Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Hanrie Lues Fleur de Ballet Collection

8 March, 2016 by gaby

If you follow us on Instagram (and if you don’t, you totally should!), you may have seen that some exciting mail arrived at SBB HQ the other day, specifically the brand new lookbook from Hanrie Lues Bridal. Durban-based designer Hanrie is part of our sponsor family, and while we’ve always loved her beautiful bespoke gowns, she’s just launched a demi-couture collection which will be available both from her studio and from Calegra Bridal House in Cape Town and Joburg, and I couldn’t wait to see it! Called ‘Fleur de Ballet’, it was inspired by the ballet, which I absolutely love, and it has the same combination of structure and sheer femininity that makes ballerinas’ gowns the stuff that dreams are made of. With the most gorgeous fabrics and an inspiration straight from the ballet, these dresses are perfect for the modern South African bride, employing breathtaking illusion elements and elegant shapes and details that make each gown special and unique, and will make each woman who wears them feel like a prima ballerina on her own opening night.

A Farm-to-table Romance

7 March, 2016 by gaby

So as you know, March on SBB is all about farmer’s market and farm-to-table themed weddings, which is great news for all you rustic, farm wedding-loving brides and grooms! But, while the word ‘rustic’ might mean simple and unsophisticated, and real farm life is definitely not glamorous, that doesn’t mean that your rustic wedding can’t be as elegant as you like. And bringing produce – whether that be fruits or vegetables – into your decor doesn’t change that a bit. Exhibit A: this seriously dreamy shoot from talented US photographer Christa-Taylor, which she and her team have been kind enough to share with us today. Christa’s beautiful fine art film images combined with styling by Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination and Form And Flora‘s gorgeous florals make this farm-to-table inspired shoot the ultimate in rustic romance. From the lush local produce used as both decadent decor and ingredients for delicious dishes, to the pie dessert bar and jam favours, it takes the farm-to-table concept and makes it beautiful. And that’s even before you fall in love with the amazing Stephanie D Couture gowns and the lovely calligraphy and watercolour stationery by Katie Michelle Designs. Let’s feast our little eyes on it a while, shall we?

Farmer’s Market Wedding Details

7 March, 2016 by gaby

Image: Ryan Ray Photography/Lavender Joy Weddings/Bows + Arrows via Style Me Pretty

Happy Monday, lovelies! The theme for this month is farmer’s market, and we’ll be focusing on everything farm-to-table and organic and rustic and generally farm fabulous, alongside our usual real weddings, of course. We’re sharing the most gorgeous styled shoot this afternoon that embodies the elegance that can be achieved with this theme, but first I thought I would kick things off with a little roundup of 20 elements that you can include in your big day to create a farmer’s market theme, or just add a little bit of a market vibe to your big day. *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Feminine Bridesmaid Inspiration

29 February, 2016 by gaby

I’ve probably said this before, but one of my absolute favourite times in a wedding day is those blissful (and busy!) few hours spent between a bride and her retinue on the morning of the big day, sipping champagne and giggling with excitement as hair and makeup get done and the big moment approaches. It’s such a special time to spend with your girls – the women who have supported you, and loved you, and are there on this day to usher you into this next magical phase of your life. A memory to cherish. So I’m all for making sure that you all feel pretty and comfortable, even before the dresses are on and the shoe straps are tied. That’s one of the reasons I adore Plum Pretty Sugar, whose whisper-soft robes in garden-inspired prints are perfect for a wedding morning. But beyond that, the Plum Pretty Sugar accessories and apparel are part of a feminine, romantic lifestyle brand, and you’ll feel beautiful in their line long after the wedding day… the honeymoon, newlywed life – even on into maternity. So when Aisle Society bloggers Elizabeth Anne Designs & Coastal Bride teamed up with PPS to create a Southern styled shoot, you can imagine how excited I was to share the images! These pics take us right up to those moments before the walk down the aisle, with the girls in their dreamy PPS Couture bridesmaid gowns, and the beautiful, laughing bride, complete with protea bouquet (you know I love that!) And don’t forget that PPS ships to South Africa, and beyond.

Inspiration Board: Rum Punch

29 February, 2016 by gaby

Hello lovely ones, time for some colour inspiration. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving this ‘tropical’ month on SBB – it’s always such fun to be able to play with bright colours and lush textures and there are so many ways to play this kind of a theme. There’s the more subtle colour schemes, absolutely, but I couldn’t let the month end without creating something with more of a punch of colour, and there’s no better inspiration than one of my favourite tropical cocktails, a rum punch. I love the mix of colours in this board, ranging from a deep coral to peach to soft citrusy orange, with a bit of gold for good measure. It reminds me of ripe mangos, and beach sunsets, and everything that is good and summery.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Colours: Coral, peach, pale apricot, gold

Top row (l-r): Rum punch (Asia de Cuba) | bouquet (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose) | tropical table (KT Merry/David Fittin)
Row 2: Hibiscus invitation (Mospens Studio) | watercolour cocktails sign (Lindsay Madden Photography/Momentus Special Events & More/Julie Song Ink) | centrepiece (Kristina Curtis Photography/Calie Rose)
Row 3: Watercolour table number (KATELYN JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY/THE WEEKEND TYPE) | bride in coral dress (Isa Photography) | Mango Rouched Lace Maxi Dress | ring with blooms (Cyn Kain Photography/Amber Housley/Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, LTD.)

Row 1: Printable Wedding Bar Menu Sign by Wedding Sundae Studio | Row 2: Watercolor & Hand Lettered Table Numbers by Modern Arria (left); Anchor Hocking Heritage Hill Glass Beverage Dispenser (right) | Row 3: Hibiscus Beach Wedding Invitation by Mospens Studio | Row 4: Hibiscus Clutch by A Maui Day (left); Summer Coral & Cream Floral Crown by Shop Laurel Lane (right) | Row 5: Hibiscus Flowers Wax Seal by Zoe Craft Supply (left); Surfboard Custom Sign by Atomic Kraftworks (right) | Row 6: Surfboard Wedding Guestbook Sign by Miss to Mrs Design (left); True Decadence Tall Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress (right)

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

25 February, 2016 by gaby

All of this month we’ve been talking tropical weddings, and a tropical (or any beachy) wedding deserves a beautiful beach wedding dress that’s perfect for sand and sunshine. And, while a girl can pretty much rock whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned, the practical aspects of a beach wedding (sand, heat, humidity) definitely lend themselves to a gown that’s lighter as well as less formal. I love the way that soft textures (which happen to be light and perfect to wear) look in photographs, especially in beautiful beach portraits with the setting sun or the wind ruffling out layers of sheer fabric, so that’s what I’d personally opt for, and while simple shapes work well, there’s no lack of creativity you can apply when adding touches like portrait backs or lace or beading. I’ve rounded up 25 shut-the-front-door-that’s-amazing wedding gowns from beach editorials and real weddings – each dreamier than the last – to inspire.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gauguin Inspired Tropical Wedding Inspiration

22 February, 2016 by gaby

I’m doing a little happy dance right now, which is actually making it difficult to type, but I can’t help it because oh my WORD but this shoot is AMAZING. I’m so jazzed I get to share it with you guys, because I have been in proper love with it, ever since I spotted it in the December issue of our fave SA wedding magazine, Wedding Inspirations. So when we picked February as Tropical Month, I just had to ask if they’d mind us sharing it here as well. Inspired by Paul Gauguin’s Tahiti paintings, it’s more than just a tropical wedding inspired shoot (although it’s all of that, with a gorgeous tropical table, two insanely lovely tropical cakes, hanging florals, amazing hair and makeup and some oh-so-gorgeous stationery). It’s an editorial in the true sense of the word, like stepping into another world – you can almost imagine Gauguin will emerge grumpily from his cabin and get painting. So you’ll forgive me if I went a bit nuts on the pics, but I seriously couldn’t narrow this down any further. The amazing colours, the attention to detail, and the incredible photography – that’s what wedding bloggers’ dreams are made of. Huge congrats to a brilliant team for pulling this off, led by Ninirichi Style Studio, Tickled Pink Weddings and Events & Gingerale Photography, with some of the gorgeous dresses from our friends at Gelique.

Bridesmaids in Jumpsuits

19 February, 2016 by gaby

Well, here’s a trend I never thought I would be covering, let alone coveting: bridesmaid jumpsuits! You may have noticed that jumpsuits, pantsuits and rompers are all over the catwalks, to the extent that brides in jumpsuits are a thing now and looking absolutely gorgeous doing it. And where brides lead, bridesmaids will follow, or vice versa. Bridesmaids in pants and jumpsuits, while not super common, have been popping up as a very chic (and comfy) alternative to the traditional dress or even skirt and top. And I have to say, I actually love the look. I think it’s the mix of sexy but not revealing, and formal but not too formal, that makes jumpsuits such a great occasionwear fit to a wedding. Of course, this isn’t everyone’s thing – I could definitely see it more at a sophisticated city soiree than a romantic countryside affair, but if it appeals, go for it. And even if not for your girls, all the jumpsuits in the ‘shop the look’ section below would make fab rehearsal dinner/going away outfits for a bride-to-be! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Martina Liana Separates Collection (Together.Forever)

17 February, 2016 by gaby

I mentioned in my trend roundup for 2016 that for me, this is the year of bridal separates, i.e. two-piece wedding gowns. I think this is such a lovely trend, and I’ve been stoked to see bridal designers make it happen, and create so much more flexibility for brides who aren’t ordering custom gowns. After all, most brides know the feeling of “I love this, but not the skirt” or “I love this skirt, but I wish it was with a different neckline”. Plus, two piece gowns sit differently, which can really suit certain body shapes. So when I saw that Martina Liana (sister brand of the popular Essence of Australia line) had created a dedicated line for bridal separates, I was super excited. I’m not sure if this collection will be available in SA as the rest of the Essence gowns are, but here’s hoping, because this collection of 18 pieces, is absolutely gorgeous. Whether you’re a short dress girl opting for the swishy Sachi skirt or a true romantic opting for the layered blush Stevie skirt, a glamazon who falls in love with the moonstone beaded Ciara corset, or a boho bride who loves the soft crop draping of Tyler, there’s a perfect combination both for you and for your wedding style/location. Let’s take a peek, shall we?

Oceanside Bohemian Wedding Inspiration

16 February, 2016 by gaby

The romantic gorgeousness continues today with a breathtaking beach boho styled shoot by the talented Michelle Du Toit and her fabulous team of wedding pros. I love the way that geometrics have been incorporated here alongside bohemian elements, and the dreamy ocean colour scheme of blues and teals and greys with a touch of gold. Not to mention an amazing sheer bodice dress by Elaine Blom – wow! And how cool is this – the stunning model, Rouxmia, also happens to have been the jewellery designer for the shoot. So inspiring, whether your wedding is a tropical boho fantasy, or if you just want to steal some of these pretty details for a landlocked celebration.