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The Wedding Dress
Styles, ideas and trends

by Joyce Barslow
The most asked question when a wedding is announced is, "What is the bride wearing?" No other garment is holds as much symbolism and tradition as the dress a bride chooses to wear on her wedding day. As well, the Bride's ensemble sets the style and tone of the wedding and determines what everyone else should wear.

The type and style of your dress will depend upon whether your wedding is formal or informal, traditional, contemporary or ethnic, a first or second-time marriage and upon the season of the year. There are no fashion rights or wrongs for today's bride when she chooses that special dress for her wedding. But remember that you want to wear the dress and not let the dress wear you. Don't be married in a dress that gets too much attention. The secret is to wear a dress that suits you and not one that you can't carry off. If the dress is right, you'll be more beautiful than ever.

You might be able to afford a designer gown, a manufacturer's gown, one copied from a magazine or from one worn by a celebrity, or from one that you've seen on television or in the movies. At the other end of the financial spectrum, you might buy a ready-to-wear, or make one yourself, or borrow from a relative or friend, or shop at a resale or discount shop. It's sometimes possible even to rent the dress of your dreams. It's your choice.

Shop six to eight months prior to your wedding - or earlier if you have special fitting needs or an unusually large bridal party to plan for. But before you go shopping go online to find bridal gown fashions to download and print or cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers that show styles of lengths, necklines, sleeves, fabrics, trim and veils or headpieces that you like. Remember, you know your body's best and worse features. Experienced sales personnel will ask you the type of wedding your are planning. Attend bridal fashion shows for ideas; you'll be amazed at the different shades of white there are!

Before you go shopping
The Bride should always shop for her own outfit first. She shouldn't worry about accessories or attendants' attire until you have chosen yours. When you are trying on dresses, keep in mind how many hours you will be wearing your outfit and the different activities you will taking part in - getting into and out of your limousine, standing, kneeling, climbing stairs, sitting or dancing. At dress fittings, take shoes with heels of the approximate height you will be wearing.

If you are dieting while you are trying on dresses or having fittings, it will be difficult for the seamstress to make alterations. If you feel unsure of what your size is going to be on your wedding day, make sure that the seamstress doesn't cut away any fabric inside the dress.

If you are a plus size and accustomed to wearing a particular style, your wedding ensemble can follow the same lines. Use the Internet or yellow pages to identify the bridal salons, department stores or retail shops that can show you samples.

Today's bride can be married in a dress of any silhouette or shade of color. The most important consideration is that the dress must be right for you. Your wedding day may be the only time you will be wearing it, but all eyes will be on you and you'll want everything to be as perfect as can be. Today, white is worn by all brides regardless of their age or how many times they have been married.

Garment Facts to bring out your best:
• Big sleeves are great for someone who has small shoulders and arms.
• Long tapered sleeves are good to feature pretty hands.
• Low or backless dress accented with detail is good for highlighting good backs.
• Strapless or off-the-shoulder necklines emphasize good shoulders and nice bustlines.
• Splits in sheath skirts are good for showing legs.
• High collars with high-necked cut-outs are good for long necks.
• Fitted bodices are perfect for tiny waists.

Having your dress made:
If you, a friend or a member of your family are making the gown, allow plenty of time to choose the pattern, fabric and trims, just as would be the case if you were having your dress made by a dressmaker. After consultation, the dressmaker will show you swatches of fabrics and trims to choose from. Most dressmakers have connections to fabric outlets - you may be able to benefit from these connections and save money.

Some dressmakers allow you to buy the fabric yourself as a cost savings. Once you've chosen your style of dress, the dressmaker will tell you how much fabric and trim to buy.
Check out dressmaking supply shops. They handle fabrics of all kinds and usually a good selection of trims such as sequins, rhinestones, pearls, stones, buttons, flowers, etc.

Types of bridal wedding dresses:
Daytime Formal: in colors of white, ivory or delicate pastel-tinted, the formal floor-length wedding dress of ivory marquisette over silk, satin, tulle, organdy, chiffon, cotton or synthetics. Velvet, brocades and lace are worn for winter weddings. The face veil is attached to the headpiece. Many dresses have a cathedral or chapel train.
  The formal dress is usually a ballroom dress with full skirt and optional sweep train. Accessories include a bouquet or depending on her religion, a prayer book, peau de soie or satin shoes to match, long gloves with the ring finger removed or slit to allow the ring to be placed on her finger. Gloves are optional.
  The Bride's other jewellery will be earrings, something around her neck if she wishes and her engagement ring on her right hand. No other ring is worn unless given to her by her husband-to-be.

Daytime Informal: white or pastel floor-length or ballerina dress, tea-length dress, evening wear or a suit. The veil is elbow length or shorter. Brides have same accessories as the formal wedding dress with a small bouquet corsage, gloves and matching shoes or depending on her religion, a prayer book.

Evening Formal: six-o-clock is the hour that separates the formal evening wedding from the day wedding. The formal wedding dress is the same as for daytime. However, the fabrics and trimmings may be more elaborate.

Evening Semi-formal: the same as daytime informal. Fabrics or trims may be more elaborate.

Photo: Henry Roth, New York City. Visit www.henryroth.com

Trends

CAP SLEEVES: Keeping your shoulders covered may be favorable in some churches but it is also stylish, sophisticated, and sexy. Cap sleeves, photo right, show off a lot of skin while simultaneously keeping a sense of mystery by covering your shoulders. Photo: St. Pucchi.com

SOFT-WARE: You’ll see less and less bold hardware and beading on the gowns because the latest looks keep treatments subdued. Gowns will still have delicate beading and intricate treatments but with a rich, fine look.

RICH FABRIC: Choosing your fabric is just as important as the style and cut because it really brings your whole look together. This season fabrics range from rich taffeta and delicate lace to heavy silk.

CUT: Sexy, low-cut backs are making their way down the aisle as are V-neck cuts in the front. More and more brides are moving away from the strapless, A-line gown. Styles are evolving to help brides show off their best assets, such as their arms, neck, or back.

Source: Cristina DeMarco, Vice President and General Manager of Bridal Reflections, New York City. Visit www.bridalreflections.com.

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www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | lW&H: Bridal Gowns| July 21, 2010