Entrance Music

by gaby

I’ve been wanting to talk to you all about entrance music for some time, ever since I spent an evening discussing this with an engaged friend recently. iPhone and earphones were dragged out to prove my point. And now I’m going to prove it to you. Er, I hope.


{Image: Nielen Bottomley from Amy & James’ wedding}

Thing is, weddings are (to some degree) theatre. Not in the sense that they should be fake or melodramatic, but rather that they showcase real emotion in a way that translates to the guests. They’re a way of bringing other people into your relationship to feel what you feel for one another, if just for one day. And as an actor will tell you, a great theatrical production requires one thing: a great entrance. I actually learnt this lesson from my friend Nikki. When she married the lovely Brendon some years ago, they chose Nessun Dorma for her entrance. Nix wanted to walk in at that crucial moment when the music swelled and Pavarotti sang “Vincero! Vincero! Vincero!” And I’ll be honest, I thought it was a little dramatic, especially since it’s a long song and we had a very, very short aisle. Seriously okes, that aisle took five steps to walk up, no matter how much you dragged your feet. But I was her bridesmaid, so it was my job to say “Great idea!” and make it happen. So we worked out the exact moment when the other bridesmaid and I were to walk in so that Nikki got her moment. And it would have been brilliant. The song would have built, quietly, in the little church. Then suddenly, the doors would have flung open to the summer day outside, and we would have walked down the aisle, with Nix following as the music built to a crescendo.Read More

How to Throw a Chanel Themed Bridal Shower

by gaby

How to Throw a Chanel Themed Bridal Shower | SouthBound Bride

I have been super excited to share a Parisian Chanel themed bridal shower with my readers! I think this makes an absolutely gorgeous, glamorous (and totally do-able), classy hen party theme, especially if your bride-to-be is a sparkly Sex and the City type, or if you’re looking for a really grown up party. In fact, it works just as well as a birthday party theme, or even just a girly night out (who needs a reason, right?). We’ve pulled together some fab ideas and finds for French themed party decor and invitations – just say oui! 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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Real Wedding at Firlane House {Leanie & Pieter}

by gaby

Hello lovelies! How’s your week going so far? I must admit, I am finding work hard at the moment with the short days on this side of the equator, and so much to do before Christmas! But it’s lovely to be in the festive season (even if I will be another year older at the end of it, gah). Anyway, if you have the December stresses (or even if you’re riding high on a wave of festive cheer), here’s something pretty to make your afternoon just before you rush off from work to finish off that Christmas shopping. Pieter and Leanie were married at what is fast becoming a favourite venue for me, the classy and intimate Firlane House. They used Leanie’s favourite flower, the arum lily, as a motif, and incorporated lots of pretty but subtle touches. It’s class all the way, and Bernard Bravenboer has captured these gorgeous pics to share with you. I especially like how Bernard manages to capture the spirit of the later evening – I always think this is a real challenge for a photographer, but the pictures from the dance floor and cake cutting are some of my favourites. Ah, just give me some twinkly lights, a chocolate cake and a pumping dancefloor, and I’m a happy woman. ;)Read More

Inspiration Board: Pastel Protea

by gaby

Happy Monday my friends! Sorry last week was a little quiet – I’m afraid it was just one of those weeks. Anyway, today I have a board that I am SO in love with. And even better, I got to create it for a friend. The lovely Louise came into my dear friend Sven’s life a little while back and he was immediately smitten, so we were all thrilled when they announced their engagement. They’ll be getting married in Natal next year, and are planning a brunch wedding (so fun!). When Louise described what she was after, I immediately knew what she was looking for, since it’s a look that I’d had in the back of my mind for ages, and I think it came together beautifully. It uses soft pink and green, proteas, brown paper (how much do I love the table plan?), chalkboard and watercolour, and I’ve added in a few pretty paper details as well. Isn’t it lovely? Oh, and look out for brunch ideas coming your way this Wednesday if you’re also planning a morning wedding!

Colours: Soft pink, green and neutrals

Top row (l-r): Bride with single bloom protea bouquet (Jose Villa); brown paper escort cards (Katie Stoops); pastel table arrangement (White Room Events/Pobke Photography); chalkboard pancake menu (Green Wedding Shoes/Lauryl Lane/My Bride Story/Birds of a Feather); wish jar (White Room Events/Pobke Photography)
Row 2: Tablescape (White Room Events/Jennifer Sando); watercolour wedding invitation suite (oh my deer); bride and groom with pancakes (Green Wedding Shoes/Lauryl Lane/My Bride Story/Birds of a Feather); papel picado decorations (Erica Velasco)
Row 3: Brown paper menu/favour bag (Nancy Liu Chin via Snippet & Ink); protea bouquet (White Room Events/Jennifer Sando); brown paper table list; doily details (source unknown); bride with bridesmaids (Jose Villa)

Single Bloom Bouquets

by gaby

I don’t care what De La Soul think. Sometimes, one is the magic number. The number of children in my family. The number of hits Chesney Hawkes will ever have. The number of times I hope I will ever break down near Mooi River. And also, the perfect number of blooms for a chic but cost conscious bride (or just one who is in love with this trend as much as I am). Ladies and gents, the single bloom bouquet. Isn’t it PURDY?

I know, I know. You’re thinking it looks sad and sparse. You’re picturing a sad little rose clutched in your hands as you walk down the aisle, or a lone lily on your arm. No no no. Sparseness (sparsity? what will I do without my OED) is not the point here. This trend is all about allowing one lush bloom to provide focus and structure as a bouquet – to be centre stage and steal the show. Exhibit One: The Magnolia.

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Real Wedding at Café Felix {Leandri & Neil}

by gaby

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens… Whoa there, showtunes. But seriously readers, I can’t help but think that today’s stunning Café Felix wedding is absolutely chokka with a few of my favourite things (and yours). Lace, roses, mismatched dresses, ribbon, chalkboards, lavender, tulips, postcard luggage labels, brunia, succulents, bell jars (am I pushing your buttons yet here?), beautiful stationery, milk glass and silver, hanging birdcages. It’s like a smorgasbord of loveliness right now. Topped off, of course, with work by some of my favourite Cape service providers including bright and beautiful pictures by Adene Photography, and a sweetly smiling, clearly head-over-heels bride and groom. It’s just perfection for your Tuesday morning. So go on. Dive in. (PS You’re totally going to be singing Julie Andrews all day. Sorry!)Read More

Inspiration Board: Once Upon a Time

by gaby

Good morning, lovelies! Before we get to today’s inspiration board (which I have been saving rather impatiently for you), I have good news and bad news. Let’s start with the good. Last week, I was absolutely thrilled and honoured to be included in a list on the Fair Lady blog of FL’s favourite tweeters! Not only is it always super satisfying to know that people like what I do here, but you guys, I grew UP reading Fair Lady. When I was a little girl, I would read my mother’s old stack cover to cover and my secret teenage fantasy was to work there one day. So this was extra special supery dupery exciting. It rocked. Merci, FL. (And if YOU don’t follow me on Twitter yet, do!)

Now the bad news. Sigh. I regret (and I really do mean regret – remember I’m an editor by trade, so missing a deadline totally cuts me up, especially when it’s one I set myself) to tell you that the new Cap Classique website will not be launching at the beginning of December. Unfortunately, some technical issues that I have no control over have got right in the way, and while the delay is only about 10 days, with Christmas coming, it only makes sense to put it off until January. Which kind of blows, but when I thought about it, I decided it was kind of cool. New year, new site, new everything. I really am disappointed, and sorry to keep you all waiting. I hope you won’t mind waiting just a liiiiiittle bit longer. Although, now that I’ve had to rejig my whole schedule for December, I do have something quite cool up my sleeve, which you’ll hopefully like. So there you go. Please don’t hate me!

And now, before I get all depro about this again, I am going to cheer us all up with some sparkle. YAY! As you know, gorgeous colours mixed in with metallics have been huge news this year, and I think we’ll see lots more of that this season. Here’s my little take on a sort of royal wedding/princessy theme, which includes my current colour obsession (navy) combined with the prettiest powder blue, champagne and then some sparkly metallics. I can’t get enough of it! It’s almost enough to make a grown woman believe in fairytales… ;)

Colours: Navy, powder blue, champagne & gold

Top row (l-r): Princess bride; navy and gold manicure; table setting (Jill La Fleur/Jose Villa); navy bridesmaid’s dress (Kristin Vining); wedding cake with crown (Jose Villa)
Row 2: ‘Believe’ gold letters; blue and gold sequin garments; metal crown; mini Moets
Row 3:‘Once upon a time’ invitations; place setting with pumpkins (Martha Stewart); bride & groom (The Brand Studio); ‘Happily ever after starts here’ sign (Studio Eleven)

Bold Boudoir from Monica Dart

by gaby

Woo, it’s Friday! What will you all be doing this weekend? Before that gets started, here’s a little something special for you. You may already know how much Cap Classique luurves Monica Dart, not only because she shoots beautiful weddings, but because she managed to make me look half decent in our photoshoot a couple of months ago. What you may not know about Moni is that she also shoots shut-the-front-door-beautiful boudoir pictures. Now I know what you’re thinking: ugh, boudoir. Rudey dudey pictures of you in your nuddies trying to look like a model from your husband’s FHM collection. Or maybe you’re thinking: “maybe, if I were thinner”. Because when you’re going to be wearing undies in front of a camera, you can never be skinny enough, right girls? Wrong. See, here’s what I have discovered about boudoir in the last couple of years, since it’s become a bit of a trend here in wedding world. One, you may give it as a gift to your husband-to-be, but really, it’s something you need to do for YOU. It’s not only a lovely experience to be dolled up and pampered, and a liberating one to be part-clothed in front of a photographer, but what it really is is an acknowledgment to yourself that even with your lumps and bumps, you deserve to be turned into a piece of art. And art is exactly what a photographer like Monica produces – yes, you’ll be frozen in time looking hawt, but this kind of shoot is as much about what you don’t see as what you do, and it’s class all the way. As with an engagement shoot, you’ll want to think about styling and making it a reflection of who you are, and then just having fun with it. The ladies I know who have been there have all said that it made them feel incredible, and really accept themselves and their bodies in a way they hadn’t before. Sounds bloody fantastic, I’d say. Sign me up, Moni!
PS And yes, your eyes do not deceive you. Below you’ll find boudoir shot on an empty South African Airways aeroplane. How. Awesome. Is. That?!?

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Hen Party Theme: Twilight

by gaby

You didn’t think I’d let this week go by without something Twilight-related, did you? I have to admit, although a few years ago I never would have thought I’d be a fan, I can’t WAIT to go and see the latest film. A wedding! In a forest! Jacob with his shirt off! All my favourite things. I’m guessing lots of you will be feeling the same way, and although it may sound a bit cheesy, Twilight actually makes a great little theme for a bachelorette or hen party (assuming the bride is a fan, of course!). Here’s everything you need to know to make it Twi-umphant rather than Twi-hard, and turn your bestie into a bitten smitten kitten.

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5 Easy DIY Origami Wedding Ideas

by gaby

5 Easy DIY Origami Wedding Ideas | SouthBound Bride

Hello, lovelies! It’s time for another roundup, and today I’m not only bringing you some detail candy, but also some fab DIYs to help you incorporate the origami trend into your wedding. I’m personally a big fan of wedding origami, and as both an easy DIY and one that’s flexible enough to look great in a number of different styles of weddings, I can see why it’s become more popular recently. Origami cranes are, of course, the big one when it comes to weddings (and they have special meaning – brides and grooms are supposed to fold 1,000 cranes for luck, since the patience and perseverance in folding all that paper is supposed to be a small taste of the qualities needed for a happy marriage). But recently I’ve seen some other lovely (and basic) origami details emerging as well, and I’ve rounded them up here. If you’d like to add a handmade touch to your day without going to DIY hell, if you feel like your tables need that little extra something, or you’re looking for cute escort cards or origami invitations, or or or… this may just be the post for you! 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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