Real Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Alice in Wonderland Inspired Elopement by Andries Combrink & Runaway Romance

16 November, 2016 by gaby

I have a special place in my wedding-loving heart for elopements. There’s something so utterly romantic about the idea of two people taking this moment away from the rest of the world for just them, to promise their forevers wrapped up in one another with no distractions, and bask in the glow of the moment, seeing it reflected in each other’s eyes. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but a beautiful wedding à deux always makes me smile. And I know someone else who loves these kinds of weddings as much as I do – the lovely Rebecca of Runaway Romance, who has made it her mission as a wedding planner to focus on more intimate celebrations and bring them a special kind of magic through her love of detail and styling. After all, just because it’s only the two of you, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t look amazing! Today’s wedding is just that. Theuns and Ewalda chose to infuse their elopement with their love of literature in general and Alice in Wonderland in particular, and the result is a wonderfully whimsical celebration with the sweetest of details, from paper flowers (mixed in with red roses, of course!), to Scrabble tile elements, to a custom ceremony backdrop that proclaimed ‘It was always you’. Told you elopements were romantic! Andries Combrink was there to capture the whole thing on film.

Protea Pink Country Wedding at Cranford Country Lodge by Kate Martens

10 November, 2016 by gaby

I’m so delighted to be sharing today’s wedding with you all, I feel like I might break into song (I won’t, don’t worry). Zoë & Mike’s big day is the quintessential country wedding, filled with bunting and lace and proteas and hundreds of origami cranes. It has the sweetest love story, the prettiest blush palette, and a dreamy Robyn Roberts lace gown. It’s relaxed and rustic, and full of love and laughter. It’s all these wonderful things. But it’s also a chance for me to show off one of my absolute favourite venues, Cranford Country Lodge. Cranford is part of the SBB Collection – our growing collection of the venues we recommend because they each have something truly special. For Cranford, that something special is a feeling of authentic country charm, the warmest of farm welcomes, genuine hospitality. With a mix of spectacular rural scenery and rustic chic ceremony and reception spaces, it’s also gorgeous, which makes it pretty much the perfect Natal Midlands wedding venue. The kind of place that feels like a home. For a couple like Zoë & Mike, who wanted their guests to share in their laid back, intimate vibe, it was perfect. And with Kate Martens there to shoot these lovely images… well. Take a peek for yourself.

Winter Rustic Glamour Wedding at The Conservatory by Karina Conradie

9 November, 2016 by gaby

Who doesn’t love a long distance love story? We all know how difficult these can be, and how much patience and hard work goes into a union where you have to rely on alternate forms of communication, and limited time in person, to get to know one another. So I think it takes a really special connection to make its way past that, and Janine and Francois clearly have just such a connection. Together at last, they celebrated their wedding with a beautiful, jewel toned, festival atmosphere wedding at the stunning Conservatory in Franschhoek, filling the reception with DIY details (including Japanese moss balls called kokedamas), and mixing rustic style with a touch of opulence in both palette and details (I especially love the cake and the maroon bridesmaids’ gowns including a couple by our newest directory members, Jacoba). So pretty, you guys! Karina Conradie took these beautiful pictures.

Autumn Greenery DIY Wedding at Bell Amour by Those Photos

4 November, 2016 by gaby

There’s nothing I love more than a country wedding filled with fynbos and laughter and love, especially when that wedding was handmade by all the special people in the couple’s life, just for them. Pieter and Renée’s wedding was just that, and it set the tone for a sweetly personal affair in the cool air of autumn, embellished with a host of darling DIYs. But my favourite part? That incredible, intense moment when bride and groom see each other for the first time at each end of the aisle. Tears! And the way they look at each other in every lovely frame by Those Photos, you just know they’re the real deal.

Floral & Metallic Wedding at Zorgvliet by Cheryl McEwan

2 November, 2016 by gaby

You all know by now that I love lush, beautiful floral arrangements, and you definitely know I love anything glittering and gold. Put the two together? I’m in blogger heaven, floating around like a cherub, on a cloud of pretty, playing my happy harp. That’s what Erin and Rob’s wedding is full of – luxe berry tone florals throughout, touches of gold and rose gold (including the bridesmaids’ glitzy cocktail dresses!). With a breathtaking tulle gown, an abundance of romantic winelands scenery, and the most darling little details, like gold-sprayed pears at every setting, it’s lovely to the max, and with SBB fave Cheryl McEwan behind the camera, the puzzle is complete!

Elegant Minimalist Wedding at Tokara by Kikitography

1 November, 2016 by gaby

Just in case you needed any more reason to love Bright & Beautiful after yesterday’s Halloween wedding inspiration, let me introduce you to this adorable real wedding. Carla and Quintin’s taste was simple and refined – these high school sweethearts let the incredible natural beauty of the Cape winelands and their venue, Tokara, take centre stage, and just added complementary details – armfuls of white flowers and greenery, a drop dead gorgeous two-piece convertible Anna Georgina wedding dress, incredible food from the Tokara kitchens, a naked cake. And the pictures… oh the pictures! Kikitography have done a brilliant job as ever with the most beautiful golden autumn light you can imagine. Warning: dreaminess levels high.

Bijoux Botanical Wedding at Lalapanzi Lodge by Michelle du Toit

27 October, 2016 by gaby

There’s an expression I always remember from one of my favourite films, that goes: Simple may not always be best, but the best is always simple. That’s what I think about when I come across weddings like Carla & Bruce’s, that take an idea (in this case, greenery with a touch of gold) and make it incredibly elegant. Add in a romantic forest ceremony in the most beautiful surroundings, natural elements like glass and wood, and little personal touches like olive oil favours and a tribute to their missing loved ones, and you have something really special. You won’t be surprised to know that I’m in love with Carla’s wild, organic style bouquet, which worked so beautifully with her Robyn Roberts gown, or that I think Michelle du Toit‘s swoony photography is the final, perfect touch! Simple just became extraordinary.

Bohemian Lovefest Wedding by Bold As Love

25 October, 2016 by gaby

I love a wedding that tells a story about who the couple are, and Sam and Mike’s wedding is definitely that kind of celebration. Hello, it’s a self titled Bohemian Love Festival! From the bride’s stunningly unique hand crocheted wedding gown, to the all natural vibe of the bride’s family wine farm where they were married (fynbos galore, which I love), to the love parade from ceremony to reception, it’s a boho bride’s dream. But more importantly, it’s Sam and Mike’s dream, and I love how you can feel their personalities coming through in every detail, just like their joy is plain to see. Hewitt Wright captured these lovely images.

Copper & Green Wedding at The Red Barn by Those Photos

20 October, 2016 by gaby

There are some couples you can tell had a lot of fun planning their wedding, and Francois & Illana are one of those. These lovebirds opted for a weekend wedding in breathtakingly beautiful Dullstroom, and got their family and friends to help them create the DIY details for their dream day, which gave everyone a feeling of personal involvement in the wedding. With copper elements, including vases made of piping and filled with herbs, fairy lights, wood and candles creating a warm, intimate atmosphere, as well as the loveliest pictures by Those Photos, this is a festive fete to feast on! And when you’re done scrolling through the pics, be sure to check out the video by the wonderful White Motion Films, and then check out their profile and show reel in our directory!

Cozy & Elegant Wedding at 401 Rozendal by Justin Davis

13 October, 2016 by gaby

One look at this cozy winelands wedding and you can see it’s drop dead gorgeous. Understated, yes, with its elegant navy, grey and plenty of white colour palette, but still completely showstopping. Just look at bride Chantelle’s white peony bouquet, or her beautiful lace dress, or the reception hall dripping with chandeliers and hanging glass bulbs. But I think what I like best about Christian and Chantelle’s design is that, even though they used classic elements and a sophisticated vibe, they managed to make their whole day also feel warm and welcoming and cozy – perfect for a winter wedding where you want your guests to feel right at home. And let’s not forget personal, because this pair paid attention to the little details as a way to tell their story, like the surfboard boutonnieres that mirrored the (completely adorable!) story of Christian’s proposal. Justin Davis was on the scene to capture all this winter wedding wonder, and make the fairytale complete.