Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Golden Gate Romance with a Rose Quartz Dress

20 May, 2016 by gaby

We don’t feature a lot of e-sessions on SBB anymore, but there are engagement shoots… and then there are engagement shoots. Today’s is definitely one of the latter – when it crossed my desk it took my breath away! With a smitten couple in love, in one of South Africa’s most majestic locations up among the mountains of Golden Gate National Park, featuring a crazy gorgeous Rose Quartz dress by Silver Swallow and with the most beautiful images by photographer Ian Odendaal, it’s sheer romance. Like that opening scene of The Sound of Music where she’s twirling around because the hills are alive, but better, because there’s no Nazis, and nobody’s wearing an ugly pinafore or singing about goatherds (or singing at all, actually). So just the twirling, and the big big sky, and the sense of pure, unadulterated joy. Ah, love.

15 Breathtaking Blue Wedding Dresses

18 May, 2016 by gaby

Winter Wedding Dress by Reev Bridal

**Updated for 2019** Get ready for some serious dress love, my darlings! A while back, I rounded up some of the absolute DREAMIEST pastel gowns on SBB, and I haven’t stopped dreaming about them since. So when the theme for May was settled on as ‘Something Blue’, I couldn’t wait to go out and source some spectacular blue (and blue-grey) wedding gowns from our favourite online inspirational marketplace, Etsy. And my word, but did I ever find some beauties. Every single one of these blue wedding dresses has something that makes it extra special beyond just the colour (which let’s be honest, is pretty awesome on its own, from baby blue to ice blue to dusty blue!) – a lace detail here, a sparkle there, and a whole lot of cloud-soft tulle. If you weren’t thinking of a ‘something blue’ wedding gown before? Well, you will be now! *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: Berries & Blues

16 May, 2016 by gaby

Something pretty for your Monday, lovelies? Don’t mind if we do. I’ve always loved the combination of navy blue with rich reds and berry tones (navy & Marsala was one of my favourite board combos last year), but when I saw an image of a bridesmaid in a slightly lighter French blue holding a bouquet in the same shades, I knew I’d found my new colour crush. I just love how these colours work together, and while it’s a natural autumn palette, I’d love it just as much at any other time of year. What do you think?

Colours: French blue, indigo, burgundy, red, pink & white

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaid (Olivia Leigh Photographie/Fleur) | Blue menu (Minted) | Blue door villa (Charla Storey Photography/Grit + Gold)
Row 2: Groom in blue suit (Natalie Schutt/Krista Jon/Banana Republic) | Bouquet (Jose Villa/Stacy Mccain Event Planning/Flowerwild) | Napkin with blue ribbon (The Lauren & Delwyn Project/Southern Belle Styling & Events)
Row 3: Tablescape (Rach Loves Troy Photo + Cinema/Posh Petals & Pearls/August Event Design) | Cake (Samantha Broderick Photography/Allison Baddley/Annie Bee Cakery) | Bride & groom (Le Sueur Photography)

Something Blue Wedding Bouquets

11 May, 2016 by gaby

As you know, we’re singin’ the blues in May, and one of my favourite ways to have a something blue at your wedding is via a blue bouquet. But blue bouquets are a funny thing – because there aren’t that many blue blooms (compared to, say, pink or white), an-all blue arrangement can be a bit… overwhelming, or at least look a bit artificial. Which is why, even when they’re planning a wedding with a blue palette, many brides choose to go with white or silvery flowers and foliage. But with the right flowers in season, and the right combinations and accessories (blue ribbons? love), it can be done – and these 20 incredible bouquets show just how beautifully so.

Inspiration Board: Organic Blues

10 May, 2016 by gaby

I’ve cut back a bit on inspiration boards this year, as you may have noticed – not that I don’t still love creating them, but after six years, I feel like quality is the priority over quantity. But this month, with our editorial theme a colour, how can I resist? While blue is beautiful mixed in with other shades, no doubt, I also absolutely love the look of different shades of blue – right across the range from dark and formal navy to the softest whisper of baby blue – making up the whole. And when you add in a touch of organic wedding style (hands down my current fave), you get a look that’s cool and calm and beautiful. So I’m pretty much head over heels in love with this one, how about you?

Colours: Navy, grey, Serenity, powder blue, baby blue & green

Top row (l-r): Envelopes with blue seal (Michelle Boyd Photography/Westcott Weddings/Bristol Lane Florals/Graceline Art) | Bride & groom (Photographs by Caileigh/Ginny Au/Erich McVey Workshop/Ashley Beyer) | Place setting (Photographs by Caileigh/Ginny Au/Erich McVey Workshop/Ashley Beyer)
Row 2: Blue bridesmaids (Austin Gros Photography/Jessica Sloane Event Styling & Design/Vintage Florals) | Blue engagement ring (WOOKIE Photography/Coco Wedding Venues/St Erasmus Via Liberty In Love) | Organic bouquet (Lauren/Ginny Au/Tinge Floral)
Row 3: Figs on blue plate (Tulle & Grace /Belle Lumière/Ginny Au/12th Table) | Groom in grey suit & blue tie (Taylor Lord Photography/Lindsey Zamora/Suit Supply) | Bride in grey-blue dress (Cathy Telle)

Delft Blue Wedding Inspiration

9 May, 2016 by gaby

When my dear friend Louise, stylist extraordinaire and editor of B.LOVED, mentioned that she would be a guest at the EWC Workshop in the Netherlands and that for the shoot she was creating she had taken her inspiration from Delft pottery, I was super excited to see the results – not just because Louise’s shoots are always amazing, but because I love Delft, and of course it has a South African connection as well with some of our Dutch history. It’s a beautiful accent to a wedding (one that I’ve been lucky enough to feature in real weddings a couple of times) and of course, the perfect ‘something blue’! So when I picked the theme for May, I immediately thought of this shoot, and was delighted that Louise agreed to share it with the lovely SouthBound readers! Light, bright and blue-tiful, it’s a romantic and elegant take on the theme, with spectacular spring flowers, two gorgeous dresses (one of them the most beautiful shade of blue!), and of course, Delft making an appearance on the tables as well as being reflected in the oh-so-pretty cakes and biscuits. I honestly can’t think of a prettier take on a blue palette, or of any way that the pictures by Anouschka Rokebrand could be any more beautiful!

Forest Fling Engagement Shoot by Laura Leigh

5 May, 2016 by gaby

What does your perfect engagement shoot look like? For me, it’s full of love and laughter, shot in a place or with a theme that means something to the couple, beautifully photographed (of course!) and bonus points for great styling. Today’s e-sesh has all of that. Jessica and Matt’s engagement weekend took place in the forests of the Drakensberg, so for their couple pics they wanted to recreate that atmosphere, inject it with their special brand of romance, and incorporate their (fabulous) palette of Marsala and navy. LOVE IT. The beautiful photographs part was taken care of by Laura Leigh, who snapped these pretty, playful shots of the bride and groom-to-be.

Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart: The Dreamers Collection

4 May, 2016 by gaby

Swoon alert! I have some seriously GORGEOUS fashion inspiration to share with you all today, in the form of the latest collection of fine art bridal accessories from Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart. Inspired by Albert Joseph Moore’s painting, ‘Dreamers’ and a love for styling her brides with artfully designed pieces, it’s an exquisite collection of crowns, combs, hairpieces and gauzy silk tulle veils that will not only lend their ethereal beauty to the bride who wears them, but become treasured heirlooms in years to come. And don’t get me started on these lookbook images by Laura Gordon – I’m dying over every exquisite frame.

20 Something Blue Ideas for the Modern Bride

3 May, 2016 by gaby

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue… we all know the rhyme from English folklore, and whether or not you’re superstitious about bringing good luck, I think it’s a sweet tradition to observe on your wedding day. In the past, the ‘something blue’ was often a garter or a handkerchief, or embroidery in the bride’s dress, but while those are still lovely ideas, I thought I would round up 20 slightly different ways that the modern bride could incorporate this part of the tradition. From going all-out with a blue wedding gown (they’re gorgeous, why not!) to little details you can add to your design and decor (even if blue isn’t your main theme colour), each one of these ideas is classy and fabulous.

Secret Garden Wedding Inspiration

3 May, 2016 by gaby

With a new month, comes a new editorial theme here on SouthBound Bride, and in May we’re focusing on ‘Something Blue’ – or rather, many somethings blue and somethings beautiful. We have some absolutely gorgeous inspiration coming your way, and we’re kicking it off today with a breathtaking styled shoot from one of South Africa’s most talented creative duos, Rensche Mari photography and Eve Poplett of Splendid Wedding Company. The editorial, which was shot on film and digital, took place in a real secret garden, and features a beautiful bride (model Daisy May, made up to perfection by Antonia Gregori ou) in the dreamiest watercolour floral print Silver Swallow gown, stunning florals, and a table decked out in the softest shade of blue. I adore everything about it, and I can’t think of a better way to start our month!