20 Christmas Cards for Newlyweds

Christmas Cards for Newlyweds

Image: Riekert Cloete on SouthBound Bride

*UPDATED FOR 2020* For those of you who’ve just tied the knot, the festive season is a really fun time to check in with family and friends and thank them for their love and support – maybe share a few wedding photographs or double up with a thank you card in the envelope. Or maybe you’ve yet to marry, but as an engaged couple, you’re dying to take some holiday snaps and send your first card together. Sure it’s cheesy, but so fun! Well, as it turns out, the makers at Etsy have come up with some seriously adorable ways to say “Merry Christmas from US”. I’ve rounded up 20 of my favourite newlywed Christmas cards here!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Gift Guide: Your Just Engaged Bestie

Engagement Gifts for Your Best Friend

Image credit: Laura Leigh on SouthBound Bride

Christmas is coming, you guys. I’m already humming holiday tunes and filling my DVR with Christmas movies, and I’m not ashamed to say it. So I thought it was time I broke out our annual gift guides again, since shopping for your nearest and dearest is all part of the fun! As usual, I’ve created guides with a bit of a wedding-ey twist, and today I’m kicking them off with pressies for the newly engaged gal in your life. This being engagement season, even if you don’t have one today, you almost certainly will by the time Christmas rolls around! And since it’s such a fun time, why not pick a gift that celebrates it? I’ve been stalking all my fave online stores and I’ve picked 20 of my favourite ideas, with links below. Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Botswana Boho Garden Wedding by Maryke Albertyn

I really am such an old softie, you guys. Over the years I must have read thousands of real love stories and you’d think by now I’d be immune, but then I come across a gorgeous couple like Lena and Filip, who are clearly besotted and meant for each other, and read their story and see them full of emotion as they exchange vows and I’m gone again. Ain’t love grand? Although to be fair, grand isn’t a word I’d use to describe this wedding, which is earthy and natural and laid-back and fun in all the best ways possible. It took place in Lena’s father’s garden in Botswana, with the river as a backdrop, and the beautiful African wilderness surrounding them (those sunsets!). Lena rocked the most stunning bridal two-piece ensemble and a boho floral crown, while Filip was super handsome in his suit, and the two of them said their ‘I do’s under a beautiful floral and greenery arch, before a jazzy cocktail hour and an outdoor reception that went on all through the night, surrounded by family and friends from literally around the world. Sigh. And as if all of that wasn’t romantic enough on its own, Maryke Albertyn absolutely killed it with the photography, capturing all the joy and loveliness forever.

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Elegant Colourful Wedding at The Nutcracker by Genevieve Fundaro

Cornel & Caronien’s wedding day was filled with colour, love, fun and beauty… and rain. Because that’s how it goes, doesn’t it? The unexpected shows up with the things you planned. But I’ll let you in on a secret: rainy day weddings are some of  my favourites. It’s like everyone takes a deep breath, lets go of expectations, and just has fun right there in the moment. And come rain or come shine, that’s just what this sweet couple did, bringing their colourful wedding to life for their guests in a country reception that was bursting with fun touches, from fortune cookie favours to a live caricature artist to late night waffles to fireworks. That was one half of the equation, but the other was sheer elegance and romance, and this element is especially beautifully brought to life by Genevieve Fundaro‘s gorgeous pics. Look out for an extra post-wedding couple shoot reshoot when the sun came out again – an awesome idea if rain does show up to bless your big day!

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20 Elegant Minimalist Wedding Dresses

Minimalist Wedding Dress

Magnolia Minimalist Wedding Dress by Lilu Bridal

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Some brides are all about extra-ness – enchanting embellishment, beautiful bling, statement lace, or frothy tulle skirts that wouldn’t look out of place at an embassy ball. But for some brides, less is more. Think clean lines, ’90s-style silhouettes, and minimal embellishment. For a sophisticated minimalist bride, it’s all about gorgeous fabrics, stunning cuts, and fresh, pared-back styling. So if you’re planning a modern minimalist wedding or just want to rock elegantly simple wedding dress on your big day, I have the perfect roundup of minimalist wedding dresses, which also happen to be fairly minimalist on the ol’ pocketbook – forget high end designers; every one of these beauties comes from Etsy! Plus, they’re perfect for a beach or destination wedding, a civil or symbolic ceremony, a mini-mony or a chic modern celebration. No fuss, but lots of gorgeousness!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.



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Greenery-filled Same Sex City Wedding by Thunder and Love Photography

When it comes to styled shoots, I’m definitely of the school of making models smile – I mean, who wants to see a moody bride or groom? But even if a model’s skills are Kate Moss-level awesome, there’s just no faking the real thing. And Nathan and Brendan’s big day is full of the real thing – smiles as wide as the sky, true happiness, and love. This adorable couple not only held their nuptials in fabulous Cape Town (LOVE me a city wedding!) but followed the natural ambience of an outdoor ceremony with the fun of a quirky modern reception space, which they filled to the brim with proteas and greenery. The best of both worlds, truly. And speaking of both worlds, I also loved how the couple managed to honour Indian wedding traditions, like mehndi and varmala garlands, making this a truly multicultural celebration. SBB faves Thunder and Love Photography captured all the love (and all the pretty) from this special day!

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Champagne Rustic Wedding at Die Woud by Jani B. Photography

Nature meets luxury in this beautiful forest wedding at Die Woud, which is ending off our week in the prettiest way possible! Paul and Chloë wated an outdoorsy feel to their Cape wedding, and fell in love with Die Woud (who could blame them?). Natural elements like wooden tables and beautiful proteas, contrast with romantic twists like chandeliers and twinkle lights (oh, the lights!) and Chloë’s incredible Cindy Bam dress. Music was another super important part of the wedding, from the fun song choices for vital moments, to the bride’s dad serenading her (awwww!) to SBB DJ faves Silkmusic pulling out all the stops to get the dancefloor pumping all night long! Let’s get up close and personal with all the pretty captured by Jani B. Photography!

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Fall in Love with Me

I’m really not much of a cold weather gal, but every year when my Northern Hemisphere blogger friends start posting cosy autumn weddings and styled shoots, there’s a part of me that gets all nostalgic for crisp days, hot cider, cuddly blankets, and crackling fires. And even more than that, I LOVE a good autumn wedding palette! All those rich jewel tones, lavish textures… yum. That’s why I’m excited to share this lovely styled shoot submitted by co-ordinator & makeup artist Nicole Amory and captured by photographer Marsel Roothman, and styled by Melabee Events. Gorgeous dresses, fabulous florals, a plush table – and a palette of navy, burgundy and plum. If you’re a lover of rich colours and vintagey details, this will definitely make you ‘fall’ in love!

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Scandinavian Gothic Wedding by Vanilla Photography

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?

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Lavish Modern Mixed Metallics Wedding Inspiration

Well, I promised you guys modern minimalism this month and this shoot… is not it. Ha. But trust me, when you take a peek at the utter glam gorgeousness of this inspirational editorial? You won’t mind one bit. And minimalist it may not be, but it is modern, and its clean lines and cool palette will challenge even those of you with the most simple of tastes not to fall in love. But the thing I love most about this shoot by Claire NicolaLavishly Done and their team, is how it has that SouthBound African twist – strelizias painted gold (LOVE LOVE LOVE), ferns, pods and foliage in bronze, and driftwood adding a natural elegance to the gold, silver and bronze table decor. With the Conservatory as a venue, there’s also a touch of industrial glam, and the whole look put together is a glorious mishmash of styles that absolutely, totally works in a fresh and fabulous way. Add in a model in some gorgeous Janita Toerien gowns, some laser cut geometrics, and lots of lovely candlelight, and you have one of my fave featured shoots to date! Can someone do a wedding like this, pretty please? I’ll be first in line to feature ;)

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