Category: Bridesmaids

Mismatched Bridesmaid Accessories 3 {Jewellery, Hairpieces, Stockings, Cardigans}

by gaby

Source: Michelle Lindsay Photography

Hello friends – hope you’re having a great day! Today I’m bringing you the third and final installment of my roundups on mismatched bridesmaid accessories (see here for bouquets, and here for shoes) – even I can’t believe there are so many ways to let your ladies express themselves! Today I have even more amazing ideas, literally from top to toe! Just a word of caution – all of these trends work best when you use one or combine two at the most (including the dresses themselves), so don’t go overboard. For example, you could put your girls in the same black dresses with different coloured shoes and bouquets to match them, or mismatched dresses in the same colour with different statement necklaces. It’s all about making a style statement, not looking like they’re going to a fancy dress party! The good news is that you can be really creative, depending on the time of year, the style of your wedding or even your personal style. If you love wearing scarves and your wedding is in autumn, give each of your ladies a beautiful and unique scarf to wear. Or if, like me, you’re a fan of chunky cocktail rings, gift each of your girls with a different ring for a special touch to add to their look that will always make them think of you. I think this trend will just continue to grow – I can’t wait to see what maids will be rocking next season!Read More

Mismatched Bridesmaid Accessories Part 2 {Shoes}

by gaby

Source: Emily Johnston Anderson via Ruffled

Hello friends! Isn’t this week just the best? So thrilling to see another South African gold in the pool last night, and an absolutely brilliant one at that. Go the Chad. Just one post today, as I’m heading off to Wimbledon to watch some Olympic tennis. So exciting! I don’t know exactly what we’ll get to see live, but I know Andy Murray’s playing in the afternoon, so I’m sure the atmosphere will be amazing! But right back in Weddingville, we’re getting excited about shoes. For a change. Okay, yes, we’re always excited about shoes here, but in this case it’s shoes that reflect the mismatched bridesmaid trend we’ve been seeing in the last couple of seasons. A couple of weeks ago we spoke about one type of lovely mismatched accessory (flowers) and today it’s all about letting your BMs’ feet do the talking. Get ready to say “shoe-wa-wa!” Read More

Mismatched Bridesmaid Accessories Part 1 {Bouquets}

by gaby

Source: Stephanie Williams Photography via Before the Big Day

One of the biggest trends of the last couple of years has to be the move away from uniform bridesmaid dresses, to putting your girls in a variety of styles or colours that complement each other. I still get a little thrill whenever I see this done well, and I know that it’s made many bridesmaids themselves happy, including me. But what if you really want your girls to wear the same dresses, and still want to distinguish them? To let them each express their personality a little? Then this series of posts is for you. In Part 1 we’ll be looking at the mini-trend of individual bouquets. This has to be one of my all-time favourite bridesmaid trends! Probably because of how much I love flowers – the idea of having several beautiful bouquets instead of just one with variations really excites me.Read More

Bridesmaids in Cardigans

by gaby

Bridesmaids in Cardigans

It might be sunny in London at the moment (ha! worst summer in years, for the record) but I know my South African readers are feeling the chill. I know this because my mother, who lives in Durban, where it’s never anything less than about 30 degrees, keeps telling me how cold they are. Which probably only means it’s too cold to get in the pool, but not do anything drastic like wear long sleeves or anything. So my mom may not be getting any sympathy from me (sorry, ma!), but in Cape Town and much of the rest of the country, it gets a bit more nippy noodles. And if you’ve chosen to have a winter wedding (or hell, a spring or fall wedding, with the unpredictability of the weather these days), today’s roundup is just for you. In fact, the bridesmaid cardigan trend makes me feel so cosy that it’s almost worth having an out of season wedding for! One word: Cardies. Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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How to Style the White Bridesmaid Dress Trend

by gaby

*Updated for 2018*  It’s official: the white bridesmaid dress trend started by Kate and William at their royal wedding is here to stay. Ever since Pippa Middleton showed up in that dress, and brides around the world started thinking “hmm, maybe I should have my bridesmaids in white too” – well, this particular taboo became history once and for all (although, for the record, if you’re a guest and you wear white you’re still an asshat). And yes, your granny might disapprove. But once she sees how beautiful your crew looks… well, I think she’ll come around. Whether it’s a beach wedding or an elegant vineyard soiree, they look crisp and classic (and give you a perfectly clean palette). Need some extra convincing yourself? Just take a look at this roundup of lovely bridal parties. And then check out our top tips for styling the white bridesmaid dress trend so that the bride still stands out, as you should!
This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Bridesmaid Dos & Don’ts

by gaby

Image: Yolandé Marx on SouthBound Bride

What does being a bridesmaid mean to you? For me, it’s having your closest girl friends with you and part of one of the most important and exciting things you’ll do. Over the years we’re there to dry each other’s tears, be each other’s cheerleaders, celebrate each other’s successes. We’re sisters, whether by birth or by design. So there’s something very special about including those same women who have been with you through it all in the mechanics of your special day. Just like the heart of a wedding is the commitment between two people, the heart of having a wedding party is that they are your witnesses, and that makes them part of your marriage as well as your wedding. I’ve done my fair share of bridesmaiding over the years and loved every minute of it, but I’ve also learned some big lessons about what can make the experience wonderful and what can make it a chore on both sides. So here are my top tips for brides and bridesmaids!

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