Category: Inspiration

Embellished Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

One of my favourite types of SBB post is our bridesmaid fashion posts, because it gives me a chance to indulge in the latest fashion and lust over some gorgeous gowns and gown trends. And if there’s one current gown trend that really makes me get my ‘ooh’ on, it’s long, embellished dresses – those beaded and sequined beauties that immediately raise the style stakes when you see them on a bridal party. Even better, a mismatched bridal party, so there’s multiple dresses to fall in love with. If you’ve been loving this trend, you’ve probably noticed that there are a couple of specific dresses that have become synonymous with this look, and that those dresses happen to have been designed by one label, Adrianna Papell. Available in both the US and UK (and of course, shipping to SA from either), I’ve seen these gowns on everything from whole bridal parties, to maids of honour, to brides themselves (they’re perfect for an elopement or reception dress, or for a really chic engagement shoot look). Basically, we love Adrianna. So I thought it was high time that we did a post specifically dedicated to her dresses, and to this absolutely gorgeous bridesmaid look. As always, just click on any of the product images below to shop (or for UK shopping links click here).Read More

Elopement en Vogue by Green Goddess & Debbie Lourens

by gaby

When I put out a call for elopements and intimate weddings among our favourite SBB wedding pros, I was absolutely thrilled to receive this stylish gem by Green Goddess flower studio, with beautiful images by Debbie Lourens – one of those submissions I just think of as a ‘hell yes’. With a sort of 1950s Italian Vogue feel, it tells the story of a pair of starry-eyed lovers and a surprise elopement. Totally adorable, and incredibly romantic! I just love everything about it, from the bride’s gorgeous Gavin Rajah dress and coat to the flower-embellished umbrella, and the cake display that’s almost too pretty to eat. And even though it’s an editorial, I love the intimate, fun feeling that the team managed to create – the same feeling I imagine that a real couple would experience if they pulled off this wedding coup. This, friends, is why elopements are awesome.Read More

10 Unique Wedding Invitation Packages

by gaby

So as you all know, April is our month for intimate weddings, and one of the things we love about a small guest list is that you can allocate a bit more of your budget to extravagant details. Hands up, I’m a bit of a stationery fiend, and there’s also nothing I love more than sending and receiving little parcels, so when I see creative, elaborate invitations (especially those that require more than the usual envelope to send) I get really excited (yep, I’m dorky like that). The thing is, I know that those sorts of invitations don’t scale up well to 120 guests on a normal budget. So as I say, this is one of those details that’s absolutely perfect for a small, intimate, beautifully styled affair. Here are 10 of my all-time favourite wedding invitation packages, made by some of the most talented and creative designers in the industry!

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Adorable At-home Engagement by Stefan Louw

by gaby

A little while ago I wrote a post on styling your engagement session, but after seeing today’s shoot, I reckon all I needed to say was: fill your house with balloons, and bring a puppy. Because OMG this is the cutest e-sesh I have ever seen, and I won’t lie, it’s partly down to the extreme adorableness that is Rouxnette and Johan’s bulldog. Just look at THAT FACE. No seriously, look at that it. I want to kiss that face off. But apart from the sweetest pup, what I really love about this engagement shoot is the way that the couple decided to make it as relaxed as possible, inviting photographer Stefan Louw into their home and their everyday lives, and just adding that touch of gorgeous whimsy with the balloons. It’s perfect. (PS And if you’re loving Rouxnette’s style as much as I am, be sure to check out her Gauteng wedding co-ordination business, Bona-Fide Events.)Read More

Inspiration Board: Watercolour Wonderful

by gaby

If you’d asked me a couple of years ago, I would have told you probably that the watercolour trend that had just started then would be so over by now, but as I’m learning, trends in wedding world have a longer life and more staying power than I used to give them credit for. Especially since everything watercolour has gone from strength to strength – so much so that it has me wishing I could paint, and that’s saying something, since I have the artistic ability of a flea. Fortunately, I can satisfy myself with beautiful painterly palettes like this one, and gently washed out and handpainted details, from stationery to fabric to flowers. Best of all, if you like colour, you can really enjoy a multicoloured scheme, but with a very soft, romantic feel to it, which is basically perfect for a wedding. So ja. I’m #teamwatercolour all the way.

Colours: Fuschia, mauve, blush, purple, medium blue, navy & coral

Top row (l-r): Watercolour bridesmaids {Ali Harper}; cake {Alexa Loy}; ribbons {Jose Villa/Kate Holt Of Flowerwild }
Row 2: Reception decor {Jasmine Jade/Dream Occasions/Jades Flowers}; ceremony programmes {Harwell Photography/A Day In May Event Planning & Design}; groom in navy suit {Jenna Bechtholt Photography/Wedding & Events by elizaMade}
Row 3: Invitation {Oh My Good Mess}; bride {Emma Pilkington}; bouquet {JAC Photography/Just Chic Events/Commerce Flowers}

 

Where Should Your Dream Honeymoon Be?

by gaby

So… the venue’s booked, the Save the Dates have been sent out, and you’ve narrowed down hundreds of Pinterest finds to a general idea of colour and theme for your dream wedding. But here’s another question: where are you going on honeymoon? For many of us, a honeymoon is more than just a relaxing little break to get over all the stress of wedding planning, but something to look forward to in itself – your first trip as a married couple, and a once-in-a-lifetime reason to push out the boat and book that bucket list destination. And just like your wedding day, you want it to reflect who you are as a couple – to pick a place that both of you feel just as excited about. Whether you’re keeping it closer to home, or heading for foreign shores, the first step is finding your honeymoon ‘personality’ – and we’re helping you do just that with a fun quiz for you to take together and get the conversation started. Pencils at the ready!Read More

Forest Foliage Wedding Inspiration from the NEW Wedding Inspirations Magazine

by gaby

Hooray, lovelies! It’s that time again, when you can grab a brand new copy of Wedding Inspirations magazine from the local newsagent, pour a large cup of coffee (or glass of wine – it’s five o’ clock somewhere) and thumb through its pretty pages to your heart’s content. As always, there’s a ton of inspiration in store for you in the new issue, and we’re delighted to be sharing just a little slice of it here. This particular little editorial focuses on foliage, which as you’ll have gathered by now, is one of 2015’s loveliest trends. Don’t get me wrong, flowers are forever, but as Carol-Anne Frey & Andre Sonnekus, the team behind the shoot, say: “Foliage is finally enjoying its day in the sun. It’s nature’s answer to organic, budget-friendly decor that lends itself to just about any theme or venue.” So let’s get to enjoying a bit of this gorgeous greenery, shall we?Read More

20 Fab Elopement Wedding Announcements

by gaby

Elopement Announcements | SouthBound Bride

Credit: BHLDN

*Updated for 2018* A few years ago, when my friend Sarah and her lovely fiancee stopped in London after a round-the-world trip, a group of us girls threw her a fairly impromptu hen night. All night, we drank trays of flavoured vodka and toasted their lives together, and sent them off back to Joburg expecting them to set a wedding date. Instead, as soon as they’d had a chance to tell their parents in person, we got an announcement – the sneaky minxes had in fact eloped while on their trip. And you know what, we loved it! There were all these gorgeous pics of the two of them, so in love and sharing this special secret moment on the other side of the world. I still think they looked like one of the most relaxed couples I’ve ever seen on their wedding day. So ever since then, I think elopements are pretty awesome. Sure, they’re not for everyone (and there can be hurt feelings from family members and friends who want to be included), but there really is something special about a wedding with a guest list of ‘just us two’. BUT here’s the thing – if you’re going this route, you’ll want a classier way to let your nearest and dearest know than just changing your status on Facebook. Something to let them in on the excitement, to let them know they were in your heart if not at the ceremony. Maybe even something to invite them to a party that you throw back at home. And that’s where the elopement wedding announcement comes in. The good news? There are tons of sweet, fun and pretty elopement announcements for you to say ‘we did’. Here are 20 of my favourites from the makers at Etsy.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Individual Wedding Cakes

by gaby

Something about me: I LOVE things in miniature. Dolls houses, tiny envelopes and parcels, miniature food as canapes… you name it. So it’s not really a surprise that little mini wedding cakes get an excited ‘eeee!’ out of me every time I spot them on Pinterest. Because come on, they’re just SO. DARN. CUTE. And they’re very much a growing trend for 2015, for all kinds of weddings – just imagine the kick your guests will get out of them! But of course, the extra detail and work that goes into these beauties does often mean a hike in cost, and for big weddings it may not be a practical choice. So this is one of those occasions where having a small wedding allows you to really focus on the special little details – and even better, it means you won’t have a whole mess of leftover cake when you’re only feeding a handful of people. One cake per guest, served as dessert or – for slightly larger weddings – a small scale cake per table. Practical and lovely. Now that’s what we like. Here are 20 of my faves – I dare you not to ‘ooh’ at least once!Read More

Why Have a Smaller Wedding?

by gaby

You’ve probably gathered by now that our ‘theme’ for April is intimate weddings, and I have to say, I am super excited to be focusing on this wedding style in many of our posts over the next few weeks. Everything from elopements to destination weddings to surprise weddings to smaller soirees of 75 guests or less – there’s a lot of wiggle room under that ‘intimate wedding’ banner, so it really suits all kinds of couples and budgets. But before we get into the nitty gritty, I thought I’d answer the question: what exactly makes small weddings rock? Because they definitely do. So here are my Top 10 reasons why you should consider a bijoux bash for your own Big (little) Day.Read More