gaby | SouthBound Bride

Travel Themed Vineyard Wedding at Hidden Valley by As Sweet As Images

24 November, 2015 by gaby

We couldn’t let our travel month go by without at least one real travel-themed wedding! But travel is more than a theme – Nicole and Mauro are one of those truly international jetset couples, for whom travel is much more than a set of travelly details, but rather a way of life that they’re celebrating with their family and friends. For one thing, she’s a South African girl and he’s an Italian boy who met in Dubai – they’ve also explored the world together, and invited their guests to celebrate with them from a long list of countries and cities across the globe. They took their colour inspiration (very loosely) from a map, and translated it into the most beautiful pastel style (including three to-die-for tulle bridesmaid dresses in muted berry shades). Everything was warm and welcoming, from the solar jars they used as ice breakers/escort cards/favours to the soft twinkle of fairy lights. And, as they embarked on their greatest adventure together yet, the lovely As Sweet As Images was on hand to capture it all from behind the camera. Oh, and PS, how special is Nicole’s ‘something blue’? Her necklace was given by her father to her mother over 40 years ago. The romance!Read More

Daalarna Couture Flower Collection

23 November, 2015 by gaby

You guys, I think I have a problem. Call it FOMO, or fear of commitment, or just plain wedding dress addiction, but at the moment I feel like I have a new favourite bridal designer every week. But how can I help myself, when the most GORGEOUS gowns keep crossing my desk? And if ever a collection were worthy of obsession it’s today’s, from Hungarian designer Daalarna. The lookbook – set against a wall of bright blooms – is spot on (as is the name of the Flower Collection), because each of the dresses captures the beauty of a garden in a different way. For some, it’s through prints (oh, those prints! My fave being the one that combines ombre with floral), for some it’s through blooms of lace applique, and for others it’s with petal-soft layers of tulle. Chief designer, Anita Benes, was inspired by French impressionist Monet, and his harmonious combintion of natural elements of sky, sun, water and flowers. Like I say, GORGEOUS!Read More

City of Gold Styled Shoot by Tickled Pink, Ninirichi Style Studio & As Sweet As Images

19 November, 2015 by gaby

I’ve featured a lot of styled shoots on SBB, but I’m not kidding when I say that this might be one of my all-time favourites. It’s so thoroughly South African, from its shweshwe top to its shimmery gold toes. Natalie Elliot of Tickled Pink and her seriously impressive team of suppliers (including Ninirichi Style Studio, who styled it to creative perfection!) have done an amazing job, putting together one idea after another, each reflecting beautiful homegrown wedding style (as well as industrial wedding chic), and giving us a faux wedding that’s as fun and modern as it is glamorous. There are SO MANY clever, stealable details making up this Jozi love story, that you need to look at it over and over again to see them all – from the ‘Ag Sweet’ candy buffet laden with local favourites to the colourful table, but I think the ceremony area with concrete breeze block and wooden protea aisle, as well as textured metal skyline backdrop is my best. Take some time to scroll through the gorgeous pics by As Sweet As Images, and be inspired. (And yes, I included more than usual, but seriously, how could I not?)Read More

Romantic Farm Wedding at The Oaks Estate by Jani B.

17 November, 2015 by gaby

I know I say it all the time, but when you let your personalities shine through every detail and facet of your wedding, just as this pair of lovebirds so gracefully did, you’ll end up with a celebration as memorable as it is fun. Think rustic wooden tables laden with boxed arrangements of country flowers, lavender seed favours and gelato instead of cake, the bride in a seriously dreamy Watters gown, and photographer Jani B. floating about turning every so-good-you’ll-remember-it-forever moment into beautiful images. Sounds pretty much perfect to me.Read More

Inspiration Board: Traveller’s Journal

16 November, 2015 by gaby

I have to say, I’m having fun with the inspiration boards this month, reinventing the travel theme for current trends and styles. Today’s is no exception. For this one, I was inspired by the idea of a watercolour travel journal, which immediately made me think of this amazing stationery suite, and that made me think of sunny days in the beautiful Italian countryside. I love the way that neutrals as a colour scheme can look so romantic – it’s all about textures. Soft tulle, honey brickwork, soft leather, ribbon, lace… This is one travel-styled wedding that will never date.

Colours: Shades of neutral & white

Top row (l-r): Travel journal invitation suite {Ceci New York}; stone building {Jose Villa Photography}; place setting {Jose Villa/Easton Events}
Row 2: Bride in veil {Jose Villa Photography}; getaway car {Jose Villa Photography}; leather luggage tags {HarLex}
Row 3: Cake {KT Merry/Moda e Arte Workshop/Joy Proctor Design/Hotel Caruso}; bride & groom {Jose Villa Photography/Joy de Vivre Design Boutique}; bridesmaids & bouquets {Kate Preftakes Photography/Events by Sorrell/Apotheca Flowers}

Pronovias 2016 Collection

13 November, 2015 by gaby

I can’t be absolutely sure, but I’m pretty certain that I’ve been swept of Planet Earth and taken to some kind of heaven for lace lovers. At least, that’s how it feels looking at the latest collection of Pronovias gowns. I mean, seriously. There’s a silhouette here for every bride, a silk or a satin or a lace (oh, those laces!) for every taste. Each one is just as romantic and chic as you’d expect from the brand, but they all have that little something extra – a metallic embellishment perhaps, a flash of skin, a blush of pink. They’re beautiful, but this is only one small part of the collection, so be sure to check out the rest of it on their site or in-store. And then you can be in heaven too! ;)Read More

Travel Theme Wedding Cakes

13 November, 2015 by gaby

Whether you’re planning a travel themed wedding or simply want to add a nod to your love of travel together or how far you’ve come (literally) to get to your big day, a travel themed wedding cake is a great idea. Even so, when I started browsing around looking for travel themed wedding cakes, I wasn’t sure I’d have enough for a feature, but guess what? Instead of unearthing one badly made fondant suitcase stack after another (okay, truth, I found them too), I came across some really chic, fun and clever ideas! No surprise, the shiny map ones are my faves, but there’s lots of different styles of travel inspired cake here to give you ideas, whether or not you’ll have other travel themed wedding ideas popping up on your big day! And you’ll even find a selection of some of our fave travel themed cake toppers at the end!

Pastel Festival-style Wedding at Kloofzicht Lodge by Jack and Jane Photography

12 November, 2015 by gaby

When a music-loving gal meets her muso prince at an outdoor music festival, there’s really only one way to get married – a stretch tent wedding in beautiful surroundings, with live music and craft food and beer, and a perfect mix of romantic pastels and rustic decor. That’s what Andy, a local musician (drummer for Dan Patlansky, Connel Cruise & Duis:lig), and fiancee Belinda dreamed up for their big day, and with baby blues and blush pinks in everything from the bridesmaids to the food (pastel donuts, be still my detail-loving heart!), wine barrel stands and raw wood tables, a popcorn bar, and beautiful floral print stationery, it was the picture of country elegance, with a touch of vintage. But the most romantic moment of all – of course – was when Andy played his new wife a song he’d written just for her, making the musical fairytale complete. Our faves Jack and Jane were there to capture all these lovely pics.Read More

Modern Snow White Wedding Inspiration by Carolien and Ben & Bona-Fide Events

11 November, 2015 by gaby

Some days, I’ll be honest with you, blogging life can be… hard. Other days? Well, other days I get a shoot like this one in my inbox, or I get to share it with you all and I’m brought back to why I love this job. A collaboration between talented suppliers at one of my favourite venues, incorporating a breathtaking gown, a gorgeous modern table, pops of bright red mixed in with muted pastels and a crisp white backdrop? Heaven. Not to mention a contemporary white dessert display (white macaron tower, love!), soft candlelight, and a bride rocking a red lip to perfection. The cherry on the cake, of course, is that the shoot was put together by some of our favourite people, including SBB Directory members Bona-Fide Events, and photographers Carolien and Ben. All together, it makes my day (pretty) – so let’s go ahead and make yours!Read More

20 Printable Travel Theme Wedding Invitations

10 November, 2015 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2020* One of the benefits of choosing a theme for your wedding like travel is that it can really help out the budget because you don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to things like stationery. And as much as I always love the idea of custom stationery, I know that’s not in the budget for many couples, which is where printable invites can be a great saver. You buy the design and have it customised with your names and details, and then have it printed either through an online print on demand service like PSPrint, or at your local printshop. The best part is that you don’t have to compromise on the design itself, because there are so many great options in places like Etsy. Today I’ve rounded up 20 fab travel and destination invitations, save the dates, and stationery suites with a travel theme – some absolute gems here for wanderlust-worthy weddings!

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