Weddings by Type - SouthBound Bride

Intimate Country Garden Wedding in the Natal Midlands by Long Exposure

31 March, 2016 by gaby

When I was in high school I remember working on some anthology in English Lit that was all about the ‘Spirit of Place’. That’s a phrase that’s stuck with me ever since – in the literary sense, but it’s also often something I think of when it comes to weddings. Because there are some celebrations that really are infused with the spirit of a place – usually the one in which they take place – and I absolutely love that. It makes the wedding a full-on sensory experience, because guests aren’t just attending a wedding in a particular venue or region, but they’re experiencing the atmosphere of that place, and often getting a piece of the couple’s heart as they do. Heidi & Shaun’s wedding is one of those – the couple share a deep love for the Natal Midlands, spending time in its English countryside-style beauty as often as they can, and wanted to share that with an intimate group of their near and dear on their big day. Hosting the wedding at a friends’ homestead with a beautiful garden, and filling the ceremony and rustic reception with blousy garden-style flowers, they did just that. I ADORE the bouquet especially, from The Flower Shed, and how well it pairs with Heidi’s pretty-as-a-picture gown. And the final lovely touch? A reedbuck motif, dreamed up by the graphic designer bride, to reference the ‘deer’ moments (sorry, I couldn’t help myself) spent in that same countryside. Christy Long captured these super romantic pics.

Harvest Abundance Wedding at Anura Vineyards by Lilys and Horns

30 March, 2016 by gaby

We’re coming to the end of our month of organic, farmer’s market, farm-to-table, generally rustic content, but before we do, we have a special wedding to share with you that has a completely unique take on farm weddings in general. When asked to describe the feeling she wanted to create for her wedding to Jake, Khanya came up with the word ‘abundance’. Abundance in food and drink, abundance in joy, and to reflect that, a feeling of plenty in the decor and design. Together with her interior designer mom, she interpreted that as a sort of farmer’s feast, decking the tables in vegetables instead of flowers, carrying a stunning bouquet that referenced the bird motif that was included throughout, and even having a few feathered friends peeking through the greenery or perched on urns and vases. It sort of reminds me of a harvest festival from a few centuries ago, but with a modern refinement, of course, and it’s safe to say we’ve never seen anything quite like it! (Plus, we’re in LOVE with Khanya’s gorgeous dress!) To make it even more special, the venue was the groom’s family wine farm and an event space that was created just in time for the wedding, and the images below are all from Lilys and Horns Photography, who also happens to be one of the bride’s BFFs.

Light & Bright Botanical Wedding at Olive Rock by Adene Photography

29 March, 2016 by gaby

Some weddings are like a carnival, parading across my screen with colour and noise and celebration. Others, like today’s beautiful celebration from the fab Adene Photography, are more like a summer breeze, full of gentle details and whispers of lace, and sheer wedding day romance, and you just want to bask in their radiant glow. That’s Joandi and Jurgens’ big day to me – it’s light and bright and airy, and equal measures organic and contemporary, which is the perfect complement to the gorgeous space at Olive Rock (one of our fave SBB Collection venues). With delicate watercolour details in the stationery, fantastic white florals, and some of the sweetest bridesmaid dresses I’ve seen in a while (as well as Joandi’s incredible illusion neckline gown), it’s the prettiest way to kick off our week of weddings. The final cherry on top? Stacks of chocolate brownies for the guests to take home. Now that’s a sweet farewell.

Romantic Rose Farm Wedding by Jack and Jane Photography

22 March, 2016 by gaby

From the minute I laid eyes on this rustic, romantic wedding, it melted my heart. Everything about it is soft, neutral perfection, from the rose farm setting and elegant barn venue (Ludwig’s rose barn, which I have been dying to feature for a while!), to the eucalyptus wreaths and swags and runners, and fairy lights against whitewashed brick, to the bride’s absolutely gorgeous dress, hair and makeup, to the naked cake. And let’s not forget Jack and Jane’s beautiful photographs, which were SO hard to narrow down because I wanted to share them all with you! Celeste and Dewald are just the sweetest couple, best friends who fell in love, and everything about their day shines with the light of that love. It’s countryside elegance at its very best, and I know you’re going to feel as swoony as I do about every minute, and every frame.

Modern Vintage Wedding at Netherwood by Fiona Clair

21 March, 2016 by gaby

Hello brideys! Hope you’re all having a lovely Human Rights Day off, even if it is miserable and rainy in Durban, where I am. I was going to take a holiday myself, but then I realised we have just so many beautiful weddings and shoots to share with you, that I couldn’t wait any more, and this modern vintage feast by our darling Fiona Clair is just too good to miss! So consider it my holiday gift to you ;) Nic and Bianca’s wedding style is formal and glamorous and vintage – vintage in an Old Hollywood movie star kind of way, rather than the ‘vintage’ tag we often apply to weddings these days. They chose a monochrome colour scheme for their country nuptials, with touches of silver that ended up reflecting the beautiful misty day. Bianca wore a showstopper of a Casey Jeanne number, styling it with a chic updo and a long, trailing bouquet that was just perfection, and the perfect complement to Nic’s classic tux. The reception was light and white and airy, with the perfect little dash of rustic glamour in the gorgeous floral chandelier and all-white blooms. Get ready to fall in love.

Formal Vintage Wedding at The Cape Town Club by Lilac Photography

17 March, 2016 by gaby

When I talk about a city wedding, I’m often thinking of chick city slicker style, or an edgier industrial urban look. But there’s another kind of city wedding, and cities like Cape Town are absolutely perfect for them. I’m thinking of those that tap into the historical aspects of our cities, the period architecture and antique decor that are the hallmarks of a bygone era. That’s what today’s couple, Rouxle and Shaun, who were married in beautiful Cape Town, chose to do. They selected a formal dresscode for their guests and then rocked the look themselves (with the groom in top hat and tails and the bride in an exquisite Janita Toerien gown – oh, Janita, we love you so!). And, after a church ceremony, they had their reception in a beautiful historical building, the Cape Town Club, which was the perfect atmosphere for their vintage-loving style. With a touch of Delft and a few (handmade!) nods to the winter weather, as well as a fit-for-royalty palette of rich jewel colours, the picture was complete. Lilac Photography were there to commit that beautiful picture to film.

Bougainvillea Pink Wedding at Molenvliet by Moira West

15 March, 2016 by gaby

Before I say anything about today’s wedding, I feel like I need to give the groom some applause, because as proposals go, his was awesome. Surprise flash mob at sundown, in a beautiful garden – so romantic! And that was just the start of Matt and Aly’s wedding journey, which cumulated in a gorgeous wedding at Molenvliet with a colour scheme inspired by one of Aly’s favourite flowers, the bougainvillea. I love the way that this punchy pink was worked through the flowers and stationery, with the rest of the details kept soft and pretty (beautifully co-ordinated by SBB Directory members Someday Soon and catered by the awesome Two Chefs). And Aly’s Janita Toerien dress! Total gorgeousness, and that’s even before you realise it was made from her mother’s wedding dress! It all wraps up to something sweet and splendid, delightfully captured by the fab Moira West.

Classic Wedding with a Twist at D’aria by The Picturess

10 March, 2016 by gaby

I love to be surprised. Not so much in a “surprise!-it’s-your-birthday-and-everyone’s-here-at-your-surprise-party-waiting-for-your-reaction-and-it’s-kind-of-awkward” way, and definitely not in a “surprise!-shonda-killed-mcdreamy” way, but visually, I love to be surprised. A bouquet with an unusual texture, a dress with special detail at the back, an unexpected theme or motif or detail. The kind that makes you look twice, and maybe even “ooh!” a little. That’s why I love Dale & Kirsten’s wedding. On the surface it seems like a classic white wedding, with touches of green and charcoal, and a beautiful forest setting, and a bride who looks (and feels) like a Disney princess. But look again, and you’ll see fun little details you don’t expect. Huge crepe paper flowers for the bridesmaids (reflected with paper flowers at each setting). Flowers enclosed in little transparent lightbulbs hanging from the trees at the ceremony. The ferns from the bride’s father’s garden in the centrepieces reflected in a sparkling fern clip in her hair. Those little visual surprises that make you go “ooh!”. And of course, in amongst them, all the classic beauty that we love, including gorgeous blooms by SBB Directory members Bright and Beautiful, and lovely pics by The Picturess.

Enchanting Berry-tone Wedding at The Glades by CC Rossler

8 March, 2016 by gaby

When I asked today’s bride, Nicol, about her wedding, she said something that really tickled me: “Up until the Friday before our wedding it had been pouring with rain and there was even a snow warning, but on the Saturday the weather was perfect. Okay, it was still chilly, but a bride’s superpower is not to feel the cold!” I love that. A bride’s superpower. So true! Although I have to say that this particular bride (and her husband, Roland) had another superpower up their sleeve – namely, gorgeous taste. They filled their reception at the rustic-fabulous Glades farm with incredible flowers in berry hues, including trailing fronds of amaranthus and jewel coloured orchids in Nicol’s bouquet, and paired them with copper vessels, raw wooden tables, embroidery hoop table numbers, and tiny wreaths made of rosemary at each setting. The botanical element was mirrored in the bridesmaids floral print dresses, and there were plenty of personal details, including local coffee (the groom’s fave) and a VW Combi photobooth. It’s that perfect mix of pretty and personal, beautifully captured by the lovely CC Rossler. And despite that chill in the air, it’ll leave you with warm hearts and bruised Pinning fingers ;)

Rustic High Tea Wedding at Oewerzicht Farm Cottages by Yeah Yeah Photography

4 March, 2016 by gaby

It’s been a bumper week of weddings here on SBB, and we’re finishing off with the most adorable rustic high tea wedding in Greyton. High school sweethearts, Rachel and Peter, wanted to share one of their favourite getaway destinations, Oewerzicht Farms, with an intimate group of family and friends. They had their ceremony on a koppie with the most magnificent views, then adjourned for their reception at long, greenery-bedecked tables, before dancing the night away beneath the stars. And with the boys in traditional kilts, you just know it was a proper knees up! These captures of breathtaking scenery and heartfelt moments were taken by Yeah Yeah Photography.