If you feel like so many wedding start-ups are focused on bridesmaid dresses, you’re right! For many brides (including myself!), bridesmaid dresses are still one of the trickiest parts of wedding planning, so at this point I’ll welcome all the innovations we can get. Starting with today’s sponsor, Brideside!

Brideside promises to make it easy and fun to shop for bridesmaid dresses. Here’s a little film that explains how:

In case you’re at work and can’t watch the film, here’s how it works: Search through carefully selected styles from more than 120 designers, including favorites like Alfred Sung, Jenny Yoo, and Dessy as well as up and coming local labels, to create your “closet.” Search Brideside’s collection of real wedding images to get inspiration, too! Their blog is even click-to-shoppable :)

You can then share your closet with your ‘maids (or, if you’re feeling generous, let them add their favorite styles, too!), and once y’all have decided on your top three picks, order your “Brideside Box” for an at-home try-on session.

Once you’ve made a final decision, you can purchase the dresses in one fell swoop, or each bridesmaid can log in and purchase her dress individually. Make sure everyone gets professionally measured first!

Love the sound of Brideside? It’s about to get even sweeter! Sonali and Nicole, the friends and founders, are offering up an exclusive offer for Southern Weddings gals. Click here to sign up for a chance to win $100 off your bridesmaid dresses! Thank you, ladies!

Tell me: Have you already purchased your bridesmaid dresses? If so, did you go with all one style/color, or a mix and match look?

Today’s Southern Spotting is more than just a pretty face, y’all. Read on for the beautiful story behind Becky’s necklace!

From the bride:

“The necklace was made from lace removed from my mother’s wedding dress. I had originally wanted to wear her dress for our wedding, but it didn’t work out as planned. I had seen this necklace on Pinterest and loved it. It seemed like a beautiful way to still include my mom’s dress. I picked out two pieces of lace, bought a chain and clasps from the arts and craft store, and put it together with some wire cutters and pliers. It’s definitely not the most sturdy piece of jewelry, but it did the trick. To me, it completed the dress. I loved the way it turned out. And I was still able to wear my mom’s dress, even if only a part of it.”

Huge thanks to Bethany & Dan Photography for sending this gem our way!

P.S. Nicole and I were discussing how there needs to be a better name for things like Becky’s hair thing, because “hairpiece” just sounds like a toupee. Hair ornament? Hair adornment? Hair swag? Let us know if you come up with something good!

The fun thing about bridesmaid dresses these days is that they’re actually fun. Right? I mean, they can still be a painful part of the planning process (as evidenced by my own struggles!), but at least there are far more options, and far fewer “rules,” than there used to be, which frees all of us up to find the perfect fit for our wedding and our style. I love how Lauren’s bridesmaids ended up in a dress that was a perfect blend of her aesthetic and background AND her groom’s — and delightfully Southern to boot!

Photos by Sarah DeShaw

These lovely dresses are the “Zoe” style by LulaKate in royal seersucker! From Lauren:

When pairing an authentic sailor from the north with a self-proclaimed princess from the Deep South, we knew the vibe of our wedding would have to be a compromise. So, we met in the middle. Incorporating the seersucker look for my bridesmaids was a must. The simple, clean print made with cool, airy fabric was the perfect pick for our hot August ceremony. Selecting the subtle stripes was the easy part. Deciding whom and where to purchase the dresses from was going to be the hard part… until I stumbled upon LulaKate, that is. Based in Charleston, SC, LulaKate’s fresh selections provided me with a pleasant and easy shopping experience that I couldn’t have been happier with. Every detail was flawless, from Zoe’s halter bows draping my bridesmaids’ necks to the soft blue and white tones that complemented the nearby sea. Our “traditional meets nautical” vision was brought to life on Jekyll Island, and with LulaKate’s creations, the wind in my hair and the Southern sea serenading us in the background, I couldn’t have dreamt up a more perfect beginning to kick off the rest of my life.

Thank you so much for sending these beauties our way, Sarah!

Oh Mo. Though he’s only ten years old, this Memphis-native is already the perfect example of a sweet Southern gent. He loves his mama, has a larger-than-life personality and he ain’t afraid to rock a bow tie on a daily basis. In 2011, with a love a bow ties but no options that fit his style, he picked up sewing from his granny and got to work making colorful and fun options. A year later, his bow ties can be found on Etsy and have traveled the nation. “It’s so cool that people in other states know about me and my business and wear my bow ties,” said Mo. “Like in New York City and Miami. I can’t believe I have never been to New York but my bow ties have.”

Be sure to pick up a copy of V5 to read Mo’s full interview as well as hear his take on what it means to be a Southern gentleman.

If you think Mo’s bow ties are any indication of what his personality is like, you’re going to love him! Who isn’t falling over for that floral design above?

Mo believes that every Southern gent should have at least one seersucker jacket or pants. We agree.

You can also keep up with Mo on his blog!

Aside from your wedding dress, accessories are potentially the most fun parts of your wedding day ensemble to pick out. We love that our favorites from 2012 show off the bold, the fun and the personalized.

Sweet monogrammed handkerchiefs: photo by Divine Light Photography from Darcy + John’s wedding.

A dramatic cathedral veil: photo by Vitalic Photo from Gabrielle + Paul’s wedding.

Sunny yellow shawls: photo by Katelyn James from Beverly + Craig’s wedding.

Yep, monogrammed cowboy boots. A favorite this year and all over Pinterest! Photo by Kelly Hornberger from Lindsay + Jonathan’s wedding.

A short veil dotted with crystals: photo by KT Merry from Cee Cee + Chad’s wedding.

Sparkly copper flats (also a Pinterest favorite!): photo by The Nichols from Stacey + Adam’s wedding.

A romantic pink feather fascinator: photo by Ali Harper from Kim + Mark’s wedding.

A stunning monogrammed veil: photo by Katelyn James from this Southern Spotting post.

A chic puffy veil (can you tell we love veils??): photo by Justin DeMutiis from Jessica + Derek’s wedding.

And finally, a monogrammed vintage fur: photo by Mark Williams Studio from Marielle + Michael’s wedding.

KT Merry, Ali Harper, and Justin DeMutiis are all fabulous members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!