gold - SouthBound Bride

Glamorous Gold Lourensford Wedding by Du Wayne Photography {Grethe & Bernard}

23 July, 2014 by gaby

Today’s wedding is extra special, not just because it’s gaaaahwjuss (in different shades of glittering gold, I die), but because it features a couple who I feel are part of the SBB family. I’ve been working with photographer Bernard Bravenboer since the early days of SBB, and from his tweets I picked up that he had a sweetheart called Grethe (who assists him often at weddings). Fast forward a few years, and Grethe got in touch to ask my advice on some of her hiring, and when she told me what they had planned for their big day, I knew it would be beautiful! Seeing the breathtaking images by Du Wayne Denton, I wasn’t disappointed – it’s not just the sparkly, shiny loveliness, but the whole day seems bathed in a golden glow that can only be true love. There are some fantastic ideas here to inspire – I loved the dummy cakes, the white flowers against sequin linens, and the way that the couple wove a favourite CS Lewis quote into their day especially. Congrats Grethe & Bernard!Read More

Inspiration Board: Black Tie Botanical

21 July, 2014 by gaby

Morning, lovelies! I have a busy week ahead (including throwing a very special party for my mum), so let’s start it off right with a mix of two gorgeous styles that I think make a beautiful wedding combination! Lots of weddings that incorporate the botanical trend have a rustic feel (which is fantastic) but I think that the botanical look just as easily lends itself to a very glamorous, black tie wedding as well, with just a few sophisticated tweaks. The look is lush and luxurious, in classic shades of white, black, emerald green and gold, with the tiniest hint of blush. Swoonage!

Colours: Black, white, gold, emerald, blush

Top row (l-r): Bride & groom {Three Nails Photography/Clementine Custom Events}; cake {Anushé Low/B.loved Wedding Styling & Design/Cakes By Krishanthi}; table setting {Bryce Covey}; botanical invitations {Aubrey Renee Photography/Tiffany Collins Events}
Row 2: Botanical escort cards {Aubrey Renee Photography/Tiffany Collins Events}; rosemary cocktails {Jose Villa/Laurie Arons}; table setting {Alissa Saylor Photography}
Row 3: Boutonnieres {Onelove Photography/JL Designs & Events}; bouquet {Leo Patrone/Honey of Thousand Flowers}; gold shoes in cloche {Simply Bloom Photography}; groom in tuxedo {Trent Bailey/Inspired Bride/Daughter of Design}

Chic Navy & Gold Saronsberg Wine Estate Wedding by Piteira Photography {Chrizanda & JP}

8 July, 2014 by gaby

You’ve probably gathered by now that I’m a huge fan of the photographic stylings of my friends Luis and Kerry of Piteira Photography. This dynamic duo, who split their time between Portugal and South Africa, not only take dreamy, work-of-art photos, but they’re also incredibly lovely. So I am always thrilled when South African brides take them up on their summer availability and book them for their wedding, like Chrizanda and JP did late last year. Even more so when the couple’s stylish navy and gold colour scheme was revealed, and there are even some pretty, modern geometric details. It’s all just TOO fabulous!Read More

Green & Gold Langkloof Roses Wedding by Real Simple Photography {Tamarin & Nicholas}

25 June, 2014 by gaby

Things my half-Italian self is not talking about today: soccer, the World Cup, or Luis Suarez. So instead, let’s talk about this little gem of a wedding from Real Simple Photography, in South Africa’s gorgeous national colours of green and gold (with a touch of silver). Tamarin and Nicholas (who planned their wedding from the UK) chose the divine Langkloof Roses as their venue, the most romantic of Cape country locations, and filled their tables with gold painted jars, elegant brass candlesticks, linen runners, puffs of white flowers and lasercut elephant table numbers. Adorable! With strings of hanging café lights and a dancefloor under the stars, they danced the night away with their friends from near and far.Read More

Inspiration Board: Lovely Laduree

23 June, 2014 by gaby

You didn’t think I’d let another Monday go by without a SouthBound Bride inspiration board did ya? This is a little colour combination I’ve been looking forward to working with, even since I saw the stationery set in the first row. I thought it was a gorgeous update to the grey and pink palette that has been so successful – a dark charcoal grey instead of a pale dove shade, a soft rosy blush, a baby blue and of course a bit of glamorous gold. It’s delicious, and I love how the pastels play so well together, but are made elegant and sophisticated by the neutral and metallic. The combination of pastels and gold reminded me a little of gorgeous Laduree macaron packaging, and the rest of the board was born!

Colours: Pastel pink & blue, charcoal and gold

Top row (l-r): Bride at Laduree {Jen Huang}; stationery suite; cake {The Cake Parlour}
Row 2: Macarons; rose centrepiece {Aaron Delesie/Lisa Vorce, Event Design & Production}; vintage daybed; champagne {Arielle Doneson Photography}
Row 3: Grey suit with pink bowtie {Adrienne Gunde Photography}; reception decor {Kristin Newman}; blue and pink bouquet; charcoal bridesmaid dresses {Forever Photography Studio/Something To Celebrate }

Bright Farm Festival Wedding by Casey Pratt Photography {Suzaan & Pieter}

29 May, 2014 by gaby

Succulents, bright festival stripes and a dollop of glitter and gold – what’s not to love about this Winterton farm fête from the awesome Casey Pratt of Photo Case Photography? Suzaan and Pieter built their tented wedding reception from scratch, with a focus on their guests, a loose palette of mint, coral and gold, and buckets of personality. From the colourful bridal party (each with a little touch of sparkle) to the gold-dipped jars and bottles on the tables, to the striped runners, to the fox-topped, succulent-surrounded, gold meringue cake, it’s full of vibrancy and fun, and with a bride and groom who closed the dancefloor at 5am no less, it’s no surprise. I just love couples who have fun planning their Big Day, and who make it a reflection of their relationship – and these two even invited the prize Brahman cows in for a couple of pics. It’s farm wedding fabulousness all the way.Read More

Gold Sparkle Wedding Dresses

14 May, 2014 by gaby

Now here’s a fashion trend roundup I KNOW you all are going to LOVE. Because we’re all a little addicted to glitter, right? In fact, I’m pretty sure a meeting of brides and wedding pros could double as a glitter addiction support group, which should totally be a thing, because I for one (if I were shopping for a wedding dress right now) would not be able to resist one of the gorgeous gowns that have everything from a smattering to a full-scale sheen of sequins and gold beads and sparkly details. Then again, why resist? Designers from the high street to the high end couture catwalk (both local and abroad) have embraced this look, so I thought it was high time I did a roundup. Welcome to magpie heaven.Read More

Inspiration Board: Protea Glitz

5 May, 2014 by gaby

Some boards take me a while to put together, but some are so clear in my mind, it’s as if they’ve always existed. In fact, I had to go back and check my archives to be sure I hadn’t done this one before, because the concept of proteas + gold glitter is already such a favourite of mine. It’s like Joey eating Rachel’s beef trifle in Friends – to paraphrase: “What’s not to like? Proteas, good. Gold, good. Sequins, gooood!” It combines my favourite current wedding looks with our perennial South African favourite flower, and is as romantic as it is modern. And unlike beef, custard and jam, some ingredients really do just go together.

Colours: Blush, rose, gold & white

Top row: Bride with polka dot veil {Ali Harper Photography/Ginny Branch}; protea bouquet {Lavender & Twine/Twine Events}; glitter name cards {Rachel Carl on Etsy}
Row 2: Glitter cocktails {Rebecca Hansen Weddings/Style Me Pretty}; gold calligraphy invitation {Margot Madison on Etsy}; plate on sequin background {Justin Marantz/Julie Song}
Row 3: Protea centrepiece {Caroline Tran/Utterly Engaged Magazine/Propel}; confetti cake {Jen Huang/Sweet & Saucy Shop}; sequin wedding dress {Jeremiah and Rachel Photography/BHLDN}

Sweet Summer Pastel South Hill Wedding by Kathryn van Eck {Elena & John}

15 April, 2014 by gaby

You know what I’m loving right now? Pineapples. Seriously, it’s a thing. Which might have something to do with my coastal Caribbean-style decor obsession, but it turns out I’m not the only one, because these tropical treats have been turning up on some of the prettiest wedding tables this year. I wouldn’t call it a trend as such, but let’s just say in the world of fruit and veg wedding decor, this is the year of the pineapple. And if you have any doubts, I’m about to put them to rest with this GORGEOUS and totally charming wedding from the talented Kathryn van Eck. It has pastels. It has pretty. It has the perfect smattering of sparkle. It has a champagne tower (!). It has so much love. And yes, it has pineapples. And I officially ADORE it. Yay!Read More

Inspiration Board: Cupid’s Arrow

10 February, 2014 by gaby

It’s Valentine’s week, lovelies!!! And in honour of the annual festival of Lurve, we have a week packed full of lovey dovey goodness for you (more than usual for a wedding blog, even). You’ll be ah-ing over love stories and proposals, falling in love with some very pretty weddings and of course getting some V-Day style inspiration. Starting with our inspiration board today. Instead of going for the ‘typical’ reds of a Valentine palette, I decided to opt for the softest, sweetest blush and combine it with clean white and a touch of gold and grey. To play on the Cupid theme, I’ve included some cheruby details, as well as an arrow motif (this is actually very trendy in fashion and design, so if you have a Valentine connection in your love story, it’s a great way to bring it in subtly). I must say, I am rather smitten. How about you?

Colours: Blush, rose, white, gold & grey

Top row (l-r): Bride with bridesmaids {Brumley & Wells/A Vintage Affair Events + Rentals}; angel wings {Anita Spero Design}; portrait back dress {Elizabeth Messina/Claire Pettibone}
Row 2: Arrow wedding invitation {Minted}; bouquet {Logan Cole Photography/Beau & Arrow Events}; flower crown {Natalie Spencer Photography/Darling & Daisy};gold feather boutonniere {Michele Ng}
Row 3: Arrow bracelet {Our Labor of Love}; Cupid dessert display {Natalie Spencer Photography/Darling & Daisy}; arrow place setting {MCR PROJECTS}.