That’s right, friends – I am super excited to announce that UK readers can now find a bit of SouthBound Bride goodness in the latest You & Your Wedding, which is on sale now. I can’t wait to get hold of a copy myself!
You’ll have to buy the mag to get all the details, but for now, I can tell you that you’ll find some awesome decor and fashion inspiration. Early this year, I teamed up with the amazing Chanelle Segerius-Bruce and super stylist Louise of b.loved Weddings (as well as a team of fabulous people) to take the Sparkle & Blush concept to the next level. It’s pretty, it’s glam, and it’s totally do-able. You’ll be hearing a LOT more about the shoot and South African brides will have the chance to see it soon too! In the meantime, check out this behind the scenes video exclusively on the YYW site.
Hope you’re all having a lovely day so far! I am rushing around Cape Town like a crazy person in Crazy Town on Crazy Day, so no wedding today. Instead, it’s time for a bit of inspiration, and I hope you all believe in fairytales, because fairytales were exactly where the fabulous Jaco van Loggerenberg of Just Jack co-ordinators looked when he designed his award-winning stand at last year’s Spier Bridal Show (together with Elsje Designs and Floral Affairs). Not only are fairytales a big trend right now in general (just look at how many have been turned into films), but they’re also perfect underlying themes for a wedding, especially if you take the classy, understated approach that Jaco and his team have. There’s the earthy rustics of Rapunzel, the wintery beauty of Snow White, and the soft whimsical romance of Cinderella. Three very different heroines, and three very different looks. All with one thing in common… they lived happily ever after! Which is your favourite?Read More
Hello lovelies, how is your week going? Mine has been INSANE, but good at the same time. And today’s my last full day in SA – this hour tomorrow I’ll be on my return flight. Weird. It seems like only yesterday that I was on my way here. I hate the way time flies, but my mom claims that it just speeds up the older you get. Boo. Anyway, living in one place and having your heart in another is something today’s couple knows only too well, since after they got together, Carla decided to fulfil her dream of teaching in Dubai. She told me how supportive Luis was, and how they travelled back and forth to see one another. I just love hearing stories like this – couples who, even though it can be a challenge – help one another to achieve their dreams. It reminds me of a line I really like in Fairytale of New York (an unlikely inspiration, I know) where she accuses him of taking her dreams from her. “I kept them with me, babe” he replies, “I put them with my own”… And to me, that’s what it’s all about. Putting your partner’s dreams on the same mental list that you have, and giving them equal weight, so that they become a journey you take together. For Carla and Luis, that journey culminated in a beautiful wedding at the Lord Charles Hotel. And here it is! I’m thrilled to welcome photographer Gavin Casey to the blog with these pics – his images are always so arresting and beautiful! And keep an eye out at the end for some very wise words from Carla, some of the best a bride has dished out, in my opinion!Read More
Two things about this couple shoot that have made me ampedissimo. First, it is SUPER sweet – a romantic couple (Ashley & Wilsey) taking a stroll through Petersham Nurseries. And secondly, it is captured by the awesome Anneli Marinovich, who I have been looking forward to featuring here on SBB for a while. Yay! Seriously though, I see a lot of engagement shoots, and the ones that stand out often are those that show a couple doing something they love to do, or in an unusual location. This ticks both of those boxes, and the background of plants and greenhouses is so lovely, don’t you think?Read More
Location, location, location. That’s what they say, right? Well, when it comes to weddings, I have to agree. It’s not that a spectacular venue is the ONLY way to have a memorable wedding, just that half the work is done for you. Best example: probably my secret favourite wedding of all time (head to 06:31 on the video to see what I mean). Yes, it’s from an Australian soap opera. Yes, it is cheese deluxe. But look at that VIEW. There’s not a single piece of decor, and yet that would be a dream wedding ceremony, in an unforgettable location. Anyway, location is one thing that today’s couple had on their side – Beloftebos, a farm venue with a forest roof so thick that it counts as a natural ‘church’ under South African law. Very cool. Even cooler is that Shané and Francois didn’t stop there – they created a handmade festival of awesome, including stunning bouquets, cute DIY rustic decor, and an amazing attention to detail (look, for example, at the ribbon on the flower girls’ feet, the button motif, the paint splashed glass bottles). Photies are by the fabulous Stephan Marais.Read More
So, it’s Sunday as I write this, and I’m somewhere over the Karoo (probably) looking out from my aeroplane window and taking advantage of the Mango onboard Wifi. That’s a first for me – I have to say, internet has been my bugbear out here in SA (don’t even ask me how much I have spent on data), so it’s kind of cool to be experiencing an internet connection-related innovation before I leave SA. But apart from that, I’m feeling very sad today, as I have had to wave goodbye to my mom and dad (and our two delicious doggies) in Durban, on my way back to London via Cape Town. Never an easy thing to do, but worse when I’ve had such a long time out here rather than it just being the usual quick holiday. Still, what’s bound to be a big dose of homesickness that I’ve brought on myself was totally worth it. So Mom, if you’re reading this (and bless you, I know you do), thanks for a wonderful stay, and love you and my Dad and the little dudes lots xxx
OKAY, enough of the ugly-cry-inducing stuff. It’s time for prettiness! Today we’re working with a peach palette, and I have to say that I am absolutely LOVING this colour at the moment. It’s a slightly safer version of coral (which was one of last year’s breakout colours for me), but more unusual than pink and still works with most of the same colours. Bright oranges are everywhere (is peach even orange? pink? I don’t know) but not everyone can pull them off – this is the perfect way to make your wedding look contemporary and classic at the same time. One of my favourite combos is soft pastel peach with a flat foresty green – which I also think is perfect for this time of year without being too self consciously ‘autumn’. I also love the inclusion of lush blooms, handmade details and black wrought iron (inspired by the gorgeous shoot bottom left), as well as the pretty handfasting ribbons. What do you think? And don’t forget, I take requests for custom inspiration boards – find the link at the end of this post.
I’m super excited about today’s Q&A, as it features a designer I have admired for a long time, Elbeth Gillis. You’ve seen many of her dresses on real brides here on SBB, and every time I do I’m struck by how beautiful they look. Elbeth also has a reputation for being amazing to work with, which really makes the whole process of creating your dress such a special experience. I’m thrilled to be working on a little something behind the scenes with Elbeth too – watch this space! For now, let’s meet the lovely lady, and find out a bit more about what drives and inspires her. (All images are from Elbeth’s 2012 collection.)
Hi Elbeth – thanks so much for taking the time to chat to me! I’m a big fan of your gorgeous dresses – how would you describe your latest collection?
Very romantic and feminine with a vintage feel.
How did you get started in the business? I studied Fashion Design at CPUT and then worked as a designer for some of the big chain stores before starting my own business designing what I love most, wedding gowns.
Do you have a design philosophy? Less is more and always use the best quality fabrics and trims available.
Where do you find inspiration?
I look at trends from the Haute Couture collections. Beautiful fabrics always inspire me and sometimes the smallest things like a new sleeve detail or beaded flower can lead me to create a new design for a gown.
What’s a typical day in the studio like?
I usually start the morning by checking on the gowns that my staff are busy with, seeing how far they are and if things are being done the way I envisioned. Then I check the dresses that brides will be fitting that day. I usually have a few fittings and consultations with new clients every day. I will also check that we have all the fabrics and trims we need for the gowns we are working on and either my assistant or I will pace orders or run around to source the fabrics. I will also respond to queries and do quotes on email and update our facebook and twitter accounts.Read More
Lovelies, I am VERY excited about today’s post. It all started when a lovely reader and bride-to-be, Tanya, mailed me the invitation to her Alice in Wonderland bridal shower. It had Mad Hatter tea party theme (or ‘Alles in Wonderland’ in Afrikaans!) I asked to see some pics, and she sent over loads of them – these girls looked like they were having a wonderful time! I couldn’t believe how much effort her friends had gone to in creating the Alice in Wonderland-themed decor, but the best was yet to come. Tanya’s friend Andrea Kuhn mailed me offering to send me her files as free downloads for the blog, so she could share them with all of you. How sweet is that? We love Andrea. What I love about these printables is that they’re really whimsical – a perfect nod to the novel, but so usable for a fun bridal shower. Cupcake flags, tags, cards for the table, photo props – they’re all there for you to download and print yourself or via your favourite printing service. And to get you started with the rest of the planning, we’ve also put together a bridal shower essentials buying guide! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
When I was in high school, I used to spend the afternoons at my mother’s office. At some point I discovered a second hand bookshop down the road, where I used to spend a fair amount of browsing time. And, you know, I have a literature degree, so I’m a little embarrassed to admit that they weren’t stocked with Shakespeare, but rather row upon row of Harlequin Romance. So unfortunately, I’m qualified to tell you that two doctors in love? Is straight out of a romance novel. This particular love story has a sweet beginning, an enviable proposal, and a beautiful wedding captured perfectly by new-to-SBB photographer Moira West. Heide had me at hello with that pearl headband, but the iconic Cape Town location (the Mount Nelson Hotel), the carnation bridesmaid bouquets (I TOLD you they were back!), the abundance of roses and the classic pink and grey colour scheme had more than enough to keep me interested, right through to the happy ending.Read More
It’s not every day you come across a wedding as special and thoughtfully put together as this one. It’s also the first time I’ve featured a truly organic wedding, including a raw food cake! But what I love most about Stephanie and Grant is that they embody the SBB philosophy of creating a day that is uniquely yours, and a celebration of who you are as individuals and as a couple. Stephanie (with support from Grant) dreamed up every bit of their beautiful wedding, which was held on a family farm that has so much history and resonance for them. They’re both in the health industry, and this was reflected in their menu choices – the natural, organic theme also extended to the rustic chic decor at both their ceremony and reception. Looking at the pictures (beautifully taken by Peter Russell), you can feel pure happiness radiating off them. It’s Pretty, with Heart. Just the way we like it.Read More
