Morning, lovelies! We have been having some hosting problems, so the schedule is a bit out of whack, but never mind – today is just going to be FULL of inspiration! We’re starting off with a roundup of no less that 25 gorgeous bouquets incorporating one of our favourite South African flowers, the pincushion protea. Since I first wrote about this spiky bloom a few years back, I’ve been delighted to see it used in some really creative and beautiful ways, so I thought it was about time I shared them. If you’d like a very South African feeling to your flowers, but are a bit over King Proteas, then this is a great choice.
Well, here’s something new – I’ve had grooms contribute to the questionnaire before, but never had a complete he said/she said view of a wedding. It just shows what a strong partnership Stuart and Stacey have, and how much their wedding was a mix of their personalities and backgrounds. Stuart is from Scotland, so beyond the traditional kilts (and let’s be honest, men look faaaabulous in kilts!) there was Highland-style dancing, merrymaking and bagpiping unfer the night sky. Bringing up the South African end, there was braaing, kuiering and gorgeous natural fynbos covering the tables. It’s like Rob Roy meets Jock of the Bushveld, in the perfect fusion of two lives and families. The lovely Tabitha of Illuminate Photography was there to capture every special moment.Read More
You all know how I feel about travel themed weddings (love ’em!). Which might have something to do with my own love of travel, but I also love how it can be a metaphor for life and relationships. Because life really is a journey, isn’t it? I’m the first to admit I don’t always look at the scenery along the way, preferring to focus on the destination, but in hindsight it’s always the journey that gets you somewhere that teaches you or inspires you or provides you with the lasting lessons or memories. Today’s couple, inspired by their awesome airstream trailer park venue (oh, we love Old Mac Daddy’s don’t we!), based their wedding around the idea of going on a trip together – kind of a perfect metaphor for starting out on the adventure of marriage. They incorporated this theme in sweet, subtle ways – through an airstream logo, and travel-themed stationery, and (my fave) little old school cartoon-hobo-style knapsacks on a stick to house the favours. Adorable! The vibe was light hearted and lovely, made even more so by the drop dead gorgeous pics by Yolandé Marx. I’m a huge fan of Yolandé’s work (in fact, check our her gorgeous new category images in our Supplier Directory – swoonage!), and her dreamy shots of Marli and Peter in their lakeside location are some of my favourites!Read More
We don’t feature a lot of wedding films here on SBB, but some just capture my heart and my imagination, and today’s joy filled video by The Shank Tank was an immediate favourite. I adore Jewish weddings – they’re filled with the most incredible, meaningful traditions as well as a vibrant atmosphere of love and celebration (and lots and lots of dancing!). Tae and Darren’s film really captures all this as well as the connection between a gorgeous couple. And when I heard that my fave Fiona Clair had taken the pictures (including some breathtaking portraits of Tae in her beautiful lace dress!), I just had to do a mini wedding feature to celebrate.Read More
Wedding pros, I have SUCH an exciting announcement for you all! Today we’re launching a brand new initiative on SBB, one that is very close to my heart. Ever since I started the blog, it has been my aim not just to feature SA’s talented suppliers & brides, but also to try to share a little of what makes South Africa and South African weddings special with the world, and of course to help create and inspire with fresh ideas. Earlier this year I was inspired myself by the styled shoot contest run by my fellow wedding blogger Sara of Burnett’s Boards (which if you don’t follow yet, you MUST!), and with the winter months meaning a bit of playtime for the industry, I thought now was the perfect time to do something similar. So, here we are – the first ever SouthBound Bride Styled Shoot Contest!
And here’s the really exciting bit – the finalists will not only be published here on the blog, but the top team will win a fab sponsorship package. I’m honoured to announce that these winners will be chosen by me along with my fellow judges, the awesome Sara herself, as well as the talented Louise of b.loved (both of whom have a blogger’s editorial eye, a love for fresh inspiration, and experience as successful stylists to their credit). I’m so thrilled that both of them have agreed to be part of the contest.Read More
So here on SBB, we are often all about the girls (well, it is SouthBound bride, after all). But we really do want to make sure that we’re offering inspiration for the boys as well. And the biggest question I get when it comes to the groom and his merry men is: “What colour should the groom wear if our colour scheme is x”. Ah for the days when this was an easy answer, and all you had to do was match your blush and bashful to his shiny cummerband, right? (I’m kidding, obvs. NObody misses the cummerband.) In fact, the first questions to ask when choosing your groomswear aren’t about the colour scheme at all, but rather about the formality of your wedding, the time of day it will be held, and what will make him (and his budget) comfortable. So taking thes factors into account, I’ve put some options together for ice-cream pastel weddings (one of the more challenging of the groomswear dilemmas). Simple answer? Don’t make him wear a pink suit.
Happy Friday lovelies! We have a full day of inspiration here on SBB, starting with the most BEAUTIFUL boudoir imaginable from the talented Kate Pleasants. If you’ve been wondering if bridal boudoir is for you, and whether it’ll make you feel sexy or silly, then this is a great example of how subtle (and classy, and gorgeous) it can be when done right. It’s about what isn’t revealed, not what is, and photos like Kate’s are little works of art (a gift for your groom, but a gift for yourself too). As well as sharing them today and making the blog all pretty (yay!), Kate’s answered a few frequently asked questions to help introduce you to the boudoir photography concept.
Give me a wedding in ice cream pastels and you’ll have one happy blogger. There’s just something about the soft shades (especially when mixed together) that I absolutely love – it feels like spring and easter and an afternoon on the beachfront wearing a sundress and eating a 99, all in one. Today’s pastel fest has an extra special fun aspect – roses for Rose, the lovely bride who decided to play on both her first name and new surname to add a whimsical touch to the decor. With a crown of her namesake flowers, towers of macarons and cupcakes and (Shut the Front Door!) a custom pastel dance floor, it has everything a pastel-lover could dream of. Thanks to fab Vizion Photo for sharing this wedding with us today!Read More
I love bringing you fresh wedding venues here on SBB, and they don’t get fresher than this one (in fact, Deidre & Leon were the very first to get married at the lovely Little Farm on the Stream, a gorgeous olive farm in Wellington. They incorporated the intimate, rustic feel of the farmyard into their DIY-tastic celebration, which also has a lovely, earthy feel to it – the heart-stamp leaf confetti is my fave! I also love that this fun couple included a whimsical element, with both river stones (from their own trips) and toys in between the antique bottles filled with wildflowers on the tables. There are so many gorgeous personal touches, right down to a handmade dancefloor, which is where they closed out the night with one final, incredibly romantic, dance. Sigh! And speaking of fresh talent, I’m so happy to welcome photographer Kristi Agier to SBB for the first time too!Read More
I love engagement shoots with a little somethin’ somethin’ extra, especially when it results in sheer romance, as this unique night e-shoot from the fab Riekert Cloete does. With clever lighting, some fun after dark locations, and a loved-up bride and groom-to-be on board, it has that special magic that reminds me of a moonlit night or a sky full of stars.Read More
