Country Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Botanical NYE Wedding at Maroupi by Sasha Campbell

13 June, 2017 by gaby

Y’all probably already know how much I’m in love with greenery and botanical style weddings in general. But being a Durban girl now, that love is even stronger when you combine more subtle greenery (your ferns and eucalyptus for example) with bold tropical foliage. I mean, seriously. So when I caught a glimpse of Lucy and Mike’s New Year’s Eve wedding decked out in all kinds of botanical beauty from the amazing floral chandeliers to mini topiaries to lush palm leaves, I was in LOVE. Mind you, that wasn’t even the first thing I fell in love with when I saw Sasha Campbell‘s lovely pics – that honour goes to the incredible Hanrie Lues gown worn by the bride with its whimsical illusion lace back and flowing skirt. This celebration perfectly marries (ha!) subtle sophistication with botanical boldness, and it was held on New Year’s Eve, so it had that extra dash of magic. Settle in and check it all out!

Mint Rustic Wedding at Eensgezind by Bianca Asher

8 June, 2017 by gaby

When two high school sweethearts finally tie the knot, you know it’s going to be something special to begin with! But add in the sweetest rustic details and a mix of mint, Kraft and greenery, plus textures like wood and burlap, and you have a country celebration that’s something really special. You can just see the joy in Darryl and Kim’s faces throughout Bianca Asher’s images, and there are so many touching moments too, from the funny (courtesy of a mini-groomsman!) to the bittersweet (when the couple remembered their loved ones) to the downright awesome (flash mob anyone?) Let’s get started, shall we?

Darling Outdoor Wedding at Olive Rock by Claire Thomson

2 June, 2017 by gaby

If you ever find yourself in the middle of the chaos of planning a wedding from afar (as I know many of you lovely readers are!), then heed today’s bride’s oh-so-smart advice. Hire a great planner. Someone you can trust, the way Michelle and her sweetheart Stéfan trusted Niki of The Event Planners, who pulled all the moving parts together into a truly beautiful day, filled with laughter and personal details inspired by the couple’s wanderlust adventures. Of course, it helps when your planner is backed up by a brilliant team, and this wedding has some of our absolute faves on board, including photographer Claire Thomson and stunning venue Olive Rock. I always get such a warm feeling from any Olive Rock wedding – maybe it’s that combination of the spectacular mountain backdrop and the al fresco vibe. Whatever it is, this wedding is no exception, and you’ll be smiling along at every detail (starting with that incredible dress!)

Mint & Blush Barn Wedding at Rosemary Hill by As Sweet As Images

31 May, 2017 by gaby

When it comes to rustic chic, I think it’s safe to say that barn weddings are the gold standard. And our friends in the US have their pick of gorgeous venues, but barns aren’t exactly a South African wedding staple, which is why the ones we do feature are extra special. And when you take that rustic romance and add in a dream team of vendors, including SBB faves As Sweet As Images, it’s something super duper extra speciallisimo. With a cherry on top. Imagine a classic pastel palette of blush and mint (including bridesmaids in sweet floral crowns), a gorgeous lace sleeve gown for the blushing bride, a draped entrance to the barn ceremony, a breathtaking cake table, and a ceiling strewn with fairy lights and you’ll be on the right track. Lourens and Salome’s big day was all this and more, and I’m super excited to share it with you – the perfect way to close off our month of rustic wedding style!

Colourful Midlands Wedding at Providence by Dear Chloe Photography

29 May, 2017 by gaby

I’m lucky enough to live in KZN, close enough for a day trip to the Midlands, but I still stop and stare at its beauty every time I visit. It’s also an idyllic spot for weddings, which of course is why so many couples choose it as a destination location for their nuptials, and Sonia and Preshen did just that when they picked Providence for their own big day. This gorgeous couple had two weddings, and we’re featuring their intimate Catholic ceremony and reception today, complete with the most gorgeous florals in bright shades of coral and peach and pink (such a delicious palette!), as captured by the lovely Dear Chloe. But you guys, I have to make a special mention of Preshen’s proposal because OMG I loved this one – even if you don’t usually read the text be sure you do this time, as it’s utterly adorable, especially if you’re a dog lover like me! I (and Darcy, my own sweet pup) definitely approve!

Country Glamour Wedding at The Oaks by Susie Leblond

24 May, 2017 by gaby

If you need me, I’ll be over here starting a little Event Affairs fan club. Because not only was today’s country chic soiree planned and executed by this fab wedding planning team, but it was for one of their own, the lovely Megan, and her sweetheart Andrew. And if you want to be sure of your co-ordinator’s good taste, just take a look at the choices they make for their own big day! For their romantic nuptials, Megan combined her city girl glam with Andrew’s more rustic sensibilities, and the result is a wedding filled with charm. Surrounded by golden light, these lovebirds exchanged their I dos, and went on to a reception filled to the brim with lovely details, from the bridesmaids’ watercolour-print gowns a the riot of gold and white paper lanterns, to the custom beer bar to the croquembouche cake, all captured by Susie Leblond. Be sure to check out Event Affairs in our directory to find out what loveliness they can add to your big day!

Moody Winter Forest Themed Wedding at Leipzig Country House by Moira West

23 May, 2017 by gaby

When it comes to fashion magic, today’s bride takes the biscuit! One look at her showstopping sparkle-bodiced Janita Toerien gown and you’ll see exactly what I mean. It is perfection, and Nicole rocks it with vintagey sideswept hair and an oversized greenery and white statement bouquet. And that’s just the first part of what we love, because Nicole and Divan, a pair of high school sweethearts who tied the knot at beautiful Leipzig Country House, threw an atmospheric celebration overflowing with pretty. From soft candlelight bouncing off rustic walls to greenery chandeliers, to bridesmaids in elegant navy lace, to Moira West ‘s absolutely SWOONY pics, it’s enchantment at every turn.

Bright & Colourful Country Wedding at Bergland by Adele Kloppers

18 May, 2017 by gaby

Today’s bride had such a unique approach to her wedding colour palette and I LOVE it. Emma didn’t want to look back on her wedding in twenty years and wish she hadn’t picked this or that colour that was trendy at the time, but was now super dated (OMG that is sooooo 2017). So she picked all the colours. Bright, fun, summery pinks and purples and reds and yellows and greens, and you know what? It looks amazing. Effortlessly elegant, and filled with sweet details like a naked cake, a foliage monogram installation, and greenery chandeliers that look like they’re raining hearts. Zander and Emma are completely adorable, and the laid back vibe and mix of colours reflect their joy and happiness, captured with heart by photographer Adele Kloppers.

Dreamy Rustic Wedding at Lezar Opstal by Stella Uys

2 May, 2017 by gaby

Oh Stella Uys. You know what makes a blogger’s (and a bride’s!) heart happy. The way that each of your weddings is filled with one perfect, light-filled image after another… oh my. Fanie and Chanté’s dreamy countryside celebration is certainly no exception. The bride’s vision – centred around soft colours, rustic textures, and personal details – came together perfectly. In fact there’s no better expression of this month’s editorial theme: Rustic Elegance. But really, what steals my heart every time I look at it are those golden, romantic portraits. Readers, read on…

Pincushion Protea Wedding Feast at Cheerio Gardens by Charl Van Der Merwe

20 April, 2017 by gaby

At one stage when I was creating SouthBound Bride I considered giving it a name with ‘protea’ in the title. Not that I ever came up with a good one, but it would have been pretty darn appropriate since as you know, we loooove proteas around these here parts. Today we’re talking pincushions, with a wedding that uses these beautifully unusual blooms against lush greenery and soft charcoal for their bright pops of orange colour, and boy does it ever work! Add in elegant rustic style elements – slate boards, wooden tables, chalkboard signage – and you have yourself a real pretty party! And then with Charl Van Der Merwe‘s lovely pics… well, see Derek and Jana’s big day for yourself – and enjoy!