gaby | SouthBound Bride

Well Groomed: The Beach Wedding

13 February, 2016 by gaby

Time to share a bit of beachy inspiration with you all- and this one’s for the boys! The fact is, beach weddings can be a difficult dress code to crack, both for grooms and their groomsmen (and even for male guests). And you may ask yourself: is a suit too smart for sand? Are shorts too casual for an important occasion? It’s hard to find the right balance, but fortunately there are lots of stylish grooms both in our own archives and across the web to give the lads some beach wedding attire inspiration. I’ve noticed that it really comes down to personal taste – for example, some grooms go all out and take their black tie to the beach, while others jump at the opportunity to wear shorts and sandals. Some choose just a little tweak on a favourite summer look – but with a bowtie here and a well-cut open shirt there, and in keeping with the casual nature of a beach wedding, just about any combination of beach wedding groom attire can be made to work handsomely. And when in doubt, a light linen trouser and white shirt will never serve you wrong. Here are 20 groom’s parties who rocked their tropical looks! *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Tropical Brights Wedding Inspiration

11 February, 2016 by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! We’re continuing our month of tropical inspiration today with a gorgeous shoot by US-based team (led by photographer Krista A. Jones and stylist Bustle Events), incorporating bright colours and cool cocktails – basically everything a tropical celebration should be. I just loved the incorporation of bougainvillea (as you might have noticed, it’s a favourite of mine!), the sunny popsicles, and the neon colours contrasting with black and white graphic stationery. A breakout area strewn with pretty pillows is the perfect place for guests to chill, and let’s not forget the gorgeous bride with her natural hair and wild sprays of tropical blooms. Whether you’re getting married on Hawaiian shores or planning something local, there’s plenty here to inspire the modern bride.

Elegant Al Fresco Wedding at The Dairyshed by Michelle Du Toit

10 February, 2016 by gaby

You guys, I’m back. The last ten days have been a rush of airports, planes, white sands and turquoise waters, brainstorming sessions, inspirational girlbosses, New York hustle, and more airports and planes. I’m jetlagged and exhausted, but I’m so excited and I have so much to tell you all. But before I look back, I’m looking forward, to finally sharing with you all the project I have been hard at work on, the gorgeous SBB Collection of venues. I can’t WAIT to introduce you to SA’s very best and most beautiful venues as we start rolling out the directory, but today’s wedding is kind of a sneak peek, because it showcases one of these amazing spaces. The Dairy Shed was right at the top of my list to work with, because not only do they have an absolutely gorgeous venue, but the in-house hiring and coordination services provided by Two Birds are second to none. Leta and Michael’s wedding shows exactly why – it’s stylish and elegant and outdoorsy rustic, and I absolutely adore it, right from its gold accents to its bulb and star-lit dancefloor, and everything in between. The combination of green foliage and white flowers with touches of gilt, and sophisticated elements like red lips, little black bridesmaid dresses and a champagne wedding gown, marry natural and luxe in the most perfect way possible. And with Michelle Du Toit on the scene to take these gorgeous images, the dream is complete.

Inspiration Board: Tropical Bougainvillea

8 February, 2016 by gaby

We have some more tropical prettiness coming your way this afternoon in the form of today’s inspiration board, highlighting one of my favourite tropical flowers, the bougainvillea. Although it’s not a traditional wedding bloom, I’ve been seeing it pop up more and more in weddings over the years, maybe wrapped around a ceremony arch or tucked into a bouquet, pink tendrils hanging down smelling of summer. For today’s board, bougainvillea is the central focus, its bright pink complemented by a serene shade of grey-blue. And doesn’t it look pretty?
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Colours: Fuschia, pink, blue-grey

Top row (l-r): Bougainvillea bouquet (Jeremy Chou/Yellow Bird Events/Peony & Plum) | tropical ceremony area (Jana Morgan) | beaded wedding gown (Anna Campbell/35mm Wedding Photography)
Row 2: Hanging bougainvillea (Merari & Ena/Julia Rohde Designs) | wooden sign board (Brandon Kidd Photography/Heather Hoesch With LVL Weddings And Events/KAKalligraphy) | bougainvillea cake (Anna Delores Photography/Love, Inc. Weddings/MJB Cakes)
Row 3: Bougainvillea wedding invitation (Paper & Type) | ice lollies | ankle posey (Hazel Buckley Photography/Pop of Color Events/Flower Talk)

Row 1: Jessica Tropical Wedding Suite by Citrus Press Co. | Row 2: Eva Wedding Dress by Nielatelier (left); Blue Gray Gauze Table Runner by Lino & Co. (right) | Row 3: Love Driftwood Cake Topper by Fir and Forest | Row 4: Bougainvillea Glabra Artificial (left); Asos Tulle Cap Sleeve Midi Dress In Tonal Lace (right) | Row 5: Custom Name & Date Wood Sign by Carlsons Custom Signs (left); Zehui Ice Cream Popsicle Frozen Mold (right) | Row 6: Dusty Blue Wedding Table Numbers by Elegant Quill Shop (left); Driftwood Guest Cards by Sea Nature Art (right)

Long White Bridesmaid Dresses

5 February, 2016 by gaby

Long bridesmaid dresses are so en vogue right now, and with good reason – they’re elegant and oh so flattering. Add a long twist on the little white bridesmaid dress trend and you have a look that’s supremely lovely – sweet, summery and a little angelic! Whether you pair your long white bridesmaid dresses with glamorous updos or boho crowns, it’s a beautiful way to dress your girls for the big day – and don’t worry, the bride is never upstaged! This is one of the top looks for the season (as seen most recently on SBB in Pedro & Chelsea’s wedding a couple of weeks ago), so I thought it was high time I gathered some inspiration and ideas to get the look.

*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Tropical Wedding Cakes

3 February, 2016 by gaby

Hello lovelies! Continuing with our tropical theme for the month (and celebrating the fact that I’m actually IN the tropics right now… yes, I’m boasting, sorrynotsorry) we’re looking at tropical themed cakes for your beach or tropsy wedding. These are seriously awesome – and even if you’re not going all out on the theme, they’re a great way to bring a bit of summer to your wedding, especially if you opt for flavours like coconut, fruit, etc. Some are colourful, some are more on the elegant and sophisticated side, but they’re all lovely.

DIY Beach Wedding at Grootvlei by Ronel Kruger

1 February, 2016 by gaby

Considering how amazing our beaches are in South Africa, we get relatively few beach weddings submitted to SBB so I’m always thrilled to see a lovely one, especially when it’s a down to earth, toes in the sand West Coast affair like Jaynie & Rudi’s was. This wedding goes beyond in the DIY category thanks to a super creative bride and her family – even the wedding dress was a labour of love. All that time spent creating something special and meaningful makes this aspect go far beyond the wedding day, because you also get memories that last a lifetime, long after the fabric has faded and the flowers have died. And that’s really what this wedding business is about isn’t it? The love, first and foremost. Ronel Kruger was on the scene to capture these lovely pics of Jaynie and Rudi’s big day.

Inspiration Board: Bahama Black Tie

1 February, 2016 by gaby

Well guys, as you read this, I’ll be arriving in the Bahamas for a SUPER exciting press trip and corporate retreat hosted by Aisle Society and Sandals Royal Bahamian. I’ve always yearned to visit the Caribbean and I can’t quite believe I get to do it this week, and with some of my favourite bloggers and fellow girlbosses too. Dream. Come. True. Needless to say, you’ll be hearing all about it, but do follow along on Insta for some fun behind the scenes. The timing is also pretty perfect blogwise, because today we’re kicking off our latest month of themed content – SBB is going tropical! I have such lovely content lined up for you beach and tropical brides, but I had to start it all off with a beautiful inspiration board. I just love the look of tropical botanics, gold and Kate Spade-style dots and monochrome prints – a sophisticated twist on this fun theme. And of course, the cheeky pineapple is the perfect motif to complement that.

Colours: Green, gold, black and white

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom (Kellie Kano/Paulette Davis Of Amour Affairs) | gold pineapple | groom (Anna Delores Photography/Joelle Charming ) | swiss dot wedding dress (Justin Hankins Photography/Isha Foss Events)
Row 2: Pineapple invitation (Lolo Lincoln) | pineapple wax seal (KT Merry Photography) | chairs (Frame 36 Photography)
Row 3: Bridesmaids (Kellie Kano/Paulette Davis Of Amour Affairs) | table setting (Christina Brosnan/Pearl & Godiva) | Bahamas house with palms (Kellie Kano/Paulette Davis Of Amour Affairs)

Oversize Statement Bouquets

28 January, 2016 by gaby

I like big bouquets. And I cannot lie. Actually, I don’t know why I would lie, since I’m not alone in my love for the bigger the better the more beautiful the bouquet. Oversize statement bouquets are exploding all over Pinterest and wedding blogs around the world, and I can’t get enough of them. And sure, they’re not going to be for every bride. But for those of you who just can’t get enough blooms, or who want to make a statement (or just show off those muscles from months of weight training), big bouquets are the thing. So here are 20 absolutely breathtaking examples to get you and your florist inspired.

Rustic Riverside Lowveld Wedding by Kim Tracey

28 January, 2016 by gaby

I always ask my brides and grooms if there were any details of their weddings that were proudly South African (after all, SBB is all about bringing you the latest inspiration with an African twist!) but when it came to Brenna & Tom, the feeling of being out in the African bushveld was such an integral part of their big day that it couldn’t be boiled down to a few details (although they had those too, from proteas to enamel mugs and braai canapes, even Amarula ice cream for dessert!) They were married on the banks of a river on a Lowveld farm, with crocs and hippos in close attendance, and their guests enjoyed traditional G&T sundowners before the reception, taking in the glorious scenery before dancing the night away under the stars. It was a fitting celebration for a down to earth couple, and they decorated it simply but beautifully, with pretty rustic touches and the most gorgeous (and delectable-looking) naked cake. Kim Tracey was on the scene, and took these absolutely lovely pics!