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20 Greenery Wedding Invitations

4 July, 2017 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2021* Greenery has been a big floral and design trend in weddings for a little while now and the reason for its longevity is that it’s a look that can be adapted to lots of different styles and seasons. And I have to say, I’m a big fan of the use of green leaves in printable wedding invitations. It’s a motif that looks amazing against both a crisp white and a rustic Kraft background, whether paired with a traditional or modern font, and of course, with plenty of pretty greenery illustration. So whether you’re using greenery in your wedding design or just want to add a touch of natural, minimalist style to your stationery, I think you’ll fall in love with these greenery wedding invitations – all printable, and all created by the makers at Etsy!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Sposabella Boutique Tour

8 May, 2017 by gaby

It’s a sunny afternoon when I drive up to The White House in Morningside, Durban, a little oasis for brides, bustling with wedding-related businesses. My destination is Sposabella Bridal Gowns, an exclusive bridal boutique, and I find it at one end of the corridor – its light, modern showroom awash in sunshine and smiles from owner Gayle Erasmus and her team. From behind a mirrorball desk, they welcome guests like old friends. But the real star of the show is, of course, the dresses. With elegant silhouettes of lace, tulle and sparkle lining the shelves and draped on a host of mannequins, it’s hard not to get a little giddy, and I imagine many real brides do. And that’s where the Sposabella team comes in again, with their reassuring presence and extensive knowledge of what brides want (and need!). The boutique is home to the Enzoani Beautiful range, which is even more gorgeous in person than on screen, and for KZN brides, Sposabella is the perfect place to spend an afternoon trying on gowns and undoubtedly falling in love with ‘The One’. I asked Gayle a few questions about what makes her salon unique, and Michigan Behn was on hand to take these lovely images.

Elegant Beach Wedding Accessories for the Bride

21 April, 2017 by gaby

I do love my little trawls around Etsy – it feels a little like I’m in search of buried treasure, and whenever I turn up something truly lovely, something I know you all will love, it really is like I found the pirate’s gold. That’s particularly appropriate for today’s roundup, which includes all kinds of lovely little trinkets with a touch of the sea for brides, grooms, and bridesmaids. And while too many themey things could be a little cheesy, each one of these beach wedding accessories for a bride stands alone as an elegant addition to your wedding attire. So peek inside the treasure chest and see which is your favourite!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

10 Beautiful Bridesmaid Looks for Beach Weddings

17 April, 2017 by gaby

When it comes to beach weddings, there are so many gorgeous options for a bride-to-be, but what about her best girls? As you know, we love a bit of bridesmaid fashion here on SBB, especially when it involves fashionable looks that ladies can wear again after the big day. And while there are many, many ways you can go for a beach do, depending on your colour scheme, location and vibe, I’ve rounded up 10 of my absolute favourites, complete with shop-tions so you can get the look yourself!
Top image: Jack and Jane Photography/Timeless Weddings Co./Josephine Clothing on SouthBound Bride

Bridesmaid Separates

25 January, 2017 by gaby

UPDATED FOR 2021* Time for some fashion, lovelies! One of the trends that I am LOVING at the moment is bridesmaid separates – everything from crop tops to more demure shirts and skirts, flirty tea length tulle, and maxi beauties. There are so many different ways you can go with this, depending on the style of your wedding. It’s also a great way to do mismatched, or to create a bridesmaid look that works for a range of different body types. Not to mention that it’s an easy look to achieve, even if you and your girls are oceans apart. So I thought I would round up some of my favourite bridesmaid separates looks from real weddings, as well as some gorgeous two-piece bridesmaid dresses from Etsy.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

A SouthBound Guide to Diamond Shapes

18 January, 2017 by gaby

Image: Alexis June Weddings /Aisle Society/Susie Saltzman on SouthBound Bride

The French are said to die for love, they delight in fighting duels. But I prefer a man who lives and gives… expensive jewels. So sang Marilyn Monroe, and so I agree (plus, isn’t that a fabulous lyric?) and that’s why year after year, alongside all the pretty dresses and details, I find myself sighing at the diamond rings on our brides’ elegant hands. And while I’m a sucker for a classic round solitaire, I love the variety that modern brides have in their choices – different settings, different metals, and for many, non-traditional stones (because diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but I also love hanging with morganite, sapphire, etc.) Another area of choice if you’re on the engagement ring hunt right now is shape (sometimes called cut, but not the cut referred to in the Big 4: Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat, which is rather the reflective quality of a diamond). There are actually a huge range of diamond shapes or cuts that you can choose. And, while the ones best suited for sparkle are the old classics (round, cushion), the fancy cuts, as they’re called, can make up for it in uniqueness (after all, how many of your friends are rocking a trillion?) We’ve rounded up some of the more popular shapes in this comprehensive guide to diamond shapes, along with lots of pretty, pretty rings from Etsy to show them off at a range of price points.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Spanish Flamenco Wedding Inspiration by Jacoba Clothing

13 January, 2017 by gaby

It’s Fashion Friday, you guys, so not only are we bringing you the best in wedding gowns for 2017, but I have some brilliant local fashion inspiration to share with you today, courtesy of our talented friends at Jacoba Clothing. This shoot was inspired by the bright colours and bold movements of flamenco dancers, and it’s full of the most beautiful bright florals and table decor, which just serve to highlight how pretty Jacoba’s dresses are. A stunning combination of comfort and detail, whether you’re wearing one as a bride or bridesmaid, you’re going to feel like a million pesetas (well, Euro, but whatever) and be ready to click those castanets and dance the night away (flamenco dance moves not guaranteed).

Best of 2016: Moments

30 December, 2016 by gaby

Before we end our Best of 2016 series, I wanted to look past the details (much as we love them) – the pretty dresses and delicious cakes and fabulous decor and spectacular bouquets – to the heart of what we do here on SBB, the heart of weddings, the moments. Even though we don’t know most of the brides and grooms whose weddings we feature, that’s one of the joys of a great photographer, that they capture these slices of emotion that are real and true, even if you don’t know the story or the person behind them. There have been so many times we’ve smiled or shed a tear over the year through these images and stories, and at the end of the day, that’s what makes this so much more than fashion or decor or style. It’s the love. It’s sharing the love. And it’s always a privilege. Here are twenty of those moments, and they’re also the perfect way to finish off our 2016 content. So here’s wishing you all a very happy new year – and we’ll see you back here in 2017!

Mismatched White Lace Boho Bridesmaid Dresses

7 October, 2016 by gaby

A couple of weeks ago, we rounded up some gorgeous boho wedding dresses here on SBB. But boho isn’t just for brides – oh, noho. Because the only thing better than a stylish gypsy bride is one with a retinue of gorgeous bohemian bridesmaids rocking their own indie bridesmaid dresses. But what does that look like? Of course, the very nature of ‘bohemian’ is that there are no rules, but my favourite look (which happens to gel perfectly with an organic, chilled out, festival wedding vibe) is white lace or crochet dresses, mismatched (of course). Just add some pretty sandals and some wildflowers, and you have the perfect look for your ladies. Which of these white boho bridesmaid dresses is your favourite? *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.