Trends & Ideas - SouthBound Bride

20 Ethereal Wedding Dresses

24 November, 2016 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Sorry I’m a bit scarce this week, lovelies, but I’m working like a demon on a super important project here at SBB HQ. But I thought in the midst of all the shopping and holiday craziness today, it would be fun to have an oasis of prettiness in the form of 20 ethereal wedding dresses from two of our favourite Etsy designers, Cathy Telle and Mywony Bridal, all of which just make me swoony! If you weren’t convinced by coloured dresses before, you will be, and even if you’re after something more traditional, but with a gorgeous, high fashion edge, this curated collection of ethereal wedding gowns won’t disappoint. So, so beautiful!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Mismatched White Lace Boho Bridesmaid Dresses

7 October, 2016 by gaby

A couple of weeks ago, we rounded up some gorgeous boho wedding dresses here on SBB. But boho isn’t just for brides – oh, noho. Because the only thing better than a stylish gypsy bride is one with a retinue of gorgeous bohemian bridesmaids rocking their own indie bridesmaid dresses. But what does that look like? Of course, the very nature of ‘bohemian’ is that there are no rules, but my favourite look (which happens to gel perfectly with an organic, chilled out, festival wedding vibe) is white lace or crochet dresses, mismatched (of course). Just add some pretty sandals and some wildflowers, and you have the perfect look for your ladies. Which of these white boho bridesmaid dresses is your favourite? *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

20 Wild & Wonderful Bouquets

6 October, 2016 by gaby

When I picked ‘wild beauty’ as an editorial theme, there was one thing I couldn’t wait to include, and that was a roundup of wild bouquets. Wild, organic, hand-tied, unstructured – however you want to refer to them, these beautiful bouquets never fail to catch my eye and tug at my heart when I see them in a real wedding or styled shoot. I’m a huge flower lover and am definitely of the opinion that more can be better – plus, the other thing I like about these bouquets is that floral designers love to make them, especially when you give them a bit of free rein when it comes to texture and size. Giving a creative the chance to have some fun almost always results in something extra beautiful and extra unique, and you’ll see when you look at these twenty gorgeous posies what I’m talking about. So, let the wild (floral) rumpus begin!

Wedding Dresses for a Boho Bride

27 September, 2016 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Hello lovely friends! Sorry we’ve been a bit quiet on SBB – been having a bit of a tech upgrade! Which is a good thing, obvs, but interrupted normal workflows. So I’ve actually decided to extend this month’s ‘Wild Beauty’ theme on through October – after all, I have so much more natural/boho wedding goodness to share with you! Starting with some fashion fabulousness, because oh my word, but Etsy is just a treasure trove for a bohemian bride. I rounded up some gorgeous boho wedding dresses a while back, and today I’ve found 25 more – just wait till you see them!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Bridal Body Jewellery

13 September, 2016 by gaby

JACQUELYN Gold Bridal Shoulder Necklace by Blair Nadeau Bridal (Image: Whitney Heard Photography)

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Just when I think I’ve seen it all in terms of accessories, bridal body jewellery has come along and blown me out of the water. I mean, seriously, could a boho bride (or a glamorous Gatsby bride, or any bride for that matter) ask for more? Pretty, intricate, interesting, feminine pieces that enhance that gorgeous wedding dress of yours and make you look like a total goddess. This is a great option if you’ve chosen a simple dress and want to dress it up a bit, or change up your look between ceremony and reception (or between a minimony and sequel wedding). I’m especially partial to shoulder jewellery at the moment, but I’m also loving the hand chains and barefoot sandals and back necklaces and I thought it was the perfect time to round up some Etsy bridal body jewellery faves.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

20 Super Chic Birdcage Veils

29 August, 2016 by gaby

Mini Birdcage Veil with Pearls by Joy and Felicity (photography by Elizabeth Ngundue Photography)

Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

**Updated for 2020** When I think of the bold, fashion-forward brides we’ve featured over the years, there’s one thing that many of them have in common and that’s the classic birdcage veil. Whether you wear them over the face or super short, close to the face or poufy, and in classic white netting or a variety of other colours and textures, this is one look that never goes out of style. There are loads of ways to wear a birdcage veil, and you can even make your own (as in this gorgeous tutorial we shared last year), but I personally love browsing the Etsy artists’ work for some of the most beautiful and creative examples of the style that you’ll find for sale on the web. Rounding up just twenty of the best birdcage veils was tough, but I’ve narrowed down my faves, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

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!

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

*UPDATED FOR 2020* 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? Bridal jumpsuits are also a stylish choice for your rehearsal dinner or after-party, or for a mini-mony or elopement. Here are some of my favourite looks.

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.