Real Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Modern Meets Rustic Jewish Wedding at Cavalli Estate by Gavin Casey

21 July, 2016 by claire

How romantic is this groom? Jenna and Neil tied the knot on Valentine’s Day, which was the groom’s choice as he had the date picked out and the Rabbi booked even before he proposed! This wedding is everything we love about a modern romance: an unlikely meeting, a brief courtship and a heartfelt celebration of breathtaking proportions. Jewish weddings are absolutely beautiful. Every moment of the ceremony is framed by traditions that speak of generations of love stories and the ties that bind families and form new ones. Aside from the traditional elements of the ceremony, there were plenty of quirky and rustic details that perfectly suited the couple’s modern taste. From a burger and boerewors bar to Havaianas for the groomsmen, it was an eclectic mix of creative and personal details woven into the traditional. All of this was seamlessly brought together by the fabulous Quirky Parties, with Gavin Casey behind the camera.

Boho Beach Festival Wedding in Hermanus by Coba Photography

20 July, 2016 by gaby

I can’t help but smile like crazy when looking at this gorgeous celebration of love, hosted festival-style on the beach in Hermanus (which you might also be able to tell from the fact that I included a bumper crop of pics today!). It’s basically the best. Boho goddess bride, bright colours, a fabulously mismatched (and colourful) wedding party, a ceremony on the sand, and a relaxed reception filled with flowers, greenery, and a rainbow of glassware. There are so many adorable, stealworthy ideas dreamed up by this DIY couple: 3D guitar boutonnieres, paint brushes to clean up sandy feet, leather music festival-style bands which doubled up as favours, tiny origami birds used as confetti. I love everything from the rich palette to the donut desserts – and who better than Coba Photography to capture this super fun affair?

Fynbos in the Forest Wedding at Cabbage and Rose by Mila Photography

8 July, 2016 by claire

What more do you need for a down-to-earth, farm style wedding in the Lowveld? A glass chapel in a eucalyptus forest, of course! This unexpected treasure imbues the ceremony area with fairytale charm, creating the perfect setting for tying the knot. Steve and Ilse’s ceremony was blessed with a smattering of rain, just enough to fill the air with that heavenly scent of freshly dampened earth. Everything about this wedding was natural and charming, with a gilding of elegance. The raw wood tables were left bare but adorned with a selection of cut glass and ceramic vases filled with pink roses and an assortment of white flowers and greenery. A wedding at Cabbage and Rose isn’t complete without Frieda’s culinary skills. She produces delectable “plaas kombuis” food and the guests feasted on the simple, full-on-flavour dishes with a distinct, South African touch. If you aren’t already dreaming of a farm wedding under the African sun, delve into these dreamy photos taken by the ever so talented Mila Photography and fill your heart with fynbos and forest romance.

Glamorous Greenery Wedding at Netherwood by Vanilla Photography

6 July, 2016 by gaby

Set amid the emerald hills of the Natal Midlands is this wedding, which defines ‘organic elegance’ to a T. My first glimpse of Kyllie & Tom’s big day was a pic of the bride and her maids – I was completely won over by the mix of wild natural and chic formal style, and when the lovely Bron of Vanilla Photography sent over the rest of her incredible images I knew my instincts had been right on the money! With the amazing Carolyn of Adore Weddings decking out Netherwood in swathes of greenery and white blooms, from Delicious Monster centrepieces to green runners and chandeliers (not to mention the bride’s fabulously oversize foliage bouquet), the organic part of the equation was definitely covered, and combined with Kyllie’s amazing feather-embellished Pronovias gown, the suited-and-booted groom’s party, and that classic monochrome palette, it’s beautiful from start to finish. Special mention to the one spot of bright colour – a Smarties wedding cake! This fun, personal detail is what SBB weddings are all about.

Farm Charm Wedding at Die Klipskuur by Hello Love Photography

1 July, 2016 by gaby

If you’re wondering what a sweet as pie, down-home farm wedding looks like – well, this would be it. Set in Die Klipskuur’s rustic barn, with a colour palette of blush, sage and cream, and pretty handmade details throughout, Anri and Abri’s wedding has all the charm of the farm and little extra magic besides. Details to love include cushions that did double duty as favours and ceremony seating, diagonal drapes on the chairs, a naked brownie cake (YUM!), eucalyptus wreath bouquets for the bridesmaids and teeny tiny veldskoen bouts for the boys (SO adorable!). The wonderful Hello Love Photography, part of the SBB Directory family, was on the scene to capture these darling pictures of the big day.

Intimate Oceanside Wedding at Noetzie Beach by Alfred Lor

29 June, 2016 by gaby

I could use a little beachiness today, to remind me of summer, and this bijoux Garden Route wedding really fits the bill. Infused with sunshine and salty air, Tarryn and Warwick’s ceremony overlooking Noetzie Beach was the first part of their wedding celebrations (with part 2 being a reception at a local wine estate), and it exemplified everything I love about intimate weddings. There’s an incredible feeling of warmth and family and togetherness, exemplified by the way that, at the dinner that followed, each guest made a heartfelt (and tearful!) speech. Tarryn’s dreamy Silver Swallow gown and gold laurel headpiece and Warwick’s pastel blazer were the perfect complement to their laid back wedding style, and that beautiful simplicity carried through to the dinner decor of hanging bunches of fynbos and greenery garlands interspersed with candles – all at a table with the most incredible view of the sea. Alfred Lor was on hand to capture all the natural beauty of this special day.

Modern Romance Wedding at Tokara by Tasha Seccombe

22 June, 2016 by gaby

Not being funny, but I’m pretty sure I have the best job ever. Howcome? Well, because every day I get to read and tell love stories. And look at pretty details, sure, but I like to think the love stories are at the heart of this blog. Today’s wedding features an epic one of those – a transcontinental connection, a tale of (almost) star-crossed lovers and long distance love, and making big decisions and sacrifices, all because Jenna and Philipp felt like when they met, they KNEW. Because they shared an unshakeable believe that what they felt was real. And what could have so easily been a story of ‘the one that got away’ for both of them, came to fruition in a beautiful Stellenbosch vineyard, at a heartfelt ceremony and a modern chic reception – and happily ever after, of course. The lovely Tasha Seccombe captured this fairytale ending in these beautiful images. Also, a very special shoutout to SBB Directory members Bright and Beautiful for the gorgeous florals, especially the bride’s deliciously South African protea bouquet.

Ocean Glitz Wedding at The 12 Apostles Hotel by Aglow Photography

21 June, 2016 by gaby

This wedding had me at hello, and by hello, I definitely mean Michelle’s shut-the-front-door-drop-everything beautiful dress. The images of her and her new husband Bertie floating across the sands of a private beach in that Maggie Sottero gown are the stuff that wedding dreams are made of. And then I got to see the rest of this seriously gorgeous wedding, from the ceremony with a view, to the gently rustic decor to the glittery proteas. GLITTERY PROTEAS, you guys. It’s glamorous and elegant, but so soft and romantic too, and Celeste from Aglow Photography has captured every moment to perfection with her exquisite imagery. LOVE.

Whimsical Rustic Wedding at Goedgedacht Farm by Natural Light Photography

15 June, 2016 by gaby

Candice and Wesley’s big day is the stuff that South African rustic wedding dreams are made of. We’re talking proteas everywhere (including the seriously pretty watercolour stationery), wood cuts at each place setting, gold painted safari animals, heart cookie favours, a menu that included burgers and craft beer on tap, a bride in a gorgeous gown and flower crown, and a cake table positively groaning with treats. Relaxed, whimsical, elegant. And with details like these, plus a sunny day, and the fabulous Maree of Natural Light Photography capturing these images, it’s all kinds of wonderful!

Inspiring Copper & Brights Wedding at The Orchards by Summertown Pictures

8 June, 2016 by gaby

If there were ever a pair to give us #CoupleGoals, then it would be Kelsi & Tim. They’ve already been through more than many couples do in a lifetime, after a near-tragic car accident three years ago left Kelsi with over 20 broken bones, and a long road to recovery, where she had to learn to walk again. Tim was there by her side all the way. Today, Kelsi still struggles with constant pain, but you wouldn’t know it from the positivity, devotion and joy that radiate from the couple, especially on their wedding day. It’s a reminder of what really matters – the love and commitment at the centre of a marriage, which eclipses all the pretty details. But, as it happens, those pretty details are also in abundance, with the flower-loving duo choosing a bright palette of yellows and pinks and oranges and creams, with touches of copper to add a sophisticated edge. And speaking of sophisticated, the lovebirds rocked their own looks – Tim in a velvet blazer, and Kelsi in an exquisite custom-made gown from SBB fave Hanri Lues. And let’s not forget photographer Katie Wisdom, who was on the scene to take these beautiful photos!