gaby | SouthBound Bride

Equestrian Themed Wedding by Christine Joy Photography

21 April, 2016 by gaby

There’s something special about home weddings – they have such a sense of warmth and comfort and happiness about them, and I love picturing the couple returning time and again over the years and always thinking of their special day, and how this tree is the one they got married under and that spot is where the marquee was, or whatever it is. Today’s home-on-the-farm wedding is all that and more, because it also includes a very personal theme, perfect not just for the Karoo stud farm location, but for the horse-mad bride and groom. As well as getting married in a paddock, having their reception at the stables, and having plenty of their four-legged friends included as part of the day, Alex and Jess opted to include sweet equestrian elements in their decor, from horse shoe escort cards, to rosette table numbers, to tack and trophies on the tables, to ‘grass’ centrepieces. So fun, and so personal. And I can’t not mention Jess’ blushing bride bouquet, or the blushing bride-bedecked cake! My FAVE. Christine Joy took these lovely pictures that really capture all the down-home fun and happiness.

Summer’s Eve Wedding at Nooitgedacht by Marli Koen

19 April, 2016 by gaby

I love a good trans-continental love story, and while today’s gorgeous wedding took place in the Cape Winelands, it was against the far off bright lights of Los Angeles that local boy Heinrich met his California girl! Rochelle and Heinrich decided on a destination wedding in South Africa, with a simple, elegant, country vibe, and chose New Year’s Eve for their date. But instead of the kind of flashy, blingy New Years-themed weddings many couples opt for, this one was all about the understatement – white flowers, wooden tables, summery black tie attire, a meal under the trees and dancing beneath the stars. Just beautiful, and I can’t think of a better way to ring in both a new year, and a new life together! Marli Koen took these truly lovely pictures of the gorgeous couple and their ever-so-happy day.

BHLDN Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Collection

18 April, 2016 by gaby

From the city to the beach… this afternoon we’re taking a little virtual trip to the tropics with the latest collection from US bridal powerhouse BHLDN. With elopements getting more popular, and South Africa being a perfect place for an elopement or destination wedding (and have you seen our beaches? sublime) I just had to share it with you. From dreamy dresses (in soft, light fabrics, a destination wedding essential) to the most stylish honeymoon gear for a new Mrs, to some sweet accessories that you’ll want to wear well beyond the big day, you’ll find them here.

Industrial Vogue Wedding Inspiration

18 April, 2016 by gaby

Happy Monday, brideys! We’re continuing on with our month of industrial inspiration with a gorgeous editorial that’s part fashion-inspired, part modern industrial, and all fabulous! Influenced by New York Fashion Week, it has a masculine-meets-feminine vibe that’s perfect for a city wedding, and a striking base palette of black, white, grey and gold with pops of amethyst, emerald and periwinkle. Alongside lush florals and crystal geode details, are industrial elements like custom dipped Edison bulbs, concrete vases, and an urban chic setting. And don’t get me started on the stationery! Such gorgeous watercolour, fashion illustration style pieces, reflected beautifully in the statement cake, and of course the very stylish brides’ monochrome dress (that dress!) and suit (those shoes!). There’s even a cute little mini bar serving old fashioned Aviation cocktails! There’s loads to inspire, thanks to Jeff Brummett Visuals, Grit + Gold and their very talented team.

Industrial Chic Ceremony Spaces

14 April, 2016 by gaby

When I started researching ‘Industrial Chic’, which as you all know is our theme for April, one of the things I noticed is how many absolutely gorgeous ceremony spaces had been created and styled in areas that you might not have dreamed would be wedding appropriate. From factory corners to brick walls, staircases to windows and doorways, brides and grooms and stylists have been dreaming up installations and floral decorations and a million other ways to make those unassuming spaces special for the moment you say your ‘I do’s. And I couldn’t wait to round up 20 of my favourites. So here they are!

Organic Faith-filled Wedding at Kronenburg by Nadine Aucamp

12 April, 2016 by gaby

The best weddings, in my book anyway, are those that are infused with the couple they celebrate – their likes and loves, their history, the things that are central to their lives. For Marli and Inus, today’s bride and groom, that thing is their religion, and while I would never consider belief a wedding theme as such, they did bring their faith into concrete elements of the day, right down to the favours of olive oil and salt. Beyond that, the key word was simplicity – a neutral palette, garlands of olive leaves and succulents and soft white blooms, a combination of rustic and modern that worked beautifully against the blank canvas of their venue. The result is light, elegant, and allowed their love to take centre stage, just as it should do. The talented Nadine Aucamp, one of our SBB Directory members, captured the day in these beautiful images.

Wild Industrial Wedding Inspiration

11 April, 2016 by gaby

Sometimes a submission crosses my desk that makes me fall in love with wedding design all over again, a submission I literally cannot wait to share with you all, and this exquisite little gem from Jenna Henderson and Cedarwood Weddings is one of those. As you know, I love contrast, and that’s one of the reasons why I picked industrial chic as this month’s theme, but I’ll be honest, when I think of that contrast it’s still more in an indoor setting. Like industrial + glamour or industrial + romantic. This shoot turns that on its head, combining industrial elements with organic, bohemian style and my goodness, it is GORGEOUS. The mix of cool metals and silvery eucalyptus and olive, for example. The industrial-style chairs in an alfresco setting. A signature drink that’s as sophisticated as it is natural. And a Claire Pettibone dress that has me swooning all over my keyboard (that back, though!). This is a look that really resonates with the modern bride, bringing together both her urban and rural sides, and culminating in a design that’s as inspiring as it is do-able. Thrilled to share it with you today!

20 More Metallic Wedding Cakes

8 April, 2016 by gaby

Happy Friday, lovelies! Before we close out the week, I have some more lovely wedding inspiration to share – and warning, this might make you hungry as well as inspired! I just love a gorgeous cake, which is why a couple of years ago I rounded up 20 sparkle & metallic wedding cakes – a trend that has just grown and grown since! Because who doesn’t love a shiny cake, right? So, with this being our month of all things industrial chic, I thought it was only appropriate to bring you 20 more metallic cakes – whether you’re choosing an industrial wedding style or just want something a bit bling on your cake table, and whether your preference is gold, silver, or copper, you’ll find something to love here.

Summer Greenery Wedding at Ou Stal Equestrian Estate by Liesl Le Roux

7 April, 2016 by gaby

If you ever thought that planning a wedding on a budget meant sacrificing style for your big day, then take note, because today’s wedding is budget beautiful. And that’s partly because bride and groom Bianca and MJ made some seriously smart decisions. First, they picked a venue that had a lot of natural beauty going for it and didn’t need a whole lot of dressing up, and that’s immediately half the battle right there. Then Bianca followed her own personal style preference, for casual minimalism, and picked a palette of white, green and gold, which allowed the use of budget-friendly florals that still look super elegant, like paper white baby’s breath and sage green eucalyptus. They still managed to add some adorable personal touches to the classic tables, like giant scrabble table ‘numbers’ and little terracotta plant pot favours. And finally, Bianca and MJ picked great suppliers they could rely on, and let them do their thing, including photographer Liesl Le Roux. The result? A perfect summer wedding day in the countryside, with all of the pretty but none of the fuss.

Romantic Preppy Wedding at Olive Rock by Tasha Seccombe

6 April, 2016 by gaby

Every bride dreams of endless sunshine on her wedding day, but maybe not quite as much as Kelly and Dean had at theirs, which took place in a sweltering Tulbagh heatwave! You wouldn’t know it, though, from the photos, since the couple and their retinue look cool as can be, even with long dresses and tresses, and boys in bowties. It’s no wonder then, that their wedding style was crisp and romantic, a touch of preppiness (including bow tie favours, SO adorable!) in the middle of the countryside. The wedding took place at one of our favourite venues, Olive Rock (part of the SBB Collection), and the outdoor tables with their wooden frames and Wimbledon chairs, greenery runners, trails of fairy lights and crystal chandeliers are just the prettiest thing ever. As the heat of the sun gave way to golden hour, and the shadows on the mountain got longer, Tasha Seccombe was there to capture these gorgeous images.