Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Glamorous Red Lip Bridal Style

7 August, 2015 by gaby

Earlier this week, we featured a bride rocking a chic red lip, and it reminded me just what an immediate glam-maker a rouge or berry lipstick is. If your Big Day dream is to look more like a screen siren than a fairy princess, then this is definitely the style for you! Whether you’re wearing a slinky Art Deco style dress, a vintage lace gown, or something bold and modern, a red lip has that touch of Old Hollywood and just happens to stand out perfectly, a pop of colour against the white of a bridal gown. So this afternoon, I’ve rounded up 20 absolutely amazing glamorous bridal looks, each of them rocking not just a bold red lip, but immaculate makeup and hair. Go on, dahling – be inspired!Read More

Inspiration Board: Golden Lace

3 August, 2015 by gaby

Hello lovelies – I’m back from my reunion weekend away (which was fab) and holed up in bed with a cold (not so fab), so bear with me as I share today’s board a little later than usual. August is going to be our month of bling – or at least, our theme is ‘Glamour’, so after some weeks of organic, we get to look at the glitzier side of wedding design. And you know my magpie heart loves me some gold, so we had to start with a golden inspiration board! For this one, I’ve combined this glam metallic with the classic vintage element of lace, resulting in something I think is really very pretty. I also love how gold stands out against a palette of white, grey and pewter – mixed metallics really are a fave of mine. But most of all, I’m in LOVE with that amazing gold lace dress – isn’t it amazing? Now that’s a showstopper.

Colours: Gold, greys & white

Top row (l-r): Gold lace gown {Krikor Jabotian}; Luscious Lacing wedding invitation suite {Wedding Paper Divas}; table setting {JoPhoto}
Row 2: Gold lace cake {City Sweets & Confections/Anna Williams}; flower girl {Dolce & Gabbana Junior}; Menbur ‘Strass’ pump
Row 3: Gold filigree cuff; gold lace chair cover {Tonya Peterson Photography/Utah Events by Design}; lace cuffs

Get the Look: Floral Print Bridesmaid Dresses

30 July, 2015 by gaby

Floral print bridesmaid dresses are taking over the world, you guys. Or at least, the catwalks, as well as our pretty little wedding corner of the world (which basically means you’re spoilt for choice if this is the look you choose this season). I probably don’t need to wax lyrical about how pretty and versatile floral patterns are, but just in case you’re not yet convinced (see our previous roundup here), I’ve rounded up some fresh inspiration from around the web. And just to make it extra sweet, you’ll find some gorgeous shopping suggestions for flower print bridesmaid dresses below too, so you can get the look for your own grown-up flower girls.
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Dreamy Botanical Wedding Inspiration by Nicola Bester

30 July, 2015 by gaby

I’m starting my weekend early by rushing off to PE for my high school reunion, where I will play Romy (and Michelle), and tell everyone I invented Post-its. But I can’t think of a better way to end off our month of Greenhouse gorgeousness than with this shoot, which just embodies the romantic garden feel that everything floral and botanical and beautiful means to me. There’s such an ethereal look to this shoot, thanks in part to the frothy fantasy gowns created by SBB fave Janita Toerien, as well as Nicola Bester Photography‘s lovely pics, and I’m also loving the whimsical watercolour stationery and pretty table design with just a touch of gold, not to mention Minke du Plessis‘ immaculate hair & makeup! To be honest, put these elements together into a wedding, and I’m pretty much in heaven. So enjoy, and pop back later this afternoon for a final dose of floral print to finish off July’s theme.Read More

Abigail Betz Bridal Couture 2015 Collection

28 July, 2015 by gaby

As you all know, we love sharing local design talent here on SBB, so I’m delighted to be debuting the latest collection from Abigail Betz, which celebrates the ‘brave, free-spirited new bride’. Abigail’s haute couture dresses are always so unique and so beautifully crafted, with tailored accessories that really make her brides’ big day looks one-of-a-kind. With this new collection, she has retained her label’s signature sense of romance, but introduced colour, texture and a hint of sexiness that accentuates the female form. Abigail says: “In a bridal market with so much over embellishment and lack of variety, I wanted to set the modern bride free to look as enchanting and have as much fun as possible on her special day without being weighed down by excessive, restrictive petticoats and overstated trimmings. It is her unique spirit that should be on display in the most magnificent way. That is what we strive to achieve with our pieces.” These Rossetti-esque lookbook images give a peek into the collection’s four themes, with refinement as a common thread across them all.Read More

20 Botanical & Floral Bridal Hairpieces

27 July, 2015 by gaby

Time for some gorgeous adornment, brideys! I’m forever getting stopped in my tracks while browsing Etsy by some of the absolutely spectacularly gorgeous bridal hair accessories – and I’m especially partial to those with a bit of a botanical bent. Cleverly crafted gold and silver leaves in goddess-like crowns, pearls and crystals fashioned to look like flowers and berries… I just wish I had an excuse to wear one of them, but they might be a bit faaancy for the supermarket, no? Anyway, if you’re planning your big day accessories, I really don’t think you’ll get much prettier than these 20 nature-inspired hair accessories, from some of my favourite Etsy makers. (Contains affiliate links – the cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission on any sales)Read More

Inspiration Board: Botanical Stripe

27 July, 2015 by gaby

Hello lovelies – we’re entering the last week of our month of Greenhouse botanics, so there’s just enough time to squeeze in one last lovely inspiration board. This one takes a cue from Kate Spade by mixing bold monochrome stripes with feminine pinks and greens, but takes things an extra notch up the pretty scale by adding garden rose garlands, greenery swags, and floral prints. This is my perfect mix of masculine and feminine, modern and romantic.

Colours: Black, white, pink, lilac & green

Top row (l-r): Bouquet {Belathee Photography/Bustle Events/Natalie Bowen}; floral table runner {Watson-Studios/Jennifer Laraia Designs/Whimsical Gatherings}; bride in floral crown {Jack and Jane Photography/Ribbon Creative Studio}
Row 2: Greenery crowns {Erich McVey/Lushka}; floral print bridesmaid dress {Chi Chi London}; chairs with striped ribbon {Aaron And Jillian Photography/A.Caldwell Events}
Row 3: Groom with pink & stripe boutonniere {Bwright Photography}; mini champagne {Scott Clark Photo/100 Layer Cake}; greenery swags reception decor {Kristen Weaver Photography/An Affair To Remember/Raining Roses}

Black Magic Styled Shoot from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

24 July, 2015 by gaby

When it comes to wedding design, one of my favourite looks is layering of a single colour, with texture adding the visual interest that a mix of colours often brings. And okay, that colour is usually white, but in creating today’s styled shoot, the talented team at TGC Photography & Sålt+Støne decided to layer black on black instead. The effect is chic, daring and very glamorous, and is definitely a fresh twist that will get your guests talking! From the black painted proteas to dark plums and shiny Coke bottles, there are many clever textural touches used throughout, and sparkling jewels and Venetian masks for that extra bit of mystery and glam. This is the kind of cutting edge inspiration you can expect to find in every issue of Wedding Inspirations, who were kind enough to share this lovely shoot from their brand new issue with us today. Be sure to pick up a copy to find out how to recreate the look, and take a peek at their other gorgeous weddings and styled shoots of the moment. Until then, as Amy Winehouse would say, let’s go back to black…Read More

Flower Dresses for Flowergirls

20 July, 2015 by gaby

Since we’re already head over heels for everything floral print this month, from cakes to wedding dresses to bridesmaid dresses, we certainly couldn’t leave out the little ladies that make up the short end of your bridal party – after all, they’re called flower girls! As it happens, there are so many gorgeous floral mini-bridesmaid dresses, many so gorgeous that I wish they made them in big-people sizes too. Even if you don’t incorporate any other floral or botanical elements in your wedding, I can’t think of a prettier way to dress the little ones for a spring or summer celebration. So let’s get inspired! As always, you can click on any of the product images to shop, and visit our brand new Flower Girl Boutique board on Pinterest for regular finds.

10 Botanical Wedding Inspiration Boards

20 July, 2015 by gaby

Hello lovelies! We’re about half way through our ‘Greenhouse’ month, and I’ve been looking through some of the botanical themed boards we’ve featured in the past and just loving every single one of them so much! I honestly think this is one of my favourite wedding trends/looks of all time. And, while many of these palettes use green as a base, you’ll see there’s no reason to limit yourself, which is great news if you’re loving the look of floral prints or botanical table details, but already have your heart set on a different colour or season. The main point is to get your creative juices flowing – get ready to be inspired!Read More