gaby | SouthBound Bride

Ocean Glitz Wedding at The 12 Apostles Hotel by Aglow Photography

21 June, 2016 by gaby

This wedding had me at hello, and by hello, I definitely mean Michelle’s shut-the-front-door-drop-everything beautiful dress. The images of her and her new husband Bertie floating across the sands of a private beach in that Maggie Sottero gown are the stuff that wedding dreams are made of. And then I got to see the rest of this seriously gorgeous wedding, from the ceremony with a view, to the gently rustic decor to the glittery proteas. GLITTERY PROTEAS, you guys. It’s glamorous and elegant, but so soft and romantic too, and Celeste from Aglow Photography has captured every moment to perfection with her exquisite imagery. LOVE.

Daalarna Couture Ballet Collection

20 June, 2016 by gaby

I have SUCH a beautiful wedding collection to share with you lovelies today! I honestly struggled to narrow down the images for this one, because each and every dress in the collection is totally pin-worthy! Last year I shared Daalarna, the Hungarian couture bridal label, with you all for the first time, and now I’m delighted to spotlight the label’s new Ballet-inspired collection. I feel like ballet is having a real moment with bridal inspiration this year, probably because of the sleek silhouettes, ethereal fabrics and two-piece elements in the recent collections. I love it, because for me, a ballerina also epitomises so many of the qualities that brides wish to embody on their big day, like grace, passion, and elegance. You’ll find all of that in this collection, which took its cue from the beautiful Sleeping Beauty. In fact, the campaign photos below were shot on the set of the Hungarian National Ballet with the Ballet’s exceptional ballerina, Lili Felmery, bringing the collection to life. Let’s take a peek, shall we?

Inspiration Board: Berry & Teal

20 June, 2016 by gaby

Morning lovely ones! I’m super excited to get started with this week, as we have so much beautiful inspiration to share with you, and lots of ideas for winter weddings, in line with our theme for June. We’re kicking things off, as we usually do, with an inspiration board. This weekend, I found myself pinning a couple of teal images and I suddenly realised it had been AGES since I did a teal inspiration board. It’s one of those colours that can be a little overwhelming, and I’ve been favouring more natural shades. But I do love a teal, especially a deep shade, and I thought it would be perfect combined with plum and burgundy for a rich winter palette. I have to say, I’m loving it!

Colours: Teal, plum, burgundy, grey & white

Top row (l-r): Bride with bouquet (Nadia Meli/The Blue Carrot/Marianna Lanzilli/The Love Affair Workshop) | Vintage style invitations (Laura Gordon Photography/House of Hannah) | Bride at window (Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart/Laura Gordon)
Row 2: Draped ceremony arch (Brandon Kidd/Be Inspired PR/Chic Celebrations/The Hidden Garden) | Grey tweed suit (Chantal Lachance-Gibson) | Teal ring box (The Mrs Box)
Row 3: Cake (Carmen Santorelli Photography/Beau & Arrow Events/Hey There, Cupcake!) | Flowers in urn (Jo Bradbury/Wild Orchid) | Bridesmaid dress (Jenny Yoo) | Tablescape (Emily Millay Photography/A Charming Fete/Twig Florals)

**This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission if a sale is made.

Mismatched Pastel Bridesmaid Dresses Done Right

16 June, 2016 by gaby

Photography: Anneli Marinovich | Make-up Artist: Ana Ospina Ruiz | Hair Stylist: Jo at Lovehair | Florist: Adventures in Flowers

You know how much we love perfectly mismatched bridesmaid dresses here on SBB, especially when they come in a range of the prettiest sorbet shades. A few years back I worked with the brilliant Maids to Measure on a styled shoot and their gowns are absolute perfection, so I was super excited to find out that this breakout label has just launched their collection at UK department store John Lewis. There are seven different styles and eight beautiful colours, so whatever your palette (or season), it makes co-ordinating your girls’ dresses an absolute dream. In fact, I was so excited that I decided to have a little play and put together three colour stories using the new Maids to Measure gowns and matching them up with stationery, flowers, table settings and pretty details. I’m seriously struggling to pick a favourite! (PS You can see the full Maids to Measure at John Lewis collection HERE.)
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Whimsical Rustic Wedding at Goedgedacht Farm by Natural Light Photography

15 June, 2016 by gaby

Candice and Wesley’s big day is the stuff that South African rustic wedding dreams are made of. We’re talking proteas everywhere (including the seriously pretty watercolour stationery), wood cuts at each place setting, gold painted safari animals, heart cookie favours, a menu that included burgers and craft beer on tap, a bride in a gorgeous gown and flower crown, and a cake table positively groaning with treats. Relaxed, whimsical, elegant. And with details like these, plus a sunny day, and the fabulous Maree of Natural Light Photography capturing these images, it’s all kinds of wonderful!

20 Crazy Gorgeous Winter Wedding Cakes

10 June, 2016 by gaby

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – a gorgeous cake defnitely gives me a case of the wedding ‘oohs’. Especially when it reflects the feel or theme of the wedding. If you’re planning a winter or autumn bash, you may be looking to go for the always chic rustic feel (and we’ve rounded up some seriously adorable rustic winter cakes and naked cakes in the past), but there are lots of other options too, thanks to the incredibly creative cake designers around the internet. How about a touch of knit or plaid, or icing reminiscent of icicles or snow? Decorations like snowflakes and antlers, pinecones, gingerbread houses or snowy peaks? Simple white cakes glammed up with evergreen, sugar crystals, or berries? Or simply a nod to Scandi style with a traditional Norwegian/Swedish/Danish kransekake? Each one of the cakes below channels a winter wonderland vibe, but with the most stylish of executions. Let’s get cake-spired! ;)

Inspiring Copper & Brights Wedding at The Orchards by Summertown Pictures

8 June, 2016 by gaby

If there were ever a pair to give us #CoupleGoals, then it would be Kelsi & Tim. They’ve already been through more than many couples do in a lifetime, after a near-tragic car accident three years ago left Kelsi with over 20 broken bones, and a long road to recovery, where she had to learn to walk again. Tim was there by her side all the way. Today, Kelsi still struggles with constant pain, but you wouldn’t know it from the positivity, devotion and joy that radiate from the couple, especially on their wedding day. It’s a reminder of what really matters – the love and commitment at the centre of a marriage, which eclipses all the pretty details. But, as it happens, those pretty details are also in abundance, with the flower-loving duo choosing a bright palette of yellows and pinks and oranges and creams, with touches of copper to add a sophisticated edge. And speaking of sophisticated, the lovebirds rocked their own looks – Tim in a velvet blazer, and Kelsi in an exquisite custom-made gown from SBB fave Hanri Lues. And let’s not forget photographer Katie Wisdom, who was on the scene to take these beautiful photos!

Contemporary Luxe Wedding at Bordeaux Game Farm by Louise Vorster

7 June, 2016 by gaby

Fair warning, lovelies – your Pinterest boards are about to get a whole lot prettier (and more crowded)! I am pretty much obsessing over everything about today’s wedding, from the venue (the amazing Bordeaux Game Farm, which we love so much we included it in our SBB Collection) to the blue, white and gold colour scheme, with chinoiserie-like vases and stationery and glamorous gold flatware, to the crisp white orchids, to the bridesmaids’ gowns. It all fits together into the most gorgeous contemporary luxe whole, with the beautiful bride and her dashing groom, Allane & Wim, at its centre. And with photographer Louise Vorster there to take these fantastic images, the picture is complete.

Elbeth Gillis 2017 Collection: Luxury

6 June, 2016 by gaby

It’s always a good day when we get to share the latest from one of our favourite South African wedding designers, Elbeth Gillis! Having dressed South African brides to perfection for years, Elbeth is now making waves overseas as well, and we couldn’t be happier to see foreign editors and brides-to-be discovering her collections. This year, there are two capsule collections, and today we’re highlighting the first. Called ‘Luxury’, it’s a line-up of eight sophisticated gowns, with an emphasis on backs and shoulders and the exquisite details that are Elbeth’s trademark. There are a variety of necklines and silhouettes, all made up from the most gorgeous fabrics: stretch satins, silk chiffons, lace overlays and tattoos. The only question? How to pick a favourite.

Inspiration Board: Winter White

6 June, 2016 by gaby

Hello lovelies! After a few days off being under the weather last week, I’m back in action and ready to share some gorgeous winter inspiration with you today! We’re kicking things off with an inspiration board, and what could be better or more classic than a white on white colour scheme? It’s perfect for a wintery wedding (whether or not you have snow to make the look complete) – just add a few gentle neutrals and metallics and otherwise keep things clean and crisp and… well, even. (Aaaaand now I’ll be humming Good King Wenceslas all day, thanks brain.) Paired with a beautiful lace sleeve wedding dress, it’s winter wedding perfection! (This post contains affiliate links)

Colours: White, ivory, sage, gold

Top row (l-r): Candles | Invitation suite (Jon Cu/Yvonne Xue/Paper Birch) | Wedding dress with lace sleeves (A Creative Atelier)
Row 2: Baby’s breath ceremony arch (Anastasia Belik/PEONY studio/Мarina Shentyapina) | Snow ring shot (Janelle Rodriguez Photography) | boutonnieres (Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography/Just A Little Ditty/Floral Images Design Studio)
Row 3: Iced biscuits (Michelle Photography/Weddings by Marius/Plum Tree Cakes) | Couple in snow (Rebecca Hollis Photography/Beargrass Gardens Floral & Events) | White place setting (Joy Michelle Photography/Hailey Grace Events/Anchor Point Paper Co.) | Cake with gold glitter (Cavin Elizabeth Photography/Luxe Events/Sweet Cheeks Baking Company)

Aren’t we just loving the lace sleeve wedding dress featured on this board? It’s available on Etsy from A Creative Atelier.

We’ve rounded up more long sleeve wedding dress inspiration HERE, or have a peek at our current high street lace sleeve bridal finds:

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