Feeling beautiful on your wedding day is an absolute must! It’s the one day where all eyes are on you. In the perfect dress, any bride will exude confidence if she feels and looks comfortable.

Do you know what it feels like to spend hours searching for the right dress, only to find fault with each one you come across?

Nothing you see in boutiques or catalogues seems to live up to the image in your head.

Sound familiar?

Let’s start from scratch. We’ll create a wedding dress to suit your silhouette and style. One of our expert designers is standing by to take your dream dress idea and make it a reality.

There are thousands of fabric combinations, colour variations, styles, fabric and more to consider to ensure you have the perfect dress on your special day. All garments are made with precision and care to ensure that each and every bride feels beautiful in her bespoke gown.

Matric dance & Cocktail wear

A once-in-a-lifetime event calls for a once-in-a-lifetime outfit! We have just the selection you’re looking for.

Each one screams elegance, and with so many to choose from, we know you’ll find the perfect dress that accentuates your femininity best.

Make your matric dance a night to remember with a unique, stylish custom dress that will make you feel like the belle of the ball.

We are stockists of Jovani designer dresses.

Book a fitting

Talk to our designer and convey your vision to them. They’ll listen intently, and together they’ll make your vision a reality.
We can’t wait to be a part of this experience.

Fun wedding colours

Suit and accessory colours are a great go-to to add a contour of colour to your wedding. Rich colours like royal blue, beige or even burgundy, maroon or forest green, will add a modern edge to your suit and tuxedo styles. Go ahead grooms, make a statement on your big day!

Contrasting waistcoats

Choose a textured grey waistcoat to compliment a navy suit or mix-and-match to add to your smart style. Different colours are a great way to stand out from the rest of your groomsmen too.

Playful tie patterns

As the groom, the man of the hour, we encourage embracing a more daring look! We love how some couples are choosing a bold, fun tie or bow tie to define their wedding style and match their wedding theme.

Printed socks

Match your socks with your wedding theme or better yet, match them to your own style! How about some patterned or superhero socks to add some of your own character and flavour to your day? Get matching ones for your groomsmen too.

Inspired accessories

Go for modern, formal cufflinks to match just about any suit or add a bit of fun and flare and match your accessories to your tie and socks!

Other accessory options for the groom and his entourage:

• A printed, pocket square will add a subtle touch to your wedding day statement.
• A pair of super cool sunglasses is the perfect way for you to add a bit of fun to your ensemble.
• A boutonniere, most likely chosen by your bride to match her bouquet, will add the finishing touch to any suit.

Custom shoes

Add personality to your wedding day look by wearing something different on your feet! Add some fun with embellished monograms, wear sneakers or go with velvet shoes! The options are endless.

Stylish men’s suits and Tuxedos are a speciality of ours. We’ve got the best suits available for purchase and hire, so you can look your best at your wedding.

These suits are also ideal for men attending special events; such as formal business conferences, celebrations and ceremonies.

The team at Bridal and Tuxedo always makes sure our guys look incredible! Come visit us!

Ball gowns

If you’re a royal wedding fan, then this wedding dress trend is just for you!

Sophia: Opt for a classical ball gown if you’re looking to make an entrance. This attention-grabbing profile is unexpectedly versatile and ever so elegant. Stay on trend with this exquisite ball gown with beading detail and beautiful open back!

Bare backs

Plunging v-necklines have made way for plunging, open backs in wedding dress trends. They take the form of keyhole features and draping cowl-backs for a romantic twist.

Cathy: Be vintage-inspired with this illusion off-the-shoulder wedding dress. Featuring a sheer lace bodice with elbow-length sleeves.

Adelaide: This wedding dress will make you feel like a mermaid, perfect for beach weddings! The lace motifs over tulle look like seashells and sunset waves, making this feminine look relaxed yet romantic. Available in plus-size.

Halter-neck

Options abound in this style, show off your toned arms and back with this wedding trend. Take notes from the Duchess of Sussex’s reception dress for this one.

Heidi: This magnificent dress comprises soft lace with a sheer halter neckline and sheer lace halter back.

Brandy: Cue this romantic, lace fit-and-flare wedding dress, featuring soft motifs and delicate illusion in a portrait-ready silhouette. The illusion lace back with lace motifs, along with the illusion halter neckline make for a fitted yet flattering look. Available in plus-size to suit our brides of all sizes.

The timeless sweetheart neckline

You can’t go wrong with a sweetheart neckline. It has a distinctive heart-shape that accentuates décolletage, which can either enhance or create the illusion of curves.

Nia: This flirty-beachy-relaxed-pretty dress has a sweetheart neckline and tulle skirt only made in dreams. The sheer embroidered, lace bodice with beaded belt and zipper with crystal button closure offer sophistication and elegance. Detachable off-the-shoulder lace sleeves are sold separately for a unique touch of chic. Available in plus size.

Accessories

Cinch your waist with a bold embellished belt or feel regal with super modern gloves. There are so many options to choose from, chic sheer lace, floral-printed, elbow-length or wristlets!

To take a look at our beautiful accessories.

Remember that not every dress shape suits your body type. So, before settling on a dress that you think will suit your frame, read our blog post on choosing the perfect wedding dress for your body type, or simply book a fitting so that our expert team can assist you in choosing your dream wedding dress.

On her wedding day, a woman should be certain she has found a dress that makes her feel confident, and above all else, beautiful.” — Carolina Herrera

Shopping for your perfect wedding dress is both extremely exciting and stressful. You’ve been dreaming about your wedding day since you were a little girl. Now, you finally have the chance to find a dress that makes you look and feel like a queen!

What many brides tend to forget before they go for a dress fitting is that a dress needs to enhance two things:

• Your silhouette
• Your complexion

Apple, banana, pear or hourglass? You probably know what type of body shape you have. But do you know what tone your skin is?

3 Ways to Determine Your Skin Tone

Before you start shopping for your wedding dress, you need to figure out what skin tone you have. This way, you can find a dress that suits you perfectly. Here are 3 ways to determine your skin tone:

Paper Test

Hold a white piece of paper against your face and look in the mirror to see how your skin looks compared to the paper. It may either have a rosy, yellow or blue-red cast, or just seem grey.

• Rosy, pink or bluish-red indicates a cool skin tone.
• Yellowish indicates a warm skin tone.
• Grey indicates an olive complexion with a natural undertone.
• If you can’t determine a cast of any specific colour, you probably have a neutral skin tone.

Wrist Test

In natural light, look at the color of the veins on the inside of your wrist. This is a quick and easy way for you to determine your undertones.

• Blue or purple indicates a cool skin tone.
• Green indicates a warm skin tone.
• Green or blue indicates a neutral skin tone.

Jewelry Test

Hold silver jewelry in front of your face so that it reflects light back on your skin. Determine whether it washes you out or enhances your skin. Do the same with gold jewelry. Which suits you best?

• Gold indicates a warm skin tone.
• Silver indicates a cool skin tone.
• If neither make a difference, you probably have a neutral skin tone.

Which Wedding Dress Shade of White is Perfect for You?

Do you want your complexion to look clearer, your teeth whiter and your eyes brighter?

Choosing the wrong colours may make you seem pale and washed out. Choosing the right colours in everything, including makeup, jewellery and clothing will make you look healthy, happy and radiant on your wedding day. Once you’ve determined your skin tone, you can find the perfect colour for you. Here are the main variations:

1. Stark White. This is the whitest, crispest and brightest of all the whites. Stark white dresses are usually made with synthetic fabrics, such as polyester blends, satins, taffetas. This type of white usually compliments dark skin. Because it’s a rather “harsh” shade for fair skin.
   
2. Natural White. This is also a crisp white. But, it’s a little less intense and a lot softer. It’s usually comprised of natural fibres like chiffon or silk. It does not wash out pale complexions as much as stark white and is suitable for most skin tones, especially skin tones with yellow undertones.
3. Ivory. Also known as eggshell or candlelight, ivory is one of the most popular shades of whites for brides all over the world. It can be found in almost any fabric. While it looks great on almost any skin tone, including fairer skin tones, it seems to clash a bit on skin tones that are too yellow – such as olive skin tones – as it draws out the yellowness of the complexion.
   
4. Champagne. This shade is perfect for dark complexions or yellow undertones. Champagne has a rose or chocolate undertone. Usually made from dying material, such as silk, chiffon or tulle. On the right skin tone, this shade looks extremely sleek and sophisticated.
   

• Pear-shaped: you have voluptuous hips and a slim waist. Your shoulders and arms are proportionately narrower or slimmer than your hips
• Hourglass-shaped: your shoulders and arms are balanced by your hips and your waist is defined in the centre
• Apple-shaped: you have slim legs and narrow hips with a full bust and body
• Triangle-shaped: you have narrow hips and your shoulders are proportionately wider than your lower body, your waist is slightly defined
• Athletic-shaped: you have a slim build with narrow hips and shoulders, your waist is not defined
• Petite: you are short and have a very small, delicate frame

Fit And Flare Wedding Dress

Perfect for:

Fit and flare dresses can be amazingly flattering for a number of body types, but especially great for hourglass figures. They accentuate the waistline and drape beautifully over the hips. They’re also great for apple-shaped bodies, as they can be cinched at the waist to add definition.

Doesn’t suit:

Not the best for triangle-shaped bodies, as they accentuate the upper body and float over the narrow hips. Still, they can work for any body type if the measurements are correct.

Ballgown Wedding Dress

Perfect for:

Everyone wants to wear a ballgown dress at some stage of their lives, but they truly only really suit a few body types. Pear-shaped or athletic-shaped bodies fit into ballgown dresses like a dream! If you wear a corset with a ballgown dress, it will also accentuate your waist more, so if your waist is not defined then you have options.

Doesn’t suit:

Ballgown dresses are not ideal for petite frames as the volume of fabric could be overwhelming for the small body.

Sheath Wedding Dress

Perfect for:

Sheath wedding dresses, also known as column dresses, are perfect for athletic-shaped bodies. They drape over the body perfectly. If you alter the hem, a sheath fits a petite body type perfectly too.

Doesn’t suit:

They’re not the best match for pear-shaped bodies as they accentuate curves, while covering up your upper body aspects. Apple-shaped bodies also shouldn’t opt for a sheath wedding dress as the can also accentuate your tummy area. Triangle-shaped bodies can try variations of sheath dresses that show off their shoulders and upper backs.

Mermaid Wedding Dress Or Trumpet Style

Perfect for:

If you’re an hourglass-shaped body, the mermaid style is perfect for you. It will hug your voluptuous curves beautifully and also pay enough attention to your bust.

Doesn’t suit:

The mermaid or trumpet-style dress is not ideal for pear-shaped bodies as it does draw a lot of attention to the lower body. For shapes in between pear or hourglass, you will find some beautiful mermaid dresses to complement your curves. If the dress places a lot of emphasis on the bust, a proper pear might get away with a mermaid dress.

Conclusion:

There is the ideal wedding dress out there for every body type, as we say – “find your perfect fit”. We know dresses better than anyone, and when it comes to dresses, we know wedding dresses like the backs of our hands! We would love to treat you to a dress fitting and help you in choosing your wedding dress.

Book a fitting with Bridal & Tuxedo today.

Lindi and Clinton met in 2010 as first year students at North West University Potchefstroom campus. Since finding each other, they’ve hardly spent more than 3 weeks apart at any given time.

The proposal was one to put romance novels to shame (kudos to Clinton!). They got engaged during a family holiday in Mauritius where everything was so perfectly put together by the groom to be, unbeknownst to Lindi. As she ventured downstairs for dinner it all became apparent when standing at the top of the stairs she saw the most amazing view: a pathway of 100 lit candles, some flowers scattered on the balcony and an infinity pool overlooking the most beautiful view of the beach. There in the middle of it all was Clinton, down on one knee, ready to propose. How positively divine?

From there, the plans started coming to fruition, which included finding the ultimate wedding dress.

Finding Her Dream Wedding Dress

There is so much truth in the statement “you will know it when you see it”. Lindi tried on a multitude of dresses before finding her dream wedding dress, and we’re not just saying that to boost our egos. In short, she went to three bridal stores and tried on a total of 17 dresses in her first weekend of shopping. None of them were right for her or for the theme she was going for.

Lindi and Clinton decided to have a winter wedding, and the venue was then decided upon. Once she knew where she was getting married, she had a better idea of what she wanted to wear. She went to a different store and tried on another six dresses, but only one kind of spoke to her… but it wasn’t screaming her name! She went to a bridal expo and tried on a few dresses at a pop-up sale, but none were right. That was when she called us and made an appointment for a wedding dress fitting for the following day.

Lindi and her mom came to visit our boutique and as they walked in, her mom whispered to her: “This is where you’re going to find your dress.” She tried on four dresses and they all fit really well, but she still hadn’t been hit with the “this is it” feeling. That was until she tried on the last dress that had been set aside for her. Lindi encapsulated the feeling so perfectly:

“When I walked out, my mother had tears in her eyes. I did not want to take it off, I knew it was the one. No dress could ever make me feel like that again. It was not a pure white ballgown, it was not covered in bling or pure white lace, but it was me. I knew that every girl only gets one chance to wear a ballgown dress and I did not want to lose out on that. I got a princess ballgown skirt to wear during the ceremony that matched my dress perfectly with my dream dress underneath. Both looks were perfect for our special day.”

Lindi’s Advice For Brides-To-Be

When it comes to finding your perfect wedding dress: “Choose the dress you love, not the one that fits best with your venue, not the one your mother or mother in-law loves, not the one that your groom will like. Choose the one YOU love, even if it means trying on 30 or more dresses.”

Stay hydrated and full of energy on your wedding day by drinking water and eating when you can. With so much happening, you will be exhausted if you don’t look after yourself.

Most importantly, don’t sweat the small stuff. Your dress will get dirty as you walk, people will stand on the hem and it might even rip before the night is over. You don’t want to let that get to you, because it happens to every bride and it’s just something you need to roll with. Don’t ruin the moment. Enjoy it and soak it all in, because it will be over before you know it!

Lindi and Clinton, we are so in love with your story and we wish you all the happiness in the world on your journey through life together! Thank you for sharing your magic with us and for letting us play a part in your “happily ever after”!

The Winter Wedding Dress

The winter wedding dress is the most exciting aspect of planning a seasonal wedding in the colder months. Not only can you use this opportunity to drape yourself with lace and other decadent fabrics, but you can also have so much fun with accessories. Our winter range of dresses are made from multiple layers of beautiful fabrics that will keep you warm without making you look like you’ve layered up. Longer sleeves made of lace will cover your skin, while remaining sheer enough to look elegant and timeless.

Winter wedding dress accessories that make magic happen include beautiful capes made from ivory silk, lace or chiffon boleros or sheer shawls that keep you warm without taking the emphasis away from the dress and your shape.

The Winter Tuxedos And Suits

Winter tuxedos and suits are already warm, while still being tailored to fit your body perfectly without looking bulky. Add scarves, top hats and gloves to keep the winter chill away on your wedding day or find the perfect coat to match your look

Winter Wonderland Themes

Is there anything more beautiful than the silvery, crisp beauty of a winter wonderland theme? Think snowflakes and fairy lights, candles and fluffy blankets, all alongside a roaring fireplace. It could be a scene from Frozen, with you starring as the royalty. You can have so much fun with winter themes, tying it all together with the warm colours of winter berries with your brilliant whites, silvers and golds.

Warming Winter Wedding Food And Drinks

Wedding food is a huge part of your wedding planning, and winter opens up the opportunity for delicious, warming meals such as curries and roasts. When we think about winter weddings, we think warm colours, loads of berries, cinnamon sticks and vanilla pods, which are beautiful decorative pieces for your tables, bouquets or garnishes for your food.

Offer drinks to heat you up from the inside out such as gluhwein instead of cocktails. After dinner it’s the perfect excuse to serve Irish coffees or cappuccinos, or even some delicious hot chocolate. Don’t forget the biscuits to go with the delicious, frothy, wintery drinks and your guests will never want to leave!

Winter weddings are not as popular as summer weddings, but they definitely should be! If you’re planning your dream wedding, get in touch with us to book your wedding dress fitting today.

Additional pics courtesy of Unsplash.

Here are a few points about what to expect when you book a dress fitting with Bridal & Tuxedo, and also some tips that might help you make the most of it.

1. Set Aside Enough Time To Enjoy Every Second

Before you make your appointment for a wedding dress or tuxedo fitting, make sure you pick a date that is open from other commitments. You want to be able to relax and fully immerse yourself in the process so that you can enjoy your time with us. It should be a fun experience. If you’re rushing from pillar to post, you might not be fully focused on the dress. Also ensure that you arrive on time for your fitting to make the most of the hour allocated to you. Remember that there will be other brides following your fitting, all just as excited as you to start their fittings! So we really need to ensure that we start and end each fitting on time.

Each fitting is one hour, booked in advance. We charge a R200 fitting fee that is waived if you find and book your dream dress on the day. We will do whatever we can to match your expectations, and hopefully, you’ll be walking out of Bridal & Tuxedo with a huge smile on your face, knowing that you found “the one”!

2. Do Your Homework But Come With An Open Mind

Having an idea of what you are looking for is always good. With over 200 wedding dresses in our store having an idea of what style, material or detailing you want will narrow down your search. Have a look at our website or alternative sources to see what dresses stand out to you, know what it is you like about them and what it is you don’t. Have a look at different designers to get some inspiration.

Having said that, as much as we want you to prepare for your fitting, it is best to come with an open mind. Be prepared to try on a different style to what you initially thought you might want, and also to be prepared to be amazed at how gorgeous you look in our dresses.

3. Bring Your Girls

On the day of your fitting, we will be there for you every step of the way, but it’s also a wonderful time to share with your mom, sister, aunt, granny or best friend. We recommend that you bring two or three of your favourite people whose opinions and desires you respect, so that they can help you decide which works best, or simply praise your beauty when you try on the dresses! Remember that your wedding day is about you and your groom and ultimately you need to be happy, so although you want the opinions of others and they can help you decide, don’t let them confuse you. Always keep in mind who is wearing the dress.

4. Bring Your Shoes And Underwear With

This might sound a little absurd, but if you already know what shoes you’re going to wear and what underwear you’ll have on underneath, it’s a good idea to bring them with. That way when we fit the dresses, we know how much length you’ll need and also how much needs to be taken in at the bust or waist. Often, brides will only know what shoes or underwear to buy once they’ve found their perfect dress, and that is 100% fine. So don’t worry too much if you have no clue! We will guide you through each step of the process, regardless.

5. Choosing A Style

At Bridal & Tuxedo, we are fortunate to be affiliated with some of the most prestigious and sought-after designers in bridal wear, including:

• Maggie Sottero
• Rebecca Ingram
• Bridal And Tuxedo Atelier
• Eddy K

Each designer brings their own magical flair to their dress designs, in terms of silhouettes, fabric choices and detailing. During your fitting, you will be able to select four dresses to try on and admire. If you are still unsure of what you want, go for different styles, ranging from mermaid to sheath, A-line to ballgown or fit-and-flare, so that you can narrow down what suits you. If you know your style from previous fittings stick to that, and we’ll help you find your dream dress in this design.

If none of the available options suit your taste or you have something very specific in mind, we can arrange a custom design for you. Come to us with your ideas and we can find the perfect wedding dress that matches your dreams.

6. It’s All About The Fit

When it comes to your perfect wedding dress, it’s all about the fit (and comfort). It needs to complement you, your style and your body shape and we know exactly how to make that work for you. We are experts in styling and fitting, so we can advise on any alterations in order to make your dress suit you and ensure a comfortable fit that transforms you from beautiful to exceptional!

Once you have chosen your dress, we will arrange for the alternations to be made and then set up subsequent fittings with you to double-check that everything is as you want it to be. With regards to the adjustments and recommendations, you simply leave it all up to us! We will take care of everything. All we need is for you to relax and enjoy the process.

Finding your dress is one of the most fun and exciting moments leading up to your big day so we want you to get the most out of it!

Ready to book your wedding dress fitting with us? We are so ready to welcome you.
Contact us here.

The bouquet is an accent that ties your wedding dress, bridal party and decor together and it needs to complement your dress completely. Choosing between a long, draping bridal bouquet or a small posy all depends on the type of dress you’re wearing. Here are our 5 tips for choosing the perfect bridal bouquet to match your gorgeous wedding dress.

1. Your Wedding Dress Can Determine The Shape Of Your Bridal Bouquet

Use the shape of your dress to help you determine what style of bouquet you should be using. If your dress is long and draped, you can complement it nicely with a flowing bouquet. This is especially appealing if your skirt has minimal detail on it. An embellished dress does well with a small arrangement that fits nicely into the hands so that it doesn’t distract eyes from the detail of the dress. If you have chosen something lacy and romantic think loose bouquet and wildflowers.

2. Your Bouquet Shouldn’t Hide Your Shape

We all want to look our best on our wedding day and this is something we should show off! Having a large bouquet that covers you up and hides the shape of your body will steal the attention away from you.You also don’t want to cover your waistline as it’s naturally the most narrow part of your body and wedding dresses go to a lot of effort to emphasize this. Accentuating your waist with a small, neat posy or a handful of proteas will finish off your wedding look immaculately.

3. Your Bridal Bouquet Adds A Perfect Splash Of Colour

If your bridal colours are fairly neutral, your bouquet is the perfect opportunity to add a splash of colour to your wedding. In South Africa we are fortunate to have loads of indigenous flowers that are alive with colour and beauty. Think proteas, pincushions and strelitzias. These all go so beautifully with natural textures, wood, lace, and other greenery, but are also simply stunning on their own. However if you have chosen a uniquely coloured wedding dress, don’t overdo the colours in your bouquet as that will detract from your distinctive look.

4. Go Light

We don’t mean light in colour, but light in weight. Heavier bouquets can be a hassle to carry around, and you want to be comfortable above all else on your wedding day. You don’t want to have to strain at all to hold it in place, and it should be a comfortable fit in your hands. Remember that your bridal bouquet should be an extension of you and not in addition to you. Your wedding gown has been designed and altered for a comfortable fit, so too should your bouquet.

5. Add Personal Embellishments To Create Your Unique Bridal Bouquet

Since it is YOUR day, another perfect way to make it extra unique is to add some personal embellishments to your bridal bouquet. Keepsakes, gifts from loved ones or even a memento from someone special who has passed on can be worked into your bouquet to make it 100% you. No one else needs to know about it either. Just remember to remove your personal items before you toss the bouquet!

We are more than happy to guide you in your choice of dress, accessories and all the details that go with your wedding attire. Contact us today for a personal fitting and let’s get the creative juices flowing!

Spring brings with it the sweet scent of blossoms and the promise of beautiful weather. Summer is the feel-good season that makes everyone feel like the very sun that shines so radiantly. Autumn brings warmth and richness in colour. While Winter brings a more romantic ambiance with the never-ending desire to snuggle up with those we love.

Each season is also the perfect occasion for a wedding and makes for something special in terms of decor, styling and – of course – seasonal wedding dresses.

Spring Wedding Dresses

Spring is so much fun in terms of wedding decor. You can dress up your ceremony space and reception area with the most beautiful Spring blossoms, that potentially aren’t available at any other time of year.

Spring weddings invite strapless dresses, bare shoulders or backs and loads of detail to match the magnificent array of flowers naturally on display. What do you think about our choices in Spring wedding dresses?

Summer Wedding Dresses

Summer weddings are probably the most popular, although in most areas of South Africa that could also spell out an unexpected thunderstorm. However the risks are overcome as Summer still holds the most appeal for weddings due to the long, late and warm nights that come with it.

Float free and easy during Summer weddings with light and airy dresses. Summer is perfect for the most delicate fabrics that are light and breathable, flowing with the body and creating a fairy tale appeal.

Autumn Wedding Dresses

Autumn is a season of reds, oranges, yellows and browns… the perfect season to complement your wedding attire with beautiful crimson flowers, berries and natural textures.

It’s also the ideal time to add different dimensions to your wedding dress and the time to bring in a touch of sparkle. Choosing a dress with sleeves not only keeps you warm, but also adds an element of elegance.

Winter Wedding Dresses

Winter weddings are the setting for fairytale romance! Where keeping warm brings about inventive ideas for food, seating, party favours and all the other elements that make a day memorable.

Winter dresses are made all the more wonderful with endless lace and the chance to wear the winter wonderland ballgowns. Using heavier fabrics or multiple layers adds warmth for the bride, although we’re sure the dancefloor will help with that too! It is also the time to use all those fabulous accessories including lace sleeve boleros and faux fur wraps.

What season are you planning on having your wedding? Let us know on our Facebook page or connect with us on Instagram.

If you need help deciding which dress to go for, schedule a fitting with us and we can select a range of different options for you to try.