Fairytale Bride #5: The Decor

by gaby

This has been by far the absolute BEST part of planning this wedding for me. Just thinking about it, my heart begins to beat that little bit faster and my eyes start twinkling. I think what I’m loving the most out of the experience of planning a wedding so far, (apart from the fact that this is the most beautiful ‘joint’ project Rob and I have been able to work on), is the fact that it allows me to be SO creative. It allows me to find joy in the detail and get excited about the smallest little things, which is what will ultimately make the day memorable and special! I cannot wait to share this creativity that has been stirred up inside of me in that final blog post so that it leaves other lovely ladies inspired, smiling and dreaming big.

Escort card inspiration:

Read More

Inspiration Board: Forest Fantasy

by gaby

Happy Monday lovelies! It’s another week of inspiration on SouthBound Bride, and wedding planning for you all – how is it going? Are you finding everything you need here? Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or requests for features or ideas. We’re starting the week off, as we always do, with an inspiration board and this one comes straight from the enchanted forest – a theme that is very of-the-moment. We’re lucky in South Africa that we have lots of gorgeous foresty venues, and in today’s board I’ve taken a pretty straightforward (emphasis on the pretty) to the theme, with a palette of emerald and just a hint of soft blush and gold. I love the idea of woodland animals being part of the look, especially spraypainted gold (such a nifty little DIY), and handpainted in the invitation (handpainted designs being another big trend for 2014). It’s very rustic and romantic, but it also somehow has an air of formality and ‘specialness’, doesn’t it? Just perfect for a couple who loves nature.

Colours: Emerald, blush, gold

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Rebecca Hansen}; invitation {Lori Wemple}; table decor {Meg Van Kampen Studios/White Dress Events}
Row 2: Bouquet {Joe+Kathrina}; bride with floral garland {Brittany Mahood/Lace and Lavender}; forest table {Meghan Kay Sadler/Carly Rae Weddings}; dress in forest {Ampersand Photography}
Row 3: Bridesmaids {Alfred Lor}; cake with deer cake toppers {Mi Amore Foto}; ring in glass box {W & E Photographie/Kelly Dellinger Events}.

 

SouthBound Sundays {19 Jan 2014}

by gaby

Hey brideys, how has your Sunday been? I have been having a lazy day, catching up on sleep and working off a little whisky hangover from a Burns Night party I was invited to last night. Haggis, speeches and poetry, the whole deal – so fun! I hope you all have been having a good weekend, whatever you’ve been doing. Time now though to look at all the pretties from around the web on what has been an exceptionally lovely week.

♥ WEEKLY FAVES

Read More

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2014 {Part 2}

by gaby

Woo, the end of another work week! I’ve had such fun bringing you all kinds of wedding inspiration this week, and we’re rounding things off today with the second half of our 2014 honeymoon destination special. The first half has proved to be super popular, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already! In creating this list, I’ve combed through all the top travel trends and predictions from the various news outlets that pop up this time of year, and picked those that make for an amazing honeymoon. Because we all know that a honeymoon is unlike any other holiday you’re going to take. You’re looking for more luxury, more seclusion, more down time, and the most memorable, romantic backdrop imaginable. Here are five more places to find that in 2014.

Read More

Casey Jeanne

by gaby

It’s Friday Friday, and we’re kicking off the day with a world of loveliness from one of my personal favourite up-and-coming local designers. If you haven’t heard of Casey Jeanne yet, then I’m about to introduce you to your next fashion crush. That’s certainly what I had from the second I saw one of our own SouthBound brides in one of Casey’s creations last year. Today, the love affair continues, as I showcase more of her beautiful gowns, photographed by the awesome Alexis Diack. The attention to detail on every one of them is amazing, and I just love the combination of glamour, elegance and luxury that Casey’s work embodies.Read More

Bella Toscana Styled Shoot by TopVendor & Claire Harries

by gaby

Afternoon, brideys! I’m vastly excited to bring you this afternoon’s styled shoot, because it is all about Italy and if you don’t know this about me by now, I LOVE Italy. Partly because they gave me a passport (thanks, Italy!) and half of my family heritage, including a love of food, of company, of sunshine. I lived in Italy for a year when I was in my 20s, and for a month last year, and I’ve been dozens of times in between – I simply can’t get enough. So the TopVendor Wedding Awards team didn’t have much convincing to do when they sent over this gorgeous piece of inspiration, created with the rolling hills of Tuscany in mind that they put together recently with some of our favourite wedding suppliers, including the gorgeous floral stylings of Flowers in the Foyer. Come, enjoy it with me, and see how to bring a touch of la bella vita to your wedding day.Read More

Colourful In the Vine Wedding by Linda Fourie {Kerstin & Trevor}

by gaby

Some weddings have me at hello, some have me at a beautiful bouquet or an unusual theme, but this one had me at putt-putt. Ja, putt-putt (that’s mini golf to you, America, and crazy golf to you, Brits). Most awesome wedding lawn game ever, right? Of course, that was just one fun detail in what’s an incredibly fun wedding – a fun, fresh and colourful wedding at that. Instead of canapes, Trevor and Kerstin had carnival-style booths with eats and drinks (with a boere-orkes for entertainment). Their theme was ‘colourful’, their flowers and decor were mix and match brights, and the smiles… well, the smiles were huge and infectious. This wedding brings the love in buckets, and Linda Fourie‘s pictures capture it to perfection.Read More

Lace Wedding Table Linens

by gaby

Lace Wedding Table Linens

*UPDATED FOR 2021* It’s funny with wedding trends – one minute they’re brand new, and the next it seems like they never went away. Maybe it’s because everything goes in cycles. But I remember how, just a few years ago, sitting in Hyde Park watching Kate Middleton emerge in her wedding dress, myself and fellow blogger Annie of Marry You Me looked at one another and said: “Lace. Lace is going to be huge again.” And so it has been. But while brides have been getting their lace on in every beautiful combination of portrait back and illusion neckline imaginable since, it’s time for tables to have their turn as well. Lace wedding tablecloths and lace runners are a beautiful look, whether you’re trying to add an air of old European romance or a touch of grandmillennial vintage chic. But be warned! This is an unforgiving look for functional tables. Make sure your venue has ones that look good without a tablecloth (or if you love the look, hire one for just the head table). Either that, or opt for lace overlays on solid tablecloths rather than a sheer lace look. Below I’ve gathered some lovely inspiration, as well as some options for purchasing lace wedding table linens on Etsy.

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

Read More

Organic Farm-Style Wedding at Babylonstoren by Monica Dart {Allie & Carl}

by gaby

When I was a kid, I was weird about vegetables. Not weird in that I didn’t like them, like most children, but weird in that I did. But only raw. My mom would have to leave whichever ones (short of potatoes and onions, obvs) she was serving uncooked for me. I just thought they were better that way. These days, I cook my veggies, but I think the same philosophy applies to a farmer’s market-style wedding, with veggies on the decor menu. They’re just so pretty in their natural state! The whole idea of organic or farm-to-table weddings has been a big thing in the last couple of years, and in South Africa we got especially lucky with the opening to weddings of Cape venue Babylonstoren, which has to be the ultimate for farm weddings with its eight acre fruit and vegetable garden. I know I have been dying to feature something like this here on SBB, so when Monica Dart sent over Allie and Carl’s wedding I was hooked! This wedding looks like it grew in the most perfect of wedding greenhouses (no wonder, since the bride has co-ordinated a number of weddings before) – I love that it’s completely unfussy, and just lets the natural beauty of the venue and the farm pickin’s shine through. Vegetables on the table, donkeys at the door, and Monica’s gorgeous fine art photography to capture it all. It’s the best possible start to a lovely Wednesday.Read More

Ten Tables: Beach {Part 1}

by gaby

Our Ten Tables series is back, hooray! For those of you who didn’t catch the rustic tables (Part 1 & Part 2) last year, the idea of the series is to break down different tables along a specific theme into their components so that you can see what EXACTLY goes into creating a look. You can pick your favourite and treat it as a shopping list, or mix and match elements you like and add your own touches. You’ll also be amazed at how many of the details can be DIYed or included on a budget, and I’ve detailed those as well wherever possible. This time, we’re all about beach weddings. Now, let me be clear – I don’t necessarily think that if you are having a beach wedding or a wedding at a beach venue, you need to have a beach themed table. You don’t need to have shells, or driftwood, or boats. You don’t even have to have a nautical colour scheme. So if you don’t like those things, you go ahead and create a table that would work at any venue. But if you want to add a song of the sea to your decor, each of these tables is a classy and pretty way to do it.

UPDATE: You can find Part 2 here.

Table #1: Beach Ombre

FLOWERS: Air plants, succulents, hyacinth, thistle, lisianthus, scabiosa pods, privet berries

Read More