gaby | SouthBound Bride

Inspiration Board: Rum Punch

29 February, 2016 by gaby

Hello lovely ones, time for some colour inspiration. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving this ‘tropical’ month on SBB – it’s always such fun to be able to play with bright colours and lush textures and there are so many ways to play this kind of a theme. There’s the more subtle colour schemes, absolutely, but I couldn’t let the month end without creating something with more of a punch of colour, and there’s no better inspiration than one of my favourite tropical cocktails, a rum punch. I love the mix of colours in this board, ranging from a deep coral to peach to soft citrusy orange, with a bit of gold for good measure. It reminds me of ripe mangos, and beach sunsets, and everything that is good and summery.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Colours: Coral, peach, pale apricot, gold

Top row (l-r): Rum punch (Asia de Cuba) | bouquet (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose) | tropical table (KT Merry/David Fittin)
Row 2: Hibiscus invitation (Mospens Studio) | watercolour cocktails sign (Lindsay Madden Photography/Momentus Special Events & More/Julie Song Ink) | centrepiece (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose)
Row 3: Watercolour table number (KATELYN JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY/THE WEEKEND TYPE) | bride in coral dress (Isa Photography) | Mango Rouched Lace Maxi Dress | ring with blooms (Cyn Kain Photography/Amber Housley/Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, LTD.)

Row 1: Printable Wedding Bar Menu Sign by Wedding Sundae Studio | Row 2: Watercolor & Hand Lettered Table Numbers by Modern Arria (left); Anchor Hocking Heritage Hill Glass Beverage Dispenser (right) | Row 3: Hibiscus Beach Wedding Invitation by Mospens Studio | Row 4: Hibiscus Clutch by A Maui Day (left); Summer Coral & Cream Floral Crown by Shop Laurel Lane (right) | Row 5: Hibiscus Flowers Wax Seal by Zoe Craft Supply (left); Surfboard Custom Sign by Atomic Kraftworks (right) | Row 6: Surfboard Wedding Guestbook Sign by Miss to Mrs Design (left); True Decadence Tall Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress (right)

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

25 February, 2016 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2021* All of this month we’ve been talking tropical weddings, and a tropical (or any beachy) wedding deserves a beautiful beach wedding dress that’s perfect for sand and sunshine. And, while a girl can pretty much rock whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned, the practical aspects of a beach wedding (sand, heat, humidity) definitely lend themselves to a gown that’s lighter as well as less formal. I love the way that soft textures (which happen to be light and perfect to wear) look in photographs, especially in beautiful beach portraits with the setting sun or the wind ruffling out layers of sheer fabric, so that’s what I’d personally opt for, and while simple shapes work well, there’s no lack of creativity you can apply when adding touches like portrait backs or lace or beading. I’ve rounded up 30 shut-the-front-door-that’s-amazing beach wedding dresses from editorials, real weddings and Etsy – each dreamier than the last.

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

Country Classic Wedding at Olive Rock by Kristi Agier

25 February, 2016 by gaby

We have a day full of wedding inspiration ahead of us, brideys, so let’s get this party started! Today we have one of those special features (my bestest kind, in fact) where we not only get to show off a beautiful wedding, but where that wedding is a collaboration between some of our favourite wedding pros, and in this case one of the first venues unveiled as part of the SBB Venue Collection, Olive Rock. We adore this country chic locale in the Witzenberg Valley, and the scenery was totally showing off the day of Megan and Nick’s wedding, creating the perfect romantic backdrop to their nuptials. The lovebirds settled on a classic white wedding with gorgeous country touches, like wreaths for the bridesmaids instead of bouquets, and Megan looked drop dead gorgeous in her Janita Toerien gown (having found this talented designer via SBB), with hair and makeup by another of our faves, Adri Hugo. Design by Marcel did an amazing job on the flowers, and we even have a lovely little video by Latsky Multimedia to complement the atmospheric images by Kristi Agier. As Hannibal would have said: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Gauguin Inspired Tropical Wedding Inspiration

22 February, 2016 by gaby

I’m doing a little happy dance right now, which is actually making it difficult to type, but I can’t help it because oh my WORD but this shoot is AMAZING. I’m so jazzed I get to share it with you guys, because I have been in proper love with it, ever since I spotted it in the December issue of our fave SA wedding magazine, Wedding Inspirations. So when we picked February as Tropical Month, I just had to ask if they’d mind us sharing it here as well. Inspired by Paul Gauguin’s Tahiti paintings, it’s more than just a tropical wedding inspired shoot (although it’s all of that, with a gorgeous tropical table, two insanely lovely tropical cakes, hanging florals, amazing hair and makeup and some oh-so-gorgeous stationery). It’s an editorial in the true sense of the word, like stepping into another world – you can almost imagine Gauguin will emerge grumpily from his cabin and get painting. So you’ll forgive me if I went a bit nuts on the pics, but I seriously couldn’t narrow this down any further. The amazing colours, the attention to detail, and the incredible photography – that’s what wedding bloggers’ dreams are made of. Huge congrats to a brilliant team for pulling this off, led by Ninirichi Style Studio, Tickled Pink Weddings and Events & Gingerale Photography, with some of the gorgeous dresses from our friends at Gelique.

Bridesmaids in Jumpsuits

19 February, 2016 by gaby

Well, here’s a trend I never thought I would be covering, let alone coveting: bridesmaid jumpsuits! You may have noticed that jumpsuits, pantsuits and rompers are all over the catwalks, to the extent that brides in jumpsuits are a thing now and looking absolutely gorgeous doing it. And where brides lead, bridesmaids will follow, or vice versa. Bridesmaids in pants and jumpsuits, while not super common, have been popping up as a very chic (and comfy) alternative to the traditional dress or even skirt and top. And I have to say, I actually love the look. I think it’s the mix of sexy but not revealing, and formal but not too formal, that makes jumpsuits such a great occasionwear fit to a wedding. Of course, this isn’t everyone’s thing – I could definitely see it more at a sophisticated city soiree than a romantic countryside affair, but if it appeals, go for it. And even if not for your girls, all the jumpsuits in the ‘shop the look’ section below would make fab rehearsal dinner/going away outfits for a bride-to-be! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Charming Braai Wedding at Allesverloren by Adele Kloppers

18 February, 2016 by gaby

I have to tell you, Anel and Marius, today’s adorable bride and groom, had me at ‘Braailofsfees’. Because okay, I’m South African, so a braai is always a good idea (to paraphrase Audrey Hepburn in a totally Saffa way), but also because their description of their big day also shows how playful and relaxed they were about it all. But a braai wedding where the groom wears jeans and the bride says she feels as comfy as if she was in shorts and flip flops? Surely that can’t also be… pretty? Well, this wedding shows that it can. Big time. The couple’s big day had all the details we love here at SBB – soft flowers in mismatched vases, wreaths, bunting and fairylights, a short blush wedding dress, chalkboard stationery, a romantic bouquet… but it was also the kind of laid-back celebration that totally suited the bride and groom. And it’s officially the first wedding we’ve featured that I can really call a SouthBound Braai. Love it. Adele Kloppers took these lovely pics.

Martina Liana Separates Collection (Together.Forever)

17 February, 2016 by gaby

I mentioned in my trend roundup for 2016 that for me, this is the year of bridal separates, i.e. two-piece wedding gowns. I think this is such a lovely trend, and I’ve been stoked to see bridal designers make it happen, and create so much more flexibility for brides who aren’t ordering custom gowns. After all, most brides know the feeling of “I love this, but not the skirt” or “I love this skirt, but I wish it was with a different neckline”. Plus, two piece gowns sit differently, which can really suit certain body shapes. So when I saw that Martina Liana (sister brand of the popular Essence of Australia line) had created a dedicated line for bridal separates, I was super excited. I’m not sure if this collection will be available in SA as the rest of the Essence gowns are, but here’s hoping, because this collection of 18 pieces, is absolutely gorgeous. Whether you’re a short dress girl opting for the swishy Sachi skirt or a true romantic opting for the layered blush Stevie skirt, a glamazon who falls in love with the moonstone beaded Ciara corset, or a boho bride who loves the soft crop draping of Tyler, there’s a perfect combination both for you and for your wedding style/location. Let’s take a peek, shall we?

Navy & Lavender Grande Provence Wedding by Fiona Clair

17 February, 2016 by gaby

Get those pinning fingers ready, because today’s wedding is a fabulous fusion of glamorous and organic, which perfectly suits its Grande Provence setting. After all, this gorgeous estate is as naturally beautiful as it is exclusive. Jessica and David harnessed that natural beauty as the backdrop to their big day, and brought in just the right amount of decor to complement it, including touches of herbs like rosemary at each place setting and lavender (LOVE Jessica’s lavender bouquet) and combined that with glam touches like navy blue sequin bridesmaid dresses (dying over these, seriously!), gold chargers and marquee letter lights from our friends at Lights Love. The result is a perfectly chic backdrop to the culmination of a beautiful romance. And the bonus? Our fave Fiona Clair was there to capture it, as only she can!

Oceanside Bohemian Wedding Inspiration

16 February, 2016 by gaby

The romantic gorgeousness continues today with a breathtaking beach boho styled shoot by the talented Michelle Du Toit and her fabulous team of wedding pros. I love the way that geometrics have been incorporated here alongside bohemian elements, and the dreamy ocean colour scheme of blues and teals and greys with a touch of gold. Not to mention an amazing sheer bodice dress by Elaine Blom – wow! And how cool is this – the stunning model, Rouxmia, also happens to have been the jewellery designer for the shoot. So inspiring, whether your wedding is a tropical boho fantasy, or if you just want to steal some of these pretty details for a landlocked celebration.

Romantic Rose Gold Wedding at Shepstone Gardens by Jack and Jane

16 February, 2016 by gaby

Oh do we ever have a romantic wedding for you all today! Kezia and Daniel’s big day is a BEAUTY, combining romantic blush (including lush, opulent textures like blousy white roses and draping (which perfectly complements Shepstone Gardens’ gorgeous glass marquee), and elegant glamour – sparkling rose gold table cloths, shiny metallic votive holders, crystal and chandeliers. Add to that a touch of botanic with the delightful stationery, hanging floral chandeliers, bridesmaids in long white dresses, and of course Kezia’s amazing Kobus Dippenaar gown… I could just go on all day, there’s so much prettiness. So what do you say, shall we get on with enjoying it? Our faves Jack and Jane documented the day in all its dreamy glory.