Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Inspiration Board: An Autumn Romance

26 November, 2012 by gaby

Good morning friends! Sorry for a bit of a disruption last week, but everything should be sorted now for a brand new week packed full of inspiration – just wait until you see some of the loveliness I have lined up for you. Starting with today’s inspiration board, which is a request from reader Jessica, who’s planning a cold weather wedding in a little church in the country with a palette of soft purples. Jessica isn’t a fan of roses and wants simple flowers, and actually this works really well with a purple colour scheme, since there are so many pretty purple flowers in a range of rustic hues. A sprig of lavender at each place setting is fragrant and easy to do, and why not mix and match bouquets for a more relaxed look? Cut out leaf shapes from purple card and string on branches for a fun autumn escort card idea, and bag a cute colour co-ordinated cardigan. Then just add gorgeous stationery and lots of fairy lights, and you have all the makings of a romantic autumn wedding. Good luck with the rest of your planning Jessica – hope you like your board!

Colours: Shades of purple, taupe and mocha

Top row (l-r): Bride; Shimmer wedding invitation {Minted}; bouquet {Elizabeth Messina/Lisa Gorjestani}; chapel {Mario Testino for Vogue}
Row 2: Buds; bridesmaids {Sylvie Gil Photography/Kristi Amoroso}; leaf escort cards {What Shanni Saw}
Row 3: Cork heart; bride in cardigan {Kim & Niki, Photographers}; blackberry swizzle sticks {The Nichols Photography/The Nouveau Romantics}; fairy lights {Feather + Stone/The Little White Wedding Company}

Pick Your Favourite Inspiration Board for 2012

21 November, 2012 by gaby

You know, friends, when I started this blog I was already a big fan of wedding blogs, and one of my absolute favourite things was inspiration boards. I didn’t start making them to compete with other bloggers who’d already mastered the form, but because of how much fun I had making them, and that has continued to be the case. Lucky for me, you guys seem to like them too. ;) It was a huge dream of mine to one day see one of my boards turned into an inspiration shoot, but before that day came, I got another amazing opportunity. Last year I teamed up with a new company called The Invitation Gallery to produce the SBB Collection – I loved that they represent several talented South African designers, allowing brides and grooms who couldn’t necessarily afford bespoke designs to still have access to gorgeous, contemporary designs beautifully printed on high quality paper. Each of the Invitation Gallery designers picked one of my boards and used it as a starting point for their collection, and I can’t tell you how exciting it was for me seeing them for the first time (and the second, and the third…).

Since then, I’ve been working with the collection on a series of inspiration shoots, and they have been just as lovely in the ‘flesh’ (in the paper?) as they were onscreen. You may have seen one of them in the current My Wedding Day magazine in SA (and you’ll be seeing more of it soon, as well as the others). I like to think there’s something in the SBB Collection for everyone – from beach weddings to rustic weddings, from classic to whimsical, and in all shades from aqua to purple to peach to blue.

But we like to keep things current, don’t we? So we thought it was about time that we updated the collection with a new design, and we’re asking you – my lovely readers – for your help. In a few weeks’ time, we’ll be asking one of the Invitation Gallery designers to create a collection based on your favourite inspiration board from 2012 and I’ll be working with that collection in a brand new shoot next year.

Here’s how it works: just head over to the SBB Facebook page and click on the album 2012 Inspiration Boards (or go there directly). Go through the boards and ‘like’ the ones you, well, like. The board with the biggest number of likes at the end of the year will go on to inspire the latest in the SBB Collection. It’s that simple. :) I can’t wait to see which one you pick!

It’s a Beautiful Day

21 November, 2012 by gaby

It’s Wednesday, and although I have a kickass wedding to share with you later, I am starting the day with an incredible couple shoot. With pictures so lovely that I get actual goosebumps every time I look at them, such is their loveliness. Durban photographer Fiona Clair is fast becoming a fave of mine, and she has outdone herself with this couple shoot taken of Tessa and Wayne after their wedding day, with their BEYOND adorable family. (Seriously, I would consider having children if you could guarantee they’d turn out as cute as these three boys.) They have a special story, and everything in this shoot is just perfect – the light, the backdrop, that special glow – for a celebration of their new life together. I also love that this was Tessa’s response to some disappointment with her actual wedding photos, because for one reason or another, sometimes that happens. It must be difficult, but if this shoot proves anything, it’s that your big day doesn’t have to be the only day you can rock a photoshoot (or a big white dress). And there’s no question Tessa and Wayne will treasure these pics in the years to come – congrats to all of you!Read More

Inspiration Board: Mellow Yellow

19 November, 2012 by gaby

Sometimes I get the COOLEST requests for inspiration boards, and I have been looking forward to this one for a while. Reader Leigh-Anne mailed to tell me about her trendy urban meets country chic summer wedding, with bold black and white stripes and punches of yellow. The relaxed but elegant celebration will feature a number of fun touches to reflect their hip personalities, including black Converses, a braai menu, orchids, peonies and a Vespa! Wow. The board kind of created itself! First stop was a great table setting (check out this wedding for more) – I love the striped table runners and the yellow chargers, and bringing in an organic yellow (lemons) is a fun nod to the country chic aspect. I love the soft flowers, especially this yellow orchid bouquet, and the white painted mason jars are the coolest. Stripes of course are a big motif – as well as the table runners and invitations (how stylish are those envelope liners?), I have fallen in LOVE with these striped Bruno Frisonis, but alternatively you could pair a yellow shoe with a striped sash (I know Leigh-Anne is planning some Louboutins). Bridesmaids could also do stripes, but I love these black belted yellow numbers (especially if paired with soft white bouquets) and stylish heels. I love the idea of the groom in a yellow bowtie and suspenders (reflecting the stripes) – and they go perfectly with the Converse look. I love the sound of a braai menu, and it made me think of what photographer Christine Meintjes told me about her sister’s wedding, where they had a braai station with all sorts of mini braai treats during cocktail hour. So cute. Finally, for equally stylish guests (and fun photos), give cheap shades as a favour, and then ride off into the sunset on a yellow Vespa. Just one last tip for Leigh-Anne, not pictured here, is to grab some black and white striped washi tape – there will be a zillion fun last-minute uses for it. Good luck with the rest of your planning Leigh-Anne, can’t wait to see your wedding!

Colours: Black, white and yellow

Top row (l-r): Place setting {Stephanie Saul Photography/Jessica Frey Photography/House of Flowers}; flowers in white mason jars; escort cards {Erin Hearts Court/La Partie Events}; yellow orchid bouquet
Row 2: Dress with striped sash {Erin Hearts Court/La Partie Events}; striped envelope liner invitation {Cheree Berry Paper/Edyta Szyszlo}; yellow bridesmaids dresses {Krissy Allori Photography + Courtney Jade Photography/Double Take Event Styling}; groom in Converse {Marianne Taylor}
Row 3: Bride and groom {Aaron Shintaku/JL Designs}; shoes {Bruno Frisoni}; sunglasses favour {Marianne Wilson Photography}; yellow Vespa {Carla Mendes}; braai station {Catherine Mac}.

Molteno Creations Bridal Shoot

15 November, 2012 by gaby

Good afternoon, lovelies, I have some eye candy for you. Because we all love to look at gorgeous dresses, don’t we? Especially when they come from a local designer – in this case, Molteno Creations. I am hearting the hell out of the way that these pretty, unique but extremely wearable dresses have been styled with a slight vintage edge – I’m LOVING the red lip and feather headpiece (from Carrie B.) especially. Fab Cape photographer Abigail K. was behind the lens, capturing all the bridal fashion loveliness to share with you.Read More

Mismatched Groomsmen

14 November, 2012 by gaby

Good morning, friends! I have another fabulous wedding coming your way later, but first I thought I would change things up a bit and bring you some inspiration for the boys. Didn’t think bridesmaids were going to have all the mismatching fun, did you? Seriously though, this is one trend that will make your future husband (and his best friends) love you – allowing them to express themselves a bit and to be comfortable in what they are wearing is bound to be a huge plus. Like the same trend for girls, there are lots of different levels of mismatch, from having the same suit and different accessories, to having different looks for the groom and the groomsmen, to a general colour or style guideline, to a full-scale mix and match. What you choose will depend on practical aspects like hire versus purchase, as well as the overall style of your big day (this works particularly well for vintage or boho weddings, for example). And here are some pretty pics to get you started. (Pretty pics? That feels weird when they’re all boys. Handsome pics.)Read More

Let Them Eat Wedding Cake #10: The Honeymoon

12 November, 2012 by gaby

It’s less than three weeks until the day we are married and the craziness of wedding planning has officially hit. With all the loose ends to tie up some things are of course going awry, others better than expected – fun, excitement, stress – but what is standing out more than ever in all this planning madness is how incredibly remarkable my ‘almost-husband’ is. He’s been like anti-stress on this planning adventure. Wonderful in every way and with the wedding drawing nearer even more wonderful as the stressors increase. More than five years have passed and I still miss him when he leaves a room and get excited to see him upon his return. And I get to marry him. SOON! To say that I am excited to meet him at the church may be the greatest understatement that ever leaves my lips. :)

But what on earth will we do once the wedding is over? When everything has been taken down and the boxes of goods used on our special day are packed away and returned? Shall it be London, Paris, New York? All these amazing options were under serious consideration until our search was interrupted by a perfect find and we both knew we had found our answer. A Mauritian paradise it was destined to be. :)

Inspiration Board: Harvest Sunshine

12 November, 2012 by gaby

Today’s board was one of those unexpected little surprises. It came from helping a friend who was looking for autumn wedding ideas, particularly incorporating pumpkins and gourds (love how these have become a lovely decor option recently). I started thinking about colour palettes and how, while the more typical autumn colour combinations – russet, yellow and orange in particular – are always rich and gorgeous, they wouldn’t be for everyone. I often think of blue and yellow as a spring or summer combination but looking at some of Pantone’s current feature colours including dusky blue and sunflower, I began to think they would make a beautiful, unusual autumn palette especially when paired up with yellow squash and white pumpkin textures. I’d keep flowers simple (although LOVE the pumpkin ‘vase’) with a big statement sunflower bouquet and then include warming autumn touches like a cardigan for the bride or bridesmaids, beeswax candle favours, and delicious cold weather menu options. It’s also a good chance to include prints, which as you know are a big deal right now. What do you think?

Colours: Dusk blue, sunflower yellow, ivory and soft grey

Top row (l-r): Mini white pumpkins; billy buttons in milk glass {Portobello Bride /ngg studios}; bridesmaids {Our Labor of Love}; beeswax candles
Row 2: Table setting with pumpkins and gourds; pumpkin vase; yellow letterpress invitation; yellow striped tie; forks on print fabric
Row 3: Sunflower bouquet {Dove Wedding Photography}; favour wraps; table setting with book pages; bride in yellow cardigan {Cameron Ingalls}

Inspiration Board: Autumn Rustic

9 November, 2012 by gaby

Hello friends! Time for a brand new inspiration board, and this time we’re veering from the traditional summer wedding to a rich autumn look. Reader, Claire, has a cozy cold weather wedding in mind for her June celebration at Toadbury Hall, where she and her fiance are planning a forest ceremony followed by a marquee reception, in a bedouin tent filled with fairy lights and heaters. They’re looking for a rustic style in red, orange, yellow, bronze and gold, and want to enhance their natural surroundings rather than distract from them. I’m a big fan of this idea, so with the palette settled I went on the hunt for easy ideas that incorporated materials that would naturally be found in the forest surroundings. Pine cones are certainly one, and they have a multitude of possible uses, from escort cards to place holders, or just sprayed gold and placed on a plate or even in vases on the table – so pretty. I’ve even seen adorable pine cone bouquets – a fun alternative to flowers! Wood is another texture to use of course, and cut wooden circles can be used everywhere from under plates to table numbers or cake stands. Or what about stones? I loved these metallic painted ones, and the surfaces would reflect candlelight beautifully. Flowers should be rich, but I’d probably focus more on candles and natural materials on tables to make the whole place as warm and intimate as possible – a real winter oasis. And don’t you just love the fairy light bottles? So pretty. Bridesmaids could be in a mismatched array of your colours, but they could also have a neutral like a mushroom colour, with bright flowers popping against them. Another aspect of a chilly wedding that is super fun is the menu – make the most of it with warming soups, a hot chocolate bar, maybe mulled wine or cider stations, toffee apples, etc. And finally, how much do you love these invites? The wording as well as the design. Just perfect. Hope you like your board, Claire!

Colours: Red, orange, yellow, bronze, gold

Top row (l-r): Invitation {P: Stone Crandall Photography}; bouquet; pinecones in vase {P: SB Childs Photography; C: A Touch of Elegance}; bottles with fairy lights; rustic cake {P: Rebecca Hollis Photography; D: Romancing the Stone}
Row 2: Toffee apples; table number {P: Gideon Photography; D: Forevermore Events}; pine cone place cards; hot chocolate {P: Camilla Photography; D: Branches Floral}
Row 3: Bridesmaids {P: Michelle Turner; C: Maine Seasons Events}; bark votives; painted stones

Rosa Clara 2013

9 November, 2012 by gaby

Time for some more dress inspiration, my lovelies! When Natasha of Olivelli Cape Town told me the new Rosa Clara collection was in-store, I popped right over (virtually, obvs) to check out what this beautiful Spanish label had for us and oh my word, I am in LOVE. It’s like a cross between all the dress fashions I am obsessing about at the moment. A lot of Holly Golightly-esque 1950s/early 1960s styling, plenty of sheer and lace, a touch of ballet and feathery skirts, sweet pastels and some slinky chic numbers. With over 75 dresses in the collection, there really is something for every kind of bride, but I thought I would round up my Top 10. Okay, slightly more than 10. But whatever, they’re BEAUTIFUL.Read More