Real Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Bright & Colourful Country Wedding at Bergland by Adele Kloppers

18 May, 2017 by gaby

Today’s bride had such a unique approach to her wedding colour palette and I LOVE it. Emma didn’t want to look back on her wedding in twenty years and wish she hadn’t picked this or that colour that was trendy at the time, but was now super dated (OMG that is sooooo 2017). So she picked all the colours. Bright, fun, summery pinks and purples and reds and yellows and greens, and you know what? It looks amazing. Effortlessly elegant, and filled with sweet details like a naked cake, a foliage monogram installation, and greenery chandeliers that look like they’re raining hearts. Zander and Emma are completely adorable, and the laid back vibe and mix of colours reflect their joy and happiness, captured with heart by photographer Adele Kloppers.

Pretty in Pink Wedding at Palala by Charl van der Merwe

16 May, 2017 by gaby

There are bush weddings, and then there is this pretty as a picture game lodge celebration in shades of blush and candy pink, captured to perfection by Charl van der Merwe. Picture a classic affair, overflowing with lush blooms, with touches of gold, its glam elegance contrasting with the rustic scenery. Then imagine a beautiful bride in a breathtaking illusion lace gown, flower girls in froths of rouge, groomsmen in stylish navy, and a handsome groom whose eyes light up at the sight of his wife-to-be. It’s the dream, isn’t it? Well, with Leona and Christopher’s big day, it’s a reality. And while we don’t have their story to share with you today, these romantic images really do speak for themselves.

Glamorous Floral Wedding at Groenrivier by Michelle du Toit

10 May, 2017 by gaby

I know some of you brides don’t consider yourselves ‘flower people’, and that’s just fine – a wedding should be all about your personal tastes after all. But for me, beautiful blooms are a must-have. Seeing gorgeous florals just makes me so darn happy, and really adds a particular magic to any wedding design. Today’s bride Ineke and her sweetie Marco felt the same way, and I’m so glad they did because the end result is spectacular! Adorned with perfectly pink peonies, elegant orchids and punchy greens, plus touches of glam rose gold, this Groenrivier affair is just chock-full of loveliness, straight from the lens of Michelle du Toit. And I have to give a special shout-out to Marco, who is absolutely rocking the perfect plum blazer to complement his beautiful new wife’s incredible cascade bouquet!

Spring Sophistication Wedding at Avianto by L’Afrique Photography

4 May, 2017 by gaby

Gugulethu and Kudzai’s wedding at Avianto in Johannesburg was not only glam and sophisticated (I mean, just take a look at the bride’s princess dress – she looks like she belongs in a castle!), but it was also a day filled with family and heartfelt sentiment. And no wonder really, when the couple had one of those incredible love stories that’s pretty much love at first sight. Surrounded by their family and friends, and the Italianate backdrop of Avianto, as well as hundreds of sparkling fairy lights, this was one for the fairytale books, all captured by the fab folks at L’Afrique Photography.

Shweshwe Game Lodge Wedding at Kuthaba by Liesl le Roux

3 May, 2017 by gaby

You know what I love to bits? This couple. Seriously, Dominique and Jason are so much a pair after my own heart, a twosome who love the South African bushveld and know how to throw a great party. Oh, and let’s not leave out Dominique’s love of shweshwe, which she used throughout their gorgeous wedding. Throw in a team of awesome wedding pros making the big day happen in the heat of Limpopo summer (including fab photographer Liesl le Roux), proteas, little gold safari animals, and a dreamy dress, and you have a wedding that’s as SouthBound-fabulous as you can possibly imagine! Game lodge brides and grooms take note – this is how to do a bush wedding oh so right.

Dreamy Rustic Wedding at Lezar Opstal by Stella Uys

2 May, 2017 by gaby

Oh Stella Uys. You know what makes a blogger’s (and a bride’s!) heart happy. The way that each of your weddings is filled with one perfect, light-filled image after another… oh my. Fanie and Chanté’s dreamy countryside celebration is certainly no exception. The bride’s vision – centred around soft colours, rustic textures, and personal details – came together perfectly. In fact there’s no better expression of this month’s editorial theme: Rustic Elegance. But really, what steals my heart every time I look at it are those golden, romantic portraits. Readers, read on…

Pincushion Protea Wedding Feast at Cheerio Gardens by Charl Van Der Merwe

20 April, 2017 by gaby

At one stage when I was creating SouthBound Bride I considered giving it a name with ‘protea’ in the title. Not that I ever came up with a good one, but it would have been pretty darn appropriate since as you know, we loooove proteas around these here parts. Today we’re talking pincushions, with a wedding that uses these beautifully unusual blooms against lush greenery and soft charcoal for their bright pops of orange colour, and boy does it ever work! Add in elegant rustic style elements – slate boards, wooden tables, chalkboard signage – and you have yourself a real pretty party! And then with Charl Van Der Merwe‘s lovely pics… well, see Derek and Jana’s big day for yourself – and enjoy!

Country Wedding with a Touch of Delft at Cavalli Estate by Lindy Truter

13 April, 2017 by gaby

A sweet soiree sprinkled with personal touches that reflect a couple’s lives and journey together is a wedding after my own heart, and that’s a fact. Kirsty and Brandon’s wedding was one of those days. From the Delft touches which not only provided the pretty blue and white colour scheme but reflected their love for Amsterdam, to the favours (a reference to Brandon’s proposal) to the table names and flowers, to the recurring mentions of their dogs, everything about it was authentic as well as lovely to look at. And I just have to mention the gorgeous stationery by our friends at Blooming Wonderful because hello, Delft delight! It’s the perfect country wedding celebration to sit down with this fine Thursday, captured on camera by Lindy Truter!

Vibrant Country Wedding at Bergland Venue by MVZ Photography

11 April, 2017 by gaby

Today’s real wedding is one of those magic celebrations that, beyond being pretty (and with wreaths and flower crowns and pops of aubergine it certainly is that!) has a bunch of personality, and just looks like the kind of event you’d love to attend as a guest. And for me, that usually goes back to the bride and groom, and their personalities. So much of the lovely Alte-Maré and Jéan’s happy courtship was spent on the dancefloor, so it was no wonder that not only did music play a big role in their wedding day (with carefully selected, non-traditional choices for those big moments like the bride’s entrance) but that the whole day was relaxed and fun – a feast of family and food and of course, dancing. MVZ Photography captured these special moments.

Top Tips for Planning a Beach Wedding

14 March, 2017 by gaby

Image: Deborah-Ann Photography/Wildeflower on SouthBound Bride

Hello friends! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, so my apologies for being so scarce on SBB. I’ve been working on a Kickstarter campaign for Aisle Society that is just seven days away from deadline and wow – what an experience! I’d love it if you all would check it out and consider supporting us (even $1 is very much appreciated!). But meanwhile, I’ve been dying to bring you the beachy inspiration I have lined up, especially since I’m heading for the Caribbean tomorrow for the Aisle Society retreat! So beach is very much on my mind ;) Beach weddings, I have to tell you, are a huge favourite of mine – although I’ve yet to actually attend one in person, *sad face*. I just adore the whole feet in the sand, relaxed but elegant vibe. But while planning a beach wedding IS fun, it does have challenges that other weddings do not. There’s a lot to think about to ensure everything goes off smoothly, so here are SBB’s top tips for the perfect beach wedding.