Bridal Fashion - SouthBound Bride

20 Breathtaking Blue Wedding Dresses

18 May, 2016 by gaby

*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** Get ready for some serious dress love, my darlings! A while back, I rounded up some of the absolute DREAMIEST pastel gowns on SBB, and I haven’t stopped dreaming about them since. So when the theme for May was settled on as ‘Something Blue’, I couldn’t wait to go out and source some spectacular blue (and blue-grey) wedding gowns from our favourite online inspirational marketplace, Etsy. And my word, but did I ever find some beauties. Every single one of these blue wedding dresses has something that makes it extra special beyond just the colour (which let’s be honest, is pretty awesome on its own, from baby blue to ice blue to dusty blue!) – a lace detail here, a sparkle there, and a whole lot of cloud-soft tulle. If you weren’t thinking of a ‘something blue’ wedding gown before? Well, you will be now!

Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart: The Dreamers Collection

4 May, 2016 by gaby

Swoon alert! I have some seriously GORGEOUS fashion inspiration to share with you all today, in the form of the latest collection of fine art bridal accessories from Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart. Inspired by Albert Joseph Moore’s painting, ‘Dreamers’ and a love for styling her brides with artfully designed pieces, it’s an exquisite collection of crowns, combs, hairpieces and gauzy silk tulle veils that will not only lend their ethereal beauty to the bride who wears them, but become treasured heirlooms in years to come. And don’t get me started on these lookbook images by Laura Gordon – I’m dying over every exquisite frame.

BHLDN Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Collection

18 April, 2016 by gaby

From the city to the beach… this afternoon we’re taking a little virtual trip to the tropics with the latest collection from US bridal powerhouse BHLDN. With elopements getting more popular, and South Africa being a perfect place for an elopement or destination wedding (and have you seen our beaches? sublime) I just had to share it with you. From dreamy dresses (in soft, light fabrics, a destination wedding essential) to the most stylish honeymoon gear for a new Mrs, to some sweet accessories that you’ll want to wear well beyond the big day, you’ll find them here.

Julie Vino Santorini Collection

25 March, 2016 by gaby

Holiday! Celebrate! (You’ll be singing that all day now, sorrynotsorry.) Since today actually is a holiday, I thought it would be fun if you and I went on a holiday together – albeit a virtual one. I’ve picked one of my favourite destinations too, the glorious isle of Santorini in Greece, which is the inspiration and setting for Julie Vino‘s current collection. Sugarcube houses and sapphire seas, plus beautiful gowns, is a winning combination. It’s been a couple of years since we discovered Israeli designer Julie Vino, and her collections never fail to impress with their combination of sensual and feminine. This one is fit for a Grecian goddess – or just the luckiest of brides.

Romantic Art Life: Gentle Soul

18 March, 2016 by gaby

Brideys, do I ever have some beautiful inspiration for you today! Last year, I discovered Romantic Art Life, a collection of gorgeously intricate bridal hair accessories, which I shared on the blog. Well, I recently came across the 2016 collection, and I am in LOVE. Each one of these pieces is so special and perfect for a wedding day look (or even a bridal portrait shoot or engagement session, styled right). And there happens to be the most gorgeous lookbook too, full of beachy romance and lots of dress, hair and makeup inspiration on top of the amazing accessories – I couldn’t wait to share it! Here’s a bit more about the collection, entitled ‘Gentle Soul’, from designer Anastasiya: “My 2016 Bridal Collection “Gentle Soul” was inspired by the organic elements of Florida, pastel colors of the beach sand, relaxed feel of the sea and sky. I wanted to create a timeless style full of movement and romance. Our elegant bride believes in magic, loves to dance and sing, dreams about love. Her soft & romantic gowns from light & airy fabrics, accessories with intricate details in her hair, illuminate the beauty of her gentle soul. Her soul that is unprotected, beautiful and soft.“

Robyn Roberts Collection 2016

14 March, 2016 by gaby

Over the years here on SBB, we’ve featured a lot of real weddings and gorgeous wedding dresses, but the days that there’s a Robyn Roberts gown on the books, are always special. One of SA’s top bridalwear talents, Robyn’s gowns walk that perfect line between modern and romantic, contemporary and whimsical, and make brides feel both like supermodels and princesses on their big day. Honestly, I’ve never met a Robyn Roberts dress I didn’t love, and so I’m absolutely delighted to be sharing the brand new collection exclusively on SBB today. These gowns are ah-mazing – bang on trend, but oh so wearable! According to Robyn, the idea was to create a range of dreamy dresses with a modern edge. Textured effects were created by layering multiple ethereal, whisper-soft fabrics, and focusing on back details and soft, comfortable skirts. The colours vary from crisp white to creamy ivories and rich blush undertones – swoon! And not only do we get to bask in all the fashion glory, but we also get to enjoy some drop dead gorgeous florals from our faves at Green Goddess flower studio as well. Told you it was a special day!

Hanrie Lues Fleur de Ballet Collection

8 March, 2016 by gaby

If you follow us on Instagram (and if you don’t, you totally should!), you may have seen that some exciting mail arrived at SBB HQ the other day, specifically the brand new lookbook from Hanrie Lues Bridal. Durban-based designer Hanrie is part of our sponsor family, and while we’ve always loved her beautiful bespoke gowns, she’s just launched a demi-couture collection which will be available both from her studio and from Calegra Bridal House in Cape Town and Joburg, and I couldn’t wait to see it! Called ‘Fleur de Ballet’, it was inspired by the ballet, which I absolutely love, and it has the same combination of structure and sheer femininity that makes ballerinas’ gowns the stuff that dreams are made of. With the most gorgeous fabrics and an inspiration straight from the ballet, these dresses are perfect for the modern South African bride, employing breathtaking illusion elements and elegant shapes and details that make each gown special and unique, and will make each woman who wears them feel like a prima ballerina on her own opening night.

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

25 February, 2016 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2021* All of this month we’ve been talking tropical weddings, and a tropical (or any beachy) wedding deserves a beautiful beach wedding dress that’s perfect for sand and sunshine. And, while a girl can pretty much rock whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned, the practical aspects of a beach wedding (sand, heat, humidity) definitely lend themselves to a gown that’s lighter as well as less formal. I love the way that soft textures (which happen to be light and perfect to wear) look in photographs, especially in beautiful beach portraits with the setting sun or the wind ruffling out layers of sheer fabric, so that’s what I’d personally opt for, and while simple shapes work well, there’s no lack of creativity you can apply when adding touches like portrait backs or lace or beading. I’ve rounded up 30 shut-the-front-door-that’s-amazing beach wedding dresses from editorials, real weddings and Etsy – each dreamier than the last.

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

Martina Liana Separates Collection (Together.Forever)

17 February, 2016 by gaby

I mentioned in my trend roundup for 2016 that for me, this is the year of bridal separates, i.e. two-piece wedding gowns. I think this is such a lovely trend, and I’ve been stoked to see bridal designers make it happen, and create so much more flexibility for brides who aren’t ordering custom gowns. After all, most brides know the feeling of “I love this, but not the skirt” or “I love this skirt, but I wish it was with a different neckline”. Plus, two piece gowns sit differently, which can really suit certain body shapes. So when I saw that Martina Liana (sister brand of the popular Essence of Australia line) had created a dedicated line for bridal separates, I was super excited. I’m not sure if this collection will be available in SA as the rest of the Essence gowns are, but here’s hoping, because this collection of 18 pieces, is absolutely gorgeous. Whether you’re a short dress girl opting for the swishy Sachi skirt or a true romantic opting for the layered blush Stevie skirt, a glamazon who falls in love with the moonstone beaded Ciara corset, or a boho bride who loves the soft crop draping of Tyler, there’s a perfect combination both for you and for your wedding style/location. Let’s take a peek, shall we?

Sareh Nouri Fall 2016 Collection

25 January, 2016 by gaby

Happy Monday, lovelies! I have an INSANE week ahead (but oh, what a week to follow – more on that soon!) and I can’t think of a better way to start than with some calmingly beautiful fashion. That’s what you can always rely on Sareh Nouri to deliver, both when it comes to dresses and lookbooks, and the new Fall 2016 Collection is certainly no exception. These dresses are fit for a queen, and so is the gorgeous estate the team used as a backdrop. I’m especially loving the soft layering and texturing in the skirts of these gowns, not to mention that one of them comes in the dreamiest, most sophisticate shade of icy grey-blue – the perfect subtle take on the pastel wedding gown trend. Brides will also find much to inspire in the hair and makeup, and especially in the fantastic headpieces by Jennifer Behr. So let’s get this pretty party started, shall we?