Styled Shoots - SouthBound Bride

7 Reasons to Have a Destination Beach Wedding (and Exciting News!)

27 March, 2017 by gaby

Friends, hello! I know I have been a bit scarce on SBB in March, but it has been a crazy, crazy (seriously, crazy) month and I’m also in the middle of travelling at the moment. I promise that as soon as I’m back in SA we’ll be returning to normal. But in the meantime, I get to share some of the tropical love (appropriate, since I’m heading to Cuba today!), as well as some exciting news! Aisle Society is thrilled to announce we have partnered with Abaco Beach Resort to offer you Aisle Society Weddings. These carefully curated weddings were specially designed for Abaco (a fabulous little gem in the Bahamas) by some of the world’s top wedding editors, and offer an authentically Bahamian vibe and some of the most gorgeous tropical design details. I’m going to be sharing a peek at what Aisle Society Weddings have to offer, alongside my top 7 reasons why a destination beach wedding is basically the best thing ever.

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!

Urban Bohemian Wedding Inspiration

7 March, 2017 by gaby

We’re turning for our inspiration today to the city, with an eclectic urban chic vignette straight from the streets of New York City. (Which is especially cool for me, because I’ll be there next week, yay!) Last year, during New York Bridal Fashion Week, Aisle Society threw our second annual party, and the Aisle Society Experience presented by Minted turned out to be the hottest ticket in town! Our bloggers came up with a series of gorgeous themes, from mountain to luxe, and with the help of some very talented wedding pros including amazing stationery from Minted, made each one come to life – quite literally in some cases, as there was a touch of live theatre from the models! So cool. SBB was a small part of the planning of the Hip & Bohemian inspiration, which I’m sharing with you here. Imagine, if you will, that two art students grew up and got hitched, infusing downtown grit and dreamy wonder into a wedding style that is uniquely theirs, with lush floral art wall, cozy lounge – and even a vending machine stocked with wedding favours! I only wish I had been there, but I feel like I was, because I have these beautiful images from Sasithon Photography to immerse myself in!

Modern Monochrome Glamour Wedding Inspiration

24 February, 2017 by gaby

Well, it’s been a week… I’ll bet I’m not the only one who wants to throw up my hands and cry “is Friday over yet?” Well, it isn’t, not quite, and just as well because we’re ending it off here on SBB with something sleek and glam and deliciously sophisticated. Think of it as the cocktail you deserve, but without the cost of an Uber home. To create this chic setting, the team at Bells & Whistles Event Styling were inspired by the incredible setting, the ballroom at Fine Living by David Muirhead. It has silver embossed pressed ceilings, decor in dramatic charcoal, grey and white tones, and I’m absolutely loving the bold botanical artwork which gives it a tropical, African touch. Add in a bride in gorgeous gowns (including separates – LOVE!), stunning orchids (which I should just declare our flower of the week!), candlelight, glitzy gold touches, and modern black ghost chairs (hello new chair crush!), and let us not forget, that cake! Because metallic and ruffles… well. This girl is in stylish wedding heaven. If anyone needs me, I’ll just be over here sipping my martini and poring over the pretty.

A Modern Mythology

21 February, 2017 by gaby

I’ve got my travel bug at the moment, with the 2017 Aisle Society retreat less than a month away, but looking at these photos I want to grab my passport and never look back until I reach Italy again. Oh, Italy. It’s not just the delicious light that photographers Magnolia & Magpie have captured in these truly gorgeous images, the beautiful gardens, or the feeling of classic, ancient beauty. It’s that feeling of pure beauty, expressed in delicate lace gowns, and delicately organic table decor, and a chapel filled with candles. The same feeling I get in Italy, when I’m surrounded by its incredible beauty, both natural and man-made. But you don’t actually have to get on a plane to capture that spirit, because not only can you dive into these images like a pool of clear water, but Cameo and Joey’s fine art aesthetic can be part of your big day too, since they’re part-based in Cape Town and, happily, part of the SBB Directory. Be sure to check them out – once you’re done swooning, of course!

Spring Garden Wedding Inspiration

13 February, 2017 by gaby

It’s Monday and that means another week of inspiration here on SBB! YAY. We’re starting it off with some more secret garden-style loveliness, this time from Nelani Van Zyl and her clever team! Inspired by the lush gardens and secret enclosures of their venue, Bellingham Homstead, they pulled together not one but two mini celebrations in one shoot – a whimsical afternoon tea party that Alice herself would be proud of, and an elegant candlelit reception overflowing with pastel blooms. I can just imagine this translating into a real wedding – your guests would love the fun of their own little garden tea party, and then you can take some of that garden prettiness indoors for a classic dinner. This is vintage done oh-so-right! I also have to give a special mention of the blush and beautiful bridesmaid dresses by Jacoba Clothing (who you’ll also find it our directory) – a PERFECT complement to the model bride’s stunning lace Cindy Bam gown. And let’s not forget the groom either, because he’s rocking a floral bow tie, which is one of my favourite current trends (more about that later this week!) Let’s dip a toe into the pretty pool shall we?

Vintage Meets Boho Wedding Inspiration

9 February, 2017 by gaby

If there’s one recent wedding trend that has thoroughly resonated with South African brides, it has to be boho, and over the last season it’s been so fun to see so many gorgeous boho brides grace our pages. But before that, the great love was vintage round these parts. So imagine my pleasure when this pretty pretty shoot that incorporates both those elements crossed my desk? Especially when the combination is fresh, pretty and oh-so-perfect for a summer soiree. Created by photographer Sonje Ludwick and a team of talents, I’m loving the neutral palette with a floral twist, the picnic style spread under the trees, and the gorgeous dresses incorporating some of my fave looks, from crochet lace to two-piece gowns. Not to mention plenty of blushing bride proteas, which always make me very happy (including one on the yummy-looking semi naked cake) :) So if you’ve been drawn to either vintage or boho (or both), why not be inspired by this combination for your own happy day?

The Whole World Is A Garden

6 February, 2017 by gaby

It’s a brand new week, full of possibility, and the first good thing to happen on my Monday is definitely this gorgeous styled shoot by Roxanne Davison and our friends at Oh Happy Day. I have been dying to share it with you for months, and now that February has rolled round with our ‘Secret Garden’ theme, it’s finally time to share this Secret Garden-themed shoot! Inspired by a quote from the novel which I love – “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden” – these talented ladies and their team created a little garden hideaway punctuated by beautiful florals and fine vintage china, the dreamiest of dresses and the most delicate of jewels, gorgeous brides and beautiful calligraphy. It. Is. Swoony. So grab a cuppa and get settled in for some very Pin-worthy inspiration!

Summer Brights Wedding Inspiration

30 January, 2017 by gaby

Happy Monday, friends! I know the start of a new week is supposed to be dull and depressing and blah, but today we’re turning Monday on its head with an inspiration shoot full of vibrant acid brights and rich copper – a palette that perfectly shows off the look of the season! For this cutting edge design we turned, as we always do, to Wedding Concepts, whose trendsetting vision always ensures they’re a step ahead. I love how unexpected this palette is, how elegant, and yet how gorgeously African (flash of Skinny laMinx, love!), and the use of shiny acrylics, lasercut, hanging florals, luxe copper touches and the most incredible cakes and desserts. Planning a summer wedding? Take a second look at your colour palette and see if you can infuse it with an unexpected bright or a luxe metallic for extra gorgeousness. Tyme Photography took these lovely pics.

Romantic South African Protea Wedding Inspiration

23 January, 2017 by gaby

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!