Category: Real Weddings

Boho Fantasy Beloftebos Wedding by Jo-Ann Stokes {Christine & Chris}

by gaby

Every wedding we feature here on SouthBound Bride is special, but some are absolute heart-melters, like this gorgeous boho forest fairytale from the lovely Jo-Ann Stokes, which includes the most spectacular couple shoot images! You won’t believe this, but it was pulled together in SIX WEEKS. As in, total. Which is pretty incredible by anyone’s standards. Of course, the only way to accomplish such a feat of wedding planning is to get friends and family involved, and that’s exactly what Chris and Christine did, right down to Christine’s amazing dress made my her mother-in-law and crown of flowers made by her sister-to-be. These two have such a lovely, earthy vibe, right down to the words Christine used to describe their big day: “Love. Bliss. Petrichor.” Even I had to look that last one up, and it’s my new favourite word – it means the smell of rain on dry earth. Which, I thought to myself, in some ways is exactly what love is. The coming of rain – a blessing, a miracle. And the perfect way to sum up the boho perfection of these childhood sweethearts’ big day.Read More

Elegant Watercolour Oxbow Estate Wedding by Howling Moon Photography {Annine & Pieter}

by gaby

Rush rush rush! I’m off on a MUCH needed mini-holiday today, to spend a weekend with some of my besties in (hopefully) sunny Plett. No laptop for four days :) But first, I wanted to share this lovely little wedding with you all. Taking classic elements and adding a few personal twists and clever touches, like a super cute escort card display and lovely little watercolours on the tables (what a sweet way to add colour and flowers that aren’t flowers, if you know what I mean). Pieter and Annine obviously had a lot of fun putting their personalities and history into the day, so that it was a true celebration of their past, present and future. Howling Moon Photography captured every moment in these lovely, light-filled images.Read More

Mint Green Pipkin Farm Wedding by Girl in Gumboots Photography {Lindy & Matt}

by gaby

It’s fun that I’m sharing a Midlands wedding today when yesterday I drove up there myself for lunch with the fab Keri of Midlands Musings – isn’t it just the most beautiful place? The fresh mint of today’s wedding is just such a perfect expression of the green landscape that surrounded Lindy and Matt as they said their vows – not to mention one of our all-time favourite wedding colours! I just love the tree-themed details they included, from branches set up around the marquee, to a family tree display, to little herbs in enamel mugs for the guests. The colour is carried through beautifully, right down to the guys’ fun suspenders! Photographer Kate Martens, the Girl in Gumboots, was there to capture all the frolics and festivity from this ‘mint-to-be’ couple on their big day.Read More

Woodland Fairytale Garden Wedding by Love Made Visible {Elize & Steyn}

by gaby

Something I never expected when I started this blog was that some of the people I feature would become friends, and yet that’s exactly what’s happened (in fact, I’m meeting one SBB bride for lunch today, yay!). One of my all-time-favourite couples is Louise & Riaan, who are the kind of people who you know that not only will you like, but you’ll like the people THEY like too. So I wasn’t surprised to see their faces pop up in the pics from Elize & Steyn’s wedding – not just because it was the kind of effortlessly creative and detailed wedding that makes my heart sing, but because when I read the couple’s story, I knew they were full of heart. Just like Louise and Riaan, and just like their awesome photographers, Rebecca and Bruce of Love Made Visible, who have once again done an AMAZING job of doing just that – making love visible.  There’s also something about today’s wedding that reminds me of Snow White (in a good way, without the wicked stepmother obvs). Maybe it’s the red apples and the woodland elements (OBSESSED with the wreath escort cards!) or maybe it’s Elize’s gorgeous dark hair and ruby lips, but whatever the reason, it’s appropriate, because this is a modern-day fairytale – the kind that wedding dreams are made of.Read More

Pigs & Pastels Hartford House Wedding by Knot Just Pictures {Micky & Brandon}

by gaby

Pigs and pastels – I never thought I’d be introducing a piggy themed wedding, I must admit! But what I love about Micky and Brandon’s unusual theme is that it’s part of their personal story (it relates to Brandon’s nickname), and was a way of making sure that the wedding was a representation of both their styles and personalities. And I’ll bet it got some fond laughs from those who know and love them best when they discovered it! Micky cleverly mixed the motif with her own love of vintage, and the result is a mixture of English garden and English pub, with lush pastel florals all over the tables and those cheeky piggies making their appearances on table napkins, menus, etc. And can we just take a second to talk about Micky’s illusion lace wedding dress? WOW. It’s a showstopper. Definitely not a look every bride could carry off, but it fits her like a glove, and she looks amazing! I also love how the dress adds an extra element of couture and sophistication to the overall look. Knot Just Pics were there to capture every lovely moment and every unique detail, beautifully.Read More

Burlap & Wildflower Gourmet Shed Wedding by Kim Tracey & Rensche Mari {Rene & Tiaan}

by gaby

I have SUCH a lovely farm wedding to share with you this afternoon! First of all, it has the kind of spectacular mountains and veld setting that makes my South African heart sing, and the kind of details that makes my wedding blogger eyes glitter! Perfectly mismatched (and stylishly neutral) bridesmaids, burlap runners with custom stamping, proteas, succulents and little wildflowers in milk bottles and vintage South African brand tins, kraft paper flags, a swishy lace wedding dress, and a thousand fairy lights twinkling against the night sky. Rustic farm wedding perfection. The photography glory today is shared between the lovely Kim Tracey, who took the images on behalf of Rensche Mari (who also did all the post production in her trademark, beautiful style).Read More

Delft Blue Glenshiel Wedding by Laurentia E. Photography {Elena & Liam}

by gaby

Oh be still my Delft-loving heart! From the minute that an email from the lovely Laurentia E. landed in my inbox, I was head over heels in love with Elena and Liam’s stylish blue and white Delft-themed wedding design. This is a theme (or a motif rather) that I have been talking about for a while now, and the couple (together with By Word of Mouth) has pulled it off perfectly – beautiful feature plates on white linen, patterned vases full of white, blue and purple flowers, silver accents, lasercut table names, hanging Delft panels, and a blue and white check dancefloor. It’s all SO GORGEOUS. And on a personal note, I have to say that I have extra love for Elena & Liam’s wedding because they were married at the beautiful Rosebank Catholic Church, which is not only where my own mom and dad were married, but where my dear friends Ros and Jean were too. So here’s wishing Elena and Liam the same longevity and happiness that has blessed both of those marriages :)Read More

Stormers Wedding at Brenaissance by Agapé Studio {Stacey & Gio}

by gaby

It’s not every day we get to feature a Springbok rugby player on these pages, so of course as a HUGE rugby fan myself I jumped at the opportunity when Charl Smith of Agapé Studio asked if I’d like to cover Gio Aplon‘s recent wedding! As many of you will know, Gio is a Stormer when he’s not in green and gold, and (whether by coincidence or design) his wedding to long-term sweetheart and fellow athlete Stacey was decorated in the vibrant blue and red of the Stormer’s logo. Stacey rocked not just one but two gorgeous gowns, and together with her handsome groom and seriously adorable daughter, Gia, made a picture perfect family as they celebrated this milestone together with 180 friends and family. You’ll see quite a few familiar faces from the rugby world among the guests, of course! And you can see even more from this happy day on Top Billing, where it will be featuring next month.Read More

Bunny Themed Vineyard Hotel Wedding by Love Made Visible {Samantha & Paul}

by gaby

I always know it’s going to be a good day when a submission lands in my inbox that features some of SBB’s favourite suppliers, from the heartfelt photographic stylings of Love Made Visible to a stunning Elbeth Gillis gown, to stationery by Mocho Loco and a cake by Edible Art (not to mention a guest appearance as a bridesmaid by one of my favourite bloggers). But Samantha and Paul’s wedding isn’t just a collection of talent and prettiness – it’s unique, because it tells their story (and you know how much I love personalisation!). To compliment the fresh spring green and pink palette of their wedding, they added a bunny motif, which has very special meaning on both sides, and then brought it in through some super cute (and not at all cheesy) ideas, like little rabbit topiaries on the tables and bunny brooches for the groomsmen. It’s this kind of detail that makes a wedding really unique, and adds just the right amount of whimsy to your celebration. Plus, it’s bound to put a big ol’ smile on your face – so enjoy!Read More

Vineyard Chic Hidden Valley Wedding by Lauren Kriedemann {Georgie & Brad}

by gaby

When people ask me how I choose weddings for the blog, I often talk about the ‘ooh factor’ – those little inspiring details that make me go ‘ooh’ (yep, I make the noise and everything). But when I saw today’s gorgeous bride in her Johanna Johnson dress, it was more like a WOW than an ‘ooh’. And everything just got more gorgeous from there – crisp modern whites on the tables, stylish chalkboard details, and an unexpected (but oh so lovely) pop of red on the elegant bridesmaids. I just love everything about Georgie & Brad’s big day, especially that in amongst all of that style, the priority was on a day that was relaxed, happy and romantic, and the talented Lauren Kriedemann was there to capture every bit of it, as only she can!Read More