Beach Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Beach Meets Bushveld Wedding at Grootbos by Charlene Schreuder

11 July, 2018 by gaby

Some weddings really strike a chord for me and I feel like this is one of them. Beach, bush, laughter, origami? Tom and Tammy are totally in my Whatsapp group, so to speak. The South African lad and English rose met in Cape Town and wed on the Cape shores at Grootbos, in a beach ceremony that was the perfect amount of casual, personal, and fun. Not to mention breathtakingly beautiful with that pounding surf and endless sky. Afterwards, it was the best of both worlds, as they adjourned to Grootbos’ boma for a safari lodge style reception under trees covered in fairy lights. And with dozens of animals in attendance (paper ones on every table – seriously the coolest origami detail I’ve ever seen, and such a gorgeous African touch!), they partied the night away with their loved ones. Sigh. The wonderful Charlene Schreuder was on the scene to take these gorgeous pictures.

How to Rock a Long Haul Destination Wedding or Honeymoon (And Why Sandals Jamaica is Totally Worth It)

12 January, 2018 by gaby

LONG HAUL. What a terrible term – it immediately sounds like a schlep: waiting around in airports for connecting flights, jetlag, airplane food… ugh. But when I think of long flights, I get excited, because at the other end of that journey? It’s destination: awesome. Think about it – no matter where in the world you live, if it takes you a while to get somewhere, it’s going to be amazing. And that’s why, when I had the chance to head to the Caribbean to spend some time with my Aisle Society sisters at Sandals South Coast last year, I jumped at the opportunity. Thanks to SAA, the flight was a breeze (more on that later), and I arrived in Jamaica full of energy and excitement. And what I found was that a few extra hours of travel were 1000% worth it. When you see not only the gorgeousness that is Jamaica (a place so lovely that everyone welcomes you home from the minute you step off the plane, even if it’s your first time there) but the incredible destination weddings that Sandals has created as part of their new Aisle to Isle experience, you’ll understand exactly what I mean! Whether you’re gathering a crew of family and friends, eloping just the two of you, or making it your dream honeymoon locale, you won’t be disappointed. Let’s check out the highlights of my trip, and keep scrolling for my top tips and necessities for long-haul flights!

Dreamy Beach Wedding at Palm Dunes by Absolute Perfection & Grace Studios

11 January, 2018 by gaby

This time of year I think we’re all missing the beach a bit, so I seriously can’t think of a better real wedding to kick off our 2018 lineup than Chantelle & Ricky-Jon’s (in fact, I’ve been keeping this beauty up my sleeve for that exact reason) – you guys, this is what beach wedding dreams are made of! Think soft, romantic details, watercolour stationery, a gorgeous tropical setting, fine art ocean-style decor by the supremely talented Absolute Perfection, bridesmaid dresses billowing in the sea breeze… sigh. The tables are simple but perfectly styled, right down to the calligraphed rock place holders and the textures of basket and driftwood – a fine art take on rustic beachy chic that I can’t get enough of. And on top of that, there’s an adorable love story and hilarious account of the proposal from the bride and groom – loved these so much I had to call my mom and read them to her! Aw! And let’s not forget the final cherry on this sundae of amazingness – the most romantic images from Grace Studios. Wow. Way to kick off an amazing year, right?

Mozambique DIY Beach Wedding by Maryke Albertyn

18 October, 2017 by gaby

Where do I even start with this wedding? A beachy ceremony on the white sand shores of Mozambique, a bride who arrived on horseback, bridesmaids carrying actual pineapples as bouquets, paper plane confetti, a DIY rustic chic reception, and a super romantic day-after couple shoot. I mean, seriously. How. cool. is. that! It’s basically tropical wedding perfection right here in beautiful southern Africa. Soné and Barry are the sweetest couple you can imagine, and their celebration is filled with so much happiness and love, as well as all those delicious details. The crowning glory is Maryke Albertyn‘s wonderful pictures, which I loved so much I included approximately a million of them. Ok, not a million, but enough to dive in and lose yourself in – so let’s do just that, shall we? ;)

Laid-back West Coast Wedding at Die Strandloper by Knit Together

10 August, 2017 by gaby

Goodness but this wedding has me LONGING for summer again! Take the classic laid-back, barefoot, West Coast vibe, add in a couple who are just radiant with love, happiness and laughter, all of their favourite people, some adorable DIYs and succulent details, a killer dress, and the cutest flowergirls ever, and you have a wedding that looks like so much fun it almost vibrates with it. Sam and Tracy put all of their relaxed personalities into their big day, choosing a location they loved, making details that fit, and even crafting a ceremony that was 100% them. It’s wonderful, and it’s captured for us to share by Knit Together. Now hurry up, sunshine! I need to get down to the beach again… 😄

Oceanside Greenery Wedding in Mozambique by Marne Photography

14 July, 2017 by gaby

As we end of another week we’re in for a treat, since today’s wedding combines both greenery (this month’s theme, after all!) and a trip to tropical Mozam for a gorgeously intimate oceanside bash! Michelle and Jacques picked an elegant beachy resort for their destination-I-do, filled it with green foliage and crisp white linens (and a touch of smart navy) and then threw a fabulous party under the fairy lights and the stars. And today we get to be their special guests, thanks to these lovely pics by Marne Photography!

Boho Beach Wedding at Canelands Beach Club by Andy & Szerdi Photography

28 June, 2017 by gaby

A couple of years ago, for my mama’s birthday, we decided to have a day of girly spa fun. We stumbled across the perfect place, which is how I came to find Canelands Beach Club in Salt Rock for the first time. And not only was it an awesome spot for some mother daughter lunching and a massage, but I kept thinking that the patio looking out over the ocean with its beautiful infinity pool and simple, elegant furnishings, was a perfect spot for an intimate wedding reception. Well, I was right. Tanya and Mike, our fab couple today, turned that same thought into a reality themselves, with the most gorgeous reception right on the sands. And for good measure, they added a bunch of seriously adorable DIY and handmade details that really expressed who they are as a couple, from the ceramic skull favours (to remind their friends and family to give life horns – how cute is that?) to the custom beach bar and champagne station. And let’s not forget one of Tanya’s smartest ideas of all – her bridesmaids’ ‘bouquet’s, which doubled up as floral crowns! This whole wedding is beach boho joy and loveliness from beginning to end, and I’m so thrilled to be sharing Andy & Szerdi Photography‘s images with you today!

Beach Luxe Wedding by Wedding Concepts & Lad and Lass

30 May, 2017 by gaby

Wedding Concepts team, you’ve done it again – created a wedding so impossibly chic, it’s hard to actually believe it’s for real people and not a styled shoot. And as well as being gorgeous, what makes Natalie and Carl’s big day so special and unique is that it took place in and around their home in Grotto Bay. This is so far from what you might consider a ‘backyard’ wedding though- the WC team transformed this private residence into a gorgeous luxury venue dripping with lush florals and elegant details, and even created a night club-style area with a personalised dance floor for the evening. Um, wow! Lad & Lass took these lovely images.

Top Tips for Beach Weddings

14 March, 2017 by gaby

Image: Deborah-Ann Photography/Wildeflower on SouthBound Bride

Hello friends! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, so my apologies for being so scarce on SBB. I’ve been working on a Kickstarter campaign for Aisle Society that is just seven days away from deadline and wow – what an experience! I’d love it if you all would check it out and consider supporting us (even $1 is very much appreciated!). But meanwhile, I’ve been dying to bring you the beachy inspiration I have lined up, especially since I’m heading for the Caribbean tomorrow for the Aisle Society retreat! So beach is very much on my mind ;) Beach weddings, I have to tell you, are a huge favourite of mine – although I’ve yet to actually attend one in person, *sad face*. I just adore the whole feet in the sand, relaxed but elegant vibe. But while planning a beach wedding IS fun, it does have challenges that other weddings do not. There’s a lot to think about to ensure everything goes off smoothly, so here are SBB’ top tips for the perfect beach wedding.

North Coast Tropical Chic Wedding at Burndale by Oh Happy Day

2 February, 2017 by gaby

Sometimes I see a wedding and I immediately not only fall in love with everything about it, but with the couple as well. This is one of those. Maybe because I love Durban so, along with everything tropical, maybe because Dominique and Josh managed to not only pull off a totally unique, totally stylish, totally them (AND proudly South African) theme, and maybe because they chose to work with one of my favourite wedding pros ever, Joelene of Oh Happy Day. Whatever it is, I have a great big crush on this wedding and the couple who dreamed it up, and I have been absolutely dying to show it to you ever since I first spotted it on Jo’s Instagram feed. Basically, if you turned all the best things about the North Coast into a wedding, this would be it. Tropical print bridesmaid separates… strelizia bouquets… plenty of light and white and rustic texture. And the tropical greenery wall is everything. So get your pinning fingers at the ready coastal brides, because this is a special one!