Cape - SouthBound Bride

Liz Bharo Photography

ABOUT ME
As a creative and artist, it has always been a focus of mine to see and express the exquisiteness and story of each moment. Photography is a method of powerful storytelling – either honest or imaginatively created. The lovely pleasure of working in the Photography, Fashion & Art industry, is that my work allows me travel throughout the world to photograph designer couture and bespoke occasions. My extensive travels have included: United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, United States of America, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina. With a background in fine art and human studies, I have found my sweet spot – this has resulted in dynamism and creativity in my work, as I get to experience different cultures and places. To highlight enthused moments and expose the elegance of bespoke occasions has become a photographic approach and artful technique for capturing luxury weddings throughout the world. Whether I capture casual portraits, intentional creative concepts for fashion designers, or bespoke occasions, style and elegant expression is treated holistically. Get in touch as I would be delighted to capture your portrait, project or occasion in timeless luxury storytelling.

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.lizbharo.com
+27 (0)72 771 7239

MORE ABOUT ME
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
I am based in Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa. I travel nationally and internationally for fashion and wedding photography. My favourite places in South Africa: Kwazulu Natal, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Culinan, Muldersdrift, Garden Route My favourite places in Europe: Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris & Courchevel (France), all of Italy and the U.K. Other favourite countries: New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina

How did you get started in weddings?
I love fashion, and naturally I transitioned from capturing wedding couture to live weddings.

What inspires you?
Nature is my biggest inspiration – South Africa is bountiful in nature, and I am lucky to call it my home. I go for walks, breathe fresh air, and take fashion into natural spaces all the time. I love Instagram. When I have a creative block, Instagram is the place I visit digitally. It’s great to see other hardworking artists showcasing their beautiful work. It always motivates me to stay true to my creativity, and push onto the next project.

Favourite place in South Africa?
Drakensberg – Cathkin Peak, Kwazulu Natal. Garden Route, Eastern Cape.

What advice would you give to brides and grooms?
Your wedding is a magical day, celebrating the union of your love, friendships and family. It is one day (in most cases). Be sure to enjoy the day! Make proper use of your suppliers – regardless of the type of wedding suppliers, they are there to ensure that your day remains a stunning celebration. The suppliers are the wedding team that will take care of all the behind the scenes processes. So don’t ever worry. Live and enjoy your wondrous day!

Embassy Hill

Blooming Wonderful

ABOUT US
Taking care of the details is what we do from start to finish, from save the dates to your thank you cards, décor to tablescape, vase to flowers, dreams to reality. We love helping stylish Western Cape brides create one common thread throughout their wedding and help them express their love story with our beautiful décor, flowers and stationery. It all comes together in our showroom, where we will guide you through the whole process of making your wedding day the BEST DAY EVER. If you are looking for the best wedding décor to hire, wedding stationery and wedding styling, look no further than Blooming Wonderful.

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.bloomingwonderful.co.za
+27 (0)21 852 8573

MORE ABOUT US
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
We are based In Somerset West; we style beautiful weddings in the Winelands area. We hire out our decor to all brides in the Western Cape area (delivery range is limited). We help Brides in all of SA with beautifully handcrafted wedding stationery.

How did you get started in weddings?
Blooming Wonderful was started just over four years ago, after my husband and I got married. We found the whole process very overwhelming at some times, so we wanted to create a creative space for couples to play around with ideas, tablescapes and have beautiful stationery to add a personal touch.

What inspires you?
Everything inspires me, from a beautifully patterned tile, to an interesting fabric texture. Inspiration and design seem to find me everywhere, especially since we live in the most beautiful part of South Africa.

Favourite place in South Africa?
The West Coast

What advice would you give to brides and grooms?
To just have fun when it comes to the styling aspect of your wedding. All too often, couples get so overwhelmed with the planning of their wedding that they forget to enjoy the experience. A wedding is a personal moment, a chance to show your guests a little glimpse into your love story. We always hope to make it as beautiful as possible.

Sketch & M- Makeup & Hairstyling by Marisa

ABOUT ME
Being a real romantic, I have found that there is nothing quite as magical as working in the wedding industry. I love creating each bride’s ideal wedding look – making sure she feels comfortable, yet at her most beautiful. I only use the best makeup products and hairstyling tools from brands such as MAC, Inglot, Urban Decay, Beauty Blender, Parlux & Veaudry.

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.sketchandm.com
+27 (0)83 446 0619

MORE ABOUT ME
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
I am based in Somerset West, but willing to travel to anywhere in South Africa.

How did you get started in weddings?
Originally working in fashion, I have always been intrigued by the wedding industry – in particular makeup and hairstyling. After moving to Cape Town, the hub of the wedding industry, and planning my own wedding, I decided to pursue my lifelong dream and started my own business, Sketch & M.

What inspires you?
Getting to meet and work with new clients on a regular basis and being part of such significant days of their lives (whether it’s their wedding, a special event or photoshoot). I absolutely love researching new makeup, hair and wedding trends in general- I can literally do this the whole day! Also, working on styled shoots with other creatives is a major source of inspiration and a personal favourite of mine.

Favourite place in South Africa?
I love any coastal destination, but there is nothing like the charm of a small countryside town in the Klein Karoo.

What advice would you give to brides and grooms?
Try and finalise most of your arrangements a day or two before the wedding so that you can start relaxing and take in all the precious moments with family and friends. It is really terrible if you are still running around the day of the wedding, trying to finalise the last few things. Don’t sweat the small stuff. If you have good food, good wine and good music- your guests will have the best time!

Absolute Perfection

ABOUT US
Absolute Perfection is a High End Fine Art Luxury, Wedding Consultancy located in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa. Absolute Perfection specializes in complete Event Styling, Coordination and Floral Design, predominantly for Luxury South African Safari Destination Weddings. Our unique approach towards our events creates pictures, experiences, made to last for eternity. We assist with not only styling our clients’ wedding receptions, but also provide guidance with entire event production from start to finish. As designers, Absolute Perfection draws inspiration from the past, present and future, from interior design, fine art, fashion, travel, luxurious living; but mostly our passion for life and beautiful things. With attention to quality and detail, we combine colors, shapes, textures, patterns and innovative concepts to create truly memorable occasions. Keeping in mind that event styling is not just about flowers… it is about creating an atmosphere. Absolute Perfection assists with advising on High End industry professionals, event layout, custom lighting, specialty linens, furniture and props that will give your event ambiance and character. Every celebration paints a picture, evokes an emotion and tells a story…we are here to co-create and execute a customized, personal occasion that truly reflects YOU in the heart of African opulence!

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.absoluteperfection.co.za
+27 (0)72 314 9347

MORE ABOUT US
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
We are based in Johannesburg, South Africa and service nationwide, as well as Mozambique, Kalahari regions.

How did you get started in weddings?
I have an interior design back ground, and started planning events while I was studying Interior. Once I finished I wanted to continue planning events as well as incorporate my interior knowledge, which lead me to open up my own wedding planning business; that was 2009.

What inspires you?
I get inspired by travel, nature, art, music and Interior. I think as a creative we draw inspiration from anything artistic. Just love love and the love for all things beautiful.

Favourite place in South Africa?
Definitely the Dolphin Coast in KZN; I just love being close to anything abundant in green and blue seas.

What advice would you give to brides and grooms?
The most important advice I can give to brides and grooms is never to forget why you decided to get married in the first place. Weddings are a one day event, a marriage is a lifetime achievement, and that is the ultimate goal.

Ida Webster Hair & Make-up

ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ida. I specialise in Hair and Makeup for weddings, shoots and other events. I love meeting my brides and enhancing their natural beauty. My makeup style is natural, but I do like doing full glamour looks! Hair is my main passion as I started out as hairdresser. I love doing all hair styles from soft loose waves to the more intricate upstyles!

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.idawebster.co.za
+27 (0)84 263 3557

MORE ABOUT ME
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
I am based in Durbanville, but I travel all over the Western, Northern and Southern Cape (Winelands, Overberg, West Coast, Karoo, Garden Route). No place is too far for me to travel to.

How did you get started in weddings?
I trained as a hairdresser, but always had an interest in styling hair. I started doing wedding hair at the salons I worked in. There was an opportunity to do a make-up course which had always been on my list of skills that I wanted to learn. I took a giant leap of faith and started my own business. It has been nine years now and still don’t regret it.

What inspires you?
The amazing people I get to meet. From my brides and their retinue to the awesome suppliers in the wedding industry.

Favourite place in South Africa?
Anywhere close to the beach! Fresh air and the waves crashing just relax me.

What advice would you give to brides and grooms?
Have fun, don’t stress about the small things. Bride, concentrate on your groom when you are walking down the aisle! Take some time during the night to reflect back on your amazing wedding day and take it in. It goes by so quickly!

Magnolia & Magpie Photography

ABOUT ME
Magnolia & Magpie Photography Co. is made up of husband and wife duo, Joey and Cameo. We live in the United States six months out of the year, and spend the rest of our time in Cape Town. Magnolia & Magpie Photography was birthed out of a firm belief that photography should not only be beautiful, but truthful and lasting. In our images, we seek to avoid disingenuous moments, but to allow space for the grit and vulnerability of life. We aim to know our couples well, to take part in their stories, and thus, to create images that speak not just to the wedding season, but the full spectrum of their relationship. We strive to create unique works of art that will sustain you through the struggles, enrich you in the light, and provide you with aesthetically lasting heirlooms for the years yet to come.

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.magnoliaandmagpie.com
+1 (0)407 865 2744

MORE ABOUT ME
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
We are based in Orlando, Florida six months a year and Cape Town for the rest of the year. We love Cape Town and photograph all over the Western Cape.

How did you get started in weddings?
Joey had been working in commercial photography and we actually met at a photoshoot. Much of our dating relationship involved him taking pictures of me and showing off all of his fancy gear. As we planned our own wedding, we fantasised about starting a wedding photography business as a couple. The next year, we took the leap and have never looked back. We so enjoy getting to take part in the most important day in our couples’ lives. We have the unique privilege of capturing love, commitment, and the moments that lead to forever.

What inspires you?
We are deeply inspired by travel; we find that nothing transforms a person more than experiencing new places and cultures.

Favourite place in South Africa?
Truth Coffee. Just kidding, but not entirely. Truth was one of the first places we visited upon arriving in Cape Town for the first time, so it holds a special place in our hearts.

What advice would you give to brides and grooms?
Planning a wedding in the 21st century is odd… you are constantly bombarded with current trends, Pinterest boards, and your aunt’s incessant advice about how she would do things. But ultimately, it is YOUR wedding. Make it special, make it unique, and think more about what is lastingly beautiful than temporarily trendy. And enjoy your wedding day! Don’t get so acutely focused on the details that you miss out on the joy of choosing to spend the rest of your life with your best friend.

Jacoba

ABOUT US
At Jacoba, we make getting your bridal party dresses super easy. Choose a style you love and we make it up in the color you want. Our dresses are designed with a strong focus on body type so that everyone will be able to find a dress that makes them feel like a million bucks! There’s space to try-on, park, meet the girls and brainstorm. No appointment needed! And if you’re not in Cape Town, we can work from your measurement and courier your dresses to you. So if it’s an event to WOW or that perfect set of bridesmaid dresses that is beautifully re-wearable and accessibly-priced you’re after, Jacoba is the first place to visit! Saving you time, money and hassle comes standard!

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.jacobaclothing.co.za
+27 (0)21 462 7724

MORE ABOUT US
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
We are based in Gardens, Cape Town, but we can ship nationwide.

How did you get started in weddings?
We used to supply boutiques wholesale, but started getting more and more requests from brides to make their bridesmaids’ dresses. Eventually that became more fun, so we opened a shop and a website and the rest is history!

What inspires you?
Women…and how vulnerable we all really are about how we look. I love making dresses for normal women with normal bodies and making them feel super beautiful and hot! And I absolutely love dresses!

Favourite place in South Africa?
The West Coast… but anywhere near the ocean would do!

What advice would you give to brides and grooms?
Relax and enjoy the moment. Love is the most precious thing in this world.

Mofam River Lodge

Hanrie Lues Bridal

ABOUT HANRIE LUES BRIDAL
At Hanrie Lues Bridal, we specialise in custom designed and made, luxury bridal gowns for the modern bride (with a nostalgic side!). Our signature elements include exquisite hand-beading, intricate lace appliqué and exceptional fit. Each bespoke bride that enters through our doors leaves feeling like royalty and becomes our friend for life!

CONTACT INFORMATION
[email protected]
www.hanrielues.com
+27 (0) 72 700 5173

MORE ABOUT THE DESIGNER
How would you describe your design style?
I adore intricate details and interesting elements. My designs are hugely influenced by romantic and nostalgic bygone eras of glamour. I pay special attention to always push the envelope and stay informed on what international bridal trends are going to be, so that my brides can always be assured of a fresh and modern approach to design.

Favourite fabrics to work with?
LACE! Absolutely obsessed with laces and the endless possibilities they offer to create new and unique designs. I also love using experimental fabric, to stay ahead of the pack and ensure that my gowns cater to what the modern bride requires, in terms of fit, quality and comfort.

What would you suggest is the best way to accessorise one of your creations?
I prefer toned-down accessories, that complement instead of overpower the dress. A beautiful pair of earrings, a statement crown or a cathedral veil are some of my favourites!

What process and timeline can a Hanrie Lues bride expect?
I always advise my brides to contact me as soon as their venue has been booked! It is never to early to start the process when opting for a bespoke designer gown. As we require 4-6 months to complete a gown, we book up very far in advance and often if brides wait until the last moment, we aren’t able to accommodate them (which breaks my heart!). Having more time to plan also allows us to do exciting and exclusive things like custom beadwork and ordering fabric from overseas.

Favourite current bridal trends?
Loving the boho-lux trend – laid-back yet elegant and chic. Fit for a boho-princess! Still obsessed with low backs and interesting sleeves, as well as pastel colours used as linings under ivory/white laces.

Any advice for brides?
So much advice, haha! But will narrow it down to:

Get that videographer! I regret not having one to capture our memories of the day, in a format that also allows you to re-live the emotions.
Pick a photographer that pays attention to detail and styling.
Hire a co-ordinator if you have a full-time job and lack creative or organisational skills!
Choose bridesmaids who will actually put their own needs aside for ONE day and are able to selflessly attend to you. This really takes the pressure off and allows you to just relax and enjoy every second without having to deal with unwanted drama!