Best of 2014: Cakes & Desserts

by gaby

Let’s talk about cakes, baby. Cakes and desserts. Because we love them. And they’re pretty! After a few seasons where dessert tables and candy buffets pretty much took over wedding world, I’ve noticed a bit of a trend back towards cakes this year, but that’s not to say that they’re all the same – oh no! You’ll find a huge range of gorgeous cakes among our favourites this year, from simple single layer beauties to elaborate triple tier masterpieces. And of course, there are loads of cake alternatives still making pretty waves, from cheese to macarons to the brownie tower you’ll see below. Basically, there are no rules: serve the cake you love.

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Best of 2014: Bouquets

by gaby

Happy public holiday lovelies! Today in our countdown of 2014 favourites we are all about bouquets (my best!). Last year I called 2013 the year of proteas, but this year (although we’ve seen lots of gorgeous inclusions of our national flower), I’ve seen the most colour and variety and general gorgeousness yet. Cascade bouquets (as predicted!) have been huge, and speaking of huge, I’m loving how big and bold some of you have decided to go with your blooms. Not that big is the only way, of course, but I do love a floral statement. So here are 20 of them!

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Best of 2014: Inspiration Boards

by gaby

Good morning lovelies! As the year winds down, it’s a SBB tradition to spend the last couple of weeks looking back at the year that was, and pinpointing some of our favourite details and images from real weddings, shoots, engagements, and other inspirations shared throughout the year. So fun! And since it’s a Monday, we’re starting off with inspiration boards. Based on likes, shares, comments and views, these are the top 10 inspiration boards of 2014. Which is YOUR favourite?

1. Kraft & Blush

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Playful Protea Wedding at Old Mac Daddy by Michelle van Heerden {Lynne and Kyle}

by gaby

Hello lovelies! As I mentioned last week, I got to be on the other side of the wedding fence this weekend when I was a guest at two of my dear friends’ wedding in the Midlands. And as much as I love the prettiness here (and there was plenty of prettiness there too), it was also good to remind myself of all the emotion that goes into the day – I literally couldn’t stop the tears at one point, but they were definitely tears of joy! And joy is a huge hallmark of the wedding I’m sharing with you today – just like bride Lynne says her dress doesn’t take herself too seriously, I get the impression that neither do the bride and groom, and everything about their big day is a little bit playful. From gold spray-painted animals at each setting to a scuba themed cake, chilli boutonnieres and a hangover station (best favour idea ever!), it was a day full of fun. And with smiles so wide and weather so sunny, photographer Michelle van Heerden captured every moment beautifully.Read More

Inspiration Board: Pansy & Pastel

by gaby

Hello friends! We’re entering the final stretch of the year now, and I don’t know about you, but my head is all over Christmas and new year. Starting next week, we’ll be looking back at our favourite parts of the year here on SBB, but first, we still have some more fresh inspiration to send your way. And first up is this pretty inspiration board, which mixes a strong pansy purple with soft pastel greens and blues. I think it’s so pretty, don’t you? And absolutely lovely for a summer wedding, allowing you to bring in the bright berry shades that are so popular at the moment, balanced with the softer summer hues. Gorgeousness.

Colours: Purple, mint & pastel blue

Top row (l-r): Invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}; bridesmaid dresses {Jose Villa/Style Me Pretty Weddings}; boutonniere {Caro Hutchings Photography/Scarlet & Violet
}
Row 2: Cake {SpectacularSpectacular/Ikonica/Bobbette & Belle}; blue and green glass containers with white flowers; lavender arch {SpectacularSpectacular/Ikonica/Todd Kjargaard}; pansy lollipops {SprinkleBakes}
Row 3: Table setting {Cassidy Carson/12th Table/Kelly Lenard}; table plan {The Wedding of My Dreams}; candles in teacups {Georgica Pond}; portrait back wedding dress {Pepper Nix Photography/Claire Pettibone}.

 

Natural DIY Wedding at Waterwoods by Duane Smith {Kim & Christiaan}

by gaby

If there’s one thing that was clear from our recent survey, it’s that you guys LOVE a DIY wedding. And who could blame you? There’s the whole creative aspect, the fact that (even if you’re following a tutorial) the way you put it together will be uniquely ‘you’, and best of all, the fact that it’s a bonding experience for family and friends who lend their talents – literally, a labour of love. That’s exactly the kind of day that Kim and Christiaan envisioned, and I especially love the way that they chose to incorporate bare and natural textures like bulbs and raw wood, which perfectly complement their rustic venue. And then there’s that touch of pure glamour that is Kim’s dress! (Because who says you can’t be rustic AND glam?) Photographer Duane Smith was there to capture every single piece of magic – be sure to check out his profile in our directory!Read More

Inspiration Board: Copper & Blue Velvet

by gaby

A couple of weeks back, I did an inspiration board featuring copper, grey, lilac and a touch of navy. Well, I loved that one, but the whole copper and navy combo clearly made a bit of an impression because ever since, I’ve been wanting to do a sort of antique but preppy-looking take on navy and grey with copper as the magic ingredient. And I have to say, I think it’s a winner – the perfect mix of modern, sophisticated and old world romance. One thing to remember if you pick a palette like this, is there’s no need to be matchy-matchy. For example, I love the idea of having the bridesmaids in white, and the groom and his guys in grey. So stylish! But it also means you don’t have overkill on the colours, which on a blank(ish) canvas, really speak for themselves.
*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Colours: Navy, copper, grey & white

Top tow (l-r): Menu on mirror; bride & groom (Jose Villa Workshop/Lisa Vorce/Mindy Rice); acorn boutonniere (Rustic White Photography/Mandy of Waiting on Martha, Inc./Lindsay Coletta)
Row 2: Dresses; table (jason + anna photography/Engaged & Inspired, Floral Theory); invitation suite (Little Bit Heart/KT Merry); shoes (Matt Edge/Exquisit Event Specialists)
Row 3: Bride (Fiona Clair); bridesmaids (Troy Grover Photographers/Coastyle Events); grey watercolour cake (Clary Pfeiffer/Gingersnap Sweets & Such); copper lanterns (Birds Of A Feather/La Boheme Events)

Row 1: Octagon Velvet Ring Box by Voeu Du Coeur | Row 2: DEBENHAMS Home Collection Bronze Glass Lantern (left); Aqua Blue Sealing Wax by sweetzakkahouse (right) | Row 3: Navy Velvet Ribbon by Talksite (left); Navy Blue Velvet Table Runner by Magpie Linens (right) | Row 4: C/Meo Collective Sequin Mini Dress (left); Rupert Sanderson Velvet Pumps (right) | Row 5: Bespoke Monogram Invitation by Appleberry Paper Goods | Row 6: ASOS Super Skinny Fit Suit Jacket In Navy (left); Celesta Gold Shoulder Necklace by Blair Nadeau Bridal (right) | Row 7: Custom Wedding Signage by Palette and Ink

Navy, Copper & Grey Wedding Inspiration | SouthBound Bride

 

Casey Jeanne Showcase

by gaby

South Africa, you are so talented. I’m always amazed and proud at the awesome that keeps coming out of our little nation, and up-and-coming local talent Casey Jeanne is definitely one of those. Based in Durban, Casey’s just started her journey as a designer and she’s already gone from strength to strength. For example, just a few years ago, she was part of the Durban July Young Designer Award, then went on to win the Gateway Young Recycled Designer Award and the Fashion Challenge. This year, she was an Invited Designer. The theme was ‘The Big Screen’ and Casey chose to combine her trademark illusion lace with the glamour of Hollywood with a touch of Game of Thrones – an absolutely bewitching combination. Sequins AND illusion lace? Yes, please! And speaking of local talents, Casey Jeanne paired up with both photographer, Alexis Diack, and videographer Michelle Rabe to capture the showcase on film. Absolute gorgeousness. Be sure to scroll to the end to check out Michelle’s video!Read More

DIY Bridesmaid Hair Roundup

by gaby

So, as I mentioned this morning, I’m going to a wedding in a couple of weeks, and although I promised myself years ago that I would never do my own hair for another wedding (after that one time at band camp when it was 42 degrees in Stellenbosch and it all went horribly wrong), for various reasons, I’m going to have to. Which mean I’ve been browsing Pinterest and YouTube for tutorials on relaxed, easy updos. And I realised just how much is actually out there now in the way of fabulous DIY hair advice. Now as a bride, you’re still probably going to want to call in the professionals, but maybe the budget doesn’t stretch to having your girls’ hair done too, or maybe they just prefer to do it themselves, but that doesn’t mean that they have to be stuck with everyday hair unless they want to be. Today I’m rounding up fifteen gorgeous styles – many of them really easy – that would be absolutely perfect on bridesmaids. Just click through to the links for each tutorial, and don’t forget to do a practice run!Read More

Sunny African Print Wedding at The Glades by CC Rossler {Tumi & Moe}

by gaby

I love weddings, that’s news to nobody. But as well as the planning and design stuff, I also happen to love being a wedding guest (and I get to do it next weekend, yay!). There are some weddings on the blog where as I’m looking at the pictures I just think wow, I would have loved to be a guest at this wedding. Today’s is one of those, because it looks like so much FUN. Everything about Tumi and Moe’s big day (photographed by the fantastic CC Rossler) is right up my street – it’s bright and fun, and heartfelt too – the couple really wanted to express their love not only for one another but for all their guests as well. Plus, it’s the very definition of Proudly South African – I am completely in love with the way that Tumi used a navy and yellow African print as the base inspiration for her design (resulting in the cutest bridesmaid outfits!), as well as incorporating a traditional game into cocktail hour and carrying a protea and fynbos bouquet. Bottom line: it’s a truly SouthBound wedding, and I’m so thrilled to share it with you!Read More