Bridal Fashion - SouthBound Bride

Nicole Spose 2016 Collection

20 October, 2015 by gaby

Bridal fashion time! Today we’re showcasing a collection that comes all the way from Italy (my second home) and has all the glamour you’d expect, as well as the fabulous fits and luscious laces characteristic of Italian couture. The Nicole Spose line comes from designer Alessandra Rinaudo, and really captures brides’ current mood of intricate lace detailing on backs and necklines, along with frothy skirts that look like they’ve been painted by an artist’s brush. As always, it’s the illusion necklines and delicate sleeves that really capture my imagination! Just beautiful – and in South Africa, you can find the collection at Olivelli, so there’s no need to lose out if you don’t happen to be in Europe anytime soon. Let’s have a peek, shall we?Read More

Stephanie Allin 2016: Love Letters Collection

13 October, 2015 by gaby

Fashion is very much at the forefront of my mind (and my insta) at the moment, what with all the amazingness happening over in New York, but today we’re heading back over the pond to England, to showcase an absolutely gorgeous new collection from one of the UK’s top bridal designers, Stephanie Allin. It’s both current and timeless – not only is it full of classic silhouettes and beautiful heirloom-style laces, it has lots of elements that are very much in vogue, including a range of breathtaking separates and accessories. (Amazing two-piece gown alert!) That means you can mix and match to make your wedding day look very much your own, and have a gown that makes you feel on trend both on the day and in years to come. I also happen to be in love with the slightly bonkers but oh-so-gorgeous and inspirational lookbook images (“don’t mind me, I’m just swanning about my country pile in a wedding dress… mind I don’t snag the fabric as I tend to my bees!”). Mind you, if I had a bunch of money and a country estate, I’d probably like to swan around it in amazing gowns too. The point is, these are beautiful dresses, and beautiful images – so let’s get on and start swooning over them, shall we?Read More

20 Stylish Short Wedding Dresses

8 October, 2015 by gaby

Floral Lace Mini Dress by Jordan De Ruiter (Image: Sounds like Yellow Photography)

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Full length gowns will always be awesome, but just like a wedding dress doesn’t have to be white, you can pick a length that suits you too. And with elopements, micro weddings and minimony celebrations being all the rage in 2020, short wedding dresses are having their day in the sun. So! Where to start? Well, you know we love finding new designers on Etsy, and this is a category where these designers really shine. There’s a wealth of pretty, flirty, fabulous gowns on the site, and we’ve picked 20 of our absolute faves! As always, click through on the links or images to see more of each dress.

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

Elizabeth Stuart 2016 Collection

6 October, 2015 by gaby

It’s the time of year when I wish daily that teleportation was real, as emails flood in regarding the beautiful collections to be showing at New York Bridal Fashion Week. One I definitely wouldn’t have missed is Elizabeth Stuart‘s super chic 2016 line, which really stands out from the rest with its classic silhouettes, clean lines, and gorgeous fabrics. It’s thoroughly modern, and yet there’s a touch of delicious retro about it too (reflected in the to-die-for hair and makeup in this lovely lookbook) – I can imagine an old school Hollywood icon donning one of these beautiful gowns, just as well as any contemporary bride. Read More

Truvelle 2016 Lookbook

2 October, 2015 by gaby

Hey hey it’s Friday! And since weekends always get me dreaming about travel and far flung destinations, the perfect way to kick this one off is with a little virtual trip to a whitewashed village in the south of Spain, where we’re revisiting the gorgeous Truvelle 2016 Collection that we first brought you a couple of weeks ago. As you’ve probably gathered by now, I adore inspirational bridal fashion editorials, not just because they’re so pretty (and this one is PRETTY), but because they give you a chance to see the gowns ‘in action’ – and in the case of this brand new Truvelle lookbook, that means whispering lace, dreamy draping, and the kind of soft, flowing skirts that make you want to spin round and round like a little girl. So romantic. Once again, Blush Wedding Photography did the gorgeous photographic honours.Read More

Sareh Nouri Spring 2016 Editorial

30 September, 2015 by gaby

It’s that time of year when bridal fashion is at the forefront of our minds, with New York’s bridal fashion week around the corner (where we’re launching Aisle Society, eek!) So over the next month, you can expect SBB’s pages to be filled with beautiful gowns and inspirational lookbooks that will have you dreaming in tulle. Today’s editorial is something really special though. Not only are Sareh Nouri‘s new gowns for Spring 2016 just absolutely beyond amazing – a fantasy made of luxurious lace, shimmering embroidery and silk wool – but to show them off, the Sareh Nouri team has paired up with photographer Laura Gordon for the. most. breathtaking. bridal shoot, possibly ever. With an old world European feel, it’s like having a behind the scenes peek at a princess wandering the halls of her castle on the morning of her wedding, which makes the shoot inspiring for beautiful bridal portraiture as well as spectacular gowns. I couldn’t hold myself back from picking a bumper crop of pics, but I know you’ll love them – and every one of these dresses – as much as I do.Read More

Truvelle 2016 Collection

15 September, 2015 by gaby

Last year, I was super excited to share the collection of dresses from Canadian label Truvelle, who burst on the scene with their rose gold dipped sequin dresses that had us all sighing our little hearts out. I was even more excited to announce then that Truvelle were (and still are, yay!) available at LOCA Vintage Bridal Lounge in PE, and that they also ship around South Africa. Knowing that my local brides can get their hands on the loveliness always makes it that much sweeter! So of course I am super thrilled to share Truvelle’s brand new collection, eight lovely new dresses that are a step away from the warm hues of the previous gowns, but even more romantic. There’s also the same effortless feel, the same elegant mismatch of fabrics (including a hint of silvery sparkle), and more dreamy images from Blush Wedding Photography. Get ready to fall in love all over again. Read More

20 Gorgeous Off-the-shoulder Wedding Dresses

14 September, 2015 by gaby

Carolina Boho Lace Off-The-Shoulder Dress by Stylish Bride Accs

*UPDATED FOR 2021* Earlier this year, I published a roundup of off-the-shoulder wedding gowns that has had you all pinning like crazy – it’s certainly one trend that is back in a big way, and I love the inventive and romantic ways that designers have interpreted the style, from boho to ballgown. So I thought it was high time I rounded up some spectacular Etsy finds. If you’re looking for something a little different from the lace sleeves and portrait backs that are so beloved by brides at the moment, this is the perfect, classic, dare I say timeless choice? Let’s see what those clever Etsy designers have to inspire us…

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

Clinton Lotter 2015 Collection

8 September, 2015 by gaby

Did you ever take a look around and realise just how many South Africans are taking over the world? It makes me super proud of our little nation. And of course, we have a tradition of innovative fashion designers, which is why I love showcasing the work of homegrown talents. Some have flown our borders, like the phenomenal Clinton Lotter, whose work I first came across a few years ago while browsing through the racks at Blackburn Bridal in London – I was immediately in love, and I’ve showcased every one of his collections ever since. So I thought it was about time we took a peek at what 2015 has to offer, courtesy of an eye-catching lookbook that’s very Game of Thrones chic! Whether you’re winning battles or winning hearts, doing it in one of these gowns is the height of glamour.Read More

Dreamy Pastel Wedding Dresses

2 September, 2015 by gaby

Blush Wedding Photography/Diana McGregor Photography/Summer Watkins/Tara La Tour via Style Me Pretty

I don’t know if it’s just that a touch of pastel adds a bit of whimsy to these beauties, but I seriously think pastel wedding dresses are beyond romantic. I also adore the way that, as well as blush (which we’ll always love!), there are amazing options in mint, powder blue, lemon, lilac and peach too. It’s a subtle way to add a unique spin to your bridal style. Not convinced? Have a look at these beautiful pastel dresses, and you’re sure to fall in love!

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