styled shoot - SouthBound Bride

Afro-Asian Fusion Wedding Inspiration

7 November, 2017 by gaby

Just when I thought I’d seen it all, this incredible styled shoot landed in my inbox! And when I saw who it was from, I knew it would be special – Ninirichi Style Studio never fail to deliver meticulously conceptualised, cutting edge design with African flair, and boy did they blow me out of the water with this one! It’s the ultimate cross-cultural concept – a wild fusion of African and Asian design influences from right across both continents, brought together into three compelling and exciting looks! This month on SBB, we’ll be focusing on modern minimalism, and this shoot really embodies that for me – not just in the less-is-more sense, but rather in the way that each element is carefully chosen for inclusion based on its contribution to the overall design, and the clean lines combined with modern textures that you’ll spot throughout. I’m especially in love with the suspended decor elements – again, this is something I’ve seen a lot of over the past while, but these three tableaux give hanging decor a fresh new spin. So let’s be thoroughly inspired, thanks to these beautiful images by Ginger Ale Photography! (And yes, I included a lot of pics, but with all this amazingness going on, I had no choice!)

Washed Up Beach Wedding Inspiration

24 April, 2017 by gaby

We have the Monday blues today, but in the best way possible – courtesy of the dreeeeeeeeeamiest of dreamy beach wedding styled shoots. So in love with this one, which comes to us from SBB Directory members Blooming Wonderful, Wildflower Photography and a talented team of local pros. The colour scheme is straight out of coastal wedding heaven, with a range of soft blues and greys and neutrals, and just a tiny touch of gold, and unexpected textures mixed with ocean elements that give a gorgeous shipwrecked effect. The details are magnificent (mussel shell escorts, mermaid-style wire crown for the bride, copper geometric elements, and lush blue and white blooms), and OMG the dresses! Not to mention Blooming Wonderful‘s absolutely gorgeous stationery suite! It’s positively the finest way to kick off a new week I can imagine.

Glam Beach Wedding Inspiration

15 March, 2017 by gaby

Hello lovelies! If you’re a glam bride or groom and you’re thinking that a beach celebration has to have a more rustic, shabby chic vibe then think again, because a beach can be every bit as glamorous as a ballroom. Look no further than this gorgeous shoot by The Artistry, As Sweet As Images, Tickled Pink Weddings & Events and their team to show you why – I’ve been dying to share this inspiration with you for a while, and our beach month is the perfect moment! I love that this has a sort of exclusive beach club vibe, with champagne, oysters and a little cabana breakout area with curtains fluttering in the sea breeze. Pure white with touches of dusty blue and tropical pink makes for the perfect palette, and I love the little details like the oyster place card setup, the starfish motif, and the calligraphy-style stationery elements. Let’s pour an imaginary glass of that champers and dive right in!

Romantic Modern Wedding Inspiration from Aisle Society

25 April, 2016 by gaby

Happy Monday, lovelies! And it is indeed a happy Monday for me, because today I get to share something that’s really close to my heart and which, as I come up to the six year anniversary of founding SBB, has me feeling ever so proud and excited for the future! Over the last months, you’ve heard me mention Aisle Society, and you may remember that a couple of months ago I was lucky enough to go and hang out with my fellow Aisle Society bloggers in the Bahamas (more on that soon!), but you may have been wondering exactly what IS this new website? Is it just a new wedding blog? Well, the answer to that is no – Aisle Society is actually a curation of more than 30 of the world’s best wedding bloggers’ content, updated daily. Think of it as a hub – a place to go and find any kind of inspiration your wedding-loving heart desires, and then ultimately follow that link and see more of the things that inspire you. The AS bloggers come from all over, and we cover a huge range of different niches, from fashion-based inspiration to location or wedding style. And because the content’s already been featured on our own sites, you know it’s quality. Like the cream of Pinterest. Plus, you get to curate your own feed – not have it dictated to you by the kind of algorithms that everyone from Facebook to Instagram now employs. You can add certain bloggers or themes or colours or whatever you like to ‘your society’ and then, when you find a supplier that you love, not only find their information right there, but you can also make an enquiry. It’s awesome, and this afternoon I’m going to be giving you some practical step by step advice on how to plan your wedding using AS, but first, I wanted to share some gorgeous inspiration (because that’s what we’re here for, of course!). This is the Aisle Society brand shoot, created by two of the amazing founder members, Lauren of Every Last Detail and Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs, and a brilliant, beautiful team of creatives and models. I’m also delighted to be featuring Alexis June Weddings, whose photography I have loved from afar since, like, ever, and who I got to hang out with in the Bahamas as well. SO – enough from me. Let’s get our swoon on, shall we?

Feminine Bridesmaid Inspiration

29 February, 2016 by gaby

I’ve probably said this before, but one of my absolute favourite times in a wedding day is those blissful (and busy!) few hours spent between a bride and her retinue on the morning of the big day, sipping champagne and giggling with excitement as hair and makeup get done and the big moment approaches. It’s such a special time to spend with your girls – the women who have supported you, and loved you, and are there on this day to usher you into this next magical phase of your life. A memory to cherish. So I’m all for making sure that you all feel pretty and comfortable, even before the dresses are on and the shoe straps are tied. That’s one of the reasons I adore Plum Pretty Sugar, whose whisper-soft robes in garden-inspired prints are perfect for a wedding morning. But beyond that, the Plum Pretty Sugar accessories and apparel are part of a feminine, romantic lifestyle brand, and you’ll feel beautiful in their line long after the wedding day… the honeymoon, newlywed life – even on into maternity. So when Aisle Society bloggers Elizabeth Anne Designs & Coastal Bride teamed up with PPS to create a Southern styled shoot, you can imagine how excited I was to share the images! These pics take us right up to those moments before the walk down the aisle, with the girls in their dreamy PPS Couture bridesmaid gowns, and the beautiful, laughing bride, complete with protea bouquet (you know I love that!) And don’t forget that PPS ships to South Africa, and beyond.

Modern Snow White Wedding Inspiration by Carolien and Ben & Bona-Fide Events

11 November, 2015 by gaby

Some days, I’ll be honest with you, blogging life can be… hard. Other days? Well, other days I get a shoot like this one in my inbox, or I get to share it with you all and I’m brought back to why I love this job. A collaboration between talented suppliers at one of my favourite venues, incorporating a breathtaking gown, a gorgeous modern table, pops of bright red mixed in with muted pastels and a crisp white backdrop? Heaven. Not to mention a contemporary white dessert display (white macaron tower, love!), soft candlelight, and a bride rocking a red lip to perfection. The cherry on the cake, of course, is that the shoot was put together by some of our favourite people, including SBB Directory members Bona-Fide Events, and photographers Carolien and Ben. All together, it makes my day (pretty) – so let’s go ahead and make yours!Read More

Dreamy Botanical Wedding Inspiration by Nicola Bester

30 July, 2015 by gaby

I’m starting my weekend early by rushing off to PE for my high school reunion, where I will play Romy (and Michelle), and tell everyone I invented Post-its. But I can’t think of a better way to end off our month of Greenhouse gorgeousness than with this shoot, which just embodies the romantic garden feel that everything floral and botanical and beautiful means to me. There’s such an ethereal look to this shoot, thanks in part to the frothy fantasy gowns created by SBB fave Janita Toerien, as well as Nicola Bester Photography‘s lovely pics, and I’m also loving the whimsical watercolour stationery and pretty table design with just a touch of gold, not to mention Minke du Plessis‘ immaculate hair & makeup! To be honest, put these elements together into a wedding, and I’m pretty much in heaven. So enjoy, and pop back later this afternoon for a final dose of floral print to finish off July’s theme.Read More

Desert Neutrals by Corette Faux

2 June, 2015 by gaby

Time for something pretty! As you know, this month we’re focusing on natural beauty – getting back to basics, and taking joy in simplicity. Today’s bridal portrait shoot does just that, pairing a naturally neutral beauty spot with an uncomplicated white dress, elegantly simple flowers – and the cutest little donkey! Whoever said you shouldn’t work with children and animals clearly hadn’t seen this guy. Photographer Corette Faux and a small team of pros put this session together to inspire.Read More

Urban Johannesburg Bridal Shoot

4 April, 2013 by gaby

Hello lovelies! Things are all a bit hectic behind the scenes here at SBB, as I put the finishing touches on my course material for The Editorial Wedding, which is happening next week. So excited to show you what we have been up to – and photographers, if you haven’t booked yet, tomorrow’s your last chance! It’s going to be an awesome day, and I’m particularly excited to be co-hosting it with a photographer who I admire not only for her beautiful, colourful, crisp photography and ability to capture the moment, but for her business savvy as well. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know Anneli Marinovich over the last year, and I’m so happy to have her as one of SBB’s sponsors – anyone still looking for a wedding photographer in SA for the end of this year should give her a shout. Anneli is so enthusiastic about her work and the industry, and she makes it very easy for her subjects to relax. She’s also a true creative, and loves taking on new projects and shooting different things. I always love sharing her work here on SBB, and today we have a gorgeous urban bridal shoot that she did in Newtown, Johannesburg. I love the mixture of soft, romantic bridalwear (not to mention gorgeous Jannie Baltzer headpieces) with the industrial urban backdrop, and the way Anneli has her model interacting with the Joburg architecture. It would make for an awesome rock the frock – just sayin’! Anyway, big welcome to Anneli as always, and enjoy!Read More

Spring Engagement Shoot

28 March, 2013 by gaby

I can’t think of a more perfect shoot to share with you today, as we head into the Easter weekend. Easter has kind of sneaked up on me this year, but I’ve decided to take tomorrow off (for once) and try to switch off and relax a bit. Before I do, I’m so excited to share this spring styled engagement shoot from awesome photographer Louise Vorster with you. Best of all, the bride-to-be Nicole is a huge fan of SouthBound Bride – which obviously makes us a big fan of hers – especially since she pulled together such an adorable set-up to celebrate her upcoming marriage to fiance Andre. I am especially smitten by the little chicks – aren’t they the cutest? I know that Easter isn’t really spring in SA, but if it gives you an excuse to grab your loved one and set up a super sweet pastelly country style picnic, I say do it. And even better if you can get a photographer like Louise to capture it all perfectly.Read More