shannon Ford Photography and Natalie of Cake Envy, and turned into reality with a talented team of vendors, it’s just SO pretty! Roll on summer days! (Also, is anyone else hungry?)

Secret Garden Wedding with Delft Details at The Conservatory by Jo Stokes

25 September, 2018 by gaby

Be still my Delft-loving heart! Because you KNOW that the gorgeous Delft tableware and stationery and palette is what I noticed first about Glenn and Tracey’s gorgeous wedding. But the happiness doesn’t stop there. This sweet couple, who love the outdoors and wanted to enjoy the beautiful Western Cape summer scenery, chose a venue that allowed them to appreciate Nature in all its glory through the Conservatory’s floor to ceiling glass windows, then brought it inside with secret garden-inspired florals that are the perfect amount of both elegant and whimsical. A variety of hanging gardens dripped from the ceiling (LOVE), and the flowers were decked with little terracotta pots and a mix of vases, which worked beautifully with that Delft china print. Tracey’s dress and Glenn’s suit were nods to the colour scheme too, with the bride donning a beautiful gown with a dreamy dipped blue skirt (perfectly complemented by a romantic updo and natural makeup by SBB fave Ida Webster), and the groom rocking a navy suit and floral print tie. It’s all SO LOVELY. And the real cherry on top is the way that the bride and groom chose to really include their littler guests in proceedings, making their reception full of happy kiddie smiles and memorable moments (plus those littlies knew how to squeak tekkie on the dancefloor, and showed the adults how it’s done!) The fabulous Jo Stokes was on-scene to capture every pretty detail and happy moment in these pictures.

20 Beautiful Mermaid Wedding Dresses

21 September, 2018 by gaby

BONITA Mermaid Wedding Dress by Ange Etoiles

If you’re looking to cut a sexy silhouette on your wedding day (or if you’ve always dreamed of looking like a Hollywood starlet), then look no further than the mermaid wedding dress. This slinky style hugs you in ALL the right places, beautifully enhancing curves, and making a very sophisticated statement! It’s super flattering for hourglass shaped brides and column shaped ladies (where it creates the illusion of sleek curves) – the only body type where it’s not really recommended is pears, where the style can emphasize rather than balance out full hips. But what actually IS a mermaid wedding dress style? A classic mermaid hugs the bust, waist and hips, before flaring out into a wider shape, just like a mermaid’s tail (and haven’t we all wanted to be an actual mermaid?). The flare itself can be slim or dramatic, providing lots of variation within the style. A similar silhouette is the trumpet wedding dress, which is often used interchangeably with the mermaid dress, but in fact a trumpet flares higher up (mid-thigh), while the mermaid usually starts to flare around the knee. The con to this is that a mermaid bridal gown can be a little constricting to sit in. The pro is that not only does it look amazing, but it’s great for shimmying around like a goddess on the dance floor! We’ve rounded up 20 mermaid dresses from Etsy – which is your fave?
Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Indie Cocktail Wedding at Bellevue Cafe by Matt Kay Photography

21 September, 2018 by gaby

Giant balloons, confetti bombs, velvet table clothes and furniture… oh my! Today’s wedding sent to us by Lucinda of Luxe Events is very indie chic, full of fun details, happy smiles, and rich moody tones. The bride, Michelle, is a vision in her utterly unique, dip dye, pearl-beaded McCarthy Wolff gown, while her groom, James, is dapper in his slim tweed suit. Even the bridesmaids look seriously rad, in their black and silver mismatched gowns. There’s lush jewel coloured florals, there’s a gin bar, there’s a neon sign. Pretty much every cool detail you could want. But most of all, there’s James and Michelle in love, sharing their happy day (cocktail style!) with their nearest and dearest, which is of course the coolest part of all. Matt Kay Photography captured these images.

Colourful Desert Elopement

20 September, 2018 by gaby

Time for some inspiration! I’m loving this sweet little elopement styled shoot, sent over by an American creative team led by Amanda Lauran. Elopements are so en vogue right now, and I love how this one has a bright and beautiful colour palette that contrasts beautifully with the pale neutrals of the Vegas desert that provides the backdrop – so fun! I also love the intimacy of the day, as the bride and groom help one another get ready, before exchanging vows, sharing a small high tea style reception with vintage crockery and a gorgeous naked cake, and then riding off into the sunset on a motorbike. Eloping in Vegas never looked so adorable!

Moody Protea-filled Forest Wedding at De la Mas by Chris de Wet

20 September, 2018 by gaby

Settle in, friends, because this Gauteng wedding involves a hidden-away-in-the-woods ceremony, proteas everywhere, even a rainbow! Hilde & Jaundre’s big day also has tons of emotion and heartfelt moments – the groom’s face as the bride walks down the aisle (tears!), the way he scooped up his new wife when the rain started to fall (the chivalry!), and the way they looked at each other all day like they were the luckiest people on earth. Add in Chris de Wet‘s gorgeously moody images, and you have an affair to remember!

Modern Bohemian Wedding at Altydlig by Debbie Lourens

19 September, 2018 by gaby

There are some weddings I fall in love with more every time I look at them, and Juan and Mari’s is one of them! Which probably has something to do with the fact that Mari is such a creative soul – not only did she design all the stationery for her big day, and come up with some gorgeously unique ideas (like the cork boutonnieres and origami crane invitations), she applied to same creativity to writing a sweet poem that bagged the couple two of our favourite wedding cinematographers, the fab Barefeet Videography, in a competition they ran (be sure to check out the video at the end of the post!). The style was modern meets bohemian, with a divine palette of pomegranate red, leafy green, and rose gold. I love the mix of clean, contemporary geometrics with more rustic elements, as well as the addition of rose gold safari animals as a nod to the couple’s love of the bushveld. And I LOVE the happiness in all Debbie Lourens‘ wonderful photos – not just between the high school sweethearts who became newlyweds, but among their family and friends as well. What a happy, pretty day.