Category: Bridal Fashion

How to Find a Maternity Wedding Dress

by gaby

Nude White Sequin Maternity Wedding Dress by Agneshka Maternity

*UPDATED FOR 2021* We talk wedding dresses a lot here on SBB, but there’s one type that we’ve never really covered before, and that’s maternity wedding dresses, aka gowns for pregnant brides. Now I think a bride never looks more beautiful than when she has that gorgeous mama-t0-be glow, but at the same time, I imagine it’s a bit of a challenge to find the perfect maternity wedding dress when you’re not a hundred percent sure what your body is going to be doing between that first try-on and the big day. You’re dealing with a whole new body shape, basically, and it’s hard enough for us to flatter the one we normally have, right? It’s your wedding day, and you want to look amazing, not like you’ve been swaddled in a big white mumu, or squeezed into something that shows every lump and bump either.  Choosing a maternity wedding dress is definitely a unique challenge, but fortunately help is at hand! Read on as we answer all your questions on finding the gown of your dreams when you’re dressing for two.

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

Read More

Persy Bridal Spring 2016

by gaby

One of my happiest memories as a little girl is going to watch the ballet – I was just swept away by all those beautiful costumes, and the perfect fluidity of bodies in motion. I still love ballet – I just wish I went to see it more often. So when I saw designer Yaniv Persy‘s latest collection had a touch of the ballet about it, it immediately had my attention, and that was even before I fell in love with the ethereal draping, the magically intricate bodices, and the clever little details. Earlier this year we introduced you to the first collection from Persy Bridal, and I’m super excited to share the Spring 2016 collection from this hot couture label – every dress of which will have a bride feeling like the prima ballerina.Read More

Anna Campbell Spirit Collection

by gaby

Oh it’s been a funny old week… I won’t get into it here, but let’s just say that I’d like to end it off with something pretty. The good news is that that’s exactly what I have for you today, in the form of Anna Campbell‘s hot of the press newest collection. I’m a huge fan of this Australian designer – the slinky feminine silhouettes, the floaty skirts, the spectacular embellishments – and can’t wait to see them come to South Africa. For now, let’s pour ourselves a cup of something hot, sit back and fall into a pretty reverie…Read More

20 Delicate Bridal Garters

by gaby

wedding garters

Silver Wedding Bridal GARTER by Liu My

*UPDATED FOR 2020* So here’s the question: what do you guys really think about wedding garters? Personally, in the past I never really liked them – most of the ones I came across looked a little cheap and nasty, and I kind of hate the whole bouquet/garter toss traditions anyway. But here’s where I love a bridal garter – in a bridal boudoir shoot or in those getting ready shots where you see the garter isn’t just an unnecessary extra, but a really pretty part of the bride’s foundation garments. Something delicate and decadent and spoiley that makes her feel extra pretty. And sexy. And fabulous. Now that I can get behind. So I thought it was high time I rounded up some really gorgeous handmade wedding garters from Etsy that could easily fit the bill.

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

Read More

Hello Darling by Heidi Elnora, Spring 2016 Collection

by gaby

We know brides come with all kinds of style preferences, and that’s why we adore designers who have a little something for everyone. Alongside her gorgeous signature and build-a-bride collections, Alabama-based designer Heidi Elnora last year launched her Hello Darling collection, which has a beautifully relaxed feel that’s perfect for boho, beach and destination brides. Recently she launched the latest installment of the collection for Spring 2016. What I really like about these gowns is that even though they’re ethereal, there’s the same attention to detail you’d find on more formal gowns – after all, just because you’re a free-spirited bohemian bride shouldn’t mean you don’t get all the prettiness! There are peeks of delicate Venetian lace, plunging neck and backlines, embroidered ribbon details… And a lovely 1960s vibe that feels contemporary as well as having a bit of vintage sass. Let’s have a look, shall we?Read More

20 Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses

by gaby

long sleeve wedding dresses from Etsy

Bohemian Wedding Dress by Angellure Bridal

*UPDATED FOR 2021* I swear, every time I spend a few minutes (okay, a couple of hours, but who can help it?) browsing on Etsy, I swear the wedding dresses get more gorgeous. I think it’s extremely cool that brides these days not only have the option of dresses from established designers, but up-and-coming indies from around the world. Which really opens up your choices when it comes to style. Recently, I’ve been absolutely LOVING wedding dresses with sleeves (especially lace ones), so I just had to round up my fave long sleeve wedding dresses from Etsy. And wow, but they are all kinds of winter wonderful and autumn awesome!

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

Read More

Lakum Spring/Summer 2016 Collection

by gaby

Okay seriously, geniuses of the world, when are you going to go ahead and invent teleportation already? Because far too often an invite lands in my inbox and all I want to do is beam myself over to wherever it is. Especially when that place is New York, New York, a city so nice they named it twice, and one of my favourite places on earth. Which is what happened when I got a mail from exciting new Brooklyn-based bridal label Lakum, to preview their S/S 2016 collection (spoiler alert: it’s GORGEOUS). So boo, I couldn’t go, but lucky for me and for you, Lakum have sent over some spectacular lookbook images that will not only make you fall in love with their spectacular gowns, but with New York all over again as well. So let’s take a stroll through the city, while admiring the beautiful Lakum silhouettes. It’s not teleportation, but today it feels like a pretty close second ;)Read More

Mira Zwillinger Stardust Collection

by gaby

Some things are an annual tradition for me. Buying peonies as soon as I can find them. Getting excited when a new season of Greys hits my TV screen (not no more though, thanks Shonda). And every year, when I see the latest collection by Israeli mother and daughter-run label Mira Zwillinger, I declare that this is it, it couldn’t possibly get more lovely and amazing. Except that every year it does. And this year… Wow. I mean, seriously. Wow. Sparkle and lace and illusion and softness and romance and elegant silhouettes. Every single gown in the new Stardust collection is absolutely breathtaking, heart-stopping, knee-melting. As beautiful wedding dresses go, I can’t imagine it gets any better than this. Except that, as is tradition, it probably will ;) Until then… let’s fall in love.Read More

Casey Jeanne’s Jeannelle la Amour Collection

by gaby

Hello beauties – time for some wedding fashion inspiration, courtesy of one of my favourite South African designers. Casey Jeanne is a star on a pretty meteoric rise (and you’ll remember we’ve featured her bespoke gowns in the past). Now, she’s come up with a splendid ready-to-wear collection, Jeannelle la Amour, that’s spreading the word far beyond her home in Durbs. Featuring the designers signature love of detail in lace tattoos, beading and sumptuous fabrics, each one of these gowns is a whisper of loveliness. It’s just hard to pick a favourite! I also love that the collection is a tribute to Casey’s French grandfather, who was orphaned and adopted during the war and moved to South Africa. Alexis Diack took the beautiful pictures, and be sure not to miss the fab video by Wes of The Shank Tank at the end.Read More

30 Super Chic Short Wedding Dresses

by gaby

30 Super Chic Short Wedding Dresses

*UPDATED FOR 2020* With micro weddings and minimonies on the rise in a big way right now, I couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity to showcase short wedding dresses. I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you think about it, some of our greatest fashion heroes over the years have opted for chic and short for their weddings over long and lovely. Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Kiera Knightly, Natalie Portman, Carrie Bradshaw… With that kind of inspiration, it’s actually surprising that more brides don’t opt for the cropped cut. Of course, there’s also a ton of variety under the short dress banner – from mini to tea-length to hi-lo, and so on. All of them have a sassy elegance that’s beautiful at any wedding, but has become especially synonymous with stylish elopements and small weddings (or even as reception dresses for the bride for whom one pretty dress just won’t do). So it’s high time I rounded up my favourites, no? Maybe I can even convert some of you fashion-conscious brideys to the short dress brigade ;)

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

Read More