Boho Southwestern Desert Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Desert wedding inspiration has been HUGE this year, you guys, and I’m loving it! But while most of the desert wedding shoots I see have an ethereal quality and are all about muted pastels and mixed neutrals, today’s shoot is ALL about the colour. Pops of bright blue, red, yellow, orange, and coral pink to be precise, which work so beautifully against boho neutrals and the South African cacti vegetation. It’s reminiscent of Southwestern style, prevalent in one of my other all time fave places, Santa Fe in New Mexico, and I just love how patterns and textures are used here to create something we don’t usually see in South African wedding design (but which looks right at home). Bravo to the team, including photographer Mila Photography and stylist Iets Niets – you all did a gorgeous job!

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International Cross Cultural Wedding at Le Franschhoek by Hayley Takes Photos

by gaby

Y’all know how much I love a multi-cultural wedding – the fusion of cultures and families (smooshed together with family and friends from all around the world) makes me so happy. To me, this is what weddings are all about: two souls finding one another in the vast world, and joining their lives together to create something beautiful and new. Today’s wedding is all of these things – April and Avi come from across the world from one another and have different cultural heritages and religious backgrounds, but found each other at college in the US, making this one of the most uniquely international weddings I’ve come across. And where better to tie the knot than in the Rainbow Nation of South Africa? The day was filled with colour and happiness, with two different celebrations, three gorgeous gowns, acknowledgement of all those influences (including SA, with some Zulu dancing, yay!), old traditions and new friendships. It’s appropriate that April and Avi chose an umbrella motif for their big day too, because that’s really what it did: bring everything they love under one big beautiful umbrella. Hayley Takes Photos was there to capture these wonderful images of the day.

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Moody Eco Chic Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Dark and moody weddings are one of the most unexpected trends for me, but I have to say, I am loving the way that these rich palettes add something special and unusual to wedding design. Plus, you know how much I love colour, and even though they’re ‘dark’, that’s just the base of black or grey that forms a backdrop to deep reds and purples and greens, or soft mauves and blues – it’s a truly lovely combination. Today’s styled shoot takes this idea and takes it a step further, combining a moody palette with eco chic wedding ideas – LOVE. With so many couples looking for ways that they can make their wedding more earth friendly or sustainable, this team including photographer Debbie Lourens, as well as stylist Happinest Weddings and floral designer Epanouir Flower Studio, have some fresh ideas and bold inspirations. I’m especially loving the watercolor stationery on seeded paper, as well as the ‘living’ elements to the bride’s attire – such a whimsical alternative to a bouquet! Enjoy.

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Japanese Inspired Wedding at The 12 Apostles Hotel by Kaitlyn De Villiers

by gaby

When it comes to wedding industry pros, I think there’s a lot of pressure when it comes time for them to plan their own weddings (at this point I think I would just elope LOL), but they do have one huge advantage, and that’s knowing the best people to help pull off a spectacular big day. With friends like these, it’s easy to exceed expectations! And that’s just what happened for bride Melissa of Blackeyed Susan, and her sweetheart Louis, when they married in a gorgeous Cape Town celebration inspired by Japanese design. With a clear vision of the aesthetic they wanted to achieve, they briefed their suppliers and then let them work their creative magic, and the result is STUNNING. The cake, the flowers, and of course the setting! And that’s before we even talk about Melissa’s cap sleeve, ivory lace bodice gown, which of course she decided to create herself (because after all, who knows a designer’s vision better than herself?) Again, she incorporated Japanese elements here to fabulous effect, including an obi belt and a traditional Kanzashi. This really is something special, and it was captured to perfection by Kaitlyn De Villiers Photography!

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The SouthBound Guide to Brunch Weddings

by gaby

Planning A Wedding Brunch

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

*UPDATED FOR 2020* I have just one word for brunch weddings: LOVE. Seriously, morning weddings are one of my absolute favourites (and I’ve been to a few in my time too). Yes, evening weddings are fun and you can tear up the dancefloor all night long and have your first dance under the stars. But if that’s not your thing, or if maybe you want a more intimate gathering or a chance to appreciate the daytime beauty of your venue, or even if you just want something a bit more different, then planning a wedding brunch could be perfect for you. Plus, I mean, it’s BRUNCH. Who doesn’t love brunch? And some people ask: are brunch weddings boring? Or, are brunch weddings tacky? And the answer on both counts is definitely no. In fact, with a morning wedding, you have the flexibility to make it as casual or as formal as you wish, and with a shorter timeline, you actually have less time to keep your guests amused. And trust me, nothing keeps them amused like great food and drinks, and brunch style weddings are ALL about the menu (foodie couples rejoice)! Bottom line, morning weddings are awesome, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide full of brunch wedding ideas to help you plan one!

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Sweet Hydrangea Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

Hydrangea Wedding Cake | Image: Marilize Coetzee

It may be chilly outside, but when it comes to weddings, my love for pastels is never out of season. Dusty blue is such a key colour this year, and paired with soft pink and pinky-lilac, it makes the most beautiful base for a spring or summer celebration – totally romantic and feminine, but sort of clean and elegant at the same time. So today’s styled shoot from Marilize Coetzee Photography, Some Day and their team had me at hello with the palette, and when you add in lovely details from silk linens to dreamy stationery to a gorgeous cake, as well as a touch of the industrial, you have a truly gorgeous combination!

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Festive Forest Wedding at Die Woud by Hayley Takes Photos

by gaby

Festive Forest Wedding at Die Woud | Image: Hayley Takes Photos

Forest wedding lovers brace yourselves, because this woodland chic celebration will knock your socks off! Amy and Gerhard knew a forest wedding was the right call for them because they love taking forest walks (love that they brought their guests into this personal element of their relationship with the venue!) and didn’t look any further than Die Woud, with its glass marquee hidden amongst the trees and feeling of being lost in a kind of fairytale world. They hung the branches with ribbons, decorated the reception space with woody touches like branch votives, moss, and the most spectacular hanging floral branches, then contrasted that rustic loveliness with cut glass vases and sparkling chandeliers, and invited their nearest and dearest into this magical little space to celebrate their love. One of my fave touches has to be Amy’s heirloom wedding dress, which was remade from her late mom’s Chantilly lace gown into a stunning off the shoulder beauty that perfectly blended something old and something new. Hayley Takes Photos took these wonderfully moody pics.

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Inspiration Board: Autumn Botanical

by gaby

I think it’s time for me to finally admit defeat and acknowledge that autumn is here (actually, winter really, but at least we’re always a little bit behind in Durban, weather-wise!). And while I’m always super sad to let summer go, I do love the coziness of the colder months, cuddling up with my spaniel under a warm blanket, hot chocolate and cookies, hot baths, etc. And of course, the rich autumn colour palettes! As you know, I love a fresh take on a classic palette, so for today’s inspiration board, I’ve turned to one of this year’s quiet heroes: dusty blue. Millennial Pink and Ultra Violet might be getting all the press, but the more soft and subtle blue is everywhere, making a beautiful cool base for so many other lovely shades. And while it’s more closely associated with the other seasons, it works just as well for fall, especially when paired with other muted shades like a matte forest green and a very soft mustard, as I have here, for a fine art, botanical feel that’s a gorgeously fresh take on the autumn look. What do you think?
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Top row (l-r): Elegant Autumn Bride (Heather Burris Photography/Amanda Blair by Design/Sweet Caroline Styles) | Tablescape (Sawyer Baird/TOAST Santa Barbara) | Semi-naked Drip Donut Cake (Tiffaney Childs Photography)
Row 2: Autumn Couple (Moira West) | Dusty Blue Botanical Wedding Invitation (Minted) | Blue Tweed Suit (ASOS)
Row 3: Centrepiece (Hannah Duffy Photography/Louise Beukes of BLOVED Blog/Bo Boutique) | Escort Cards with Flowers (Joey Kennedy Photography/Lora Kelley/Mallory Joyce) | Dusty Blue Bridesmaid Dresses (Erin Stubblefield Weddings and Portraiture/Magnolias)

Dusty Blue Autumn Botanical Wedding Inspiration Board | SouthBound Bride

Row 1: Norma J Skirt in Slate by Sweet Caroline Styles | Row 2: ASOS Slim Suit in Blue Mini Check (left); floral noir Wedding Invitation from Minted (right) | Row 3: Gray Blue Silk Ribbon by Krasnova Silk | Row 4: Dusty Blue Gauze Napkins by Linen Lark (top left); Dusty Blue Printable Table Numbers by Heaven and Fifth Studio (bottom left); LAICIGO Womens Cross Wrap Off The Shoulder Sweater (top right); Dusty Blue Flower Comb by Marolsha (centre right); Elegant Navy Blue Dripless Taper Candles (bottom right)

 

How to Steal Harry & Meghan’s Royal Wedding Style

by gaby

All royal wedding images issued by The Royal Family via Facebook & Instagram

It’s official! Harry and Meghan (aka the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) are married! And with a guest list that meshed Hollywood royalty with actual royalty, the Royal Wedding 2018 is certain to go down as the wedding of the year. I’ve seen lots of mixed opinions about Meghan Markle’s wedding dress and big day style in general but I personally LOVED it – I think the gown was incredibly chic and looked stunnning on her, and that she accessorised it to perfection. I have a feeling it’ll go down as being just as iconic as the gown Princess Catherine wore a few years ago, and I have no doubt that many brides-to-be will be influenced by Meghan’s minimalist elegance, both at the wedding ceremony itself, and at the evening reception, where she wore a halter neck gown and aquamarine cocktail ring. Want to get a bit of Markle sparkle for your big day? Or get your groom kitted out like Harry (minus the military uniform, unless he’s actual in the forces, obvs)? We’ve got you covered! From jewellery to dresses to a classic black tux, here are ten ways you can steal a bit of Harry and Meghan’s wedding style for yourself. *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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Forest Food Truck Wedding at Helderberg Farm by Cheryl McEwan

by gaby

Forest Food Truck Wedding | Image: Cheryl McEwan

In an enchanted forest setting, surrounded by their nearest and dearest, Kelly and Shaun’s dream wedding came to life. The couple decided to do as much as they could themselves, bringing their personalities into every detail they handcrafted and styled for their woodland ceremony and reception, from decor to favours. Love that! And I also LOVE that they decided on food truck catering, because OMG how fun, right? Forests and food trucks – two of our favourite things. No wonder there are so many happy smiles in these gorgeous pics captured by SBB fave Cheryl McEwan. Let’s take a peek shall we?

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