Pretty-as-a-picture dresses for bridesmaids and flower girls

WHETHER you have only one, or half a dozen, the options for bridesmaid and flower girl dresses are fresher, prettier and cuter than ever before as seen by the designer numbers at The Herald Boardwalk Bridal Fair earlier this month.

Bay designers Hoiden and Chocolates for Breakfast stole hearts with pretty-as-a-picture flower girl dresses, softly coordinated with bridesmaids’ gowns both floor length and short. And it’s a growing market: Chocolates for Breakfast designer Heather Crompton last week won the Businesswomen’s Association emerging entrepreneur regional achiever award for her expanding range. Crompton started out with a multiway wrap dress in a soft stretch jersey and branched out into more designs for bridesmaids and flower girls, filling a gap she saw in the wedding market.

"Our dresses are elegant, simple and comfortable because bridesmaids spend long hours preparing and participating in wedding ceremonies,” she said.

The strapless sequined dress was extremely popular, she said, it's “a classic summer dress with added bling to also make it an evening dress or it can be used as a nice matric dance dress”.

Hoiden design duo Marjorie Erasmus and Estee Chambers also have increased their range with “cute and flirty” flower girl dresses.

“We do a smaller version of the bridesmaid as we wanted to have it more cute and trendy,” said Erasmus this week. Hair and make-up: Images 1

Hair Academy Models: Sophisticate

Models Venue: The Boardwalk Pictures: MARK WEST and SPHERE PHOTOGRAPHIC On-trend features spotted included: ý Asymmetrical detail: look out for wrap dresses that can be worn in several ways, including one-shouldered;

ý Soft pastel colours: pale summer colours like mint, blush and cream are still popular, and the Port Elizabeth studios offer a myriad of colour choices, making mixing and matching a cinch for the bride-to-be.

ý Sequins and metallic touches: a touch of shine can up the glam factor with the need for excess accessorising.

ý Short and sassy: cocktail or mini-length bridesmaid dresses use less fabric and can be less expensive than longer, fuller gowns.

ý Bohemian glam: circlets of fresh flowers, quirky jewellery and gorgeous shoes can be creatively combined for a unique wedding day effect, even with seemingly simple dresses.

Chocolates for Breakfast is available at Crompton’s Walmer studio, at Blushing Bride Designs and online. Hoiden is available at the Richmond Hill studio and online.