Tag: styled shoots

How to Create an Elegant Shweshwe Wedding by Piteira Photography & SouthBound Bride

by gaby

I am BEYOND excited to share today’s shoot! Not just because I think it’s so pretty, but because for me it’s another step in the direction I have dreamed SouthBound Bride would grow. See, I don’t just want SBB to be another wedding blog, another place of prettiness and support and inspiration (although it’s all of these). What has always made the blog different for me is that it is all about South African weddings. So, to me, it’s also important that SBB is a place that epitomises South African wedding style. What makes our weddings unique? What do they look like? How can I celebrate the designs and traditions that are close to our hearts? I still have work to do in many areas to adequately represent our diverse and beautiful country, but one thing I wanted was to celebrate what I think of as icons in SA style and design. I started dreaming of styled shoots that combined current international wedding trends, but had our very own homegrown twist. Today’s is the first of these for 2014, and the uniquely South African element we’re celebrating is shweshwe. Which I LOVE. And you guys, this is the year for shweshwe. It’s happening.Read More

Romantic Beach Elopement Wedding Inspiration by Pickle Photography

by gaby

You guys. I feel like this shoot is my very own Valentine’s gift. To me, from an awesome team of suppliers, including stylist Sarah Reynolds and photographer Christy-Lee Hosking of Pickle Photography. And from me to you. I absolutely fell in LOVE with this dreamy beach styled shoot the minute it landed in my inbox – the soft Jose Villa-esque quality of a chair amid the dunes and the sky, the beautiful barefoot bride and groom (who are a real couple, how gorgeous are they?) – and who could resist dresses that included a pale blue ballerina skirt? I’m just so smitten by every image, and in a completely non-cheesy way, I think it captures the very essence of romance on this, the most romantic of days. I loved that the team took a pared-down approach, and focused on the love, because as much as we get excited over pretty details here, the love is always, ALWAYS what matters most. So huge thanks to the team for sharing it with us… and here’s wishing you a day full of real love.Read More

Winter Sunshine Styled Shoot by Jani B. & Absolute Perfection

by gaby

It may be summer sunshine in South Africa today (in fact, I’m taking a rare day off to head to the beach with my lovely mom), but this afternoon we’re giving a nod to our friends in the Northern Hemisphere instead. When I started SBB a few years back, winter weddings were just not a thing here in South Africa. I think I featured one cold-weather wedding that first year. Since then, I have loved seeing brides and grooms not only opt for an autumn or winter wedding day, but make the most of the season, incorporating sweet little wintry touches, serving warming winter dishes and drinks, and generally making guests feel cosy and welcome. Today’s styled shoot, from the dream team of Jani B. Photography and Absolute Perfection, turns the more traditional winter palettes on their heads, giving them a punch of colour with fuschia, lilac, orange and navy. The look was actually produced for one of Jani’s workshops, but I have a feeling that those of you who love the country vintage style will find this perfect for your wedding, whatever season you choose to celebrate it in.Read More

Bella Toscana Styled Shoot by TopVendor & Claire Harries

by gaby

Afternoon, brideys! I’m vastly excited to bring you this afternoon’s styled shoot, because it is all about Italy and if you don’t know this about me by now, I LOVE Italy. Partly because they gave me a passport (thanks, Italy!) and half of my family heritage, including a love of food, of company, of sunshine. I lived in Italy for a year when I was in my 20s, and for a month last year, and I’ve been dozens of times in between – I simply can’t get enough. So the TopVendor Wedding Awards team didn’t have much convincing to do when they sent over this gorgeous piece of inspiration, created with the rolling hills of Tuscany in mind that they put together recently with some of our favourite wedding suppliers, including the gorgeous floral stylings of Flowers in the Foyer. Come, enjoy it with me, and see how to bring a touch of la bella vita to your wedding day.Read More

Pink Flamingo

by gaby

Hello friends! I am winging my way back to Durbs today (hi mom, please don’t forget to pick me up at the airport!), but while I do, I have the most gorgeous little taste of inspiration to share with you. I have a minor obsession with flamingos, not sure why (might have something to do with having been Alice in Wonderland in a play once), but I absolutely love them and the elegant yet slightly kitsch tropical lounge vibe that they add to an event when used as a motif. So I was super excited to see this shoot from Absolute Collection and Abri Kruger in the latest Wedding Inspirations magazine. I mean, we’re talking gold and pink (only one of this summer’s hottest colour combos), awesome lasercut goodies, ombre stationery (love love love) and the CAKES. Seriously, I could write about those cakes (from Cakes by Wade) on their own all day. Anyway, so here’s a little sneak peek at the feature, but you’ll have to buy the magazine to see the rest. When you do, you’ll find everything from a gorgeous bridal fashion feature to ideas for using jars as wedding favours to Peggy Porschen cupcakes and alternative hen party ideas. I’ll be reading mine cover to cover on the plane!Read More

The Joys of Spring

by gaby

Hello lovelies! Time for some beautiful inspiration for this early summer afternoon (how is it DECEMBER already?). Today we’re showing off the talents of two friends of the blog (photographer Cheryl McEwan and co-ordinator Theresa of Creation Events), together with a team of talented people who put together this spring/summer inspiration for you. With bright florals, pretty boho bridal styling and the cutest retinue of little people, it feels like an Easter parade. So fun! Choose this palette and your guests won’t be able to hold back their sunny smiles!Read More

How to Create a Peach Watercolour Wedding

by gaby

Call me crazy, but the days I get to show off styled shoots that I have been a part of are some of my favourites! And I have been dying to share this one, which I styled with a team of awesome suppliers last autumn. It all started with a conversation between myself and the lovely Anneli Marinovich – she wanted to photograph a rustic table in a field, and we loved the idea of using peach blossom, as peach is such an awesome colour to have in your wedding right now. As the English summer wore on though, we worried that our little dream wouldn’t work as it was getting a bit late in the year, but when the day finally dawned in October, the sun came out for us (even if the wind did too). We had such a lovely day shooting in and around Gaynes Park, which has to be one of my absolute favourite UK venues, and working with the nicest (and most talented) bunch of people you could hope to find. The shoot subsequently was featured in Wedding and Wedding Flowers in the UK, and on Wedding Chicks blog. Honoured! Anyway, today we’re finally bringing it home to SBB.Read More

Take Five Wedding Looks…

by gaby

Hello beautifuls, as you read this I’ll be landing in Cape Town for a little stint in the Mother City (yay!) and probably getting lost in my rental car (every time!). I can’t wait to see my lovely friends and industry colleagues, and to spend some time looking at the gorgeousness that is the Western Cape province. And speaking of gorgeousness, I have such a fab shoot to share with you today – in fact, it’s more than a shoot, it’s like five inspirations in one. It comes from the team at TopVendor Wedding Awards, who you might recall me mentioning, and was photographed by Ronel Kruger (with gorgeous flowers by Elle Fleur). Whether you’re a modern bride, a boho bride, a romantic bride, a statement bride or a rustic bride, you’ll find something here to inspire. And it’s not just for the main lady – there are some adorable decor ideas and styling for flower girls. I promise you’ll fall in love with at least one look! If anything, it’s choosing between them that’ll be the hard part… ;)Read More

Once Upon a Wedding Dress

by gaby

Good morning lovelies! We’re about to kick off your Friday with some very pretty pictures, courtesy of Debbie Lourens Photography. I love when creatives take some time to play and experiment, and what I really love about this shoot (apart from the gorgeous crowns by Samantha Hanlon, my new happy find) is that Debbie used a vintage lace wedding dress, picked up on eBay. Although she didn’t know the history of the dress, she knew that it was over sixty years old, and started dreaming up a shoot around it. If you’re planning some pre-wedding portraits with your beloved, I think the idea of wearing a vintage dress is very cool – it’s what one of our own RLBs did, to stunning effect. Why not check out eBay and let your imagination run wild?Read More

African Glam by Fox&Co and Stephanie Veldman

by gaby

Good morning, SouthBound brides! I have such lovely inspiration to share with you today, which comes from the fab Fennec Deuchar from Fox&Co. (a Cape Town based event and decor specialist) and one of our fave photographers, Stephanie Veldman. You already know I’m a huge fan of proteas and fynbos, as well as some of the beautiful South African patterns and textures we have at our disposal, and I also know we have a shared love of glitter, right? Well, put the two together, and you have one of the loveliest tables I have seen in quite a while. Gorgeous muted jewel tones, big king protea blooms, porcupine quills, guinea fowl feathers and a beautiful touch of gold glam. I just love it! And that’s even before we get to the floral arch – wow. The perfect venue for this glamorous homegrown look is Pure at Hout Bay Manor (check out this amazing wedding we featured here a couple of years ago).Read More