Dear Bride,

On your Wedding Day, you shall radiate beauty and elegance, your gown will become you, enhancing your unique personality and flattering your physique. Chantal Couture shall transform every gown into an aesthetic, unforgettable experience, that is our Gift and Promise to You…

With Joy and Love…

When the lucky “bride to be” plans her wedding day, her first thoughts are probably of that special gown that will make her look and feel like a princess on her wedding day. Designing the right gown can be quite a challenge as there are many options available and at times it is an overwhelming experience – too much or too little to choose from!!

Often when speaking to the bride for the first time over the telephone, she will inform Chantal that she does not have a clue as to style, colour, fabric, design or shape that will suit and flatter her. Chantal advises her before they meet to page through a few bridal magazines, both local and international, to get a feel for current styles and trends. It is important for the designer to know her client’s likes and dislikes so that together they can create the bride’s “dream wedding gown”. At the consultation they would discuss what the bride finds attractive and appeals to her. Sometimes they’ll choose one element of a dress that is lovely and design the dress around that. e.g. a beautiful neckline.

The bride’s physical attributes are a key factor to look at when designing a dress that will flatter and enhance her. If she is very petite and short then a dress that is too full at the hemline would make her look even shorter, whereas a more fitted dress with a train attached could lengthen her appearance. Any horizontal seam in the dress will draw attention to that part of the body, so if you want to look taller and thinner keep your lines vertical and angled, a paneled dress is often very flattering. If the bride has very broad shoulders, avoid necklines that are horizontal and that draw attention across her shoulders, for example, boob tubes, off the shoulder sleeves, boat necklines etc. Keep the necklines more ‘v’ and elongated.

Whilst discussing styles with clients, Chantal will also observe her personality: is she very outgoing, confident and bubbly or more reserved, quiet and shy? If the bride is reserved and conservative, she would not feel comfortable in an eccentric, “over the top” gown and vice versa. The wedding gown should enhance the bride’s figure and personality.

There are many different styles to choose from: the modern look, typical of the American bridal magazines, the classical look consisting of clean simple and timeless lines or a rich, romantic look she can go back in time to the “baroque” period of rich, ornate stiffened bodices and full gathered silk skirts with petticoats and hoops. Besides the style and cut of the gown, one must choose the colour. White is of course the most popular choice, but today many brides have chosen to be a little different preferring pale pink, ice blue, silver, gold or combinations of colour.

Fabric choices are extremely vast but must be chosen in accordance with the style and look of the dress. There are silks, duchess satins, organzas, brocades, lace and many more to choose from. As for your trims, Chantal always refer to them as “the icing on the cake”. One can choose from embroidery (very popular these days), beading, piping, tassels, ribbons and hand painting.

As a fashion designer Chantal’s reward is seeing the bride radiate beauty, confidence and elegance on her very special day.

Chantal Couture also offers wedding dresses for hire! They are very service orientated, and will cater for all your needs. They have their own in-house hairstylist and make-up artist to ensure you are a radiant bride.

The use of exquisite fabrics with rich textures and sheens, like velvets, silk brocades, chantilly, satins and silks, combined with the sheer, translucency of shiffon, tulle, organza and crepe breathe depth into your wedding gown. The graceful, subtle adornment of these fabrics with delicate trinkets like seed pearls, diamante, crystals and painstaking hand-beading expresses the individual within you.

Depending on the style of your wedding, Chantal Couture can create something spectacular for every taste. Have you considered a Medieval Gown? What about French Baroque or Theatrical Venetian?

The retinue at your wedding will complete your special wedding theme look. The styling of your bridesmaids dresses can be alike or each dress can be just a little different, to enhance the wearers own unique style. This is a wonderful arena to create a colour and theme statement, or why not be different, you blossom in colour and they wear white? The sky is the limit when choosing dresses for the retinue as styles, fabrics and colours are unlimited.

Chantal Couture has an extensive range of wedding dresses available for hire. They also make up and customise dresses for hire. Prices on existing gowns range in price from R3000 to R5500 inclusive of veil and petticoat.

Chantal Couture also understands the need of the more mature woman to look glamorous yet sophisticated, elegant and understated. To discover the perfect balance, takes a specialist with finesse to create a design that is comfortable, yet flattering . The mother of the bride or groom can wear a variety of formal attire ranging from sweeping evening gowns to a more tailored look, including suits and sheer coats. Chantal has perfected the technique for tailor-made ensembles.

The perfect accessories to complete your appearance should embody the essence of your chosen gown. Remember, less is more. Chantal Couture carry a small, yet exclusive range of hand chosen bridal accessories ranging from jewellery and tiaras to embroidered, beaded gloves, miniature tote-bags, (just large enough to carry a lace handkerchief and lipstick!) and delicately embroidered veils.

For the men, Chantal Couture’s specialist men’s outfitter Dennis will visit the groom to provide him with a classic, tailored, imported suit that may be used after the wedding for corporate wear or special functions. They also manufacture elegant waistcoats and silk cravats.

Chantal Couture offers a 1 hour consultation to analyse the theme of the wedding, your colour scheme, fabric and design that will suit you. They charge R200 consultation, which is wavered if you book your dress at the consultation.