Real Wedding at Rustenberg {Nicolene & Greeff}

There’s a thought that’s been brewing for a while now, and I’m just going to say it. It’s about bridesmaid dresses. Not, probably, what you’d consider one of the more important expenses for your wedding. Maybe not even something you think deserves a lot of thought. But I’ve got to tell you ladies, as someone who looks at dozens of weddings every day, it’s something that (when done well) stands out every time. Just think about how many bridesmaid pictures you’ve repinned on Pinterest. The bridesmaids – in colour and style – can encapsulate or complement the wedding look or colour scheme, and your favourite girls make for an amazing set of pictures for the album. You don’t have to spend a fortune, especially with the mismatched trends of today, but do take some time to get this look right (and tell the hubs that yes, it IS important you spend another hour on ASOS). Take today’s wedding, for example. You have a beautiful, radiant bride. Pretty as a picture florals, some lovely stationery, a stunning garden venue. It would already be a fabulous wedding. But completing the picture is a bevvy of bridesmaids in the loveliest neutral lace dresses and mix and match hairstyles. They look awesome, and that, in my book, is money and time well spent. So don’t be shy about treating your besties to a gown that they’ll feel amazing in (and that will complement your own look) – just make sure that, like Celeste Prince of Aglow Photography, today’s brilliant photographer, yours gets plenty of pictures of all of you having fun together!Read More

Lace Bridesmaid Dresses

Image: via Belle the Magazine

Anyone who knows me would never describe me as a fashionista (I’m more of a uniform dresser – find one thing that works and buy it in every colour), but I absolutely love doing wedding fashion posts, especially since bridesmaid dresses have started taking on trends from fashion in general and not being a sort of fashion of their own (shiny, strapless, blush and bashful). Brides nowadays make so much effort to pick something their girls will wear again (although I wonder how many do, however pretty the dress is) and with the mismatched look here to stay, bridesmaids can also choose something that really flatters them and reflects their personal style. For 2013 there are a few key looks emerging, so in the next few weeks I thought I would bring you some inspiration from real weddings, as well as some of my favourite off the rack options. Today we’ll start with probably the biggest trend in SA right now – lace dresses. I personally love this one – it’s pretty, it’s textured, it works with the vintage look so many brides are going for without looking fusty, and believe it or not a lace dress is incredibly flattering (the one I own always draws compliments). Neutral lace works beautifully, but so do colours or little black lace dresses, as you’ll see below. And who says portrait backs are just for the bride? I love the way this extra touch of prettiness works in photos and there’s no doubt your girl will feel like a million bucks. Which of the looks below is your favourite? For the most recent bridesmaid dress finds, check in with our Bridesmaid Boutique Pinterest Board.Read More