We’re heading back to the beach today (if only that were true, but it’s rainy and mis in Durbs) with a sweet little engagement shoot from SBB fave Nadine Aucamp, featuring a gorgeous gown by Silver Swallow. We don’t feature a lot of engagement shoots on SBB, but this one is so perfectly styled and photographed (and pups!), and Andrea and Christopher have such a unique love story (spoiler: they met on Instagram!) that I couldn’t resist! Enjoy…
Get EXCITED, people, because I’m about to share some homegrown wedding inspiration that will knock your flip flops right off. I’ve been following the gorgeous work of photographer Corette Faux for a while now, so when an email from her popped up in my inbox, I couldn’t wait to open it and see what pretties were within. Well, wow. Let’s just say that, for a girl who loves proteas, I was in heaven. On a recent trip to SA, Corette joined up with a few local pros to create a mini shoot that is super pretty and inspirational. A bushveld-style setting, a Silver Swallow gown billowing in the breeze, a real couple in love, hand lettered stationery, a pretty table, and OMG that bouquet! I just love the way that this shoot combines the elements of soft and strong – indigenous flora mixed with the dreamiest of fabrics, a rugged landscape contrasting with elegant formal wear. For me, it’s the perfect representation of South African style, and I for one can’t wait to get pinning!
When I started SBB (waaay back when, haha), one of my favourite things to do was create moodboards putting together some beautiful and unexpected shades. I still do (although less frequently), but what years of creating those boards gave me was a deep appreciation for colour, and it’s that part of me that stood up and cheered the minute today’s styled shoot hit my inbox. Picture the scene – rustic, woodsy (thanks to the incredible Cabbage & Rose glasshouse venue), a mixture of rough and smooth (the shoot was inspired by the idea of ‘perfect imperfection’). Then infuse all of that with a range of blues and greys, ranging from soft smoke right through to the most beautiful indigo, complemented by soft matte metallics and flecks of gold leaf. Pretty doesn’t even cover it. From the delightfully eclectic table setting to the dresses (Oh! The dresses! What I wouldn’t do to see one of these beauties on a real colour-loving bride!), to the cement-like cake (sounds weird, is actually totally awesome), I just want to wrap myself up in it and sing the blues. In a good way. Dust and Dreams Photography took these dreamy pics.
We don’t feature a lot of e-sessions on SBB anymore, but there are engagement shoots… and then there are engagement shoots. Today’s is definitely one of the latter – when it crossed my desk it took my breath away! With a smitten couple in love, in one of South Africa’s most majestic locations up among the mountains of Golden Gate National Park, featuring a crazy gorgeous Rose Quartz dress by Silver Swallow and with the most beautiful images by photographer Ian Odendaal, it’s sheer romance. Like that opening scene of The Sound of Music where she’s twirling around because the hills are alive, but better, because there’s no Nazis, and nobody’s wearing an ugly pinafore or singing about goatherds (or singing at all, actually). So just the twirling, and the big big sky, and the sense of pure, unadulterated joy. Ah, love.
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!