Christmas - SouthBound Bride

Gift Guide: The In-Laws

14 December, 2017 by gaby

So where are we at on our gift giving, lovelies? Because I don’t know about you, but around now I start getting stressed if it isn’t all wrapped up (pardon the pun). I could never be one of those people who’s down at the shopping centre on Christmas Eve, getting started on my gift shopping for the first time! Anyway, today we’re tackling one of those newlywed gift list problem areas (but one you definitely want to get right): in-laws! After all, his/her family is your family now (or family to be) and you want to make a good impression. Well, I got you. The key is to go for something thoughtful, without going overboard. I’ve rounded up 20 great gifts for in-laws (or parents, actually) that’ll put you firmly on their ‘Nice’ list and keep your relationship sweet well into the new year! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Wedding Pros

12 December, 2017 by gaby

Santa’s comiiiiiiiiing! Yep, it’s true, and while most of our guides focus on your nearest and dearest, allow me for a moment to dwell on the lovely people who make MY job better, and who make YOUR weddings wonderful! Those people who very often start the year as a stranger and end it feeling like you’ve known them all your lives. I’m talking about your wedding pros! And of course there’s no obligation to buy him or her anything – whether it’s over the holiday season or even after the wedding (when most of these gifts would be totally appropriate too!), but sometimes that bond goes beyond the professional – for example, the planner who calmed you down through your ridiculous late night “will the napkins match?” panics, worked out a table plan that has kept old family feuds from kicking off, and best of all, kept you sane, so you can enjoy your wedding planning and this special time with your fiancé. Or the photographer who made you look better at your engagement shoot than you thought you could, and all while giggling and enjoying time with your partner instead of stressing about the camera. Good wedding pros are worth their weight in gold, and the holidays are a great time to make them feel appreciated. So here are some fun ways I found to do just that, and BONUS – most of these will make PERFECT gift for your favourite small business owner or girlboss, whatever their industry! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Couples

11 December, 2017 by gaby

I’m not usually a fan of two-for-one gifts – not in the bargain sense (love a bargain!), but in the combined gift sense. Which isn’t a big surprise since my birthday’s in December and I’ve had my share of combined birthday and Christmas gifts (which for the record sucks, don’t do it). But I have to say that when it comes to couples, combined gifts can be frikkin ADORABLE. Especially if we’re talking the newly engaged couple, or newlyweds, who are basking in their coupleyness. That’s the time to bring out the his and hers cuteness, and if you don’t believe me, just have a look at the totes adorbs roundup of Mr and Mrs gifts below! They’ll love it, and that’s two ticks off the old gift list – bonus! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Groomsmen

8 December, 2017 by gaby

Image: Jani B on SouthBound Bride

Confession time: I am WAY behind on Christmas shopping. Which is kind of a first for me, since I usually get excited and do it all in November. So if you’re anything like me this year, you’ll need some ideas, and that’s why I’ve put together another gift guide – and this time it’s for the boys. Each of these would be perfect for a groomsman – or even as a stocking filler or smaller gift for the hubs, since all of them are under fifty bucks! Yay! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Honeymooners

7 December, 2017 by gaby

Time for another holiday gift guide, and this is a special twist on gifts for couples and newlyweds. With so many couples now waiting a few months before taking a proper honeymoon, you have an extra chance to put together the perfect gift to get them excited about their trip, or just to make things more convenient when they get there. And guess what? There are lots of adorable his ‘n hers, holiday-worthy finds out there – and at a Christmas-friendly price point. Which means that these gifts double as the perfect little splurge for yourself, if you’re a honeymooner-to-be! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Your Flower Girl

6 December, 2017 by gaby

We’re continuing on with our Christmas shopping, and today it’s the flower girls who are getting all the attention. I personally just adore shopping for kids, especially girls because I remember what I loved when I was that age, and I’ve had so much fun coming up with this list of 20 shamelessly girly-girl gifts for the little lady in your life. They’re perfect as stocking stuffers or Christmas pressies for nieces too, or as gifts for your mini entourage on the big day, whatever the season! Whenever you choose, and whichever gift catches your eye, each one is sure to make her feel like a princess :) Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Your Bridesmaids

5 December, 2017 by gaby

Image: Leandri Kers on SouthBound Bride

Whether you’re looking for the most awesome bridesmaid gift ideas or christmas shopping for your BFF, you’ll find a selection of unique gifts here – all reasonably priced (bonus!). The holidays are a great time to show your appreciation for your besties, not just for everything they are and all your years of friendship, but for the fact that, let’s be honest, it has probably been all about you in the run-up to your wedding. These are the women who’ve been helping you with DIYs or listened to you endlessly nattering away about colour palettes, created Pinterest boards just for you, or Whatsapped you pics of everything they see that might be perfect for your wedding vision. They’re the ones who’ll be feeding you Rescue Remedy on the big day, and who will be keeping the dancefloor pumping all night long. Basically, they deserve a lovely present. And PS: each of these would also make perfect last minute Christmas gifts for the other women on your list!
Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

20 Christmas Cards for Newlyweds

4 December, 2017 by gaby

Image: Riekert Cloete on SouthBound Bride

For those of you who’ve just tied the knot, the festive season is a really fun time to check in with family and friends and thank them for their love and support – maybe share a few wedding photographs or double up with a thank you card in the envelope. Or maybe you’ve yet to marry, but as an engaged couple, you’re dying to take some holiday snaps and send your first card together. Sure it’s cheesy, but so fun! Well, as it turns out, the makers at Etsy have come up with some seriously adorable ways to say “Merry Christmas from US” – and I’ve rounded up 20 of my favourites! Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Gift Guide: Your Just Engaged Bestie

1 December, 2017 by gaby

Image credit: Laura Leigh on SouthBound Bride

Christmas is coming, you guys. I’m already humming holiday tunes and filling my DVR with Christmas movies, and I’m not ashamed to say it. So I thought it was time I broke out our annual gift guides again, since shopping for your nearest and dearest is all part of the fun! As usual, I’ve created guides with a bit of a wedding-ey twist, and today I’m kicking them off with pressies for the newly engaged gal in your life. This being engagement season, even if you don’t have one today, you almost certainly will by the time Christmas rolls around! And since it’s such a fun time, why not pick a gift that celebrates it? I’ve been stalking all my fave online stores and I’ve picked 20 of my favourite ideas, with links below. Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Emerald, Copper & Burgundy Wedding Inspiration

1 December, 2016 by gaby

Happy December, lovelies! After a few days away working on another project, I’m back, and I have some gorgeous inspiration to share with you this month before we start dipping back into our annual ‘best of’ series. We’re kicking the advent countdown off today with a styled shoot that I have been looking forward to sharing with you for a while, but the colours were so Christmassy that I just had to wait until today. First off, the palette is amazing – rich emerald and burgundy have that beautiful mixture of warmth and depth, but it’s when copper is added to the mix that some modern magic really happens! Add in some beautiful bridesmaid gowns from SBB Directory member Jacoba Clothing. And don’t even get me started on the florals, because OMG they are amazing! Whether you’re planning a Christmas wedding, a holiday table, or just a wedding that makes great use of beautiful colours and flowers (at any time of year, but especially in winter, when jewel tones are particularly appropriate), then this is your palette! Thanks so much to photographer Nadia Basson and her team for bringing us this loveliness today.