Real Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Magical Midsummer Night’s Dream Inspired Wedding at Collisheen Orchid House by Roxanne Davison

10 April, 2018 by gaby

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a talented wedding dress designer gets married – well, you’re about to find out. I’m a HUGE fan of emerging South African bridal house, McCarthyWolff – their dresses are utterly breathtaking and unique. So when the wedding of one of the founders, Jane, and her sweetheart, Ben, turned up in my inbox I knew it was going to be amazing. And was I ever right. Jane and Ben were inspired by magical woodland weddings and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, and created something completely intimate and unique and beautiful (and I do mean created, because they handmade most of this wedding with the help of family and friends!). On the tables, a forest of dried floral ‘trees’ (um, wow) paired with black linens and twinkle lights, made for a magical fairytale atmosphere, perfectly matching the elegance of the bridal party with their herb bouquets and black velvet gowns (and suit for Jane’s bridesman Dale, the other half of McCarthy Wolff). And then there’s the dress. This dress! As befitting a fashion queen, it is an absolute showstopper, a gorgeous cascade of tulle and ribbon flowers and tiny pearls that has me completely obsessed. Forget ready-to-wear – this is ready-to-WOW. Capturing it all are these gorgeous images by Roxanne Davison.

Whimsical Rustic Wedding at Rockhaven by Creation Events & Tasha Seccombe

9 April, 2018 by gaby

A super chic backless satin Gwendolynne gown with the prettiest lace sleeves. A spectacular bouquet that’s making me rethink my general aversion to pairing red and blue. A reception decked out in hundreds of fairy lights and flowers and bulbs all cascading from the ceiling. Yep, I’m pretty sure you could say that Katie & Charles-Eric’s wedding style game is strong! This Aussie-based couple put their trust in the extremely capable hands of Theresa Lazarevic of Creation Events, a long time friend of SBB, who brought their whimsical rustic vision to life and left them to have the day of their dreams from first look to last dance (the latter thanks to the fabulous DJ West of The Wedding DJ’s. Tasha Seccombe took these gorgeous photos – needless to say, I’m crushing on every one!

Bright & Berry-toned Wedding at The Venue Kavinga by Inecke Photography

6 April, 2018 by gaby

Jessica and Kyle are a bubbly, happy-go-lucky couple, so a vanilla wedding was never going to be for them. Out with beige and blush, and in with bright, vibrant florals in berry and jewel tones, a forest of lush greenery hanging from the ceiling (making the reception space feel intimate and cosy) and more punches of colour in everything from the confetti to Kyle’s tie. Fun, right? You’d never believe it was a winter wedding, with all those warm colours, as well as the Persian carpets that were placed throughout both ceremony and reception, the bridesmaids’ beautiful separates, and the reflection of candlelight and Edison bulbs on the touches of gold on the tables. Way to glow! And talking of glowing, doesn’t the happy couple do just that in these pretty pictures from Inecke Photography?

Dark Botanical Floral Wedding at Florence Farm by Grace Studios

5 April, 2018 by gaby

Take note, SouthBound brideys, because this is what trendsetting is all about! Jewel tone florals are the look of the moment, but Ronel and Bryden’s wedding takes them to a whole new level, setting the colourful botanicals against a moody black backdrop that really makes them pop! Tables overflowing with blooms, a jawdropping bouquet, hanging greenery chandeliers, an INSANELY gorgeous Casey Jeanne dress from the fab Calegra Bridal House, and let’s not forget the stunning rustic backdrop and the forest ceremony! Oh so very chic. You guys are going to love every single detail, and all of it so very beautifully pictured by the super talented Grace Studios, whose work I absolutely love!

Lush Secret Garden Wedding at Zonnevanger by Sonje Ludwick

16 March, 2018 by gaby

A marquee overflowing with flowers, hung with bowers of greenery, edison bulbs twinkling, whimsical china, pops of fuschia and candy pink – all in a lush, green garden setting. Sounds magical, doesn’t it? Well folks, that’s the setting for this gorgeous intimate celebration, with sort of an Alice in Wonderland meets Secret Garden vibe. Sjaun and Anita came from London to celebrate their big day and they did it in style, with their closest friends and family, in a wedding that looks like it was as much fun as it was pretty. And with pretty pictures by Sonje Ludwick, whimsical brides will be pinning to your hearts content!

Boho Luxe Forest Wedding at Shalwyn by Oh Happy Day and Carmen Roberts

6 March, 2018 by gaby

Just when you think you’ve seen boho weddings get as amazing as they’re ever going to get, this one comes in and is like: “Hold my beer.” Every picture from Carmen Roberts is so shut-the-front-door beautiful, you can’t help but stop and stare – it’s almost hard to believe it’s real life (that is, if it weren’t for the smitten looks on bride and groom Lisa and Russel’s faces – can’t fake that!). So how do I describe it? Well, boho sure. Glamorous (especially with the bridesmaids in their red-lip-slinky-dress-faux-fur getup which pretty much wins the mismatched style prize forever – and wait till you see Lisa’s gown!). Natural and Rustic. A little Game of Thrones, as talented event designer (and bridesmaid!) Joelene of Oh Happy Day pointed out. It’s a winter wedding in the forest, and it’s both on trend (pampas arch!) and beyond trend, if that makes any sense. It probably doesn’t. I think it pretty much defies definition, so I’ll stop talking and you start looking. Because however else you want to define it, it’s GORGEOUS.

Playful Country Wedding at Bell Amour by Wynand van der Merwe

5 March, 2018 by gaby

Think back for a second, folks, and remember your high school crush. And ok, let’s skip over the fact that for most of us, that’s a what-was-I-thinking-dude moment, and remember all the intensity and hope and adorableness of that feeling. Now imagine you grow up, and that crush turns up at a party, and he or she is better than you remember them, and not only that but they’re finally noticing you and are as smitten as you are. I mean, it’s a whole Taylor Swift song right there! That’s how Jan-Peet and Nadine, today’s sweet bride and groom, began and if their story is the cutest, wait till you see their wedding! Both have a lovely sense of fun that they brought into their big day, with origami details like cranes and cootie catchers on the tables, a wordsearch seating plan, cake pops and malva puddings for dessert, and even a magician to entertain their guests. At the centre of it all of course, was their grand romance, and Wynand van der Merwe captured the perfect mix of dreamy portraits and playful details to share with you today. Oh! But I can’t not mention the fashion! Nadine’s dress is a stunning high-neck lace beauty, and her bridesmaids rock separates (mismatched tops – love!) in grey and white – gorgeous!

Vintage Chic City Wedding at the Cape Town Club by Duane Smith

22 February, 2018 by gaby

I’ve heard of saying it with flowers, but when it came to his proposal, today’s groom said it with coffee! Which is kind of the perfect city living touch for Henrietta and Ross, who also picked a classic city location for their wedding (the historic Cape Town Club) and took it as their cue for a celebration that was infused with 1920s vintage style. The reception was class all the way – candlelight bouncing off wood-panelled walls from the elegant black tapers, gorgeous arrangements of white flowers from the amazing Neva at Bright & Beautiful (who actually DOES know how to say it with flowers!), and the sweetest menus with a dog motif from our friends at Blooming Wonderful. All captured perfectly by Duane Smith.

Joyous Jewel Tone Winter Wedding at Lace on Timber by Dust and Dreams Photography

21 February, 2018 by gaby

Winter weddings are finally having their day in South Africa you guys, and I could not be happier! Not that summer weddings aren’t fabulous, but winter has such a different and lovely vibe, and I adore weddings that take this and turn it into a beautiful celebration. Anja and Christiaan’s wedding is one of them. A ceremony in amongst the trees, tables decked in jewel tones, hanging boxes overflowing with florals, evergreen wreaths, not to mention the bride’s winter-perfect wedding dress – all tucked inside a July wedding that’s enough to make you not even mind a bit of a chill in the air. ust and Dreams’ stunning images combine with the palette of warm burgundy, cream, blush and maroon to prove that cold weather weddings might just be the fairest of them all.

Stylish Citrus Country Wedding by Charlie Ray Photography

13 February, 2018 by gaby

A touch of citrus, a touch of vintage glamour. It’s the perfect pairing for Karlien and Daneel’s elegant farm affair – after all, it took place in a clear marquee in the grounds of the bride’s family home, right in the middle of Eastern Cape citrus country. And citrus was very much part of the design concept (just as it was part of the couple’s story – after all, they got engaged in an orchard!). From the bright pops of grapefruit pink and clementine orange in the abundant floral decorations (oh, those florals!), to the wedges of lemon peeking from glass vases, to the strings of dried citrus slices that formed a unique backdrop to the main table, all complemented with mixed metallics (including the bridesmaids’ gorgeous separates), there were plenty of wow moments that made this a modern take on a country affair. It all unfolds below, through the lens of Charlie Ray Photography!