Tag: bridesmaids

Best of 2014: Bridesmaids

by candice

Hello SouthBound Brides – Candice here! I am so excited that I get to chat to you guys about all of our favourite bridesmaid dress trends from 2014.
I have been a bridesmaid six times and counting (hint hint, sis!) and have loved each experience. I have worn a ’50s style mint green tea dress, a floral and lace strapless number, a frilly country style sundress, the classic satin and organza creation with a waist sash, a gorgeous J.Crew-esque floor length gown and also been left to my own devices to choose a dress of my choice in a specific colour palette. Each dress was perfect for the relevant bride’s big day, and wearing them signified that I was somehow specially involved and invested in each amazing celebration. Whether the dress itself is flattering or not, putting it on and getting ready with the bride before such a big and wonderful occasion is what it is all about. Having said that, here are our top 20 picks for 2014 (in no particular order). Hopefully they inspire you to choose gorgeous dresses for your bridesmaids as there is not a single unflattering gown to be seen! (Lucky girls!) How do we even begin to choose our favourites?!

1. Sleek Winter White

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DIY Bridesmaid Hair Roundup

by gaby

So, as I mentioned this morning, I’m going to a wedding in a couple of weeks, and although I promised myself years ago that I would never do my own hair for another wedding (after that one time at band camp when it was 42 degrees in Stellenbosch and it all went horribly wrong), for various reasons, I’m going to have to. Which mean I’ve been browsing Pinterest and YouTube for tutorials on relaxed, easy updos. And I realised just how much is actually out there now in the way of fabulous DIY hair advice. Now as a bride, you’re still probably going to want to call in the professionals, but maybe the budget doesn’t stretch to having your girls’ hair done too, or maybe they just prefer to do it themselves, but that doesn’t mean that they have to be stuck with everyday hair unless they want to be. Today I’m rounding up fifteen gorgeous styles – many of them really easy – that would be absolutely perfect on bridesmaids. Just click through to the links for each tutorial, and don’t forget to do a practice run!Read More

Pretty Maids All in a Row

by gaby

Good lordy, SouthBound Brides, this day has gotten away from me. We’re in the middle of retraining our dog, which involves lots of ignoring his adorable little face and wiggly tail, and some time consuming sheep-dog style coralling (without eye contact or commands) – for a dog lover like myself, torture. But it’s all for the good… Anyway, so this afternoon when I haven’t been in the middle of Manchurian Candidate-ing the pup, I’ve been gathering some bridesmaid inspiration of a different kind to that which we usually feature. You already know we love pretty BM dresses, but what about the BEFORE the dresses? The bridesmaid boudoir, as it were? The last while there’s been a big trend to have maids in lovely little robes – from terry cloth spa style to monogram to printed silk kimono (Plum Pretty Sugar are my FAVE). They’re not everyone’s cup of tea (I know some of you think they’re a little cheesy), but what I love about them is that they make for GREAT photos (ones you’ll actually put in your album, instead of just keep in a folder somewhere) and they also make fantastic bridesmaid gifts. Plus, they totally work for making sure that your hair and makeup don’t get un-made when you pull your street clothes over your head. Of course, it’s not just robes that work for this – as you’ll see below, we’ve rounded up some other fun ideas too.Read More

Illusion Neckline & Statement Back Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

We’re continuing our busy Friday with a look at one of my FAVOURITE bridesmaid trends of the moment. Actually, this one started as a wedding dress trend, but good news girls, illusion necklines and statement or portrait back dresses are now for bridesmaids too! There’s just no denying how pretty these are, and how gorgeous and sophisticated they will make your bridesmaids feel. Plus, win, they look GREAT in photos! I think we’ll be seeing lots more of these this season, but today I’ve rounded up some of my favourite looks so far.Read More

‘Be My Bridesmaid’ DIY Roundup

by gaby

Once the first excitement of the engagement dies down, and before you get swamped with all the planning, there’s a fun decision to be made and that’s who will be part of your bridal party. Having your best girls beside you to celebrate your big day is such a joy – a special memory that you’ll treasure as well as a source of support and perspective. Some of you will know immediately who to ask, some of you will have a harder decision ahead of you, but either way, asking your girls can be a lovely moment, an affirmation of the past you share and the role you want them to play in the life of your new family going forward. In the last couple of years, I’ve seen some super sweet ideas for ‘proposing’ to your bridesmaids, and I thought it would make a fun DIY roundup. Let’s go!

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Fairytale Bride #4: The Bridesmaids

by gaby

As I’ve mentioned before, our wedding style is dreamy, magical and romantic, with whimsical and delicate DIY touches everywhere…all in a rustic chic setting surrounded by natural beauty and little touches of sparkly glamour.

I want my bridesmaids to definitely be one of those touches of sparkly glamour! Not only are they four beautiful brunettes but are also fun-loving ladies and can represent that element in the wedding. We need that element in amongst all that dreamy romance.

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Real Wedding at Cabrieres {Adrie & Abraham}

by gaby

This week, you guys, is the WORST. Well, okay, that might be an exaggeration, but here I am looking at my monster To Do list, not a box packed to move out of my house, not a suitcase packed for my trip to Italy, writing my little heart out to get everything done for my August writing schedule and it is way too hot to care about any of it. I’ve had to move downstairs, because my office is like the devil’s kitchen, and the cats keep coming in and throwing themselves down on the linoleum with cries of abject despair (their fault if they won’t get in the paddling pool, I say!). It is HOT. But hey ho, because I love the summer so I don’t want to complain, and I’m about to feel a lot better with a pretty wedding from our sponsors Real Simple Photography to share with you today. I don’t know about you, but I love bridesmaids in elegant little black dresses, which is how bride Adrie styled hers. Her taste is clearly very classic, and she chose white tulips for her bouquet (LOVE) and lush long tables topped with candelabras at the gorgeous French-style venue, Cabrieres. Very cool. And cool, as I can definitely tell you today, is good.Read More

Real Wedding at Providence {Keri & Andrew}

by gaby

Are you ready… are you ready for love? Lordy, I’m clearly more than a little sleep deprived. I think I just quoted Elton John. Even so, it’s an appropriate question, since love is what you’ll find plenty of in today’s gorgeous real wedding. Love between the cute as anything bride and groom, love from their friends and family, and love-liness all over the place in their design and decor. You may remember me mentioning Keri and Andrew’s story last week, when I featured their engagement shoot (so cute) – after helping Keri out with an inspiration board I was dying to see how it all turned out and couldn’t wait to see Eileen Laubscher of Bright Girl‘s fantastic photos. Well, they were even better than I’d imagined – a rustic French-inspired palette with a handmade feel and very personal touches (LOVE those cow table plans!). Keri looked absolutely beautiful and natural, her groom seriously dapper, and I’m a sucker for her stylish mismatched navy bridesmaids’ look, especially in their fun shades! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Keri’s own blog, Midlands Musings – she’s a rising star in the SA blog scene, and you’ll soon be a fan ;)Read More

Real Wedding at Kleinevalleij {Penny & Henry}

by gaby

Over the last few months I’ve been showcasing bridesmaid dresses – well, get ready for some of the cutest bridesmaid outfits you ever did see! With ruffled skirts pink as candyfloss and the biggest of smiles, these lovely ladies are sending off their beautiful friend into married life in the sweetest of fashions. It’s a wedding that was pretty in pink, with lots of adorable little touches (love the hanging bags! and the giant ‘be seated’ signs!), stationery by SBB’s own designer Seven Swans, and the always gorgeous backdrop of Kleinevalleij. Our friend and sponsor Dreampix Photography was there to capture every happy moment.Read More

Mismatched Neutral Bridesmaid Dresses

by gaby

Mismatched Neutral Bridesmaid Dresses

Source: via Belle the Magazine

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses: aren’t they fabulous? This trend just grows and grows, and I especially love the look of mismatched neutral bridesmaid dresses, because you can often incorporate some of the other pretty bridesmaid dress trends into it too, like prints or sequins. For example, if you’re mismatching within the mushroom to nude pink neutrals range, you could include, one pattern in neutral colours, one lace overlay dress, and then a pop of glitter against a neutral skirt perhaps? The secret of successful mismatched bridesmaids is texture – think ruffles, soft chiffon and contrasting fabrics. Model Molly Sims pretty much perfected this look for her wedding, but I found lots of less famous brides who pulled it off beautifully too. And I had to include the image on the left below – I wonder if any has been pinned quite as much as this one? I always thought it was from a catalogue, but in fact it was an early adopter of the mismatched neutrals look, a bride who made it look easy breezy and drop dead gorgeous. Just one last note to mention here – most of the weddings below have used white or pale flowers and probably have an overall white or neutral colour scheme. Which is great. But don’t forget that this look works beautifully for bolder wedding colour choices too, and bright blooms really pop against a plain background, so don’t write it off as too vanilla if you’re a statement bride! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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