How to Make a Cheese Wheel Wedding Cake

by gaby

How to Make a Cheese Wheel Wedding Cake | SouthBound Bride

Wine farm brides and grooms, rejoice! This October on SBB, our theme is Vineyard Weddings, so we’ll be looking back at some of our favourites from SA’s wealth of wine farm venues, as well as rounding up lots of little details and lovelies that you can include to bring your location to life (or just bring a bit of the vineyard into whichever venue you choose!). When I think about wine (which is a lot), I also think about cheese – the two go together like love and marriage. So an obvious option for a vineyard wedding cake is to go for a cheese wheel tower instead of (or as well as) a traditional sweet cake. It may no longer be a new idea, but it’s always a crowd-pleaser! Because cheese, duh. And sure, you could just plonk a bunch of cheese on a tray or pile a few rounds up and call it a cake, but it’s much more fun to create something pretty with just as much panache as a classic cake. Depending on how you style your cake, it can fit in perfectly with a rustic wedding, a contemporary one – even a romantic or glamorous one! And the best part is that you (or a friend or family member) can do it yourselves, following our handy tips. And, of course, we’ve rounded up lots more gorgeous cheese wedding cakes (many from our own SBB weddings) to inspire you!Read More

Truvelle 2016 Lookbook

by gaby

Hey hey it’s Friday! And since weekends always get me dreaming about travel and far flung destinations, the perfect way to kick this one off is with a little virtual trip to a whitewashed village in the south of Spain, where we’re revisiting the gorgeous Truvelle 2016 Collection that we first brought you a couple of weeks ago. As you’ve probably gathered by now, I adore inspirational bridal fashion editorials, not just because they’re so pretty (and this one is PRETTY), but because they give you a chance to see the gowns ‘in action’ – and in the case of this brand new Truvelle lookbook, that means whispering lace, dreamy draping, and the kind of soft, flowing skirts that make you want to spin round and round like a little girl. So romantic. Once again, Blush Wedding Photography did the gorgeous photographic honours.Read More

Long Mix & Match Pastel Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

While it may be October officially today, we’re sticking with spring pastels for one more day so I can bring you this lovely roundup of long pastel bridesmaid gowns. Because really, this mini trend is too lovely not to. And, while I still love cute little ice cream pastel dresses on BMs, the latest version of the look is a little softer and a little more grown-up, with pale pastel shades and long lengths. Whether they’re paired with boho flower crowns or lush bouquets, these mix and match lineups of long pastel bridesmaid dresses are sure to make both your girls and your photographer very happy. I’ve gathered some lovely inspiration from real weddings, as well as some pretty dress options for mix and match pastel dresses for you to shop.
*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links. 

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Rustic Navy, Sage & Blush Wedding at The Nutcracker Country Retreat by GingerAle Photography {Nadine & Renardo}

by gaby

I’ll tell you why today’s wedding really has my heart, you guys. I mean, we all love some classic South African country vintage decor – proteas, and succulents and lace. Add in bold navy stripes and a sense of bringing the outdoor in with woodsy details like moss and raw wood, and you have a gorgeous wedding design. But what I really love (and this won’t come as news to any of you who have been reading SBB for more than five minutes) is that the conception of this pretty, pretty colour scheme and set of details was based entirely on the couple’s personalities and tastes. Which in my book, is pretty much everything a wedding ever needs to be. That attention to detail reaches right on down to the choice of wine, and includes a SUPER romantic gesture by the groom during his speech – a song written just for his bride. Swoon. So there you go. Navy, sage and blush and love all over. Captured to perfection by GingerAle Photography!Read More

Sareh Nouri Spring 2016 Editorial

by gaby

It’s that time of year when bridal fashion is at the forefront of our minds, with New York’s bridal fashion week around the corner (where we’re launching Aisle Society, eek!) So over the next month, you can expect SBB’s pages to be filled with beautiful gowns and inspirational lookbooks that will have you dreaming in tulle. Today’s editorial is something really special though. Not only are Sareh Nouri‘s new gowns for Spring 2016 just absolutely beyond amazing – a fantasy made of luxurious lace, shimmering embroidery and silk wool – but to show them off, the Sareh Nouri team has paired up with photographer Laura Gordon for the. most. breathtaking. bridal shoot, possibly ever. With an old world European feel, it’s like having a behind the scenes peek at a princess wandering the halls of her castle on the morning of her wedding, which makes the shoot inspiring for beautiful bridal portraiture as well as spectacular gowns. I couldn’t hold myself back from picking a bumper crop of pics, but I know you’ll love them – and every one of these dresses – as much as I do.Read More

Organic Country Elegance Wedding at Rickety Bridge by Laura Leigh {Helen & David}

by gaby

It feels like Christmas today, since I’ve been looking forward to sharing this lovely wedding with you all for a while! First featured in Wedding Collection Magazine, Helen and David’s laid-back, intimate, countryside soiree is the epitome of relaxed glamour with the spectacular Rickety Bridge as its vineyard backdrop. There was a real sense of natural beauty too – from the wildflowers and wooden elements, the naked cake and greenery-bedecked arch, to the nods to eco chic, including a pre-loved Jenny Packham dress (just as breathtaking on its second trip down the aisle!). Laura Leigh‘s pictures from the day captured just how intimate, romantic and joyful it all was.Read More

Top Tips for Spring Engagement Shoots

by gaby

It’s that time of year again, when summer brides and grooms book a bit of extra time with their photographers for that all-important engagement shoot (hands down the best way to get yourselves used to being in front of the camera before your Big Day). And let’s be honest, there’s no better time to plan a couple shoot than the spring – think blossoms, greenery, fresh colours, and dreamy light! There are a few things you should take into account, though, so we’ve asked a couple of our favourite local photographers to share their top 10 tips – as well as some of their favourite spring engagement pics. You can also find more e-shoot inspiration in our archives.

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20 Escort Card Displays & Table Plans for Spring Weddings

by gaby

Happy Friday lovelies! I am away for the long weekend (as, I know, are many of you all!) so I thought I would simply bring you a fun little roundup. Escort card displays are one of those details that aren’t strictly necessary in terms of getting too fussed, but I have to admit that it’s one wedding detail that always captures my imagination when it’s done well, and makes an event’s design stand apart. I think it’s because it’s a great way to showcase something about your theme without being too themey, about your story without having to make it a theme, or something about your season or venue that just adds to the whole ambience of the reception. So I’m a fan. And for that reason, I’ve been trawling the webs, picking out my favourite plans and displays that are absolutely PERFECT for a sweet spring wedding. Whether they incorporate spring blooms, fruits, or motifs like birds/eggs or gardening, each of these is sure to make your guests take notice, and set the mood for the most perfect spring celebration.Read More

Regal Gold Wedding at Cathedral Peak Hotel by Louise Vorster {Monique & Philip}

by gaby

I’m heading off to the Drakensberg for a few days this weekend (can’t wait!) so it’s especially good timing for me to share this glamorous royal wedding-inspired celebration which took place at the Cathedral Peak Hotel, in amongst all that majestic mountain beauty. Bride and groom Monique and Philip perfectly combined that natural beauty (including a transparent marquee, which always brings the outside in so beautifully!) with a gold and white palette, and opulent details like gold macarons, crystal perfume bottle favours, and custom embroidered napkins. So pretty! Monique looked absolutely drop dead gorgeous in her gown, as did her four glittering bridesmaids – I think these might actually be some of my favourite gold BM dresses to date. I feel like I should pour myself a glass of champagne before I immerse myself in these dreamy pics by Louise Vorster, but feel free to make do with a cup of your favourite something hot, and enjoy!Read More