Chic Vineyard Wedding at Molenvliet by DNA Photographers {Ana & Dylan}

by gaby

I took one look at today’s wedding and thought: crazy beautiful. And sure, that could sum up the bride, the groom – and all of their glamorous guests. It could refer to Ana’s insanely gorgeous Galia Lahav gown (that back!), the elegant pastel decor by Evention, or the genteel vineyard setting of Molenvliet. It could definitely describe the pics by DNA Photographers. But as it always does with me, it’s the joy and the love that really surpass everything else – the love at first sight meeting, the smiles of the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the guests dancing their hearts out against a backdrop of twinkly lights. Beautiful indeed.Read More

15 Glam Gold Foiled Wedding Invitations

by gaby

Gold Foil Wedding Invitations from Etsy

*UPDATED FOR 2021* I swear, I have as many stationery crushes as I do rugby players. The stationery is a little less PG rated, obvs. The point is, one of my absolute biggest stationery crushes is foiling, which every time I see in a wedding invitation suite just makes me want to run my hands over it and say “ooh, shiny shiny!” Gold foil wedding invitations are a really beautiful way of bringing a bit of glamour to your invitations, and making metallics set the tone for the elegant soiree to follow. As always, there are some seriously talented designers in the Etsy community who have created some gorgeous gold foil wedding invitations, and I’ve picked out fifteen of my favourites.

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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Inspiration Board: Navy & Rose Gold

by gaby

Hello friends – how was your weekend? Hope it was full of fun and glamour and champagne – after all, that’s the vibe we’re going for in today’s little inspiration board! We’re taking a mix of grown-up navy, romantic blush, and glamorous rose gold – there really is no end to the fun you can have playing with metallics in your palette, and this is the perfect twist on blush and navy, which has been getting more popular in the last few years. Just add a vintage getaway car, a sophisticated dress, and some sparkly bridesmaids, and you have a fresh, glam look. Another option would be to add in a bit of dove grey, which goes great with all of these shades.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Colours: Navy, blush, rose gold, white

Top row (l-r): Bouquet (Rustic White Photography/Mandy of Waiting on Martha, Inc./Lindsay Coletta); table setting (Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography/The Southern Table); cake (McCune Photography/Grand Engagements/Sweet and Saucy Shop); gold dress (Emilia Jane)
Row 2: Place cards; gold bridesmaid dresses (Amanda Crean Photographers/Lauren Kelleher); rose gold votives; champagne coupes
Row 3: Bride & groom (Trent Bailey Photography); vintage car (Mademoiselle Fiona); invitation suite (Jupiter and Juno)

Row 1: Navy Tuxedo from ASOS (left); Theia Azelea Gown (right) | Row 2: Wedding Vow Books by Seniman Calligraphy | Row 3: Navy Rose Gold Wedding Invitation by VERDILIAN (left); Navy Bridal Earrings by Saint Valentine Bridal (right) | Row 4: Richland Rose Gold Mercury Votive Candle Holders (left); Sethi Couture Wide Pavé Pink Diamond Ring (right) | Row 5: Sophia Webster – Madame Chiara Metallic Leather Sandals (left); Rose Gold Navy Wedding Table Numbers by PrintCess Design Store (right) | Row 6: Brianna Wedding Dress by Truvelle

 

Handmade Recyclable Wedding at Rockhaven by Nicole Rich {Melissa & Jürgen}

by gaby

And I’m back! Not quite at a hundred percent, but so much better. As much as I missed sharing pretty weddings with you this week, it was good to have a few days to recover – as a small business owner, it’s easy to lose sight of giving yourself some time off (hello, weekends, what are those?). But I couldn’t let the whole week go without a wedding, because at the end of the day, sharing these beauties – and more importantly, sharing in the excitement that comes from each bride and groom we feature! – is what makes my job awesome and totally worthwhile. Today’s couple are the lovely Melissa & Jürgen, who pulled off a beautiful country wedding brimming over with proteas and pops of colour against the rustic surroundings, all with an eye on keeping things eco friendly, locally sourced, and easy to recycle. It was definitely a case of waste not, want not, since despite the green focus, nothing was wanting in prettiness and atmosphere! Nicole Rich was on the scene, taking these lovely pics.Read More

Gatsby Glam Wedding Dresses

by gaby

Great Gatsby 1920s Art Deco Wedding Dresses | SouthBound Bride

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

The truth is, there’s a big part of me that still wants to be Daisy Buchanan (even though she was a bit of a cow) – flitting about in her beautiful dresses with her voice full of money, breaking hearts all over West Egg. Maybe that’s why every time I see a wedding gown sporting art deco embellishment and a slinky, satiny silhouette, I have a full-on, hold-on-to-your-chaise dress swoon. Or why designers like Johanna Johnson and Jenny Packham always have me dying over their latest collections of Gatsby wedding dresses. Forget princess dresses – for a glamorous bride, there’s no better way to go than with a touch of 1920s vintage. Especially when its complemented with gorgeous retro hair, a red lip, or a spectacular hairpiece. I went on the hunt for some of the most breathtaking glam wedding dresses for the Gatsby bride, each of them worthy of Daisy herself.

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Styled Shoot Turned Surprise Elopement by Angie Capri

by gaby

This shoot, you guys. It is so filled with love. In most of the styled shoots that I feature here on the blog, it’s all about the details – the pretty flowers, the table, the stationery, the cake… and of course, the ideas that are meant to inspire all of you brideys for your own, larger-scale weddings. Over the years, I’ve seen a few styled shoots that turned into engagements, because let’s be honest, is there a prettier way to pop the question? But when this same-sex shoot from Angie Capri crossed my desk, I knew it was something extra special. Not only did the lovebirds, Kylie & Andrea, have the moment when Andrea got down on one knee captured on film, but they were married on the spot in the most romantic surprise elopement I can imagine. So today, we get to not only be inspired by the pretty details created by Angie and her team, but by the sheer love as well.Read More

Naturally Vintage Wedding at Volmoed by Kikitography {Angelique & Marnus}

by gaby

I hate when people talk about cookie-cutter weddings, because in my experience, there’s so much thought and love and care that goes into every couple’s wedding, whatever decor and design they choose. But some weddings really manage to go above and beyond in being a perfect expression of the pair involved, and where I feel like I can get a beautiful sense of who they are and what they love just from the choices they make for their Big Day. Today’s wedding is one of those – a heartfelt day in the middle of spectacular natural scenery, surrounded by (and handmade in many cases by) the people that Angelique and Marnus love and admire the most. My absolute favourite element though, is Angelique’s vintage dress – vintage in the true sense of the word, since it belonged to her great grandmother. What an incredibly special thing to be able to share, and what a gorgeous gown, on its second outing. These lovely pics by Kikitography really get across the sense of peace and joy that radiate from bride and groom, and from the wedding they created.Read More

BHLDN Autumn 2015 Collection: Twice Enchanted

by gaby

Time for some fashion inspiration, lovelies. As you know by now, there’s nothing I love more than a beautiful lookbook shot in a beautiful place, chock full of beautiful dresses, so I couldn’t help but share the latest images from BHLDN with you all. I adore the gowns that BHLDN curates every season – handpicked from some of the finest designers, they really are worthy of the ‘swoonworthy’ tag. This lot are super glamorous, with incredible beading and embellishment and detailing, as well as some dreamy top-and-skirt combos that are bang on trend, as well as a host of gorgeous accessories. For the lookbook, photographer du jour Chloe Mallett headed to the Palácio de Monserrate in Sintra, Portugal, and the result is a fairytale collection in a fairytale setting – no wonder it’s called ‘Twice Enchanted‘. So let’s get to it, shall we? (PS Shop the look here)Read More

Glamorous Gold Wedding at JC Le Roux by Jana Marnewick {Shannon & Justin}

by gaby

What’s black, white and glamorous all over? Why, this wedding of course. Think classic black tie elegance with a generous helping of gold, all in the spectacular outdoor scenery of the Cape Winelands. Sigh. Justin and Shannon are a trans-continental couple who’ve endured the ups and downs of a long distance relationship, and I loved that they included so many personal and international touches in their big day, from a globe guest book to his and hers luggage tag favours. I also LOVE Shannon’s bridesmaids’ style – a MOH in pure sequins with a bouquet of gold-sprayed baby’s breath (genius, why haven’t I seen more of this idea?), bridesmaids in chic LBDs carrying wreaths – and of course, Shannon in her very own one-of-a-kind Old Hollywood number. Let the pretty party begin! Jana Marnewick was on the scene to take these lovely pics.Read More

Donna Morgan Serenity Collection

by gaby

Since glamour is the word round SBB this month, I can’t think of a better time to share this particular little collection with you! You’ve probably figured out by now that beautiful, glam, embellished bridesmaid dresses are a big fave for me, so I was absolutely over the moon when I saw Donna Morgan’s latest collection, Serenity. Not only are these dresses GORGEOUS and versatile, and will be a real focal point for any wedding, but they’re that rare and wonderful thing: bridesmaid dresses your girls will want to wear again afterwards. And with this much glitter and sparkle (as well as dreamy chiffons and soft floral prints), in a range of beautiful, ready-to-mismatch colours, who could blame them? I suspect we’ll see a couple of brides turning up in them too!Read More