Category: Styled Shoots

Urban Johannesburg Bridal Shoot

by gaby

Hello lovelies! Things are all a bit hectic behind the scenes here at SBB, as I put the finishing touches on my course material for The Editorial Wedding, which is happening next week. So excited to show you what we have been up to – and photographers, if you haven’t booked yet, tomorrow’s your last chance! It’s going to be an awesome day, and I’m particularly excited to be co-hosting it with a photographer who I admire not only for her beautiful, colourful, crisp photography and ability to capture the moment, but for her business savvy as well. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know Anneli Marinovich over the last year, and I’m so happy to have her as one of SBB’s sponsors – anyone still looking for a wedding photographer in SA for the end of this year should give her a shout. Anneli is so enthusiastic about her work and the industry, and she makes it very easy for her subjects to relax. She’s also a true creative, and loves taking on new projects and shooting different things. I always love sharing her work here on SBB, and today we have a gorgeous urban bridal shoot that she did in Newtown, Johannesburg. I love the mixture of soft, romantic bridalwear (not to mention gorgeous Jannie Baltzer headpieces) with the industrial urban backdrop, and the way Anneli has her model interacting with the Joburg architecture. It would make for an awesome rock the frock – just sayin’! Anyway, big welcome to Anneli as always, and enjoy!Read More

Spring Engagement Shoot

by gaby

I can’t think of a more perfect shoot to share with you today, as we head into the Easter weekend. Easter has kind of sneaked up on me this year, but I’ve decided to take tomorrow off (for once) and try to switch off and relax a bit. Before I do, I’m so excited to share this spring styled engagement shoot from awesome photographer Louise Vorster with you. Best of all, the bride-to-be Nicole is a huge fan of SouthBound Bride – which obviously makes us a big fan of hers – especially since she pulled together such an adorable set-up to celebrate her upcoming marriage to fiance Andre. I am especially smitten by the little chicks – aren’t they the cutest? I know that Easter isn’t really spring in SA, but if it gives you an excuse to grab your loved one and set up a super sweet pastelly country style picnic, I say do it. And even better if you can get a photographer like Louise to capture it all perfectly.Read More

Modern Pastels Styled Shoot

by gaby

I have such lovely inspiration to share with you all this afternoon! When photographer Veronique Mills got in touch to share this lovely styled shoot she put together with Just Jack at Landtscap, I jumped at the chance to share their take on modern pastels (set beautifully against the clean blank canvas that is Landtscap). I loved the candy colours (how cute are those milkshakes?) and the opaque painted vases, and I especially loved that Veronique explained the table had been DIYed for less than R500 – you can see a full breakdown of her costs at the end. That’s the great thing about a good styled shoot – you can take one or two elements are really make them your own, like DIY vases, or using napkins for pops of colour, or even the pretty pastel nails the models are sporting! And the cherry on top? That CAKE. I think it might be my favourite Nelle Cakes creation yet!Read More

Urban Ballerina Styled Shoot

by gaby

Good morning, friends! We have some fabulous inspiration for you this Friday, starting with a gorgeous inspiration shoot all the way from Canada! Mona Abo Said of Birds & Honey Events dreamed up this lovely shoot – a fuse of urban red brick chic and modern styling with a ballerina-esque bride, and a few dreamy vintage touches (the quote from Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourites!). Love it. I also love the cake with all its many ‘I do’s – so joyful! Thanks so much for sharing, Mona!Read More

A French Affair

by gaby

We start this Thursday morning with a styled shoot that I have a feeling many of you brides to be are going to love. My inspiration boards request folder is always full of pastel colour schemes – this year particularly soft pinks and greens – candy colours that go gently on the eye and evoke the kind of wedding so many little girls dream of. With vintage here to stay, things are moving away from Victorian vintage a little but keeping the intricate prettiness of detailing, and that’s just what today’s shoot embodies for me. Stylist Jade Snyman of Jade Customised Events has even given it a French twist – a little bit Paris, a little bit Versailles. Loveliness! There are so many stealable details – the rock candy place names, the dresser dessert bar, the touch of lace on the monogram flag stationery, the perfume favours (so French, non?). My cheeky favourite is the bride’s pastel nails – aren’t they just the cutest touch? Inspiration aplenty, and lovely pics by Christine W.Read More

Sparkle & Blush

by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! It’s time for Part 2 of today’s Sparkle & Blush fest. Hopefully you won’t be tired of seeing this shoot already, but I couldn’t resist doing a full post of all my favourite images (some that you won’t have seen before). That said, I’ll shut up and let you enjoy them! ;)Read More

Beach Blush

by gaby

This afternoon I’m sharing some styled shoot inspiration, courtesy of Joanne Markland and The Mosaic Wedding Company, with a team of talented colleagues from the Nuptian Network of Associated Wedding Specialists. I love seeing industry peeps pulling together, and it’s been a real pleasure to see more styled shoots coming out of South Africa this last season – they’re such a great way to generate ideas and beautiful, inspiring, editorial imagery! This look is particularly do-able, and is the perfect look for a bride who’s having a laid back beach wedding but still wants a classic, romantic look. Simple, lush single blooms combine with natural textures like shells and white stones, with a touch of aqua blue glass from vintage bottles. There’s also a touch of fun with stripey blue straws, cute little cupcakes and the general palette of pink and aqua (which you can amp up or down depending on where on the fun/classic scale you prefer to lie). Add a swishy dress, and you’re set!Read More

Victoria Grech Masterclass Styled Shoot

by gaby

Hello again, SouthBound Brides! After my feature on this event this morning, it’s time to share the professional results. As I said earlier, we were so lucky to have the experience we did – I know lots of pro photographers who would kill to get to shoot three beautiful table setups and four models for their portfolio!

The models themselves had very different looks, from 1920s to Hollywood glam, to romantic and boho. Their dresses were from Bruce Oldfield and Sassi Holford, with gorgeous accessories by Hermione Harbutt and rings from Taylor & Co.. Aren’t they stunning?Read More

Winter Gold {Plus DIY details + special offer}

by gaby

You guys, I am doing such a happy dance as I post this feature today! It has been a long while coming, and I am thrilled to finally be able to share it with you. See, this isn’t just a beautiful shoot that someone sent me, I was actually there for this one. I saw it put together from scratch. I even helped make it happen a little. Not that it’s my shoot – ‘assisted’ is the key term here. All of this shimmery, wintery loveliness comes straight from the imagination of styling queen Louise Beukes of b.loved (how pretty must it be inside her mind?) as well as the lens of Liesl Cheney. It’s all about making your guests feel cozy while at the same time sweeping them up Narnia-style into a world of snowflakes and pinecones and sophisticated elegance. And now’s a good time for me to say how proud I am of everything Louise has achieved. A couple of years ago, she approached me as a SouthBound Bride herself, and told me she wanted to start a blog. I thought it was a great idea. Then she told me she wanted to be a stylist, and I thought that was an even better one. The result is not only daily eye candy on her fabulous blog, but a portfolio that is just busting at the seams with loveliness. This was one of her first shoots, so you can see she hit the ground running. Oh, and the reason we didn’t show it to you earlier? Only because it was too busy being featured in UK magazine You & Your Wedding.Read More

Christmas Decor Inspiration

by gaby

Good morning, friends! I usually keep things to weddings here on SBB, but with many of you having your last day in the office today, I couldn’t help but make an exception and include this lovely, rustic Christmas table from the ladies at Green Goddess Flower Studio, Coral and Chantell. I’m a HUGE sucker for the holidays, but sometimes it’s nice to take a fresh look at Christmas decor, especially for a sunny season as we have in South Africa. I’ve always been the one in charge of the Christmas table (mostly because I was well into my 30s before my mom would let me anywhere near the kitchen), and I would love to put together something like this for the family next time – the bright orange of the pincushion protea is evocative of the richness of traditional Christmas colours, but combined with aqua and soft neutrals, is all sunny days. I love the rough hewn wood of the hearts and angels, the fun gold touches (especially the hippo – EVERY Christmas should have a hippo!), the succulents and especially the way that the blocks create visual interest with varying heights for the centrepiece, raising the look (literally!) to something extra special. Sadly, this year I won’t be home for Christmas, but I’ll just have to look at these pics to feel some summer Christmas inspiration, and I hope you will too! For those of you leaving us until the New Year – drive safe and be smart, and have a truly wonderful festive season!Read More