etsy - SouthBound Bride

20 Barefoot Sandals for Beach & Boho Brides

25 April, 2017 by gaby

Autumn Flowers Barefoot Sandal by FULYAK

*UPDATED FOR 2020* The other day we brought you a whole range of beachy accessories from Etsy, but there was one I left out because I like this lil’ trend so much I thought it deserved its own roundup. Barefoot sandals are something we’ve featured in some of our real weddings, and I can’t get enough of this barely there footwear (or really, more like jewellery for feet!) trend that’s being embraced by both boho and beach brides. It’s barefoot… but prettier. All the freedom and earth childiness, but with an extra something special. From crochet to beading to bling, I found loads of lovely options – these are just 20 of my favourite boho barefoot sandals.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Beach Wedding Escort Card Ideas

13 April, 2017 by gaby

Unique Natural Seaglass Custom Handwritten Calligraphy Place Card by Selena Huan Bridal

*UPDATED FOR 2021* You guys know already how much I love my escort cards and place cards as a wedding detail. Yes, they’re a little indulgent, but they’re such a good opportunity to show a little creativity and delight your guests with a nod to your theme or story! That’s especially true for a beach wedding, where there are just LOADS of beach wedding escort card ideas and beach wedding place card ideas out there, each prettier than the last. And sure, you can DIY a lot of them, but who has the time? Especially when the talented folks at Etsy have gone next level with their beach escort ideas. Just look at these fabulous options and tell me you’re not convinced!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

20 Blooming Gorgeous Floral Wedding Dresses

3 February, 2017 by gaby

Embroidered Flower Wedding Dress by Wow Bridal Dress

*UPDATED FOR 2020* This month we’re crushing on everything floral and garden wedding, and that includes floral wedding dresses – in fact, they’re at the top of our list! From floral printed fabric to whimsical 3D flower applique and lace to gorgeous embroidery, a floral gown is like a little garden all on its own – can you honestly think of a prettier way to walk down the aisle? And as always, when I’m looking for cutting edge, accessible bridal fashion, I’ve turned to the talented makers at Etsy to find twenty floral gowns that will honestly make you swoon.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

How to Plan an Engagement Party

31 January, 2017 by gaby

Image: Katie Parra Photography/Clutch Events on SouthBound Bride

As we come to the end of our month of engagement-themed posts, there’s no better way to finish off than with a party! In this case, an engagement party, because if you’re just engaged, this is the first celebration that might be on your mind. Engagement parties are such a lovely tradition (although certainly not something you should feel you HAVE to have, time and budget being major considerations for many) as they give you a chance to celebrate a very exciting moment in any couple’s lives with their nearest and dearest. Here are some guidelines and ideas to get you started.

20 Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas

20 January, 2017 by gaby

Bridesmaid Proposal Box by Little Flower Soap Co

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

So earlier today, we looked at how to choose your bridal party and as a bonus, I thought we’d look at how to ask them! Bridesmaid proposals have become a THING, and while I don’t think anyone should feel obliged to do any more than sit down with your favourite friend and say, “how about it?”, at the same time it’s such a special moment and doing something special to mark it and make your friends feel loved and appreciated can never be a bad thing! There are some great DIY ideas for bridesmaid proposals out there, but for the time-strapped bride, the makers at Etsy have created a range of super cute bridesmaid proposal gifts that will make saying ‘will you be my bridesmaid’ a pleasure – everything from wine labels to jewellery to mini unicorn pinatas (!). Here are 20 of our faves!

A SouthBound Guide to Diamond Shapes

18 January, 2017 by gaby

Image: Alexis June Weddings /Aisle Society/Susie Saltzman on SouthBound Bride

The French are said to die for love, they delight in fighting duels. But I prefer a man who lives and gives… expensive jewels. So sang Marilyn Monroe, and so I agree (plus, isn’t that a fabulous lyric?) and that’s why year after year, alongside all the pretty dresses and details, I find myself sighing at the diamond rings on our brides’ elegant hands. And while I’m a sucker for a classic round solitaire, I love the variety that modern brides have in their choices – different settings, different metals, and for many, non-traditional stones (because diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but I also love hanging with morganite, sapphire, etc.) Another area of choice if you’re on the engagement ring hunt right now is shape (sometimes called cut, but not the cut referred to in the Big 4: Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat, which is rather the reflective quality of a diamond). There are actually a huge range of diamond shapes or cuts that you can choose. And, while the ones best suited for sparkle are the old classics (round, cushion), the fancy cuts, as they’re called, can make up for it in uniqueness (after all, how many of your friends are rocking a trillion?) We’ve rounded up some of the more popular shapes in this comprehensive guide to diamond shapes, along with lots of pretty, pretty rings from Etsy to show them off at a range of price points.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

20 Fun & Sweet Engagement Cards

13 January, 2017 by gaby

‘You Two Weirdos’ Engagement Card by Beccy Kitty Designs

*UPDATED FOR 2021* We’re finishing off our week with some ideas for fun engagement cards – after all, if you’re getting engaged, chances are a few of your friends are too! I personally really struggle to find nice cards for weddings and engagements – it seems like they’re always WAY too cheesy for my taste, and I just end up feeling silly giving them to someone who knows that’s not my style, but at the same time, you totally want to show you care (and a card with a gift is essential – nothing worse than being the bride who has to phone round your friends saying “was it you who gave us the breadmaker?”). So this is another time when my fave shop spot Etsy comes into play, because as you can imagine, there are loads of cute engagement cards on the site. I’ve picked my Top 20 – some are downloadable, some are beautifully printed for you, but either way, you’ll be able to give your friends one of these sweet, fun engagement cards with a smile on your face.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Coffee Mugs for the Newly Engaged

6 January, 2017 by gaby

Does This Ring Make Me Look Engaged Coffee Mug by Sweet Water Decor

Does this ring make me look engaged? It’s a question posed dozens of times over the last year on Instagram and Pinterest through those adorable coffee mug engagement announcements. We have to call it, besides the ring itself, a just engaged slogan mug is pretty much the must-have accessory for the bride-to-be! Whether you’re using it as a cute way to let folks know your big news, as a means to drink your tea or coffee while getting down to the business of wedding planning, or as a sweet gift for a newly betrothed buddy, Etsy has a ton of great options, so we’ve rounded up our favourites, just for you!
Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

20 Ethereal Wedding Dresses

24 November, 2016 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Sorry I’m a bit scarce this week, lovelies, but I’m working like a demon on a super important project here at SBB HQ. But I thought in the midst of all the shopping and holiday craziness today, it would be fun to have an oasis of prettiness in the form of 20 ethereal wedding dresses from two of our favourite Etsy designers, Cathy Telle and Mywony Bridal, all of which just make me swoony! If you weren’t convinced by coloured dresses before, you will be, and even if you’re after something more traditional, but with a gorgeous, high fashion edge, this curated collection of ethereal wedding gowns won’t disappoint. So, so beautiful!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Wedding Dresses for a Boho Bride

27 September, 2016 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Hello lovely friends! Sorry we’ve been a bit quiet on SBB – been having a bit of a tech upgrade! Which is a good thing, obvs, but interrupted normal workflows. So I’ve actually decided to extend this month’s ‘Wild Beauty’ theme on through October – after all, I have so much more natural/boho wedding goodness to share with you! Starting with some fashion fabulousness, because oh my word, but Etsy is just a treasure trove for a bohemian bride. I rounded up some gorgeous boho wedding dresses a while back, and today I’ve found 25 more – just wait till you see them!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.