Daalarna Couture Flower Collection

You guys, I think I have a problem. Call it FOMO, or fear of commitment, or just plain wedding dress addiction, but at the moment I feel like I have a new favourite bridal designer every week. But how can I help myself, when the most GORGEOUS gowns keep crossing my desk? And if ever a collection were worthy of obsession it’s today’s, from Hungarian designer Daalarna. The lookbook – set against a wall of bright blooms – is spot on (as is the name of the Flower Collection), because each of the dresses captures the beauty of a garden in a different way. For some, it’s through prints (oh, those prints! My fave being the one that combines ombre with floral), for some it’s through blooms of lace applique, and for others it’s with petal-soft layers of tulle. Chief designer, Anita Benes, was inspired by French impressionist Monet, and his harmonious combintion of natural elements of sky, sun, water and flowers. Like I say, GORGEOUS!Read More

Inspiration Board: Golden Lace

Hello lovelies – I’m back from my reunion weekend away (which was fab) and holed up in bed with a cold (not so fab), so bear with me as I share today’s board a little later than usual. August is going to be our month of bling – or at least, our theme is ‘Glamour’, so after some weeks of organic, we get to look at the glitzier side of wedding design. And you know my magpie heart loves me some gold, so we had to start with a golden inspiration board! For this one, I’ve combined this glam metallic with the classic vintage element of lace, resulting in something I think is really very pretty. I also love how gold stands out against a palette of white, grey and pewter – mixed metallics really are a fave of mine. But most of all, I’m in LOVE with that amazing gold lace dress – isn’t it amazing? Now that’s a showstopper.

Colours: Gold, greys & white

Top row (l-r): Gold lace gown {Krikor Jabotian}; Luscious Lacing wedding invitation suite {Wedding Paper Divas}; table setting {JoPhoto}
Row 2: Gold lace cake {City Sweets & Confections/Anna Williams}; flower girl {Dolce & Gabbana Junior}; Menbur ‘Strass’ pump
Row 3: Gold filigree cuff; gold lace chair cover {Tonya Peterson Photography/Utah Events by Design}; lace cuffs

Julie Vino Provence Collection

So you know how a couple of weeks ago we were telling you all how sexy wedding dresses were one of 2015’s top trends? And how it was all about the details: slinky silhouettes, deep V-necks, low backs, nude lace, and Angelina-style thigh-high slits? Well, Julie Vino‘s latest collection has IT ALL. Last year, when I first introduced you to this Israeli designer, I mentioned how I loved the way Julie mixed red-hot sexy and delicately feminine styles – which pretty much describes this latest collection to a tee also. Beaded and floaty fabrics combine with lavish laces and a touch of vintage, a fitting tribute to beautiful French Provence, but with contemporary cuts and a glamour that is very much of the 21st century. There’s no doubt these are gowns for a confident, modern bride, but while they’re daring, they’re always romantic. And as if the dresses weren’t inspiring enough, the lookbook was shot in and around a stunning chateau in the middle of vineyards and olive groves – très chic! And très sexy.Read More

Introducing… Anna Georgina

Afternoon gorgeous ones! As I mentioned yesterday, we’re upgrading fashion on SBB this year – think of it as a series regular here now rather than a guest star. And I’m never happier than when I’m showcasing South African designers, because we have some serious talent on these shores! A name that won’t be a stranger to any of you is Kobus Dippenaar, and today we’re shining the spotlight on Kobus’ bridal label, Anna Georgina, for the first time. These dresses are… well, WOW. Beautifully crafted, with the same beautiful detailing that Kobus’ red carpet gowns are known for, and undeniably feminine. We’re smitten. And the best part is that we were able to steal Kobus away from his studio for an exclusive interview, to go along with the latest Anna Georgina collection.Read More

Introducing… Elbeth Gillis Enchanting Collection

I’m always super excited to bring you news of beautiful bridal fashion – even more so when I get to show off local designers – but I’m especially thrilled to bring you Elbeth Gillis‘ latest collection because I know how many of you LOVE her designs. Elbeth’s dresses have graced our pages many times over the years, and lots of our real brides have even told me they first heard of her right here. Her studios are like a little haven of refinement in the busy centre of Cape Town, the kind of place where you step in nervous and walk out bursting with excitement to wear the dress of your dreams. It’s a kind of magic, so it seems completely appropriate that Elbeth’s latest collection happens to be called ‘Enchanting’. And is it ever. Lace tattoos, delicate beadwork and hidden detailing characterise the collection, and I was so smitten I just had to know more. I’m so thrilled that Elbeth found time to give us this exclusive interview and share her latest lookbook with us today!Read More

Nude Lace Wedding Dresses

What do J-Lo, Camila Alves and Beyonce have in common? Probably quite a bit, but for today, it’s that they’ve recently been rocking the latest trend in bridal on the red carpet, and looking oh so gorgeous doing it. Nude lace is one of the key trends in the 2015 bridal collections, a beautiful, feminine, sexy development from the lace and applique detailed look that has been so popular for the last couple of years. The key feature of the style is a nude or blush-coloured underlay with a full or part-body overlay, allowing the detail on the lace or applique to really shine through. Some versions of the look are more daring than others, but one thing’s for sure – it’s taking bridal designers by storm. I’ve been a fan ever since we featured Haloise and Jaco’s wedding earlier this year, when our fashion-forward SouthBound Bride wore an absolutely gorgeous, statement gown. Designers like Zuhair Murad and Mira Zwillinger have made me love it even more since then, but I think my absolute favourite example is the dress worn by European royal, Claire Lademacher, in her wedding to Prince Felix of Luxembourg. And if it’s good enough for Beyonce AND a princess? It’s good enough for me. Here’s a roundup of some gorgeous nude lace dresses, both on and off the catwalk.Read More

Peonies & Lace Wedding at The Cradle by picture me&u {Nadja & Adriaan}

There’s a reason why season in, season out, blush pink weddings are always so popular. They’re just so romantic – and let’s be honest, nothing shows off wedding white like the soft glow of a rosy palette. Nadja and Adriaan’s wedding is every bit as lovely as a blush wedding gets, pairing peonies (my favourites!) with lovely little lacy details and mixing up the vintage texture with a sleek modern setting and of course the gorgeous natural bush-style backdrop of the Cradle, perfectly captured by photographers picture me&u. The look is classic with thoughtful personal touches, including Pimm’s cocktails, framed quotes and map table numbers to reflect the couple’s philosophy that their lives together are a journey and an adventure. Here’s to many more exciting stops along the way!Read More

Wedding Dresses with Sleeves

Hello lovelies! The internet was not my friend yesterday, so today we’re jam packing the fabulous content in here on SouthBound Bride, starting with some very lovely bridal fashion. Now, I never thought I would say this, but sleeves are SO my new fashion crush. Of course, there are sleeves and then there are sleeves. And the ones we’re talking here, whether they are little delicate caps perfect for a summer bride or soft sheaths for winter ones, are just as romantic and beautiful as the rest of the dresses they adorn. There’s lace – of course, because lace is a huge trend right now – but not just lace. Dreamy chiffons, sparkly beads, smooth silks. So ridiculously beautiful. The age of the all-triumphant strapless A-line is officially a thing of the past.Read More

Lace Table Runners

It’s funny with wedding trends – one minute they’re brand new, and the next it seems like they never went away. Maybe it’s because everything goes in cycles. But I remember how, just a few years ago, sitting in Hyde Park watching Kate Middleton emerge in her wedding dress, myself and fellow blogger Annie of Marry You Me looked at one another and said: “Lace. Lace is going to be huge again.” And so it has been. But while brides have been getting their lace on in every beautiful combination of portrait back and illusion neckline imaginable since, it’s time for tables to have their turn as well. Lace runners were one of the trends I identified in my 2014 roundup, so I thought I would bring you a full feature on this decor loveliness here today. But be warned! This is an unforgiving look for functional tables. Make sure your venue has ones that look good without a tablecloth (or if you love the look, hire one for just the head table).Read More

Mira Zwillinger 2014

Happy Friday, folks! We end off this week of loveliness with one more piece of lovely that will have you swooning your swooniest swoons. I’ve been in love with Mira Zwillinger‘s dresses ever since we featured them in this shoot, but I think it’s a love that has gone to a whole new level with the 2013/2014 collection. Like the previous one, it’s built on a combination of soft fabrics and fine lace details, but if it’s possible, this year it’s even more feminine and beautiful. These are the kind of dresses you just want to wrap up in tissue paper and sigh over. They’re definitely the kind of bridal couture that will make a breathtaking impression on any bride. My favourite is the New Beatrice (first below), a revision on one of the incredible dresses I worked with – I didn’t think it was possible to make it more beautiful, but Mira has. So here we go. Meet your new favourite dresses.Read More