Tag: wedding trends

2021 Engagement Ring Trends

by gaby

2021 Engagement Ring Trends

So you’re engaged, or thinking of getting engaged, and you can’t wait to get that engagement ring on your finger. But hang on, WHICH ring? Picking an engagement ring is a massive decision (whether you do it together or leave it up to your partner) – it’s a piece of jewellery you’ll have to wear and love for the rest of your life. The good news is that long gone are the days where pretty much everyone was after a platinum round-cut solitaire. These days, there are SO many incredible options, and you can pick whichever one suits your personal style (even if that IS a platinum round-cut solitaire!). With ethical diamond concerns, couples have opened their eyes to other gems or natural diamond substitutes, and traditional cuts have expanded to include many more of the so-called fancy shapes (for more on diamond shapes, see our guide!). And with celebrities having such a massive influence on design and fashion, there are always new styles and twists emerging alongside the classics. Here are the five 2021 engagement ring trends that are taking the world by storm, and a selection of gorgeous engagement rings from Etsy to inspire you!

*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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2019 Engagement Ring Trends

by gaby

So you’re engaged, or thinking of getting engaged, and you can’t wait to get that engagement ring on your finger. But hang on, WHICH ring? Picking an engagement ring is a massive decision (whether you do it together or leave it up to your partner) – it’s a piece of jewellery you’ll have to wear and love for the rest of your life. The good news is that long gone are the days where pretty much everyone was after a platinum round-cut solitaire. These days, there are SO many incredible options, and you can pick whichever one suits your personal style (even if that IS a platinum round-cut solitaire!). With ethical diamond concerns, couples have opened their eyes to other gems or natural diamond substitutes, and traditional cuts have expanded to include many more of the so-called fancy shapes (for more on diamond shapes, see our guide!). And with celebrities having such a massive influence on design and fashion, there are always new styles and twists emerging alongside the classics. Here are the eight 2019 engagement ring trends that are taking the world by storm, and a selection of gorgeous engagement rings from Etsy to inspire you!
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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The SouthBound Guide to Brunch Weddings

by gaby

Planning A Wedding Brunch

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

*UPDATED FOR 2020* I have just one word for brunch weddings: LOVE. Seriously, morning weddings are one of my absolute favourites (and I’ve been to a few in my time too). Yes, evening weddings are fun and you can tear up the dancefloor all night long and have your first dance under the stars. But if that’s not your thing, or if maybe you want a more intimate gathering or a chance to appreciate the daytime beauty of your venue, or even if you just want something a bit more different, then planning a wedding brunch could be perfect for you. Plus, I mean, it’s BRUNCH. Who doesn’t love brunch? And some people ask: are brunch weddings boring? Or, are brunch weddings tacky? And the answer on both counts is definitely no. In fact, with a morning wedding, you have the flexibility to make it as casual or as formal as you wish, and with a shorter timeline, you actually have less time to keep your guests amused. And trust me, nothing keeps them amused like great food and drinks, and brunch style weddings are ALL about the menu (foodie couples rejoice)! Bottom line, morning weddings are awesome, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide full of brunch wedding ideas to help you plan one!

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20 Elegant Rustic Wedding Bouquets

by gaby

I’m in flower heaven right now because every one of these bouquets is BEAUTIFUL. Seriously. Like, shut the front door beautiful. Each is that perfect balance of rustic and elegant and – no matter where or when or how you’re planning your own big day – I think you’ll find at least one or two that give you butterflies. So let’s get on with it! No more talking – these flowers can speak for themselves.

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20 Stunning Semi-naked Wedding Cakes

by gaby

When I put my mind to this month’s theme, Rustic Elegance, there was one current trend that immediately jumped out at me as MADE for this look. Because as much as I have loved featuring naked cakes over the past couple of years, I am even more in love with their more sophisticated cousin, the semi-naked cake. And where naked cakes are ideal for a rustic bash, semi-nakeds have that extra bit of something (well not something, icing actually) that puts them squarely in between classic and avant garde. I love them. And boy are there some pretty ones out there! So let’s look at 20 of my faves, shall we? Oh yes, we shall.

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From Catwalk to Aisle: 10 Key Wedding Dress Trends for 2016

by gaby

Hello friends! After a couple of crazy weeks including a last-minute rush trip to Joburg to sort out travel docs for a suuuuuper exciting trip I’m taking at the end of this month (details soon, I promise), I’m back on schedule and ready to serve up some seriously awesome daily inspiration. Let’s get this party started! Last October, there were a lot of reasons I wished I was at New York Bridal Fashion Week (Aisle Society launch party, yay!), and of course the beautiful dresses were top of the list. It’s always awesome to see how the Fall catwalk will affect bridal fashion in the coming year, and if these trends are anything to go by, you brideys are in for a treat. I think if there’s one look that was predominant, it’s what I think of as #modestnotmodest. Traditionally modest elements like sleeves and high necklines, but reinterpreted with lace and sheer panelling for a very sexy and very contemporary look. So let’s take a look at our top ten runway trends for 2016 – which will you be coveting for your own dream dress?

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Macaron Tower Wedding Cakes

by gaby

So this month we’re all about spring pastels and you KNOW I couldn’t do that without mentioning macarons, because to me there’s no prettier or classier inspiration for mixed pastels than that kingdom of the macaron, Laduree. We’ve chatted about macaron favours before, but another option for including these blogger faves is as an alternative to a cake – a macaron wedding tower. These always invite oohs of delight, and they’re a great way to mix and match colours, as you’ll see below – you can even go metallic (is there anything more covetable than a gold macaron? Not in my book). So let’s sit back and be inspired (and try not to get too hungry) with some of my top picks from around the web.

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From Catwalk to Aisle: 10 Key Wedding Dress Trends for 2015

by candice

Hello lovely readers – Candice here! With all the top designers hitting the runway late last year at New York Bridal Week showing off a variety of new trends, we really have been spoilt for choice. If you’re like me, you get a bit overwhelmed by all the magnificent options. So we’ve picked our top ten, stand-out runway and bridal fashion trends for 2015 – see which style you most identify with and how these trends can be interpreted into your dream wedding dress.

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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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Hot Wedding Trends for 2011

by gaby

I’ve been in two minds about writing this post. On the one hand, it feels a little… presumptious. What do I know, right? But on the other, if I was newly engaged, it’s something I would be asking. What IS happening in weddings these days? And who better to ask than someone who reads hundreds of wedding blogs every day? (That’s me!) So here’s where I think things are going, and what I think South African brides can expect to see more of in the coming year.

1. The Royal Wedding
There’s no getting away from it – this will be a game changer. And that may mean that we haven’t seen the last of the tiara, or that royal touches like monograms and dramatic ballgowns will be big news again. However, indications from the palace are that Kate & Wills will have some modern elements (maybe even a slinkier gown?), and these are likely to be the ones that will be in our collective wedding consciousness for years to come.Read More