Designers call it the modern-day ‘frothy dress’. Known for its dramatised aesthetic, tulle dresses are now taking over the runways and have made its way into the top list of wedding fabrics with a modern design. It is referred to as an aesthetic that you wear not to only look good, but also to feel good. The layering of tulle creates a fairytale-like design, encouraging the bride to feel like a little girl playing dress-up. And isn’t that exactly what it is though?
Tulle and organza are fabrics associated with haute couture, which leads to the end result being, what we call, ‘OTT’ – a look perfect for your big day. Tulle has been used in bridal gowns for decades but now designers are taking looks straight from the runway and creating a more wearable style for brides and their bridal party. Below are some of our favourite tulle gowns, ready to hit the aisle:
Social trends are moving towards sustainability, therefore directly impacting the way we think about the environment around us. These trends have become more apparent as we are consciously making decisions about what we put in our bodies, as well as where we buy our clothes. This growing awareness has changed the way we see waste and pushed us into being more aware of recycling, repurposing, biodegradable elements and ethically sourced products.
Subsequently, the idea of sustainability has trickled down into weddings. Thanks to the popularity of conscious fashion, there has been a burst of innovations, fashion brands and accessibility. As a result, brides are offered a variety of options in the hunt for the perfect wedding dress. Many well-known designers now offer women a sustainable collection or range, and we believe that it’s only the beginning.
Below are a few stand-out designers and why we love them:
Stella is known for her work in sustainability and being at the forefront of a conscious movement. The designer has launched a vegan-friendly, eco-friendly bridal collection, with designs that are effortless and beautiful, while still keeping with the iconic ‘Stella’ aesthetic. Stella’s first bridal collection ranges from lace, chiffon to couture fabrics.
A California based clothing brand that pioneers the ethos of sustainability. Reformation creates beautiful silhouettes for every size, complemented with eco-friendly fabrics. The brand uses deadstock fabrics and repurposed vintage clothing that allows for a truly unique design.
The South African based fashion and lifestyle brand is headed by two powerhouse ladies and has a design aesthetic that is inspired by nature, while their use of materials is a mindful expression of the core brand values. For the bride that seeks a touch of uniqueness on her wedding day, Lunar Life might be your winner.
At Minna, also known as Indiebride London, dresses are made to order, which means the fit and shape of the dress is completely perfected to suit your body. Indiebride’s aesthetics are simple and classic – they play on the theme of bohemian chic. The brand offers in-house handcrafted dresses which promote artisans and encourages brides to work hand-in-hand with the artisan creating their dress. Materials are seen as precious and little to no waste is made, so off-cuts are often donated to students or organizations.
Deborah Lindquist gowns are for style-savvy, but eco-conscious brides. Garments are created from a mixture of vintage/upcycled, organic fabrics and each creation is unique and limited. Deborah has designed gowns for celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Pink, Jessica Alba and Rihanna. Will you be next?
Accessories make the look. A simple touch can take your outfit from drab to fab. Typically, men’s wedding suits are quite basic so the key in personalising the look comes with accessories. Bowties, boutonnieres and cufflinks are small ways to make a big difference. However, you don’t want to be basic. As a stylish man, your outfit should reflect that. Take some risks with these unique bowties.
Many brides throughout the ages have adorned themselves with hair pieces. You can sport a hair piece whether you wear a veil or not. From tiaras to hats to flowers, the world is your oyster. These days, though, many brides opt for delicate accessories. Here are some options to consider.
Thin head band
Head bands have been in style for years, but now, dainty is the new extra. Go with feminine, delicate pieces for a softer look.
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Tiara
All women wear crowns. On your wedding day, you get to make yours visible to the world! Gold is very in right now, and we love this Shakespearian feel.
Pearl hair clips
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but pearls are for a lady. We absolutely fawn over this ethereal piece.
Floral
Flowers are perfect for a spring or summer wedding. This garland is the epitome of class and also adds a splash of colour.
Full head piece
If you’re really into head accessories, maybe go all out with a full head piece. It can be delicate and subtle, instead of the heavy laden, jewel-encrusted pieces of the past.
Not everyone loves glitz and glam. If you’re an earth-child and love boho fashion, consider going for one of these fun and flowy wedding dresses that have us swooning.
Colourful
Bohemian themes are known for wild splashes of rich colour. If that’s you, don’t hold back.
White
If you prefer white, these options are great. Cream, off-white and beige work well too.
Crocheted
This lovely patterned dress adds an old-time feel.
Wedding dress codes can be difficult to interpret, but don’t worry, we will guide you through what to wear to a wedding with a casual dress code.
A casual dress code is appropriate for an outdoor wedding. Wear something comfortable while keeping your outfit sophisticated. While this dress code is the most laid-back option for a wedding, it is still a wedding and therefore jeans should not be considered.
Here are a few outfit options that would work for a casual wedding:
Men
Pair a polo or button-down shirt with dress pants, chinos or khakis and boat shoes. Brown shoes are also acceptable at a casual wedding.
Wear a sundress or a pretty blouse, or perhaps a cute sweater if it’s chilly, with a skirt or dress pants. Keep embellishments to a minimum. Pair your outfit with sandals or a pair of wedges.
Everyone loves a man in a suit. Grooms have been relying on the old faithful, a classic black tux, for decades. However, today’s groom is one that is willing to take a risk. From bright colours to bright prints, there are so many ways for the man of the moment to stand out on his big day.
Go crazy with colour:
Make a splash with a coloured suit. A monochrome suit is the easiest way for a groom to make a fashion statement without being overly dramatic. Be sure to pick a colour that compliments the wedding colour scheme for a cohesive finish.
If you are feeling daring, go for a bold print. This will be sure to turn heads at your wedding. The key with printed suits is to stick to no more than 3 shades and a smaller print to avoid your outfit looking like a costume.
Take a page from Prince Harry’s playbook and rock a velvet blazer at your wedding. Velvet has been a thing for a while now. The fabric has become popular in weddings because it is sophisticated and glamorous yet simple at the same time. For an extra stylish element, contrast your suit lapel with a different colour or fabric.
White wedding dresses have been a tradition since Queen Victoria popularised the trend back in 1840. Classic and regal, there is no denying that this light hue will never go out of style. However, non-white wedding gowns have been making a splash for years.
We’ve seen stars like Gwen Stefani, Jessica Biel and Dita Von Teese donning rainbow hues for their big day. If you want to make a statement, live in colour with these non-white looks.
Edward Scissorhands. Beetlejuice. The Nightmare Before Christmas. Corpse Bride. All of these films are classic Halloween-time viewing that come from the mind of the unique writer and director, Tim Burton.
Many laud Burton for being the king of spooky with his dark yet comical films that have gone down in history. His characters continue to inspire many a halloween costume, and now it has even inspired a wedding photoshoot.
Miami-based couple Genesis and Kelvin have been together for 10 years and married in July 2019. However, due to personal circumstances they did not have the financial means to throw the extravagant wedding they wanted. They have four children, one of whom suffers from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome, and her resulting medical bills have been costly.
“We didn’t really have a big wedding because our daughter has a disability,” Genesis told Business Insider US. “Our wedding day, unfortunately, was a big flop.”
The couple, who are big Tim Burton fans, were granted the opportunity to have the wedding of their dreams when their friend approached them to do a posed photoshoot.
The photoshoot, captured by photographer Angela Vallejo, recreated their wedding day in epic style. Together with Monica Reyes, event planner from ‘Events with a Promise’, the couple were spoiled with the spooky and glamorous day they had originally envisioned.
With the white piping on his lapel and the black and white colour scheme, Kelvin’s suit perfectly hinted at Jack Skellington’s attire from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Credit: Angela Vallejo Photography
Genesis went for a gothic look, sporting a black lace gown with a lengthy train.
Credit: Angela Vallejo Photography
Elements from Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice were incorporated through decor and colour scheme. Green, purple and black are focal colours in many of Burton’s films, and were stylishly woven into this styled table without looking overly themed. Pumpkins, Jack Skellington’s favourite accessory, were also included in the decor.
The wedding invites featured curlycue script on a charred paper, giving a Halloween inspired look. The envelope, which reads “Mr. Unlucky”, referred to “Jack’s Lament” in The Nightmare Before Christmas.
There was even a replica of Beetlejuice‘s “Handbook for the Recently Deceased”, except this time it was used as a guest book.
The stunning three layer black cake was adorned with dried flowers and a cake topper with the figures of Jack Skellington and Sally cut into it. It also reads “Mr” and “Mrs”. The cake stand is in the shape of skeleton legs.
The photoshoot gave Genesis and Kelvin some much-needed time to spoil themselves. Most of their time is dedicated to looking after their children, especially their special needs daughter.
“Your whole life becomes taking care of this child,” she said of her youngest daughter. “You don’t notice how much time is fleeting, and although your life becomes taking care of this child, you need to practice self-love too.”
“We don’t really have time to go on dates or things like that, so for us, this shoot was just a time for us to take a step back and really, you know, practice self-care,” Genesis said.
Wedding dresses seem to have transcended all boundaries. There’s nothing it can’t be. Wild colours, short dresses, dresses made from recycled material, dresses made of paper, even jumpsuits which aren’t dresses at all! If you can pay, you can have it all.
One of the most beautiful trends we have seen, though, are light-up dresses. Think fairy tale meets the finest Milan runway. These dresses are exquisite and magical. We found a few we can’t keep our eyes off of.
