gaby | SouthBound Bride

A SouthBound Guide to Wedding Dress Silhouettes

16 August, 2016 by gaby

One of the things you take for granted when you’ve been wedding blogging as long as I have, is that the terminology that’s part of your everyday life isn’t necessarily something that all brides know, off the bat, when they get engaged. After all, you ladies have a lifetime of other things to think about! That’s why I love putting these guides together – quick visual references that give you the tools for your planning, whether that’s in choosing a veil, or deciding on the shape of your bouquet, type of cake, etc. A lot of us know dress silhouettes a bit better, but even if you know your ballgown from your mini, do you know your mermaid from your trumpet? So today we’re focusing on the different dress styles, and illustrating each with some of the most gorgeous gowns I could find on Etsy. Win-win!

Geometric Vogue Wedding Inspiration

15 August, 2016 by gaby

I promised you guys some amazing styled shoots this month, and I wasn’t kidding! Plus, today’s slice of chic comes courtesy of one of our favourite local suppliers, the lovely Dominique of Hello Love Photography, which makes it extra special. Dominique and her team decided to create a look inspired by geometric minimalism – a bold, modern, and oh-so-stylish take on both bridalwear and table design that comes in two parts. The colours are incredible – stark white and gold with pops of deep emerald in Part 1 of the shoot and teal in Part 2 – and the geo details are fabulous, from the gold backdrop to the table decor to the cake. Oh, the cake! Add in some statement paper succulents, bold makeup, and a lush organic bouquet, and you have something really special. I especially love the fashion choices here, because as we discovered a couple of weeks ago, bridal pantsuits are so hot right now! And the kimono top and tulle skirt combo in Part 2 is just as amazing. So, let’s get inspired!

BHLDN Wild Serenity Collection

11 August, 2016 by gaby

Stop press! Just in time for our month of fashion inspiration, BHLDN has released its latest collection of beautiful gowns, with the ethereal title ‘Wild Serenity’. Shot with the moody backdrop of the Irish countryside, and featuring amazing lace and embellishment detailing, the lookbook is like something out of Gaelic folkore – the dresses are just as magical. Scroll through and fall in love with both the images and the fashion, and then follow the links to grab one of them for your very own.

Fynbos & Lace Wedding at Harmonie Proteas by Maiden Moose Photography

11 August, 2016 by gaby

Proteas and lace. Lace and proteas. Two of our favourite things. So any wedding that begins with a hold-the-presses gorgeous lace gown (those sleeves!) with a touch of boho glam, and is held on a protea farm, is pretty much guaranteed to be legendary. Hugo and Renata’s wedding had that beautiful genuine quality to it – close to nature, filled with fynbos, and punctuated by the happiest of smiles from family and friends, and of course, the smitten couple. From the forest clearing ceremony to the epic dance party, this was a wedding day among wedding days, captured beautifully by our friends, Maiden Moose Photography. And those sunset portraits? Swoon.

New Bridesmaid Fashion Trends to Look Out For This Season

10 August, 2016 by gaby

We’re still talking fashion but today we’re focusing on the bridesmaid end of the equation. I think when it comes to your girls you have two options – you can go for something that’s more classic and traditional, or you can have a little more fun and pick something on-trend. And yes, if you go for the second option, it’s going to look dated at some point – but then, don’t we all love looking at those pics from our parents and grandparents’ eras and checking out the fashion of the day? Of course, some brides manage to find their balance somewhere in the middle, by picking the more classic-looking of current styles. Whichever way yo go, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the runways in the years leading up to your big day, to get a sense of the cuts and textures and colours that will be available off-the-rack – and you may just fall in love with one of them! So with that in mind, I’ve rounded up ten of the trends that have already begun to make their way into our everyday fashion vocabulary, and that are sure to be the key new bridesmaid looks for 2017 – as well as some of my fave shopping links to get you started.
Top image: Aglow Photography/Alana van Heerden on SouthBound Bride

Marsala Elegance Wedding at The Rose Pavilion by Genevieve Fundaro

10 August, 2016 by gaby

An elegantly rustic destination wedding infused with pops of rich Marsala has SBB written all over it. So no surprise, when I spotted this lavish little number via photographer Genevieve Fundaro, I couldn’t wait to share it with you all! It’s a day filled with pretty, from the long wooden tables decked with proteas and copper details to the naked cake, to a harvest table groaning with treats, to bride and groom Kerry and Shane’s Hollywood glam knockout style. And it’s full of love too – the usually tough groom had a definite moment when he saw his beautiful wife-to-be walking down the aisle towards him (aw!). There’s so much here to love, and Genevieve has captured it all beautifully as ever.

Elegant Country Blues Wedding at Le Franschhoek by Adene Photography

8 August, 2016 by gaby

Nothing makes my wedding blogger heart light up like an elegant day full of lush blooms, gorgeous colour and a couple who are crazy in love. Today we’re talking soft shades of hydrangea blue paired with an elegant winelands setting, sweet details and some of our absolute favourite service providers like Botanica Flowers, The Mosaic Wedding Company and Adene Photography, and I love it! Kerry and Tom were married on their six year wedding anniversary at the spectacular Le Franschhoek, having planned their wedding from the UK with the help of Kerry’s mom and Cara from Mosaic. Kerry wore a beautiful Robyn Roberts lace sleeve gown, and carried a bouquet that included succulents alongside soft blue and white flowers. With a classical duo playing her down the aisle, afternoon shadows falling through the leaves as friends and family offered their congratulations, and fairy lights twinkling gently long into the night, it was the perfect day.

20 Chic Bridal Jumpsuits

4 August, 2016 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Whether you’re a city bride, a bold fashionista, a same sex bride who chooses not to wear a dress, or any gal who doesn’t feel at home in a skirt, bridal jumpsuits are the perfect look for you. The bridal jumpsuit is no boring pair of pants though – this is a feminine, flattering and beautiful look, which often features details like lace, interesting backs, and gorgeous fabrics, just like a traditional wedding gown. Bianca Jagger did it. Solange Knowles did it. Why not you? Bridal jumpsuits are also a stylish choice for your rehearsal dinner or after-party, or for a mini-mony or elopement. Here are some of my favourite looks.

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

Brick & Blush Wedding Inspiration

4 August, 2016 by gaby

Hey there lovelies – hope you all had a good day off yesterday and got out there and voted! I’m stuck in bed with a cold (boooo!), but I’m being cheered up no end by today’s gorgeous editorial, which takes a French industrial glam style, and has filled my page with pretty. Photographer Susan du Toit and stylist Pebble and Lace led a team of talented pros in creating this one, inspired by the new venue, Lace on Timber. The name says it all really – delicious contrast of soft and strong, rough and smooth. We’re loving the whimsical mix of vintage elements, soft blooms (that bouquet though!), copper touches, and of course plenty of candlelight and lace. And let’s not forget the sweetest gold cake, and two seriously gorgeous gowns. Sigh!

Mira Zwillinger Whisper of Blossom Collection

2 August, 2016 by gaby

I promised you guys an abundance of beautiful fashion this month, and I can’t think of a better collection to kick things off with than the 2017 Mira Zwillinger. Long time readers of the blog will know that we’ve been a fan of Mira’s since forever, and every year I look forward to sharing the new collection. Every year I say they couldn’t get more gorgeous, and then they do. This year is no exception. Nobody does ethereal, demure illusion lace like Mira Zwillinger, the embellishment on each gown so delicate it’s almost organic. If a dress could form itself out of flowers, Disney-style, then these would be it – and no wonder, as the collection was inspired by that moment of spring: “when the first buds of life appear on the naked branches, still shuddering from the cold winter… it’s that moment when nature starts to whisper and hum its tune of rebirth and renewal… the moment of pristine stillness, hinting at the eye-opening magnificence to come.” But don’t be fooled by how dainty they look. Having worked with Mira’s dresses on a shoot before, I know that as soft as they appear, each gown is exquisitely constructed. So let’s take a peek at the latest, most beautiful collection from one of my all-time favourite international designers. Dress swoon DELUXE.