wedding dresses - SouthBound Bride

Mira Zwillinger Stardust Collection

12 May, 2015 by gaby

Some things are an annual tradition for me. Buying peonies as soon as I can find them. Getting excited when a new season of Greys hits my TV screen (not no more though, thanks Shonda). And every year, when I see the latest collection by Israeli mother and daughter-run label Mira Zwillinger, I declare that this is it, it couldn’t possibly get more lovely and amazing. Except that every year it does. And this year… Wow. I mean, seriously. Wow. Sparkle and lace and illusion and softness and romance and elegant silhouettes. Every single gown in the new Stardust collection is absolutely breathtaking, heart-stopping, knee-melting. As beautiful wedding dresses go, I can’t imagine it gets any better than this. Except that, as is tradition, it probably will ;) Until then… let’s fall in love.Read More

Casey Jeanne’s Jeannelle la Amour Collection

8 May, 2015 by gaby

Hello beauties – time for some wedding fashion inspiration, courtesy of one of my favourite South African designers. Casey Jeanne is a star on a pretty meteoric rise (and you’ll remember we’ve featured her bespoke gowns in the past). Now, she’s come up with a splendid ready-to-wear collection, Jeannelle la Amour, that’s spreading the word far beyond her home in Durbs. Featuring the designers signature love of detail in lace tattoos, beading and sumptuous fabrics, each one of these gowns is a whisper of loveliness. It’s just hard to pick a favourite! I also love that the collection is a tribute to Casey’s French grandfather, who was orphaned and adopted during the war and moved to South Africa. Alexis Diack took the beautiful pictures, and be sure not to miss the fab video by Wes of The Shank Tank at the end.Read More

Kelsey Genna Bridal & Eveningwear 2015

10 March, 2015 by gaby

Afternoon, SouthBound Brides! It’s already been an inspiring day, what with a beautiful wedding this morning, but before the sun goes down, we’re carrying on the loveliness with a peek at Kelsey Genna (aka The Flower Bride)‘s latest collection. Kelsey is a talented young designer from New Zealand whose work I have featured before, and many of her designs are absolutely perfect for a bohemian bride. This time around, as well as lovely laid-back lacey gowns in both short and long lengths, there’s a playful selection of dresses in colour and pattern, which could work either as gorgeous eveningwear or a more daring bridal style. From shimmery overlays to rose-shaped ruffles, each dress in the collection has its own unique something that makes you stop and go: ‘wow’- it’s impossible to pick a favourite. And here to prove that, are some absolutely spectacular images of the dresses in action from Kate Grewal. Let’s take a look, shall we?Read More

20 Romantic Bohemian Wedding Dresses

2 March, 2015 by gaby

Nevaeh Floral Lace Open Back Wedding Dress by Wear Your Love

*UPDATED FOR 2020* Looking for the most gorgeous romantic bohemian wedding dresses for hippie, festival or indie brides? Whether you’re getting married in a field or on a beach or just have a free spirit, these gorgeous gowns from Etsy will set your wild heart aflutter. And while I know buying gowns online can feel like a risk, but I think the boho style particularly lends itself to it, since the cut is usually a little looser, the style a little more flowing than your average ballgown. Plus, there are lots of small, up-and-coming designers in this space (where many an independent bridal label began). I’ve rounded up just 20 of my favourite romantic bohemian wedding dresses, but be sure to click through and see more from each of these fab Etsy stores.

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

Fiona Mauchan Demi-Couture Collection

27 February, 2015 by gaby

Dress crush alert! I’m super excited today to be featuring the work of up-and-coming South African designer, Fiona Mauchan, who has just launched her demi-couture collection. Up until now, Fiona’s only made one-of-a-kind dresses, and while she’ll continue her bespoke service, she’s also created this exciting ‘petite’ ready to wear collection, comprised of three breathtaking gowns: Angelica, Anise and Annabel. The collection made its debut just last weekend at the Canal Walk Bridal Show, so this is really hot off the press news. And even better, we have some beautiful lookbook images to share, courtesy of the talented Claire Thomson! Now that’s how you kick off a Friday. ;)Read More

Phase Eight Spring/Summer 2015

16 February, 2015 by gaby

Gorgeous dress alert! Phase Eight havebrought out their 8 Bridal collection of wedding dresses, and I just had to share the brand new lookbook with you today. This sophisticated UK label really has something for everything in their bijou range, whether you’re a classic, vintage or contemporary bride. Short or long, sparkle or lace – I think everyone will find a favourite. Mine is Hope (pictured above), a spectacular beaded and embellished 1920s-inspired gown, with a sheer blouson top and sweet little train (total steal at £595, no?). It’s details like this that raise Phase Eight from high street to high fashion. And the best part is that the gowns are available online from different retailers, so South African brides don’t have to miss out. Winner winner, chicken dinner.Read More

Stunning Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dresses

28 January, 2015 by gaby

*UPDATED FOR 2021* I think I may have mentioned this before, but the first wedding dress I fell totally in love with was off-the-shoulder. It was also bloody hideous. Does anyone remember Jennifer & Jack’s wedding from Days of our Lives? (Don’t blame me, it was the ’90s.) Anyway, then like everyone else, I went off of off-shoulder, because nothing dated a dress more quickly, right? And then, the fashion pendulum swung, as it always does. Princess Charlene rocked a gorgeous off-the-shoulder, then so did Amal Clooney, and hey presto, they’re officially one of bridal fashion’s most trendy and romantic looks. And like every good soap opera character, I’m desperately in love again. This time around, the off the shoulder look is all about the fabric – soft lace sleeves and swishes of tulle, ornate jewelled beading, or boho fringes. Instead of creating weird, giant artificial ‘shoulders’, the sleeves fall softly across the arm, giving brides the best of both sleeved and sleeveless dresses. I’ve rounded up 25 of my absolute favourite off-the-shoulder bridal looks to inspire!

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

Julie Vino Provence Collection

20 January, 2015 by gaby

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

Bo & Luca: Now in South Africa

15 January, 2015 by gaby

I’ve been doing this wedding stuff for a while now, and there are a few days when I feel like I’ve seen it all. That’s why having Candice on the SBB team has been so refreshing, because she’s like my own awesome-o-mometer. I always know if I send her something and she comes back all “OMG I love it!” that I’ve found something special, and that makes me excitable all over again. Well, when I sent Candice a link to Bo & Luca, an Australian bridal brand that has just launched in South Africa, there was a lot of squealing going on. From both of us. Because, hello gorgeous dresses! I’m SO thrilled to see labels like this appearing on the SA scene – labels that take a fresh look at bridalwear for more fashioney or relaxed, boho brides, and I can’t WAIT to visit Bo & Luca‘s new Cape Town store in person. Let’s take a look, shall we?Read More

Introducing… Anna Georgina

6 January, 2015 by gaby

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