Bride - SouthBound Bride

20 Statement Back Wedding Dresses

19 August, 2016 by simoné

If you’re planning your wedding and have given your wedding dress some thought, you might already have some of the lingo down by now. Illusion necklines, tulle layers and lace details are all the rage, but somehow we often forget to mention the back of the dress. Taking into consideration that your guests will be staring at the bride and groom’s backs for the entire ceremony (and I’m sure we all have attended a ceremony that seemed to last forever!) it is just such a pleasant surprise for them not only to be wowed when you walk down the aisle, but also to be in awe of the breathtaking details that have gone into the back of your wedding gown. Seriously, how gorgeous are these wedding dresses with back detail I have found? Have a cuppa while you take your time to look through all the unique dress back styles, and start planning your wow factor today! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

A SouthBound Guide to Wedding Dress Silhouettes

16 August, 2016 by gaby

One of the things you take for granted when you’ve been wedding blogging as long as I have, is that the terminology that’s part of your everyday life isn’t necessarily something that all brides know, off the bat, when they get engaged. After all, you ladies have a lifetime of other things to think about! That’s why I love putting these guides together – quick visual references that give you the tools for your planning, whether that’s in choosing a veil, or deciding on the shape of your bouquet, type of cake, etc. A lot of us know dress silhouettes a bit better, but even if you know your ballgown from your mini, do you know your mermaid from your trumpet? So today we’re focusing on the different dress styles, and illustrating each with some of the most gorgeous gowns I could find on Etsy. Win-win!

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.

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.

20 Romantic Bridal Updos

7 July, 2016 by gaby

We’re ringing in our Thursday with some classic romantic style of the bridal hair variety. Because how much do we love a pretty updo? Tons. It’s the ultimate in sleek sophisticated, but what amazes me is that even after all this time, stylists keep coming up with new and beautiful twists (literally! and braids and curls, etc.) on traditional looks like buns and chignons and tucks. Each of the styles we’ve gathered together has the glamour of an updo, but with the softness and sweetness that a romantic bride craves. But good luck picking a favourite, because they’re all divine!

20 Something Blue Engagement Rings

20 May, 2016 by gaby

2016 has most definitely been the year that gemstone engagement rings have come into their own. And as much as I do love a diamond, I’m also loving seeing this trend evolve, because why shouldn’t there be as much choice in rings as there is taste in jewellery? A couple of months ago, I rounded up some gorgeous morganite sparklers, and it was such a popular post that I thought I would give a little love to the blue stones of the gem world: the sapphires, the aquamarines, the blue topazes, the blue diamonds, and of course, tanzanite. It’s amazing how many beautiful options there are with these gems, and best of all, they’re at a huge variety of price points to suit any budget. So if blue is your colour and you want lots of bling for your buck, consider this statement alternative. After all, if a sapphire was good enough for Princess Kate…
This is not a sponsored post but includes some affiliate links.

15 Breathtaking Blue Wedding Dresses

18 May, 2016 by gaby

Gentle Grey Wedding Dress with Floral Decoration by Cathy Telle

Get ready for some serious dress love, my darlings! A while back, I rounded up some of the absolute DREAMIEST pastel gowns on SBB, and I haven’t stopped dreaming about them since. So when the theme for May was settled on as ‘Something Blue’, I couldn’t wait to go out and source some spectacular blue (and blue-grey) wedding gowns from our favourite online inspirational marketplace, Etsy. And my word, but did I ever find some beauties. Every single one of these blue wedding dresses has something that makes it extra special beyond just the colour (which let’s be honest, is pretty awesome on its own, from baby blue to ice blue to dusty blue!) – a lace detail here, a sparkle there, and a whole lot of cloud-soft tulle. If you weren’t thinking of a ‘something blue’ wedding gown before? Well, you will be now! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

25 February, 2016 by gaby

All of this month we’ve been talking tropical weddings, and a tropical (or any beachy) wedding deserves a beautiful beach wedding dress that’s perfect for sand and sunshine. And, while a girl can pretty much rock whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned, the practical aspects of a beach wedding (sand, heat, humidity) definitely lend themselves to a gown that’s lighter as well as less formal. I love the way that soft textures (which happen to be light and perfect to wear) look in photographs, especially in beautiful beach portraits with the setting sun or the wind ruffling out layers of sheer fabric, so that’s what I’d personally opt for, and while simple shapes work well, there’s no lack of creativity you can apply when adding touches like portrait backs or lace or beading. I’ve rounded up 25 shut-the-front-door-that’s-amazing wedding gowns from beach editorials and real weddings – each dreamier than the last – to inspire.
*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

15 Romantic Morganite Engagement Rings

18 January, 2016 by gaby

Brilliant Oval Cut Morganite Solitaire Engagement Ring by Anye Designs

I can’t think of a better way to end off a crazy Monday than with some jewellery, can you? One of the trends I mentioned last week was alternative engagement rings, which we’re seeing more and more couples choosing for reasons of budget, taste or because of the ethical issues around diamond mining. Etsy is a great place to source artisan jewellery, and while there are many stones to choose from, the ones that really catch my eye are morganite. This rose gold stone is trending big time, and I must admit to being more than a little jealous of anyone who gets to sport its peachy loveliness on their ring finger! There’s one question I do hear from brides from time to time though: ‘Is a morganite ring tacky?’ The short (and the long answer) is no. As with diamonds, you’ll get what you pay for with a morganite engagement ring, so while they tend to be more affordable, you still want to make sure you pay for a good cut. And yes, beryl stones (morganite being one of them) can get cloudy more easily than a diamond, but they clean up super easily with a little TLC so you can easily keep them at their sparkling best. Also yes, there is a morganite engagement ring trend going on right now, but does that mean they won’t stand the test of time? In my opinion no. Their soft colour co-ordinates beautifully with any number of outfits – in fact, I think morganite is just getting started. Bottom line, if you love it, and it suits your personal style, you can’t go wrong. So let’s round up a few of our favourite morganite rings from Etsy, shall we? *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Best of 2015: Wedding Dresses

18 December, 2015 by gaby

In some ways, this is one of my favourite posts of the year, but in another, it’s always one of the hardest to narrow down. I swear, ever year the dresses get prettier! 2015 has been no exception, and after last year’s explosion of colour, it has definitely been the year of lace, with gorgeous portrait backs and illusion necklines, long lace sleeves, nude lace underlays, and plenty of soft, sheer contrasting fabrics. SO romantic. Not that colour didn’t get a look in – I think my absolute favourite gown this year was gold and glam and gorgeous all over, and there was also some seriously pretty ombre going on, as well as soft blush, peach and champagne. What will 2016 bring? I can’t wait to find out.