It’s the last day of the month, and since June has been dedicated to all things wintery, we just had to end it with some cozy winter inspiration. When I saw this gorgeous shoot by Jenna Joseph Photography and Kelsey Rae Designs, I was immediately smitten with the gorgeous and unusual colour palette they chose – a warm cinnamon brown with a beautiful stormy blue, which for me reflects both the cool weather and the warm comforts of a winter wedding. Add in some antique lace to match the bride’s stunning dress, a mix of natural elements and copper luxe ones, and a romantic calligraphy runner, and you have something special in the tablescape department. And let’s not forget the cakes, because OMG hello, cinnamon roll cake! Just the sweetest idea ever, perfectly matched with a copper-brushed blue vanilla latte creation – YUM. From the palette to the details, there’s so much fresh inspiration here for your winter soiree, captured to perfection in Jenna’s lovely pics. Pour yourself a cup of something warming, snuggle up and enjoy!
Maybe it’s from watching too many movies, but when I think about wedding dress shopping, I picture a charming little shop full of soft light and plush chairs and flowers and champagne – a place where dreams are made, and where somewhere in amongst the silk, tulle and lace, that perfect wedding dress is just waiting for you to try it on and fall crazy in love, and share that amazing moment with your mum or best friend. Sadly, reality sometimes falls short of the fantasy. So you can imagine how thrilled I was last year to discover the most wonderful little boutique right here in Durban, tucked in amongst the leafy streets of Westville that I know so well. Toujours Wedding Houseis an absolute gem – a light, bright studio nestled off a sunny courtyard, with just the right amount of chic understated detail to let the gowns, veils and accessories take centre stage. Guiding her brides through their experience is owner Tracey Laubscher, who you immediately warm to like she’s an extra bridesmaid, and who knows and cherishes each dress in her collection like a favourite song. I couldn’t wait to go back to the boutique to do a special little tour, together with the talented Eileen Laubscher of Bright Girl Photography. We spent our morning drinking tea, shooting these beautiful images, and chatting to Tracey about what makes Toujours such a special place…
We’ve been loving everything blue on SBB throughout May, but I’ve been holding on to this little blue beauty right until the end and I’m so thrilled to share it with you all! And it’s actually the most perfect way to transition to next month’s theme – winter – because this shoot was inspired by snow and frost and blizzard, by ice queens and snow princesses, to create an enchanting wintery world that Elsa herself would be at home in. A super talented local team, headed by photographer Debbie Lourens, stylist Blank Canvas, and Leipzig Floral Design, created something really special here, with the details that range from practical to whimsical, and from pretty to fantastic. The gowns are incredible, the setup divine, and hello, headpieces!
Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of my all-time favourite places on earth. Back in my mid-twenties I went there on what we dubbed the ‘blonde roadtrip’ – three blondes in a convertible, ten days, just driving the coast and stopping over where we liked. It was awesome (except, maybe, for the actual driving part). Because fun! But also because it’s seriously one of the most beautiful places you will ever get to visit, with amazing food, and lovely people, and and and. Heaven, basically. So when my friend, Anneli Marinovich, attended a photography workshop (Moda e Arte) there a while back, I was super envious! And now I’m missing Amalfi all over again, as I get to share these beautiful images that Anneli took at the workshop, which was styled by the insanely talented Joy Proctor. We see our couple through their wedding to their clifftop reception, and on to their stylish honeymoon – in a convertible of course! It’s the perfect ‘something blue’ to finish off the week, and fit into our theme this month! Thanks for sharing, Anneli!
Maree Louw of Natural Light Photography has a way with the camera that just makes me melt – since the beginning of SBB, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing her work and marveling at her magic touch, and just how romantic every image is. Today we’re sharing one of Maree’s styled shoots, and this one’s extra special, because it marks a new chapter for her, that of film photography. For years, I’ve been enviously watching all of those incredible overseas photographers who work only or mostly in film, while in South Africa we’ve only had one or two (very talented) folks with this offering. To see another of my favourite snappers make this step makes me so happy, and I hope that in the next few years more photographers (and crucially, more brides and grooms) will opt for fine art film weddings, or a combination of film and digital, so that this aspect of local photography can flourish. But back to this shoot, because it is absolutely dreamy – the kind of pretty that makes me want to get pinning straight away. Lush florals, calligraphy, vintage elements, a touch of gold – and an adorable mint ruffled cake. To bring her vision to life, Maree worked with a brilliant team, including Anli Wahl, My Green Love Affair, Nikki Albertyn and Vicky of Mocholoco (herself a real SouthBound bride!), who also acted as the model. Let’s get inspired!
When my dear friend Louise, stylist extraordinaire and editor of B.LOVED, mentioned that she would be a guest at the EWC Workshop in the Netherlands and that for the shoot she was creating she had taken her inspiration from Delft pottery, I was super excited to see the results – not just because Louise’s shoots are always amazing, but because I love Delft, and of course it has a South African connection as well with some of our Dutch history. It’s a beautiful accent to a wedding (one that I’ve been lucky enough to feature in real weddings a couple of times) and of course, the perfect ‘something blue’! So when I picked the theme for May, I immediately thought of this shoot, and was delighted that Louise agreed to share it with the lovely SouthBound readers! Light, bright and blue-tiful, it’s a romantic and elegant take on the theme, with spectacular spring flowers, two gorgeous dresses (one of them the most beautiful shade of blue!), and of course, Delft making an appearance on the tables as well as being reflected in the oh-so-pretty cakes and biscuits. I honestly can’t think of a prettier take on a blue palette, or of any way that the pictures by Anouschka Rokebrand could be any more beautiful!
With a new month, comes a new editorial theme here on SouthBound Bride, and in May we’re focusing on ‘Something Blue’ – or rather, many somethings blue and somethings beautiful. We have some absolutely gorgeous inspiration coming your way, and we’re kicking it off today with a breathtaking styled shoot from one of South Africa’s most talented creative duos, Rensche Mari photography and Eve Poplett of Splendid Wedding Company. The editorial, which was shot on film and digital, took place in a real secret garden, and features a beautiful bride (model Daisy May, made up to perfection by Antonia Gregoriou) in the dreamiest watercolour floral print Silver Swallow gown, stunning florals, and a table decked out in the softest shade of blue. I adore everything about it, and I can’t think of a better way to start our month!
As we come to the end of our month of industrial chic, I couldn’t resist slipping in one last lovely styled shoot with an urban theme, this time courtesy of fabulous SBB Directory member Blue Olive Events, and their team of Gauteng creatives. I’m fascinated with the Maboneng District as a wedding venue – it’s so achingly COOL, and the images from this shoot and from real weddings I have seen there in the past tell such a story of Johannesburg city romance. It’s no wonder that it was the inspiration for this editorial, which includes so many gorgeous details – a cake display to die for (macaron tower! copper dusted cake!), adorable cut-out cityscape stationery, lush florals, copper and Edison bulbs, a vintage car and OMG not one but two amazing Silver Swallow dresses. The palette is a sophisticated twist on Pantone Serenity and Rose Quartz, with the addition of that rich copper metallic and deep Marsala reds and greens, which really makes it stand out (and would be perfect for an autumn wedding!). And finally, let’s not forget the honeycomb table plan display – we do love an installation! It’s the perfect mix of modern and vintage, soft and hard, glam and industrial, beautifully captured by Christiaan David.
Happy Monday, lovelies! And it is indeed a happy Monday for me, because today I get to share something that’s really close to my heart and which, as I come up to the six year anniversary of founding SBB, has me feeling ever so proud and excited for the future! Over the last months, you’ve heard me mention Aisle Society, and you may remember that a couple of months ago I was lucky enough to go and hang out with my fellow Aisle Society bloggers in the Bahamas (more on that soon!), but you may have been wondering exactly what IS this new website? Is it just a new wedding blog? Well, the answer to that is no – Aisle Society is actually a curation of more than 30 of the world’s best wedding bloggers’ content, updated daily. Think of it as a hub – a place to go and find any kind of inspiration your wedding-loving heart desires, and then ultimately follow that link and see more of the things that inspire you. The AS bloggers come from all over, and we cover a huge range of different niches, from fashion-based inspiration to location or wedding style. And because the content’s already been featured on our own sites, you know it’s quality. Like the cream of Pinterest. Plus, you get to curate your own feed – not have it dictated to you by the kind of algorithms that everyone from Facebook to Instagram now employs. You can add certain bloggers or themes or colours or whatever you like to ‘your society’ and then, when you find a supplier that you love, not only find their information right there, but you can also make an enquiry. It’s awesome, and this afternoon I’m going to be giving you some practical step by step advice on how to plan your wedding using AS, but first, I wanted to share some gorgeous inspiration (because that’s what we’re here for, of course!). This is the Aisle Society brand shoot, created by two of the amazing founder members, Lauren of Every Last Detail and Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs, and a brilliant, beautiful team of creatives and models. I’m also delighted to be featuring Alexis June Weddings, whose photography I have loved from afar since, like, ever, and who I got to hang out with in the Bahamas as well. SO – enough from me. Let’s get our swoon on, shall we?
Happy Monday, brideys! We’re continuing on with our month of industrial inspiration with a gorgeous editorial that’s part fashion-inspired, part modern industrial, and all fabulous! Influenced by New York Fashion Week, it has a masculine-meets-feminine vibe that’s perfect for a city wedding, and a striking base palette of black, white, grey and gold with pops of amethyst, emerald and periwinkle. Alongside lush florals and crystal geode details, are industrial elements like custom dipped Edison bulbs, concrete vases, and an urban chic setting. And don’t get me started on the stationery! Such gorgeous watercolour, fashion illustration style pieces, reflected beautifully in the statement cake, and of course the very stylish brides’ monochrome dress (that dress!) and suit (those shoes!). There’s even a cute little mini bar serving old fashioned Aviation cocktails! There’s loads to inspire, thanks to Jeff Brummett Visuals, Grit + Gold and their very talented team.
