Bridal Fashion - SouthBound Bride

Key Wedding Dress Trends for 2017

13 January, 2017 by gaby

Hello friends! As usual, January has been craaaazy, and I didn’t get to post this yesterday, so we’re going to have a jam packed Friday! Let’s get this party started. Last week we looked at all the top trends in weddings for 2017 and today we’re focusing in on bridal fashion because boy, there’s a lot of pretty stuff going on right now! Ever since these designs made their way down the catwalks at New York Bridal Fashion Week in October, I’ve been sighing over my personal faves, and watching to see where the trends are for this year. And as always, what’s new is often an evolution of what’s already established, so you’ll see some familiar shapes coming to the fore, but there’s also lots of cool new stuff to influence your own wedding dress dreams. As I mentioned in my trend report, this year it is ALL about the shoulders, whether that’s off-shoulder, shoulder detailing, or capes. And I have to say, I’ve never loved this neckline more. Add in details like bows, feathers and every kind of sleeve you can imagine, as well as beautiful textures and fabrics, and you have one pretty season!

Best of 2016: Dresses

29 December, 2016 by gaby

Ah, one of my favourite posts of the year! Wedding dresses are one of the elements I adore about the real weddings we feature, and we’ve seen so many absolutely GORGEOUS dresses over the years, each with a story of how they came to be ‘the one’. This year has been no exception, and while we’ve seen a return to more traditional white gowns in general, it’s been all about the details – low backs and plunging necklines, soft tulle skirts, lace sleeves and backs, extraordinary fabrics and elegant silhouettes. It’s so hard to pick just twenty favourites, but in the end, this is the group of beauties we settled on. Dress swoon!

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.

Marble & Copper Bridal Inspiration

26 October, 2016 by gaby

One of my favourite things about this industry is that over the years I have met and worked with some of the loveliest people you can imagine. Most recently, we’ve had a couple of interns around the virtual halls of SBB HQ, and one of them is bridal designer, Simoné Meyer. Under her previous label name, Adore Me, she’s already been part of the SBB sponsor family for some time, but she’s just relaunched under her own name: Simoné Meyer Bridal Design. I’m so thrilled for her! Not only does Simoné make gorgeous, on-trend, whimsical gowns, but she’s recently expanded her talents into the bridal party too, especially bridesmaids of the flowergirl variety. I KNOW how many of you are looking for gorgeous flowergirl dresses – well, look no further! These gowns made quite a splash at the recent bridal expo, and today, along with a couple of Simoné’s beautiful wedding dresses, they’re making their debut here on SBB. That would have made this elegant bridal shoot lovely on its own, but add in some fabulous wedding inspiration in the form of sweetly organic florals, a table decked out in trendy marble and copper, and the warmth of candlelight bringing both come to life in these photographs by Lindy Kriek, and you have something special. Congrats, Simoné – we can’t wait to see your new business go from strength to strength!

Organic Heritage Wedding Inspiration

10 October, 2016 by gaby

Nothing makes my blogger heart happier than when talented wedding pros whose work I admire and support get together to create something beautiful, and that’s just what I have to share with you today. A few months back, I shared Durban-based designer, Hanrie Lues’ ballet-inspired collection, Fleur de Ballet, here on the blog, and we got to do lots of dramatic swooning over her dreamy gowns. Well, today you get to see the second part of that collection. These dresses are amazing! But even better, you’ll see them brought to life by an incredibly talented team of KZN vendors, including Christy Hosking, Labola Weddings & Events, Bash Paperie and one of our favourite venues, The Venue Fontana. I mean, seriously, can you handle? The dresses (and the models) are beautiful, the florals are amazing, the stationery, the decor, the cake… I’m in blogger heaven right now! So let’s get on with some swooning, shall we?

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.

Fabulous Floral Couture

31 August, 2016 by gaby

It’s been such fun having a month dedicated to ‘couture’ on SBB (and it’s not over yet, because there’s more to come until the end of the week), and this whimsical, fantastical shoot demonstrates why. Fashion should be fun. It should be bold, and a statement, and cool and daring and beautiful, but it should definitely always be fun. A place to try out ideas and challenge boundaries, and excite the senses. That’s why I love today’s feature. Inspired by the work of Susan McLeary of Passionflower in the US, it goes beyond carrying artistic arrangements of flowers or even wearing real flowers in your hair, and turns florals into actual fashion and jewellery – surely the ultimate statement piece for an organic bride. Led by photographer Lauren Pretorius, in collaboration with some of our favourite local creatives, including Green Goddess flower studio and Janita Toerien, it’s a celebration of fresh ideas and gorgeous greens. And if you think this isn’t something that could translate from editorial to real weddings, be sure to read Coral of Green Goddess’ low-down on how usable floral jewellery really is for your big day and beyond.

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!

Julie Vino Roma Collection

23 August, 2016 by gaby

Ah, Roma. Have I ever told you guys about the love affair I have with this city? It goes back quite a long way, to the very first moment I stepped off a plane into the early morning Roman sunshine, and it continues every time I get back there. I’ve lived in big cities, but it’s not like any other city. It’s brash and beautiful, primitive and wildly sophisticated, definitely a little mad, but also one of the places on earth where I feel most sane. I love it. So you can imagine how the minute I saw designer Julie Vino‘s SS17 collection, inspired by Rome, I was crazy in love. The lookbook captures some of the magic of that great city, but the dresses… wow. Julie’s latest collection is as sensual and feminine as ever, with sheer detailing and fabrics that will blow you away. So with Paris yesterday and Rome today, let’s enjoy this latest jetset (virtual) stop!