Category: Couple Shoots

Branco Prata Love Shoot

by gaby

Sometimes it amazes me that I’ve been working in this little wedding blog industry for three years now. I remember when I started, and I would go on Twitter, and all these other bloggers would be chatting away like the cheerleaders at the cool table. But it turned out, that unlike every John Hughes movie I ever saw, these particular cool kids were more than happy to let me ‘sit’ with them, and in no time I found myself making friends. Some I have been lucky enough to meet in person (or even just by phone) since then, others not yet, but as I have watched this little community of talented people rise to great heights and become significant industry names, I feel so proud of them. Plus, I get such a kick out of having these industry friends all over the world. Sofia from Branco Prata was one of the first I started following, and since then it has been such a pleasure to see the wedding business she has built with her partner Andre (he does the photography, she does the flowers & styling) thrive, both in their home country of Portugal and overseas. I never fail to be seduced by their gorgeous work (check out, for example, this dreamy e-shoot and this fab invitation download Sofia did especially for SBB). But today, Sofia and Andre are on the other side of the lens, courtesy of the awesome Anneli Marinovich, who caught up with the pair on a recent trip to Portugal. No props, no gimmicks, just golden hour on golden sands, and a whole lot of love. :) Read More

Pillow Fight Anniversary Shoot

by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! I have SUCH a fab couple shoot to share with you this afternoon, I absolutely love it! Shireen Louw sent over this couple shoot for Charl and Charlotte who decided to have a shoot in their wedding attire on their one year anniversary. They took photos at the beach and in the hotel where they got married, but the fun really got started when a pillow fight broke out! I love how this shoot brings out the fun side of the couple, but the floating feathers also look completely romantic and beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing Shireen!Read More

Down on the Farm Engagement

by gaby

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I get the coolest readers. Not only do I love hearing from you all (even if I don’t always get to reply as quickly as I’d like) but it’s a particular pleasure for me to be able to follow some of you through your planning journey. That’s what happened with SouthBound Bride Keri, who also just so happens to have a super awesome blog of her own, Midlands Musings. I first heard from Keri when she asked for an inspiration board, and loved helping her with her French-inspired country colour scheme. In fact, you’ll get to see her lovely wedding for yourselves next week. But first, we’re going to meet Keri and her now-hubby Andrew and hear their super sweet love and engagement story, as well as see the easy going e-shoot that took place on their farm, cows and all. The fab Eileen Laubscher of Bright Girl captured it all perfectly!Read More

Sunrise V&A Waterfront Engagement Shoot

by gaby

It’s always a happy day when you can welcome back an old friend. It hasn’t been that long since we sent off our second 2013 Real Life Bride, Liana, to marry her Prince Charming, Chris, and soon we’ll get to share her wedding day (stay tuned for her awesome hen do as well). But today, we’re having a peek at the gorgeous engagement session shot for the couple by Cape Town’s own dna photographers. A fantastic (iconically Cape) setting, light you could eat with a spoon… who could ask for anything more?Read More

Tim Burton Inspired Engagement Shoot

by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! Time for a couple shoot, and this one is from Cape Town photographer Katherine Newman, who has just moved back to SA from London (sometimes I wonder if anyone’s left here!). Bride and groom-to-be, Cherise and Nick, have such a fun, funky style and the setting (a nature reserve in Swellendam that unfortunately had recently experienced fire damage) brings to mind the magical landscape of a Tim Burton film. It really shows off the couple’s style and personalities – and as we all know, that’s the very best kind of e-shoot!Read More

Spring Engagement Shoot

by gaby

I can’t think of a more perfect shoot to share with you today, as we head into the Easter weekend. Easter has kind of sneaked up on me this year, but I’ve decided to take tomorrow off (for once) and try to switch off and relax a bit. Before I do, I’m so excited to share this spring styled engagement shoot from awesome photographer Louise Vorster with you. Best of all, the bride-to-be Nicole is a huge fan of SouthBound Bride – which obviously makes us a big fan of hers – especially since she pulled together such an adorable set-up to celebrate her upcoming marriage to fiance Andre. I am especially smitten by the little chicks – aren’t they the cutest? I know that Easter isn’t really spring in SA, but if it gives you an excuse to grab your loved one and set up a super sweet pastelly country style picnic, I say do it. And even better if you can get a photographer like Louise to capture it all perfectly.Read More

Farmer’s Market Engagement Shoot

by gaby

Afternoon, SouthBound Brides! Time for a couple shoot, and I’m very excited about today’s, from our friend Simone Franzel. I love when a couple choose to do something a bit different for their e-shoot, especially if it shows off something that they love as a couple, and a day at the boeremark (farmer’s market) certainly fits the bill! I can almost smell and hear the market through Simone’s fantastic pics, which also capture those special glances a couple in love share when they’re enjoying spending time together. Loveliness! I also love all the truly South African boeremark products – it’s definitely made me a bit homesick for vetkoek!Read More

So Kiss Me {Engagement Shoot}

by gaby

You know how sometimes life seems to have a soundtrack? Well, often I feel like that about photos. It always happens if a couple mentions a favourite song as I edit their wedding feature, but sometimes the pics themselves remind me of a specific song. And when I was working on today’s engagement shoot, I couldn’t help but put ‘Kiss Me’ by Sixpence None the Richer on the iPod. I think it was the playful spirit of the images, the sense of a carefree summer day, or maybe just the way that groom and bride-to-be Raazik and Debbie look at one another… Kiss me down by the broken tree house…swing me , upon its hanging tire…bring, bring , bring your flowered hat…we’ll take the trail marked on your father’s map… Either way, it’s an adorable e-sesh, perfectly captured by newbie photographer Abby Anderson. Would you believe this is Abby’s first solo shoot? Nope, neither did I, but I’m so happy she shared it with us!Read More

This Side of Paradise

by gaby

Time for some more loveliness! We do love a good couple shoot here on SBB, but this one is extra special because not only is it a tribute to the lovely Olga-Mare and Niel, but a showcase for the absolutely beautiful dress that Olga-Mare created. She was inspired by the 1920s, and Daisy Buchanan herself would no doubt have loved to float around in this gorgeous (award-winning!) creation. Olga-Mare’s dear friend Lizemari Moller of Lily Photography spent an afternoon with them at De Waal Park in Cape Town, making the most of some heavenly light.Read More

Notebook Inspired Engagement Shoot

by gaby

So, The Notebook. I have mixed feelings about this one, folks. Years ago, I read the novel as part of a book club and I HATED it. I mean, that last scene? Ew. I think I hated it so much I called up my friend at whatever time of night it was and ranted about it. I think I may have said that Nicholas Sparks had stolen several hours of my life. So I wasn’t exactly keen to see the film. But… you know, then I did. And Ryan Gosling was all, hey girl, and Rachel McAdams was all McAdamy, and it was so beautifully styled and okay, I admit it, I have it on DVD. Which might be one of the only times I will ever tell you that the film was way better than a novel. So when photographer Iz Labuschagne let me know that she had aNotebook-inspired engagement shoot to share, I got a little excited (especially since this one is one of my all-time faves). What I love about this is that the film is more of a loose influence rather than a theme – Chantel & Jon went for lovely vintage styling and it was shot in Cullinan in Gauteng, which is full of vintage shops and an old railway station, and they even included some old love letters, which is super appropriate. It just shows that taking styling inspiration from one of your favourite films can be a great place to start with your engagement shoot! (For more on movie-themed engagements, see here.)Read More