Tag: proteas

Real Wedding at The Bridge {Roslynde & Louis}

by gaby

You know, there’s a story behind why origami cranes are considered lucky for weddings. Supposedly, the qualities you need to fold 1,000 cranes (patience, good communication, perseverance, and so on) are the same ones that you’ll need to have a successful marriage. But the origami cranes in today’s wedding teach something different. These were folded by a friend of the bride, and this detail, as well as the many other handmade touches from friends and family, reminded the bride and groom of the support they have in their marriage. Isn’t that just so lovely? Of course, the loveliness doesn’t stop there. The first thing I fell in love with from Roslynde and Louis’ wedding (apart from her pretty name!) was the wooden proteas carried by her bridesmaids – aren’t they just the coolness? Followed very closely by her dove grey dress, with the prettiest lace detailing. Not to mention some brilliant rustic details – plantable bird thank-you cards, hanging succulents in little bottles, a feast of ribbons (I think I even spied some measuring tape on one of the succulent tins – another great DIY-able detail). Oh, what the heck, I love it all. Melanie Wessels (welcome Melanie!) did the photographic honours.Read More

Real Wedding at Likweti Lodge {Claudine & Flip}

by gaby

You know, every time I feature a wedding that has proteas as a key element, I get a bunch of extra hits, and not just from inside SA. What can I say – the world loves a protea. So it’s no surprise that our national flower has become a defining feature of South African wedding style (in fact, this blog almost got called something along the lines of Protea Brides, but I decided it sounded like it was for cricket WAGs. It also almost got called Braaied, but that’s another story). Today I have another breathtaking protea-filled wedding for you, this time from the talented Laura Jane Photography at Likweti Lodge in Mpumalanga. Flip and Claudine’s lovely wedding walks that line between traditional and modern – I particularly love the variety of proteas, vases (both glass and silver) and heights in the table arrangements, as well as the lovely crocheted tablecloths, which they sourced from family and friends. Their ceremony area is also one of my favourites ever – how wonderful are all the fabric ribbons hanging from the tree? And my goodness, that sweetie bar has me craving some homemade fudge. So take your lunch hour to enjoy these lovely pics – but don’t forget to come back later when I have an AMAZEBALLS e-session to share!Read More

Real Wedding at Anura Vineyards {Cheryl & Sven}

by gaby

SOOOO excited to share today’s (bumper!) post with you – it feels like it has been in the pipeline since forever! Of course, that’s because today we’re sharing the wedding of Cheryl McEwan, our friend and colleague, SBB sponsor, and of course, Real Life Bride. Together we’ve followed Cheryl on her planning journey, from inspiration to reality. And wow. That reality is so much more gorgeous than I could even have imagined. Not just because it’s photographed by the legend that is Nastassja Harvey (although it helps). As a photographer, Cheryl has an amazing eye for detail, and putting that together with her wedding experience, she created a masterclass in shabby chic/country vintage styling that must have been a pleasure to shoot and attend. She’s also collaborated with her friends in the industry – Doodles Laser in particular – to add sweet new twists to the ideas that inspired her (read her Real Life Bride archive to see how these evolved). The result is an incredible wedding, blessed with rainbows (literally) and laughter – here’s wishing Cheryl and Sven many blessings in the next chapter of their lives together.Read More

Real Wedding at Kronenburg {Carla & Johann}

by gaby

Good morning, SouthBound Brides! Today’s wedding at Kronenburg has been waiting in our vaults to come out and play with you for a little while, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Think proteas, for one thing. Lots and lots of very luscious proteas. Proteas as favours even – how good is that? Carla and Johann have paired them with the most gorgeous shade of sage green, which is so elegant and really makes the flowers pop (not to mention looks gorgeous on the bridesmaids). One of my very favourite details is the way that on the tables, boards wrapped in wallpaper are used to create a base for the centrepieces – it really adds visual interest and texture, and is such a simple DIY! But I think my favourite thing about this wedding (captured in glorious colour and detail by regular SBB contributor, Bernard Bravenboer) is the way that you can see that laughter is a big part of the bride and groom’s relationship – just look at the irrepressible smiles on their faces! And, as somebody called August Wilson once said: “All you need in life is love and laughter. That’s all anybody needs. To have love in one hand and laughter in the other.” Baie geluk, you two! I hope that sense of joy always stays with you in your marriage.Read More

Inspiration Board: Polka Promise

by gaby

I’ve had lots of requests from real brides recently for pastel pink and green boards – clearly this is one colour combination that isn’t going anywhere! These two colours always give me such a good feeling – they’re so balanced, but at the same time so pretty and fresh. They’re ideal for a (spring or) summer wedding, which is just what real bride Jeani will be having. She wrote to tell me of the elements they’re considering: proteas and herbs, lace, DIY details. They also want to include polka dots as a motif, which I think is super cute! The key to using something like polka dots is not to go overboard, but to use them carefully and then echo them in shape or texture. So I’ve suggested some gorgeous DIY dot garlands (Jeani can use these hanging in the ceremony area, as a backdrop to the cake table or main table, draped from the ceiling – lots of options!). I’ve also suggested a polka dot cake (how sweet and subtle is this one?), pink paper polka straws, and even a dotty dress (look closely at the image bottom left). Then the circles are reflected in elements of the protea and rose bouquet, and the fun balloon accents in the ceremony area. Other fun DIYs that Jeani and her man can try are origami heart place settings, lace-wrapped votives and jars, a pretty lacy ring dish and ribbon-tied chair backs (use this on just the bride and groom’s chairs if you don’t want to spend a fortune on ribbon). Add a pretty sash to a wedding dress, and carry that fresh green into herbs under bell jars and inside found objects like this old fashioned filing drawer. There’s lots here to play with, and it all adds up to handmade summer sweetness! Hope you like it, Jeani!

Colour: Pastel pink, green, cream and beige

Top row (l-r): Dress with sash {Lisa Poggi}; origami heart DIY; lace-wrapped mason jar vases; paper dot garlands; herbs under glass {S: Paul Lowe & Paul Vitale; P: Alexandra Grablewski}
Row 2: Protea bouquet; balloon ceremony area {P: Simply Bloom Photography}; herbs in drawers {S: Paul Lowe & Paul Vitale; P: Alexandra Grablewski}; lace-wrapped votives
Row 3: Bride & groom; polka dot cake; DIY lace ring dish; paper polka dot straws; ribbon chair backs {P: Rebecca Wedding Photography}.

Wedding Trends Reloaded

by gaby

Here at SouthBound Bride, I love bringing you all the latest trends. As you know, I believe that each wedding should be an expression of a couple’s unique style and personality, but it doesn’t hurt to get a sense of the ideas that are floating around out there. Eventually, those ideas can get a little repetitive. And while in some ways that doesn’t matter (remember that most of your guests don’t sit on wedding blogs all day and won’t have seen it before), it can be fun to consider fresh twists and new options. So here are eight of my top alternatives for creating your favourite effects.
Here’s my disclaimer: I’ve loved and promoted all of the ‘old’ ideas here, and I’m nobody’s fashion police. So if you love something, you DO IT. This is just about being creative and exploring other avenues along the way!

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Inspiration Board: Cape Dutch

by gaby

Oh I do love Inspiration Board Monday. These babies are one of my favourite things about running the site, and I’ve been getting lots of requests from you for boards for your weddings – keep ’em coming! Today’s scheme is one which is HUGE news in the South African wedding scene, and an awesome next step for brides who have loved the Victorian country vintage look of the last two years but want something slightly fresher. With this look, you can still use your proteas, still use your vintage touches, but instead of sticking to soft pinks and neutrals, you combine it with navy blue. My prediction is that you’ll see a lot of this colour next season. It reminds me a little of the Dutch still life themed tables which I have seen a few times recently, especially when combined with Delft pottery in blue and white. As I mentioned in my Love List this weekend, the look is particularly apt for the South African market, what with having so many wedding venues that include Cape Dutch architecture. Enjoy!

Colours: Navy, white, pink and neutrals

Top row (l-r): Bridesmaids’ dresses {S: Amy Bridges Events; Verite Photography}; cupcake; bride {S: Kirkbrides; P: Arielle Doneson Photography}; books and watches {S: Kirkbrides; P: Arielle Doneson Photography}; protea decor {P: Love Made Visible}
Row 2: Delft table plan {S: Aleit; P: Glee Photography}; protea bouquet {P: Love Made Visible}; lace and navy invitation {D: The Paper Guppy; S: Revel & Bloom; P: Trulife Photography}; quails eggs {S: Canvas and Canopy; P: Braedon Photography}; navy tables {S: Engaging Affairs; P: Liga Photography}
Row 3: Curtain and chair {P: Exhibit Emotions}; protea; table decor with candelabra {P: Love Made Visible}; Delft plates; Cape Dutch homestead {Babylonstoren}.

Inspiration Board: Pastel Protea

by gaby

Happy Monday my friends! Sorry last week was a little quiet – I’m afraid it was just one of those weeks. Anyway, today I have a board that I am SO in love with. And even better, I got to create it for a friend. The lovely Louise came into my dear friend Sven’s life a little while back and he was immediately smitten, so we were all thrilled when they announced their engagement. They’ll be getting married in Natal next year, and are planning a brunch wedding (so fun!). When Louise described what she was after, I immediately knew what she was looking for, since it’s a look that I’d had in the back of my mind for ages, and I think it came together beautifully. It uses soft pink and green, proteas, brown paper (how much do I love the table plan?), chalkboard and watercolour, and I’ve added in a few pretty paper details as well. Isn’t it lovely? Oh, and look out for brunch ideas coming your way this Wednesday if you’re also planning a morning wedding!

Colours: Soft pink, green and neutrals

Top row (l-r): Bride with single bloom protea bouquet (Jose Villa); brown paper escort cards (Katie Stoops); pastel table arrangement (White Room Events/Pobke Photography); chalkboard pancake menu (Green Wedding Shoes/Lauryl Lane/My Bride Story/Birds of a Feather); wish jar (White Room Events/Pobke Photography)
Row 2: Tablescape (White Room Events/Jennifer Sando); watercolour wedding invitation suite (oh my deer); bride and groom with pancakes (Green Wedding Shoes/Lauryl Lane/My Bride Story/Birds of a Feather); papel picado decorations (Erica Velasco)
Row 3: Brown paper menu/favour bag (Nancy Liu Chin via Snippet & Ink); protea bouquet (White Room Events/Jennifer Sando); brown paper table list; doily details (source unknown); bride with bridesmaids (Jose Villa)

Real Wedding at Dornier Wine Estate {Marlein & Hennie}

by gaby

If you look up elegance in a dictionary, you’ll find alongside a mention of grace and taste, the concept of elegance as something cleverly simple. So whichever way you define it, elegance is what today’s wedding is all about. A bride in a beautiful dress, carrying a single rose-flanked protea. Poised. Stunning. A lovely guest house for preparations. Bridesmaids in the softest shade of pink. A groom at home in his suit. A succulent boutonniere. A vineyard reception. Wooden tables. Damask. Little sprigs of brunia on the napkins. Simple gifts of fudge and cigars, charmingly presented. Every detail is perfectly formed, and each has its place in the whole. It’s cleverly simple, and tasteful and graceful. It’s elegant. Which makes it the perfect match for photographer Joanne Markland, whose photographs are always pure elegance. And how much do I love, love, love the final pic in this series – the way that no matter what wedding craziness is going on around them, the bride and groom share a moment of stillness and connection. So whatever craziness the working day holds for you, take a moment for yourself here too, and enjoy.Read More

Real Wedding at De Hollandsche Molen {Michelle & Frans}

by gaby

Ok, confession. I’ve always kinda had this thing where I wished I was born Southern. As in, Southern American, not from the south of, like, the earth (in which case I did pretty well). For one thing, it’s a beautiful place, and for another I would make a great steel magnolia. Plus, growing up I would have got to kiss boys who sounded like Harry Connick Jnr and called their mothers ma’am. But most of all, I would have got to use expressions like “that dog don’t hunt” and “finer than a frog’s hair split four ways” in my lilting Southern drawl. I’ve tried them in my Saaf Effrikan accent and… well, that dog don’t hunt. But let’s just pretend for today that I AM Southern and that I could say things like that, because y’all, today’s wedding really is finer than a frog’s hair split four ways. Take a beautiful Cape day, add proteas and laughter and pretty vintage details, and you have the epitomy of wedding gorgeousness. Every little part of Frans and Michelle’s day at De Hollandsche Molen seems effortless and graceful and bathed in golden light, and their joy is so beautifully captured by Rebecca Meissner of Love Made Visible, it’s infectious. So grab an ice tea and sit a spell, and enjoy this nugget of Southern (African) goodness.Read More