Best Bridal Accessories of 2014

Hello lovelies! Yesterday I shared with you our top 20 dresses for the year, and today we’re taking a closer look at bridal style – those little accessories and accents that complete a bride’s big impression beyond the dress itself. And as with their dresses, our brides’ choices have ranged from classical to quirky with everything in between. There has been lots of boho loveliness in particular this year, as well as winter brides in the prettiest capes and coverups. Here are our favourite looks and trends.

Dress: Alana van Heerden | Photography: Alice Swan | VIEW WEDDING

We loved every handmade detail of Jana & Jan-Dirk’s folksy autumn wedding, and we especially loved the way Jana topped off her beautifully boho lace and swiss dot wedding dress with a brown leather belt, and accessorised the look with bangles and leather bracelets. In fact, a few of our brides this year rocked belts and sashes – we loved them all!

Photography: Jules Morgan | VIEW WEDDING

Having separate ceremony and reception dresses are one thing, but we have to give extra style props to the gorgeous Ndoni who rocked the prettiest something blue for her lunchtime-pre-reception, before changing into a more traditional white dress for her sunset ceremony to hubby David and their ruby red evening reception. Both were gorgeous, but the blue, with its floaty little summer salsa skirt, really stole my heart!

Photography: Alexis Diack | VIEW WEDDING

We love a barefoot bride, so our favourite footwear this year was this delicate pair of silk and pearl ‘flipflops’ – beyond perfect for Marilize & Keith‘s Mozambique beach wedding.

Top left: Accessories: Lovisa & Dear Rae | Hair & makeup: Nathaline Renaud
Photography: Dearheart Photos | VIEW WEDDING
Top right: Hair: Karen Van Wyngaard | Photography: Lad and Lass Photography | VIEW WEDDING
Bottom left: Flower crown: Glynnis at Talloula | Hair & makeup: Alana at Make Up Your Mind
Photography: Vanilla Photography | VIEW WEDDING
Bottom right: Accessories: Call it Spring & Lovisa | Hair & makeup: Aldytha from Make Up Your Mind
Photography: Lad & Lass Wedding Photography | VIEW WEDDING

So many homegrown beauties with flowers in their hair this year – boho brides and flower crowns really took the (wedding) cake! These are four of our absolute faves.

Hair & makeup: Charelle McAllister | Photography: Alexis Diack | VIEW WEDDING

Spectacular headpieces are another way to work that boho magic, and this year we especially loved Taryn‘s fit-for-an-elven-princess style. And PS – look out for her colourful nails!

Left: Dress: Berna Kotze | Hair & makeup: Marchet Terblanche | Photography: Moira West Photography
VIEW WEDDING
Right: Golden Leaf Hairpiece: Mignonne Handmade | Hair: Lynette van Zyl | Makeup: CK Make-up
Photography: Van der Bijl Photography | VIEW WEDDING

I don’t know if this is an actual trend or if two of our clever brides just had the same eco-fabulous idea, but I adore the metallic leaves that both Liezel (left) and Leigh (right) rocked as part of their wedding looks. Very cool.

Dress: Leelas | Photography: Jack and Jane Photography | VIEW WEDDING

Manisha was one of our first brides of the year, but we couldn’t forget her traditional Indian style. We especially adore how Manisha combined intricate jewellery, fabrics and henna tattoos with the simplest of calla lily bouquets – so elegant!

Left: Photography: Fiona Clair | VIEW WEDDING
Right: Dress: Casey Jeanne | Photography: Fiona Clair | VIEW WEDDING

Capes were another big trend we saw this year – in fact, look out for a little feature on them soon, as this is definitely a look that will carry into 2015. Those worn by Jolene (left) (and her bridesmaids!) and Tamara (right) were two of our favourites!