Styled Shoots - SouthBound Bride

Autumn Bohemian Glow Wedding Inspiration

25 June, 2018 by gaby

We’re off to Plett today with a gorgeous wedding inspiration that brings together a bright and beautiful autumn palette and pairs it with beautiful bohemian details (and dresses!) and super lush florals. I love the touches of dark and moody and luxe styling – black plates, gold flatware, copper details – a great contrast to the more earthy elements. The finishing touch to the shoot is that beautiful sunset glow that shows up in the images. AND of course let’s not forget the black cake with pops of colour AND donuts! There’s so much here for you free-spirited brides and grooms to love! Congrats to the team led by Jacey Searra Photography, Ecozest & Confeti Events – always such a pleasure to share fresh work from our Garden Route friends!

Modern Mansion Bridal Inspiration

15 June, 2018 by gaby

Minimalist brides get ready, because I’m about to blow your socks off with this gorgeously modern, elegant shoot from Kristen Kay Photography! Showing off a carefully curated collection of gowns from Grey Pearl Bridal Gallery by North American designers against the expansive backdrop of a stunning multi-million dollar mansion, this is all about pushing the boundaries while at the same time maintaining a sense of form and harmony. As Kristen says: “I wanted to push myself with shooting film and pushing the film in harsh lighting.” The result is breathtaking!

Autumn Sunlight Wedding Inspiration

11 June, 2018 by gaby

Time for some beautiful inspiration! I’m currently loving the whole fine art look, and today’s styled shoot from SBB faves Kate Bell for Bells & Whistles Event Styling and Stella Uys, as well as a talented back up team of vendors, is a beautiful marriage of that dreamy fine art wedding aesthetic and autumn styling. It has that gorgeous sort of glow too- like early evening, or late summer sunlight, or as Kate so poetically titled it: “the first leaves of fall”. From the triumph of a cake to the beautiful table to the on-trend dry flower bouquet and bridal separates, this is perfect inspiration for an elegant and romantic autumn soiree! All the swoons happening here right now.

Boho Southwestern Desert Wedding Inspiration

8 June, 2018 by gaby

Desert wedding inspiration has been HUGE this year, you guys, and I’m loving it! But while most of the desert wedding shoots I see have an ethereal quality and are all about muted pastels and mixed neutrals, today’s shoot is ALL about the colour. Pops of bright blue, red, yellow, orange, and coral pink to be precise, which work so beautifully against boho neutrals and the South African cacti vegetation. It’s reminiscent of Southwestern style, prevalent in one of my other all time fave places, Santa Fe in New Mexico, and I just love how patterns and textures are used here to create something we don’t usually see in South African wedding design (but which looks right at home). Bravo to the team, including photographer Mila Photography and stylist Iets Niets – you all did a gorgeous job!

Moody Eco Chic Wedding Inspiration

6 June, 2018 by gaby

Dark and moody weddings are one of the most unexpected trends for me, but I have to say, I am loving the way that these rich palettes add something special and unusual to wedding design. Plus, you know how much I love colour, and even though they’re ‘dark’, that’s just the base of black or grey that forms a backdrop to deep reds and purples and greens, or soft mauves and blues – it’s a truly lovely combination. Today’s styled shoot takes this idea and takes it a step further, combining a moody palette with eco chic wedding ideas – LOVE. With so many couples looking for ways that they can make their wedding more earth friendly or sustainable, this team including photographer Debbie Lourens, as well as stylist Happinest Weddings and floral designer Epanouir Flower Studio, have some fresh ideas and bold inspirations. I’m especially loving the watercolor stationery on seeded paper, as well as the ‘living’ elements to the bride’s attire – such a whimsical alternative to a bouquet! Enjoy.

The SouthBound Guide to Brunch Weddings

1 June, 2018 by gaby

I have just one word for brunch weddings: LOVE. Seriously, morning weddings are one of my absolute favourites (and I’ve been to a few in my time too). Yes, evening weddings are fun and you can tear up the dancefloor all night long and have your first dance under the stars. But if that’s not your thing, or if maybe you want a more intimate gathering or a chance to appreciate the daytime beauty of your venue, or even if you just want something a bit more different, then planning a wedding brunch could be perfect for you. Plus, I mean, it’s BRUNCH. Who doesn’t love brunch? And some people ask: are brunch weddings boring? Or, are brunch weddings tacky? And the answer on both counts is definitely no. In fact, with a morning wedding, you have the flexibility to make it as casual or as formal as you wish, and with a shorter timeline, you actually have less time to keep your guests amused. And trust me, nothing keeps them amused like great food and drinks, and brunch style weddings are ALL about the menu (foodie couples rejoice)! Bottom line, morning weddings are awesome, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide full of brunch wedding ideas to help you plan one!
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Sweet Hydrangea Wedding Inspiration

31 May, 2018 by gaby

It may be chilly outside, but when it comes to weddings, my love for pastels is never out of season. Dusty blue is such a key colour this year, and paired with soft pink and pinky-lilac, it makes the most beautiful base for a spring or summer celebration – totally romantic and feminine, but sort of clean and elegant at the same time. So today’s styled shoot from Marilize Coetzee Photography, Some Day and their team had me at hello with the palette, and when you add in lovely details from silk linens to dreamy stationery to a gorgeous cake, as well as a touch of the industrial, you have a truly gorgeous combination!

How to Steal Harry & Meghan’s Royal Wedding Style

20 May, 2018 by gaby

All royal wedding images issued by The Royal Family via Facebook & Instagram

It’s official! Harry and Meghan (aka the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) are married! And with a guest list that meshed Hollywood royalty with actual royalty, the Royal Wedding 2018 is certain to go down as the wedding of the year. I’ve seen lots of mixed opinions about Meghan Markle’s wedding dress and big day style in general but I personally LOVED it – I think the gown was incredibly chic and looked stunnning on her, and that she accessorised it to perfection. I have a feeling it’ll go down as being just as iconic as the gown Princess Catherine wore a few years ago, and I have no doubt that many brides-to-be will be influenced by Meghan’s minimalist elegance, both at the wedding ceremony itself, and at the evening reception, where she wore a halter neck gown and aquamarine cocktail ring. Want to get a bit of Markle sparkle for your big day? Or get your groom kitted out like Harry (minus the military uniform, unless he’s actual in the forces, obvs)? We’ve got you covered! From jewellery to dresses to a classic black tux, here are ten ways you can steal a bit of Harry and Meghan’s wedding style for yourself. *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Boho Desert Wedding Inspiration

7 May, 2018 by gaby

We’re so lucky here in South Africa to have such a range of natural landscapes, from the lush tropical Natal greens I’m surrounded by every day myself, to the shimmering desert textures of the Karoo, and the wild expanses of the bushveld. Today’s shoot celebrates some of that natural beauty, with a palette of matte greens and oranges and yellows with pops of deep red, a backdrop of gorgeous aloes, and rustic, desert-inspired table details and stationery. This makes for such a fabulous wedding inspiration for you brides-to-be to draw from – like a homegrown version of boho chic… especially when you add in the dresses from the Spellekussing Bohemian Bridal range showcased here! I’m a sucker for this kind of wild beauty, photographed here by the talented Natalie Loots!

Dreamy Autumn Wedding Inspiration by Cara Faye Weddings

16 April, 2018 by gaby

Today’s feature reminds me why, when I started SBB, I was so crazy for making inspiration boards – there’s something about playing with colour and creating new and fresh and surprising or interesting combos that just makes my heart sing. And I especially love that when it comes to autumn weddings, which can be very clichéd in terms of palette, deferring to the standard golds and burnt reds and oranges and browns of the falling leaves. But in SA we have a gentler autumn mostly, so it seems only appropriate that maybe our autumn weddings are a little less harsh. Today’s styled shoot by Cara Faye Weddings and her trend-setting team of wedding pros really hits a perfect balance – those traditional autumn tones are in there, but balanced against some super pretty purple and pink tones, along with soft flowers and dreamy textures. It’s gorgeous, and such a perfect way to make an autumn wedding feel both seasonal AND romantic!