Bridesmaid Separates

by gaby

bridesmaid separates

UPDATED FOR 2021* Time for some fashion, lovelies! One of the trends that I am LOVING at the moment is bridesmaid separates – everything from crop tops to more demure shirts and skirts, flirty tea length tulle, and maxi beauties. There are so many different ways you can go with this, depending on the style of your wedding. It’s also a great way to do mismatched, or to create a bridesmaid look that works for a range of different body types. Not to mention that it’s an easy look to achieve, even if you and your girls are oceans apart. So I thought I would round up some of my favourite bridesmaid separates looks from real weddings, as well as some gorgeous two-piece bridesmaid dresses from Etsy.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Graceful Greenery Wedding at Red Ivory Lodge by Carla Adel

by gaby

Graceful Greenery Wedding | Image: Carla Adel

Over the past few weeks I’ve seen some big differences in opinion when it comes to this year’s Pantone Colour of the Year. Some love it, some hate it. It’s Marmite. But I’m definitely in the ‘love it’ camp, because while it’s a powerful green to be used sparingly and organically, it’s also a trend beyond the colour itself. Greenery has really been having its moment as a statement floral (or not-floral, more accurately!) and I’ve loved seeing it transform from a very simple, rustic choice to one that can look just as elegant as a sea of blooms. Today’s wedding is proof, because Jesse and Teri’s big day is overflowing with gorgeous greenery (and some well chosen white blooms, for good measure!), but it’s also black tie glamorous, from Teri’s goooorgeous dress to the tables, where each menu is tied with a simple black ribbon. Tres chic! Carla Adel captured these lovely images.

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Romantic South African Protea Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Romantic South African Protea Wedding Inspiration | Image: Corette Faux

Get EXCITED, people, because I’m about to share some homegrown wedding inspiration that will knock your flip flops right off. I’ve been following the gorgeous work of photographer Corette Faux for a while now, so when an email from her popped up in my inbox, I couldn’t wait to open it and see what pretties were within. Well, wow. Let’s just say that, for a girl who loves proteas, I was in heaven. On a recent trip to SA, Corette joined up with a few local pros to create a mini shoot that is super pretty and inspirational. A bushveld-style setting, a Silver Swallow gown billowing in the breeze, a real couple in love, hand lettered stationery, a pretty table, and OMG that bouquet! I just love the way that this shoot combines the elements of soft and strong – indigenous flora mixed with the dreamiest of fabrics, a rugged landscape contrasting with elegant formal wear. For me, it’s the perfect representation of South African style, and I for one can’t wait to get pinning!

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20 Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas

by gaby

20 Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas from Etsy | SouthBound Bride

Bridesmaid Proposal Box by Little Flower Soap Co

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

So earlier today, we looked at how to choose your bridal party and as a bonus, I thought we’d look at how to ask them! Bridesmaid proposals have become a THING, and while I don’t think anyone should feel obliged to do any more than sit down with your favourite friend and say, “how about it?”, at the same time it’s such a special moment and doing something special to mark it and make your friends feel loved and appreciated can never be a bad thing! There are some great DIY ideas for bridesmaid proposals out there, but for the time-strapped bride, the makers at Etsy have created a range of super cute bridesmaid proposal gifts that will make saying ‘will you be my bridesmaid’ a pleasure – everything from wine labels to jewellery to mini unicorn pinatas (!). Here are 20 of our faves!

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How to Choose Your Bridesmaids

by gaby

Choosing your bridesmaids! Easy, right? Um, not so much. For some brides, it’s a simple decision, but for many, the whole bridal party selection process can be a huge source of stress. It’s supposed to be fun, but you only have to watch an episode of Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids to see evidence of how easily tensions can creep their way in. And that’s when you also throw in who’s going to be maid of honour and what you’re going to dress them in. For me, your bridal party are a HUGE part of the day (in fact, it’s the only part of my hypothetical wedding that I’ve ever really thought about – forget the dream dress or decor, if George Clooney proposed tomorrow, I just know who I’d want standing up with me). They’re your special witnesses, the people you’ve chosen to go through your life-changing experience with a front row seat. It’s an affirmation of friendship or family bonds, and a chance to make new memories. Those are all good things. So how do you get past the tricky bits in choosing your bridal party? Here are my top tips and advice for picking an all star supporting cast.Read More

Elegant Superhero Wedding at Silver Sixpence by Daniel West

by gaby

Superhero Surprise Wedding Cake Batman Superman Captain America | Image: Daniel West

Just when I think I’ve seen it all, a superhero themed wedding lands in my inbox! When it comes to fun ideas, this one delivers a real punch (pow!), and was such a playful way for Neill and Alicia to bring in one of the groom’s great loves and a sense of childhood whimsy to their otherwise super classic do. From the cake (business in front, comic book party in the back) to the groomsmen’s accessories, to even the bride’s garter, fun Batman, Superman and Captain America touches were sprinkled throughout the day, and they mixed surprisingly well with the silver and white palette and elegant details. Daniel West was on the scene, putting his own superpowers to work behind the camera.

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Love in Maboneng

by gaby

Rumour has it that the Maboneng Precinct in Joburg is the place to go for an urban chic city wedding, and if today’s shoot from A Bear Photography is anything to go by, you can sign me up! Leon and Diane’s just married shoot is such a sweet exploration of this vibrant corner of the City of Gold, beautifully captured by A Bear Photography. I love the laid back, intimate feel of these images, even amid the hustle and bustle of the city, and the way that photographers Arno and Annerina included street performers, shop fronts and street signs for some authentic local colour. So fun! And so romantic too.

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Pretty Rustic Wedding at Langkloof Roses by Marli Koen

by gaby

Pretty Rustic Wedding with a Touch of Delft | Images: Marli Koen

It’s not every bride who’ll take on the challenge of a two month wedding planning schedule, but for Natasha, as soon as she said “I will”, she discovered that her romantic husband-to-be, Stefan, had already booked her favourite venue for the sweetest of winter weddings! I actually love short engagements, because I feel like styling decisions get made from the heart (with a dash of practicality, of course) and Stefan and Natasha’s wedding is the perfect example, as the end result is just so lovely. Gorgeous blooms in Delft vases adorning long wooden tables (not to mention a very swoony peony bouquet!), both the bride and her bridesmaid in elegant lace, cosy touches like homemade blankets and a rice krispie cake second to none – it all comes together beautifully. Add in these images from Marli Koen, and… well. Let’s just say the pretty-ometer is going crazy.

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A SouthBound Guide to Diamond Shapes

by gaby

Image: Alexis June Weddings /Aisle Society/Susie Saltzman on SouthBound Bride

The French are said to die for love, they delight in fighting duels. But I prefer a man who lives and gives… expensive jewels. So sang Marilyn Monroe, and so I agree (plus, isn’t that a fabulous lyric?) and that’s why year after year, alongside all the pretty dresses and details, I find myself sighing at the diamond rings on our brides’ elegant hands. And while I’m a sucker for a classic round solitaire, I love the variety that modern brides have in their choices – different settings, different metals, and for many, non-traditional stones (because diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but I also love hanging with morganite, sapphire, etc.) Another area of choice if you’re on the engagement ring hunt right now is shape (sometimes called cut, but not the cut referred to in the Big 4: Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat, which is rather the reflective quality of a diamond). There are actually a huge range of diamond shapes or cuts that you can choose. And, while the ones best suited for sparkle are the old classics (round, cushion), the fancy cuts, as they’re called, can make up for it in uniqueness (after all, how many of your friends are rocking a trillion?) We’ve rounded up some of the more popular shapes in this comprehensive guide to diamond shapes, along with lots of pretty, pretty rings from Etsy to show them off at a range of price points.

*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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Rhapsody in Indigo

by gaby

When I started SBB (waaay back when, haha), one of my favourite things to do was create moodboards putting together some beautiful and unexpected shades. I still do (although less frequently), but what years of creating those boards gave me was a deep appreciation for colour, and it’s that part of me that stood up and cheered the minute today’s styled shoot hit my inbox. Picture the scene – rustic, woodsy (thanks to the incredible Cabbage & Rose glasshouse venue), a mixture of rough and smooth (the shoot was inspired by the idea of ‘perfect imperfection’). Then infuse all of that with a range of blues and greys, ranging from soft smoke right through to the most beautiful indigo, complemented by soft matte metallics and flecks of gold leaf. Pretty doesn’t even cover it. From the delightfully eclectic table setting to the dresses (Oh! The dresses! What I wouldn’t do to see one of these beauties on a real colour-loving bride!), to the cement-like cake (sounds weird, is actually totally awesome), I just want to wrap myself up in it and sing the blues. In a good way. Dust and Dreams Photography took these dreamy pics.

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