Bridal Fashion - SouthBound Bride

Chanel L’amour!

22 August, 2016 by gaby

I’ve been so excited to share today’s inspiration with you, because it really does have everything. Beautiful pictures, a gorgeous dress, an incredible love story, Paris… But let’s start at the beginning. Marlene and Gary met when they stumbled across each other on the cobbled streets of the City of Lights (yes, really!). Gary, an English footballer, was visiting family, while Marlene, a German jewellery designer, was on her way to the famous 31 Rue Cambon for some Chanel inspiration. Cue a Hollywood-style falling in love montage with Paris as a backdrop over the next few days. And here’s the really amazing thing – it turned out that they both lived in Vienna, so a chance meeting turned into a full-blown romance (now that’s Fate!). Fast forward to their engagement and the story has another fortuitous meeting, as the couple came across Claudia Magas of Ladies & Lord at a wedding show in Vienna – next thing you know, they were all heading back to Paris for this Chanel-inspired engagement shoot. From the pretty paper goods and Chanel cake and cake pops (!) to Marlene’s couture gown from Austrian designer Eva Poleschinski, dreamy doesn’t even cover it. I think Coco would have been proud! Huge thank you to Claudia for sharing this stunning shoot with us as part of our couture month.

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.

BHLDN Wild Serenity Collection

11 August, 2016 by gaby

Stop press! Just in time for our month of fashion inspiration, BHLDN has released its latest collection of beautiful gowns, with the ethereal title ‘Wild Serenity’. Shot with the moody backdrop of the Irish countryside, and featuring amazing lace and embellishment detailing, the lookbook is like something out of Gaelic folkore – the dresses are just as magical. Scroll through and fall in love with both the images and the fashion, and then follow the links to grab one of them for your very own.

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.

Mira Zwillinger Whisper of Blossom Collection

2 August, 2016 by gaby

I promised you guys an abundance of beautiful fashion this month, and I can’t think of a better collection to kick things off with than the 2017 Mira Zwillinger. Long time readers of the blog will know that we’ve been a fan of Mira’s since forever, and every year I look forward to sharing the new collection. Every year I say they couldn’t get more gorgeous, and then they do. This year is no exception. Nobody does ethereal, demure illusion lace like Mira Zwillinger, the embellishment on each gown so delicate it’s almost organic. If a dress could form itself out of flowers, Disney-style, then these would be it – and no wonder, as the collection was inspired by that moment of spring: “when the first buds of life appear on the naked branches, still shuddering from the cold winter… it’s that moment when nature starts to whisper and hum its tune of rebirth and renewal… the moment of pristine stillness, hinting at the eye-opening magnificence to come.” But don’t be fooled by how dainty they look. Having worked with Mira’s dresses on a shoot before, I know that as soft as they appear, each gown is exquisitely constructed. So let’s take a peek at the latest, most beautiful collection from one of my all-time favourite international designers. Dress swoon DELUXE.

10 Custom Bridal Illustration Keepsakes

1 August, 2016 by gaby

Custom Wedding Dress illustration by Art Rose Prints

As we announced this morning, August is couture month on SBB (loving this theme!). One aspect of fashion that I personally adore is fashion illustration, and I follow a number of brilliant illustrators on Instagram. But outside of being involved in the fashion world, it’s not often that you’d get to have your very own illustration. Let’s be honest, it’s not often you might have a dress designed for you either! That’s what makes a wedding dress the perfect opportunity, and a fashion illustration of your gown the perfect keepsake. Some designers will create one for you themselves, but if that’s not the case, or if you’re buying a dress instead of having it made, that doesn’t mean you should lose out. I found some wonderful illustrators on Etsy who will do custom designs, and I just had to share them with you! Each has a slightly different style and medium, but they’ll all take an image of your gown and turn it into a masterpiece that you can display with pleasure in your home or office – or give as a gift to someone else.

A SouthBound Guide to Veil Types

18 July, 2016 by gaby

Image: Kate Pleasants on SouthBound Bride

When it comes to classic and romantic wedding inspiration, there’s nothing more representative than the traditional (or even the traditional-with-a-twist) wedding veil. Long or short, I love these beauties. So I thought it was the perfect time to update one of the most popular posts from deep in the archive, our guide to bridal veils and types of wedding veils. A veil dictionary, if you will. And of course, I just had to update it with lots of beautiful, pinnable images. The best part? You can actually buy any one of the different veils featured here for your own wedding – just click on the links in bold. Of course, you may not want to rock a veil at all, but if you’re considering it, read on, because you’re about to discover a whole world of pretty options you didn’t even know existed! Links in bold denote sponsored affiliate links. SouthBound Bride may earn a commission if a sale is made.

Toujours Wedding House Boutique Tour

29 June, 2016 by gaby

Maybe it’s from watching too many movies, but when I think about wedding dress shopping, I picture a charming little shop full of soft light and plush chairs and flowers and champagne – a place where dreams are made, and where somewhere in amongst the silk, tulle and lace, that perfect wedding dress is just waiting for you to try it on and fall crazy in love, and share that amazing moment with your mum or best friend. Sadly, reality sometimes falls short of the fantasy. So you can imagine how thrilled I was last year to discover the most wonderful little boutique right here in Durban, tucked in amongst the leafy streets of Westville that I know so well. Toujours Wedding House is an absolute gem – a light, bright studio nestled off a sunny courtyard, with just the right amount of chic understated detail to let the gowns, veils and accessories take centre stage. Guiding her brides through their experience is owner Tracey Laubscher, who you immediately warm to like she’s an extra bridesmaid, and who knows and cherishes each dress in her collection like a favourite song. I couldn’t wait to go back to the boutique to do a special little tour, together with the talented Eileen Laubscher of Bright Girl Photography. We spent our morning drinking tea, shooting these beautiful images, and chatting to Tracey about what makes Toujours such a special place…

Daalarna Couture Ballet Collection

20 June, 2016 by gaby

I have SUCH a beautiful wedding collection to share with you lovelies today! I honestly struggled to narrow down the images for this one, because each and every dress in the collection is totally pin-worthy! Last year I shared Daalarna, the Hungarian couture bridal label, with you all for the first time, and now I’m delighted to spotlight the label’s new Ballet-inspired collection. I feel like ballet is having a real moment with bridal inspiration this year, probably because of the sleek silhouettes, ethereal fabrics and two-piece elements in the recent collections. I love it, because for me, a ballerina also epitomises so many of the qualities that brides wish to embody on their big day, like grace, passion, and elegance. You’ll find all of that in this collection, which took its cue from the beautiful Sleeping Beauty. In fact, the campaign photos below were shot on the set of the Hungarian National Ballet with the Ballet’s exceptional ballerina, Lili Felmery, bringing the collection to life. Let’s take a peek, shall we?

Elbeth Gillis 2017 Collection: Luxury

6 June, 2016 by gaby

It’s always a good day when we get to share the latest from one of our favourite South African wedding designers, Elbeth Gillis! Having dressed South African brides to perfection for years, Elbeth is now making waves overseas as well, and we couldn’t be happier to see foreign editors and brides-to-be discovering her collections. This year, there are two capsule collections, and today we’re highlighting the first. Called ‘Luxury’, it’s a line-up of eight sophisticated gowns, with an emphasis on backs and shoulders and the exquisite details that are Elbeth’s trademark. There are a variety of necklines and silhouettes, all made up from the most gorgeous fabrics: stretch satins, silk chiffons, lace overlays and tattoos. The only question? How to pick a favourite.