Bridal Fashion - SouthBound Bride

Cymbeline Paris 2013 La Parisienne Collection

11 January, 2013 by gaby

Audrey Hepburn said it: Paris is always a good idea. And it’s not just the city in general that I have a total crush on, it’s the people. Parisian women (oh heck, all French women) are so impossibly chic, they frighten me a little. I look at the Facebook albums of French friends and wonder how not only do they always look perfectly put together, but so do their mothers, their grandmothers, their friends. I mean, we Italians have bella figura, but the French… well, they’re something else entirely. I’m not sure it’s something you can learn or buy or replicate – I have a feeling it’s part of the DNA. But what you can do, if you want to have that je ne sais quoi on your wedding day, is to invest in a dress by Cymbeline Paris. If there’s one label that embodies that French knack for combining vintage and modern, timeless and fashionable, formal and avant garde, then this is it. There’s even a bridal trench coat, fergoodnesssakes. Here’s what they had to say about it themselves: The Parisian lady is known worldwide for her “unconventional chic”. She highlights the basics and makes her daring a major asset. Everything is about attitude, being in tune with oneself and combining this with a little bit of irreverence.
I love every piece in this collection – appropriately named Le Parisienne – and even better, it’s photographed around the beautiful city, so we can do some Paris travel dreaming at the same time. Sigh. Oh, and the male model in this shoot aint too hard on the eyes neither. Oui to all of it! Enjoy.Read More

Molteno Creations Bridal Shoot

15 November, 2012 by gaby

Good afternoon, lovelies, I have some eye candy for you. Because we all love to look at gorgeous dresses, don’t we? Especially when they come from a local designer – in this case, Molteno Creations. I am hearting the hell out of the way that these pretty, unique but extremely wearable dresses have been styled with a slight vintage edge – I’m LOVING the red lip and feather headpiece (from Carrie B.) especially. Fab Cape photographer Abigail K. was behind the lens, capturing all the bridal fashion loveliness to share with you.Read More

Rosa Clara 2013

9 November, 2012 by gaby

Time for some more dress inspiration, my lovelies! When Natasha of Olivelli Cape Town told me the new Rosa Clara collection was in-store, I popped right over (virtually, obvs) to check out what this beautiful Spanish label had for us and oh my word, I am in LOVE. It’s like a cross between all the dress fashions I am obsessing about at the moment. A lot of Holly Golightly-esque 1950s/early 1960s styling, plenty of sheer and lace, a touch of ballet and feathery skirts, sweet pastels and some slinky chic numbers. With over 75 dresses in the collection, there really is something for every kind of bride, but I thought I would round up my Top 10. Okay, slightly more than 10. But whatever, they’re BEAUTIFUL.Read More

Feather Wedding Dresses & Feather Bridal Capes

26 September, 2012 by gaby

*COMPLETELY UPDATED FOR 2021* Of all the trends in wedding dresses right now, none has caught my eye quite like the use of feathers (usually ostrich). Like ruffles, only better. It must be heaven to float down the aisle in one of these beauties, whether it’s flirty feather accents around the neckline or hem, a feather bodice (so Swan Lake), or a full feather skirt that seems to froth around the wearer like a wave. They’ve been making a big impact on the bridal catwalks, and they’re perfect for the bold, whimsical feel that we’re seeing in 2021 bridal fashion. Whether your style is boho, glamorous, romantic, or Gatsby vintage, there’s a feather gown out there to catch your fancy. So here’s an inspirational roundup of ostrich feather wedding dresses, and some gorgeous feather bridal capes and boleros to share too!

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

Mira Zwillinger Reflections Collection

7 September, 2012 by gaby

To celebrate the publication of our Sparkle & Blush images in My Wedding Day, I thought it was high time I shared with you the jaw-dropping dresses we were lucky enough to include in this shoot. I am seriously so in love with them, possibly even more so now than when I first saw them. They’re the kind of dresses that will have your guests gasping as the church doors open, that will bring a tear to your husband’s (father’s, mother’s, bridesmaid’s) eye, that you’ll still be sneaking into the spare bedroom cupboard years after the wedding just to steal another look at. They’re works of fashion art, simple as that. The designer behind all this gorgeousness is Mira Zwillinger, who established her studio in Israel in 1991. Her couture designs are now available in New York and London (where Browns Bride were kind enough to lend them to us), and will soon be in Australia too. Her 2012 collection, Reflections, is a collaboration with her daughter Lihi (after whom one of my favourite dresses is named) and is inspired by glass sculpture – designs which appear to share the light, reflective qualities, but are made from the softest fabrics, sourced from Paris and Milan. Get ready to do some actual swooning.

A Beautiful Illusion {Portrait Back Wedding Dresses}

22 August, 2012 by gaby

K-Patz in happier days. Tut tut, Kristin. No more sparkly boyfriend for you.

Blame it on Kristin Stewart. (I mean, she’s getting blamed for everything else right now, why not.) I thought the biggest style statement of that there Twilight wedding would be the hanging blooms, but it turns out that Bella’s gorgeous illusion back gown was the big winner. With lace being huge right now, I am seeing beautiful lace backs popping up everywhere, and goodness if they don’t always catch my breath. Now I’ll admit, there’s a bit of envy here because no way no how am I ever going to be wearing one of these in any form (let’s just say the look gets a little ruined by a bra strap, and I get a little ruined without a bra), but for you ladies who can pull this look off, they make an incredibly stylish and romantic statement. (For the rest of us, of course, there are still illusion necklines which are also a big trend, but that’s another post). There’s something about the mixture of covered and sheer, of lace and skin, that makes them simultaneously demure and sexy. Just one note of caution – if you have your heart set on wearing your hair down (or even half down, or in a ponytail), give this dress style a miss. No point in covering up Mona Lisa’s smile!

To get you inspired, I thought I would introduce you to some of the key designers who have been working this look recently, and then show you my local favourite.Read More

Stephanie Allin 2013 Night & Day Collection

13 July, 2012 by gaby

I do love a bit of designer dress inspiration, and I’ve been dying to share this with you ever since I saw the pics of Stephanie Allin‘s 2013 collection (Night and Day) which debuted at the White Gallery this year (boo, I was in Durban and missed it). Then I read that the collection was being shot in Fez, and had partly been inspired by the soft pinks and blues, amber, and metallics found in Morocco, with a bit of a seventies flare added in, and I knew I had to wait until the official pictures were released. So worth the wait. I absolutely love this soft and feminine collection, with layers of texture, and Morocco makes the perfect exotic backdrop to show it off. It has me yearning for a trip back to North Africa to swan around in souks and rock the riads. Maybe even frequent a couple of gin joints. But until then, here are some of my favourites from the collection – and come back later today when I’ll have lots more Moroccan inspiration!Read More

Brides in Cardigans

18 July, 2011 by gaby

I promised a follow up to my post on bridesmaids in cardigans, and here it is! And after all, why should your girls get to have all the pretty? There are so many reasons why this works for brides as well. First, if you’re having a religious ceremony and want to cover your shoulders, they’re a sweet and more laid back alternative to sleeves or a bolero. Or, if you’re getting married at a time of year where the weather isn’t going to be brilliant, wearing a cardie will be your saving grace through a long couple shoot (nothing worse than trying to look hot and relaxed when all you can think about his how chillsome you’re feeling!). Or your cardie could be a late night addition – perfect for wearing as your guests see you off into the cold evening air. Plus, cardigans are a great style choice for an autumn or winter wedding – they add a pop of colour to your white dress and work in anything from soft, neutral colours to statement brights. And who could forget the ultimate jersey girl, aka Princess Kate? (OK, not jersey, darling, but angora. Still, Kate knew how to work her evening cover up.) What about you? Would you wear a cardigan with your wedding dress? Have a look at these lovelies, worn by real brides around the web.
Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

How to Wear a Birdcage Veil

9 March, 2011 by gaby

Tulle Birdcage Veil with Lace by January Rose Boutique

It only takes a quick look at my webstats to know that brides love birdcage veils! But did you know that there’s more than one kind? Or maybe you’re wondering how to style one with long hair down, or with a chic updo? We’ve rounded up some of the best birdcage veils from Etsy, and added top tips for how to rock ’em!

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