Feminine Bridesmaid Inspiration

I’ve probably said this before, but one of my absolute favourite times in a wedding day is those blissful (and busy!) few hours spent between a bride and her retinue on the morning of the big day, sipping champagne and giggling with excitement as hair and makeup get done and the big moment approaches. It’s such a special time to spend with your girls – the women who have supported you, and loved you, and are there on this day to usher you into this next magical phase of your life. A memory to cherish. So I’m all for making sure that you all feel pretty and comfortable, even before the dresses are on and the shoe straps are tied. That’s one of the reasons I adore Plum Pretty Sugar, whose whisper-soft robes in garden-inspired prints are perfect for a wedding morning. But beyond that, the Plum Pretty Sugar accessories and apparel are part of a feminine, romantic lifestyle brand, and you’ll feel beautiful in their line long after the wedding day… the honeymoon, newlywed life – even on into maternity. So when Aisle Society bloggers Elizabeth Anne Designs & Coastal Bride teamed up with PPS to create a Southern styled shoot, you can imagine how excited I was to share the images! These pics take us right up to those moments before the walk down the aisle, with the girls in their dreamy PPS Couture bridesmaid gowns, and the beautiful, laughing bride, complete with protea bouquet (you know I love that!) And don’t forget that PPS ships to South Africa, and beyond.

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Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

Dreamy Beach Wedding Dresses

*UPDATED FOR 2021* All of this month we’ve been talking tropical weddings, and a tropical (or any beachy) wedding deserves a beautiful beach wedding dress that’s perfect for sand and sunshine. And, while a girl can pretty much rock whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned, the practical aspects of a beach wedding (sand, heat, humidity) definitely lend themselves to a gown that’s lighter as well as less formal. I love the way that soft textures (which happen to be light and perfect to wear) look in photographs, especially in beautiful beach portraits with the setting sun or the wind ruffling out layers of sheer fabric, so that’s what I’d personally opt for, and while simple shapes work well, there’s no lack of creativity you can apply when adding touches like portrait backs or lace or beading. I’ve rounded up 30 shut-the-front-door-that’s-amazing beach wedding dresses from editorials, real weddings and Etsy – each dreamier than the last.

*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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Bridesmaids in Jumpsuits

Jumpsuit Bridesmaid Trend

Well, here’s a trend I never thought I would be covering, let alone coveting: bridesmaid jumpsuits! You may have noticed that jumpsuits, pantsuits and rompers are all over the catwalks, to the extent that brides in jumpsuits are a thing now and looking absolutely gorgeous doing it. And where brides lead, bridesmaids will follow, or vice versa. Bridesmaids in pants and jumpsuits, while not super common, have been popping up as a very chic (and comfy) alternative to the traditional dress or even skirt and top. And I have to say, I actually love the look. I think it’s the mix of sexy but not revealing, and formal but not too formal, that makes jumpsuits such a great occasionwear fit to a wedding. Of course, this isn’t everyone’s thing – I could definitely see it more at a sophisticated city soiree than a romantic countryside affair, but if it appeals, go for it. And even if not for your girls, all the jumpsuits in the ‘shop the look’ section below would make fab rehearsal dinner/going away outfits for a bride-to-be! *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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Well Groomed: The Beach Wedding

Beach Wedding Groom Attire

Time to share a bit of beachy inspiration with you all- and this one’s for the boys! The fact is, beach weddings can be a difficult dress code to crack, both for grooms and their groomsmen (and even for male guests).  And you may ask yourself: is a suit too smart for sand? Are shorts too casual for an important occasion? It’s hard to find the right balance, but fortunately there are lots of stylish grooms both in our own archives and across the web to give the lads some beach wedding attire inspiration. I’ve noticed that it really comes down to personal taste – for example, some grooms go all out and take their black tie to the beach, while others jump at the opportunity to wear shorts and sandals. Some choose just a little tweak on a favourite summer look – but with a bowtie here and a well-cut open shirt there, and in keeping with the casual nature of a beach wedding, just about any combination of beach wedding groom attire can be made to work handsomely. And when in doubt, a light linen trouser and white shirt will never serve you wrong. Here are 20 groom’s parties who rocked their tropical looks! *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

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Long White Bridesmaid Dresses

White Bridesmaid Dresses Trend

Long bridesmaid dresses are so en vogue right now, and with good reason – they’re elegant and oh so flattering. Add a long twist on the little white bridesmaid dress trend and you have a look that’s supremely lovely – sweet, summery and a little angelic! Whether you pair your long white bridesmaid dresses with glamorous updos or boho crowns, it’s a beautiful way to dress your girls for the big day – and don’t worry, the bride is never upstaged! This is one of the top looks for the season (as seen most recently on SBB in Pedro & Chelsea’s wedding a couple of weeks ago), so I thought it was high time I gathered some inspiration and ideas to get the look.

*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

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Tropical Wedding Cakes

Hello lovelies! Continuing with our tropical theme for the month (and celebrating the fact that I’m actually IN the tropics right now… yes, I’m boasting, sorrynotsorry) we’re looking at tropical themed cakes for your beach or tropsy wedding. These are seriously awesome – and even if you’re not going all out on the theme, they’re a great way to bring a bit of summer to your wedding, especially if you opt for flavours like coconut, fruit, etc. Some are colourful, some are more on the elegant and sophisticated side, but they’re all lovely.

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Oversize Statement Bouquets

I like big bouquets. And I cannot lie. Actually, I don’t know why I would lie, since I’m not alone in my love for the bigger the better the more beautiful the bouquet. Oversize statement bouquets are exploding all over Pinterest and wedding blogs around the world, and I can’t get enough of them. And sure, they’re not going to be for every bride. But for those of you who just can’t get enough blooms, or who want to make a statement (or just show off those muscles from months of weight training), big bouquets are the thing. So here are 20 absolutely breathtaking examples to get you and your florist inspired.

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Dusty Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

To finish off our fashionable Friday, we’re taking some time to gawk at some gorgeous dusty blue bridesmaid dresses. I just love dusty blue weddings – this periwinkle/cornflower hybrid is super pretty and super flattering thanks to its cool tone, which makes it perfect for bridesmaids whatever your wedding theme or style. Yesterday, in fact, we featured a lovely wedding with Serenity bridesmaids, and they looked amazing, so I thought it was the perfect time to pull out some inspiration and shopping ideas.
This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales made.

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Hanging Centrepieces

So when I mentioned hanging centrepieces as one of the top trends for 2016, I didn’t mean that hanging decor or even hanging florals were a new thing. In fact, their momentum has been building for a while now. But when it comes to choosing hanging centrepieces instead of lush table runners, or in addition to on-table centrepieces, this is their moment. I’ve been watching more brides requesting this over the last year, and some of our most talented florists (not to mention those overseas) creating new and wonderful creations that push the boundaries of this trend. There’s never been a better moment to look up.

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15 Romantic Morganite Engagement Rings

ROMANTIC MORGANITE ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Pink Morganite Engagement Ring by Carat Ring

I can’t think of a better way to end off a crazy Monday than with some jewellery, can you? One of the trends I mentioned last week was alternative engagement rings, which we’re seeing more and more couples choosing for reasons of budget, taste or because of the ethical issues around diamond mining. Etsy is a great place to source artisan jewellery, and while there are many stones to choose from, the ones that really catch my eye are morganite. This rose gold stone is trending big time, and I must admit to being more than a little jealous of anyone who gets to sport its peachy loveliness on their ring finger! There’s one question I do hear from brides from time to time though: ‘Is a morganite ring tacky?’ The short (and the long answer) is no. As with diamonds, you’ll get what you pay for with a morganite engagement ring, so while they tend to be more affordable, you still want to make sure you pay for a good cut. And yes, beryl stones (morganite being one of them) can get cloudy more easily than a diamond, but they clean up super easily with a little TLC so you can easily keep them at their sparkling best. Also yes, there is a morganite engagement ring trend going on right now, but does that mean they won’t stand the test of time? In my opinion no. Their soft colour co-ordinates beautifully with any number of outfits – in fact, I think morganite is just getting started. Bottom line, if you love it, and it suits your personal style, you can’t go wrong. So let’s round up a few of our favourite morganite rings from Etsy, shall we?

*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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