Fashion and jewellery
For most women a wedding gown represents far more than just a dress. It is also the embodiment of a dream. A wedding gown must always embody the individual.
- Vera Wang
It’s amazing -- today, when choosing your wedding dress, pretty much anything goes! White, cream, shimmery greys, blacks and brights, short, retro cocktail party styles, long, romantic formal gowns, lace, flowers, Cinderella at the ball styles, strapless, peek-a-boo backs, gloves, tiaras, veils, up-dos – and a fabulous pair of red shoes! Whatever your wedding gown dream is, there’s a dress for it.
Taking a few research steps before the actual shopping trip for your bridal gown can take some stressful details out of the buying process. Then when you go out to shop, you can focus on the thrill of finding the single most photographed, watched and adored garment you’ll ever wear! Start by looking at bridal magazines and guides like this one and check out boutiques you’re interested in online. Attend the fashion shows at bridal fairs. If you’re out and about and see a dress you like or a style that you think appropriate for your bridesmaids, take photos and email them to all concerned – or post them to your fabulous wedding fashions page you’ve set-up on a social media site and ask for comments from your attendants.
Start shopping for your gown eight to twelve months in advance to ensure that the process won’t be rushed or needlessly overpriced. Bridal gowns in general are found in a range of shops including off-the-rack stores, boutiques and department stores. If you have a limited budget or an urge for something different try vintage-clothing stores, consignment shops and outlet stores. Making an appointment to visit bridal gown boutiques can’t be emphasized enough; while guaranteeing that you’ll have a fitting expert and a room reserved for you for at least one to two hours, it also will guarantee that you’ll have ample room for attendants who are coming along to try on gowns.
what’s a girl to wear
Pictures of gowns or details from sites found online and in guides and magazines can be very helpful in determining what you love in a gown, and will help the sales staff find what’s perfect for you. Also, have a budget in mind before you hit the shops, to give yourself protection against falling for a dress that’s out of your range. Keep in mind that the alterations and accessories need to be included.
Whether it’s classic, modern or vintage, every bride has a vision of their perfect gown. In general, you can choose from six classic silhouettes, and most are defined by not only their shape, but also by their fabric and details. A variety of sleeves and necklines can be used to uniquely set off each silhouette. After determining the silhouette that best fits your body style, you’re free to focus on the details. Your fitting expert can help you match fabrics to your skin tone and find your preferences in the way each fabric drapes and responds to light. Made from natural fibres, silk, cotton and wool are the most common fabrics found in bridal wear, with silk being the most popular and varied. Cloud-like chiffon is excellent for veils, while taffeta works best for sleeves, bouffant skirts, and bustles.
Details add the finishing polish to the bridal gown, and the possibilities are truly endless. Embroidery can add sparkle and texture to any fabric, and can be tied into the accessories: think of delicate beading along the waist of the gown that is sweetly replicated at the edges of the veil. Flounces, ruffles, and embellishments to seams such as piping can also add a layered complexity to an already beautiful gown.
It’s important to try on a strapless bra with the gowns instead of the one you wore to the store; all salons should have an assortment, and they will give you a much better picture of the fit than your own bra. The fitting expert will ask you if you need assistance in the fitting room when it’s time to try on the bra and gown; take her up on it! No matter who else is there as part of your fitting group, the fitting expert can give you the very best idea of how the gown will fit to your frame, as well as handle the sheer volume and delicacy of the fabric involved.
What an experience! Under the lights of the sales floor, a full-length mirror on a raised platform lets you see the gown in all its splendour. Don’t be afraid to leave the confines of the fitting room to get the full-length, front-and-back view of your gown, adding shoes and the headpiece to get the overall picture. The moment you see yourself in the gown is a powerful one, so be prepared: you have now officially become a bride!
dressing up the dress
Whether simplistic or high fashion, accessories are the important personal touches that make every bride unique. In terms of the overall look you’re going for, accessories can make or break it; you should be extremely selective in choosing what you’ll wear to set off your dress. Accessory style should match that of the gown; bold and dramatic jewellery should be saved for the high fashion gown, while the more delicate, classic look perfectly sets off a gown that’s simple and traditional.
Shoes should be carefully considered not only for style but also for the silhouette and length of your gown. A three-inch or higher heel will make you appear taller and you will find that you will carry yourself in a more stately and statuesque manner. But don’t wear shoes that are too high for you as these will make you off balance and ruin your look and walk. The style of the toe can express the season and spirit of the wedding; open-toed or strappy shoes look best with contemporary silhouettes in the warm-weather months, while a closed-toe sling-back is appropriate for the winter bride. Wearing your shoes to the gown fittings will ensure accuracy in measuring to your height while also giving you a chance to slightly break in your shoes before the ceremony. Measurements will be taken after you’ve made your final decision on a gown. Have the gown fitted to your current size even if you’re planning to lose weight before the wedding. A few months are needed after the gown is ordered from the designer in order for it to be made, and after that time, the boutique will call you when it arrives.
Finally, you’re ready for your first fitting. This usually occurs nine to ten weeks before your wedding. However, let the boutique know if you need the gown in advance, such as for a formal portrait sitting. At the first fitting, it’s very important to bring your accessories and all undergarments so that you can get an idea of how the entire ensemble comes together. Alterations are made between the first and second fittings, so when you go back to try on the gown, the fit will be very close to the final result; miniscule changes may need to be made while you wait or before the final fitting. Some brides lose a few pounds due to nervousness as the wedding date gets closer, so make sure you try on the gown after the final adjustments are made to avoid any unwanted surprises on the morning of the ceremony.
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