Hello SouthBound Brides - Candice here! I am so excited that I get to chat to you guys about all of our favourite bridesmaid dress trends from 2014.
I have been a bridesmaid six times and counting (hint hint, sis!) and have loved each experience. I have worn a '50s style mint green tea dress, a floral and lace strapless number, a frilly country style sundress, the classic satin and organza creation with a waist sash, a gorgeous J.Crew-esque floor length gown and also been left to my own devices to choose a dress of my choice in a specific colour palette. Each dress was perfect for the relevant bride's big day, and wearing them signified that I was somehow specially involved and invested in each amazing celebration. Whether the dress itself is flattering or not, putting it on and getting ready with the bride before such a big and wonderful occasion is what it is all about. Having said that, here are our top 20 picks for 2014 (in no particular order). Hopefully they inspire you to choose gorgeous dresses for your bridesmaids as there is not a single unflattering gown to be seen! (Lucky girls!) How do we even begin to choose our favourites?!

1. Sleek Winter White 2. The LBBD (Little Black Bridesmaid Dress) 3. A Dash of Sparkle 4. Gatsby Grey Beaded headpieces and delicate capelets set the tone for this elegant Jazz-era themed celebration. We especially love how these Gatsby-style accessorise transformed the bridesmaids' look from Lindi & Morgan's first wedding!
5. Blush Ruffles Floaty and feminine, these elegant blush toned bridesmaids dresses are just perfect for a fairy tale wedding, like Jess & Jon's. Blush, rose and protea pink shades are not just for little girls any more. We love these impossibly romantic ruffled dresses. 6. Rustic French Countryside 7. All That Glitters We love how the touch of sparkle in Marike's bridesmaid dresses added an extra bit of daytime glamour to her elegant vineyard wedding and we especially loved the swirly print and skinny belt detailing!
8. Fresh Spring Green Perfect for a woodlands wedding, Samantha's elegant dresses in varying shades of mint and fresh summer green create the perfect ombre effect. They were also your 9. Two-tone Peach 10. Ice Cream Pastels 11. Winter Pastels CANDICE'S FAVOURITE:12. Mismatched Vintage Lace 13. Proudly South African I absolutely LOVE how Tumi used an African print fabric for her bridesmaids' outfits. So original and "Proudly South African" of her. We also love the bright and sunny, navy and yellow colour combo choice too. Perfect for a fun-filled celebration in our beautiful country. What a great idea to pair a skirt and top together too - this outfit has endless future-wear options! 14. Ballet Buns & Statement Necklaces 15. Folksy Perfection Cardigans, leather belts, stockings and folksy prints, be still my beating heart. Love the relaxed look of Jana's folksy, bohemian bridesmaids. 16. Whimsical Woodland Muted colours, wreath head bands, fire fly jar bouquets, wild tousled hair. Rustic, laid back, romantic. Inge's bridesmaids were the perfect retinue for a fairy princess and her prince! 17. Sparkly Illusion Without a doubt, Jo's pastel, candy-coloured, winter wedding, rocked my socks off. Her bridesmaids' long, floaty Grecian goddess dresses, flower crowns, faux fur stoles, loose wavy locks and bouquets that you can keep forever, were the perfect addition to a day filled with whimsy, romance and beauty. Clever Jo managed to combine all of 2014's top trends perfectly, which makes for some very beautiful and happy bridesmaids. 18. Rich Jewel Tones As much as I love pastels, Amanda's girls worked their jewel-toned maxi dresses like nobody's business. 19. Hello Sailor! 20. Ravishing Red PINTEREST FAVOURITE.

Illusion necklines were huge news for bridesmaids as well as brides this year, but add a bit of sparkle mesh and we're completely in love! Olivia's girls looked beautiful and elegant in their blue dresses (check out this wedding for pretty peach version of the same Forever New dress).