Styled Shoots - SouthBound Bride

Bella Sorella

7 November, 2016 by gaby

Outside of South Africa, if there’s one location in the world that’s my happy place, it has to be Italy. Hands down. Which isn’t really a surprise, since I’m half Italian, and I’ve lived there and travelled extensively. But it never gets tired or old or been there done that. And when it’s been a while (which it has for me right now), I get this palpable longing to visit again and breathe it in. Happily, that longing just got a little bit satisfied for me with today’s bridal inspiration, which is like a slice of Italian wedding heaven. First off, it’s shot on the most gorgeous Italian estate you can imagine. Add in exquisite Claire Pettibone gowns on the models (who look like mythological sisters), headpieces from Enchanted Atelier, and lush, elegant florals in classic shades of white and green. A touch of romantic calligraphy? Check. Susie Saltzman rings? That too. And with beautiful images by Magnolia & Magpie Photography to round things out, it’s pretty much the most perfect way to start a week I can imagine. Sigh…

Día De Los Muertos Wedding Inspiration

1 November, 2016 by gaby

I promised you a second gorgeous feature today, and I am SUPER excited to share this one, as it’s so utterly beautiful! If you didn’t know, today and tomorrow mark the celebration of the Mexican festival, Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead. It’s a holy day, where families gather to celebrate their loved ones who have passed on, celebrate their lives, and help support their spiritual journey. I think it’s such an incredible way to honour these friends and family members who we miss, and instead of being creepy or sad, it’s celebrated with a fiesta of colour and life. It’s top of the bucket list for me to go to Mexico to see this wonderful festival for myself, and one day I will, but for now, I get to bring a little bit of Mexico to SouthBound Bride with this wonderful styled shoot created by a team of local wedding pros, including SBB faves Hello Love Photography. I adore what they’ve put together here – the bright colours and beautiful blooms (real, paper and on one of the showstopping Silver Swallow gowns!), and hello, tequila bar – it’s a vibrant tribute to the occasion and an absolute feast for the eyes!

The Haunted Garden

31 October, 2016 by gaby

Happy Halloween, folks! Every year round this time, I see a ton of Halloween inspiration, and it always makes me smile, because let’s be honest, the couples who are going to have a Halloween-themed wedding are few and far between (even if it would be fun, right?). But that doesn’t mean that you can’t create something elegantly eerie – something just a little bit creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky (just not altogether ookie, Addams family style!). And that’s what today’s shoot is – just a little bit dark, but super pretty as well. In fact, with soft blooms mixed with just the right amount of contrasting black, it’s the perfect inspiration – no matter what time of year you’re getting married. Carla of Mooi Photography and her team (including SBB florist faves Bright and Beautiful!) created this sweetly spooky shoot, and I’m super excited to share it with you this Hallow’s Eve!

Marble & Copper Bridal Inspiration

26 October, 2016 by gaby

One of my favourite things about this industry is that over the years I have met and worked with some of the loveliest people you can imagine. Most recently, we’ve had a couple of interns around the virtual halls of SBB HQ, and one of them is bridal designer, Simoné Meyer. Under her previous label name, Adore Me, she’s already been part of the SBB sponsor family for some time, but she’s just relaunched under her own name: Simoné Meyer Bridal Design. I’m so thrilled for her! Not only does Simoné make gorgeous, on-trend, whimsical gowns, but she’s recently expanded her talents into the bridal party too, especially bridesmaids of the flowergirl variety. I KNOW how many of you are looking for gorgeous flowergirl dresses – well, look no further! These gowns made quite a splash at the recent bridal expo, and today, along with a couple of Simoné’s beautiful wedding dresses, they’re making their debut here on SBB. That would have made this elegant bridal shoot lovely on its own, but add in some fabulous wedding inspiration in the form of sweetly organic florals, a table decked out in trendy marble and copper, and the warmth of candlelight bringing both come to life in these photographs by Lindy Kriek, and you have something special. Congrats, Simoné – we can’t wait to see your new business go from strength to strength!

Beauty in Ruins Wedding Inspiration

24 October, 2016 by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! How was your weekend? I spent mine nose to the groundstone – I have recently been reinvigorated by some big ideas for where to take SBB next, and have been working hard to get everything in place. So in the spirit of fresh inspiration, let’s take a peek at this styled shoot from Figure of 8, shall we? It takes its cue from the idea of ‘ruined perfection’, and fittingly look place among the ruins at Rosemary Hill, contrasting the abandoned, overgrown walls with lavish blooms and two absolutely beautiful dresses. It reminds me of that Friends episode where Ross is supposed to marry Emily in a church and finds it’s been pulled down, and then they end up using it anyway, filled with candlelight. Of course, that doesn’t end well for Emily, but whatever, the principle is there. And whatever the venue you choose for your big day, think about the elements of contrast that you can bring to your design, because as you can see, it always makes a gorgeous impact!

Festival Chic Wedding Inspiration (Wanderlust Forever After)

17 October, 2016 by gaby

This totally wasn’t planned, but there’s a couple of reasons why today’s shoot from the very fabulous Oh Happy Day, Summertown Pictures and their talented team (including the fab Hanrie Lues Bridal) is perfect timing. Why? Well, for one thing, it’s set in the beautiful Natal Midlands, where I happen to be heading for my own mini adventure today. Just me and Mr Darcy the springer spaniel, and the open road. It’s that same spirit of wanderlust and adventure that inspired this Coachella-esque shoot, which has an air of spontaneity borne of the way it was designed as well as its subject. Boho brides will adore all the jewel-toned touches, from the teal, copper and magenta table to the gorgeous feather-decked cake. And let’s not get started on the boho chic dresses or the macrame backdrop (no seriously, or I’ll never get on the road!). It’s the perfect way to kick off another week of wild beauty, so enjoy!

Organic Heritage Wedding Inspiration

10 October, 2016 by gaby

Nothing makes my blogger heart happier than when talented wedding pros whose work I admire and support get together to create something beautiful, and that’s just what I have to share with you today. A few months back, I shared Durban-based designer, Hanrie Lues’ ballet-inspired collection, Fleur de Ballet, here on the blog, and we got to do lots of dramatic swooning over her dreamy gowns. Well, today you get to see the second part of that collection. These dresses are amazing! But even better, you’ll see them brought to life by an incredibly talented team of KZN vendors, including Christy Hosking, Labola Weddings & Events, Bash Paperie and one of our favourite venues, The Venue Fontana. I mean, seriously, can you handle? The dresses (and the models) are beautiful, the florals are amazing, the stationery, the decor, the cake… I’m in blogger heaven right now! So let’s get on with some swooning, shall we?

Pastel Boho Beach Picnic E-shoot Inspiration

4 October, 2016 by gaby

When we think boho, we often think of a neutral palette, or an organic one – the colours of field and desert and stone. But today’s pretty little styled shoot turns that on its head, and harnesses a bit of boho style combined with a beach location and soft spring pastels to create the sweetest little picnic e-sesh ever. This is perfect inspiration not just for a couple shoot or elopement, but would make for the basis of a gorgeous wedding design too. We especially love the floral teepee, the dreamy dress, and OMG the flower crowns! One combines soft florals with urchin shells, and has given us all the heart eyes at SBB HQ! This gorgeous shoot was created by Deborah-Ann Photography, Wildeflower and their team of talented creatives, and I’m super excited to share it with you today!

Botanical Boho Engagement by Clareece Smit

19 September, 2016 by gaby

Time for some Monday prettiness! This boho beautiful engagement shoot in a greenhouse setting really captured my heart – the flower-decked tipi, the rustic elements like antlers, and of course the gorgeous florals by Myrtle Events & Styling and photography by Clareece Smit. It’s a really fun, creative, but also seriously pretty way to do an engagement shoot, and the best part for me is that it tied in perfectly with the couple’s (Charlene and WD’s) own wedding theme (which also incorporates antlers). Gorgeous!

Bridesmaid Bohemia

12 September, 2016 by gaby

Happy new week, lovely ones! For today’s inspiration, we’re turning from brides to bridesmaids, with a shoot that really captures this month’s ‘wild beauty’ feeling. Talk about statement – these boho beauties are rocking the most insanely amazing flower ‘crowns’ (although crown barely does them justice), high fashion hair and makeup and gowns that would look absolutely perfect at a boho wedding. Shot at Papiesfontein just outside Jeffreys Bay, the inspiration was soft tones, romantic and ethereal elements, and of course the elegant and dramatic headpieces, which of course could be rocked by a bride as well. The result is awesome (and not just because it makes me want to sit around on my stoep with a huge, beautiful floral headpiece on and a couple of horses grazing nearby. As you do.) Photographer Lindie Jacobs and stylist Tanya Grabe put this gorgeous slice of bohemian inspiration together with their team, and I’m delighted to share it today!