Inspiration - SouthBound Bride

New Bridesmaid Fashion Trends to Look Out For This Season

10 August, 2016 by gaby

We’re still talking fashion but today we’re focusing on the bridesmaid end of the equation. I think when it comes to your girls you have two options – you can go for something that’s more classic and traditional, or you can have a little more fun and pick something on-trend. And yes, if you go for the second option, it’s going to look dated at some point – but then, don’t we all love looking at those pics from our parents and grandparents’ eras and checking out the fashion of the day? Of course, some brides manage to find their balance somewhere in the middle, by picking the more classic-looking of current styles. Whichever way yo go, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the runways in the years leading up to your big day, to get a sense of the cuts and textures and colours that will be available off-the-rack – and you may just fall in love with one of them! So with that in mind, I’ve rounded up ten of the trends that have already begun to make their way into our everyday fashion vocabulary, and that are sure to be the key new bridesmaid looks for 2017 – as well as some of my fave shopping links to get you started.
Top image: Aglow Photography/Alana van Heerden on SouthBound Bride

20 Chic Bridal Jumpsuits

4 August, 2016 by gaby

When I picked the theme of ‘couture’ for this month, I knew this was the perfect time to finally highlight one trend that has quietly been blowing up the catwalk for the last couple of seasons and frankly, just keeps getting prettier. Whether you’re a city bride, a bold fashionista, a same sex bride who chooses not to wear a dress, or any gal who doesn’t feel at home in a skirt, bridal jumpsuits are the perfect look for you. The bridal jumpsuit is no boring pair of pants though – this is a feminine, flattering and beautiful look, which often features details like lace, interesting backs, and gorgeous fabrics, just like a traditional wedding gown. Bianca Jagger did it. Solange Knowles did it. Why not you?
*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Brick & Blush Wedding Inspiration

4 August, 2016 by gaby

Hey there lovelies – hope you all had a good day off yesterday and got out there and voted! I’m stuck in bed with a cold (boooo!), but I’m being cheered up no end by today’s gorgeous editorial, which takes a French industrial glam style, and has filled my page with pretty. Photographer Susan du Toit and stylist Pebble and Lace led a team of talented pros in creating this one, inspired by the new venue, Lace on Timber. The name says it all really – delicious contrast of soft and strong, rough and smooth. We’re loving the whimsical mix of vintage elements, soft blooms (that bouquet though!), copper touches, and of course plenty of candlelight and lace. And let’s not forget the sweetest gold cake, and two seriously gorgeous gowns. Sigh!

Mira Zwillinger Whisper of Blossom Collection

2 August, 2016 by gaby

I promised you guys an abundance of beautiful fashion this month, and I can’t think of a better collection to kick things off with than the 2017 Mira Zwillinger. Long time readers of the blog will know that we’ve been a fan of Mira’s since forever, and every year I look forward to sharing the new collection. Every year I say they couldn’t get more gorgeous, and then they do. This year is no exception. Nobody does ethereal, demure illusion lace like Mira Zwillinger, the embellishment on each gown so delicate it’s almost organic. If a dress could form itself out of flowers, Disney-style, then these would be it – and no wonder, as the collection was inspired by that moment of spring: “when the first buds of life appear on the naked branches, still shuddering from the cold winter… it’s that moment when nature starts to whisper and hum its tune of rebirth and renewal… the moment of pristine stillness, hinting at the eye-opening magnificence to come.” But don’t be fooled by how dainty they look. Having worked with Mira’s dresses on a shoot before, I know that as soft as they appear, each gown is exquisitely constructed. So let’s take a peek at the latest, most beautiful collection from one of my all-time favourite international designers. Dress swoon DELUXE.

10 Custom Bridal Illustration Keepsakes

1 August, 2016 by gaby

Custom Wedding Dress illustration by Art Rose Prints

As we announced this morning, August is couture month on SBB (loving this theme!). One aspect of fashion that I personally adore is fashion illustration, and I follow a number of brilliant illustrators on Instagram. But outside of being involved in the fashion world, it’s not often that you’d get to have your very own illustration. Let’s be honest, it’s not often you might have a dress designed for you either! That’s what makes a wedding dress the perfect opportunity, and a fashion illustration of your gown the perfect keepsake. Some designers will create one for you themselves, but if that’s not the case, or if you’re buying a dress instead of having it made, that doesn’t mean you should lose out. I found some wonderful illustrators on Etsy who will do custom designs, and I just had to share them with you! Each has a slightly different style and medium, but they’ll all take an image of your gown and turn it into a masterpiece that you can display with pleasure in your home or office – or give as a gift to someone else.

Paper Couture Wedding Inspiration

1 August, 2016 by gaby

It’s a new month, you guys! That means a new editorial theme, and BOY am I excited about this one! This August, we’re all about the fashionable and the fabulous, hot trends and haute couture, and everything Vogue. We’ll be featuring some avant garde ideas, some fresh-from-the-runways inspiration, but also plenty of achievable ways to make your wedding fashion forward without losing sight of the fact that it’s a wedding and not a show. We’ll be spotlighting designers both local and international, breaking down the hottest trends, and most excitingly for me, I have the most INSANELY amazing styled shoots to share (alongside our usual crop of beautiful real weddings, of course). Starting with this absolute showstopper. I can’t think of a better way to kick things off than with this high concept editorial by Samantha Clifton and her very talented team, including Blank Canvas Event Design and paper genius Hermien from PLANK Create, who created a whole shoot around the idea of using paper as fabric on your wedding day. You heard me – paper. And if you already think you know what paper can do, just wait until you see what they came up with, because from headpieces to bouquets to clothing to giant angel wings, each piece is not just beautiful (and recyclable!) but a totally covetable work of art. And if you can’t wear art on your wedding day, when can you? I’m blown away by the whole thing, and I know you will be too!

20 Romantic Draped Ceremony Arches

27 July, 2016 by claire

Dreaming of an outdoor ceremony? Then you are going to adore today’s inspiration roundup. Romantically draped arches are such dreamy decor elements. Cascading, sheer fabrics and ropes of gorgeous florals create the most exquisite backdrop for saying your “I dos”. Whether it’s a flutter of cotton draped over a simple wooden frame adorned with fragrant foliage, or a four poster canopy with layers of sheer fabric and a crystal chandelier, there are many ways to style an unforgettable ceremonial arch. Take note of this lovelies, draped arches aren’t limited to the altar area so why not create a fabulous draped entrance or even a series of arches down the aisle?

Inspiration Board: Marble & Blush

26 July, 2016 by gaby

Recently marble has been making a bit of a design splash in wedding world. I couldn’t think of a better way to put a twist on classic monochrome, and when you add in a hint of the softest blush, you have a new twist on the classic but a bit been-there-done-that blush and grey palette too. I especially love the idea of having all the big colour blocks – linens, bridesmaid dresses, flowers, etc. stick with the white and pale grey look, and then having the bride wear an ethereal blush gown. The trick in general is to keep things white and bright, letting marble’s cold palette work for you and its pretty texture keep things interesting, and then warm things up with the lightest touch of metallics and pink. The result is trendy but timeless – the perfect combo!

Colours: Pewter, dove grey, white & blush

Top row (l-r): Marble wedding invitation (Upon A Time Paperie) | Marble escort cards (Blush Wedding Photography/Alicia Keats/Lele Chan Designs) | Marble wedding cake (Sweet Bakes)
Row 2: Engagement ring (Amber Hatley Photography/Stephanie Scholl Events/Trumpet and Horn/The Mrs. Box) | Place setting (Brushfire Photography/Lesley Lau) | Dove grey bridesmaid dress (Maids to Measure) | Pink champagne (White Loft Studio)
Row 3: Blush wedding dress (Carousel Fashion) | Marbled ribbon (Mike Krautter/Silk and Willow) | Shoes (Mint Photography/Event Solutions/Enzo Angiolini)

Top left: In Stone Wedding Invitation by Upon A Time Paperie | Top right: Regent Dress in Dove Grey by Maids to Measure | Bottom: Orchidee Wedding Gown by Carousel Fashion

Links in bold denote affiliate links. SouthBound Bride may make a commission if a sale is made.

Sunset Selfie Couple Shoot

23 July, 2016 by gaby

We don’t usually post on Saturdays, but I couldn’t wait another minute to share this couple shoot, which might be one of the most unique I’ve ever seen! For one thing, the couple shot it themselves. Yep, that’s right, you heard me – this is basically the couple shoot equivalent of a selfie, but soooooooo much better. Steph and Elaine are photographers themselves, the powerhouse duo behind Dust and Dreams Photography, and when it came to their eight year anniversary, they wanted to do something a bit different. “We wanted something that wasn’t bought but still tangible – an heirloom,” Elaine says. “And as we have been taking our own pictures long before the word ‘selfie’ even existed (and have an ancient tripod to prove it!) We decided on a couple’s shoot for ourselves instead of the traditional gift of bronze or pottery.” The results are gorgeous, intimate, fun – and completely unique! Plus, who can resist the couple’s sweet pups who make a guest appearance? So enjoy, and here’s hoping your weekend is filled with moments as full of love and laughter as these are.

A SouthBound Guide to Veil Types

18 July, 2016 by gaby

Image: Kate Pleasants on SouthBound Bride

When it comes to classic and romantic wedding inspiration, there’s nothing more representative than the traditional (or even the traditional-with-a-twist) wedding veil. Long or short, I love these beauties. So I thought it was the perfect time to update one of the most popular posts from deep in the archive, our guide to bridal veils and types of wedding veils. A veil dictionary, if you will. And of course, I just had to update it with lots of beautiful, pinnable images. The best part? You can actually buy any one of the different veils featured here for your own wedding – just click on the links in bold. Of course, you may not want to rock a veil at all, but if you’re considering it, read on, because you’re about to discover a whole world of pretty options you didn’t even know existed! Links in bold denote sponsored affiliate links. SouthBound Bride may earn a commission if a sale is made.