I’ve developed quite a crush on this whole celebration – and frankly, on the couple too, since Libby & Bren are chilled out, fun-loving and completely adorable (as you’ll discover when you read their his ‘n hers story of the wedding day below). To start off with, they chose one of our absolute favourite venues, the incredible Dairy Shed , for their rustic elegant, laid-back, outdoor, natural, Aussie-meets-South-African celebration. It really was the perfect setting, and along with stylish choices like mismatched bridesmaids and groomsmen, long wooden tables, wood, organic fynbos arrangements, copper flatware, strings of twinkle lights, and of course Libby’s ridiculously gorgeous gown, it was an event to remember. Thanks in part to an awesome team, many of whom are long-time SBB faves: Theresa of Creation Events, who did a great job pulling everything together; Paradiso Flowers, who did the arrangements; Vizion Photo, who did the video; and the awesome Duane Smith, who captured these beautiful photos.
A SouthBound Guide to Wedding Dress Silhouettes
One of the things you take for granted when you’ve been wedding blogging as long as I have, is that the terminology that’s part of your everyday life isn’t necessarily something that all brides know, off the bat, when they get engaged. After all, you ladies have a lifetime of other things to think about! That’s why I love putting these guides together – quick visual references that give you the tools for your planning, whether that’s in choosing a veil, or deciding on the shape of your bouquet, type of cake, etc. A lot of us know dress silhouettes a bit better, but even if you know your ballgown from your mini, do you know your mermaid from your trumpet? So today we’re focusing on the different dress styles, and illustrating each with some of the most gorgeous gowns I could find on Etsy. Win-win!
Geometric Vogue Wedding Inspiration
I promised you guys some amazing styled shoots this month, and I wasn’t kidding! Plus, today’s slice of chic comes courtesy of one of our favourite local suppliers, the lovely Dominique of Hello Love Photography, which makes it extra special. Dominique and her team decided to create a look inspired by geometric minimalism – a bold, modern, and oh-so-stylish take on both bridalwear and table design that comes in two parts. The colours are incredible – stark white and gold with pops of deep emerald in Part 1 of the shoot and teal in Part 2 – and the geo details are fabulous, from the gold backdrop to the table decor to the cake. Oh, the cake! Add in some statement paper succulents, bold makeup, and a lush organic bouquet, and you have something really special. I especially love the fashion choices here, because as we discovered a couple of weeks ago, bridal pantsuits are so hot right now! And the kimono top and tulle skirt combo in Part 2 is just as amazing. So, let’s get inspired!
BHLDN Wild Serenity Collection
Stop press! Just in time for our month of fashion inspiration, BHLDN has released its latest collection of beautiful gowns, with the ethereal title ‘Wild Serenity’. Shot with the moody backdrop of the Irish countryside, and featuring amazing lace and embellishment detailing, the lookbook is like something out of Gaelic folkore – the dresses are just as magical. Scroll through and fall in love with both the images and the fashion, and then follow the links to grab one of them for your very own.
Fynbos & Lace Wedding at Harmonie Proteas by Maiden Moose Photography
Proteas and lace. Lace and proteas. Two of our favourite things. So any wedding that begins with a hold-the-presses gorgeous lace gown (those sleeves!) with a touch of boho glam, and is held on a protea farm, is pretty much guaranteed to be legendary. Hugo and Renata’s wedding had that beautiful genuine quality to it – close to nature, filled with fynbos, and punctuated by the happiest of smiles from family and friends, and of course, the smitten couple. From the forest clearing ceremony to the epic dance party, this was a wedding day among wedding days, captured beautifully by our friends, Maiden Moose Photography. And those sunset portraits? Swoon.
New Bridesmaid Fashion Trends to Look Out For This Season
We’re still talking fashion but today we’re focusing on the bridesmaid end of the equation. I think when it comes to your girls you have two options – you can go for something that’s more classic and traditional, or you can have a little more fun and pick something on-trend. And yes, if you go for the second option, it’s going to look dated at some point – but then, don’t we all love looking at those pics from our parents and grandparents’ eras and checking out the fashion of the day? Of course, some brides manage to find their balance somewhere in the middle, by picking the more classic-looking of current styles. Whichever way yo go, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the runways in the years leading up to your big day, to get a sense of the cuts and textures and colours that will be available off-the-rack – and you may just fall in love with one of them! So with that in mind, I’ve rounded up ten of the trends that have already begun to make their way into our everyday fashion vocabulary, and that are sure to be the key new bridesmaid looks for 2017 – as well as some of my fave shopping links to get you started.
Top image: Aglow Photography/Alana van Heerden on SouthBound Bride
Marsala Elegance Wedding at The Rose Pavilion by Genevieve Fundaro
An elegantly rustic destination wedding infused with pops of rich Marsala has SBB written all over it. So no surprise, when I spotted this lavish little number via photographer Genevieve Fundaro, I couldn’t wait to share it with you all! It’s a day filled with pretty, from the long wooden tables decked with proteas and copper details to the naked cake, to a harvest table groaning with treats, to bride and groom Kerry and Shane’s Hollywood glam knockout style. And it’s full of love too – the usually tough groom had a definite moment when he saw his beautiful wife-to-be walking down the aisle towards him (aw!). There’s so much here to love, and Genevieve has captured it all beautifully as ever.
Elegant Country Blues Wedding at Le Franschhoek by Adene Photography
Nothing makes my wedding blogger heart light up like an elegant day full of lush blooms, gorgeous colour and a couple who are crazy in love. Today we’re talking soft shades of hydrangea blue paired with an elegant winelands setting, sweet details and some of our absolute favourite service providers like Botanica Flowers, The Mosaic Wedding Company and Adene Photography, and I love it! Kerry and Tom were married on their six year wedding anniversary at the spectacular Le Franschhoek, having planned their wedding from the UK with the help of Kerry’s mom and Cara from Mosaic. Kerry wore a beautiful Robyn Roberts lace sleeve gown, and carried a bouquet that included succulents alongside soft blue and white flowers. With a classical duo playing her down the aisle, afternoon shadows falling through the leaves as friends and family offered their congratulations, and fairy lights twinkling gently long into the night, it was the perfect day.
20 Chic Bridal Jumpsuits
*UPDATED FOR 2020* Whether you’re a city bride, a bold fashionista, a same sex bride who chooses not to wear a dress, or any gal who doesn’t feel at home in a skirt, bridal jumpsuits are the perfect look for you. The bridal jumpsuit is no boring pair of pants though – this is a feminine, flattering and beautiful look, which often features details like lace, interesting backs, and gorgeous fabrics, just like a traditional wedding gown. Bianca Jagger did it. Solange Knowles did it. Why not you? Bridal jumpsuits are also a stylish choice for your rehearsal dinner or after-party, or for a mini-mony or elopement. Here are some of my favourite looks.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.
Brick & Blush Wedding Inspiration
Hey there lovelies – hope you all had a good day off yesterday and got out there and voted! I’m stuck in bed with a cold (boooo!), but I’m being cheered up no end by today’s gorgeous editorial, which takes a French industrial glam style, and has filled my page with pretty. Photographer Susan du Toit and stylist Pebble and Lace led a team of talented pros in creating this one, inspired by the new venue, Lace on Timber. The name says it all really – delicious contrast of soft and strong, rough and smooth. We’re loving the whimsical mix of vintage elements, soft blooms (that bouquet though!), copper touches, and of course plenty of candlelight and lace. And let’s not forget the sweetest gold cake, and two seriously gorgeous gowns. Sigh!