We’ve been loving everything blue on SBB throughout May, but I’ve been holding on to this little blue beauty right until the end and I’m so thrilled to share it with you all! And it’s actually the most perfect way to transition to next month’s theme – winter – because this shoot was inspired by snow and frost and blizzard, by ice queens and snow princesses, to create an enchanting wintery world that Elsa herself would be at home in. A super talented local team, headed by photographer Debbie Lourens, stylist Blank Canvas, and Leipzig Floral Design, created something really special here, with the details that range from practical to whimsical, and from pretty to fantastic. The gowns are incredible, the setup divine, and hello, headpieces!
I’ve had so much fun creating blue inspiration boards this month – it really has been one of my favourite themes, and it’s reminded me how much potential there is when using blue as one of your colours. Or rather, blues, because there are so many shades and each one has something special about it. So I definitely had to do a board using blue ombre, and when I connected that with blue agate and its degrees of blue, I knew it was the perfect basis for a beautiful wedding design! Pretty, modern and elegant. (Note: This is not a sponsored post but contains affiliate links)
Happy new week, brideys! We’re almost at the end of our ‘something blue’ journey, and I actually have a brand new blue inspiration board to share with you later today, but first I thought I would round up 10 of my favourites from the archives. There’s a whole range of styles and combinations from elegant to beachy here, but what they share is an anchor shade from the cool blue range. Whether you decide to mix your blue with similar shades and keep things cool and beautiful, or pair them with a hot bright shade so that the colour really pops, you pretty much can’t go wrong! Which is your favourite?
Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of my all-time favourite places on earth. Back in my mid-twenties I went there on what we dubbed the ‘blonde roadtrip’ – three blondes in a convertible, ten days, just driving the coast and stopping over where we liked. It was awesome (except, maybe, for the actual driving part). Because fun! But also because it’s seriously one of the most beautiful places you will ever get to visit, with amazing food, and lovely people, and and and. Heaven, basically. So when my friend, Anneli Marinovich, attended a photography workshop (Moda e Arte) there a while back, I was super envious! And now I’m missing Amalfi all over again, as I get to share these beautiful images that Anneli took at the workshop, which was styled by the insanely talented Joy Proctor. We see our couple through their wedding to their clifftop reception, and on to their stylish honeymoon – in a convertible of course! It’s the perfect ‘something blue’ to finish off the week, and fit into our theme this month! Thanks for sharing, Anneli!
They say home is where the heart is (and I say, where the wine is ;) ) so it’s no wonder that today’s sweet couple, Chris & Karin, wanted to create a home-away-from-home atmosphere for their wedding, in the relaxed, rustic setting of the Stone Cellar. The decor was simple and lovely – lace runners on long wooden tables, hanging greenery and wreaths, lasercut elements, a classic palette of white and green – all of which perfectly complemented the family-style dining and casual canapés that they had in mind. Add in some gorgeous scenery and photographer Leandri Kers to up the romance stakes with her dreamy pictures, and you have a wedding that’s as warm and welcoming as it is pretty.
Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography has a way with the camera that just makes me melt – since the beginning of SBB, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing her work and marveling at her magic touch, and just how romantic every image is. Today we’re sharing one of Maree’s styled shoots, and this one’s extra special, because it marks a new chapter for her, that of film photography. For years, I’ve been enviously watching all of those incredible overseas photographers who work only or mostly in film, while in South Africa we’ve only had one or two (very talented) folks with this offering. To see another of my favourite snappers make this step makes me so happy, and I hope that in the next few years more photographers (and crucially, more brides and grooms) will opt for fine art film weddings, or a combination of film and digital, so that this aspect of local photography can flourish. But back to this shoot, because it is absolutely dreamy – the kind of pretty that makes me want to get pinning straight away. Lush florals, calligraphy, vintage elements, a touch of gold – and an adorable mint ruffled cake. To bring her vision to life, Maree worked with a brilliant team, including Anli Wahl, My Green Love Affair, Nikki Albertyn and Vicky of Mocholoco (herself a real SouthBound bride!), who also acted as the model. Let’s get inspired!
You guys, SouthBound Bride is six years old – can you believe that? So much has changed and grown since I published that first little post, and yet in some ways it feels like the time has flown by. This year, things are even more crazy than ever, what with exciting developments like Aisle Society and the SBB Collection, and when I reflect on the successes and lessons of the last six years, one thing always amazes me – just how much I have learned. That’s great for me, but I’m a huge believer in not just learning for yourself, but in developing others – “each one teach one” as Miranda Bailey would put it. Part of being a #girlboss is in giving others opportunities and sharing your knowledge and experience, and also in being open to the fresh ideas and perspective and lessons that working with others brings. It’s been on my heart for a long time now to do something about that, and at some point in all that thinking, the idea for a SouthBound internship program was born.
We’ve hired interns in the past, which was a seriously awesome experience, but this is something a little different. Think of it as a little mini course in blogging – a chance to dip your toes into the behind-the-scenes of an established publication. It’s open to anyone but might be especially suited to communications/journalism/wedding planning students or graduates. Over eight weeks, you’ll learn the basics or develop your existing skills in WordPress, social media, writing, SEO, affiliate and web marketing. You’ll have the chance to get to grips with both the South African and international wedding media landscape, to get an insight into what goes into the creation and curation of strong content, to work one-on-one with me, and to get hands-on experience in different areas of the business. And, while there’s a structure to the things you’ll learn and the tasks you’ll undertake, it will also be what you make of it! The more dynamic and enthusiastic you are, the more you will benefit.
Candidates should be:
Motivated, curious, can-do self starters with strong time management and organisational skills and an eye for detail.
Confident communicators – especially in written form.
Lovers of all things wedding! Whether you’re a bride-to-be/newlywed, someone with industry experience, or just love everything about weddings, you’ll need to be passionate about our subject!
Social media savvy – you should at the very least be a regular user of Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, and a regular blog reader (wedding blogs or other).
Able to work virtually (with a reliable Wifi connection) and commit 3-5 hours per week to SBB (flexible times) for eight weeks.
Bonus points if you have some familiarity with blogging platforms, graphic design software and photography.
This is an unpaid position, and is open to candidates anywhere in the world, although preference will be given to those with a particular interest in the South African wedding or digital media industries. The position is virtual, so meetings will be conducted on Skype – unless you’re in Durban, in which case the coffee’s on me!
*UPDATED FOR 2021* Engagement rings with coloured gemstones are a trend that’s definitely here to stay. And as much as I do love a classic diamond, I’m also loving seeing this trend evolve, because why shouldn’t there be as much choice in rings as there is taste in jewellery? Pink and yellow engagement rings have had their moment in the spotlight, but now blue engagement rings are having their moment. The sapphires, the aquamarines, the blue topazes, the blue diamonds, and of course, tanzanite. It’s amazing how many beautiful options there are with these gems, and best of all, they’re at a huge variety of price points to suit any budget. So if blue is your colour and you want lots of bling for your buck, consider this statement alternative. After all, if a sapphire was good enough for Kate Middleton…
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
We don’t feature a lot of e-sessions on SBB anymore, but there are engagement shoots… and then there are engagement shoots. Today’s is definitely one of the latter – when it crossed my desk it took my breath away! With a smitten couple in love, in one of South Africa’s most majestic locations up among the mountains of Golden Gate National Park, featuring a crazy gorgeous Rose Quartz dress by Silver Swallow and with the most beautiful images by photographer Ian Odendaal, it’s sheer romance. Like that opening scene of The Sound of Music where she’s twirling around because the hills are alive, but better, because there’s no Nazis, and nobody’s wearing an ugly pinafore or singing about goatherds (or singing at all, actually). So just the twirling, and the big big sky, and the sense of pure, unadulterated joy. Ah, love.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
**Updated for 2020** Get ready for some serious dress love, my darlings! A while back, I rounded up some of the absolute DREAMIEST pastel gowns on SBB, and I haven’t stopped dreaming about them since. So when the theme for May was settled on as ‘Something Blue’, I couldn’t wait to go out and source some spectacular blue (and blue-grey) wedding gowns from our favourite online inspirational marketplace, Etsy. And my word, but did I ever find some beauties. Every single one of these blue wedding dresses has something that makes it extra special beyond just the colour (which let’s be honest, is pretty awesome on its own, from baby blue to ice blue to dusty blue!) – a lace detail here, a sparkle there, and a whole lot of cloud-soft tulle. If you weren’t thinking of a ‘something blue’ wedding gown before? Well, you will be now!
