Inspiration Board: Metallic & Blush

by gaby

Where on earth do we learn the rules of what does and doesn’t ‘go’? Because I very specifically remember being told by someone a couple of decades ago that gold and silver didn’t, and never the twain shall meet, etc. But here we are, and not only are mixed metallics a thing, they’re gorgeous. I love a mix of gold and silver together, and when you add blush into the mix, you have the perfect combination of sophistication and romance.

Colours: Gold, silver, blush & white

Top row (l-r): Dress with embellishment {Robin Lin Photography/A Southern Soiree}; bridesmaid dresses {Jessica Lorren}; centrepiece {Bradley James Photography/Hey Gorgeous Events}
Row 2: Cake with leaf detail {Elizabeth Messina}; pink shoes {Caroline Joy Photography/Badgley Mischka}; blush ruffle clutch {Perez Photography}; silver sequin tablecloth {Yasmin Khajavi Photography/Zest Floral and Event Design}
Row 3: Blush dress {KT Merry/Monique Lhuillier}; mini champagne tower {Sylvie Gil/L’Relyea Events}; marquee decor {OneLove Photography}

 

Magical Midlands Wedding at The Glades Farm by CC Rossler {Faye & Gary}

by gaby

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.” I have no idea where that quote comes from, but it pretty perfectly sums up how I feel about today’s wedding. A couple of years ago, I shared this love story, which belongs to my friends Sven and Louise. What I didn’t know was that their wedding wasn’t the end of the bigger picture love story. Because while we were toasting the happy couple with chilled rosé, the wheels of Fate were turning in the background. Who would have known that bringing together Sven, Louise, their planner (Faye of Poetry Weddings) and their photographer CC Rossler (who happened to be a friend of Sven’s friend Gary) would ultimately lead to Faye and Gary finding their very own fairytale? There’s something kind of magical about that. Serendipity. So I’m super excited to be sharing Faye and Gary’s rainy, romantic Midlands wedding (beautifully captured by CC, of course!) with you today.Read More

Glamorous Red Lip Bridal Style

by gaby

Earlier this week, we featured a bride rocking a chic red lip, and it reminded me just what an immediate glam-maker a rouge or berry lipstick is. If your Big Day dream is to look more like a screen siren than a fairy princess, then this is definitely the style for you! Whether you’re wearing a slinky Art Deco style dress, a vintage lace gown, or something bold and modern, a red lip has that touch of Old Hollywood and just happens to stand out perfectly, a pop of colour against the white of a bridal gown. So this afternoon, I’ve rounded up 20 absolutely amazing glamorous bridal looks, each of them rocking not just a bold red lip, but immaculate makeup and hair. Go on, dahling – be inspired!Read More

Country Charm Wedding at The Cowshed by Lad & Lass {Mishka & Tom}

by gaby

I had such fun reading the ‘beind the scenes’ story from today’s couple, who have such a lovely sense of humour and fun as they recount the series of circumstances and happenings that brought them together. So it didn’t put a single bit of a dampener on proceedings when they said their vows at The Cowshed in Mpumalanga on a rainy afternoon. Weddings at this venue always have a great mix of casual and country chic, and with a reception filled with proteas and roses, silverware and chandeliers, candelight and cake, that’s exactly the kind of farm charm that we adore. Look out for the Coke can favours (love this idea!) and some beautiful floral bridesmaid dresses among the pretty pics delivered by Lad & Lass.Read More

Elegant Handmade Wedding at The Oaks Estate by Jules Morgan {Jean & Cormac}

by gaby

Ugh you guys, being sick sucks. But while I’m holed up in bed, feeling more than reasonably sorry for myself, at least I can surround myself with pretty weddings, and today’s is a beauty. Jean and Cormac are one of those ‘meant to be’ couples whose love has crossed a couple of oceans, so to celebrate joining their lives, nothing less than the prettiest of South African weddings surrounded by friends and family would do. ‘Frivolously elegant’ is how Jean describes their style (don’t you love that?), from the olive leaf wreaths and the beaded Nguni cow favours, to the mix of paper flowers and proteas, the illustrated table markers, and the bridesmaids’ floral print dresses. There’s such a lovely relaxed feeling about this big day, you can’t help but love it. And even more so when the uber talented Jules Morgan is behind the lens, capturing every shiny happy moment.Read More

Inspiration Board: Golden Lace

by gaby

Hello lovelies – I’m back from my reunion weekend away (which was fab) and holed up in bed with a cold (not so fab), so bear with me as I share today’s board a little later than usual. August is going to be our month of bling – or at least, our theme is ‘Glamour’, so after some weeks of organic, we get to look at the glitzier side of wedding design. And you know my magpie heart loves me some gold, so we had to start with a golden inspiration board! For this one, I’ve combined this glam metallic with the classic vintage element of lace, resulting in something I think is really very pretty. I also love how gold stands out against a palette of white, grey and pewter – mixed metallics really are a fave of mine. But most of all, I’m in LOVE with that amazing gold lace dress – isn’t it amazing? Now that’s a showstopper.

Colours: Gold, greys & white

Top row (l-r): Gold lace gown {Krikor Jabotian}; Luscious Lacing wedding invitation suite {Wedding Paper Divas}; table setting {JoPhoto}
Row 2: Gold lace cake {City Sweets & Confections/Anna Williams}; flower girl {Dolce & Gabbana Junior}; Menbur ‘Strass’ pump
Row 3: Gold filigree cuff; gold lace chair cover {Tonya Peterson Photography/Utah Events by Design}; lace cuffs

Get the Look: Floral Print Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

Floral Print Bridesmaid Dresses | SouthBound Bride

Floral print bridesmaid dresses are taking over the world, you guys. Or at least, the catwalks, as well as our pretty little wedding corner of the world (which basically means you’re spoilt for choice if this is the look you choose this season). I probably don’t need to wax lyrical about how pretty and versatile floral patterns are, but just in case you’re not yet convinced (see our previous roundup here), I’ve rounded up some fresh inspiration from around the web. And just to make it extra sweet, you’ll find some gorgeous shopping suggestions for flower print bridesmaid dresses below too, so you can get the look for your own grown-up flower girls.
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Dreamy Botanical Wedding Inspiration by Nicola Bester

by gaby

I’m starting my weekend early by rushing off to PE for my high school reunion, where I will play Romy (and Michelle), and tell everyone I invented Post-its. But I can’t think of a better way to end off our month of Greenhouse gorgeousness than with this shoot, which just embodies the romantic garden feel that everything floral and botanical and beautiful means to me. There’s such an ethereal look to this shoot, thanks in part to the frothy fantasy gowns created by SBB fave Janita Toerien, as well as Nicola Bester Photography‘s lovely pics, and I’m also loving the whimsical watercolour stationery and pretty table design with just a touch of gold, not to mention Minke du Plessis‘ immaculate hair & makeup! To be honest, put these elements together into a wedding, and I’m pretty much in heaven. So enjoy, and pop back later this afternoon for a final dose of floral print to finish off July’s theme.Read More

Abigail Betz Bridal Couture 2015 Collection

by gaby

As you all know, we love sharing local design talent here on SBB, so I’m delighted to be debuting the latest collection from Abigail Betz, which celebrates the ‘brave, free-spirited new bride’. Abigail’s haute couture dresses are always so unique and so beautifully crafted, with tailored accessories that really make her brides’ big day looks one-of-a-kind. With this new collection, she has retained her label’s signature sense of romance, but introduced colour, texture and a hint of sexiness that accentuates the female form. Abigail says: “In a bridal market with so much over embellishment and lack of variety, I wanted to set the modern bride free to look as enchanting and have as much fun as possible on her special day without being weighed down by excessive, restrictive petticoats and overstated trimmings. It is her unique spirit that should be on display in the most magnificent way. That is what we strive to achieve with our pieces.” These Rossetti-esque lookbook images give a peek into the collection’s four themes, with refinement as a common thread across them all.Read More

Fruitful Farm Wedding at Babylonstoren by Claire Thomson {Simona & Emile}

by gaby

When you’re picking a wedding design, we’d always advise that you take your venue into consideration – after all, as much as I love contrasts, there are some venues that just will never suit some themes, and you don’t want to spend a year of engagement trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. But for some couples, the venue goes so much further, completely inspiring the look and feel of the wedding, especially when they’re as crazy about the place as Simona and Emile are about Babylonstoren. Fair dues, it is a pretty amazing place, and I especially loved that this sweet couple wanted to share this place that is so special to them with their favourite people. They completely embraced the Babylonstoren aesthetic, the vast, edible gardens and greenhouses, the elegant but simple menu. And, thanks to Simona’s trust in her suppliers, their flowers had a special fruity element to them which I especially love! It’s just the perfect embodiment of farmhouse botanical style, beautifully captured by Claire Thomson.Read More