How to style your bridal look with accessories

A wedding gown often becomes the centrepiece of a bridal look, but accessories play an important role in bringing everything together. Thoughtful styling can enhance the overall silhouette, add softness or drama, and create a final look that feels cohesive and personal. To complete your bridal look, we have curated a selection of local luxury accessories from some of South Africa’s most talented designers and artisans.

A Statement Hat for Modern Romance

Crystal Birch

A beautifully made bridal hat adds instant personality. For brides wanting a fashion-forward look whether for a garden ceremony, city wedding or second bridal outfit  a structured hat creates a striking silhouette and photographs beautifully.

Crystal Birch offers elegant handcrafted pieces that feel modern while still timeless.

Style tip: Pair a statement hat with a clean silhouette or structured gown to let the shape stand out.

Isabella paired with Crystal Birch hat

Naomi paired with Crystal Birch hat

An Ostrich Feather or 3D Flower Stole for Texture & Movement

Elbeth Gillis

A feather stole adds softness, movement and a little drama, especially for winter weddings or evening celebrations. Our handcrafted ostrich feather stole brings texture without overwhelming the gown, and works beautifully over minimalist silk, satin or structured crepe.

A 3D floral stole adds sculptural texture and romantic dimension to a bridal look. Delicate hand-crafted flowers create movement and depth, transforming even the simplest silhouette into something truly distinctive.

Riley paired with feather stole

Waverly paired with flower stole

A Sculptural Bow or Veil for a Romantic Finish

Elbeth Gillis

Whether it’s a dramatic detachable bow or a veil with soft movement, these finishing touches can completely transform the look.

A structured bow adds fashion-forward detail and creates shape from every angle. A veil brings softness and movement while still feeling timeless.

Style tip: Keep jewellery minimal and let the veil or bow become the focal point.

Cameron paired with duchess satin bow

Piper paired with full lace trim veil

Jewellery with Meaning

Charles Greig Jewellers

Jewellery should feel like an extension of you, elegant enough for the wedding day, timeless enough to wear again. We love delicate gold, pearls or sculptural earrings that complement rather than compete with the gown

Charles Greig Jewellers creates beautifully crafted pieces with a timeless feel.

Beautiful pairings:
• Pearl drop earrings with silk gowns
• Gold cuffs with modern silhouettes
• A meaningful heirloom piece layered with contemporary jewellery

coloured stone bracelet

Pearl drop earring

Florals That Complete the Look

Opus

For brides drawn to contemporary design, florals can become a statement piece in their own right. Known for their artistic, sculptural approach, Opus creates arrangements that feel more like living installations than traditional bouquets.

With unexpected shapes, movement and modern composition, their florals bring a distinctive edge to a bridal look while complementing the craftsmanship and silhouette of the gown.

At Elbeth Gillis, every detail matters. Styling your gown with thoughtfully chosen South African accessories creates a bridal look that feels layered, personal and timeless, while celebrating beautiful local craftsmanship.

Explore our gowns and bridal accessories online, or visit one of our stockists to experience them in person.