Love & Laughter Engagement

I don’t feature a lot of e-shoots on SBB, and unlike weddings, it can be hard to put my finger on what makes me want to share one with you. Maybe it’s the way it’s styled, or maybe the way it’s photographed, or a cool location, or fun props (I’m the last person who is going to tell you that you have to have props, but they can be a fun focal point). Today’s engagement shoot from Moira West has all of these aspects going for it – a gorgeous on-trend mint colour scheme, a few fun hearts and balloons (mint balloons, love!) and to-die-for golden hour light in Moira’s pics. But what I love about it? Is that the bride and groom-to-be are CANNING themselves laughing in just about every photo. I’m a firm believer that if you’re going to spend the rest of your life with someone, they had better be someone who makes you laugh every day, and just by the giggles that Eon and Mariette were getting into doing this e-shoot, you know that their lives will be full of happy smiles. So that’s what’s really inspiring me today, and I hope it’s inspiring you. Go out and enjoy some belly laughs with the one you love this evening. :)Read More

Dairy Farm Engagement Shoot

We’re carrying on with our farm theme today with a gorgeous e-shoot from SBB friend and sponsor Dreampix. Helen (one of our lovely readers!) and hubby-to-be Johan decided to do their engagement shoot in the Cape on a dairy farm, and the cows (and even an owl!) looked on happily as the couple shared this special moment. What can I say: so moooooo(i)!Read More

Rock Climbing Engagement Shoot

Afternoon, friends! I have such a fun e-shoot to share with you this afternoon, courtesy of Kate from The Girl in Gumboots Photography (how adorable is that name? you just know we’ll love her). It’s not every couple that goes for an adrenaline-filled location for their couple shoot, but I absolutely love how this gung-ho couple rocked (literally) their unusual setting.Read More

1950s Diner-style Engagement

Well goodness gracious great balls of fire, do we have a bit of retro fun to share with you this afternoon! I love it when a couple is playful with their e-shoot, and even better if they find an awesome location to inspire. For Zerina and Hano, that location was On a Roll, a gourmet hotdog restaurant in Cape Town with a 1950s diner vibe. The couple decided to dress up accordingly, sharing some happy moments while photographer Carmen Visser snapped away, resulting in a set of colourful, fun pics that I’m so happy to share with you today. And, since it’s their wedding this coming weekend, to wish them a wonderful celebration! (Oh, and PS – On a Roll do food vans, which I think would make an AWESOME wedding snack!) Read More

Pillow Fight Anniversary Shoot

Afternoon, lovelies! I have SUCH a fab couple shoot to share with you this afternoon, I absolutely love it! Shireen Louw sent over this couple shoot for Charl and Charlotte who decided to have a shoot in their wedding attire on their one year anniversary. They took photos at the beach and in the hotel where they got married, but the fun really got started when a pillow fight broke out! I love how this shoot brings out the fun side of the couple, but the floating feathers also look completely romantic and beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing Shireen!Read More

Down on the Farm Engagement

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I get the coolest readers. Not only do I love hearing from you all (even if I don’t always get to reply as quickly as I’d like) but it’s a particular pleasure for me to be able to follow some of you through your planning journey. That’s what happened with SouthBound Bride Keri, who also just so happens to have a super awesome blog of her own, Midlands Musings. I first heard from Keri when she asked for an inspiration board, and loved helping her with her French-inspired country colour scheme. In fact, you’ll get to see her lovely wedding for yourselves next week. But first, we’re going to meet Keri and her now-hubby Andrew and hear their super sweet love and engagement story, as well as see the easy going e-shoot that took place on their farm, cows and all. The fab Eileen Laubscher of Bright Girl captured it all perfectly!Read More

Farmer’s Market Engagement Shoot

Afternoon, SouthBound Brides! Time for a couple shoot, and I’m very excited about today’s, from our friend Simone Franzel. I love when a couple choose to do something a bit different for their e-shoot, especially if it shows off something that they love as a couple, and a day at the boeremark (farmer’s market) certainly fits the bill! I can almost smell and hear the market through Simone’s fantastic pics, which also capture those special glances a couple in love share when they’re enjoying spending time together. Loveliness! I also love all the truly South African boeremark products – it’s definitely made me a bit homesick for vetkoek!Read More

So Kiss Me {Engagement Shoot}

You know how sometimes life seems to have a soundtrack? Well, often I feel like that about photos. It always happens if a couple mentions a favourite song as I edit their wedding feature, but sometimes the pics themselves remind me of a specific song. And when I was working on today’s engagement shoot, I couldn’t help but put ‘Kiss Me’ by Sixpence None the Richer on the iPod. I think it was the playful spirit of the images, the sense of a carefree summer day, or maybe just the way that groom and bride-to-be Raazik and Debbie look at one another… Kiss me down by the broken tree house…swing me , upon its hanging tire…bring, bring , bring your flowered hat…we’ll take the trail marked on your father’s map… Either way, it’s an adorable e-sesh, perfectly captured by newbie photographer Abby Anderson. Would you believe this is Abby’s first solo shoot? Nope, neither did I, but I’m so happy she shared it with us!Read More

This Side of Paradise

Time for some more loveliness! We do love a good couple shoot here on SBB, but this one is extra special because not only is it a tribute to the lovely Olga-Mare and Niel, but a showcase for the absolutely beautiful dress that Olga-Mare created. She was inspired by the 1920s, and Daisy Buchanan herself would no doubt have loved to float around in this gorgeous (award-winning!) creation. Olga-Mare’s dear friend Lizemari Moller of Lily Photography spent an afternoon with them at De Waal Park in Cape Town, making the most of some heavenly light.Read More

Notebook Inspired Engagement Shoot

So, The Notebook. I have mixed feelings about this one, folks. Years ago, I read the novel as part of a book club and I HATED it. I mean, that last scene? Ew. I think I hated it so much I called up my friend at whatever time of night it was and ranted about it. I think I may have said that Nicholas Sparks had stolen several hours of my life. So I wasn’t exactly keen to see the film. But… you know, then I did. And Ryan Gosling was all, hey girl, and Rachel McAdams was all McAdamy, and it was so beautifully styled and okay, I admit it, I have it on DVD. Which might be one of the only times I will ever tell you that the film was way better than a novel. So when photographer Iz Labuschagne let me know that she had aNotebook-inspired engagement shoot to share, I got a little excited (especially since this one is one of my all-time faves). What I love about this is that the film is more of a loose influence rather than a theme – Chantel & Jon went for lovely vintage styling and it was shot in Cullinan in Gauteng, which is full of vintage shops and an old railway station, and they even included some old love letters, which is super appropriate. It just shows that taking styling inspiration from one of your favourite films can be a great place to start with your engagement shoot! (For more on movie-themed engagements, see here.)Read More