Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

20 Ethereal Wedding Dresses

24 November, 2016 by gaby

Sorry I’m a bit scarce this week, lovelies, but I’m working like a demon on a super important project here at SBB HQ. But I thought in the midst of all the shopping and holiday craziness today, it would be fun to have an oasis of prettiness in the form of 20 ethereal wedding dresses from two of our favourite Etsy designers, Cathy Telle and Mywony Bridal, all of which just make me all swoony. If you weren’t convinced by coloured dresses before, you will be, and even if you’re after something more traditional, but with a gorgeous, high fashion edge, this curated collection of ethereal wedding gowns won’t disappoint. So, so beautiful!
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Boho Equestrian Wedding Inspiration

17 November, 2016 by gaby

I always wanted to be a horse person, and spend my afternoons galloping through the countryside with the wind in my hair, but sadly, my horse riding experience is limited to just a couple of rides with these gorgeous animals. (To be fair, the last time was on a beach in New Zealand, which was pretty romantic, so don’t feel too sorry for me.) But I love the idea of a touch of equestrian inspiration, especially tied in with a boho feel and gorgeous winter palette that combines soft pastels with a beautiful dark denim blue. That’s what today’s styled shoot incorporates, and it features not just a whimsical picnic-style table and a deliciously ruffled cake, but a beautiful bride and her bridesmaids in their bohemian wedding finery. From the romantic floral crowns to the strings of clear glass bulbs hanging over the table, the details are sweetly casual, and the whole thing has been beautifully captured and created by Anica of MORE Than Just Photography and her styling team!

Pantone Serenity & Rose Quartz Wedding Inspiration

14 November, 2016 by gaby

Can you feel it? It’s getting to that time of year again, where it becomes all about summer and holidays and parties and celebrations and the end of another year and the start of new things and new diaries and new dreams and goals and ideas. I don’t know about you all, but I spend most of my year wishing it would go more slowly and then get to November and wish it would go more quickly (because Christmas!). But one thing I’m always sad to say goodbye to this time of year is the Pantone colour of the year because while yes, I often start out lukewarm about it to begin with, by the end of the year I feel like it’s really come into its own as stylists and real brides have played with it and found a hundred new ways to make it beautiful. Of course, gone doesn’t mean forgotten, because even though the wedding and fashion industry move on to the next COY, that last one is still going to be making real weddings beautiful for months and years to come. That’s maybe never more true than with this year, when we got two colours, and both were wedding ready from Day 1. Serenity and Rose Quartz have been like a spring breeze or a summer sunset. I’ve loved them separately, and I’ve loved them together. So it only seems appropriate to celebrate them one more time with this gorgeous modern meets vintage styled shoot. Even better, it showcases the amazing talents of so many of our favourite service providers, including Blue Olive Events, Jack & Jane Photography, Janita Toerien (dress SWOON!) & Candi Makeup. These folks are not just great at what they do, they’re some of the nicest people in the industry, and together with the rest of their wonderful team, they’ve pulled off something truly inspirational. Enjoy!

Bella Sorella

7 November, 2016 by gaby

Outside of South Africa, if there’s one location in the world that’s my happy place, it has to be Italy. Hands down. Which isn’t really a surprise, since I’m half Italian, and I’ve lived there and travelled extensively. But it never gets tired or old or been there done that. And when it’s been a while (which it has for me right now), I get this palpable longing to visit again and breathe it in. Happily, that longing just got a little bit satisfied for me with today’s bridal inspiration, which is like a slice of Italian wedding heaven. First off, it’s shot on the most gorgeous Italian estate you can imagine. Add in exquisite Claire Pettibone gowns on the models (who look like mythological sisters), headpieces from Enchanted Atelier, and lush, elegant florals in classic shades of white and green. A touch of romantic calligraphy? Check. Susie Saltzman rings? That too. And with beautiful images by Magnolia & Magpie Photography to round things out, it’s pretty much the most perfect way to start a week I can imagine. Sigh…

Día De Los Muertos Wedding Inspiration

1 November, 2016 by gaby

I promised you a second gorgeous feature today, and I am SUPER excited to share this one, as it’s so utterly beautiful! If you didn’t know, today and tomorrow mark the celebration of the Mexican festival, Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead. It’s a holy day, where families gather to celebrate their loved ones who have passed on, celebrate their lives, and help support their spiritual journey. I think it’s such an incredible way to honour these friends and family members who we miss, and instead of being creepy or sad, it’s celebrated with a fiesta of colour and life. It’s top of the bucket list for me to go to Mexico to see this wonderful festival for myself, and one day I will, but for now, I get to bring a little bit of Mexico to SouthBound Bride with this wonderful styled shoot created by a team of local wedding pros, including SBB faves Hello Love Photography. I adore what they’ve put together here – the bright colours and beautiful blooms (real, paper and on one of the showstopping Silver Swallow gowns!), and hello, tequila bar – it’s a vibrant tribute to the occasion and an absolute feast for the eyes!

The Haunted Garden

31 October, 2016 by gaby

Happy Halloween, folks! Every year round this time, I see a ton of Halloween inspiration, and it always makes me smile, because let’s be honest, the couples who are going to have a Halloween-themed wedding are few and far between (even if it would be fun, right?). But that doesn’t mean that you can’t create something elegantly eerie – something just a little bit creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky (just not altogether ookie, Addams family style!). And that’s what today’s shoot is – just a little bit dark, but super pretty as well. In fact, with soft blooms mixed with just the right amount of contrasting black, it’s the perfect inspiration – no matter what time of year you’re getting married. Carla of Mooi Photography and her team (including SBB florist faves Bright and Beautiful!) created this sweetly spooky shoot, and I’m super excited to share it with you this Hallow’s Eve!

Marble & Copper Bridal Inspiration

26 October, 2016 by gaby

One of my favourite things about this industry is that over the years I have met and worked with some of the loveliest people you can imagine. Most recently, we’ve had a couple of interns around the virtual halls of SBB HQ, and one of them is bridal designer, Simoné Meyer. Under her previous label name, Adore Me, she’s already been part of the SBB sponsor family for some time, but she’s just relaunched under her own name: Simoné Meyer Bridal Design. I’m so thrilled for her! Not only does Simoné make gorgeous, on-trend, whimsical gowns, but she’s recently expanded her talents into the bridal party too, especially bridesmaids of the flowergirl variety. I KNOW how many of you are looking for gorgeous flowergirl dresses – well, look no further! These gowns made quite a splash at the recent bridal expo, and today, along with a couple of Simoné’s beautiful wedding dresses, they’re making their debut here on SBB. That would have made this elegant bridal shoot lovely on its own, but add in some fabulous wedding inspiration in the form of sweetly organic florals, a table decked out in trendy marble and copper, and the warmth of candlelight bringing both come to life in these photographs by Lindy Kriek, and you have something special. Congrats, Simoné – we can’t wait to see your new business go from strength to strength!

Beauty in Ruins Wedding Inspiration

24 October, 2016 by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! How was your weekend? I spent mine nose to the groundstone – I have recently been reinvigorated by some big ideas for where to take SBB next, and have been working hard to get everything in place. So in the spirit of fresh inspiration, let’s take a peek at this styled shoot from Figure of 8, shall we? It takes its cue from the idea of ‘ruined perfection’, and fittingly look place among the ruins at Rosemary Hill, contrasting the abandoned, overgrown walls with lavish blooms and two absolutely beautiful dresses. It reminds me of that Friends episode where Ross is supposed to marry Emily in a church and finds it’s been pulled down, and then they end up using it anyway, filled with candlelight. Of course, that doesn’t end well for Emily, but whatever, the principle is there. And whatever the venue you choose for your big day, think about the elements of contrast that you can bring to your design, because as you can see, it always makes a gorgeous impact!

Festival Chic Wedding Inspiration (Wanderlust Forever After)

17 October, 2016 by gaby

This totally wasn’t planned, but there’s a couple of reasons why today’s shoot from the very fabulous Oh Happy Day, Summertown Pictures and their talented team (including the fab Hanrie Lues Bridal) is perfect timing. Why? Well, for one thing, it’s set in the beautiful Natal Midlands, where I happen to be heading for my own mini adventure today. Just me and Mr Darcy the springer spaniel, and the open road. It’s that same spirit of wanderlust and adventure that inspired this Coachella-esque shoot, which has an air of spontaneity borne of the way it was designed as well as its subject. Boho brides will adore all the jewel-toned touches, from the teal, copper and magenta table to the gorgeous feather-decked cake. And let’s not get started on the boho chic dresses or the macrame backdrop (no seriously, or I’ll never get on the road!). It’s the perfect way to kick off another week of wild beauty, so enjoy!

Inspiration Board: Rise & Fall

10 October, 2016 by gaby

It may be spring here in South Africa, but it’s been autumn all over the blogs of my fellow wedding bloggers in the US and it weirdly has me almost longing for the chillier season again (don’t worry, I’ll get over it). So in honour of that, I’ve put together this ‘fall’-themed board, a seasonal take on this month’s boho/wild beauty theme. Using traditional copper and red earth tones and adding in soft mocha and ivory, it still looks like a classic autumn palette, but the details enjoy that natural, organic, unbound look that we’re loving so much at the moment. I’m especially loving the ceremony area, including a glorious branch ‘tipi’, as well as the shiny pops of copper against the florals.

Top row (l-r): Bride with curls (Michael Radford Photography/Jen Plus Colour) | Copper table number frame (Dawn Charles/Seven Stems Design and Events/Mary Me Bridal) | Copper bottle candle holders (OctaviaplusKlaus/factsandfeelings/Goldregen florales Design)
Row 2: Autumn bouquet (Archetype/Rebecca Rose Events) | Plum & thyme prosecco smash cocktail (My Diary of Us) | Semi-naked cake (Petra Veikkola Photography)
Row 3: Place setting (With Lov3- Emme Wynn Photography) | Boho ceremony area (Lauren Fair Photography/Oleander) | Invitation (Christine Gosch/Camel & Birdie)