Leisurely Luncheon Wedding at Sibton Hill by Bright Girl Photography {Lauren & Luke}

For our third gorgeous wedding of the week, we’re heading to the KZN countryside for a relaxed luncheon bathed in golden light and awash with proteas. Because in case you haven’t noticed by now, we bloody love proteas around here. And I love that Lauren and Luke used them as the basis for their colour scheme, along with lanterns, mismatched glass jars and vases and custom laurel monogram napkins. Add beautifully rustic wooden tables and lace bunting, blush dresses for the bridesmaids and Lauren’s dreamy lace-back dress, and it’s everything an elegant country wedding should be. Everything and more, since it’s photographed to romantic perfection by the lovely Eileen of Bright Girl Photography. What a way to end the week!Read More

Modern Black Tie Wedding at the Maharani Hotel by Kate Martens {Taryn & Kevin}

Some weddings have you at Hello, but this one had me at a cat in a bowtie. I mean, it’s a cat. In a bowtie! And the fashionable feline wasn’t where the chic ended – Taryn’s dress is incredible! I just love when a bride decides to do something different, in keeping with her personal style, and this Dior-inspired creation was really something special. Add a groom in sleek black tie, a hotel ballroom full of classic monochrome and delicate roses, and an adorable tiny bridesmaid in the form of Taryn and Kevin’s baby daughter, and you have a beautiful, unique celebration, captured with panache by Kate Martens. AND there’s a cat in a bowtie. ;)Read More

Luminous Vineyard Wedding at Avondale Estate by Charlene Schreuder {Julie & Charles}

When I was trying to come up with a few words to describe this lovely wedding from SBB fave Charlene Schreuder, the one that immediately came to mind was ‘luminous’, because there’s a special light that seems to shine from the portraits of Julie and Charles’ beautiful day. Maybe it’s the lush peach and mint florals popping against a crisp white reception space, or the soft afternoon light playing against silk and satin and lace. Then again, maybe it’s the bright smiles Julie and Charles share with each other, with their bridal party, and even with their dogs (love that!) as they bask in the glow of having promised their futures to their best friend. Whatever it is, it’s fantastic – what a joy to share it with you today :)Read More

Bohemian Rustic Wedding at The Glades by Alexis Diack {Taryn and Mike}

Well hot damn. You know it’s going to be an amazing day when we’re kicking it off with a totally unique and beautiful wedding that also happens to feature the talents of not one but two of our most favourite vendors. Casey Jeanne‘s dresses are always exquisite, but along with some deliciously boho accessories, this one makes bride Taryn look (by her own apt description) like a bohemian goddess. In a fashion spread. In Vogue. And the gorgeous (but totally laid-back) details don’t stop there – I promised you a groom in jeans, and here he is, rocking them. There’s a gypsy band of attendants (how much am I loving the MoH’s style?), flowers for the guests’ hair, a hand-tied bridal bouquet, bunches of wildflowers in pastel tin cans on rustic tables – for a bride who decided not to splash out on her floral budget, Taryn was surrounded by blooms. The whole effect is delightfully un-fussy, the kind of atmosphere where guests are ready to kick off their heels and dance with joy – and I’ll bet that’s just what they did. The wonderful Alexis Diack was on the scene to deliver her usual heart-stopping photographic captures.Read More

Winter Pastels Wedding at Calderwood Hall by Fiona Clair {Joelene & Stef}

My love affair with Fiona Clair‘s photography goes a way back, but it didn’t take long for new SBB team member Candice to fall head over heels with her work as well. So when we snapped up this winter pastel wedding set in the Natal Midlands, we couldn’t stop gushing to each other about how gorgeous every single image was. You probably know by now that I’m a sucker for pastels, and I LOVED Jolene’s take on the palette, taking it from summer staple to winter whimsy completely effortlessly. Add in mixed metallics (), painted bottles and origami, a vintage plate table plan, a handpainted banner proclaiming ‘Oh happy day!’, an illusion lace dress, flower crowns, faux fur shrugs… every detail, basically. Oh happy day, indeed!Read More

Wine Cellar Wedding at Bramon Estate by Christelle Rall {Karien & Martin}

I just love a vineyard wedding, don’t you? Maybe it’s my years at Stellenbosch that gave me such a love for wine farms (and, er, wine), but I do think there’s nothing quite like the gorgeous serene scenery that you find at the wedding with a leafy backdrop of vines and mountains. Usually we feature vineyard weddings from the Cape, but today’s comes from the gorgeous Garden Route, which is really an emerging market for brides and grooms in SA. And this one includes a ceremony right in the cellar – how cool is that? Karien & Martin chose a neutral palette for their big day, with gently rustic details and a super fun vibe, and photographer Christelle Rall was on the scene to frame every moment from behind the lens. Oh, and PS – pastel macaron tower? YES PLEASE.Read More

Romantic Barn Wedding at Rosemary Hill by Ginger Ale Photography {Christa & Jaco}

DIY details are always pretty awesome, but some of my favourite weddings are those where the bride or groom apply their particular creative talents to the big day, resulting in something that’s not just personal and special, but truly one of a kind. Today’s wedding is one of these – bride Christa is a ceramic artist and textile designer, and she created a series of absolutely gorgeous, unique fabric elements for her rustic chic wedding to Jaco. And speaking of Jaco, I love when we get to hear from our SouthBound grooms, and today’s wedding story is all in his words. Enjoy reading them, in between sighing over the breathtakingly romantic pictures by Ginger Ale Photography!Read More

Protea Farm Wedding at Wychwood by Kate Martens {Jess & Jon}

This wedding had me at ‘protea farm’. I mean seriously, what could be more perfect for a protea lover like myself, than a wedding where our beautiful national flowers are grown, amid fields the colours of a Camps Bay sunset? So it’s no wonder that Jess and John chose to accent their wedding design with proteas – dozens of them. But the charm didn’t stop there – think curtains of rose and blush ribbon, bridesmaids in tulle ruffles, elegant lace for the stunning bride and a ballerina flowergirl. There’s even a ruffley cake. It’s just SO PRETTY, and we loved finding out that SBB was Jess’s favourite planning blog – clearly we think her taste in weddings and wedding blogs is impeccable! As is her taste in photographers – Kate Martens was on the scene to capture these gorgeous pics full of movement and life.Read More

Colourful Fynbos Wedding by Amy Scheepers & Weddings by Marius {Julianne & Gene}

Today we’re heading out to the beautiful Garden Route to see a wedding created by the considerably talented Marius Barnard of Weddings by Marius. Julianne and Gene’s big day was a colourful affair, inspired by the hues of evening light on the South African fynbos… wow. (Don’t you just love that?) With spectacular flowers (including a floral chandelier above the couple’s weddimg ceremony), nude wood tables with mixed vases and vessels, and hanging cafe lights in a huge white marquee, this is my idea of rustic wedding perfection. What a way to start the day!Read More

Natural Beauty Wedding at Wolfkloof by Adel Photography {Grethe & GR}

Natural Beauty Wedding at Wolfkloof by Adel Photography {Grethe & GR} | SouthBound Bride

Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed a big trend towards ‘natural’ weddings – ones that brides describe not just as ‘rustic’ but as ‘organic’, and that include shades from nature rather than artificial hues. Maybe it’s part of the eco movement, or maybe it’s a reflection of South Africans’ love of the outdoors. I absolutely love it, and I really love when the relaxed feeling in decor transfers over to a relaxed feeling in the wedding as a whole. Grethe & GR’s wedding is just a perfect example of this – they chose bunches and green garlands of eucalyptus leaves for their decor, muted pastels for their bridesmaids, a family-style feast for their meal, and a big tree as their ceremony backdrop. It’s the kind of long, sunny, food-and-wine-filled afternoon that makes me want to pack up my laptop, grab a picnic blanket and head outside to the open air. Adel Ferreira was on the scene to take these lovely pictures of the laid-back lovebirds and their happy guests.Read More