Category: Inspiration

Inspiration Board: My City Valentine

by gaby

Happy Valentine’s week, lovelies! I have some fantastic treats coming up for you in the next few days, but we’re kicking things off with an inspiration board that’s a fun urban twist on the traditional Valentine palette of pink and red. I personally love city weddings, especially those with a bit of an industrial twist or loft-style location, so this is right up my street! Think café lighting, elegant minimalist lettering, mini champagne bottle favours, textures like metal and distressed wood, and then add an array of soft, romantic blooms in the signature shades, and you’ve got this look all wrapped up. Of course, there’s no need to limit this inspiration to V-Day weddings either, because it would be chic at any time of the year.

Colours: Scarlet, brick, blush, rose pink & slate

Top row (l-r): LOVE letters {Landon Jacob Photography/Jove Meyer/2H Flowers}; centrepiece with proteas {Bellamint Photography/ Sunflower Creative}; bride & groom {ALLAN ZEPEDA/Lindsey Brunk }
Row 2: Champagne bottle minis {Leslee Mitchell}; hanging bulbs {Belathee Photography/Downey Street Events}; modern save the date {Little Red Press}; groom & groomsmen
Row 3: Bride {BHLDN}; industrial style escort card display {Archetype Studio Inc./Bourbon & Bloom Vintage Rentals}; bouquet {Melanie Bennett Photography/The Flower Farm/Valley House of Flowers}

 

Contemporary Cinderella Styled Shoot by Samantha Jackson

by gaby

Hidey ho, brideys, happy Friday! It’s time for some editorial inspiration, courtesy of the lovely Samantha Jackson Photography. The theme for this one was a loose ‘vintage versus glamour’ style, with two separate tables sure to please both modern and vintage glamour brides! There’s also a cute shoe theme (because who doesn’t love SHOES, right?), with lots of pretty footwear from Anella, and did I mention, absolutely gorgeous dresses by Janita Toerien and Eve’s Bridal? From head to toe to table, there’s plenty here to inspire. And unlike actual Cinderella, you’ll get to take both your glass slippers home at the end of the night.Read More

20 Greenery Wedding Bouquets

by gaby

20 Greenery Wedding Bouquets | SouthBound Bride

One of the biggest flower trends at the moment, is the no flower trend – ironic, no? Don’t get me wrong- I am still crazy in love with beautiful floral arrangements, but for eco-friendly, organic, woodland and botanical style, or even simply budget brides, this is a seriously cool alternative right now. We’ve already seen how lovely green garlands look, and now fabulous foliage is making its mark in bouquets as well. All of these bouquets have no or minimal flowers, and they’re all just darling! You heard it here first: foliage is the new flowers.

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Out of Africa Engagement Shoot by Peartree Photography

by gaby

Earlier today we shared Sandra and Murray’s gorgeous bushveld black tie wedding, but we have an one more treat in store before we’re done. The couple, who have a “farm in Ahfrihcah” in the Free State (where their wedding was held), also organised to have a gorgeous safari-style engagement shoot with their photographer, Wil Punt of Peartree Photography. With a few well-chosen props, a gorgeous sunset and a camp fire, they created something really special to reflect their love of Africa and their new home. It’s so fabulously ‘Out of Africa’ that you can almost hear Mozart floating out from a gramophone across the plains. Beautiful.Read More

Get the Look: Sheer Illusion Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

I must tell you guys, I’m loving putting these little bridesmaid dress posts together each week – hey, any excuse for window shopping, right? But I think this is the week I’ve been most tempted to pull out my credit card and fill my wardrobe up with the prettiness I’ve sourced, because I absolutely LOVE the look of an illusion neckline. This is a style that’s taken brides by storm, and now bridesmaids are getting in on the act. Which, as far as I’m concerned, is awesome. In fact, the only downside is picking your favourite! Be sure to find these and other gorgeous dresses on the SBB Bridesmaid Boutique Pinterest board, which we’re keeping updated with current dresses from a variety of shops and shipping destinations. For more illusion bridesmaid dress inspiration, see our special feature. And don’t forget this illusion lace wedding dress roundup for the brides!Read More

Inspiration Board: Moroccan Lemon

by gaby

Happy Monday, lovelies, and welcome aboard SBB Airlines, where we’ll soon be taking off for gorgeous Morocco with today’s North African-inspired board. It’s been a while since I did a Moroccan board, but as destination influences go, it’s still one of my favourites, and this time I’ve pulled together a fresh palette of turquoise and lemon to keep things interesting. Preserved lemon is actually a traditional Moroccan dish, and would make a great favour, but I also really love the way that actual lemons add that punch of colour and life to cool whites and blues. Hire in your favourite Moroccan pieces – lamps, chairs and cushions, tented breakout areas, tea glasses, and then add some intricate detailing inspired by Moroccan doors and tiles to your stationery and linens. It’s a million miles from feeling like a theme party, but still exotic enough to wrap your guests in a jasmine-scented fantasy.

Colours: Turquoise, white, lemon, brass

Top row (l-r): Beach table setup {Stewart Leishman Photography/Intique & Co}; bride in jewelled hairpiece {Stewart Leishman Photography/Intique & Co}; door {Birgit Hart Fotografie}; seats {Samara Leung/The LANE}
Row 2: Lemons {Christine Dovey/Yazy Jo}; bridesmaids’ lamp {Open Vintage Shutters}; Moroccan stationery suite {Laura Goldenberger/Stacy Paige/Wedding Paper Divas}
Row 3: Lemon preserve jar favours {Thoughtful Day/Karen Mordechai}; tea glass candles; dress with belt detail {Jose Villa/Canvas & Canopy/Bona Drag}; spices {Birgit Hart Fotografie}

 

Poppies & Pastels Styled Shoot by Davene Prinsloo

by gaby

Happy Friday friends! Can you believe we’re almost at the end of January? I refuse to start looking ahead to autumn though (not quite yet, anyway!), and today’s styled shoot is absolutely perfect for keeping that spring/summer vibe alive. With a mix of watercolour detailing (including a beautiful ombre dress!), sparkly gold and pops of poppy poppiness, it’s absolutely perfect for a romantic beach wedding. Davene Prinsloo and her team were on the scene to capture every detail and make each one count.Read More

Saltwater Sirens Boudoir Shoot by Angie Capri

by gaby

Years ago, my friend Marcelle and I went to see Blue Crush, and when we walked out we basically decided we should give up our jobs and lives in London immediately, move to Hawaii and learn to surf. That obviously didn’t last past the post-movie cocktails, but there is a part of me – the same part that grew up in Port Elizabeth with a bunch of heybrus – that secretly yearns to be a surfer chick. Considering that involves standing on a moving board and my sense of balance is at a negative, that will probably never happen, but today I’m living out the fantasy vicariously with a gorgeous tropical boudoir shoot from US photographer Angie Capri. I just love the sunny, laid-back feeling in these photographs, and the way that Angie’s hands, boudoir is playful and fun rather than lad’s mag trashy. Looking beautiful and enjoying being in your own skin. That’s what good boudoir is all about, folks.Read More

Stunning Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dresses

by gaby

Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress

*UPDATED FOR 2021* I think I may have mentioned this before, but the first wedding dress I fell totally in love with was off-the-shoulder. It was also bloody hideous. Does anyone remember Jennifer & Jack’s wedding from Days of our Lives? (Don’t blame me, it was the ’90s.) Anyway, then like everyone else, I went off of off-shoulder, because nothing dated a dress more quickly, right? And then, the fashion pendulum swung, as it always does. Princess Charlene rocked a gorgeous off-the-shoulder, then so did Amal Clooney, and hey presto, they’re officially one of bridal fashion’s most trendy and romantic looks. And like every good soap opera character, I’m desperately in love again. This time around, the off the shoulder look is all about the fabric – soft lace sleeves and swishes of tulle, ornate jewelled beading, or boho fringes. Instead of creating weird, giant artificial ‘shoulders’, the sleeves fall softly across the arm, giving brides the best of both sleeved and sleeveless dresses. I’ve rounded up 25 of my absolute favourite off-the-shoulder bridal looks 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.

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Persy Bridal Collection 2014/2015

by gaby

Time for some more gorgeous fashion inspiration, ladies! I must say, I am loving how far bridal has come in the last few years, from cookie cutter meringues to truly amazing, one-of-a-kind creations that often wouldn’t look out of place on the red carpet. Because a bride shouldn’t just feel like a princess, but a  starlet, right? And talking of Hollywood-worthy looks, I’m super excited to be introducing you to the work of another international designer today, Yaniv Persy. This ultra-feminine, beautifully structured and exquisitely made collection is really making waves, and when you see the pics below you’ll know why. Born in Israel and raised in South America, Yaniv has worked with some of fashion’s biggest names, including John Galliano, Roberto Cavalli, and Donna Karan. He’s now established his own label and launched the Persy Bridal Collection.Read More