Perfectly Protea Vrede en Lust Wedding by Sybrand Cillié {Carlen & Lynton}

by gaby

This is the kind of wedding I live for, the kind that makes me wonder why anyone would get married anywhere else but our beautiful country (take note, Clooney, although I’d rather you eloped with me). Being talented graphic designers, the bride and groom also have exquisite taste, turning a protea-themed, rustic slash boho style wedding into something more than I’ve ever seen before. For one thing, there’s the floral arch – serious wow factor, and it has me falling in love with our big, bold, beautiful national flower all over again. Then Carlen’s flower crown and soft curls, and graceful Elbeth Gillis dress (one of my personal favourites of Elspeth’s designs, in fact). Succulent favours in tin mugs branded with the awesome protea logo the couple created. Tables filled with burlap and wildflowers and glass clear as the summer sky. A trio of fashionable bridesmaids. And to top it all off, dreamy pictures by the incredible Sybrand Cillié. In fact, the service providers list reads like a who’s who of brilliant SA wedding suppliers (and I’m delighted that SBB was part of helping Carlen & Lynton put their team together and plan their big day from abroad!). I love every inch of this one, and I’m sure you will too – so enjoy!Read More

Inspiration Board: Radiant Winter

by gaby

It’s been a little while since I did an inspiration board with this year’s Pantone Colour of the Year, Radiant Orchid – while this lovely bright lilac-ey purple immediately lends itself to a summer wedding, I wanted to show that it’s just as much at home in the wintery months. In fact, paired with a few other purple tones, grey, white and silver, it’s absolutely perfect for the bride and groom who want to create a winter wonderland with a trendy touch. Add a few pinecones and a smattering of snow (well, we can dream, can’t we?) and you have the makings of a beautiful wedding – a radiant one, in fact!

Colours: Radiant Orchid, plum, lavender, silver, white & grey

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Steve Gerrard Photography}; invitation suite {Aneta MAK}; place setting {Greta Kenyon/Leaf & Honey}
Row 2: Silver shoes; purple calligraphy escort cards; pinecone place holders
Row 3: Radiant orchid bouquet {Fleur le Cordeur/Catherine Mac}; purple dress & feather bolero; dried roses; winter landscape {Fiona Conrad}.

 

Pastel Boho Styled Shoot by Kaitlyn de Villiers Photography

by gaby

Happy Friday, friends! What do you have planned for this weekend? I have one of my besties in town, and we have tip top seats for the rugby on Saturday, so I am amped for that. Love me my Sharks! Anyway, before that happens, we have a day full of pastelly goodness here on the blog, starting with this sweet as candy styled couple shoot from Kaitlyn de Villiers. From pastel cocktails to delicious desserts to the most gorgeous floral crown, it indulges all of my girliest blush and mint/aqua fantasies. Hooray!Read More

Mira Zwillinger 2014/2015 Collection

by gaby

You know, there are some wedding dress designers that each year when they release a new collection, I think they’ve outdone themselves – surely reached the tippety top of as pretty as their dresses can be – but lo and behold, the next season I’m dying over their new collection all over again. Mira Zwillinger is one of those designers, and true to form, her 2014/2015 collection is my favourite yet. Holy embroidered and illusion lace amazingness. Combined, as Mira does, with super soft, billowy skirts that combine into the ultimate mix of drama and elegant femininity. Long story short, I’m a huge fan. So let’s schedule some sigh-time to have a look at this latest bevy of beauties from the Israeli designer (not available in SA as far as I know, but can be found at Browns in London).Read More

Bright Farm Festival Wedding by Casey Pratt Photography {Suzaan & Pieter}

by gaby

Succulents, bright festival stripes and a dollop of glitter and gold – what’s not to love about this Winterton farm fête from the awesome Casey Pratt of Photo Case Photography? Suzaan and Pieter built their tented wedding reception from scratch, with a focus on their guests, a loose palette of mint, coral and gold, and buckets of personality. From the colourful bridal party (each with a little touch of sparkle) to the gold-dipped jars and bottles on the tables, to the striped runners, to the fox-topped, succulent-surrounded, gold meringue cake, it’s full of vibrancy and fun, and with a bride and groom who closed the dancefloor at 5am no less, it’s no surprise. I just love couples who have fun planning their Big Day, and who make it a reflection of their relationship – and these two even invited the prize Brahman cows in for a couple of pics. It’s farm wedding fabulousness all the way.Read More

Bridesmaids Getting Ready Outfits for Your Wedding

by gaby

As Sweet As Images on SouthBound Bride

*UPDATED FOR 2020* So you already know I love bringing you pretty bridesmaid dress inspiration here on SouthBound Bride. But what about BEFORE the dresses, aka the bridesmaids getting ready outfits? Of course, your girls can wear anything they want for the glow up sesh part of the day, but with a professional photographer capturing the moment, it’s always nice to have some kind of coherence. For the last while, the biggest trend has been bridesmaid robes, from terry cloth spa style to monogrammed numbers and printed silk kimono robes. But there are other options too, including the prettiest getting ready rompers and pajamas. And the best part is that they not only look cute in pics but make for fantastic bridesmaid gifts as well. Which bridesmaid getting ready outfits are you considering for your wedding day?

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

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Gin & Glam Fynbos Estate Wedding by dna photographers {Robyn & Grant}

by gaby

Rustic, chic, jazzy, intimate, beautiful, fun… I don’t even know where to start with this wedding, I love it so much. Okay, scratch that, I do. THE DRESS. Seriously, how gorgeous is Robyn’s lace feature back creation (dreamed up by the fashionista bride herself), especially topped off with a shiny gold belt that makes it unlike any wedding dress I’ve featured (or seen, actually) before? Huge wow factor. And speaking of wow factors, let’s talk about the gin bar that Robyn and Grant set up as a way of sharing some of their London lifestyle with friends back home. Amazing (and personal, win). And those are just two aspects of a wedding that really takes rustic glamour to the next level – equal parts elegant and laid back, it’s the kind of garden party I imagine people throwing in the ’20s, with a touch of both France (where the groom proposed) and home, including lovely arrangements of fynbos and herbs. Look out for a hundred perfect little details – flowers frozen into ice cubes, table numbers in lace embroidery hoops, mason jar lanterns, mix and match bow ties. And let’s not leave out the gorgeous pictures by dynamic duo Toni and Desmond of dna photographers, who so beautifully captured everything on camera. Hooray for all of it.Read More

Books & Bicycles Old Mac Daddy Wedding by Captured Moments Photography {Irene & Du Toit}

by gaby

I always feel a bit nostalgic when we get to the end of our Real Life Bride season, as it also signals the end of another South African summer wedding season (and summer, boo – although of course, there’s all those cosy winter weddings to look forward to!). But at the same time, it’s such a true pleasure to see the coming together of all the planning and dreaming and excitement that we’ve been a part of. Today, I’m honoured to share the handmade pastel wedding of Irene and Du Toit, whose wedding decor was a labour of love, incorporating both bicycles (for Du Toit’s favourite hobby) and books (representing translator Irene’s passion for books). From the gorgeous ribbon bedecked ceremony arch (we all remember that one from Irene’s posts!) to the pastel bridesmaids, to the swoony dress (how beautiful did the bride look?), to the spectacular view, it’s everything our RLB dreamed of, and I have to give a very special shout out to Captured Moments Photography for the spectacular pics! Thanks so much for taking us on your journey Irene, and here’s wishing you a life of love.

For Irene & Du Toit’s ‘how we met’ story and all her planning posts, check out the Bicycle Bride archive.Read More

Inspiration Board: Mint & Rose Gold

by gaby

Okay, I know I am going through a bit of a mint and a pinky phase at the moment, but I think mint and rose gold might be my ultimate right now. I mean, they go together perfectly, like salt and caramel, like Louis and Ella, like Pimms and a summer day. It’s also the ideal mix of a cool and a warm shade, of pastels and metallics, and of classical and modern. Come on, tell me you’re not as over the moon in love with it as I am? ;)

Colours: Mint, white, rose gold

Top row (l-r): Green dress {Elizabeth Messina/Ruche}; table setting {White Spark Photography/Little Sooti}; rose gold stripe cake {Karen Buckle Photography/Ideas In Icing}; marquee reception {White Spark Photography/Little Sooti}
Row 2: Green bridesmaid dress {V.A. Photography}; rose gold wedding rings {Katelyn James Photography/Meant To Be Calligraphy}; mint and rose gold shoes
Row 3: Dress in room {Corbin Gurkin/Love & Lord}; cupcakes {White Spark Photography/Little Sooti}; bride {Amanda K Photography}.

 

Nutcracker Ballet Styled Shoot by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess flower studio

by gaby

Fun fact: I was so bad at ballet, they held me back a year. Yup, I failed ballet. Which is obviously a HUGE surprise if you know me, since I am totally graceful and never walk into doors or trip up on my own feet or ANYTHING. Fortunately, I’m not holding it against ballet as a whole, which I still love, and which I still think is incredibly beautiful as an art… and as a wedding inspiration. In fact, there was a big trend toward ballet a couple of years ago, but that was all about frothy pinks. Today’s styled shoot is a little different – it’s perfect for the winter bride, with rich berry hues, and just a tiny touch of Christmas (fitting for the ultimate Christmas ballet). But even though it’s seasonal, it’s never themey. Instead, it’s full of beautiful new twists on old themes, and a touch of shimmery gold. I am completely and utterly blown away by every frame shot by Debbie Lourens, and especially by the incredible florals done by SBB directory member Green Goddess flower studio. And red ballet shoes? Yup, I love it ALL. I may have failed at ballet, but this shoot wins on every level.Read More