Farm Weddings - SouthBound Bride

Bright & Colourful Handmade Farm Wedding by Tasha Seccombe

14 August, 2018 by gaby

One of the things I’ve most come to love about South African weddings is that so often those weddings that really stand out, that are beautiful and unique and filled with gorgeous ideas and unique details are weddings that are created from the ground up by the couple, their family and friends. What can I say, my countrymen and women are a talented bunch! Marli & Alexandru’s wedding is just such a special day – a handmade labour of love that belongs on the pages of any glossy wedding mag but is put together in a completely organic, non-matchy way. The flowers – many picked from the family garden that morning – are a riot of colour. The bride looks stunning in her bow-backed gown. The bridesmaids… SERIOUSLY love the bridesmaids’ off shoulder tops and mismatched skirts (channeling a bit of a Cuban vibe that I adore). Even the food is colourful and pretty. But what makes it even more amazing is that each of those details has a story that links it with the couple, or with the people that they love. Perfect, right? The wonderful Tasha Seccombe captured these spectacularly lovely images of the day.

Romantic Pastel Farm Wedding by Rensche Mari

6 August, 2018 by gaby

We’re starting out our week with a wedding that is pure, dreamy, pastel romance! Zelmarie and Riaan were married on the bride’s family farm, with a ceremony on the golf course, and a marquee reception that combined lush blooms in lilac and dusty blue with modern transparent elements like acrylic signage, glass chargers, and hanging bulb tealights. SO pretty! The bridesmaids wore floral print gowns and the bride a lace-sleeved beauty of a gown. And with gorgeous stationery, hanging greenery, and a stunning floral arch, every frame of Rensche Mari‘s breathtaking pictures is sheer delight!

Greenery & Lace Wedding at Imperfect Perfection by Aline Photography

30 July, 2018 by gaby

This wedding is all about the pairing of beautiful elements – each lovely on their own, but even better together. Greenery and lace. Rustic and vintage. Bride and groom, Rozanne and Hennie! All a perfect match. I love the simplicity of white lace against the wild succulents, and sweet DIY details like the bridesmaids’ wreath bouquets or the miles of pretty lace bunting made by Rozanne’s mom. But I think my favourite element is the oh-so-original (and oh-so-South African!) use of vintage wrought iron burglar bars as a base for hanging centrepieces. I mean, seriously. Burglar bars! It’s genius! And so pretty. There’s loads here to inspire, and with dreamy pictures by Aline Photography, it’s the perfect way to start your week.

Cozy Rustic Wedding at Galileo Farm by Claire Thomson

12 June, 2018 by gaby

Love at first sight. Whether you believe in it or not, that’s what happened to Michelle and Devon. And it was love at first sight for SBB when it came to their gorgeous wedding too! Rich red hues, candlelight, proteas everywhere, a cozy fire crackling in the fireplace at their reception, a gin bar, a drip cake… everything wonderful, basically! And with these gorgeous pictures by Claire Thompson to bring the couple’s big day to life for us, the dream is complete.

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!

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!

Elegant Colourful Wedding at The Nutcracker by Genevieve Fundaro

22 November, 2017 by gaby

Cornel & Caronien’s wedding day was filled with colour, love, fun and beauty… and rain. Because that’s how it goes, doesn’t it? The unexpected shows up with the things you planned. But I’ll let you in on a secret: rainy day weddings are some of my favourites. It’s like everyone takes a deep breath, lets go of expectations, and just has fun right there in the moment. And come rain or come shine, that’s just what this sweet couple did, bringing their colourful wedding to life for their guests in a country reception that was bursting with fun touches, from fortune cookie favours to a live caricature artist to late night waffles to fireworks. That was one half of the equation, but the other was sheer elegance and romance, and this element is especially beautifully brought to life by Genevieve Fundaro‘s gorgeous pics. Look out for an extra post-wedding couple shoot reshoot when the sun came out again – an awesome idea if rain does show up to bless your big day!

Scandinavian Gothic Wedding by Vanilla Photography

14 November, 2017 by gaby

Where do I even start with this wedding, you guys? Maybe the concept, kind of a Gothic romance meets Viking feast meets meets Hollywood glamour (especially thanks to the bride and groom, Jessica and Renier, looking like a pair of Tinseltown starlets!). Or maybe the bridesmaids’ dresses, which would have to make my list of top ten faves of all time. Or the flowers (oh my WORD the flowers), dripping from top to bottom of the beautiful Midlands reception space and bringing to life the palette of black (LOVE the way it’s used here), blush and burgundy. Or maybe I should just start with the suppliers, because really, the credits read like a who’s who of my fave Natalians – Michigan Behn for Vanilla Photography, Joe from Oh Happy Day (love how every single OHD wedding is so different!), the supremely talented Carolyn from Adore Weddings, and more. It’s the kind of wedding that makes my heart glow, and not just because of the cozy wintery vibe! So let’s dive in, shall we?

Boho Winter Wedding at Cranford Country Lodge by Andy & Szerdi Photography

5 October, 2017 by gaby

A woodsy wedding in the middle of the beautiful, serene Natal Midlands… when it comes to winter weddings in South Africa, it doesn’t get much more romantic than this right here. And when it’s overflowing with greenery and touches of rustic gold (gold apples, I love!), I can’t help but love it even more. Kate and Graham picked one of SBB’s fave venues, the gorgeous Cranford Country Lodge, as the backdrop to their celebration – from the adorable little chapel to the cozy reception hall, to the forest where they took their fairytale couple pics, it’s perfection, and it meshes so well with the couple’s boho style. Andy & Szerdi were on the scene and took these lovely pics – so excited to finally get to share this beautiful day with you!

Cozy Protea-filled Wedding at Old Haliwell by Kristi Smith

21 September, 2017 by gaby

I swear, I am always so discombobulated when it comes to seasons. For one thing, right when I’m curled up in blankets drinking hot chocolate with my dog, my Aisle Society sisters are sipping sweet tea or heading for Martha’s Vineyard, or whatever it is they do over in the States when it’s summer. And right when we start getting summer vibes, there’s tons of autumnal wedding inspiration that hits the net. And then, of course, there’s the fact that we often feature weddings months after they happen, which is why now is the time of so many cold weather weddings and cozy receptions for me, and as much as I’m a summer girl, I LOVE it. Case in point: Anzél and Jaun’s Midlands celebration, which is cold weather wedding style done oh-so-right. Rich colours (including and inspired by beautiful Proteas and complemented by classic black), long sleeves (Anzél’s lace gown is to die for, and her bridesmaids are rocking black lace in a big way!), and cozy homemade touches like rusk favours and a rustic cheese wheel cake. Leaves on the ground, love in the heart – it’s wonderful. And be sure to read the couple’s story, because they have one of the cutest ‘how we met’ stories ever! Kristi Smith took these lovely, moody pics.