Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Bridesmaid Dresses with Long Sleeves

20 May, 2015 by gaby

You know what always makes me feel a bit sad? You know when you see those pictures of a winter or autumn wedding, and there’s the bride in some fancypants wrap or fur-look stole or whatever looking snug and cold-weather-stylish, and then you see the bridesmaids and they’re standing there in the same little strappy dresses that their summer cousins were wearing, freezing their bazoomas off. Shame. Of course, stylish wraps for the entire party are always an option, but recently a chic (and practical) option has been popping up in more and more real weddings – long sleeve bridesmaid dresses! Yep, dresses with long sleeves aren’t just for the wedding gown now. From shiny sequined minis to sleek long black dresses, we are absolutely loving this look. So let’s get inspired! And shop. Because we can. *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means this site may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Lakum Spring/Summer 2016 Collection

19 May, 2015 by gaby

Okay seriously, geniuses of the world, when are you going to go ahead and invent teleportation already? Because far too often an invite lands in my inbox and all I want to do is beam myself over to wherever it is. Especially when that place is New York, New York, a city so nice they named it twice, and one of my favourite places on earth. Which is what happened when I got a mail from exciting new Brooklyn-based bridal label Lakum, to preview their S/S 2016 collection (spoiler alert: it’s GORGEOUS). So boo, I couldn’t go, but lucky for me and for you, Lakum have sent over some spectacular lookbook images that will not only make you fall in love with their spectacular gowns, but with New York all over again as well. So let’s take a stroll through the city, while admiring the beautiful Lakum silhouettes. It’s not teleportation, but today it feels like a pretty close second ;)Read More

20 Wooden & Wood Effect Wedding Invitations

18 May, 2015 by gaby

Custom Wedding Invitations by Oak & Orchid

Texture, you guys. I am all about texture. From wood to velvet to sequins to linen, it’s the addition of a texture to a palette or wedding design that often takes things from pretty to pretty amazing, in my book. Since we’re talking autumn weddings, I thought it was appropriate for us to talk about a texture that works for many autumn weddings (especially those that lean toward the rustic) and that’s wood. And of course, there are lots of ways to incorporate wooden texture into your wedding day, but one of my faves is through the invitations themselves. Here’s the really cool bit – with lasercut and printing techniques being what they are now, you can get invitations that are actual slices of wood. So unusual! And, as it happens, better for the environment than processed paper invites. I love this idea, as well as paper invitations that have a woodgrain effect – and the good news is that lots of designers have wood invitation options these days. So I turned to my favourite online market, Etsy, to pick a few favourites. ‘Wood’ you like to see them? (Yes, I know. Poor. I couldn’t help myself ;) ) Just click on the links (or any of the images) below, and you’ll be taken straight to Etsy to get more information and make your purchase. This post includes affiliate links (in bold). SBB may receive a commission on any sales, but the cost to you remains the same.

Inspiration Board: Stormy Weather

18 May, 2015 by gaby

All of this month we’re bringing you boards inspired by the colours in Pantone’s Fall 2015 palette, but today, instead of combining two or more, we’re focusing on just the one. When I was looking up images for our Pantone bridesmaid inspiration post last week, I just fell in love with Stormy Weather, a beautiful shade of dark grey that I think is amazing for a winter or autumn wedding. I actually think it works well on its own, with some lighter shades of grey and cold weather natural textures, but I couldn’t resist warming it up just a little with a touch of copper, and oh my gosh, I love it! Cool, sophisticated and cosy, all at the same time. And with a bit of a romantic, Wuthering Heights feel too. So here you go. Stormy weather isn’t always a bad thing on your wedding day ;)

Colours: Pantone Stormy Weather, dove grey, copper & white

Top row (l-r): Bouquet {Adam Barnes/Amanda Gray of Ashley Baber Weddings/The Arrangement Company}; place setting {Cassidy Carson/12th Table/Kelly Lenard}; bride {Sibo Designs}
Row 2: Grey dress & ring {Brosnan Photographic/Pearl and Godiva/Claire Pettibone}; copper foiled invitations {Cocorinna}; copper ring
Row 3: Grey candles {Cox & Cox}; copper cake; bride & groom {Braedon Photography}

Up & Away Styled Engagement by Beatrix Events & Louise Vorster

15 May, 2015 by gaby

It’s FRIDAY! The happiest day of the week. And it’s about to get even happier with the most gorgeous engagement shoot! We’ve heard of engagement shoots that use balloons as props, we’ve heard of styled e-shoots, but this is really a whole other level of awesome, since it includes a spectacular (and inspiring!) table created by Beatrix Events, an adorable couple, a bit of a travel theme, and an actual hot air balloon! You know, just casually hanging out in the background, like the coolest prop ever ;) Not to mention beautiful pictures by Louise Vorster. So what are we waiting for! Up, up and away!Read More

DIY Edible Autumn Wedding Favours

14 May, 2015 by gaby

When I started putting together a roundup of autumn wedding DIYs, I discovered that lots of the ideas out there were for DIY edible wedding favours with a bit of an autumn twist. Since edible favours are a big favourite of mine (after all, guests are always less likely to leave something delicious behind at the end of the night), I thought it warranted a dedicated post! There are so many fun ideas here – the only bad part was trying to control my tummy rumbling and my sweet tooth crying out while I was sorting through them! Some of the links have packaging suggestions or even printables included, but you can always adapt the idea to suit your own colour scheme and look. Consider glass canning and jam jars, glass bottles, kraft boxes and paper bags, among your options, and pretty up with ribbon, twine and calligraphy.
*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

15 Cosy & Chic Autumn Wedding Details & Ideas

13 May, 2015 by gaby

Image credit: Jenna Joseph Photography/Kelsey Rae Designs on SouthBound Bride

I’ll tell you a secret. When I started wedding blogging, it wasn’t the dreamy dresses or the rising trends or even the beautiful photography that first drew me in – it was the details. Those surprising little elements that I would come across and think “wow, that’s a cool idea,” and sort of file away in my memory in case I ever needed to use it. Five years and many, many real weddings on my own and others’ blogs, and there are way too many of those details for me to ever try and store in my brain. And that’s why I love doing these little roundups, because it gives me a chance to go back and remember some of those cool ideas, and share them with you all. This month, as you know, we’re all about autumn weddings, and there’s an absolute WEALTH of stuff you can do – fruits, vegetables and flowers that are iconic of the harvest season, cosy warm weather activities, autumn palettes, traditional change-of-season food. Adding a few of these elements and autumn wedding decorations into your own fall wedding is a great way to warm your guests, body and soul!Read More

Mira Zwillinger Stardust Collection

12 May, 2015 by gaby

Some things are an annual tradition for me. Buying peonies as soon as I can find them. Getting excited when a new season of Greys hits my TV screen (not no more though, thanks Shonda). And every year, when I see the latest collection by Israeli mother and daughter-run label Mira Zwillinger, I declare that this is it, it couldn’t possibly get more lovely and amazing. Except that every year it does. And this year… Wow. I mean, seriously. Wow. Sparkle and lace and illusion and softness and romance and elegant silhouettes. Every single gown in the new Stardust collection is absolutely breathtaking, heart-stopping, knee-melting. As beautiful wedding dresses go, I can’t imagine it gets any better than this. Except that, as is tradition, it probably will ;) Until then… let’s fall in love.Read More

Inspiration Board: Pumpkin & Lavender

11 May, 2015 by gaby

Happy Monday friends! As part of our month of autumn awesome, over the next few weeks we’ll be focusing our colour inspiration on Pantone’s Fall 2015 palette (be sure to check in this afternoon, when we’ll be introducing all the colours and pairing them up with gorgeous bridesmaid dresses). Today we’re starting with a combination of mustardy yellow and bright violet shades – absolutely perfect for a warm but very pretty autumn wedding. Add touches of soft purple and pumpkin shell orange to round it out, and you have a beautiful seasonal look.

Colours: Pantone Amethyst Orchid, Pantone Oak Buff, heather & orange

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids {Stephanie Williams/Jenny Yoo}; place setting {KT Merry Photography/Clara Tuma Photography}; leaf
Row 2: Tablescape {Love Made Visible/De Liefde}; carved pumpkins {Laughter & Light}; mason jar centrepieces {Beaux Arts Photographie}
Row 3: Bride & groom {Amy Lashelle/Scenemakers}; wedding dress {Catherine Hall Studios/Holliday Weddings/Vera Wang}; bouquet {Anna Kidman/Mildred & Co + Lu Diamond Flowers}; naked cake {Paige Reaux Photography}

Flowers in Season: Autumn

10 May, 2015 by gaby

Hello lovelies! You don’t normally see me on a Sunday, but with load shedding and internet issues this week, I didn’t get to bring you this little bit of floral loveliness, and I couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you. In South Africa we’re lucky that we don’t have such clear-cut seasons, so some blooms are available for longer in the year, but even so, I always think it’s a lovely thing to consider seasonal flowers when planning your wedding. Not only do they look amazing and natural, but they’re also often a little friendlier on the budget (and the environment). A while back we rounded up some winter flowers, and today, in line with our theme for the month of May, we’re showcasing a few beauties you might not yet have considered for your autumn wedding – along with some pretty bouquet and stationery inspiration, of course! Let’s go!Read More