Introducing… Elbeth Gillis Enchanting Collection

I’m always super excited to bring you news of beautiful bridal fashion – even more so when I get to show off local designers – but I’m especially thrilled to bring you Elbeth Gillis‘ latest collection because I know how many of you LOVE her designs. Elbeth’s dresses have graced our pages many times over the years, and lots of our real brides have even told me they first heard of her right here. Her studios are like a little haven of refinement in the busy centre of Cape Town, the kind of place where you step in nervous and walk out bursting with excitement to wear the dress of your dreams. It’s a kind of magic, so it seems completely appropriate that Elbeth’s latest collection happens to be called ‘Enchanting’. And is it ever. Lace tattoos, delicate beadwork and hidden detailing characterise the collection, and I was so smitten I just had to know more. I’m so thrilled that Elbeth found time to give us this exclusive interview and share her latest lookbook with us today!Read More

Sareh Nouri Fall 2015 Collection

We’re edging into the last hours of our working week, and ending it off pretty with a peek at Sareh Nouri’s latest collection. Round SBB we’re a huge fan of this Persia-born designer, with her flowy feminine lines and touchable fabrics, and this latest set of dresses is no exception. As Sareh’s team shared: “The classic collection is complete with hand embroidered French lace, and various silhouettes’ that will draw your eyes with their beauty. Beautiful hints of blush, mint and rustic gold can be found throughout the collection.” For the first time, the collection also includes evening wear. I’m so looking forward to seeing these gorgeous creations on real brides!Read More

Pearl & Ivory Spring 2014 Lookbook

Who’s ready for some wedding gorgeousness? Well you, obviously. And also me. And we’re both about to get our wishes granted with a whole heap of prettiness courtesy of the fab Pearl & Ivory, a bridal label based in Somerset West, South Africa. These fine folks (who sell everything from dreamy dresses and accessories to elegant stationery) are relaunching their website today, and SouthBound Bride is super happy to be able to share their latest lookbook, which also happens to have been shot by one of our favourite photographers, Yolande Marx. Happy dances all round!Read More

Truvelle 2015 Collection Now Available in South Africa

Brideys, I have such a lovely treat for you today! A few weeks back I spotted the dresses of Canadian label Truvelle and fell in love with their style, especially when I spotted ombre grey lace, glittery feature backs and even a gown that looked like it had been dripped in rose gold glitter. So I was absolutely over the moon when I received an email from the Truvelle team last week, not only sharing their drop dead gorgeous lookbook, but telling me that this exciting label is now available at LOCA Vintage Bridal Lounge in Port Elizabeth. Which is brilliant news for Eastern Cape brides, and means that this time I don’t have to taunt you lovely locals with beautiful international-label dresses you can’t go and try on in person. So let’s get to it! These are about to be your newest dress crush.Read More

BHLDN Fall 2014 Lookbook

If there’s one store I REALLY wish would come to South Africa, it’s BHLDN, Anthropologie’s wedding branch, who never fail to inspire me on a browse through their website. I’m particularly in love with their line of wedding gowns, especially since the prices aren’t bad considering how beautiful the dresses are. Even though I can only dream about visiting one of their stores, the good news is that BHLDN do ship to SA, so for today’s fashion feature I just had to share their latest lookbook with you all. This is romantic city style at it’s finest – proving that even a registry office wedding doesn’t have to be short on style. It stars models and real-life couple Ava and Ryan, and I just love the chemistry that they have in these gorgeous pics! For all BHLDN’s latest dresses and international shipping information, head over to their website.Read More

Anna Campbell Forever Entwined Collection

Like I said earlier today, I love this time of year – all the new collections make me swoony. Look out for some homegrown designers coming your way soon, but first, let’s take a peek at the brand new Anna Campbell collection, Forever Entwined. If you’ve not come across this Aussie designer’s work yet, you’re about to have a new dresh crush, thanks to the soft fabrice, intricate detailing and all-round gorgeousness that Anna produces. And when her team sent over this absolutely beautiful editorial shoot, I just knew I had to share it with you all. Look out for the trains especially – a classic wedding dress feature made light, modern and hassle free. Just stunning.Read More

Mismatched Blush Bridesmaid Inspiration from Forever 21

As those of you in Cape Town will no doubt know by now, South Africa got its first Forever 21 store this weekend, and to celebrate, I thought it would be fun to do a little special of the bridesmaid options available from this US label. The dresses are fun and flirty, and at the moment Forever 21 has a lineup of some gorgeous mixed blush/neutral dresses with little lace, sparkle and portrait back details that would be just perfect for a summer afternoon wedding. Time to be inspired!Read More

Ouma Wedding Dresses

Happy Friday y’all! Now, when I tell you that today I am showcasing Ouma wedding dresses, I definitely do not mean that I am showcasing the kind of old-school dresses your ouma might wear (mind you, with vintage going strong, your real ouma’s wedding dress is probably a stunner!). When I say Ouma, I’m talking an up and coming indie wedding dress label from the US. In the last couple of years, Etsy has become a fantastic source for not just everything handcrafted in general, but for bride’s looking for a very special dress, often at a more reasonable price. Ouma are definitely one of the frontrunners, and with beautiful, slightly out of the box designs that include dreamy tulle skirts and super feminine extras like sparkle and shine, it’s no wonder. And the big win is that they ship internationally, so this is one label that South African brides can also access. Here’s just a few gowns from the current collection. Enjoy!Read More

Julie Vino Orchid Collection

Brides, get ready for some serious dress lust. Julie Vino‘s Orchid collection is AMAZE – a combination of red-hot sexy and extremely feminine and romantic, it really stands out. Based in Tel Aviv, Julie’s a new designer on my radar (although already well established) and I just can’t get enough of her sleek silhouettes and glamorous details. And oh, those details. Hand embroidery, ornate beadwork, shimmer, lace, a shiny gold belt, an Olivia Palermo-style short/skirt combo… This collection has it all. And while it’s currently only available to buy in Israel and the US, I just had to share the inspiration with my South African brides!Read More

Rosa Clara 2015 Collection

You know, when it comes to wedding dress features, I always love featuring Rosa Clara, not just because the gowns are gorgeous (which they are) but because this is a collection that’s available in SA, so I don’t feel like I am taunting my SA-based readers with forbidden fruit. Rosa Clara is one of the ranges carried by the fab Olivelli, so after sighing over the swooniness of this Spanish label, you can get yourself down to your closest store and try on many of the dresses in person. It’s a huge range as wedding collections go, but that means there’s really something for everyone each season, whether your style is Jackie O. preppy, fairytale ballgown, or Daisy Buchanan chic, all created in a range of luxe fabrics with an amazing attention to detail. The 2015 collection is particularly breathtaking – so excited to be sharing it with you today!Read More