Tag: winter

Winter Rustic Glamour Wedding at The Conservatory by Karina Conradie

by gaby

Winter Rustic Glamour Wedding | Credit: Karina Conradie

Who doesn’t love a long distance love story? We all know how difficult these can be, and how much patience and hard work goes into a union where you have to rely on alternate forms of communication, and limited time in person, to get to know one another. So I think it takes a really special connection to make its way past that, and Janine and Francois clearly have just such a connection. Together at last, they celebrated their wedding with a beautiful, jewel toned, festival atmosphere wedding at the stunning Conservatory in Franschhoek, filling the reception with DIY details (including Japanese moss balls called kokedamas), and mixing rustic style with a touch of opulence in both palette and details (I especially love the cake and the maroon bridesmaids’ gowns including a couple by our newest directory members, Jacoba). So pretty, you guys! Karina Conradie took these beautiful pictures.

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Enchanted Frost Winter Wedding Inspiration

by gaby

We’ve been loving everything blue on SBB throughout May, but I’ve been holding on to this little blue beauty right until the end and I’m so thrilled to share it with you all! And it’s actually the most perfect way to transition to next month’s theme – winter – because this shoot was inspired by snow and frost and blizzard, by ice queens and snow princesses, to create an enchanting wintery world that Elsa herself would be at home in. A super talented local team, headed by photographer Debbie Lourens, stylist Blank Canvas, and Leipzig Floral Design, created something really special here, with the details that range from practical to whimsical, and from pretty to fantastic. The gowns are incredible, the setup divine, and hello, headpieces!

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Cozy Winter Engagement Shoot by Angie Capri

by gaby

Afternoon, lovelies! As you’ve probably picked up by now, I’m am absolutely dog-besotted, so when photographer Angie Capri sent over this absolutely adorable winter shoot including not just the sweetest couple, Melissa & CJ, but their dog Yukon too, I just couldn’t resist sharing it with you! It’s such a relaxed shoot (in the dreamiest light), that really shows off the personalities of the couple (and their pooch) and instead of being stiff, formal posed pics, are the kind that show them enjoying time together as a little family, and I’m sure are much-treasured! I also love the way that Melissa and CJ chose to have their wedding and e-shoots in two of their favourite locations – nothing like celebrating life’s biggest milestones in places that you absolutely love.Read More

Nutcracker Ballet Styled Shoot by Debbie Lourens & Green Goddess flower studio

by gaby

Fun fact: I was so bad at ballet, they held me back a year. Yup, I failed ballet. Which is obviously a HUGE surprise if you know me, since I am totally graceful and never walk into doors or trip up on my own feet or ANYTHING. Fortunately, I’m not holding it against ballet as a whole, which I still love, and which I still think is incredibly beautiful as an art… and as a wedding inspiration. In fact, there was a big trend toward ballet a couple of years ago, but that was all about frothy pinks. Today’s styled shoot is a little different – it’s perfect for the winter bride, with rich berry hues, and just a tiny touch of Christmas (fitting for the ultimate Christmas ballet). But even though it’s seasonal, it’s never themey. Instead, it’s full of beautiful new twists on old themes, and a touch of shimmery gold. I am completely and utterly blown away by every frame shot by Debbie Lourens, and especially by the incredible florals done by SBB directory member Green Goddess flower studio. And red ballet shoes? Yup, I love it ALL. I may have failed at ballet, but this shoot wins on every level.Read More

Real Wedding at Roodezand {Cara & Pieter}

by gaby

Hello lovelies, from sunny Abu Dhabi! My plan not to have any interruption in service went a bit wrong yesterday when this wedding missed its schedule, but hey ho, here it is now, and come back this afternoon for another of our trend roundups (don’t worry, I’ll be checking in electronically to make sure my server hasn’t gone wrong). I’ve been having a fabulous time here so far, spending time with my friends and their baby, and checking out the UAE. It’s so new here, it feels slightly weird, but the lifestyle is awesome and I am so loving getting a bit of sun! Last night I even got a bit of exercise, with a run around the Formula 1 circuit! ANYWAY, back to the wedding in hand, which comes from Cape photographer Maryke Harper. I just love the fresh winter style of this wedding – it has a lovely curated feel, like a sweet little shop that you might stumble across one afternoon and lose yourself in for a couple of hours. (And even better, Cara and her mom have made use of everything they bought in their homes – such a great budget tip!) There’s exuberant use of herbs, which must have smelled amazing, and just the right amount of a nod to vintage without going overboard. So pretty! I also love the handmade/craft details, like stitched table numbers and even a bit of string art! A soft palette of green, grey and taupe sits just right. I know you’re going to love this one, so here we go!Read More

Winter Gold {Plus DIY details + special offer}

by gaby

You guys, I am doing such a happy dance as I post this feature today! It has been a long while coming, and I am thrilled to finally be able to share it with you. See, this isn’t just a beautiful shoot that someone sent me, I was actually there for this one. I saw it put together from scratch. I even helped make it happen a little. Not that it’s my shoot – ‘assisted’ is the key term here. All of this shimmery, wintery loveliness comes straight from the imagination of styling queen Louise Beukes of b.loved (how pretty must it be inside her mind?) as well as the lens of Liesl Cheney. It’s all about making your guests feel cozy while at the same time sweeping them up Narnia-style into a world of snowflakes and pinecones and sophisticated elegance. And now’s a good time for me to say how proud I am of everything Louise has achieved. A couple of years ago, she approached me as a SouthBound Bride herself, and told me she wanted to start a blog. I thought it was a great idea. Then she told me she wanted to be a stylist, and I thought that was an even better one. The result is not only daily eye candy on her fabulous blog, but a portfolio that is just busting at the seams with loveliness. This was one of her first shoots, so you can see she hit the ground running. Oh, and the reason we didn’t show it to you earlier? Only because it was too busy being featured in UK magazine You & Your Wedding.Read More

Real Wedding at the Steenberg Hotel {Irene & Hans Joachim}

by gaby

Oh, I do love me a winter wedding! I don’t see nearly as many as I’d like to coming out of South Africa. And yes, I know the Cape is spectacular in the summer, and many of you want an outdoor ceremony and reception, but if you’re just setting out in the planning process it’s worth considering the winter months, as they have their own very special beauty. Today’s wedding is a perfect example of that for me – an elegant couple, rich jewelley colours, and one of my favourite ever bride’s outfits. You have to love a girl who gets married in red boots! Photographs are by the ever wonderful Nikki Meyer – every wedding she photographs is serious eye candy, so make sure you head over to her blog (and make yourself a cup of coffee before you do, because you’ll be there a while!). Big thanks to Nikki and of course to Irene and Hans – congratulations again, you two!Read More

Real Wedding at Klein Genot {Nicole & Konrad}

by gaby

Today’s bride is kind of a friend of a friend. I ran into her a couple of months ago the morning after her hen do, looking WAY too radiant and serene and non-hungover for someone who’d been drinking vodka at the Ice Bar the night before, and she told me she was getting married in a couple of weeks. Once I heard about the details, I was super excited to see how it all turned out, and even more excited when I found out that her photographer was Brenda Wardall from Hearts in a Shutter, whose fantastic photographs I had featured before. But when I finally did see the pics from Nicole and Kon’s big day, it was just above and beyond any expectations. Soft colours, beautiful Winter light, lemon groves… and the biggest, happiest smiles from the bride and groom. Settle in and enjoy!

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Inspiration Board: Pine & Cider

by gaby

Brrr! For all of you South Africans waking up to a chilly winter morning, here’s a little bit of inspiration to warm you up. Summer weddings are glorious, but I adore winter ones too – what an opportunity to make the most of all those lovely cold comforts: open fires, hot cider, butternut soup… I just love this woodsy combination of forest green and brown, and pinecones make a lovely motif for stationery, etc. And isn’t the pinecone bouquet is just gorgeous? I love the garland as well.

Colours: Forest green and chocolate brown, with touches of mocha and yellow

Top row (l-r): Cider; bridesmaid dress; pinecone bouquet; Uggs bride
Row 2: Lemon cookies; pinecone garland; caramel apples; programmes; butternut soup
Row 3: Wood invitations; cheese cake; mason jar candles; sapling favours.