Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Wilderness Glam Wedding Inspiration

5 September, 2016 by gaby

Happy Monday, lovely ones! Spring has sprung, the sun is out in Durban and it has me wanting to get out of my winter cocoon and out into nature. Which is pretty appropriate, since this month on SBB, we’re all about wild beauty – everything from boho to desert chic to game lodge weddings and back again. And there’s really no better way to kick that off on a South African blog than to head into our own wild place, the breathtaking bushveld, for some inspiration. I absolutely ADORE aloes, so the first thing that struck me about this gorgeous shoot from Charl van der Merwe (commissioned for the rebrand of the Mohatjane venue) was the backdrop of tall aloes, and of course, the bride’s incredible dress. There’s a lovely marriage here between earthy and glam: a palette of mixed neutrals with a touch of shimmery copper; succulents and seed pods with elegant white orchids (and a gold-foiled, orchid topped cake); a rustic wooden table laid with vintagey luxe decor; a table for two in the bush and a serving of champagne. It’s basically the perfect inspiration for an elegant safari-style wedding!

Kate Spade Wedding Inspiration

2 September, 2016 by gaby

It’s the last day of our fashion-dedicated content on SBB, and it’s been so much fun running this theme that I might just have to make it an annual thing. Before we move on to our next editorial theme though, I’m closing things of with the last of our gorgeous styled shoots for the month, which comes courtesy of photographer Christine Skari Photography and JenEvents. Together with their team, they created this gorgeous shoot inspired by one of my fave designers, Kate Spade, complete with sparkly linens, bold monochrome stripes and dots (including a fabulous cake!), playing card motifs, bows, a preppy chic bride and groom, and the most beautiful florals, in shades of pink and peach and coral (that bouquet!!) – all the things that epitomise the Kate Spade brand. It’s fun, and whimsical and happy and stylish, just like the designer who inspired it, and just happens to be absolutely perfect for a modern bride and groom with a love for colour and chic decor. Let’s fall a bit head over heels, shall we?

Fabulous Floral Couture

31 August, 2016 by gaby

It’s been such fun having a month dedicated to ‘couture’ on SBB (and it’s not over yet, because there’s more to come until the end of the week), and this whimsical, fantastical shoot demonstrates why. Fashion should be fun. It should be bold, and a statement, and cool and daring and beautiful, but it should definitely always be fun. A place to try out ideas and challenge boundaries, and excite the senses. That’s why I love today’s feature. Inspired by the work of Susan McLeary of Passionflower in the US, it goes beyond carrying artistic arrangements of flowers or even wearing real flowers in your hair, and turns florals into actual fashion and jewellery – surely the ultimate statement piece for an organic bride. Led by photographer Lauren Pretorius, in collaboration with some of our favourite local creatives, including Green Goddess flower studio and Janita Toerien, it’s a celebration of fresh ideas and gorgeous greens. And if you think this isn’t something that could translate from editorial to real weddings, be sure to read Coral of Green Goddess’ low-down on how usable floral jewellery really is for your big day and beyond.

20 Super Chic Birdcage Veils

29 August, 2016 by gaby

Mini birdcage veil with pearls by Joy and Felicity (photography by Elizabeth Ngundue Photography)

When I think of the bold, fashion-forward brides we’ve featured over the years, there’s one thing that many of them have in common and that’s the classic birdcage veil. Whether you wear them over the face or super short, close to the face or poufy, and in classic white netting or a variety of other colours and textures, this is one look that never goes out of style. There are loads of ways to wear a birdcage veil, and you can even make your own (as in this gorgeous tutorial we shared last year), but I personally love browsing the Etsy artists’ work for some of the most beautiful and creative examples of the style that you’ll find for sale on the web. Rounding up just twenty of the best birdcage veils was tough, but I’ve narrowed down my faves, and I can’t wait to share them with you! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Julie Vino Roma Collection

23 August, 2016 by gaby

Ah, Roma. Have I ever told you guys about the love affair I have with this city? It goes back quite a long way, to the very first moment I stepped off a plane into the early morning Roman sunshine, and it continues every time I get back there. I’ve lived in big cities, but it’s not like any other city. It’s brash and beautiful, primitive and wildly sophisticated, definitely a little mad, but also one of the places on earth where I feel most sane. I love it. So you can imagine how the minute I saw designer Julie Vino‘s SS17 collection, inspired by Rome, I was crazy in love. The lookbook captures some of the magic of that great city, but the dresses… wow. Julie’s latest collection is as sensual and feminine as ever, with sheer detailing and fabrics that will blow you away. So with Paris yesterday and Rome today, let’s enjoy this latest jetset (virtual) stop!

Chanel L’amour!

22 August, 2016 by gaby

I’ve been so excited to share today’s inspiration with you, because it really does have everything. Beautiful pictures, a gorgeous dress, an incredible love story, Paris… But let’s start at the beginning. Marlene and Gary met when they stumbled across each other on the cobbled streets of the City of Lights (yes, really!). Gary, an English footballer, was visiting family, while Marlene, a German jewellery designer, was on her way to the famous 31 Rue Cambon for some Chanel inspiration. Cue a Hollywood-style falling in love montage with Paris as a backdrop over the next few days. And here’s the really amazing thing – it turned out that they both lived in Vienna, so a chance meeting turned into a full-blown romance (now that’s Fate!). Fast forward to their engagement and the story has another fortuitous meeting, as the couple came across Claudia Magas of Ladies & Lord at a wedding show in Vienna – next thing you know, they were all heading back to Paris for this Chanel-inspired engagement shoot. From the pretty paper goods and Chanel cake and cake pops (!) to Marlene’s couture gown from Austrian designer Eva Poleschinski, dreamy doesn’t even cover it. I think Coco would have been proud! Huge thank you to Claudia for sharing this stunning shoot with us as part of our couture month.

20 Statement Back Wedding Dresses

19 August, 2016 by simoné

If you’re planning your wedding and have given your wedding dress some thought, you might already have some of the lingo down by now. Illusion necklines, tulle layers and lace details are all the rage, but somehow we often forget to mention the back of the dress. Taking into consideration that your guests will be staring at the bride and groom’s backs for the entire ceremony (and I’m sure we all have attended a ceremony that seemed to last forever!) it is just such a pleasant surprise for them not only to be wowed when you walk down the aisle, but also to be in awe of the breathtaking details that have gone into the back of your wedding gown. Seriously, how gorgeous are these wedding dresses with back detail I have found? Have a cuppa while you take your time to look through all the unique dress back styles, and start planning your wow factor today! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

A SouthBound Guide to Wedding Dress Silhouettes

16 August, 2016 by gaby

One of the things you take for granted when you’ve been wedding blogging as long as I have, is that the terminology that’s part of your everyday life isn’t necessarily something that all brides know, off the bat, when they get engaged. After all, you ladies have a lifetime of other things to think about! That’s why I love putting these guides together – quick visual references that give you the tools for your planning, whether that’s in choosing a veil, or deciding on the shape of your bouquet, type of cake, etc. A lot of us know dress silhouettes a bit better, but even if you know your ballgown from your mini, do you know your mermaid from your trumpet? So today we’re focusing on the different dress styles, and illustrating each with some of the most gorgeous gowns I could find on Etsy. Win-win!

Geometric Vogue Wedding Inspiration

15 August, 2016 by gaby

I promised you guys some amazing styled shoots this month, and I wasn’t kidding! Plus, today’s slice of chic comes courtesy of one of our favourite local suppliers, the lovely Dominique of Hello Love Photography, which makes it extra special. Dominique and her team decided to create a look inspired by geometric minimalism – a bold, modern, and oh-so-stylish take on both bridalwear and table design that comes in two parts. The colours are incredible – stark white and gold with pops of deep emerald in Part 1 of the shoot and teal in Part 2 – and the geo details are fabulous, from the gold backdrop to the table decor to the cake. Oh, the cake! Add in some statement paper succulents, bold makeup, and a lush organic bouquet, and you have something really special. I especially love the fashion choices here, because as we discovered a couple of weeks ago, bridal pantsuits are so hot right now! And the kimono top and tulle skirt combo in Part 2 is just as amazing. So, let’s get inspired!

BHLDN Wild Serenity Collection

11 August, 2016 by gaby

Stop press! Just in time for our month of fashion inspiration, BHLDN has released its latest collection of beautiful gowns, with the ethereal title ‘Wild Serenity’. Shot with the moody backdrop of the Irish countryside, and featuring amazing lace and embellishment detailing, the lookbook is like something out of Gaelic folkore – the dresses are just as magical. Scroll through and fall in love with both the images and the fashion, and then follow the links to grab one of them for your very own.