Real Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Charming Braai Wedding at Allesverloren by Adele Kloppers

18 February, 2016 by gaby

I have to tell you, Anel and Marius, today’s adorable bride and groom, had me at ‘Braailofsfees’. Because okay, I’m South African, so a braai is always a good idea (to paraphrase Audrey Hepburn in a totally Saffa way), but also because their description of their big day also shows how playful and relaxed they were about it all. But a braai wedding where the groom wears jeans and the bride says she feels as comfy as if she was in shorts and flip flops? Surely that can’t also be… pretty? Well, this wedding shows that it can. Big time. The couple’s big day had all the details we love here at SBB – soft flowers in mismatched vases, wreaths, bunting and fairylights, a short blush wedding dress, chalkboard stationery, a romantic bouquet… but it was also the kind of laid-back celebration that totally suited the bride and groom. And it’s officially the first wedding we’ve featured that I can really call a SouthBound Braai. Love it. Adele Kloppers took these lovely pics.

Navy & Lavender Grande Provence Wedding by Fiona Clair

17 February, 2016 by gaby

Get those pinning fingers ready, because today’s wedding is a fabulous fusion of glamorous and organic, which perfectly suits its Grande Provence setting. After all, this gorgeous estate is as naturally beautiful as it is exclusive. Jessica and David harnessed that natural beauty as the backdrop to their big day, and brought in just the right amount of decor to complement it, including touches of herbs like rosemary at each place setting and lavender (LOVE Jessica’s lavender bouquet) and combined that with glam touches like navy blue sequin bridesmaid dresses (dying over these, seriously!), gold chargers and marquee letter lights from our friends at Lights Love. The result is a perfectly chic backdrop to the culmination of a beautiful romance. And the bonus? Our fave Fiona Clair was there to capture it, as only she can!

Romantic Rose Gold Wedding at Shepstone Gardens by Jack and Jane

16 February, 2016 by gaby

Oh do we ever have a romantic wedding for you all today! Kezia and Daniel’s big day is a BEAUTY, combining romantic blush (including lush, opulent textures like blousy white roses and draping (which perfectly complements Shepstone Gardens’ gorgeous glass marquee), and elegant glamour – sparkling rose gold table cloths, shiny metallic votive holders, crystal and chandeliers. Add to that a touch of botanic with the delightful stationery, hanging floral chandeliers, bridesmaids in long white dresses, and of course Kezia’s amazing Kobus Dippenaar gown… I could just go on all day, there’s so much prettiness. So what do you say, shall we get on with enjoying it? Our faves Jack and Jane documented the day in all its dreamy glory.

Elegant Al Fresco Wedding at The Dairyshed by Michelle Du Toit

10 February, 2016 by gaby

You guys, I’m back. The last ten days have been a rush of airports, planes, white sands and turquoise waters, brainstorming sessions, inspirational girlbosses, New York hustle, and more airports and planes. I’m jetlagged and exhausted, but I’m so excited and I have so much to tell you all. But before I look back, I’m looking forward, to finally sharing with you all the project I have been hard at work on, the gorgeous SBB Collection of venues. I can’t WAIT to introduce you to SA’s very best and most beautiful venues as we start rolling out the directory, but today’s wedding is kind of a sneak peek, because it showcases one of these amazing spaces. The Dairy Shed was right at the top of my list to work with, because not only do they have an absolutely gorgeous venue, but the in-house hiring and coordination services provided by Two Birds are second to none. Leta and Michael’s wedding shows exactly why – it’s stylish and elegant and outdoorsy rustic, and I absolutely adore it, right from its gold accents to its bulb and star-lit dancefloor, and everything in between. The combination of green foliage and white flowers with touches of gilt, and sophisticated elements like red lips, little black bridesmaid dresses and a champagne wedding gown, marry natural and luxe in the most perfect way possible. And with Michelle Du Toit on the scene to take these gorgeous images, the dream is complete.

DIY Beach Wedding at Grootvlei by Ronel Kruger

1 February, 2016 by gaby

Considering how amazing our beaches are in South Africa, we get relatively few beach weddings submitted to SBB so I’m always thrilled to see a lovely one, especially when it’s a down to earth, toes in the sand West Coast affair like Jaynie & Rudi’s was. This wedding goes beyond in the DIY category thanks to a super creative bride and her family – even the wedding dress was a labour of love. All that time spent creating something special and meaningful makes this aspect go far beyond the wedding day, because you also get memories that last a lifetime, long after the fabric has faded and the flowers have died. And that’s really what this wedding business is about isn’t it? The love, first and foremost. Ronel Kruger was on the scene to capture these lovely pics of Jaynie and Rudi’s big day.

Rustic Riverside Lowveld Wedding by Kim Tracey

28 January, 2016 by gaby

I always ask my brides and grooms if there were any details of their weddings that were proudly South African (after all, SBB is all about bringing you the latest inspiration with an African twist!) but when it came to Brenna & Tom, the feeling of being out in the African bushveld was such an integral part of their big day that it couldn’t be boiled down to a few details (although they had those too, from proteas to enamel mugs and braai canapes, even Amarula ice cream for dessert!) They were married on the banks of a river on a Lowveld farm, with crocs and hippos in close attendance, and their guests enjoyed traditional G&T sundowners before the reception, taking in the glorious scenery before dancing the night away under the stars. It was a fitting celebration for a down to earth couple, and they decorated it simply but beautifully, with pretty rustic touches and the most gorgeous (and delectable-looking) naked cake. Kim Tracey was on the scene, and took these absolutely lovely pics!

Beach Fairytale Wedding at Blue Bay Lodge by Kusjka Du Plessis

27 January, 2016 by gaby

And now, as the Monty Python boys say, for something completely different… ;) As you all already know by now, we love love LOVE a couple whose wedding reflects themselves, and you just have to look at beautiful purple-haired, pink dress bride Amy to know she’s someone who’ll do just that. I absolutely ADORE her candy coloured, flower-embroidered gown by SBB fave Janita Toerien, especially the way it looks in the golden light before sunset, where Amy and Matt shared kisses and smiles and looks of pure love. But the fairytale didn’t end there. The couple, who were married right on the water at the wonderful Blue Bay Lodge, combined their coastal setting with magical Midsummer Night’s Dream-inspired decor, from moss and woodcuts, to paper butterflies perched on every glass, to rose gold apples strewn along the tables. It’s a fete worthy of a real life Disney princess, and beautifully photographed by up-and-coming photographer Kusjka Du Plessis, who we’re delighted to welcome to SBB for the first time.

Rustic Serenity Blue Wedding at Grin Court by Charl van der Merwe

21 January, 2016 by gaby

I like to think that SouthBound Brides are fashion forward, and you always prove me right, so it’s no surprise that even though she was married a few months ago, today’s bride, Alicia, just happened to choose one of Pantone’s 2016 colours of the year for her marriage to sweetheart Pieter. Instead of combining it with Rose Quartz as the Pantone folks have done though, she instinctively mixed the hue of the moment with soft shades of peach and blush, and pops of hot pink for good measure – a gorgeous pastel palette for a rustic, country vintage style wedding. That Serenity though… We especially love the way that Alicia’s bridesmaids rocked it with their Gelique gowns, and matched the bride’s pretty satin sash. Take a moment this Thursday morning to swoon through the pastel loveliness courtesy of photographer Charl van der Merwe.

Contemporary Green & White Wedding at Kleinevalleij by Fiona Clair

20 January, 2016 by gaby

Much as we love a wedding with a crazy beautiful colour scheme or a unique theme or venue, it’s also a regular pleasure to fall in love with a classic white wedding. It’s like hearing a favourite song, if that song were sung by Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald (as all my favourite songs are, actually), because a white wedding is all class. And when it has a clean, contemporary feeling like Pedro & Chelsea’s does, it’s all classic too. Long white bridesmaid dresses, tulip bouquets, tailored suits, and of course a bride in a beautiful dress. And that’s just the bridal party. I think what I love most about this one, photographed to perfection by Fiona Clair, is that it mixes this high society elegance with a very relaxed ambience, serving guests from canape and braai stations out on the Kleinevalleij lawns. Lovely to look at and fun to be at. And that’s the perfect wedding equation!

Rustic Jewel Tone Wedding at Roodezand by Wrensch Lombard

19 January, 2016 by gaby

A while back, I created an autumn inspiration board in beautiful jewel tones, and our friends at Green Goddess flower studio got in touch to say that they loved it, and that they just happened to be working on a wedding using a similar palette. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to see it! And when Tina & Kevin’s relaxed, rustic, navy, olive and russet autumn celebration popped into my inbox a few months later, it was everything I imagined. Rich, jewel-toned decor, a boho lace wedding dress, amazing florals (of course!) and beautiful pics by Wrensch Lombard. But here’s something I only found out when I read Tina’s story – this fabulous fete took its style cue from a suit! Which just goes to show, inspiration is everywhere, and when you find an element for your wedding that you love, you can totally build on that element to create a colour scheme and design that you adore.