Autumn Wedding Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

Autumn Sunlight Wedding Inspiration

11 June, 2018 by gaby

Time for some beautiful inspiration! I’m currently loving the whole fine art look, and today’s styled shoot from SBB faves Kate Bell for Bells & Whistles Event Styling and Stella Uys, as well as a talented back up team of vendors, is a beautiful marriage of that dreamy fine art wedding aesthetic and autumn styling. It has that gorgeous sort of glow too- like early evening, or late summer sunlight, or as Kate so poetically titled it: “the first leaves of fall”. From the triumph of a cake to the beautiful table to the on-trend dry flower bouquet and bridal separates, this is perfect inspiration for an elegant and romantic autumn soiree! All the swoons happening here right now.

Dreamy Autumn Wedding Inspiration by Cara Faye Weddings

16 April, 2018 by gaby

Today’s feature reminds me why, when I started SBB, I was so crazy for making inspiration boards – there’s something about playing with colour and creating new and fresh and surprising or interesting combos that just makes my heart sing. And I especially love that when it comes to autumn weddings, which can be very clichéd in terms of palette, deferring to the standard golds and burnt reds and oranges and browns of the falling leaves. But in SA we have a gentler autumn mostly, so it seems only appropriate that maybe our autumn weddings are a little less harsh. Today’s styled shoot by Cara Faye Weddings and her trend-setting team of wedding pros really hits a perfect balance – those traditional autumn tones are in there, but balanced against some super pretty purple and pink tones, along with soft flowers and dreamy textures. It’s gorgeous, and such a perfect way to make an autumn wedding feel both seasonal AND romantic!

Inspiration Board: Rise & Fall

10 October, 2016 by gaby

It may be spring here in South Africa, but it’s been autumn all over the blogs of my fellow wedding bloggers in the US and it weirdly has me almost longing for the chillier season again (don’t worry, I’ll get over it). So in honour of that, I’ve put together this ‘fall’-themed board, a seasonal take on this month’s boho/wild beauty theme. Using traditional copper and red earth tones and adding in soft mocha and ivory, it still looks like a classic autumn palette, but the details enjoy that natural, organic, unbound look that we’re loving so much at the moment. I’m especially loving the ceremony area, including a glorious branch ‘tipi’, as well as the shiny pops of copper against the florals.

Top row (l-r): Bride with curls (Michael Radford Photography/Jen Plus Colour) | Copper table number frame (Dawn Charles/Seven Stems Design and Events/Mary Me Bridal) | Copper bottle candle holders (OctaviaplusKlaus/factsandfeelings/Goldregen florales Design)
Row 2: Autumn bouquet (Archetype/Rebecca Rose Events) | Plum & thyme prosecco smash cocktail (My Diary of Us) | Semi-naked cake (Petra Veikkola Photography)
Row 3: Place setting (With Lov3- Emme Wynn Photography) | Boho ceremony area (Lauren Fair Photography/Oleander) | Invitation (Christine Gosch/Camel & Birdie)

20 Crazy Gorgeous Winter Wedding Cakes

10 June, 2016 by gaby

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – a gorgeous cake defnitely gives me a case of the wedding ‘oohs’. Especially when it reflects the feel or theme of the wedding. If you’re planning a winter or autumn bash, you may be looking to go for the always chic rustic feel (and we’ve rounded up some seriously adorable rustic winter cakes and naked cakes in the past), but there are lots of other options too, thanks to the incredibly creative cake designers around the internet. How about a touch of knit or plaid, or icing reminiscent of icicles or snow? Decorations like snowflakes and antlers, pinecones, gingerbread houses or snowy peaks? Simple white cakes glammed up with evergreen, sugar crystals, or berries? Or simply a nod to Scandi style with a traditional Norwegian/Swedish/Danish kransekake? Each one of the cakes below channels a winter wonderland vibe, but with the most stylish of executions. Let’s get cake-spired! ;)

Honeymoon Inspiration: Top 10 Cosy Fireside Honeymoon Suites

29 May, 2015 by gaby

Maybe I just watched way too many soap operas in the ’90s, but there’s something particularly romantic about an open fire, isn’t there? (Open fire, bearskin rug, cheesy music in the background – you get the picture.) So while a beachy honeymoon is peachy, I can’t help but think that it would be fun to go the other way completely and enjoy a winter break tucked up in a cosy love nest – maybe in the Alps, or in a little cabin deep in a snowy forest. Lots of hotels have amazing open fireplaces in their sitting or dining rooms, but for an extra special experience, you’ll want your very own in-room fireplace. Staring into the flames over a bottle of red, sharing your hopes and dreams, snuggling up under a single blanket… total romance. I’ve been scouring les internets for a selection of international fireside suites – the perfect way to end off our month of cosy autumn content!

1. Cordee Des Alpes, Switzerland
The Swiss Alps are the perfect place to start when it comes to cold-weather honeymoons, and this stylish new luxury hotel in Verbier is the perfect base. If you can drag yourself away from your room, there’s world-class skiing on offer, and after a long day on the slopes there’s a 14m pool, spa, and fine dining to look forward to. And then, of course, that stone fireplace… Read More

20 Stylish Wedding Dresses with Sleeves

25 May, 2015 by gaby

Cherie Gown by Flora and Lane (Image: Amanda Watson Photography)

I swear, every time I spend a few minutes (okay, a couple of hours, but who can help it?) browsing on Etsy, I swear the wedding dresses get more gorgeous. I think it’s extremely cool that brides these days not only have the option of dresses from established designers, but up-and-coming indies from around the world. Which really opens up your choices when it comes to style. Recently, I’ve been absolutely LOVING wedding dresses with sleeves (especially lace ones), so I just had to round up my fave sleeved wedding dresses from Etsy too. And wow, but they are all kinds of winter wonderful and autumn awesome.Read More

Inspiration Board: Autumn Grace

25 May, 2015 by gaby

Hello lovelies! We have one last inspiration board to share for our autumn month, utilising some of the colours in the Pantone’s Fall 2015 palette. Truth #1: I wasn’t totally crazy about these colours when I first saw them, but as I’ve been working with them, I’ve found so many pretty possibilities – today’s is definitely my favourite. Truth #2: I swore I’d never do another Marsala inspiration board and I couldn’t help but include it here (although I still maintain this is more scarlet than Marsala, but whatevs). I’m not even sorry, because the deep blue and red paired with a soft touch of sage and a little glimmer of gold look absolutely amazing, and are beyond perfect for a sophisticated autumn wedding. Don’t you agree?

Colours: Pantone Reflecting Pond, Pantone Marsala, Pantone Desert Sage & Gold

Top row (l-r): Table setting {Kurt Boomer Photo/Joy Proctor Design}; bouquet {Amelia Johnson/Karson Butler Events/Sidra Forman}; leaf escort cards {Ann-Kathrin Koch Photography/Knot & Pop}
Row 2: Bride with flower crown {Yolandé Marx/Anneke Roux & Nicola Pretorius from The Pretty Blog}; blue cards {Jose Villa Photography/Pilgrim’s Quill/Jenna Lam Events}; boutonniere
Row 3: Bride in red dress & groom {Emilia Jane Photography}; invitation and rings {Brett Heidebrecht/Kylie Swanson/Lindsay Letters/Juliet Grace Designs}; flowers in urn {Christian Cruz For Max & Friends/Sweet Marie Designs}

20 Wooden & Wood Effect Wedding Invitations

18 May, 2015 by gaby

Custom Wedding Invitations by Oak & Orchid

Texture, you guys. I am all about texture. From wood to velvet to sequins to linen, it’s the addition of a texture to a palette or wedding design that often takes things from pretty to pretty amazing, in my book. Since we’re talking autumn weddings, I thought it was appropriate for us to talk about a texture that works for many autumn weddings (especially those that lean toward the rustic) and that’s wood. And of course, there are lots of ways to incorporate wooden texture into your wedding day, but one of my faves is through the invitations themselves. Here’s the really cool bit – with lasercut and printing techniques being what they are now, you can get invitations that are actual slices of wood. So unusual! And, as it happens, better for the environment than processed paper invites. I love this idea, as well as paper invitations that have a woodgrain effect – and the good news is that lots of designers have wood invitation options these days. So I turned to my favourite online market, Etsy, to pick a few favourites. ‘Wood’ you like to see them? (Yes, I know. Poor. I couldn’t help myself ;) ) Just click on the links (or any of the images) below, and you’ll be taken straight to Etsy to get more information and make your purchase. This post includes affiliate links (in bold). SBB may receive a commission on any sales, but the cost to you remains the same.

Inspiration Board: Stormy Weather

18 May, 2015 by gaby

All of this month we’re bringing you boards inspired by the colours in Pantone’s Fall 2015 palette, but today, instead of combining two or more, we’re focusing on just the one. When I was looking up images for our Pantone bridesmaid inspiration post last week, I just fell in love with Stormy Weather, a beautiful shade of dark grey that I think is amazing for a winter or autumn wedding. I actually think it works well on its own, with some lighter shades of grey and cold weather natural textures, but I couldn’t resist warming it up just a little with a touch of copper, and oh my gosh, I love it! Cool, sophisticated and cosy, all at the same time. And with a bit of a romantic, Wuthering Heights feel too. So here you go. Stormy weather isn’t always a bad thing on your wedding day ;)

Colours: Pantone Stormy Weather, dove grey, copper & white

Top row (l-r): Bouquet {Adam Barnes/Amanda Gray of Ashley Baber Weddings/The Arrangement Company}; place setting {Cassidy Carson/12th Table/Kelly Lenard}; bride {Sibo Designs}
Row 2: Grey dress & ring {Brosnan Photographic/Pearl and Godiva/Claire Pettibone}; copper foiled invitations {Cocorinna}; copper ring
Row 3: Grey candles {Cox & Cox}; copper cake; bride & groom {Braedon Photography}

DIY Edible Autumn Wedding Favours

14 May, 2015 by gaby

Hello lovely ones! When I started putting together a roundup of autumn DIYs, I discovered that lots of the ideas out there were for edible favours with a bit of an autumn twist. Since edible favours are a big favourite of mine (after all, guests are always less likely to leave something delicious behind at the end of the night), I thought it warranted a dedicated post. There are so many fun ideas here – the only bad part was trying to control my tummy rumbling and my sweet tooth crying out while I was sorting through them! Some of the links have packaging suggestions or even printables included, but you can always adapt the idea to suit your own colour scheme and look. Consider glass canning and jam jars, glass bottles, kraft boxes and paper bags, among your options, and pretty up with ribbon, twine and calligraphy.Read More