Romantic Country-Chic Wedding at Orchards by Crystal Malloy {Julia & Geoff}

Don’t you just hate people who tell you that rain on your wedding day is a blessing? Because, come on, everyone’s hoping for a dry day for their nuptials (even if it is lucky). But here’s what I can honestly say from both personal experience and featuring hundreds of weddings on the blog: some of the best weddings happen on the days that the heavens open. I don’t know if it’s the fun photo oppportunities or the feeling of intimacy that develops, or maybe it’s just a bit of devil-may-care attitude that creeps in when the best laid plans have to be abandoned and everyone just relaxes and remembers what really matters. Whatever it is, I’m a fan, and today’s wedding just goes to prove my point. While Julia and Geoff didn’t have a downpour, there was enough of a spatter to get the umbrellas out and create that beautiful cold, clear light that rain brings with it, which streamed in through the windows at their ceremony, and made their country chic decor at their reception in shades of pink, purple, coral and red look even more pretty and inviting. I love the colourful touches that make it all work together, from the stunning bouquet to the berry-shaded bridesmaid dresses, and every lovely moment was captured to perfection by Crystal Malloy. We don’t have the bride’s words to share today, so instead let’s just sit back and let the pictures tell the story themselves.Read More

Rustic Drakensberg Wedding at Dalmore Guest Farm by Casey Pratt Photography {Kelly & Duncan}

It’s sweet little rustic weddings with a big heart like this one that really make me melt. Kelly and Duncan chose a venue for their wedding that isn’t even an actual function venue (although you wouldn’t know by the fantastic show of hospitality that Dalmore put on for the couple). Rather, it’s a place that’s close to their hearts, a country getaway where they feel relaxed and happy, and where they could bring their guests to experience the same, among the spectacular scenery of the Natal Drakensberg. Add in some DIY rustic detailing, a few Madiba proteas (wow, but they’re gorgeous, aren’t they?) and a glam lace dress for the bride, and you have the perfect lil’ mix for a wonderful day. Casey Pratt captured every lovely moment from behind the lens.Read More

Romantic Duck Egg Blue Wedding at Barker Manor by Knot Just Pics {Lauren & Scott}

Nothing sends us head over heels here at SBB HQ quite like a gorgeous wedding, beautifully photographed, and that’s just what we have in store for you today. This rustic-meets-classic affair in shades of clean white and duck egg blue (how much do we LOVE this colour?) from the fab Knot Just Pics team has us completely captivated, from the white VW Beatle wedding car, to the romantic arch and flower chandelier at the ceremony, and on to the delicate florals and soft stripes at the reception. Plus, don’t miss bride Lauren’s hilarious write-up on her big day! It’s no wonder with so much prettiness, and the couple’s sense of fun, that there’s such a happy atmosphere in these images.Read More

Gorgeous Game Lodge Wedding at Bonamanzi by Fiona Clair {Melissa & Keenan}

You guys don’t need me to tell you how much I love the African bushveld, it is my BEST THING. So of course I have a soft spot for couples who share that love, and as soon as I saw Melissa & Keenan’s wedding I knew that they were just that sort of couple. Long-distance lovers who now live in beautiful Kwazulu Natal, they planned a game lodge fabulous wedding complete with a chic bush ceremony arch, zebra bridesmaid robes, and just about every variety of protea. It’s super joyful and beautiful, and super South African, which makes it the perfect wedding to kick off our super SouthBound year! The phenomenal Fiona Clair was on-scene to capture these gorgeous pics.Read More

Natural DIY Wedding at Waterwoods by Duane Smith {Kim & Christiaan}

If there’s one thing that was clear from our recent survey, it’s that you guys LOVE a DIY wedding. And who could blame you? There’s the whole creative aspect, the fact that (even if you’re following a tutorial) the way you put it together will be uniquely ‘you’, and best of all, the fact that it’s a bonding experience for family and friends who lend their talents – literally, a labour of love. That’s exactly the kind of day that Kim and Christiaan envisioned, and I especially love the way that they chose to incorporate bare and natural textures like bulbs and raw wood, which perfectly complement their rustic venue. And then there’s that touch of pure glamour that is Kim’s dress! (Because who says you can’t be rustic AND glam?) Photographer Duane Smith was there to capture every single piece of magic – be sure to check out his profile in our directory!Read More

Sunny African Print Wedding at The Glades by CC Rossler {Tumi & Moe}

I love weddings, that’s news to nobody. But as well as the planning and design stuff, I also happen to love being a wedding guest (and I get to do it next weekend, yay!). There are some weddings on the blog where as I’m looking at the pictures I just think wow, I would have loved to be a guest at this wedding. Today’s is one of those, because it looks like so much FUN. Everything about Tumi and Moe’s big day (photographed by the fantastic CC Rossler) is right up my street – it’s bright and fun, and heartfelt too – the couple really wanted to express their love not only for one another but for all their guests as well. Plus, it’s the very definition of Proudly South African – I am completely in love with the way that Tumi used a navy and yellow African print as the base inspiration for her design (resulting in the cutest bridesmaid outfits!), as well as incorporating a traditional game into cocktail hour and carrying a protea and fynbos bouquet. Bottom line: it’s a truly SouthBound wedding, and I’m so thrilled to share it with you!Read More

Boho Country Chic Wedding at Talloula by Vanilla Photography {Katy and Shaun}

Some weddings are just easy breezy – I just have to look at them to know I want to feature them on SBB! Today’s is one of those – I absolutely adore Katy & Shaun’s mix of boho, rustic and clean, contemporary style with a dash of pastels – it’s just sheer prettiness. The attention to detail in the wedding reception is brilliant – the effect may be relaxed, but I love the little touches like champagne cork menu holders, tiny tin watering cans filled with delicate pink blooms, floral chandeliers, and a LOVE sign shining delicately against the pure white backdrop of the Talloula reception space. And let’s not forget the bride’s gorgeous flower crown and lace sleeve dress combo, bridesmaids in soft blush, and boys in bowties. As I say, easy breezy – and beautifully photographed by the fab Vanilla Photography too.Read More

Leisurely Luncheon Wedding at Sibton Hill by Bright Girl Photography {Lauren & Luke}

For our third gorgeous wedding of the week, we’re heading to the KZN countryside for a relaxed luncheon bathed in golden light and awash with proteas. Because in case you haven’t noticed by now, we bloody love proteas around here. And I love that Lauren and Luke used them as the basis for their colour scheme, along with lanterns, mismatched glass jars and vases and custom laurel monogram napkins. Add beautifully rustic wooden tables and lace bunting, blush dresses for the bridesmaids and Lauren’s dreamy lace-back dress, and it’s everything an elegant country wedding should be. Everything and more, since it’s photographed to romantic perfection by the lovely Eileen of Bright Girl Photography. What a way to end the week!Read More

Modern Black Tie Wedding at the Maharani Hotel by Kate Martens {Taryn & Kevin}

Some weddings have you at Hello, but this one had me at a cat in a bowtie. I mean, it’s a cat. In a bowtie! And the fashionable feline wasn’t where the chic ended – Taryn’s dress is incredible! I just love when a bride decides to do something different, in keeping with her personal style, and this Dior-inspired creation was really something special. Add a groom in sleek black tie, a hotel ballroom full of classic monochrome and delicate roses, and an adorable tiny bridesmaid in the form of Taryn and Kevin’s baby daughter, and you have a beautiful, unique celebration, captured with panache by Kate Martens. AND there’s a cat in a bowtie. ;)Read More

Bohemian Rustic Wedding at The Glades by Alexis Diack {Taryn and Mike}

Well hot damn. You know it’s going to be an amazing day when we’re kicking it off with a totally unique and beautiful wedding that also happens to feature the talents of not one but two of our most favourite vendors. Casey Jeanne‘s dresses are always exquisite, but along with some deliciously boho accessories, this one makes bride Taryn look (by her own apt description) like a bohemian goddess. In a fashion spread. In Vogue. And the gorgeous (but totally laid-back) details don’t stop there – I promised you a groom in jeans, and here he is, rocking them. There’s a gypsy band of attendants (how much am I loving the MoH’s style?), flowers for the guests’ hair, a hand-tied bridal bouquet, bunches of wildflowers in pastel tin cans on rustic tables – for a bride who decided not to splash out on her floral budget, Taryn was surrounded by blooms. The whole effect is delightfully un-fussy, the kind of atmosphere where guests are ready to kick off their heels and dance with joy – and I’ll bet that’s just what they did. The wonderful Alexis Diack was on the scene to deliver her usual heart-stopping photographic captures.Read More