Bridal Fashion - SouthBound Bride

Introducing Bride&co’s New 2018 Collection

17 April, 2018 by gaby

If you’re looking for a wow-worthy dress this season, then pull up a chair and get comfortable, because I’m about to sweep you off your feet! Bride&co, South Africa’s most beloved wedding and eveningwear store, have just celebrated their ten year anniversary by launching their 2018 Collection and I have a feeling you are going to love it! It’s not just wedding dresses either, but breathtaking occasionwear for the ladies (matric dance dress, ball, whatever you need), and suits for the boys too. And the wedding gowns… oh my. I’ve long been a fan of the Oleg Cassini and Viola Chan brands, and to see them available in SA (alongside the Bride&co in-house label) is amazing – I can’t wait to feature brides walking down the aisle in these beauties! Last month I was treated to a showcase of all this gorgeousness in Johannesburg and I couldn’t stop snapping away on my phone – each piece in the full 2018 Collection is more spectacular than the last! Whatever your bridal style or body shape, there’s something here for you, from dreamy princess ballgowns to sophisticated, slinky numbers. And as I mentioned, I LOVE that Bride&co is not just for brides anymore (er, someone invite me to a red carpet event now please!) With ten stores nationwide and a wide variety of suits, suit separates and dresses on offer, the Bride&co and Eurosuit team are able to help customers style their perfect look, whatever the occasion. Let’s take a look, shall we? Expect to be wowed.

20 Chic & Sheer Wedding Dresses

13 March, 2018 by gaby

FRIGGA Floral Lace Wedding Dress by Milamira Bridal

*UPDATED FOR 2021* Sheer and lace wedding dresses are where it’s at – a chic, sexy, super feminine way of expressing your fashionable self that I absolutely love. From the established illusion neckline and illusion back style, to nude lade gowns and sheer fabrics, to sheer panels showing off flashes of ‘skin’ (usually lining, in fact, which makes the look ironically and surprisingly quite modest), the whole thing is sheer perfection! We’ve rounded up 20 BREATHTAKING gowns from Etsy 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.

10 Dreamy Wedding Dresses Under £500

23 February, 2018 by gaby

Cathlyn Bridal Dress by Phase Eight

Over the last few years, I think it’s safe to say that bridal fashion has gone from pretty awesome to OMG amazing. Every season designers take my breath away with their dreamy creations, and it just seems to get better and better each time. But as much as I LOVE couture, not all of us can afford Vera Wang, amiright? Champagne tastes, lemonade budget. Fortunately, as bridal fashion has grown, so has the market for beautiful affordable wedding dresses, and these days, the high street delivers some absolutely swoon-worthy (and budget friendly!) options for the modern bride. Today I’m rounding up 10 of my favourites – each for under £500! Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Celestial Bridal Fashion

19 February, 2018 by gaby

Etoile Veil by What Katy Did Next

**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* Celestial weddings are one of the biggest wedding trends, and one of the prettiest way to bring this theme into your wedding is through your bridal attire. A veil that looks like it’s sprinkled with stars? Yes, please! A crown worthy of a moon goddess? Love. And as usual, the makers at Etsy are well ahead of the curve, so I’ve rounded up 20 beautiful bridal dresses and accessories that will leave you starry-eyed!

Beautiful Indoor Bridal Session with Four Knockout Gowns

23 January, 2018 by gaby

It’s not every bride who gets to rock four showstopping wedding gowns, but when you do, a bridal session to capture them in all their glory only seems appropriate! This bridal session by Peaches With Honey captures one very gorgeous bride – who is inspired by blank canvas and minimalism – in the gowns she chose for her cross-cultural Vietnamese and Western weddings, including a tea ceremony dress from Vietnam, a gold gown for her suite shots, a Western ceremony dress and a dreamy pink cocktail hour gown. Every one of them is incredible, and with romantic florals, perfect styling, beautiful light, and a special guest appearance from mom, the picture is complete!

20 Beautiful Bridal Separates

22 January, 2018 by gaby

Lace Top Wedding Dress by Tavifa Bridal

Why have one piece of bridal fashion gorgeousness, when you can have two? Bridal separates have been taking wedding world by storm, especially those brides leaning in the boho direction. And I have to say, two-piece gowns are a special kind of gorgeous. I think one of the things I like most about them is how you can mix and match to get the right style for you and your body, whether that’s a cheeky crop top, a luxe silk or sequin creation, or a super intricate embellished number on the top, and then a floofy tulle beauty or something more structured on the bottom. And of course, there are some seriously gorgeous options on my fave site, Etsy, so I just had to round up 20 of the best for you today!
Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

20 Best Wedding Dresses of 2017

21 December, 2017 by gaby

Gorgeous gowns are one of the things I have come to love most about my job and year after year I’m stunned by the sheer beauty of our brides and their choices in bridal fashion, whether classic or daring. Each one comes with its own story, of how it came to be THE dress, and like finding a partner, finding the perfect dress can be a struggle. But every one of our brides tells us when you know, you know! The evidence is clear for all to see, and in between all the exciting talents emerging in the SA bridal fashion scene right now, it is SO hard to pick! But pick we did, with special reference to the dresses that YOU loved on social media in 2017. Each one of these is as special and unique as the woman who wears it, a reflection of the many hours of care that goes into creating a bridal masterpiece. That’s the hard work and talent of the designers we’re honouring here. But slaying it IN your dress? Well ladies, that’s all you.

20 Elegant Minimalist Wedding Dresses

20 November, 2017 by gaby

Magnolia Minimalist Wedding Dress by Lilu Bridal

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Some brides are all about extra-ness – enchanting embellishment, beautiful bling, statement lace, or frothy tulle skirts that wouldn’t look out of place at an embassy ball. But for some brides, less is more. Think clean lines, ’90s-style silhouettes, and minimal embellishment. For a sophisticated minimalist bride, it’s all about gorgeous fabrics, stunning cuts, and fresh, pared-back styling. So if you’re planning a modern minimalist wedding or just want to rock elegantly simple wedding dress on your big day, I have the perfect roundup of minimalist wedding dresses, which also happen to be fairly minimalist on the ol’ pocketbook – forget high end designers; every one of these beauties comes from Etsy! Plus, they’re perfect for a beach or destination wedding, a civil or symbolic ceremony, a mini-mony or a chic modern celebration. No fuss, but lots of gorgeousness!

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

Timeless Elegance Bridal Inspiration

13 October, 2017 by gaby

We’re ending our wedding week off with some bridal inspiration! And whether you’re the kind of gal who wants to walk down the aisle like it’s a red carpet and you’re a Hollywood siren, or rock a more classic, understated vibe, you’ll find some ideas for both bridal fashion and hair & makeup here! Set in the old world elegance of Nantes Estate and photographed by Samantha Jackson Photography, this shoot all about timeless glamour!

Wedding Veils for the Fine Art Bride

28 September, 2017 by gaby

Lace Mantilla Veil by Sibo Designs (Image: Brumley & Wells)

The other day we rounded up some GORGEOUS fine art wedding dresses from Etsy, but I’m not done yet with the pretty, oh no. Because a fine art bride also wants to rock a beautiful veil. And why wouldn”t she? Veils are quintessentially romantic and feminine, they look incredible on film (especially those with extra length or lace detailing) and they can also add a bit of vintage flair, whether that’s a touch of Art Deco glamour or a swish of old European grace. But don’t just take it from me. Dive into these 20 spectacular beauties, and you’re sure to agree! Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.