Pastel Princess

by gaby

It’s a new week, and a new chance to be inspired, thanks to this gorgeous pastel shoot by Lauren Pretorius Photography and her team! And you just need to look at the pic above to know this one is a little big magical. Pastels are always a good idea, but this shoot takes them to a new level, with a gorgeous watercolour cake, a grown-up pastel table and (swoon of all swoons) two BEYOND gorgeous dresses from Stephen van Eeden. It’s all those little-girl princess bride fantasies brought to life, and I’m super excited to share it with you!

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Twilight Ocean Bridal Inspiration

by gaby

It’s been a week of pretty here on SBB, and we’re ending it off the same way – although pretty doesn’t seem enough of a word for this bridal inspiration from Anandi Photography, which just stopped me in my tracks. It’s full of movement and wild beauty, and the way that the incredible Simoné Couture gown interacts with the backdrop of the Strand beach at twilight is something almost… otherworldly. I’ll let these gorgeous pics can speak for themselves!

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Darling Outdoor Wedding at Olive Rock by Claire Thomson

by gaby

If you ever find yourself in the middle of the chaos of planning a wedding from afar (as I know many of you lovely readers are!), then heed today’s bride’s oh-so-smart advice. Hire a great planner. Someone you can trust, the way Michelle and her sweetheart Stéfan trusted Niki of The Event Planners, who pulled all the moving parts together into a truly beautiful day, filled with laughter and personal details inspired by the couple’s wanderlust adventures. Of course, it helps when your planner is backed up by a brilliant team, and this wedding has some of our absolute faves on board, including photographer Claire Thomson and stunning venue Olive Rock. I always get such a warm feeling from any Olive Rock wedding – maybe it’s that combination of the spectacular mountain backdrop and the al fresco vibe. Whatever it is, this wedding is no exception, and you’ll be smiling along at every detail (starting with that incredible dress!)

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Beauty & the Beast Organic Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Tale as old as time… yep, that’s going to be in my head all day now. Possibly all month (sorry!), because today we’re kicking off our June editorial theme, ‘Fairytale’. (After all, every wedding should be a fairytale, right?) And with the live action screen version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast being such a thing right now, this shoot was the perfect way to get started. I absolutely LOVED photographer Jaqui Franco and her team’s take on this fairytale from minute one – it has an organic, natural edge to it as well as a big helping of glam, and with jewel tones a-plenty in the palette, it also happens to be perfect for this time of year. With a real Beauty, a table feast, and gorgeous paper elements, not to mention a cake that’s a fairytale on its own, you’ll find plenty to inspire!

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Mint & Blush Barn Wedding at Rosemary Hill by As Sweet As Images

by gaby

When it comes to rustic chic, I think it’s safe to say that barn weddings are the gold standard. And our friends in the US have their pick of gorgeous venues, but barns aren’t exactly a South African wedding staple, which is why the ones we do feature are extra special. And when you take that rustic romance and add in a dream team of vendors, including SBB faves As Sweet As Images, it’s something super duper extra speciallisimo. With a cherry on top. Imagine a classic pastel palette of blush and mint (including bridesmaids in sweet floral crowns), a gorgeous lace sleeve gown for the blushing bride, a draped entrance to the barn ceremony, a breathtaking cake table, and a ceiling strewn with fairy lights and you’ll be on the right track. Lourens and Salome’s big day was all this and more, and I’m super excited to share it with you – the perfect way to close off our month of rustic wedding style!

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Lady of the Manor Boudoir Inspiration

by gaby

Get ready for some absolutely beautiful images this afternoon, lovely ones, because this boudoir session, styled and photographed by Natalie Shelton, just makes me want to stare at my screen all afternoon. With delicate lace, soft light, and the backdrop of an elegant manor house, she’s captured not just the beauty of her model (which is what boudoir is all about, as far as I’m concerned) but that feeling of anticipation and grace the morning of a wedding and it’s that time before the celebrations kicked off that actually inspired this session. Natalie was originally born in SA but now lives in Germany where this session was shot, and I’m so thrilled to be bringing you this gorgeous feature of her work!

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Beach Luxe Wedding by Wedding Concepts & Lad and Lass

by gaby

Wedding Concepts team, you’ve done it again – created a wedding so impossibly chic, it’s hard to actually believe it’s for real people and not a styled shoot. And as well as being gorgeous, what makes Natalie and Carl’s big day so special and unique is that it took place in and around their home in Grotto Bay. This is so far from what you might consider a ‘backyard’ wedding though- the WC team transformed this private residence into a gorgeous luxury venue dripping with lush florals and elegant details, and even created a night club-style area with a personalised dance floor for the evening. Um, wow! Lad & Lass took these lovely images.

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10 Rustic Wedding Colour Palettes

by gaby

We’re coming to the end of our month of rustic elegance, and it’s been such a pleasure to revisit this style in depth and see how things have moved from a rougher, shabby chic ‘burlap and lace’ look to a more organic, natural style that relies on rustic textures, beautiful flowers and romantic details. Even so, I thought it was time I took a look back through the archives for rustic inspiration as well, and I found ten gorgeous boards that are as pretty now as when I first created them. So pick your palette, because every one of these is a beauty!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SouthBound Bride may make a commission if a sale is made.

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Colourful Midlands Wedding at Providence by Dear Chloe Photography

by gaby

I’m lucky enough to live in KZN, close enough for a day trip to the Midlands, but I still stop and stare at its beauty every time I visit. It’s also an idyllic spot for weddings, which of course is why so many couples choose it as a destination location for their nuptials, and Sonia and Preshen did just that when they picked Providence for their own big day. This gorgeous couple had two weddings, and we’re featuring their intimate Catholic ceremony and reception today, complete with the most gorgeous florals in bright shades of coral and peach and pink (such a delicious palette!), as captured by the lovely Dear Chloe. But you guys, I have to make a special mention of Preshen’s proposal because OMG I loved this one – even if you don’t usually read the text be sure you do this time, as it’s utterly adorable, especially if you’re a dog lover like me! I (and Darcy, my own sweet pup) definitely approve!

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Rustic Chic Bridal Shower Ideas

by gaby

Rustic Chic Bridal Shower

*UPDATED FOR 2021* Earlier today we featured a fabulous real rustic bridal shower (be sure not to miss it!). I loved this, not only because it was super pretty, but because it was a fresh take on the rustic/natural/organic look. And we are all about fresh, pretty inspiration here on SBB! So I thought I would break down the look so that you lovelies could recreate it for yourself (or your bestie). The good news is, a relaxed, slightly boho-chic rustic bridal shower is a relatively simple look to pull off, and the more simple and natural you go with the details, the better. Plus, the other joy of rustic style is that there’s really no such thing as mismatched, so you can add in touches of girly or glam or whatever, depending on the style of the bride herself. Perfect, right? Here are some of my favourite rustic bridal shower ideas to inspire 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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