winter weddings - SouthBound Bride

Moody Blues Winter Elopement Inspiration

22 January, 2018 by gaby

It may be summer outside, but this morning we’re turning to a more wintery palette for our inspiration with this styled shoot from Werner J Photography, Myrtle Floral Design, and their team of fellow creatives. Elopements and micro weddings are all the rage right now, and this gorgeous little wedding inspiration shows just why. A sweet couple with an edgy style, sharing a meal with their bestest people, and a table decked out in copper flatware and luxury linens like velvet (swoon!) and silk. And let’s not forget the stationery – I’ve never really associated watercolour with winter weddings, but I LOVE how it works here! A beautiful ethereal (but still season-appropriate) touch. And let’s not forget the florals – lush beyond!

Scandinavian Gothic Wedding by Vanilla Photography

14 November, 2017 by gaby

Where do I even start with this wedding, you guys? Maybe the concept, kind of a Gothic romance meets Viking feast meets meets Hollywood glamour (especially thanks to the bride and groom, Jessica and Renier, looking like a pair of Tinseltown starlets!). Or maybe the bridesmaids’ dresses, which would have to make my list of top ten faves of all time. Or the flowers (oh my WORD the flowers), dripping from top to bottom of the beautiful Midlands reception space and bringing to life the palette of black (LOVE the way it’s used here), blush and burgundy. Or maybe I should just start with the suppliers, because really, the credits read like a who’s who of my fave Natalians – Michigan Behn for Vanilla Photography, Joe from Oh Happy Day (love how every single OHD wedding is so different!), the supremely talented Carolyn from Adore Weddings, and more. It’s the kind of wedding that makes my heart glow, and not just because of the cozy wintery vibe! So let’s dive in, shall we?

Intimate Winter Winelands Wedding at Spier by Helette Photography

22 September, 2017 by gaby

Wondering if an intimate wedding is for you? Well, look no further for inspiration. There’s a quiet sophistication we love about Melissa and William’s Stellenbosch celebration – a destination wedding at their favourite estate, Spier – it’s hard to believe it really only took two months to pull together! The white tulip bouquet, the beautiful blooms, the floral arch… The look is classic elegance, letting the couple’s love and happiness shine above all else, and the winter season and pared back guest list kept things intimate and cozy. Love the way that the couple treated their guests to a wine tasting while they had their couple shoot – one of those experiences you can really maximise on creating for your guests when you have fewer of them. Helette Photography took these lovely pics!

Winter Elegance Wedding Inspiration

13 September, 2017 by gaby

Time for some pretty! While we may be marching toward summer in SA (come on summer!), today’s inspiration is all about the simple pleasures of the winter months. With an outdoor setting in the beautiful Golden Gate area, a stylish bride and groom (LOVE the bride’s lace tattoo gown especially!), and simple elements that come together in the most beautiful way, it’s almost enough to make me wish the chillier months would last juuuust a little bit longer. I know many of you love the natural, minimal look, and this shoot perfectly combines those simple shapes and textures with a few of the fine art elements that I’ve been on about this month, including silk ribbon and gold cutlery, as well as a loose greenery bouquet and a simple, elegant cake. It’s a stunning combination, created by a team led by stylist Melissa Bredenkamp, and captured to perfection by Ian Odendaal Photography.

Candlelight Opulence Winter Wedding at Kurland by Adel Ferreira

21 June, 2017 by gaby

Some winter days I long for the summer again, but on day’s like today, I can only revel in everything that the chillier season has to offer. That’s because today’s wedding, between long-time sweethearts Gerhard and Suzanne, is everything a winter wedding should be and then some. A cozy atmosphere, candles on the tables, the smell of logs crackling in the fireplace. And Suzanne herself looks like a winter princess, dresses in gorgeous full-length lace and carrying a gorgeous jewel tones bouquet (peonies, swoon!). Rounding out that rich colour palette is the groom in his dashing suit and the bridesmaids in their forest green dresses from SBB fave Jacoba. And did I mention the tables? Sumptuous rustic creations covered with flowers and antique brass and gold vases and candleholders, which all looked so perfect in the intimate atmosphere of Kurland in Plett. And best of all, it has the warmest of hearts, as is immediately evident from Adel Ferreira‘s marvellous pics. So yay for winter! (At least for today ;) )

Floral Luxe Wedding at Netherwood by Knot Just Pics

11 October, 2016 by gaby

Weddings filled with flowers are my absolute weakness, which won’t surprise you if you’ve ever seen my eyes light up in a florist’s shop (seriously, all the heart eyes). Today’s wedding is like a whole garden of blooms, and even though it took place on a chilly winter day, the lush florals brought the outdoors indoors, to incredible effect. Add a heavy helping of luxe – vintage candelabras, dark wood and mercury glass, little copper animal favours and a wall of mirrors – and you have the most gorgeous combination. I’m especially loving the palette of rich burgundy, soft peach and blush, elegant emerald, and glittering gold. From the bride’s jawdropping 3D floral gown to the candle-filled reception, Candice and Byron’s big day was a rare beauty, perfectly captured by the Knot Just Pics team. Sigh.

Cozy Rustic Wedding at Ou Stal Equestrian Estate by ST Photography {Ilze & David}

29 October, 2015 by gaby

While every wedding we feature is different, it’s inevitable that most follow a traditional timeline – ceremony, photo shoot/cocktail hour, reception, etc. – but I’m always struck by the couples who choose to do things a little differently. There’s the first look of course – the chance to have your photographs taken before guests arrive, allowing you to mingle with them during the drinks hour (and have a private moment before the ceremony to take in the enormity of what you’re doing together). Today’s couple did that – and did it in style, with a sweet little flower bedecked door in the middle of nature as their backdrop (talk about the rustic version of a grand entrance!) But they took it a step further, following the photoshoot up with cocktails and canapes with their guests and only then enjoying the heartfelt ceremony together (again, with a fabulous backdrop – this time soft curtains and a flower chandelier). It was the perfect way for this laid-back couple to experience their big day, and is a great example of how you don’t need to follow tradition to have a wedding that’s perfect for you. So let’s get on and enjoy all the cozy rustic-ness (as the bride says) of Ilze and David’s big day, brought to us through the lens of SBB Directory member ST Photography.Read More

Elegant Winter Town Hall Wedding by Dearheart Photos {Pietro & Adriaan}

7 October, 2015 by gaby

It probably says something about the range of South African wedding venues available that in five years of wedding blogging, I think this is the first time I’ve featured a town hall reception. But what a town hall! I had no idea this little vintage gem existed in Robertson, and it makes for the absolute PERFECT backdrop for Pietro and Adriaan’s chic winter wedding, as cosy as it is stylish. Pietro wore an absolutely breathtaking gown from SBB fave Janita Toerien, and put her girls in long sleeved emerald dresses, the perfect complement to the charcoal tablecloths and plum coloured florals at the reception. With candlelight glowing on the tables, and guests merry with good food, good wine and good company, this celebration showed just how to put the warmth into a winter wedding. And Dearheart Photos were there to capture it beautifully, pink skies and all!Read More

20 Stylish Wedding Dresses with Sleeves

25 May, 2015 by gaby

Cherie Gown by Flora and Lane (Image: Amanda Watson Photography)

I swear, every time I spend a few minutes (okay, a couple of hours, but who can help it?) browsing on Etsy, I swear the wedding dresses get more gorgeous. I think it’s extremely cool that brides these days not only have the option of dresses from established designers, but up-and-coming indies from around the world. Which really opens up your choices when it comes to style. Recently, I’ve been absolutely LOVING wedding dresses with sleeves (especially lace ones), so I just had to round up my fave sleeved wedding dresses from Etsy too. And wow, but they are all kinds of winter wonderful and autumn awesome.Read More

Long Sleeve Bridesmaid Dresses

20 May, 2015 by gaby

You know what always makes me feel a bit sad? You know when you see those pictures of a winter or autumn wedding, and there’s the bride in some fancypants wrap or fur-look stole or whatever looking snug and cold-weather-stylish, and then you see the bridesmaids and they’re standing there in the same little strappy dresses that their summer cousins were wearing, freezing their bazoomas off. Shame. Of course, stylish wraps for the entire party are always an option, but recently a chic (and practical) option has been popping up in more and more real weddings – long sleeves! Yep, long sleeves aren’t just for the wedding gown now. From shiny sequined minis to sleek long black dresses, we are absolutely loving this look. So let’s get inspired! And shop. Because we can.Read More