Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Flowers in her Hair

30 March, 2011 by gaby

The Savannah Floral Crown by Love Sparkle Pretty (Image: Mallory Dawn)

*UPDATED FOR 2018* A couple of weeks ago I featured a roundup of beautiful birdcage veils, but if your style is more bohemian than retro, I have a bridal accessory trend that’s just for you. Brides with flowers in their hair are nothing new (although they’ve gained a lot of popularity as an alternative to veils in the last couple of years), but recently I have been seeing a bloom of brides wearing full-on floral crowns. And you guys, I LOVE them! Once the preserve of ’80s flowergirls, the new wave of flower wreaths are soft and sweet but with a bold, high fashion edge. They’re not subtle, but boy are they beautiful. Check out these gorgeous flower crowns, including some beautiful silk flower options that you can buy from Etsy.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Inspiration Board: Santa Fe Love Letter

21 March, 2011 by gaby

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to a few places in my time, and I hope I’ll be able to add many more to that list before my time’s up. For most of them, I try to take everything in because I accept I probably won’t be back again, but there are some places that I love so much that I have to have a second helping. Santa Fe was one of those. A few years back I spent a week there for work, and fell head over heels for the desert – for the adobe architecture, the artists’ haven vibe and OMG the margaritas! It’s one of those places I wish I could have a chance to live in, just for a year or two, and it’s definitely on my return visit list. So when I decided to do a travel-themed board for today, Santa Fe just seemed like an obvious choice for me. I’ve gone for soft, muted desert colours, and of course, succulents (will the love affair never end?). I love the chilli ristra necklace and the papel picado garlands and I LOVE the idea of a bride wearing bold South Western turquoise and silver jewellery. And how pretty is the bouquet? But I think my favourite detail is the farolitos – paper bag lanterns that are a Santa Fe feature during the Christmas season and look amazing in bulk lining roofs, doorways and pathways or making beautiful patterns on the ground. Sigh. Somebody send me a plane ticket! ;)

Colours: Muted teal, green, turquoise, and sienna

Top row (l-r): Cacti; silver ristra necklace; bridesmaid’s dress (TripleCord Photography); papel picado garlands; succulent bouquet (Michelle Warren Photography)
Row 2: Succulent; adobe entrance; Georgia O’ Keefe painting; table setting (w. scott chester photography)
Row 3: Succulent hair decoration (Stephanie Williams); invitation; adobe with farolitos; turquoise bracelet (Twin Lens).

Inspiration Board {From the Movies}: The English Patient

14 March, 2011 by gaby

Happy Monday, everyone! I thought it was high time for another film-inspired board, and I’ve picked one of my favourites. I have to admit, the first time I saw The English Patient I thought it was rubbish – I had so many unanswered questions and Kristin Scott Thomas’ character really irritated me. Then I read the novel (which I totally recommend) and saw the film again, and this time I fell in love with it. Not just with the story and characters, but with the pre-war North African setting. There’s an incredible romance to the desert, and although I’ve travelled to both Egypt and Tunisia I still want to go back one day and spend more time in the Sahara. That’s what I was trying to evoke with this board – a bit vintage, a bit exotic, a tiny bit adventurous. I think it could make for a sophisticated and romantic wedding, with fabulous Middle Eastern design details – a more refined take on the Arabian Nights party theme. Moroccan Warehouse (+27 (0)21 4618318) is a great place to find this sort of thing in Cape Town, so check it out if this appeals to you.

Colours: Maroon, chocolate and sand

Top row (l-r): Flowers (Belathée Photography); Moroccan lamp; carpet; Alexander Wong Freja bootie via Magnolia Rouge; Amanda Wakely Desert wedding dress
Row 2: Maroq light garland; vintage map; thimble necklace; cave swimmer painting from The English Patient; fruit (Kate Triano)
Row 3: Scene from The English Patient; invitation; scene from The English Patient; dress (Kate Webber).

How to Wear a Birdcage Veil

9 March, 2011 by gaby

Lila Birdcage Veil with Swarovski Crystal and Feathers by Hushed Commotion (Image: Jen Huang Photography)

It only takes a quick look at my webstats to know that brides love birdcage veils! But did you know that there’s more than one kind? Or maybe you’re wondering how to style one with long hair down, or with a chic updo? We’ve rounded up some of the best birdcage veils from Etsy, and added top tips for how to rock ’em! Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Inspiration Board: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme

28 February, 2011 by gaby

Herbs make such a lovely wedding accent. Just the thought of all those wonderful garden scents puts me in a good mood, and I love the idea of including them in your bouquet or table arrangements. Plus, herbs have the best meanings; sage, for example, is associated with respect and fidelity, and rosemary with loyalty and rememberance. I love the idea of wrapping them up with napkins or having potted herbs as favours, but I also just adore this couple’s idea of having various herbslaid out for guests to use as confetti (with linen bags this would also make a great favour). I think a key motif works beautifully with herbs, because of the secret garden associations, as do greenhouse-style windows for seating plans or whatever else you choose to write on them. I also love the hammered vintage spoons, which you could use as pretty table name markers instead of numbers.

Colours: A range of greens, browns and white

Top row (l-r): Bride (Jose Villa); dried sage (MaryJane Photography); stationery (Elisabeth Millay); windows (Public Image Photography)
Row 2: Dried rosemary (MaryJane Photography); flower girls (Elisabeth Millay/Jonathan Young); herbs in wooden box (Public Image Photography); green shoes (K. Holly Photography); keys (39 East Photography)
Row 3: Couple (Andrea K Photo); spoons (Hammermann); pie (Michèle M. Waite); table setting (Shoot Lifestyle); bride and groom (Lauren Ross Photography).

Inspiration Board: Snow White

21 February, 2011 by gaby

I’ve been wanting to do this inspiration board ever since I saw the winning dessert table design in the European Sweet Table Contest by Belle Amour. Debs took a vintage fairytale approach, and with that forest wallpaper and the blood red, snow white and black as ebony colour scheme, it was simply stunning. I thought it would be a great starting point for a winter wedding. Obviously you want to avoid Disney cheese, but you can take design elements straight from the story – dozens of mirrors lining the walls, red apples at every place setting – just try to avoid the temptation to dress your seven bridesmaids up as dwarves! ;) Colette Dinnigan currently has a Snow White bridal collection, and this pretty dress has the perfect mix of drama and whimsy. Pile on the red lipstick, and you’re sure to be fairest of them all!

Colours: Red, white, black, grey.

Top row (l-r): Snow White dessert table; wedding dress; bride with ornate hairband
Row 2: Red shoes picture by Elizabeth Messina; ‘fairest of them all’ ring; red apple place setting; glass ring box; invitation
Row 3: Red apple picture by Love Made Visible; mirrors; baby’s breath; cranberry red bridesmaid’s dress.

Inspiration Board: Valentine Red

14 February, 2011 by gaby

Happy V-Day, readers! This is going to sound weird, but Valentine’s Day always makes me think of my dad. When I was little, he made my mom and I gorgeous (and witty) homemade cards, and always signed them from a secret admirer. So no matter what, I always had a valentine from somebody and knew that I was loved. And the great thing is, even once I grew up (and moved overseas), my Dad hasn’t stopped. Every year, I know I’m going to get some kind of valentine from my ‘secret admirer’ and it always gives me such a big smile to receive them. (Thanks, Dad! Love you!) So, whatever you’re doing this Valentine’s Day, I hope you have a special time celebrating the love in your life, in all its different forms.

Here’s a fun little board to set the mood inspired by Rob Ryan, who is just my favourite favourite (also note the gorgeous bridalwear from new Anthropologie label BHLDN which launches today). And here we’re celebrating the holiday with an awesome giveaway from Little Pink Book! Check in later to enter!

Colours: Cherry red and white

Top row (l-r): Rob Ryan artwork: We Had Everything; cherry butter; red ruffle shoes
Row 2: Hanging tin heart
Row 3: Grosgrain ribbon; heart-shaped red velvet cake; BHLDN dress; champagne with cherry garnish.

Inspiration Board: Artichoke & Aubergine

31 January, 2011 by gaby

We’re going a bit organic for today’s board, with inspiration from the fresh produce at a farmer’s market translated into a slightly rustic wine farm wedding. I’m crazy about this one! Jewel colours are huge news at the moment, but for me, when taking on big colours like purples and reds, the best way to avoid overload is to use natural materials and colours as much as possible. I love the idea of using vegetables in decor and even bouquets and eggplant and artichoke are two of my favourites (you can of course use the purple artichoke here too – and how gorgeous is that artichoke bouquet?). Just the purple and green would have been lovely, but I think the radishey red takes it up just a few pretty notches. Combine with oak barrels and lovely organic florals for the freshest of late summer or autumn looks. And if you’re after more of a farm look, replace the barrels with plenty of burlap and it’ll work equally well.

Colours: Aubergine purple, radish red and artichoke green

Top row (l-r): Aubergines; bridesmaid dress; pashminas; oak barrel
Row 2: Radishes; calligraphy; produce; centrepiece
Row 3: Artichoke candle; shutters escort cards; calligraphy name tag; long table in cellar

Inspiration Board: Coral & Grey

10 January, 2011 by gaby

Happy Monday! We’ll soon be featuring a stunning wedding in Simonstown, and looking at the pics got me to thinking about vintage naval prints and nautical weddings. Although navy and red is the most obvious colour combination for this theme, I love the subtler beachy beauty of coral and grey, which also happen to be two colours that are bang on trend right now. Then I remembered these gorgeous invitations from Ruby & Willow and I knew I had to do a board. I think the final result is classy and just a little rustic – perfect for a venue by the sea.

Colours: Coral, grey, charcoal and white

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom; Anthropologie whale ornament; coral invitations
Row 2: Coral cufflinks; heart pin boutonniere; ship’s wheel; succelent with rings; coral earrings
Row 3: Shell necklace; vintage naval print; coral peonies.

Hot Wedding Trends for 2011

5 January, 2011 by gaby

I’ve been in two minds about writing this post. On the one hand, it feels a little… presumptious. What do I know, right? But on the other, if I was newly engaged, it’s something I would be asking. What IS happening in weddings these days? And who better to ask than someone who reads hundreds of wedding blogs every day? (That’s me!) So here’s where I think things are going, and what I think South African brides can expect to see more of in the coming year.

1. The Royal Wedding
There’s no getting away from it – this will be a game changer. And that may mean that we haven’t seen the last of the tiara, or that royal touches like monograms and dramatic ballgowns will be big news again. However, indications from the palace are that Kate & Wills will have some modern elements (maybe even a slinkier gown?), and these are likely to be the ones that will be in our collective wedding consciousness for years to come.Read More