The bad news is that the second real wedding I planned to share with you this week has been postponed. The great news is that I have something equally awesome lined up for you today. Because let’s be honest, if you’re not oohing and aahing over wedding details, you want to be gawking at pretty pretty dresses, and that is exactly what we have here. BEYOND pretty dresses. Elizabeth Stockenström has become one of the top bridal designers in South Africa, and not only is everything she designs completely gorgeous, but she is much beloved of every one of her brides, some of whom have already featured in our real weddings. Elizabeth was sweet enough to find time in the middle of wedding season to answer a few questions from us.

Hi Elizabeth! Thanks so much for talking to us today! How did you start designing wedding gowns?
I studied design at the Cape Technikon and only got interested in designing wedding gowns about eight years later when I made a dress for a very good friend.

How would you describe your design philosophy?
At the moment I am in love with vintage styles, but that changes with the seasons. I feel that the bride-to-be should be the person that you draw your energy from.

Where do you get inspiration from?
Inspiration for me comes from the bride, the food I ate, the movie I saw and just everyday living. If you experience life in the positive, everything around you can be an inspiration.

What different options do you offer brides?
We have three different options to offer:
1 Hiring an already made gown
2 Hiring a newly designed gown (the most popular option)
3 Buying a newly designed gown.

Do you have any favourite dresses that you’ve designed in the past?
I have a flavour of the week every week. At the moment I love frills and soft roses, lace straps and two-tone dresses.

What are most brides looking for at the moment?
Brides are a lot more clued up now about all the latest trends, but the main thing is soft layered-looking dresses with lace.

What would you like to see brides in next?
I wish that the very feminine look that is in at the moment would last another season.

What piece of advice do you have for brides in choosing what they wear on the big day?
I think the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and to work with what you’ve got, and not to turn into another person. Find yourself good service providers and you will be fine. Whenever you are in doubt, think of what you would think about the subject in five years and go with what represents longer lasting elegance.