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    Who doesn’t love a great suit and who doesn’t look good in one too? That’s exactly why more and more women are opting to ditch the dress – along with patriarchal gender norms – for a bridal suit.

    We love how modern brides are breaking barriers and defying tradition, we love power moves and a bride wearing a classic blazer-pants combo to her wedding is exactly that, whether you prefer smart tailoring, relaxed and fluid shapes or modern and flourished designs. Here are a few things to know if you’re unfamiliar with the sartorial world of suits.

     

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    Love is love ♡ Would you wear a pant suit on your wedding day? Let us know below ?⁠⠀ —————————⁠⠀ Photography: @5ive15ifteen⁠⠀ Concept Creators, Producers, and Creative Directors: @ellie_lauraandcoevents, @baye_lauraandcoevents, @thyra_lauraandcoevents, @lauraandcoevents⁠⠀ Floral and Decor Design: @jodileighdesigns⁠⠀ Luxe Location: @gracevenue⁠⠀ Gowns and Pantsuit: @valencienneto⁠⠀ Earrings and Hair Pins: @tarafavajewellery⁠⠀ Hair and Makeup: @fancyfaceinc⁠⠀ Aisle Runner: @reznickeventcarpets⁠⠀ Veil: @blairnadeaubridal⁠⠀ Arch: @guelphtents⁣⁣⁣⁠⠀ ————————— ⁠⠀ #loveislove #equality #woodland #greige #grey #earthtones #pampasgrass #bridaljumpsuit #pantsuit #bridalfashion #bridalstyle #bohobride #weddinginspo #weddinginspiration #weddingtrends #bohoweddingdress #bohostyle #lgbtq #luxury #luxurywedding #wedluxetoronto #truelove #trueluxury

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    Know the difference

    Bespoke suits are traditionally cut from a pattern drafted from scratch for the customer, and so it differs from Ready-to-Wear, which is factory made in finished condition and standardised sizes, and from Made-to-Measure. Made-to-Measure typically refers to custom suits that are cut and sewn using a standard size based pattern. A Made-to-Measure suit will be more expensive than a Ready-to-Wear suit but will be cheaper than a Bespoke suit.

    Style lingo

    Regarding stylistic choices, when it comes to choosing your suit you have to consider what you want in terms of lapels,vents, buttons and the lining. There are three types of lapels and vents, each with their own stylistic connotations.

    – The three-button suit is not usually a contemporary style choice, though it was quite a hit in the 90’s. The three-button suit has a high button stance creating a higher “V” on the chest, but because of this it can sometimes look stuffy depending on your height, so it’s a great option for someone over 6’2”.

    – The two-button suit is a much more popular choice in recent times, good for creating the illusion of an elongated chest with longer lapels and a deeper “V”.

    – The one-button suit is a fairly new trend, providing edge and sleekness with an even deeper “V”. This option usually pairs well with slim suits.

     

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    ***The Suit Issue*** Whatever you want to be, The Suit Issue is about you and today, we’re so thrilled to show off the Signature Fall 2019/2020 collection from @justinalexander truly allows you to be whatever you dream of. Jumpsuits, pants, mini dresses, jackets and ballgowns- this is the collective that tailors to you. See it now on the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ x Ms Polka⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #polkadotgroom #polkadotbride #feelgoodweddings #thesuitissue #weddingtailor #weddingjumpsuit #weddingsuit #weddingjacket #justinalexander #bridaljumpsuit #modernbride #jumpsuit #coolbride #bridalstyle #weddingfashion #bridal #occasionwear #weddingdress #engaged #weddingstyle #instawedding #jumpsuits #receptionjumpsuit #justinalexanderbridal

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    The lining of a suit is not merely for cosmetic reasons. It adds structure and weight to your suit, so fully-lined suits will generally be warmer and have a more substantial look to them. Cheaper lining suits will often lack durability and breathability, creasing and sticking to your shirt or whatever undergarments you may be wearing under your blazer, so don’t disregard the importance of quality lining.

    By Keenan Martin

    Image: Unsplash

    Weddings come with a hefty price tag but none as much as these handmade, diamond-drapped, gowns fit for royalty. If platinum, emeralds or peacock feathers tickle your fancy – this is how much a wedding gown made exclusively of them would set you back…

    1. The Diamond Wedding Gown

    The gown is valued at $30 million (R427 430 400). Designed by Malaysian designer Faisol Abdullah, the hefty price tag on this gown is because of the expensive materials used to make it. It consists of 751 diamonds and the center of the dress features a 70-carat pear-shaped stone. Not only does the dress feature diamonds but the train is encrusted with them too.

    2. Yumi Katsura White Gold Dress

    The price tag on this dress is whopping $8.5 million (R120 989 000). It was created by Japanese stylist Yumi Katsura and the costly design is made from silk satin and features zari-embroidery handwork. It consists of 1000 pearls, a 5 carat white gold diamond and a green 8.8 carat diamond emblem. There are only two of these dresses in existence.

    3. Peacock Wedding dress

    This feathery dress contains over 2000 peacock feathers and is valued at $1.5 million (R21 330 000). The dress was made in Nanjing in a wedding dress factory. The bodice of the dress is made with suzhou and brocade embroidery.


    4. Danasha Luxury Gown

    Designed by Jad Ghandour and Danasha Luxury – the gown costs a total of $1.5 million (R21 330 000). It includes gold, diamonds and various other precious gems. The aim of this lavish gown was not to be a novelty – it was created to be stylish, elegant and not just covered in expensive jewels – but an extravagant gown.


    5. Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress

    The Duchess of Cambridge wore an Alexander McQueen wedding gown. The dress featured lace sleeves which took influence from Grace Kelly’s wedding gown. The dress included a train measured at nine feet long (2.74 metres). Kate’s stunning wedding ensemble was topped off with Queen Elizabeth II’s tiara which contains 1000 diamonds. Her wedding dress is valued at $388,088 (R5,523,268).

    Picture: Twitter

    Most brides would give their right and left arm to be able to wear an Elie Saab original on their wedding day. To be able to adorn four of his gowns in one wedding is unheard of unless you marry his son of course. The Lebanese fashion designer’s son Elie Saab Jr married Christina Mourad on July 19 in an elaborate weekend-long affair. The three-day celebration took place in Lebanon and his new daughter-in-law had the privilege of wearing four Elie Saab gowns. Two were custom made just for her special day and the other two were part of his Haute Couture collection.

    The pre-party celebrations had Mourad in a Haute Couture themed Fall-winter jumpsuit from the 2019/2020 collection.


    For the wedding ceremony she wore a one-of-a-kind Elie Saab gown. The dress was made from ivory silk and included 500,000 sequins. It featured a high neck bodice along with a 4.5-metre train.

    The special ceremony was held at Bkerké and the aisle was decorated with candles and lots of greenery. Neiman Azzi was the planner-extraordinaire behind the joyous occasion.


    The beautiful bride changed into a second Haute Couture gown for the reception. A heart-shaped corset featuring a full skirt. This train was only 3.5-metres long. It was adorned with 650,000 sequins and 150,000 Swarovski Strass pieces.

    The festivities were held in the mountain resort of Faqra in Lebanon and the guest list included Dita Von Teese, Sara Sampaio, and Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The venue was transformed into a magical experience – table tops were covered with mirrors and the space included a massive moon sculpture.


    To end off their lavish wedding weekend, Christina wore a beautiful dress from the Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2019 collection. It included a coral-shaped brooch from her father-in-law.

    Their after wedding day party was held at Elie Saab’s home in Lebanon.

    Both dresses took almost 900 hours to make. It also took 200 hours to tailor, 150 hours of draping, 450 hours of embroidery and 80 hours for the embroidery design. They employed a total of six tailors, three pattern makers, twelve embroiders and ten petite mains to get the gowns ready in time.

    Picture: Instagram/Elie Saab Jr.

    Your wedding is fast-approaching and you love wearing black. Why not opt for an unconventional wedding dress? It’s no secret that wearing black makes you feel confident.


    A survey carried out by Buytshirtsonline found that the colour black might have connotations of death and gloom, but it’s a powerful performer in the eyes of the public, who see it as a serious, reliable and solid player. One thousand people were asked how they felt about specific colours in various situations and black had a higher percentage for most of the ‘good’ traits, for example, intelligence, confidence and sexiness. People associated the dark colour with being reliable, trustworthy and serious.

    Is there some sort of psychology behind wearing the colour black?

    It has been suggested people who wear black may be trying to guard themselves from unwanted feelings. If they have issues with anxiety by choosing one ‘plain’ colour it generates a sense of togetherness and control.

    Benefits of wearing black:

    1. Black is seen as elegant, classy and stylish. It’s an easy go to option for anyone, especially if you’re trying to impress.

    2. The monochromatic colour can make you appear thinner. It gives the illusion of a slender figure, which is why many women choose black.

    3. Time saver. Black pretty much matches anything and everything.

    4. As mentioned above, by wearing black, you may exude confidence.

    5. It works with every skin tone and hair colour.

    For those who enjoy bending the rules a little, a black wedding dress is a powerful statement. It symbolises your refusal to follow the norm and societies traditional standards.

    Did you know?
    Before the Victorian era it was normal for brides to wear various colours. Wedding dresses were expensive and some brides opted to adorn the best dress in their cupboard. On 10 February 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in a white wedding dress. The affluent followed suit and began wearing white. The pure colour stood for innocence and virginity. After the Royal wedding brides still continued to wear what they could afford.

    Your wedding dress should be a reflection of your personality. If you prefer black, white, pink or green, the choice is yours. This is your big day, you should do what makes you happiest.

    Picture: Unsplash

    It’s your big day! All eyes are on you, and that dress! The wedding gown may be one of the most important elements of this occasion of love. Well, to the bride at least. It’s something that every girl imagines herself in and it’s absolutely vital to many a bride-to-be that the dress leaves jaws dropped and heads turned.

     

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    HOW TO PICK A WEDDING DRESS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE. ——— When it comes to wedding dresses there are million and one styles and designs to chose from. From silhouettes, to necklines and fabric the options are endless. But the fact is not every wedding dress you love is suited for your body type. The female body type has been grouped into 5; 1. The Hourglass or Figure 8 ⏳ 2. The Pear ? 3. The Rectangle ◼️ 4. The Apple ?& 5. The Inverted Triangle ?. Which wedding dress fits each body type? – If you have an hour glass figure you can wear all types of wedding dresses from Ball gowns to Mermaid styles. – For rectangle shaped ladies all types of wedding dress styles look good on them except the Mermaid style. – Pear ?? shaped ladies will pull off Mermaid dresses ? perfectly ? – Apple shaped ladies would look great in A-Line and empire wedding dress styles. – While, ladies with an inverted triangle shape can rock all dress styles minus the Mermaid and Sheath style. Got any questions? Please share them in the comments section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #weddingdresstypes #weddingdressideas #weddingdressstyles #weddingdressshop #weddingdressdesign #weddingdressng #sellyourweddingdress #usedweddingdresses #onlinebridalboutique #mermaidweddingdress #ballgownweddingdress #sheathweddingdress #empireweddingdress #nigeriantopweddings #weddingsonpoint #preownedweddingdressesinlagos #brideonabudget #brideonabudgetnigeria #africansweetheartweddings #africanluxuryweddings #weddingdressinspo #weddingdressgoals #weddingdressideas #next2newbridal #lagosbridalstore

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    We’ve gathered a few of the most flattering wedding dress silhouettes for your body shape.

    1. A’s for days! For all the gorgeous ladies with beautiful curves, the A-line silhouette may appeal to you. It’s usually fitted at the top to emphasise the waist and then flares out at the skirt. It’s a very flattering shape not just for curvaceous brides but all body shapes.

    2. Wanting to highlight your curves a bit more? The trumpet silhouette is what you’re looking for. It hugs your curves, and flares out from the knee down. As body-hugging as it is, it still allows for a lot of movement.

     

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    We posted a picture of the back and train on this dress about 2 weeks ago and it was one of our most liked photos! We totally get why because the fit on this dress is beyond good! Gabi and Alex love a pretty ballgown and they both put this dress on and raved about how good they felt in it! They said they felt held in yet sexy but not too over the top, a perfect combination for a wedding dress!⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #onefinedayfittedweddingdress #onefinedaymermaids #essenseofaustralia #D2770 #essenseofaustraliaD2770 #fittedweddingdress #mermaidweddingdress #mermaidbridalgown #mermaidbride #trumpetweddingdress⠀ #sexybride #sexyweddingdress #sexyweddingdressideas #sexybridalgown #sexyweddingdressinspiration #sexyweddingdressinspo #sexybridallook #sexybridalfashion

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    3. The sheath shape. If you’re petite or slender, this is very flattering. It’s tight-fitting and elongates the body.

     

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    Floral lace is combined with glitter tulle. All start in a halter neckline, end in a flattering sheath silhouette | Our gorgeous #florence from #venus2019collection is what you’re looking for . . . #sheathweddingdress #laceweddingdress #sparkleweddingdress #weddingdressinspo #koreanbride #singaporebrides #vancouverbridal #hamiltonbride #torontobridalshop #vancouverbridalboutique #kansascitybridalboutique #coloradobridalstore #virginiabrides #floridabridal #weddingdressinspo #weddingdressshopping #kentuckybridalshop #louisianabride #wyomingbride #sacramentobride #austinbride #texasbridestobe #londonbridal #manchesterbride #liverpoolbride #newcastlebridal #georgiabride

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    4. Looking to make an even bigger statement? Have a look at the mermaid style. It’s similar to the Trumpet shape mentioned earlier but a bit more dramatic. It’s also a bit more constricting, however.

     

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    Wedding gowns & bridesmaid dresses, we do it all! ✨?? @morileeofficial style no. 8177

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    5. Off to the ball! The classic ball gown silhouette emphasises your waist. The fullness of the skirt means this dress compliments various body types. If you have a ‘plank’ shape, it creates the illusion of bigger curves. For women who are a bit more busty, this dress can create a nice balance.

    6. Dropped waist. This gorgeous silhouette flares out a little bit below the waistline. It compliments taller brides, as it can elongate the torso area.

    At the end of the day though, it’s about the dress you feel the most beautiful and confident in and your opinion matters most. There are no actual rules – just go for it.

    Picture: Pixabay

    Diversity unites us. We are no longer confined to people from our own creed, culture or nationality. Perhaps once upon a time, it was frowned upon to marry across cultures, and couples would have to convert or choose one culture or the other. But in this day and age, it’s not unusual for people from different backgrounds to tie the knot.

    Anjuli Nanda and her husband Charlie Diamond are the picture-perfect example of two cultures merging. They had two weddings: a traditional Indian wedding, and a traditional British one, both which took place over one weekend.

    Two separate weddings obviously means two different dresses! On the Friday wedding, which was a traditional Indian ceremony, the beautiful bride wore a striking red lehenga, a type of full-length skirt that is embroidered and pleated, designed by Nepalese-American fashion designer, Prabal Gurung. Anjuli chose the lehenga not only because it is traditional wedding attire, but to pay tribute to her late mother.

     

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    My reign begins #AD⚡️CD

    A post shared by Anjuli Nanda Diamond (@anjulinanda) on

    The colour red is highly symbolic in Indian weddings, representing life, love, passion, prosperity and fertility. The bold colour also compliments various complexions, and the bride is always guaranteed to stand out. Anjuli’s lehenga was filled with detail and meaning. The skirt consisted of eight panels, each with patterns that represented meaningful moments in the couple’s relationship.

    Anjuli was also bedecked with jewellery for the wedding. Her wrists were stacked with red bangles, along with a few of her mother’s gold ones, and her necklaces and one set of earrings were designed by Anita Dongre. The glowing bride also donned a pair of Marlo Laz earrings designed by her friend and bridesmaid, Jesse Lazowski.

    The big day consisted of various traditional Indian wedding customs, including the Baraat – the groom’s procession to the ceremony on horseback. Arriving on a decorated horse, the groom is then welcomed by the bride’s family and garlands are exchanged. Anjuli and Charlie’s ceremony was also conducted by a Hindu priest and performed under a traditional mandap. After the ceremony, the couple and guests indulged in cocktails along with an Indian buffet.

    For the British wedding on the Saturday the next day, the bride wore a white Westwood Couture gown from Vivienne Westwood with a perfectly-fitted corset. In keeping with English tradition, Anjuli had Something old, new, borrowed and blue – her great-grandmother’s gold wedding band (“something old”), Marlo Laz tanzanite and diamond ring (“something new”), her mother-in-law’s earrings, bracelets, and trinity ring (“something borrowed”), and her mother’s sapphire and diamond pinky ring (“something blue”).

     

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    An unpublished favorite ?

    A post shared by Anjuli Nanda Diamond (@anjulinanda) on

    This time, the ceremony was conducted by the dashing groom’s friend, and Charlie’s sister and Anjuli’s maid of honour each did a reading. The happy couple wrote their own vows. After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed famously British pastimes such as badminton and croquet set up on the lawn, followed by the wedding reception.

    So what’s better than one wedding? Two, of course! For Anjuli Nanda and Charlie Diamond, this was a dream come true.

    Picture: Unsplash

    The long-awaited wedding of Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner and musician Joe Jonas finally took place in June and we couldn’t help swoon over the stunning Louis Vuitton by Nicolas Ghesquière wedding dress she wore.

    Rumour has it the intricately detailed work of art took over 10 embroiders working for 1 050 hours on 14 metres of fabric to finally complete the immaculate creation.

    Each panel of the dress was decorated with 5 400 crystal beads complimented by 50 400 white beads with a veil to match – which also took 48 hours to hand embroider.

     

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    Absolute beauty @sophiet

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    The dress has a classic design with long sheer fitted sleeves, a thick waistband and plunging V-neckline to accentuate Sophie’s figure.

    The beautiful bride paired her dress with a cascading white bouquet and a natural make up look with loose hair.

    Ghesquière designed the custom wedding dress for Sophie, complete with flower-embroidered tulle and silk gazar.

    A cut out back was included in the one-of-a-kind design as well as a lace-trimmed veil with minute decorative ornamental needlework.

     

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    Mr and Mrs Jonas Photo by @corbingurkin

    A post shared by Sophie Turner (@sophiet) on

    The gorgeous couple were wed in a French chateau and a general theme of French flair was certainly present throughout the affair.

    It goes without saying that Sophie’s stylish assumable was the envy of brides-to-be everywhere as she happily made her way down the isle. We can’t all afford Louis Vuitton wedding gowns but we can most certainly dream, drool and pin it on our Pinterest boards.

     

    Pictures: Instagram

    With golden leaves and a slight chill in the air, autumn is here and so are the fall bridal make-up trends of 2019! This year there’s a fun mix of colour bold designs, while some looks are heading to back to simple glamour. Find your perfect autumn look with our top five picks.

    1. VAMPIRE GLAM

    A dark lip is a perfect look for all skin tones. Keeping the eyes light and naturally creates a gorgeous contrast effect that will leave you glowing. Go for a dark cherry or blackberry shade for a rich shade of red.

    2. ALL BLACK

    This isn’t your average smoky eye. The all-black eye look really embraces the cool and darker tones associated with the coming of winter and lets your eyes stand out. Pair this with a light and natural lip to balance out the boldness of the make-up.

    3. METAL MAGIC

    Will we ever stop loving metallic shades? Not when these shimmery looks keep coming back as top contenders in all aspects of the wedding day. Dazzle your eyes with rich shades of shimmering orange and gold to mimic the fallen leaves of autumn for your bridal make-up.

    4. BOLD EYES AND DEWY LIPS

    Graphic designs have added an artistic touch to bridal glam, with fine line work, extended cat eyes and pops of colour. Match this look with some dewy lips to perfectly complement the light and minimal feel.

    5. ALL THAT SPARKLES

    Imagine the glitter on your eyes as little snowflakes falling on your face and you have a stunning magical wintery look. But don’t just stop at your eyes, bring the glitter down along your cheekbone for some added highlight and a more whimsical style.

    Images: Pinterest

    We’ve all imagined what our ‘perfect dress’ would look like and have idolised certain styles that would suit our body type, but sometimes what we want doesn’t always match up to the real thing.

    When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, there are a couple of things to consider (see how to find your perfect wedding dress according to experts), but a good way to start is figuring out your body type and what styles will suit you best.

    THE BODY TYPES

    1. Apple – Full bust with rounded torso and hips
    2. Athletic – Tall, slim and a straight waistline
    3. Curvy/hourglass – Defined waist, full bust and rounded hips
    4. Pear – Wide hips and slim shoulders with a small waist
    5. Petite – Slim and small frame
    6. Tall – Over 1.75 m with a varying frame
    7. Triangle – Broad shoulders and slim hips with a straight waist

    THE DRESS TYPES

    Mermaid

    This style is perfect for an hourglass shape as it will accentuate your curves.

    Sleek

    Those with a tall and slim frame will suit this look beautifully and elegantly.

    Tea-length

    Tea-length dresses are perfect for those with an apple shape. They accentuate the frame and provide the look of having a longer torso and legs.

    Ballgown

    This stunning princess-inspired look will let athletic and pear frames shine by balancing the proportions of bust to hips.

    V-neck

    This particular neckline flatters larger busts, complementing an hourglass shape.

    Halter neck

    Having the focal point be your neck, halter necks give the allusion of narrow shoulders, suiting tall and athletic builds.

    Strapless

    Elegant and sweet, strapless dresses allow petite shapes to appear taller, while also flattering a smaller bust.

    A-line

    This style suits triangle shapes by balancing out the hips-to-bust ratio and giving a more defined waist.

    Sweetheart

    The sweetheart gives the allusion of smaller shoulders, suiting those with broad shoulders and fuller busts.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Afrique is a new collection that is bold, raw, connected to earth and proudly South African. Each jewel tells a story and evokes captivating mystique and elegance, which is perfect for a bride who wishes to honour and remember her culture or heritage on her wedding day.

    If you’re a bride who prides herself on her culture and heritage and you’re looking for an outstanding element along those lines to complement your wedding day, keep reading.

    Black Betty Jewellery and Design has been around since 2012. Created by designer Kristin Weixelbaumer; the concept stems from her constant enthrallment with the relationship between natural elements and the human experience.

    The key component in their creative process is handcraftsmanship and they truly value the essence of humanity inherent in imperfection. All their jewellery is designed by pen and paper and is brought to life by the handiwork of artisans in South Africa, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

    Due to its core value, every piece of jewellery is unique and each has their own story to tell, with its own personality. They have a wide range of jewellery; from earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets which is perfect for any age, occasion and mood.

    Their new collection, Afrique, is bold, raw, connected to earth and proudly South African. Each jewel tells a story and evokes captivating mystique and elegance, which is perfect for a bride who wishes to honour and remember her culture or heritage on her wedding day.

    Although some jewellery pieces may look familiar they have taken a new approach and have added a variety of new materials such as sterling silver and gold vermeil in order to keep their jewels both fashionable and chic.

    The Afrique jewellery is elegant enough to make the simplest wedding dress breath-taking and beautiful. To all the brides finding it hard to choose jewellery for the big day, have a look at Black Betty’s new Afrique collection, it’s definitely one to be considered.