Whimsical Botanical Rustic Wedding at Vondeling by Michelle du Toit

Whimsical Botanical Rustic Wedding | Image: Michelle du Toit

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for a botanical print. Love ’em. Love ’em anywhere, any size, on anything. (Especially tropical botanicals, my goodness!) Today’s wedding (of two teenage sweethearts grown into a loving bride and groom) takes botanical art and makes it a focus, right from the invitation through to the table settings and even to the whimsical touch of floral print napkins-turned-installation on the walls. So awesome! Offset with copper and shades of pink and blush, as well as both elegantly rustic and chic transparent elements, Lize-Marié & Rikus’ wedding is a feast of textures for the eye, not least thanks to Michelle du Toit‘s always drop dead gorgeous photography! Let’s dive in!

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20 Blooming Gorgeous Floral Wedding Dresses

Hand Embroidered Wedding Dress by Sumarokova Atelier

How about one last dose of wedding loveliness before we call time on this week? 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 printed fabric to whimsical 3D flower applique and lace, 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. PLUS! For UK readers, Etsy is hosting a popup at West Elm on 17-19 February – we’ve got all the details at the end of this post. Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Secret Garden Wedding Inspiration

With a new month, comes a new editorial theme here on SouthBound Bride, and in May we’re focusing on ‘Something Blue’ – or rather, many somethings blue and somethings beautiful. We have some absolutely gorgeous inspiration coming your way, and we’re kicking it off today with a breathtaking styled shoot from one of South Africa’s most talented creative duos, Rensche Mari photography and Eve Poplett of Splendid Wedding Company. The editorial, which was shot on film and digital, took place in a real secret garden, and features a beautiful bride (model Daisy May, made up to perfection by Antonia Gregoriou) in the dreamiest watercolour floral print Silver Swallow gown, stunning florals, and a table decked out in the softest shade of blue. I adore everything about it, and I can’t think of a better way to start our month!

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Daalarna Couture Flower Collection

You guys, I think I have a problem. Call it FOMO, or fear of commitment, or just plain wedding dress addiction, but at the moment I feel like I have a new favourite bridal designer every week. But how can I help myself, when the most GORGEOUS gowns keep crossing my desk? And if ever a collection were worthy of obsession it’s today’s, from Hungarian designer Daalarna. The lookbook – set against a wall of bright blooms – is spot on (as is the name of the Flower Collection), because each of the dresses captures the beauty of a garden in a different way. For some, it’s through prints (oh, those prints! My fave being the one that combines ombre with floral), for some it’s through blooms of lace applique, and for others it’s with petal-soft layers of tulle. Chief designer, Anita Benes, was inspired by French impressionist Monet, and his harmonious combintion of natural elements of sky, sun, water and flowers. Like I say, GORGEOUS!Read More

Donna Morgan Serenity Collection

Since glamour is the word round SBB this month, I can’t think of a better time to share this particular little collection with you! You’ve probably figured out by now that beautiful, glam, embellished bridesmaid dresses are a big fave for me, so I was absolutely over the moon when I saw Donna Morgan’s latest collection, Serenity. Not only are these dresses GORGEOUS and versatile, and will be a real focal point for any wedding, but they’re that rare and wonderful thing: bridesmaid dresses your girls will want to wear again afterwards. And with this much glitter and sparkle (as well as dreamy chiffons and soft floral prints), in a range of beautiful, ready-to-mismatch colours, who could blame them? I suspect we’ll see a couple of brides turning up in them too!Read More

Get the Look: Floral Print Bridesmaid Dresses

Floral Print Bridesmaid Dresses | SouthBound Bride

Floral print bridesmaid dresses are taking over the world, you guys. Or at least, the catwalks, as well as our pretty little wedding corner of the world (which basically means you’re spoilt for choice if this is the look you choose this season). I probably don’t need to wax lyrical about how pretty and versatile floral patterns are, but just in case you’re not yet convinced (see our previous roundup here), I’ve rounded up some fresh inspiration from around the web. And just to make it extra sweet, you’ll find some gorgeous shopping suggestions for flower print bridesmaid dresses below too, so you can get the look for your own grown-up flower girls.
This post includes affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales made.

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Flower Dresses for Flowergirls

Since we’re already head over heels for everything floral print this month, from cakes to wedding dresses to bridesmaid dresses, we certainly couldn’t leave out the little ladies that make up the short end of your bridal party – after all, they’re called flower girls! As it happens, there are so many gorgeous floral mini-bridesmaid dresses, many so gorgeous that I wish they made them in big-people sizes too. Even if you don’t incorporate any other floral or botanical elements in your wedding, I can’t think of a prettier way to dress the little ones for a spring or summer celebration. So let’s get inspired! As always, you can click on any of the product images to shop, and visit our brand new Flower Girl Boutique board on Pinterest for regular finds.

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Supplier Spotlight: Oak & Orchid

When I decided on ‘greenhouse’ as our theme for July, there was one supplier I immediately thought of and couldn’t wait to share with you guys, because every time I come across their work on the web it gives me a little thrill. And by little, I mean a huge OMG-I-want-that thrill. Oak & Orchid are an independent studio based out of the US (although they create bespoke designs for couples all over the world), and I’m particularly over the moon about their botanical range because they pretty much encapsulate everything that’s elegant and romantic and contemporary about this look for me. Receiving one would be like receiving a surprise bouquet – and we know how good that feels! Think restored antique botanical prints paired with rustic elements like wood and kraft paper, with special details like botanical envelope liners and calligraphy fonts. They are just SO pretty. And the best part of it is that even couples on a lower budget can access the Oak & Orchid design aesthetic with a range of printables from their Etsy shop. **As always, you can click on any of the images below to shop.**Read More

Inspiration Board: Blossom & Grow

Sometimes I go through a phase where I do a bunch of more subtle and sedate inspiration boards, and I absolutely love working gentle or neutral tones and elegant, grown-up combinations. And then some days I just want to go mad and play with some colour. That’s today, and I have to tell you, I am loving the result. That’s the thing about using bold colour in your wedding- it adds a feeling of fun and happiness to the day, and there’s no reason why there has to be a trade-off in sophistication. Take today’s flower-filled inspiration board – big, bold punches of orange and fuschia and peach, with an underlying white to offset all of that colour. Modern, beautiful, and inspiring.

Colours: Peach, orange, fuschia

Top row (l-r): Bride in flower crown {Ali Harper Photography/Amy Osaba}; bouquet {Stylish & Hip Weddings/Shiramisu/The Green Vase}; floral print bridesmaid dress
Row 2: Tablescape {Rebecca Wood Photography/Cynthia Martyn Events Inc./Stemz}; floral invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}; paint dipped cutlery {KT Merry/David Arthur Fittin/Lucia Paul Design}; cake {JoPhoto}
Row 3: Cocktails {Christy Tyler Photography/Reenie Rose}; table with peaches {Justin DeMutiis Photography/Jade Lee Events}; flowers in wire basket {Rebecca Wood Photography/Cynthia Martyn Events Inc./Stemz}

 

Blossom & Grow Pink, Peach & Orange Floral Wedding Inspiration | SouthBound Bride

Floral Print Wedding Cakes

Everything’s coming up floral at the moment, and that shouldn’t be limited to wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses – your cake can get in on the pretty party as well. In fact, these cakes are so pretty that good luck actually eating them – they look like they should just sit on a shelf and be art! Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, they’ll make a spectacular focal point for your reception or as the centrepiece for your dessert table, and will definitely have guests oohing and aahing. So let’s get inspired! I’ve picked my 20 favourites from the talented bakers and makers around the web. (PS You can find more gorgeous examples of painted wedding cakes here)Read More