Charming DIY Wedding at Cranford Country Lodge by Tanya Jacobs

by gaby

If I think of a countryside wedding, and imagine the most perfect place to exchange vows, I always picture the chapel at Cranford Country Lodge (one of SBB’s preferred venues and a member of the SBB Collection). With an ivy covered doorway and views over the spectacular little England that is the Natal Midlands, it’s pure rural romance, and a perfect example of why the phrase ‘country wedding’ immediately puts a smile on any wedding lover’s face. Today’s wedding shows Cranford off in all its pretty glory – Charl & Kim are an adorable couple who wanted to infuse their intimate celebration with their personalities and the things they love, and did it by DIYing their way to a celebration that was oh so charming (and budget savvy too!). From the colourful bunting to Kim’s wreath bouquet, to her bridesmaids’ peachy two-pieces and the groomsmen’s cork bow ties, from the sparkly linens to the origami flowers, you can see that every detail has been selected and created with love, and caught on camera beautifully by Tanya Jacobs!

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Afro-Asian Fusion Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Just when I thought I’d seen it all, this incredible styled shoot landed in my inbox! And when I saw who it was from, I knew it would be special – Ninirichi Style Studio never fail to deliver meticulously conceptualised, cutting edge design with African flair, and boy did they blow me out of the water with this one! It’s the ultimate cross-cultural concept – a wild fusion of African and Asian design influences from right across both continents, brought together into three compelling and exciting looks! This month on SBB, we’ll be focusing on modern minimalism, and this shoot really embodies that for me – not just in the less-is-more sense, but rather in the way that each element is carefully chosen for inclusion based on its contribution to the overall design, and the clean lines combined with modern textures that you’ll spot throughout. I’m especially in love with the suspended decor elements – again, this is something I’ve seen a lot of over the past while, but these three tableaux give hanging decor a fresh new spin. So let’s be thoroughly inspired, thanks to these beautiful images by Ginger Ale Photography! (And yes, I included a lot of pics, but with all this amazingness going on, I had no choice!)

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Classic Meets Rustic Wedding at The Venue by Lana Human

by gaby

Aldine & Ruan’s country classic wedding is really what brides’ daydreams are made of. Beautiful white tulips, a lace sleeve gown, bridesmaids rocking blush, and a reception that’s a little bit rustic, a little bit contemporary, a little bit glam, and a whole lot of light, bright and airy. And with fairy lights everywhere reflecting off the sequin runners and statement chandeliers, it has a truly magical feeling about it. With the lovely Lana Human behind the lens, you’re sure to fall in love with every bit of this celebration!

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The Phoenix

by gaby

It’s Halloween folks! And we have some Boo!-tiful inspiration for you. Instead of focusing on all that is dark and spooky, this fab editorial from Stephanie Norman Photography and her team looks for bright in the darkness and delivers a pop of incredible colour against soot and shadow, which is not only inspiring but fits in perfectly with the colour obsessed month we’re having. From the black lace dress to the lush bouquet, this is definitely a look for a bold bride – but it’s utterly spooktacular! (Ok, I’ll stop now!)

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10 Bright Wedding Colour Palettes

by gaby

This month has been all about bright colours (and we’ll actually be carrying on with this through the end of the week) – it’s been the perfect way for me personally to welcome in summer! And since it’s all about the colour, I just had to go through our archives and pull together 10 palettes that use bright shades of orange, yellow, coral, blue, green and pink to show you just how gorgeous colour can be! Every one of these makes me feel super happy, and for me that’s the best reason to use bright hues on your big day – they reflect the sheer joy of the occasion and get everyone in a celebratory mood! So… which is your fave? (Links in bold denote affiliate links. SouthBound Bride may make a commission if a sale is made.)

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Midnight Mixed Metallics Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

It’s that time of year when blog features turn a little darker and get a kooky, spooky edge just in time for Halloween. And while, to be honest, Halloween isn’t a big favourite of mine (scary movies, ugh), I am a big fan of gorgeously dark and moody features like this one. Not to mention mixed metallics, which always have my heart. So I’m super excited to be sharing this fabulous inspiration from MLK Photography and their team. It’s a little bit forest wedding, a little bit celestial chic (love that half moon necklace, so This Is Us!), a little bit ethereal, and a whole lot romantic! And adding to that romance, you may recognise the models as real bride (and stationer) and groom, Lauren and Sean, whose wedding was recently featured right here on SBB, as well as Lauren’s gorgeous Toujours Wedding House wedding gown! If the bright colours we’ve been featuring this month aren’t your thing, this might be where your wedding inspiration is AT! And don’t even get me started on the cake… Love.

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Intimate Italian-style Wedding at Zorgvliet by Tasha Seccombe

by gaby

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of all things Italian (I mean, I’m half Italian myself, and proudly so). But in the absence of a plane ticket to Tuscany, if I were to receive an invitation to a beautiful, intimate, Italian-inspired soiree like this one? I’d be there faster than you could say “I do”. Ilna and Neil created something really special for their big day – a sophisticated, jewel-toned celebration that manages to fuse the best of the South African winelands with a touch of La Bella Vita. The flowers, for one, are ridiculously beautiful – peonies and hydreangeas and orchids in shades of mauve and plum and burgundy. And contrasting with that abundance is Ilna’s breathtakingly elegant gown and Neil’s classic black suit. Sleek sophistication meets organic. And talking about sophistication, I love that the couple opened the dancefloor with a tango! These beautiful pics by the lovely Tasha Seccombe capture every bit of their big day, and will stick in your memory for a long time to come!

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Refined Rustic Wedding at Landtscap by Stephanie Veldman

by gaby

As an Oud Matie I’m more than a little bit biased, but I think that the view over Stellenbosch is the most beautiful view in the world. Those mountains against a summer sky just take my breath away every single time! Which is what makes it the most breathtaking backdrop for a wedding, and one of the reasons why Katherine and Rupert chose Landtscap as their venue. This adorable pair, who met and legally wed in London and headed to South Africa for their wedding celebration, had a simple plan for their big day – classic colours, gorgeous textures, and a light and romantic feel. With the help of some very talented vendors (right down to our fave catering supremos, Two Chefs), they pulled that off. I especially love Okasie‘s beautiful florals – the shelves of greenery and blooms behind the bridal table, the flower arch, the bright bouquet. And with the bride rocking a stunning lace Anna Georgina gown and the groom in Hugo Boss, it was unfussy but glamorous style all the way. The lovely Stephanie Veldman took these happy pics.

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Spanish Summer Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Happy Monday! I am starting my week feeling weirdly more relaxed than usual, thanks to an involuntary internet break (so thanks for cutting my Wifi on Friday, Telkom). And I am also starting it feeling as bright and breezy as can be, thanks to this Spanish-inspired editorial from Uche Photography and their talented team. Colourful blooms, bold bridesmaid dresses, a groom in a red velvet jacket (SO loving velvet everything in weddings right now!). And a bride who looks super classic in contrast, all lace and romance. It’s fabulous, and has the glow of a summer afternoon in the Mediterranean. And oh my, the florals! Which just so happen to include our fave, the protea, along with a host of bright flowers in pinks and yellows and reds. So much colour! So much happiness. Olé!

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20 Bright Wedding Bouquets

by gaby

I always say that colour-loving brides have all the fun, and if you take a look at this collection of bright blooms you’ll know exactly what I mean. These bouquets could cheer up any day, and on the happiest day of your life, they just reflect the joy and excitement (and add a bright pop of colour against a white dress that says “hello, I’m here and I’m gorgeous!”. Flowers come in all kinds of acid bright colours – vivid purples, eyepopping reds, sunny yellows, standout oranges, showstopping corals. Mixed together in a combination of a few or all together, they look amazing! And they’re the perfect way to make a bold statement from the minute you make your entrance. I’ve gathered together 20 favourites – let’s get inspired, shall we?!

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