Bridesmaid gowns are one of my FAVE parts of weddings, you guys, and let me tell you, when I’m looking at submissions they always catch my eye. And catch my breath sometimes too, because some brides get this so, so right. Whether the look is uniform or mismatched, classic or fashion forward, and whether the colours of the bridesmaid dresses complement or reflect the wedding palette, a well dressed group of ladies always stands out, and they always make the bride look extra amazing (tell THAT to anyone who says your bridesmaids shouldn’t upstage you by looking good). This year we’ve seen such a range of looks, and I loved every one, but eventually managed to narrow them down to these twenty favourites. So get inspired, and then if you like them, get shopping – links in bold denote affiliate links; SBB may earn a commission on any sales made.
from MEGAN & NICK’S COUNTRY CLASSIC WEDDING
Photography: Kristi Agier | Bride’s dress: Janita Toerien
from HEIDI & SHAUN’S INTIMATE COUNTRY GARDEN WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Truworths | Photography: Long Exposure | Bride’s dress: Ever After Wedding Attire
Heidi says: “I had five bridesmaids, who looked beautiful and feminine in their floral dresses! The dresses were definitely one of my favourite details when looking back- they were so well suited to the venue. They wore wedge pumps with only a slight heel so that they could be comfortable in the outdoor venue. I wanted them to have dresses that made them feel like princesses but that were also practical enough to wear at other events and keep them cool and comfortable through the wedding. I think these dresses accomplished all of that.”
from CHANTELLE & CHRISTIAN’S COZY & ELEGANT WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Tiara on Kloof | Photography: Justin Davis Photography | Bride’s dress: Brides of Somerset
Chantelle says: “I had the most amazing girls that stood next to me as we said “I do”. I had six bridesmaids and chose a dark navy dress for them, one that would fit with all body types, including my sister (who was eight months pregnant) and looked so beautiful. I bought each of them white pearl earrings and had the make up artist put red lipstick on them.”
from KELLY & DEAN’S ROMANTIC PREPPY WEDDING
Photography: Tasha Seccombe | Bride’s dress: Delavida
from KARIN & CHRIS’ RELAXED RUSTIC WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Forever New | Photography: Leandri Kers | Bride’s dress: White Lilly Bridal
Karin says: “I ended up having five bridesmaids, which seems like quite a few, but I just could not see myself getting married without any of them by my side. My three sisters and my two besties were amazing! I chose soft pink one-shoulder dresses that complemented the colour scheme, as well as my bridesmaids. The dresses were comfortable and cool, which was perfect for the hot summer day.”
from ALLANE & WIM’S CONTEMPORARY LUXE WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Carike Nel Designs | Photography: Louise Vorster Photography | Bride’s dress: Bridal Wardrobe
Allane says: “I had three bridesmaids. Their dresses were designed and made by Carike Nel Designs. She is amazing with so much talent. I didn’t want to make them a typical bridesmaid dress that they would only be able to wear once, and as I knew the area that we were going to get married in was going to be very hot at that time of the year, I decided on short length dresses. I loved how they looked and to me they were the most stunning bridesmaids that I had ever seen.”
from JESSICA & DAVID’S NAVY & LAVENDER WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Quiz | Photography: Fiona Clair Photography | Bride’s dress: Marshmallow Bride
Jessica says: “I had four bridesmaids. Personally, I despise the typical bridesmaid dress and it is just not my style. I wanted them to look sexy and glamorous, without a shred of tulle or satin near them, and when they walked down the aisle I wanted everyone to say: “how hot are her bridesmaids!” So I chose full sequined, figure hugging, high slit, navy blue dresses for them. I wanted dramatic eye make up (as they all have beautiful eyes), very simple jewellery (as the dresses were already blingtastic), and nude shoes.”
from CANDICE & BYRON’S FLORAL LUXE WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Mango | Photography: Knot Just Pics | Bride’s dress: Enzoani from Bridal Wardrobe
Candice says: “I had seven bridesmaids, all different heights and dress sizes. I wanted something plain and flowing that would suit everyone. I found their dresses on sale at Mango in white and had them dyed blush pink.”
from KYLLIE & TOM’S GLAMOROUS GREENERY WEDDING
Photography: Vanilla Photography | Bride’s dress: Pronovias
Kyllie says: “I asked my bridesmaids to each choose their own dress because I wanted them to be able to wear them again and I wanted them to feel amazing on the day. The brief was a long black dress. It was so fun seeing what they chose and I honestly loved each and every dress. They looked so beautiful.”
from DIANNE & DAMIAN’S VIBRANT GREENERY WEDDING
Bride & bridesmaids’ dresses: Mint Studios| Photography: Ruby Jean Photography
Dianne says: “I had three bridemaids. All the girls were different shapes and heights and I wanted them all to feel comfortable in their dress, so we all decided on a design. Jacky also made their dresses. We wanted them to be floaty and in white to match the simple, rustic and relaxed wedding.”
from MOSA & MZWA’S HEARTFELT WINTER WEDDING
Photography: Kristi Agier
from CHRIS-MARIE’S HEINRICH WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Woolworths | Photography: Rianka’s Wedding Photography | Bride’s dress: Galli Eveningwear
Chris-Marie says: “I had five bridesmaids and the day would not have been the same without them. Again very natural. I knew from the start I wanted maxi skirts with white tops… we decided to mix it up with different tops. And of course copper coloured accessories.”
from NIKKI & ROBBIE’S TIMELESS BLUSH WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Leonie Jardin | Photography: Lauren Kriedemann | Bride’s dress: Robyn Roberts
Nikki says: “Three of my best friends, who all have gorgeous figures, so it was easy selecting a style for them. They all wore matching blush pink, hand beaded gowns with floaty chiffon skirts for a romantic and soft finish.”
from LISE & TIAAN’S ELEGANT CAPE TOWN BEACH WEDDING
Photography: Samantha Clifton Photography | Bride’s dress: Beloved
Lise says: “I had four bridesmaids. I wanted long dresses for all of them, evening-style, not casual, and different shades and styles. They each chose a dress themselves that they felt comfortable and beautiful in.”
from CHANTELLE & WJ’S RUSTIC ROMANTIC WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: YDE | Photography: Clareece Smit | Bride’s dress: De La Vida
Chantelle says: “I had four bridesmaids. The colour of the dress had to be the same but I let them choose the style that fit their personalities best. I bought about ten dresses that I liked and they had to chose from those.”
from ANRI & ABRI’S FARM CHARM WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Adri du Plessis | Photography: Hello Love Photography | Coordinator: Danie Gordon-van Dyk | Bride’s dress: Marianna Zwaan Designs
Anri says: “I had three of my best friends as bridesmaids. Their dresses were custom-made according to a very elegant, yet simple style I picked out for them. Their dresses were made from a combination of pearl-white stretch lace to create the bodice and a taupe chiffon for the skirt, personalised with a wooden doll brooch and a feminine bracelet with a pink semi-precious stone to add that extra bit of glamour.”
from ERIN & ROB’S FLORAL & METALLIC WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: House of Fraser | Photography: Cheryl McEwan | Bride’s dress: Love Bridal
Erin says: “I wanted their dresses to be something very different and striking. Thy had to match the metallic theme, so we found gorgeous sequin dresses for them which everyone loved. They really sparkled!”
from SAM & DARRYN’S OCEAN BLUE WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Gelique | Photography: Lightburst Photography | Bride’s dress: Enzoani at Bridal Wardrobe
Sam says: “I asked my sisters and my good friend to be my bridesmaids. I wanted them to be comfortable and I like the mismatched trend, so they wore infinity dresses worn in different styles and different shades of blue.”
from MINETTE & LOUIS’ RUSTIC FARM WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dress: Forever New & ZARA | Photography: Linda Fourie | Bride’s dress: LOCA Bridal
Minette says: “My sister was my maid of honor. I also wanted to stay with the vintage earthy style for her outfit, so we went with a lace skirt with flower detail and a blue lace crop top that fit in with the blue colour of the wedding.”
from ELBÉ & ROSS’ GRAPHIC INNER CITY WEDDING
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Mariaan van der Walt | Photography: Jules Morgan | Coordinator: Bride (studio vwaco) | Bride’s dress: Lace Blossom
Elbé says: “My bridesmaids were dressed in custom-made gowns with elegant black bodices and silk charcoal skirts and the flower girls were dressed in white and grey dresses.”
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