gaby | SouthBound Bride

Inspiration Board: Gypsy Rose

16 March, 2015 by gaby

So you guys, how are you enjoying boho month? I must admit, Candice and I have been having a ball putting these special features together and we have lots more for you over the next couple of weeks! Although I’m sure we’ll be all boho-ed out after that ;) For a while anyway! Today we have another boho inspiration board – this one inspired by a gypsy wedding and no, I don’t mean the big fat reality TV kind. Think antique caravans, mixed textures, berry shades – basically the old school run away with the gypsies style romance. Hope you like it!

Colours: Scarlet, moss green, aubergine, rose & grey

Top row (l-r): Gypsy caravan elopement {Elizabeth Messina/Merryl Brown Events/Flower Wild/Imagine Design + Jamie Nelson Construction/Maryvonne Laparliere/Galvin Painting}; mason chandelier {Mathieu Photography}; scarlet bouquet {Aneta Mak}
Row 2: Fruit/vegetable centrepiece {Claire Dobson Photography/A Savvy Event/Loop Flowers}; boho bride {Katie May}; caravan steps {Elizabeth Messina/Merryl Brown Events/Flower Wild/Imagine Design + Jamie Nelson Construction}
Row 3: Bridesmaids {The Nichols/Bryan Long Flowers & Events}; menu {Anushé Low/B.loved Wedding Styling & Design/Philippa Craddock/The Story House}; table garland {Claire Dobson Photography/A Savvy Event/Loop Flowers}

Winelands Picnic Engagement by Alicia S. Photography

13 March, 2015 by gaby

Yay lovelies, it’s the weekend! I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing on a lazy Saturday than chilling by a lake in the middle of the Cape winelands, and that’s exactly what today’s bride and groom to be (Gerhard and Elsje) chose for their gorgeous eshoot, which really captures that lovely feeling of a summer afternoon with the one you love. Alicia S. Photography was kind enough to share these beautiful pictures with us, and I love the playfulness and connection between the couple, as well as their beautiful surroundings! Whatever you all are doing this weekend, I hope it’s also filled with your favourite things and people.Read More

How to Style a Boho Wedding Tablescape

13 March, 2015 by gaby

Image credit: Summertown Pictures/Oh Happy Day on SouthBound Bride

With March being our self-declared boho month, I thought it was time I break out our ten tables series once again, where I choose ten gorgeous tablescapes along a specific theme or look, and break them down into their individual components to help you mix and match your way to your own perfect tablescape. As with all boho styling, the great news is that anything pretty much goes, but choosing ten tables does give me a chance to highlight all the little boho ‘substyles’, such as boho luxe, woodland, beach, etc. and in that sense there’s loads of inspiration here for all kinds of brides and grooms. In each case, there’s a set of links so you can shop the look, as well as a DIY detail or top tip to help you get your table styling firmly on track. *Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Market Wedding at Café Roux by Bianca Asher {Tanya & Trevor}

12 March, 2015 by gaby

And now – as the Monty Python boys would say – for something completely different. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, this little beauty landed in my inbox from the lovely Bianca Asher. I was completely intrigued by the pictures of Tanya and Trevor wandering around Hout Bay market in their wedding outfits (including the most gorgeous fuschia ombre wedding dress for the bride, with a beaded statement back – wow!), and when I read their story, I loved it even more. This, you guys, is not only how you create a wedding on your own terms, but use creative thinking to turn budget challenges into something completely unique and completely personal. Not only did this fun bride and groom pop into the market for their photo session, they brought the market with them to their reception, feeding guests at a variety of stations from spring rolls to burgers to decadent desserts to ice cream, and exchanging vows with a backdrop of brightly coloured ribbons and happy faces. This is one of those weddings that looks like it would be SO FUN to be at, which really, is the ultimate recommendation.Read More

Boho Aisle Style

11 March, 2015 by gaby

One wedding detail that often gets overlooked in styling articles is the ceremony – but as we all know, that’s the most important part of your day! And while the most important part OF that most important part is obviously the words you’ll say and the way you’ll feel and the people who’ll be there, it doesn’t hurt to pay a little attention to planning a beautiful ceremony area that befits your wedding style and where you can create the perfect backdrop to the most romantic moment of your lives. As it happens, boho brides and grooms have been doing ceremony styling particularly well, so I just had to round up 20 of my absolute favourite boho ceremony areas to inspire you this afternoon!Read More

Kelsey Genna Bridal & Eveningwear 2015

10 March, 2015 by gaby

Afternoon, SouthBound Brides! It’s already been an inspiring day, what with a beautiful wedding this morning, but before the sun goes down, we’re carrying on the loveliness with a peek at Kelsey Genna (aka The Flower Bride)‘s latest collection. Kelsey is a talented young designer from New Zealand whose work I have featured before, and many of her designs are absolutely perfect for a bohemian bride. This time around, as well as lovely laid-back lacey gowns in both short and long lengths, there’s a playful selection of dresses in colour and pattern, which could work either as gorgeous eveningwear or a more daring bridal style. From shimmery overlays to rose-shaped ruffles, each dress in the collection has its own unique something that makes you stop and go: ‘wow’- it’s impossible to pick a favourite. And here to prove that, are some absolutely spectacular images of the dresses in action from Kate Grewal. Let’s take a look, shall we?Read More

Simple Elegance Nature’s Valley Wedding by Jenni Elizabeth {Michele and John}

10 March, 2015 by gaby

You know, it can be a challenge to find new words and new ways to describe the weddings we feature on SBB. I feel like I say “gorgeous” a lot these days. Well, I’m about to say it again, because today’s wedding is GORGEOUS. Absolutely, get-your-swoon-on, magazine-worthy gorgeous. Michele and John chose to go with a simple colour scheme of white, blush and gold, which was complemented throughout by the deep emerald of foliage from their hanging swags and table garlands, and spectacular floral ceremony arch. Everything about it fits together like the pieces of a beautiful couple, partly thanks to the absolutely breathtaking pictures by Jenni Elizabeth. We’ve been looking forward to featuring Jenni’s work for a while, and I hope you’ll be seeing many more of her lovely images on SBB in future. But for today, let’s sit back and breathe in the simple elegance of Michele & John’s Garden Route wedding, and the sheer romance.Read More

Inspiration Board: China Blue

9 March, 2015 by gaby

Good morning, friends – how was your weekend? I had a very chilled one, full of summer breezes and afternoon naps, and I thought I would bring the cool summer blue on into today’s board. I’ve done a few board around Delft patterns over the last couple of years (which I still love), but let’s not forget other beautiful blue china patterns – whichever you favour, they’re a spectacular family of blue. Brighter than navy, it reminds me of houses on the Santorini hillside, or fresh blueberries, or a deep cold pool on a hot afternoon. The result is the perfect mix of preppy and pretty, with a touch of vintage from the willow pattern. Love!

Colours: Cobalt blue, powder blue, white & grey

Top row (l-r): Blue & white floral invitation {Minted}; portrait lace back dress {Clinton Lotter}; china plates {Steve Steinhardt/Beth Helmstetter Events}
Row 2: Blue cake {Add a Pinch}; powder blue bridesmaid dresses {The Great Romance/Belsoie}; hydrangea centrepiece {Stacey Brandford}
Row 3: Berry bouquet {Sleepy Fox Photography}; white shoes {Jen Huang Photography/Manolo Blahnik}; blue flowergirl dress

How to Style Your Engagement Shoot

6 March, 2015 by gaby

It’s that time of year when lots of you will be planning your summer engagement shoots (something I wholeheartedly approve because trust me, you are going to want a chance to get comfy in front of a camera!). That’s all good, but one of the questions I get a lot from readers is: what in the name of Beyonce’s extensions do I wear? Now, I’m all for spontaneity and comfort, but this is one thing you definitely want to put some thought into. So like a good bestie (because we so ARE besties now, right?) I’ve put together 10 top tips to get you started. And even better, I’ve rounded up four fab engagement shoots from the lovely Migneon Marais of Pritti to show you how it’s done. The best part is that none of the four couples we’re featuring were specifically ‘styled’ or told what to wear for their shoots with Migneon, but in their own ways, each nailed the subtle details that turn a pair of outfits from drab to fab in front of the lens.Read More

Feather DIY Roundup

5 March, 2015 by gaby

Time for some DIY goodness, brideys! And in line with our boho bent this month, I thought it was high time I rounded up some feathery goodness for your weddings. Feathers make a great motif for boho celebrations, and there are so many ways you can include them – plus, I adore the whole gold-dipped feather trend, which is perfect for boho luxe! Of course, make sure you source the feathers responsibly, and remember that you can always use paper instead of real (some of the tutorials below cover paper feathers, and even clay ones, which I love). Let’s go!