1920s - SouthBound Bride

Vintage Chic City Wedding at the Cape Town Club by Duane Smith

22 February, 2018 by gaby

I’ve heard of saying it with flowers, but when it came to his proposal, today’s groom said it with coffee! Which is kind of the perfect city living touch for Henrietta and Ross, who also picked a classic city location for their wedding (the historic Cape Town Club) and took it as their cue for a celebration that was infused with 1920s vintage style. The reception was class all the way – candlelight bouncing off wood-panelled walls from the elegant black tapers, gorgeous arrangements of white flowers from the amazing Neva at Bright & Beautiful (who actually DOES know how to say it with flowers!), and the sweetest menus with a dog motif from our friends at Blooming Wonderful. All captured perfectly by Duane Smith.

Gatsby Glam Wedding Dresses

14 August, 2015 by gaby

The truth is (even though she was a bit of a cow), there’s a big part of me that still wants to be Daisy Buchanan – 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. *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gatsby Glam Bridesmaid Dresses from Frock and Frill

26 January, 2015 by gaby

A little while back, I wrote a post on Gatsby-style bridesmaid dresses, thinking it might interest a few people, but holy moly, it went on to be one of our most viewed posts of all time (and still is). Clearly the embellished flapper look is one that brides have fallen in love with, and who could blame you, because wow, these dresses are gorgeous and even better, they’re so much easier to find on the high street (or in the mall!) these days. You don’t even have to be having a 1920s or Art Deco wedding for these to make sense – they’re pretty enough to work with any elegant wedding style. (Although I do love a Gatsby wedding. After all, a little party never hurt nobody, right?) I recently became familiar with a UK brand that is taking this look to the next level, Frock and Frill. This label carries a wide range of flapper style dresses in a range of colours – all knock-me-down gorgeous – that would not only work for a bridal party but actually could work for a laid-back bride as well, or as a reception dress. I’m in love with the beaded embellishments, the flattering cuts, and the range of colours, so I’ve just had to dedicate today’s post to my top wedding-appropriate Frock and Frill dresses. Good luck picking a favourite – they’re all GORGEOUS! (Oh, and PS: You can also find all of them on our Bridesmaid Boutique board over on Pinterest!) Click on any of the dress images below to shop.

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Gatsby-esque Cocktail Wedding Reception at an Antique Storeroom by Alfred Lor {Lindi & Morgan}

15 July, 2014 by gaby

I told you we were on a winning streak with two gorgeous weddings today, and here we are with Part 2! Lindi and Morgan’s celebration was twice as nice – an intimate celebration with elegant Delft-inspired decor (see it here), and then a blowout 1920s influenced cocktail reception for their wider circle in what has to be one of the coolest and most unique venues I’ve seen – a converted antique showroom full of the most incredible mirrors and chandeliers – wow! I love that Lindi used her contacts as a designer to come up with something a bit different, and it’s just perfect for the Gatsby vibe that the couple were trying to create. Add a few tables groaning with treats, guests jazzed up for the Jazz Era theme, and just as much love and joy as in the first wedding, and you have an absolutely incredible sequel. Pics are by the fab Alfred Lor.Read More

Hair Inspiration: Gatsby Glam

9 October, 2013 by gaby

Sources (l-r): The Nickersons/via Vintage Tea Roses/Willow Moone

Fact: I am more than a little bit obsessed with Gatsby right now. Although it’s not a new thing – the novel is one of my favourite books, and I have had a huge crush on the ’20s since I read it as a teenager. And I am also a huge, huge Baz Luhrmann fan. After the movie tanked with reviewers last year, I was so nervous to see it, but I ADORED every second of that film. No kidding, I watched it three more times on the flights from the UK to Dubai and Dubai to Durban last month. Now I won’t go into the many reasons why it’s one of my new favourite movies, except for one – Gatsby styling is awesome. The dresses, the hair… wouldn’t we all want to play dress up as Daisy Buchanan for one night? Incredibly flattering. So it’s really no surprise that I love the 1920s trend that has made its way into weddings (and stayed) – what is surprising to me in a way is just how popular it has been with everyone else. The post I did a couple of months ago on Gatsby bridesmaid dresses turned out to be one of your all-time faves, and it got me thinking that maybe it would be fun to do a hair feature on 1920s and 1930s-inspired styles. They’re not period replicas, but this series of beautiful (very flattering) styles incorporates some 1920s trademarks – finger waves, bobs, beautiful hair accessories, soft buns curled into the nape. I dare you not to fall in love with one, or several… old sport.Read More

Great Gatsby Bridesmaid Dresses

17 May, 2013 by gaby

Hello lovelies, are you all ready for your weekend? I have a rare personal post coming up today, but first, it’s time to look at another awesome bridesmaid dress trend and this is one I’ve been looking forward to highlighting for a while. I don’t know about you, but I LOVE The Great Gatsby. Ever since I read it, I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the roaring ’20s. I’m also a little bit obsessed with Baz Luhrmann – Strictly Ballroom is my ALL TIME favourite film, with Romeo + Juliet coming a close second (although, let’s not talk about Moulin Rouge or Australia, kay?). So as you can imagine, I am dying to see the film. And the timing is perfect, because fashion and wedding world have been jonesing for this for ages – 1920s keeps being a trend, and it keeps getting better, especially with all the gorgeous embellished dresses around at the moment. Seriously, could someone doing this please make me their bridesmaid? Because I so want an excuse to wear one of these beauties. Full disclosure: it’s not the most budget-friendly look, but it is mismatched (or even matched), glam, perfection. You don’t need to be having a vintage or Gatsby-themed wedding to pull it off either, but it will add a gorgeous touch of dapper flapper to your wedding style. This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

How to Throw a Great Gatsby Themed Bridal Shower

8 September, 2011 by gaby

Looking for a hen party/bachelorette theme that’s glamorous and fun? Well, look no further! Great Gatsby bridal showers are all the rage! After all, a little party never killed nobody :) 1920s themed parties are always super fun – let’s be honest, haven’t we all secretly wanted to dress up as a flapper and Charleston the night away? It can’t just be me. It’s perfect for a bridal shower as well, because you can start off with a sedate 1920s-style tea party, and then dig into the bootleg gin once moms and grans have left for the evening for a roaring ’20s-style bachelorette (the end of prohibition LOL!) It’s also relatively easy to dress up for, and not something your girls will feel too embarrassed to wear either. Plus, the ’20s are all about glamour and wild abandon, which is exactly what a hen night should be, imo. SO… How to do it? Here’s a quick guide to getting started with decor, food, invitations, activities, etc. And along the way we’re sharing images from a real Gatsby bridal shower from photographer Suzanne Swart!
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Real Wedding at Montagu Guano Cave Guest Farm {Carla & Bennie}

10 March, 2011 by gaby

There are days when writing this blog feels a little like wish fulfilment. Ask and it shall be given unto you, kind of thing. Because it was just a few weeks ago that I was all “I am dying to see someone with a giant chess set” and now here today are the lovely Bennie and Carla and their giant chess set (amongst other awesome lawn games). I don’t know why, but that makes me ridiculously excited. (Come on. It’s a giant chess set!) And that isn’t all! Because I have also been on about how much I love Great Gatsby and the 1920s, and you guys, that is the whole theme of Bennie and Carla’s wedding. Eek! What can I say, you stylish brides and grooms make mama very happy. :) And that STILL isn’t all. Because not only did this couple have the most gorgeous, gorgeous flapper party ever with their friends (who were all fun enough to dress up), but the lovely was captured by Nastassja Harvey, who you may remember from this amazing wedding (yeah, I know you do, because it’s our most viewed wedding EVER). Nastassja is a total superstar in the making, and I am thrilled to have her on Cap Classique again. SO. Get your glad rags on and crank up the gramophone, because trust me, it’s time for a happy dance!Read More