bridal fashion - SouthBound Bride

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.

Blue by Enzoani 2016 Collection

1 September, 2015 by gaby

Time for some fashion inspiration, lovely ones! South African brides are huge fans of luxury European fashion line, Enzoani, and we’ve featured many real brides rocking their beautiful designs over the years. Today I wanted to share one of the latest Enzoani collections – their in-house Blue by Enzoani line – which I am sure we’ll see on many brides in future! From the romantic silhouettes to the gorgeous lace, they’re the kind of gowns that make you go “ooh!”. One thing I really like about these dresses is that, although they have gorgeous and interesting backs, the front detailing is just as lovely, which I sometimes think gets a bit neglected with illusion lace being such a bit thing these days. That said, there’s lots of on-trend sheer panelling and sparkly embellishment to satisfy those portrait back loving brides as well. Basically, it’s lovely, and this lookbook is all about the European princess look, so let’s indulge ourselves, shall we?Read More

Rosa Clara 2016

25 August, 2015 by gaby

It’s always such a pleasure to scroll through the latest designs from Spanish label Rosa Clara. Not only do we already know the gorgeousness that is Spanish wedding couture, but Rosa Clara’s line always has such wonderful details and textures, and each time I scroll through I notice a new embellishment, a sleek silhouette, or an unusual neckline. The 2016 collection was inspired by divas of the 1930s and 1940s, and manages to mix classic elegance with pretty much every fashion forward bridal trend we’re loving at the moment – two-pieces, off-the-shoulder gowns, portrait backs. Plus, even though this collection is straight from Barcelona with love, I adore knowing that local brides can find Rosa Clara at Olivelli, which makes the line that much more special for South African readers. So let’s take a moment to immerse ourselves in these calming, elegant lookbook images, and dream of each of these lovelies sashaying down the aisle next season.Read More

Gatsby Glam Wedding Dresses

14 August, 2015 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.

The truth is, there’s a big part of me that still wants to be Daisy Buchanan (even though she was a bit of a cow) – flitting about in her beautiful dresses with her voice full of money, breaking hearts all over West Egg. Maybe that’s why every time I see a wedding gown sporting art deco embellishment and a slinky, satiny silhouette, I have a full-on, hold-on-to-your-chaise dress swoon. Or why designers like Johanna Johnson and Jenny Packham always have me dying over their latest collections of Gatsby wedding dresses. Forget princess dresses – for a glamorous bride, there’s no better way to go than with a touch of 1920s vintage. Especially when its complemented with gorgeous retro hair, a red lip, or a spectacular hairpiece. I went on the hunt for some of the most breathtaking glam wedding dresses for the Gatsby bride, each of them worthy of Daisy herself.

BHLDN Autumn 2015 Collection: Twice Enchanted

11 August, 2015 by gaby

Time for some fashion inspiration, lovelies. As you know by now, there’s nothing I love more than a beautiful lookbook shot in a beautiful place, chock full of beautiful dresses, so I couldn’t help but share the latest images from BHLDN with you all. I adore the gowns that BHLDN curates every season – handpicked from some of the finest designers, they really are worthy of the ‘swoonworthy’ tag. This lot are super glamorous, with incredible beading and embellishment and detailing, as well as some dreamy top-and-skirt combos that are bang on trend, as well as a host of gorgeous accessories. For the lookbook, photographer du jour Chloe Mallett headed to the Palácio de Monserrate in Sintra, Portugal, and the result is a fairytale collection in a fairytale setting – no wonder it’s called ‘Twice Enchanted‘. So let’s get to it, shall we? (PS Shop the look here)Read More

Abigail Betz Bridal Couture 2015 Collection

28 July, 2015 by gaby

As you all know, we love sharing local design talent here on SBB, so I’m delighted to be debuting the latest collection from Abigail Betz, which celebrates the ‘brave, free-spirited new bride’. Abigail’s haute couture dresses are always so unique and so beautifully crafted, with tailored accessories that really make her brides’ big day looks one-of-a-kind. With this new collection, she has retained her label’s signature sense of romance, but introduced colour, texture and a hint of sexiness that accentuates the female form. Abigail says: “In a bridal market with so much over embellishment and lack of variety, I wanted to set the modern bride free to look as enchanting and have as much fun as possible on her special day without being weighed down by excessive, restrictive petticoats and overstated trimmings. It is her unique spirit that should be on display in the most magnificent way. That is what we strive to achieve with our pieces.” These Rossetti-esque lookbook images give a peek into the collection’s four themes, with refinement as a common thread across them all.Read More