Styled Shoots - SouthBound Bride

Wilderness Glam Wedding Inspiration

5 September, 2016 by gaby

Happy Monday, lovely ones! Spring has sprung, the sun is out in Durban and it has me wanting to get out of my winter cocoon and out into nature. Which is pretty appropriate, since this month on SBB, we’re all about wild beauty – everything from boho to desert chic to game lodge weddings and back again. And there’s really no better way to kick that off on a South African blog than to head into our own wild place, the breathtaking bushveld, for some inspiration. I absolutely ADORE aloes, so the first thing that struck me about this gorgeous shoot from Charl van der Merwe (commissioned for the rebrand of the Mohatjane venue) was the backdrop of tall aloes, and of course, the bride’s incredible dress. There’s a lovely marriage here between earthy and glam: a palette of mixed neutrals with a touch of shimmery copper; succulents and seed pods with elegant white orchids (and a gold-foiled, orchid topped cake); a rustic wooden table laid with vintagey luxe decor; a table for two in the bush and a serving of champagne. It’s basically the perfect inspiration for an elegant safari-style wedding!

Kate Spade Wedding Inspiration

2 September, 2016 by gaby

It’s the last day of our fashion-dedicated content on SBB, and it’s been so much fun running this theme that I might just have to make it an annual thing. Before we move on to our next editorial theme though, I’m closing things of with the last of our gorgeous styled shoots for the month, which comes courtesy of photographer Christine Skari Photography and JenEvents. Together with their team, they created this gorgeous shoot inspired by one of my fave designers, Kate Spade, complete with sparkly linens, bold monochrome stripes and dots (including a fabulous cake!), playing card motifs, bows, a preppy chic bride and groom, and the most beautiful florals, in shades of pink and peach and coral (that bouquet!!) – all the things that epitomise the Kate Spade brand. It’s fun, and whimsical and happy and stylish, just like the designer who inspired it, and just happens to be absolutely perfect for a modern bride and groom with a love for colour and chic decor. Let’s fall a bit head over heels, shall we?

Fabulous Floral Couture

31 August, 2016 by gaby

It’s been such fun having a month dedicated to ‘couture’ on SBB (and it’s not over yet, because there’s more to come until the end of the week), and this whimsical, fantastical shoot demonstrates why. Fashion should be fun. It should be bold, and a statement, and cool and daring and beautiful, but it should definitely always be fun. A place to try out ideas and challenge boundaries, and excite the senses. That’s why I love today’s feature. Inspired by the work of Susan McLeary of Passionflower in the US, it goes beyond carrying artistic arrangements of flowers or even wearing real flowers in your hair, and turns florals into actual fashion and jewellery – surely the ultimate statement piece for an organic bride. Led by photographer Lauren Pretorius, in collaboration with some of our favourite local creatives, including Green Goddess flower studio and Janita Toerien, it’s a celebration of fresh ideas and gorgeous greens. And if you think this isn’t something that could translate from editorial to real weddings, be sure to read Coral of Green Goddess’ low-down on how usable floral jewellery really is for your big day and beyond.

Chanel L’amour!

22 August, 2016 by gaby

I’ve been so excited to share today’s inspiration with you, because it really does have everything. Beautiful pictures, a gorgeous dress, an incredible love story, Paris… But let’s start at the beginning. Marlene and Gary met when they stumbled across each other on the cobbled streets of the City of Lights (yes, really!). Gary, an English footballer, was visiting family, while Marlene, a German jewellery designer, was on her way to the famous 31 Rue Cambon for some Chanel inspiration. Cue a Hollywood-style falling in love montage with Paris as a backdrop over the next few days. And here’s the really amazing thing – it turned out that they both lived in Vienna, so a chance meeting turned into a full-blown romance (now that’s Fate!). Fast forward to their engagement and the story has another fortuitous meeting, as the couple came across Claudia Magas of Ladies & Lord at a wedding show in Vienna – next thing you know, they were all heading back to Paris for this Chanel-inspired engagement shoot. From the pretty paper goods and Chanel cake and cake pops (!) to Marlene’s couture gown from Austrian designer Eva Poleschinski, dreamy doesn’t even cover it. I think Coco would have been proud! Huge thank you to Claudia for sharing this stunning shoot with us as part of our couture month.

A SouthBound Guide to Wedding Dress Silhouettes

16 August, 2016 by gaby

One of the things you take for granted when you’ve been wedding blogging as long as I have, is that the terminology that’s part of your everyday life isn’t necessarily something that all brides know, off the bat, when they get engaged. After all, you ladies have a lifetime of other things to think about! That’s why I love putting these guides together – quick visual references that give you the tools for your planning, whether that’s in choosing a veil, or deciding on the shape of your bouquet, type of cake, etc. A lot of us know dress silhouettes a bit better, but even if you know your ballgown from your mini, do you know your mermaid from your trumpet? So today we’re focusing on the different dress styles, and illustrating each with some of the most gorgeous gowns I could find on Etsy. Win-win!

Geometric Vogue Wedding Inspiration

15 August, 2016 by gaby

I promised you guys some amazing styled shoots this month, and I wasn’t kidding! Plus, today’s slice of chic comes courtesy of one of our favourite local suppliers, the lovely Dominique of Hello Love Photography, which makes it extra special. Dominique and her team decided to create a look inspired by geometric minimalism – a bold, modern, and oh-so-stylish take on both bridalwear and table design that comes in two parts. The colours are incredible – stark white and gold with pops of deep emerald in Part 1 of the shoot and teal in Part 2 – and the geo details are fabulous, from the gold backdrop to the table decor to the cake. Oh, the cake! Add in some statement paper succulents, bold makeup, and a lush organic bouquet, and you have something really special. I especially love the fashion choices here, because as we discovered a couple of weeks ago, bridal pantsuits are so hot right now! And the kimono top and tulle skirt combo in Part 2 is just as amazing. So, let’s get inspired!

Brick & Blush Wedding Inspiration

4 August, 2016 by gaby

Hey there lovelies – hope you all had a good day off yesterday and got out there and voted! I’m stuck in bed with a cold (boooo!), but I’m being cheered up no end by today’s gorgeous editorial, which takes a French industrial glam style, and has filled my page with pretty. Photographer Susan du Toit and stylist Pebble and Lace led a team of talented pros in creating this one, inspired by the new venue, Lace on Timber. The name says it all really – delicious contrast of soft and strong, rough and smooth. We’re loving the whimsical mix of vintage elements, soft blooms (that bouquet though!), copper touches, and of course plenty of candlelight and lace. And let’s not forget the sweetest gold cake, and two seriously gorgeous gowns. Sigh!

Paper Couture Wedding Inspiration

1 August, 2016 by gaby

It’s a new month, you guys! That means a new editorial theme, and BOY am I excited about this one! This August, we’re all about the fashionable and the fabulous, hot trends and haute couture, and everything Vogue. We’ll be featuring some avant garde ideas, some fresh-from-the-runways inspiration, but also plenty of achievable ways to make your wedding fashion forward without losing sight of the fact that it’s a wedding and not a show. We’ll be spotlighting designers both local and international, breaking down the hottest trends, and most excitingly for me, I have the most INSANELY amazing styled shoots to share (alongside our usual crop of beautiful real weddings, of course). Starting with this absolute showstopper. I can’t think of a better way to kick things off than with this high concept editorial by Samantha Clifton and her very talented team, including Blank Canvas Event Design and paper genius Hermien from PLANK Create, who created a whole shoot around the idea of using paper as fabric on your wedding day. You heard me – paper. And if you already think you know what paper can do, just wait until you see what they came up with, because from headpieces to bouquets to clothing to giant angel wings, each piece is not just beautiful (and recyclable!) but a totally covetable work of art. And if you can’t wear art on your wedding day, when can you? I’m blown away by the whole thing, and I know you will be too!

Sunset Selfie Couple Shoot

23 July, 2016 by gaby

We don’t usually post on Saturdays, but I couldn’t wait another minute to share this couple shoot, which might be one of the most unique I’ve ever seen! For one thing, the couple shot it themselves. Yep, that’s right, you heard me – this is basically the couple shoot equivalent of a selfie, but soooooooo much better. Steph and Elaine are photographers themselves, the powerhouse duo behind Dust and Dreams Photography, and when it came to their eight year anniversary, they wanted to do something a bit different. “We wanted something that wasn’t bought but still tangible – an heirloom,” Elaine says. “And as we have been taking our own pictures long before the word ‘selfie’ even existed (and have an ancient tripod to prove it!) We decided on a couple’s shoot for ourselves instead of the traditional gift of bronze or pottery.” The results are gorgeous, intimate, fun – and completely unique! Plus, who can resist the couple’s sweet pups who make a guest appearance? So enjoy, and here’s hoping your weekend is filled with moments as full of love and laughter as these are.

Candlelight & Roses Romantic Boudoir Inspiration

4 July, 2016 by gaby

It’s the start of a new month editorially on SBB, and if you’re the kind of bride who’d describe her style as classic and romantic, you’re going to love it! This month we’re focusing on the timeless and the traditional, with a heavy helping of romance. So what better way to kick it off than with lace, candlelight and roses? This styled boudoir session by Nadia of Wildflower Photography and her team of talented creatives pays tribute to those moments of sweet serenity before a wedding day begins, just a bride in her boudoir. I do love a pretty boudoir session and this one has all the most gorgeous ingredients – love letter-style stationery, evergreen wreaths, macarons, beautiful soft light. All wedding mornings should be as lovely as this one!