Wedding Gowns & Bridal Fashion

A New unique African inspired style and Information book. Jumping the book in Style by Africa’s premier bridal fashion designer Thony C. Anyiam for couples looking for something different and exciting.

Renown Nigerian born fashion designer Thony C Anyiam’s long awaited, and much talked about new book titled “Jumping the broom in style; A collection of styles and information for the entire wedding party” published by Author House is now released! This unique full color book is available in paperback, and everywhere books are sold.This full color book has something for everyone regardless of race or nationality.

Jumping the broom in style is an African inspired style and information book for the entire wedding party. Besides African, and African American (Afrocentric) styles, there are styles for both the bride and groom inspired by Asia, (Afro-Asian), Caribbean, (Afro-Caribbean), Europe, (Afro-European), Arab / Middle East, (Afro-Middle Eastern), and Span/Latino, (Afro-Spanish/Latino)

In addition, a preview of his Avant-garde bridal line, you have to see to believe!

For the first, time in a bridal publication a comprehensive collection for men (groom, and the father of the bride/groom).
Important and useful information for couple planning their ethnic inspired wedding; Information on who wears what, and what to wear to your wedding, A step-by-step pictorial guide on how to tie the fancy African style head-wrap, money saving tips, and much more.

Designer Thony C. Anyiam is known in the bridal fashion industry for his trend setting, and innovative designs. He is consider the pioneer of modern Afrocentric bridal wear designs. He merges different ethnic influences to create unique one of a kind designs.

He is one of Africa’s most creative and influential fashion designer of our time, and one to watch in the industry.

Weddings are all about personal style. Reflecting the overall trend of breaking away from tradition and steadfast rules, modern brides are choosing wedding gowns that reflect their personality and vision not necessarily their grandmother’s. The only rule for wedding dress style these days is to choose a style that suits you. Whether that means wearing a gold wedding dress, trouser suit or sundress, go with it! And even if you are more traditional and have always envisioned yourself as the fairy princess in the white satin ballgown, you needn’t worry about being perceived as old fashioned or “not with the times.” The modern “rule” for wedding dress style is to choose something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful on your most special day.

The 21st Century BrideThat said, although certain traditional dress styles are always popular, bridal fashion does follow mainstream fashion to some extent. So if you are looking for something a little more contemporary or “now,” consider turning to the catwalks for inspiration.

The currently popular 20s and floral style dresses can be easily incorporated into a wedding dress. Accessories, such as chandelier earrings, can also transfer from the catwalks to comprise your wedding look. Try to avoid fashion that will date quickly, however, as you will want to display your wedding photographs for a long time. As a general rule, keep your wedding ensemble fashionably forward, not overly trendy.

Today’s Hot Wedding Dress - Trends: Add Some Color
Using a wedding dress to bring out a colorful personality, modern brides are not afraid to add a splash of color to the traditional white gown. Whether that means adding a colored ribbon or piece of jewelry or foregoing the white wedding dress all together, today’s brides find inventive ways to incorporate color into their wedding attire. Particularly popular shades are blue, pink, cappuccino and champagne.

Lace Up
Lace has made a recent comeback, exuding a look vintage romance that is feminine, yet not overdone. Many brides are enchanted by lace, envisioning a majestic day in a lush green garden.

Magnificent Embroidery
For an ultra elegant, opulent feel, glamour girls savor wedding gowns adorned with intricate hand-embroidered details. This look warrants grand chandeliers, candlelight and an isle of red roses.

Ultra-Feminine
As seen on the runway, feminine details are making a big impact. Ribbons, ruffles, flowers and bows are finding their way back onto wedding dresses and taking femininity to a new level. Brides who envision themselves floating along the cobblestones of a historic mansion will love this look.

For a complete guide to keeping your sanity while creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit

In the past year, we saw wedding gowns that went the overly romantic route with vintage accents like bows, lace, generous beading, and tiered ruffles galore like wedding cakes. For instance, the last wedding I attended for December 2007 had the bride walking around in a strapless duchesse satin number, but with a full meringue-like skirt over a hoop petticoat. It was cute and photogenic, but she had a hard time sitting still throughout the wedding proper. Plus, her gown was too heavy for her to dance the night away with her new groom.

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Okay, it’s that time of the year again, when starry-eyed young ones tie the nuptial knot.

And for that once-in- a-lifetime occasion, brides and grooms take utmost care in ensuring, they’ve got the look right. More disposable income and awareness about global fashion trends have been instrumental in the way the to-be-married choose to dress up. Money’s not important, looking good and stealing the show matters more.

From the traditional to the trendy, getting the perfect trousseau is no longer a quick shopping affair, but involves meticulous planning and many trips to trousseau studios and shops.

Leading fashion designer Ashish Parikh feels, colours like red, maroon, pastels, pistachio, mustard, rust, emerald green, bottle green and grey should rule this wedding season besides “off-white.” Add-ons like dull embroidery, cut work, crystals, Swarovski and silver glitter are just the right embellishments that a bridal outfit requires. “Though people are experimenting a lot, they are also fussy about the look and the fit,” adds Ashish.

In fact, thanks to the elaborate nature of Indian weddings, the entire ceremony involves many outfits, for mehndi and sangeet ceremony. So you can wear an outfit according to your mood, a mix of traditional, Western and Indo-Western for the various ceremonies. Bride-to-be Gunjan Agrawal says, “My wedding dress is in deep red with lots of peta and crystal work. The dupatta has heavy embroidery.”

Vadodara-based designer Chandrakant Golani says, “Heavy dupattas are in,” and soon-to-be married women seem to be deriving plenty of inspiration from reel life. “Brides are comfortable wearing halters and spaghetti blouses for their reception, while for the wedding outfit they want the Saawariya look — full-sleeved blouses with plunging necklines and flared ghagras,” he adds.

Purva P, a fashion designer of a leading store, says, “Brides want the ghagra, blouse and dupatta in different shades. Sometimes brides even use dupattas with complimenting colours. This year, princess-cut ghagras with long corset blouses are in.”

Even bridegrooms seem to be experimenting with colours and fabrics. Sherwanis, dhotis and kurta pyjamas with elaborate and intricate designs are trendy. “Knee-length sherwanis with trousers are cool,” says Bhavin Trivedi, a fashion designer of a leading menswear store.

When it comes to colours, purples, peach and pink are haute. High collared, embroidered sherwanis teamed with jackets complete the groom’s outfit, chips in Ashish. Men are also wearing scarves with sherwanis . Of course formalwear continues to be in fashion. If you were to believe Bhavin, young bridegrooms are flaunting “tuxedos with two-piece suits in more flamboyant colours and fabrics.” For those who prefer a ‘dressy’ look, long suits with heavily embroidered jacket completes the look.

Go, get that perfect trousseau!

Source: The Times of India

A ring of dirt around the edge of a wedding dress tells of a fun-filled reception. Still, most brides protect their gowns for posterity or, at the very least, for reminiscing later.

Others, like Jennifer Costa, roll around in the dirt.

Costa is part of a small but growing number of brides across the country who decide to trade the perfectly preserved dress for gritty, unconventional but often stunning pictures with a high-fashion bent — a trend known as “trashing the dress.”

After Costa, 29, and her husband, Anthony, 32, of Grapevine, said their vows on a beach in Anguilla, Jennifer picked up the hem of her gown and walked to the edge of the water so her photographer, Kevin Jairaj of Keller, could snap pictures of the waves lapping at her feet.

She ended up lying on her back with sand grinding into her dress and hair, and with the surf washing over her. She was filthy, but the picture was artistic and striking and certainly worthy of hanging on a wall.

She and her husband wandered along a half-mile stretch of beach while Jairaj called out directions for a photo reminiscent of the movie From Here to Eternity.

“I literally got into the shower with my dress when I was done to wash it off,” she says.

How it all started

The idea of “trashing the dress” started in February 2006 when Las Vegas photographer John Michael Cooper created a photo illustration of a bride with her arms open wide and her dress on fire, and posted it on a photo blog with an article urging photographers to keep an eye out for creative brides willing to take risks in wedding photos.

In May 2006, Louisiana-based photographer Mark Eric took the concept to New York to photograph a bride playing in a fountain and her husband carrying her, sopping wet, across the threshold of the Ritz-Carlton.

After the wedding, he registered the domain name www.trashthedress.com to post the slide show.

“At that point, it was more of a concept than a trend,” he says, “and other photographers picked up on it.”

By September he had turned it into a blog. Traffic grew steadily, reaching about 100,000 visitors by last June.

The New York Times wrote a story and “it just exploded,” he said. The site has had more than 1 million visitors.

What constitutes ‘trashing’?

“The main gist,” Eric says, “is to have fun and get creative pictures that are different from everyone else’s. Wedding photos don’t have to be stiff.”

Trashing the dress often positions the bride in an unexpected location, such as a fire escape, pond or farm. Sometimes the dress is ruined; sometimes a professional cleaning can undo most, if not all, of the damage.

The portraits can be decidedly seductive, even slightly risque.

So why on earth would a bride want to ruin her gown?

Eric says, in his experience, the bride wants to a) showcase her personality and b) cut loose.

“Before the ceremony, they’re so terrified of getting the dress dirty. This is a way to say, ‘Let’s have some fun, and if you get a little grass stain, it doesn’t really matter.’”

Maggie Gallant, a trend expert who specializes in pop culture, fashion and celebrity, says that’s not the only reason these types of pictures draw in women.

“There’s varying thoughts on the psychology behind it, but it has to do with the idea that the dress just sits there in your closet gathering dust. Why not … take a photo that will last much longer?” she says.

The trend locally

Jairaj says the practice has started catching on locally in the past year and that 10-15 percent of the brides who hire him include a “dress-trashing” photo in their portfolios.

Those who go the route of dirt — or grease from train tracks or rust from the hood of a car or mud kicked up by a horse — are looking for more than just a pretty picture.

Indeed Costa, who is pretty but conservative in person, positively smolders in her pictures.

“I didn’t think they were going to be so sexy,” she says, opening her eyes wide and pulling her shoulders up towards her ears. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to show all of them to the kids.”

Gallant says she’s not surprised to see women throwing caution to the wind — or the water — in terms of their weddings dresses.

“This is a visual representation of women wanting to laugh at tradition,” she says.

Like so many trends, “trash the dress” has gotten popular enough to spawn a backlash. Ariel Meadow Stallings, author of the book Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides (Seal Press, $15.95) and the Web site by the same name, wrote a detailed rant as to why she’s not into trashing the dress. Namely, she says, because it’s “grossly wasteful.”

Eric disagrees. “Most of the time, the dresses are salvageable. You can put it in it a box or donate it to a charity, like Brides Against Breast Cancer, which we support,” he says.

And Costa says it’s easy to get around ruining an expensive gown.

“Just buy a bridesmaid dress like I did. I only spent $200, so I didn’t feel too badly when it got dirty.”

Source: Star-Telegram.com

According to National Statistics, the number of weddings in England and Wales decreased by 10.4% in 2005, to 244,710. Furthermore, government data show that the number of weddings in the UK fell by 9.5% in the same period, to 283,731. This trend looks likely to continue: according to several designers we spoke to during the compilation of this report, orders placed for dresses 2 years in advance are down.

While declines in the market would have a serious effect on multimillion, multinational organisations, the UK bridalwear market operates on a much smaller scale. It is very much a niche market, especially at the couture end of the market, in which most UK designers operate. As a result of this, designers are able to withstand seasonal fluctuations. However, to counteract any fall in the bridalwear market itself, some are emphasising the occasionwear side of their businesses, with the `prom’ dress coming to the fore.

The biggest threat to the UK bridalwear market is in the mid-market, where any downturn in the number of weddings is most likely to be felt. However, this sector is already highly competitive and fragmented, with most dresses being mass produced in the People’s Republic of China and imported either through US-owned designer labels that operate on a global scale or through smaller UK importers.

Despite curbs put in place by the EU after the People’s Republic of China’s textile import quotas were lifted at the beginning of 2005 as a result of the nation joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) there has been no shortage in the UK of the availability of wedding dresses originating in the People’s Republic of China. Perhaps worrying for UK importers is that Chinese manufacturers and designers are beginning to approach UK retailers directly, and there is a strong possibility that some well-known importing brands could disappear in the next decade.

The availability of cheap copies and counterfeits over the Internet is perceived by the industry as being more of a nuisance than a real threat. Brides take a big risk when ordering copies of designer gowns in this way, as there is no guarantee that they will arrive on time and it is highly likely that, while the designs may be exact copies, the fabric will be of much lower quality.

The bridalwear market has seen new players entering in the form of the high-street multiples ASDA and Marks and Spencer, both offering gowns at very low prices. This is at the budget end of the market, where competition tends to be among high-street fashion stores and second-hand resellers. There are a number of websites offering a marketplace for brides to sell their dresses and, to bring in an ethical element, Oxfam has also opened a number of bridal outlets at some stores. However, it is too early to predict whether bridalwear has proved profitable for the multiples.

Source: Research and Markets http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c74202

Brides-to-be nationwide can now have a front row seat for the latest runway looks from top designers in wedding fashion by visiting http://www.brides.com/videos. Over 20 shows from New York City’s Bridal Market, Fall 2008 will be available online beginning today, giving brides-to-be unprecedented access via one-on-one interviews and cutting-edge video from Reem Acra, Amsale, Badgely Mischka, Simone Carvalli, Priscilla of Boston, Monique Lhuillier, Melissa Sweet and more.

Brides.com editor in chief Theresa DiMasi has chosen the following trends as the top five trends in bridal fashion, hot off the runway:

1. A Lighter Touch
lots of free-flowing, ethereal fabrics including chiffon and organza with less embellishment, beading or other adornments as in season’s past.
2. Color, Color, Color!
beyond the traditional white dress, color is not just seen in bursts but in wonderful patterns, rich jewel tones or new shades of pastels.
3. Jackets/Sleeves
brides who want options beyond the traditional strapless gown are thinking more fashion-forward with gowns that offer more coverage.
4. Emphasis of the Waist
honoring the female form, there were lots of large flower corsages positioned right at the hip to draw attention to an hourglass figure.
5. New Lengths in Gowns
tea length to above-the-knee, there was a larger variety in gown lengths than ever before.

To carve out the best-of-the-best from all of the images of gorgeous gowns on http://www.brides.com/ from the Fall 2008 shows, Brides.com will feature a special section on runway via Editor’s Picks. The gowns shown in Fall 2008 will begin to be available in stores in the coming months.

Brides.com, “Your #1 Source for Weddings,” is the premier destination website within Conde Nast Bridal Media and has over 20,000 dress images throughout the site. Brides.com’s dedicated editorial team creates original content, develops interactive tools, cultivates an engaged community and provides an array of beautiful imagery and videos to inspire the bride throughout her wedding planning process. Content is also aggregated from the three national magazines-Brides, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride-and 16 local bridal magazines.

Driven by the rise of the Millennials in the population mix, and backed by strong economic growth, rising standards of living, affluence, and sophistication of brides, the world bridalwear market is projected to reach US$53 billion by the year 2010. Higher purchasing power, a keener sense of personal style, and the tendency to marry later in life, when older, mature and financially stable, are all factors which are leading to a rise in wedding spends, especially for bridalwear.

World bridalwear market stands enthused by the coming of age of the “Millennials”, who are children of the aging baby boomers. In the United States alone, the number of Millennials aggregate to over 80 million as against the 45 million baby boomers of the yesteryears. Exposed to money, pomp, glamour, and cutting edge technology, the Millennials is a lucrative demographic group expected to drive growth in the market. The implications boded by this demographic trend for the bridal jewelry category is huge and comes in the form of a 25% growth compounding through the years to 2015. Fashion trends in bridalwear are fairly stable with styles and color fads always reverting back to simplicity. The unchanging popularity of white, flowing, Cinderella styled princess gowns complete with veils, and high-heeled shoes, continues even to the present day, notwithstanding the modern day brides initial desire to look, fashion-forward, unconventional, and radical in bold colors. The fashion fantasy revolving around the bridal gown often crumbles, and the final purchase decision almost always culminates to the traditional, practically styled dress with a ‘barely there’ color change that offer sobriety, elegance, color, and tradition. Subtle contemporary trends are nevertheless evolving to become part of the timeless mainstay in bridal fashion Ultrafeminine gowns with stylish cuts, bare backs and plunging necklines, yards of elegant fabric, including tutle, satin, lace and organza, laced with shimmering with beads, crystals, rhinestones and handmade silver embellishments, are rising in popularity. Popular choice of colors includes white, oak, crème and champagne.

Innovation in merchandizing bridal products is helping drive demand. Retailing practices today, revolve around building vibrant customer relationships through offering customer-oriented services and value added products that guarantee customer satisfaction. Manufacturers and retailers are beginning to harness the power of internet wedding directories in an attempt to penetrate deeper into the industry. Internet marketing, therefore, is beginning to make its presence felt in the bridal marketplace with both online, and traditional vendors polishing up their websites with easily navigable search engines, and loads of new product related information.

Bridalwear: A Global Strategic Business Report
As stated by the recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., world bridalwear market is dominated by the United States, Europe, and Japan, with a combined share of over 88.42% estimated in the year 2007. Growth is expected to stem from the United States, with a projected CAGR in excess of 12% over the period 2000 through 2010. Bridalwear market in Japan and Australia, together, is expected to rise by US$2.9 billion between the period 2007 through 2010. In Europe, Germany, United Kingdom, and France, together, collar over 63% of the market, with Italy, a noteworthy market, poised to grow by US$468 million between the period 2007 to 2010. Revenues in the Scandinavian bridalwear market are expected to rise by 29.6% between the period 2007 to 2010. By the year 2015, the Australian market is projected to reach US$840 million. By the same year, Latin America is portended to corner over 6.71% of the world market.

Leading players operating in the industry include Alfred Angelo Inc, Macy’s Inc., Creations Bridal & Fabric Boutique, David’s Bridal Inc., Harrods Ltd, Helen Rodrigues Bridalwear, Justin Alexander Limited, JLM Couture Inc, Paloma Blanca, and Pronuptia de Paris SA.

The report titled “Bridalwear: A Global Strategic Business Report” published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of the market trends, drivers, issues, challenges, fashions trends, consumers, their tastes, preferences, purchasing patterns, and couture design trends. Richly annotated with authoritative, and unbiased commentaries, and hard-to-find statistical facts, the report provides unequivocal views on future potential while throwing light on the prevailing climate in key regional markets. Latent demand patterns for bridalwear are quantified across major geographic market verticals including the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Australia, and Latin America. Also provided in the report is an enumeration of recent mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities.

For more details about this research report, please visit www.strategyr.com/MCP-1033.asp.

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world’s largest market research publishers. The company employs more than 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of more than 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Telephone 408-528-9966
Fax 408-528-9977
Email press @ StrategyR.com
Web Site www.StrategyR.com

Weddings are all about personal style. Reflecting the overall trend of breaking away from tradition and steadfast rules, modern brides are choosing wedding gowns that reflect their personality and vision—not necessarily their grandmother’s. The only rule for wedding dress style these days is to choose a style that suits you. Whether that means wearing a gold wedding dress, trouser suit or sundress, go with it! And even if you are more traditional and have always envisioned yourself as the fairy princess in the white satin ballgown, you needn’t worry about being perceived as old fashioned or “not with the times.” The modern “rule” for wedding dress style is to choose something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful on your most special day.

The 21st Century Bride -

That said, although certain traditional dress styles are always popular, bridal fashion does follow mainstream fashion to some extent. So if you are looking for something a little more contemporary or “now,” consider turning to the catwalks for inspiration.

The currently popular 20s–and floral–style dresses can be easily incorporated into a wedding dress. Accessories, such as chandelier earrings, can also transfer from the catwalks to comprise your wedding look. Try to avoid fashion that will date quickly, however, as you will want to display your wedding photographs for a long time. As a general rule, keep your wedding ensemble fashionably forward, not overly trendy.

Today’s Hot Wedding Dress Trends:

Add Some Color -

Using a wedding dress to bring out a colorful personality, modern brides are not afraid to add a splash of color to the traditional white gown. Whether that means adding a colored ribbon or piece of jewelry or foregoing the white wedding dress all together, today’s brides find inventive ways to incorporate color into their wedding attire. Particularly popular shades are blue, pink, cappuccino and champagne.

Lace Up -

Lace has made a recent comeback, exuding a look vintage romance that is feminine, yet not overdone. Many brides are enchanted by lace, envisioning a majestic day in a lush green garden.

Magnificent Embroidery -

For an ultra elegant, opulent feel, glamour girls savor wedding gowns adorned with intricate hand-embroidered details. This look warrants grand chandeliers, candlelight and an isle of red roses.

Ultra-Feminine -

As seen on the runway, feminine details are making a big impact. Ribbons, ruffles, flowers and bows are finding their way back onto wedding dresses and taking femininity to a new level. Brides who envision themselves floating along the cobblestones of a historic mansion will love this look.

For a complete guide to keeping your sanity while creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource.

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com/ and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding vendors, with the planning tips to keep brides in the know on today’s planning trends and styles.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Locklin

BizWoman: Kristin Davis is the “hemp queen” using hemp and recycled fabric in her clothing business

Kristin Davis’ green lifestyle has its roots back in high school. She could no longer eat the juicy pot roasts her mother had prepared. She called the sight of chicken veins and fatty meat “unbearable,” and decided to be vegetarian. “I’m a strict vegetarian and lazy vegan,” she laughed.

Growing up in the farmlands of Maple Grove, she naturally transitioned into a “green” way of living, and as a fashion designer, her clothes prove it. Davis is hip on hemp, and recently started working full time in her home-based clothing business, Hemp Queen. Davis designs all of the apparel she sells on the Hemp Queen website, at events and in a few boutiques and co-ops.

Designs come easily for her. When she’s exercising on the treadmill, her brain is flooded with ideas. “If I just had time to bust out half the stuff I’m thinking,” she said. Davis wants to design more, so her next step is finding people to help her sew.

Quality fabrics with older qualities appeal to her, and Davis hates good cloth to be wasted. She “treasure hunts” through thrift stores, yard sales and secondhand shops. “I’m a thrifter,” she said. “I call myself the bottom feeder. I like to go and dig.” “Treasure hunting” is just one way Davis finds fabrics. Friends donate jeans, drapes and anything interesting and recyclable. She cuts up old clothing and reuses pockets and zippers. Hemp she buys from a dealer.

Davis dislikes mass consumerism, another reason why her business is focused on recycling. “There are too many products, and things just get left by the wayside,” she said. “Americans have so much, and so many things go unappreciated.”

Davis attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, but her major of fashion and apparel came from sister college the College of St. Catherine. Davis then attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and received her associate’s degree in fashion merchandising management, and completed the apparel design program at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

For the first five years, Davis operated her business part-time as a hobby. She now lives in Becker, Minn., and sells her wares at music festivals and art shows.

Dresses were her specialty this summer, but she makes a wide variety of clothing, as well as accessories and bags. Hemp wedding dresses are on her to-do list, and she said they are becoming more popular. “Because of the green boom, a lot of people are doing their weddings green,” she said. Davis added that hemp has beautiful sheen and drape when processed correctly.

Locating in an area with more opportunity for her business to expand has also been on her mind lately. Oregon, maybe. But for now, she’s focused on her philosophy: Work smarter, not harder. Balancing time and money to make her business profitable has been a challenge and priority. Nothing will happen overnight, she admits, but her passion for design and a green life allow her to joyfully give 100 percent to her work.

“Now that I’m sewing for myself, it’s around the clock and I don’t mind,” she said. “It’s different when your goals are your own.”

Source: Minnesota’s Women’s Press

Fashion Trends and Popular Styles and Colors

The Wedding Dress – How did it all begin?

Did you ever wonder how the tradition of wearing a wedding dress came about? Wedding dresses have been worn by brides young and old alike for centuries. In modern times almost anything passes for a wedding dress however, in times of old, traditional wedding dresses were flowing gowns usually white in color.

White is usually accepted as the “traditional” color of gowns, and many designer wedding gowns are still fashioned in this color, representing the “purity” and “innocence” of the bride to be. Many women opt for other colors, including blue, pink, cream, yellow and more.

Wedding dresses have changed with time much as everything in the world has. In times of old most women selected a gown based on her financial status. Women who were at an economic disadvantage usually did not have the luxury of selecting an extraordinary gown that would be worn only once. Rather, most selected something more “plain” that could be worn for church services and other occasions after their blessed day.

Wedding gowns of varying styles and colors were popular among the elite, and by and large represented the unique style and personality of the bride to be, as well as modern trends at the time.

Popular Colors
An old poem states about the color of a wedding dress that “Married in white, you will have chosen all right.” This is not to say that all brides historically have chosen white for their wedding gown. In fact, many brides chose colors including blue, pearl and even black. Many brides believed that if they wore blue their husbands would remain true to them (also a famous line in the wedding poem). Pink was even a popular wedding gown color for a time, though its darker variant, red was often considered taboo because it was associated with “scarlet women”.

Many women who did not have a large budget to spend on a wedding dress in times of old opted for fashions that could be worn any day, rather than solely on their wedding day. For their wedding day, they would dress up their gown with accessories and flowers, even bows that could be removed after the festivities.

Wedding Gown Fashion
In the United States for a short spell the color white fell out of favor, but around the time of the Industrial Revolution, when the department store made it possible for a bride with any budget to purchase the gown of her dreams, white once again became the fashion. The style worn by women has changed through time.

Wedding dresses fashioned during the Roaring twenties were very different from those that came about in the thirties. In the twenties, women sought out gowns that de-emphasized their shape, in line with the style of the flappers that was trendy at the time.

During the 30’s most women emphasized their shape and wore gowns that highlighted their waists and bosoms. Perhaps the most interesting period of time for the wedding gown was during the 1980s, when big puffy sleeves and extravagant skirts were worn by a majority of women. These gowns, while well suited for trim and petite women, often were not the most flattering choice for the average size woman. Despite this, gowns did not trim down again until the mid to late 1990s.

Wedding Gown Fashion Today
As mentioned at the start, almost anything passes for a wedding dress today. More and more women are buying a wedding dress online, because of the wide variety and selection of unique and custom made gowns available.

Informal wedding dresses, designer wedding dresses and even discount wedding dresses can all be found online thanks to modern technology. More popular than even designer wedding dresses are discount bridal gowns online. Most brides to be can purchase extravagant looking, custom made gowns for a fraction of the cost they would find them in a department store.

Another benefit of buying a wedding dress online is convenience. With so many things to plan for a wedding (location, cake, reception, flowers, invitations, rehearsal dinner etc.etc) most women appreciate having a handy resource for buying their wedding dress. Most women also find a wider selection of sizes and custom features available when they shop online vs. when they shop in a traditional store.

Trends
Trends have changed when it comes to modern wedding attire. No longer do all brides seek out a traditional white gown for their special occasion. In fact, there is a huge selection of vintage and informal wedding dresses available, many of which don’t even look like official wedding gowns.

Most dresses today focus on the unique personality of the bride rather than socially accepted “norms” when it comes to buying a wedding dress. In general many brides are looking for wedding gowns that are narrower than they have been in times of old, and those that offer clean silhouettes. These types of dresses usually lengthen the body and provide a slimming effect. Some more popular trends include the following:

* A-line dresses that are long and slimming
* Sheaths with trains built into the silhouette, so that it trails behind the bride
* Bias-cut wedding gowns that follow the natural curves of the body, ending in a small flare at the bottom
* Raised waistline ball-gown styles
* Square necklines that provide a fresh open look
* Off the shoulder dresses providing a full neckline
* Sleeveless or cap sleeve gowns which are especially popular for summer brides
* Empire waists which elongate the figure and shift the focus upward

Trends are also apparent with regard to fabrics. Satin and silk gowns have long been popular, though sheer fabrics are also becoming more trendy, including chiffon and organzas. Embroidery is also replacing lace for many modern gowns, and some brides are opting to accent their dresses with pearls and other quality beads.

No matter what style gown you choose, the most important thing is that you select one that makes you look good, feel good and happy on the most important day of your life. You’re sure to find a superb selection when shopping online.

About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as wedding gowns and dresses, wedding dress shopping, and designer wedding dresses.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antigone_Arthur

Weddings are all about personal style. Reflecting the overall trend of breaking away from tradition and steadfast rules, modern brides are choosing wedding gowns that reflect their personality and visionnot necessarily their grandmother’s.

The only rule for wedding dress style these days is to choose a style that suits you. Whether that means wearing a gold wedding dress, trouser suit or sundress, go with it! And even if you are more traditional and have always envisioned yourself as the fairy princess in the white satin ballgown, you needn’t worry about being perceived as old fashioned or “not with the times.” The modern “rule” for wedding dress style is to choose something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful on your most special day.

The 21st Century Bride - That said, although certain traditional dress styles are always popular, bridal fashion does follow mainstream fashion to some extent. So if you are looking for something a little more contemporary or “now,” consider turning to the catwalks for inspiration. The currently popular 20sand floralstyle dresses can be easily incorporated into a wedding dress. Accessories, such as chandelier earrings, can also transfer from the catwalks to comprise your wedding look. Try to avoid fashion that will date quickly, however, as you will want to display your wedding photographs for a long time. As a general rule, keep your wedding ensemble fashionably forward, not overly trendy.

Today’s Hot Wedding Dress Trends
Add Some Color - Using a wedding dress to bring out a colorful personality, modern brides are not afraid to add a splash of color to the traditional white gown. Whether that means adding a colored ribbon or piece of jewelry or foregoing the white wedding dress all together, today’s brides find inventive ways to incorporate color into their wedding attire. Particularly popular shades are blue, pink, cappuccino and champagne.

Lace Up - Lace has made a recent comeback, exuding a look vintage romance that is feminine, yet not overdone. Many brides are enchanted by lace, envisioning a majestic day in a lush green garden. Magnificent Embroidery - For an ultra elegant, opulent feel, glamour girls savor wedding gowns adorned with intricate hand-embroidered details. This look warrants grand chandeliers, candlelight and an isle of red roses. Ultra-Feminine - As seen on the runway, feminine details are making a big impact. Ribbons, ruffles, flowers and bows are finding their way back onto wedding dresses and taking femininity to a new level. Brides who envision themselves floating along the cobblestones of a historic mansion will love this look.

For a complete guide to keeping your sanity while creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource. Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com/ and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding vendors, with the planning tips to keep brides in the know on today’s planning trends and styles.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Locklin http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Dress-Trends—Top-Wedding-Dress-Styles-for-the-Mode

Carolina Herrera & Vera Wang

Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2008 Bridal Collection was just what you would expect from the designer–elegant and feminine. Herrera’s gowns are for the classic bride who makes no apologies for wanting to look and feel like a princess on her wedding day. Ruffles, satin sashes, flowing fabrics, and trains that stopped traffic gave the collection an ethereal feel, while an element of suprise was found in black embellishments, which added an ironic touch to the white palette. Herrera paid homage to My Fair Lady with a strapless A-line gown with embroidered tulle layers and grosgrain details in black and beige. The intricate detail on a strapless floral embroidered organza ball gown with ruffles and ribbons was the perfect combination of sweetness and whimsy.

The Vera Wang Spring 2008 bridal collection was Vera at her finest, inspired by the genteel aesthetic of high society social register American debutantes of yesteryear, from Jackie Bouvier to Doris Duke. “It’s harking back to a time when women had their own definition of glamour, style, and chic,” said Wang. Gowns were super luxurious and refined, and the collection wasn’t limited to bridal white: dresses in jeweled tones of rich purple and iridescent pink walked alongside the pristine cream looks. An ivory silk organza gown with a lace and embroidered tulle overskirt and ivory faille bow sash at the waist was a standout. Satin cabbage rose embellishments in forest, amethyst, crimson, and magenta added a dash of color to simple, elegant silhouettes. Overall, the collection was the perfect blend of seductive beauty and old world elegance–with a hint of mystery. “Even the venue was meant to be fairly snotty,” said Wang of her show space–the Ukranian Institute on the Upper East Side.

Source: Fashion Week Daily

Kleinfeld Remains Iconic in the Jewish World.

At a fashion show at Manhattan’s Kleinfeld Bridal late last month, Israeli designer Pnina Tornai showed off her 2008 collection. Inspired by Edith Piaf’s famous love song “La Vie en Rose” (“Life in Pink”), the white wares featured floral accents on Tornai’s signature corset designs. A bejeweled gown with spaghetti straps and a scalloped hem elicited applause, and a silk pantsuit adorned with ribbons and flowers left some folks oohing and aahing. The packed audience included designers, would-be brides and a smattering of seemingly unlikely attendees: Orthodox Jews. According to a Kleinfeld insider, newly engaged female members of the tribe have long been drawn to the store. But in a city where bridal shops abound, how has Kleinfeld managed to become — and, more importantly, remain — so iconic in the Jewish realm?

Simple, co-owner Mara Urshel said. “We are the largest store of this kind in the world. The other stores are mom-and-pop shops, but we are truly a bridal mecca.” The sheer breadth of the locale — it’s 35,000 square feet — surely leads the soon-to-wed to make pilgrimages there, but that’s not all that attracts Jews to this shop.

Urshel, who purchased Kleinfeld in 1999 with a group of investors that included Wayne Rogers (Trapper John on the TV series “MAS*H”), believes that the Jewish community has long been besotted with the store because of its Old World focus on personal attention. “There’s nothing more important than making a bride feel like a princess on her wedding day,” Urshel said.

Kleinfeld even employs a special consultant specifically for the Jewish community. The consultant, Rochel Leah Katz, helps brides choose gowns that can be altered according to their religious needs, including the addition of sleeves and the enhancement of the backs and fronts of dresses to make sure that brides are fully covered. “I work with girls who are religious and therefore need a modest dress,” Katz said. “No strapless allowed.” The majority of Katz’s clients are Orthodox Jews, but she says she has also worked with Mormons and religious Christians in search of gowns with a little more material. And, Urshel added, “Since weddings are often planned so quickly in the [Orthodox] world, our consultant is there to know what the customer needs and work with the vendors on getting everything done as rapidly as possible.”

Kleinfeld, which opened as a fur store in Brooklyn in 1941 and moved to Manhattan in 2005, features more than 1,500 styles of gowns, 28 bridal selection rooms and 17 private fitting rooms. The store is also the subject of TLC’s new reality television show “Say Yes to the Dress,” which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the fraught process of selecting a wedding dress.

“We have a wonderful relationship with the Jewish community,” said Urshel, who professed that Tornai’s designs are particularly popular with Jewish brides (although Katz cautioned that her dresses are sometimes too pricey for Orthodox families with many daughters to marry off). “We can anticipate their needs, and we can fulfill them.”

Source: The Jewish Daily Forward

“Sometimes it’s harder to commit to the dress than it is to the fiancé.” - Ronnie Rothstein.

Say Yes to the Dress reveals the inner workings of the world’s premier bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal. Part fashion show, part bridal story, part family therapy, we uncover the hurdles every staff member faces to make each bride completely satisfied on what may be the single most important day of their lives.

Watch as a team of specialists guide brides through the process of selecting, fitting, altering and delivering each flawless dress in time for the perfect day. It’s not a stress-free endeavor, but somehow by the final fitting Kleinfeld pulls all of the details together. Part docusoap surrounding the shop, but more the fascinating tales of the women who are in search of the most important dress they’ll ever buy.

Everyone has heard the age-old saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. These items are supposed to bring a bride good luck and happiness in her marriage. You can incorporate these things into your wedding in many creative ways.

Your wedding dress can serve as any of the four requirements. Many brides wear a new dress, but you could opt for a vintage one if it fits with the style of your wedding. You could also borrow your mother’s dress, or that of another friend or relative. Wedding dresses are not required to be white or ivory any more, so a blue dress is an option if you so desire.

If you love vintage jewelry, it’s a great way to incorporate something old with style. Online auctions are often a good place to find antique earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and even hair accessories. Your local antique store is also a great source for vintage jewels. Just make sure that whatever you choose fits into your wedding’s theme and your dress’s style.

Something new is rarely a big concern on your wedding day. If you are not wearing a new dress, you probably have a new piece of jewelry or pair of shoes. If these are all old or borrowed, go out and buy a pair of pantyhose to serve as something new.

Your borrowed item could be just about anything. Jewelry is popular for this purpose as well, so if your family or friends have any jewelry that you’ve been dying to borrow, now is a good time to ask. If your mother or sister still has her garter, she would likely consider it an honor to lend it to you for your wedding day.

Something blue is often the trickiest thing to come up with. Garters often come in blue, but if you really don’t want a blue garter, don’t wear one just for that. Blue shoes are an option if they will look good with your dress. Hair pins or barrettes would work as well. If blue doesn’t match your clothing or theme at all, you could always wear blue underwear or a piece of jewelry with a small blue stone.

There is another part of the “something old” saying that many people are unaware of. It calls for “a silver sixpence in her shoe”. A sixpence is an old British coin that is no longer minted, so it could be hard to find. You could substitute a dime or old penny. You can also find keepsake sixpence coins at specialty shops. Or if you want to follow the saying to the letter, check with coin shops or online.

The something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue tradition is all about symbolism. It encourages the bride to remember her family, friends, and past while looking forward to her new life with her husband. Finding a way to work each of these things into your wedding attire can be fun and memorable.

Source: Bridalocity

Ballerinas and bridal gowns. Canadian designer Justina McCaffrey regularly pairs the two for her New York runway shows.

McCaffrey, dubbed Canada’s Vera Wang, brought her unconventional fashion show to Edmonton for the first time Sunday for the Bridal Expo at the Shaw Conference Centre.

She says she prefers putting dancers instead of stick-thin models into her dresses because dancers are more healthy looking, more average looking.

“They’re also just better people, more earnest and eager to work for you,” says the designer who still takes the occasional class with the National Ballet.

Her dresses, exclusively available at The Bridal House Couture in Commerce Place, feature high busts and little waists made to flatter the female figure and make her look five pounds lighter, McCaffrey says.

Each style is made of 100 per cent white, ivory or greyish blue silk and features French lace made on 100-year-old looms, freshwater pearls and swarovski crystals.

Because each dress costs between $2,000 and $5,000, they are sometimes marketed as society wedding gowns, but McCaffrey says her desired bride is someone comfortable running through fields and who loves to laugh a lot.

Source: edmontonjournal.com

From pilgrim to picnic, incarnations of beige are all the rage for fall wedding gowns. Indeed, the elevation of beige is one of Bridezilla’s favorite trend to emerge from Bridal Fashion Week.

Do not be alarmed, gentle readers. Before the Spring 2008 Bridal Collections, Bridezilla too viewed beige as a shade best relegated to bar mitzvah suits and funeral flowers. But, like straw into gold, this overlooked color has reincarnated from a loose bride’s white into a subtler, more mellow champagne color we just can’t get enough of. After a spring and summer heavy on cloying green and pinks, we welcome this elegant change and its crisp, modern connotations. Still not convinced? Check out Bridezilla’s dazziling round up of beautiful beige wedding dresses, and you’ll see why we’d totally plight our troth in these posh frocks.

How fierce is this silk tulle tank gown from Angel Sanchez? Bridezilla loves how this boxy burlap gown mingles with the bejeweled bodice. Talk about formal meets function! This dress is the perfect confection of crisp sexiness, just right for an autumn wedding. From the slightly futuristic feel brilliantly mingling with a touch of Fiddler on the Roof, bridezillas agree this high-fashion gown blows the styrofoam white bridal gowns out of the water.

Vera Wang 2008
We love the criss-cross effect of this Vera classic, which makes waists look teeny tiny and ball gowns more dramatic.The delicate etched flowers resemble letterpress in a way that Bridezilla finds gorgeously new, and the interesting peaked pleats on the strapless bodice keep the dress perfectly demure without being dull.

Carolina Herrera Spring 2008
Last but not least is the most decadent dress in our round-up. This gown is perfect for the Bridezilla who craves a more offbeat hue but doesn’t want to sacrifice all the beading and baubles of a traditional bridal gown. With heavy encrusted embroidery, jeweled flowers and darling bows, this gown is a perfect study of autumn plenty, and we love how the pink mums brighten the look. Bridezilla approves!

Source: bridezilla.com

The Gown. The Slipper. The Kiss. The Prince. A new chapter will be written in the Disney tradition of fairy tale wishes and finding true love at the west coast debut of Kirstie Kelly For Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. The bridal gowns inspired by the Disney Princesses will be showcased on the runway as Disney introduces an all new “Blossoms” for flower girls collection alongside a one-of-a-kind platinum wedding gown that captures the essence of the most beloved princess of all time - Cinderella. In celebration of fairy tale endings, Disney will also introduce the first woman to select a Disney Princess-inspired wedding gown for her own wedding.

The collection combines a fashion-forward look with timeless elements inspired by the Disney Princesses themselves, including Ariel, Aurora/Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White. Bridal gowns priced between $1,100 and $3,500 US dollars, a “Maidens” for bridesmaids collection, and “Jewels” that accessorize even the fairest of them all are now available at specialty boutiques in North America, Japan and Europe.

Celebrated designer Kirstie Kelly of Kirstie Kelly, Inc., has collaborated with Disney, bringing her couture design expertise to the process of creating high-end bridal gowns that give women around the world the opportunity to live the dream of being a princess on their wedding day.

The west coast debut of Kirstie Kelly For Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings will take place on Wednesday, September 19, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at KABC TV Soundstage B, 500 Circle Seven Drive, Glendale, CA 91202. For more detailed information, including interview opportunities, please contact Aaron Hunt, corporate communications manager at Disney Consumer Products, at 818-544-0393 or aaron.hunt@disney.com.

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books and magazines to interactive games, food and beverages, stationery, electronics and animation art. This is accomplished through the work of DCP’s various lines of business: Disney Toys, Disney Apparel, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, Disney Home, Disney Stationery, Disney Publishing, Disney Interactive Studios, Baby Einstein, and www.disneyshopping.com. The Disney Store, which debuted in 1987, also falls under DCP, through stores currently owned and operated by unaffiliated third parties under licensing agreements in North America and Japan, and wholly-owned stores in Europe. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com.

Bridal Week and bridal fashion shows are typically treated by the fashion world as a somewhat lesser event than other big events, such as NY Fashion Week. Afterall, there’s only so much white a person can take, and after awhile all the gowns just start to look the same.

But judging by the designs that were shown off last week for the spring 2008 bridal collections, next year’s gowns are going to be a little more high-fashion that we’re used to. The standard lace and satin pieces are taking a backseat to more out-there creations including off-the-shoulder dresses, pleats, ruffles, and even some pastels.

As if the hunt for the perfect wedding dress wasn’t already a big enough ordeal…

Source: Cleveland Leader

There have been many changes in bridal fashion over the years. The familiar white flowing wedding gown is still very popular but it is not everyone’s first choice. Once brides were expected to have a traditional wedding dress but now they can wear anything they want. Bridal fashion can include just about any color or style of outfit, and it doesn’t have to be a dress for the bride either.

The main reason for these changes in bridal fashion is the increased freedom of choice as to where the marriage ceremony can take place. There has been a decline in traditional church weddings and alternative locations are becoming more and more popular. Bridal fashion has changed accordingly, especially with regards to the color of outfits.

Brides-to-be are looking for bridal fashion that suits their personality as well as their coloring. Many women do not like to wear the traditional white because it has a tendency to drain the color from their face and is not the most flattering color for them. Many bridal fashion designers have latched on to this and offer dresses in a wide range of colors and styles.

The most important thing about a bride’s wedding day is that she enjoys it and feels special. If you don’t want a traditional white wedding dress then don’t buy one. Whatever you decide to wear for your wedding day it will be your own unique form of bridal fashion.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorna_Mclaren

Falguni and Sushil Jhaveri of Fuel, the eclectic fashion boutique at Chowpatty, hosted a glittering fashion preview for their Fall-Winter Bridal line that had breathtaking bridal-wear showcased by designers Shaahid Amir, Payal Singhal, Purvi Doshi of Azalea and Nandita Thirani.

“The upcoming wedding season requires a great deal of wardrobe-stocking and with today’s brides wanting the best of everything, we at Fuel, aim them to give them just that,” said Falguni and Sushil.

The collections were modelled by some of Mumbai’s most beautiful women. Sushma Reddy, looking like the perfect bride in a baby pink creation was complimented by Monica Vaziralli for looking “one hot number that every young man would want to make his bride!”

Madhoo, who was hitherto a regular guest at Fuel was requested to model for the bridal collection — a request that she said, “I simply couldn’t resist taking up!” Looking like a million bucks in a netted sari, Madhoo’s nervousness seemed to disappear into thin air as she sashayed down the ramp amidst much cheering.

Pooja Missra and Tara Sharma also walked the ramp and when Tara was asked about her own wedding, she couldn’t stop giggling coyly!

Two other surprise packages on the ramp were yesteryear’s model Rachael Rueben who confessed to be “overwhelmed to be back on home turf” and Tina Hussain who, as her hubby actor Hussain Kuwajerwala remarked “has a penchant for springing up surprises!”

The guest turnout at this event was equally glittering, to say the least. Sonali Kulkarni looked svelte in her toned-down avatar. Others cheering the models and designers on included Sundari Khan, Vikram Phadnis, Arshiya Fakih and Rij Eappen and Suchitra Pillai.

Source: The Times of India

It’s the best of both the worlds that the brides want and designers are all set to give them a trousseau that’s both pretty and practical. The reds and maroons rule, but steadily finding space in the brand-new wedding closet are the creams, beiges, silvers et al. The saree gets sexier with corset and halter blouses, while the suits get a contemporary look with cigarette pants and scarves. It’s a marriage which has everyone happy.

If you have it, flaunt it
Modern, naughty, trendy, fitted, stylized, well-contoured, happening is how Divya Gurwara, the brain and heart behind the Bridal Asia show, describes the trousseau of 2007. “It’s not flared and this is the look that has been catching up fast since the last one year, and I don’t see it going anywhere,’’ Divya affirms that as far as wedding clothes go, the bride calls the shots, and the final selection is about personal taste and palate. While those with money power will go in for zardozi, heavy embroidery, swaroski embellishments and of course, designers, the working class would insist on less done up, but more constructed and stylized look, that’s not over the top in both the budget and appearance. “Today, the brides want their designers to be innovative and work out interesting modalities, and they want a fit that flaunts and complements their gym-toned bodies, beautiful backs, worked-out shoulders,’’ Divya has observed.

Dimpy Gujral, city-based designer is loving the the change in her design studio, as she gets set for a busy shaadi season. Dimpy’s excited about the fact that people are experimenting, are open to ideas and following fashion trends and not just sticking to the conventional. “The trousseau’s turning trendy and modern, so from jerseys, skirts in all lengths, tunics, princess cuts, shirts and trousers, we’re creating quite a variety,’’ Dimpy says a lot of emphasis is on stylizing, with the well-toned body accentuated and flattered. “I’m doing just about five formals for a trousseau and as many trousers and well-fitted, straight cut shirts and yes, no kurtis. The fabrics I’m using are French, velvets and the jerseys are in a linen, which appears like a sheet of metal,’’ Dimpy’s not too hot about georgettes, jaals, flamboyant patterns, and is all for exploring the subtle, sexy and minimalistic side of things.

Old-world charm
Shimmer, shine, craftsmanship, the ornate and gorgeous lehngas, odhinis, salwars-kurtas at Babi’s scream for attention. The lady’s neck-deep in work catering to her huge NRI clientele, who want the best of embroidery, fabrics, embellishments, something that’s truly Indian. So, to create a look that’s both rich and royal, Babi’s blending various fabrics and embellishments. “A mix and match of Benarasi and silks, georgette sarees tastefully done up with stone, sequins, lace. The anarkali cut is back, and short kurtis are passe,’’ Babi shows us a kurta of 200-inch ghera, she’s done for someone’s wedding. The combinations that are doing well here — brown and feroze and beige and silver. “Velvet and silk are ideal for winter and I’m doing cigarette pants and finishing these with gota-patti work, while the silhouette is fitted,’’ the designer explains. At Roop Shergill’s studio, Rubaiyat, different styles are being created for various wedding functions, and while trendy’s in for the sangeet and ring ceremony, bright, heavy lehngas rule for the D-day. People, agrees Roop, a pass-out of NIFT, Delhi and FIT, New York, have started experimenting and she’s getting many orders to do corsets, straight bottoms, backless blouses, but at the same time, the traditional zardozi, dabka, gota-patti, antique heavy embroidery is on every bride’s wish-list. The young designer is creating magic with brocade, benarsi and shemoy and doing three-colour combinations for lehngas. “These are subtle, yet a class apart,’’ Roop loves the aubergine and gold combination many brides are asking for.

Source: Chandigarh Newsline

Now that you are engaged and you have completed the guest list, you need to start considering what colour themes will be central to your wedding.

But, before you make a decision, you must first consider your groom. Think about his colourings and consider which colours he would look good in. Then, think about your bridesmaids. Not all bridesmaids will look their best in every colour and equally it is important to consider their body shape, size and skin tone. Lastly, pay close attention to the dominant colours in your reception room as this may also have an impact on your decision.

The most popular colour choice for Autumn and Winter brides is still burgundy. This is largely due to the classy, regal and opulent feel that this colour exudes and as a result it has managed to stand the test of time. Depending on the depth of the shade, burdundy tends to suit most people. However, take care if you have a blonde bridesmaid with pale skin as she may look a little drained in a deep shade of burgundy. This colour is always best matched with deep creams and golds so when it comes to accessories, lighten the feel of the burgundy up with gold bridal jewellery, gold organza ribbon in floral arrangements, gold favour boxes, ivory crystal nets, cream and gold table scatter and gold sparklers etc. This ensures that the burgundy of the dresses stands out and is not dominated by other areas of detail.

Much as burgundy is an ever-popular choice, recent polls have hinted that chocolate tones are becoming a more common colour theme. Whether it be chocolate rose petals scattered on reception tables, chocolate satin edge ribbon, bridesmaid dresses and chocolate wedding favours. Some brides have reported though, that when some bridesmaid dresses were photographed in poor light, the dresses appeared almost black, so watch out for this.

If you are looking to have a more traditional winter wedding, then why not go flat out and make red your dominant colour? It does not need to look tacky if you are careful with the shades of red that are used. Best to stay away from cherry reds in the winter and stick with deep reds that can be teamed with rich creams. You may even choose to have some red on your dress bodice or go for a completely red gown if you are a cheeky bride. And why not? After all, if you cant do it on your wedding day, then when can you do it?

Perhaps you are looking for a safer option, in which case join forces with thousands of other brides who opt for traditional gold. No matter how you do this, you cant possibly go wrong. Gold and ivory always oozes class and sophistication and naturally suits all skin tones. There is always such a vast selection of gold stationery, wedding favours, bomboniere, wedding jewellery, shoes and handbags that will blend brilliantly with any gold wedding theme. Equally, in years to come when you look back at your wedding photo album, your pictures will not age in terms of fashion. This means your future kids will think you are really cool - and that has to be a winning factor for choosing a gold themed wedding doesnt it!?

This article is brought to you by “World of Wedding Favours” - Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: Christmas Wedding Favours.

In “101 Uses for a Bridesmaid Dress,” (William Morris and Company, Inc, $20) author Cindy Walker pokes good-natured fun at the idea of re-using bridesmaid dresses. She suggests things like making them into lampshades, or dressing snowmen with them. She confesses to choosing dresses for her attendants that deserved such a fate.

Today, however, there is a real possibility of getting more than one day’s wear from bridal party finery.

“Bridesmaid dresses don’t have to be cookie-cutter matches any more,” says Ingrid Kelly, special events coordinator for David’s Bridal in Conshohocken, Pa. “There are mix-and-match separates that allow bridesmaids to choose the style they prefer and are therefore more likely to reuse. Tops range from strapless to short sleeve and the skirts come in varying lengths with lots of color options. There are combinations that will flatter any body type and appeal to any taste.”

If the decision is for everyone to wear the same dress, Kelly suggests that individual preferences be addressed in the choice of color. A palette of different shades of the same color or a rainbow of complementary colors allows each woman to appear in her best light.

Another way to help insure that the dress worn on the wedding day will get additional use is to incorporate the fall fashion colors and trends into bridal party wear.

Kelly notes, “Hollywood glamour and retro elegance are popular themes this season. This look includes lots of draping and a sweeping silhouette. Rhinestone clasps and floral appliqués add interest and sparkle. As for hem lines, the shorter the better. ”

Kelly finds wine/pink, purple/lilac, neutrals like ivory, latte and champagne with touches of black, brown and pink among the season’s hottest colors.

Jessica McClintock makes some similar observations from her San Francisco base. She finds that big changes have occurred in bridesmaid dresses in the last few years and they are reflected in her designs.

“A major difference, and a definite trend for this fall, is the popularity of short skirts. I find that uneven hem lines - longer in the back and shorter in the front - are also in vogue,” McClintock says. “These shorter skirts provide an opportunity to add excitement to the overall look with fancy high-heeled shoes.”McClintock suggests there are likely to be many occasions in which a short dress can be worn after its initial use. The versatility is expanded when the color choice is black, a color she finds favored by many of today’s bridal parties.

“Burgundy and plum are also in the forefront this autumn,” states McClintock. “And pink remains a favorite whatever the season.”

“Although most brides have definite ideas about the look they want for their big day,” McClintock notes, “they seem more willing than ever to take their bridesmaids’ choices and budgets into consideration.”

As Couples Getting Married This Year Prepare For Hot, Humid And Unpredictable Weather.

With the temperatures and humidity rising, and many instances of unpredictable weather, brides shopping for a wedding gown this year take global warming into account. “Brides tend to purchase two gowns, made from natural fabrics, and more opt to have a destination wedding,” says industry expert and designer, Nina Duong, of Nina Duong Haute Couture.

Without a doubt, global warming is a hot topic that affects us all, even couples getting married factor global warming into their wedding planning. It’s a less talked about trend, but it’s an important one to consider when planning one of the most important day of life. “One of the most common concerns we hear from brides is that they need to plan for the hot and humid weather, and the impact it may have on their special day,” says Nina.

As an expert in the bridal and wedding industry, Nina has experienced first-hand how global warming is affecting bridal trends. She reports that more than ever, brides are planning destination weddings as a popular way to avoid city heat and humidity. Couples prefer to get married on the beach, out of town, or out of country all together. Destination weddings are easier to plan now than they have ever been, and there are many great locations across the globe that can suite every bride’s specific wedding dreams.

Another popular trend emerging in the age of global warming is that many brides are opting to purchase two gowns – one for the wedding ceremony and photographs and then another, less extravagant and more comfortable dress to wear for the celebration portion of the wedding. A second dress allows a bride all the glitz and glamour she desires for the wedding, but it also allows her an opportunity to be cool, comfortable and secure during the celebration with friends and family.

A third trend – and perhaps the most important– is that as temperatures rise, women need natural, comfortable fabrics that will allow the brides to avoid perspiration and to remain elegant throughout the course of the day. As a wedding gown expert, Nina Duong suggests looking for dresses that are made of the best quality silks and satins. “These fabrics are light enough to allow the bride added comfort and flow for her special day,” says the designer.

Today’s brides are aware of global warming and are doing their best to plan and accommodate the impact the weather will have on their special day. Consulting a bridal expert is a great way to get professional advice on how to keep up with the new trends.

About Nina Duong Haute Couture
Nina Duong Haute Couture (www.ninaduong.com ) is a bridal and fashion industry leader with the newest and hottest styles of wedding and special occasions apparel. It was founded in 2001 in Toronto, Ontario by Nina Duong. By being able to perfectly fulfill any demands (i.e. unique, extravagant, traditional, modern or ethnic), Nina Duong Haute Couture has quickly established an outstanding reputation in Canada and the US. The Nina Duong Haute Couture gowns are sawn using the most exquisite fabrics from around the world, while specializing in pure silks. The garments are enhanced through the use of fine quality lace, Swarovski crystals, pearls and other notions.

Source: PR Urgent

The wedding “season” is here in earnest! And designers everywhere are busy creating dresses to bring brides’ dreams to reality.

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. But the first real concern for the bride is to have the perfect dress and look stunning on the day.

Even women who always seem certain about their everyday wardrobe often waver when choosing a wedding gown. To find a look that is right for you without losing your fashion identity, decide what your regular look is, then find a style that is most like yours.

If you are a glamour girl, go for a sexy, body hugging dress. If you are a true classic, choose a timeless regal gown. And if you are a risk-taker, opt for a bold, fashion-forward style.

A true glamour girl likes to wear sparkly gems and diva-like form-fitting outfits in metallic and other luxurious fabrics.

The glamour bride will channel her inner diva with curve-conscious silhouettes, sultry satin and loads of sparkle. Form-fitting gowns in clingy fabrics or with mermaid / trumpet skirts will highlight an hourglass figure.

Show some skin! Bare shoulders and cleavage are key here, while ornate accents such as rhinestones and artful beading will lend movie star aura! As far as accessories go, amp up the wow factor with a splash of rhinestones and theatrical “opera” gloves.

If your regular look is simple and timeless, you are a true classic. You are the kind of girl who wears pearl studs to work and diamond studs after hours. You cannot be caught dead wearing ripped-up/stonewash jeans. Your look is always simple and timeless. For the true classic bride, time honoured sophistication is effortlessly defined by lovely lace and lady like tulle.

Ball gowns epitomise this look but A-line and trumpet shapes are elegant alternatives. Bodices should be snug but not overly revealing. Consider strapless designs or those that form a V or cross in front. Embellishment will include ribbon embroidery or lace. Keep accessories simple with tiny drop earrings, a single strand of pearls and satin pumps.

Are you the proverbial fashion forward risk-taker? The one who wears outfits that seem out-of-this world? Then catwalk-inspired gowns will suit you and still have a distinctly bridal feel. A risk-taker will favour progressive designs inspired by the unexpected - outerwear or menswear.

Still, these silhouettes can remain feminine. Modern boleros with flirty cuffs/collar will add extra flair. Delicate details such as rhinestone buttons, chiffon trim and floral accents will make a dress special enough for a wedding day. Dare to be different and accessorise with a single elaborate flower in your hair, strands of fancy costume jewellery and funky wedges in bridal white.

So now you have the perfect look, but remember that tiny details can also ruin your look and therefore your day! Use these unexpected tips to save your big day. These are must-have secret weapons for tackling almost any bridal emergency and all for under Shs15,000!

lSafety pins are handy, but diaper/nappy pins are far stronger and perfect for wedding dress mishaps
lWhite chalk - no matter how big or small, a last minute strain can whip any bride into a frenzy. The fastest fix is white chalk. Draw it on a pure white dress and it will cover up virtually any stain in an instant.

lSand paper! - The soles of new shoes can be dangerously slippery. Rub sand paper on the bottom of your shoes to avert a potential slip!
lWhite first aid tape/plaster on a roll - A loose hem does not have to trip you. If you are caught in a pinch, fasten hems with medical tape. It is sturdy and easy to hide beneath the dress.

Source: Daily Monitor

Some brides are going for the short and sassy wedding dress.

THE hunt is on for the little white dress! Almost every girl dreams of that fairy tale moment when she sashays down the aisle looking every bit like the princess she imagines herself to be. But wait, did you say “little”?

Wedding gowns are anything but “little”, especially when you check out the traditional garments which come complete with trailing sequined trains.

However, as people do away with metres and metres of fabric, and opt to simplify their lives, there could be a place today for the modern short wedding dress. It could be a midi creation, one that ends just after the knee; or a modest knee-length dress or even a daring mini to show off long, lovely legs.

“Quite often, if the wedding ceremony is held outdoors where it’s a garden party or on the beach, then I would recommend a shorter wedding dress for practical reasons,” says designer Eric Choong.

At the Malaysian International Fashion Awards (MIFA) two years ago, he presented a whole range of short white wedding dresses. The outfits were short and sassy, and a few even bordered on naughty. But they were definitely different and titillated the imagination on how you can provide a different spin to an otherwise predictable white gown affair.

“Young brides from Australia and Britain have no qualms about wearing it short. In fact, if you’re holding a small private party, it comes off as very chic and classy.

“Most people think short white dresses are better off as bridesmaid dresses. They associate long gowns with glamour and modern Malaysian brides still have a hard time accepting changing trends,” he adds. Choong has been in the fashion industry for 22 years and designs a few hundred wedding gowns every year, out of which a handful are above the ankles.

Well known for his gowns, Orson Liyu opines that it’s all about perception.

“Asians dream about happy ever afters and a once-in-a-lifetime event, so they like to go all out and hype up the glam factor. Think red carpet and Oscars! My overseas clients, on the other hand, are more adventurous and don’t mind donning a short and sexy wedding dress.

“The short and sexy white dress can be elegant but you must be careful because an ill-conceived design might come off as cheap and vulgar. And here, shoes play a more important role, unlike long gowns where they can hardly be seen. If it’s too strappy, then it may seem more suitable for a cocktail event. You need classy court shoes or something stylish.

“It all depends on the theme of the wedding. For instance, a short dress would suit a simple wedding luncheon. But you need to choose your designer wisely as this is not the same as choosing a pair of jeans!”

Talk about extremes – Liyu once designed a white tuxedo for a bride. But generally, he estimates about one in 25 of the outfits that he designs are above the knee.

A quick check of the bridal houses around the Klang Valley revealed that if you’re renting a short white wedding dress, sometimes it’s only slightly cheaper than a long gown. Rental prices range from RM250 for very simple designs to RM700, depending on beadwork and details.

At Red Bliss in Petaling Jaya, the only short dress available in the shop was used for window display, “just to show variety”, says the spokesperson. Obviously there’s no short trend that’s about to take over any time soon, and it’s a rare bride that dares to show off her legs on her big day lest she offends the mother-in-law to be!

Another bridal house, Victoria Wedding Collection, only off-white and pastel short dresses were available, and these were reserved for the bridesmaids or the registration ceremony.

Another designer, who has been around the block, will be launching her wedding label next month. All this while, Beatrice Looi has been designing gowns under her Beatrice Looi Couture label.

“If you look at international designers, it’s the thing to do – have a separate wedding collection,” says Looi, who has shops in Starhill Gallery and Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur. She didn’t reveal much but let on that the new label will still carry her signature look. The gowns will be flowy and very Victorian, and the emphasis is on comfort.

“Personally, I still prefer long gowns – short dresses, to me, are more suitable for the registration or perhaps pre-wedding party. It also depends on the venue as well, for example, if it’s by the beach. By short, I mean just below the knee. That’s more presentable,” she adds. She designs plenty of short white dresses but these are often for bridesmaids or for guests of a white-themed wedding. Prices range from RM600 to more than RM1,000 for more elaborate creations.

A friend said that she might consider wearing a short white dress if she was getting married a second time, a la Jackie Onassis. Or perhaps, if one were to do a Britney Spears quickie in Las Vegas. The long and short of it? The length of the wedding dress doesn’t matter … the length of the marriage is more important.

Source: TheStar

The summer season brings with it an influx of wedding invites. With this in mind, Sunday Life took three themes that will see you go from morning to night with effortless style.

Weddings make dressing up tricky. Because it’s an all-day affair you need to choose your outfit wisely. The variation in lighting throughout the proceedings - from dazzling daylight to artificial indoor lighting means you need to pick flattering colours.

Think earthy tones that give way to an ethnic theme like browns, tans, olives, burnt reds and oranges, or opt for softer colours, such as nude tones, pastels and matted metallics.

Monochrome is also a good look, as it gives off an air of simple sophistication and is appropriate for all times of the day, while block black is always elegant.

The current neons and florescent tones are probably a no-no for a wedding as you’ll stand out like a sore thumb at the church. However, they’ll work well if you’re attending the evening function, but only venture out when the lighting is dimmed down!

White CAN be worn to a wedding as long as you play it right. Keep it fitted, above calf length and accessorise with metallics and tans to avoid resembling a bridesmaid - or worse still, the bride herself!

Satin, structured cottons, embroiderie anglaise, linens and chiffons are great fabrics for occasion wear, while dresses should be the garment of choice.

Summer is the season of the dress and there are so many styles to chose from to suit all shapes and ages.

Fitted bandeau dresses are classically glamorous, floaty maxi dresses are the height of fashion, smock dresses are perfect for the younger wedding guest, while prom dresses with a subtle kick are traditionally dressy.

If you’re opting for a simple block colour, do add a little bit of life in the form of glistening accessories, from bejewelled sandals to statement bangles, necklaces and even a head piece to demand some extra attention.

And always match your bag and shoes.

Sunday Life explored the earthy, monochrome and nude theme to ensure you arrive in style.

Source: Belfast Telegraph

The modern bride has seemingly endless options this season. The trends are many, but all have one thing in common: the expression of creativity from the bride herself.

The latest bridal gown craze is a trend toward a cultural or ethnic dress. These gowns can be as simple as a sheath or very detailed with lace and pearl touches. The key elements for a culturally inspired dress are colors such as gold, red and magenta.

Another hot trend is the Victorian-inspired puffy sleeve and high-collar gown. Designers Carmela Sutera and Christos have mastered the stunning old- world influence.

Strapless dresses are always a hit. This season’s take on the ever-glamorous style is to add a bit of a flare and layers of fabric to the bottom.

Flowery frills and touches are also popular. Reem Acra showed a big, colorful flower attached like a brooch to the front of a beautifully simple silk gown. Monique Lhuillier has loads of cutout flowers attached to a sweet, strapless, A-line gown.

Short, sassy, whimsical and wacky are the trends for short looks. Henry Roth showed a strapless organza polka-dot dress that screamed ‘50 sass.

The contemporary bride has a lot of fun choices ahead. Buy some magazines, visit several shops and try on numerous dresses before you make your decision. Your wedding is the place to express yourself. It’s your red-carpet moment. Make it shine!

Source: Tuscon Citizen

Spring 2007 showcases three distinct bridal themes that address a variety of personalities and wedding types. Whether traditional, looking for a princess ball gown; destination, with an easy-going feel; or modern with avant-garde styles and lines; finding the perfect look has never been easier, says Aquanetta Dawson of David’s Bridal.

The new season also highlights the latest trends in coordination, allowing the bride to unify her wedding with color, Aquanetta explains. Whether through a sash on the bridal gown that coordinates with the bridesmaid’s dresses or a ribbon around the bouquet that matches the invitations; brides are finding a way to tie the wedding together with a variety of hues providing a truly cohesive look. On the forefront of these trends is David’s Bridal, the only national bridal retailer with more than 270 stores across the country.

Simply Charming
Bridal - Reminiscent of Gone With the Wind, brides-to-be looking for a dramatic wedding gown will find a variety of styles to suit their wishes. The looks from this theme include romantic detailing such as pick-up skirts with elegant tucks and folds, subtle asymmetrical draping, corset bodices, feminine ruffles, lace up backs and light, lofty fabrics including taffeta, organza and lace. With color no longer limited to bridal party attire, many bridal gowns boast the flattering allure of an allover color-wash in champagne, latte or light gold. Exuding a nostalgic antebellum feel, these gowns are perfectly suited for a gracious wedding with a grand reception or in the cooling shade of a weeping willow tree. Best captured in a David’s Bridal strapless satin, pick-up ball gown with a pink satin ribbon accent at the waist (#T9167, $399), this style is for a bold, yet traditional bride.

Bridal Party
In harmony with the bridal styles, the bridal party also speaks to the grandness of the era. Bridesmaids can echo the bride’s look with soft tulle pick up skirts, stylish ball gowns and sheaths and fluid short dresses. The color palette speaks to the time of the ceremony, with shades reflective of the afternoon light in hues such as hazelnut, titanium and champagne as well as soft pastels like lilac, pink and banana.

Accessories
Accessories inspired by the Simply Charming theme complement the feminine, southern inspired look. Silk flowers combined with a pick-up veil soften the face while jewelry is represented by floral statement pieces from necklaces to earrings. The overall look is delicate, using a mixture of crystals and pearls. Traditional, ladylike shoes with a peep or open-toe also lend themselves to the outdoor, afternoon affair.

Coastal Delight
Bridal - A perfect fit for the destination bride, this look evokes the feel of a daytime wedding set in Cape Cod, Nantucket or New York’s own Hamptons. Drawing from the clean, classic elegance of a coastal setting, brides wanting to capture this feel can select a tea-length gown or a simple long satin dress, which are both appropriate in this “anything goes” atmosphere. Slimmer silhouettes, flared trumpet skirts and color accents, through ribbons and sashes, play an important role, while deep v-necks, low or split back detailing and minimal embellishment keep things simple and sophisticated. A pleated chiffon tank dress from Galina demonstrates this trend perfectly, with a beaded empire waist, criss-cross tie in back and chiffon sheath overlay (style #VW9146; $399).

Bridal Party
Bridesmaid gowns inspired by this trend feature similar silhouettes to their bridal counterparts, represented by short dresses with smooth lines in either crisp or soft fabrications. Truly functional dresses, they can easily be worn again. Inspired by the sea and coastline, the color palette is one of brights, such as clover and wild orchid, along with nautical hues such as pool, cornflower and marine paired against crisp white, with occasional floral patterns.

Accessories
Key accessories for this trend incorporate the casual, destination feel of the event. Pleated veils, minimally adorned hair combs and fabric headbands incorporate the nautical theme, while a simple satin clutch, understated, pearl jewelry and whimsical strappy sandals and wedges keep the overall attitude simple and elegant.

Hollywood Romance
Bridal - Brides-to-be wanting the glamour of “old Hollywood” need to look no further, as sensational styles to fit the bill abound this season. Suggestive of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, this trend captures the feel of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, giving every bride the chance to be Sylvia. Women who appreciate this look may gravitate toward sexier fabrics such as satin, chiffon and taffeta that exudes luxury. The theme suggests an elegant city wedding with a touch of retro mode inspiration; think sleek and strikingly simple silhouettes adorned with crystals and beaded accents. While strapless gowns maintain their place at the forefront of bridal fashion, other necklines also play an important role this season. A variety of beautiful coverage options celebrate the return of glamour, including vintage-inspired halters and romantic sweetheart necklines. ‘Hollywood Romance’ is perhaps best seen in a sensual and smooth a-line gown with a split front halter and modern details (#T9218; $599).

Bridal Party
The bridal party of this sophisticated, paparazzi-era would look lovely in luxurious charmeuse gowns, short, full-skirted taffeta styles or sleek soft satin ensemble pieces. To contribute to the juxtaposition of simple and ornate, some of the season’s new styles are adorned with modern beading details. A classic color palette of cherry, marine, black and honey, as well as jewel tones and mid-tones such as hyacinth, olivine, berry, burnt orange and regency, allow for room to explore in this glamorous theme.

Accessories
As a perfect complement to the luxe look of ‘Hollywood Romance,’ accessories are the definition of modern retro. Bolero jackets and vintage-inspired gloves are worn to and from the wedding. Geometric jewelry, embellished shoes and bubble veils lend themselves to the overall elegance of this nighttime gathering. Topped off with a minaudière handbag, the bride and her attendants truly look like they have stepped off the set of a Fellini film.

T9218: A satin A- line halter gown with a split front, beaded lace detailing and a removable modesty panel, is a nice example of the Hollywood Romance trend, fusing classic lines with elegant detail. Price: $599.00. Shown in Ivory/Champagne. Bust form .

CT221: A satin strapless ball gown with a pick up skirt and beaded metallic embroidery on the bodice, flawlessly displaying the Southern Charm trend. An Oleg Cassini gown, exclusively for David’s Bridal. Price: $950.00. Shown in White. Bust form.

VW9146: A chiffon sheath dress with pleated bust, empire waist and tie back, a beautiful example of the Swept Away trend. This laid back yet elegant style is perfect for any type of affair. A Galina gown, exclusively for David’s. Price: $399.00. Shown in Ivory. Bust form .

T9309: A satin strapless, pick-up ball gown with a clover satin ribbon accent at the waist and a sweep train, this style is bold, yet traditional, a perfect example of the Simply Charming collection. In addition, the colored sash allows brides to coordinate with their entire wedding party. Price: $399.00. Shown in White. Bust form.

F12284: A strapless, short chiffon dress with ruched bust and uneven hem. This style showcases one of the new “hot” colors for spring for bridal parties. It is also a great example of a style you could absolutely, wear again. Price: $130.00. Shown in clover. Model: Ilda.

Fleece jackets and yoga pants might be the style of choice for the average Vancouver woman, but when it comes to their wedding, brides are draping themselves in silk.

“In our market, (brides) are quite classic and sophisticated. Not the kind who want over-the-top princess gowns,” said Monti Samuel, bridal manager of Blush Bridal and Special Occasions in West Vancouver.

Vancouver brides, she says, aren’t interested in a lot of beading or tulle.

“They want to be fashion-forward, have slimmer silhouettes and luxury fabrics – lots of silk.”

“There’s been a trend away from pure white,” said Samuel. “A lot of people are going for ivories, and there’s a move into the champagne colour. A lot of brides are accessorizing with sashes with colour to match with bridesmaids’ dresses or with their flowers.”

But, she said, “no crazy colours.”

As for bridesmaids dresses, brown is the colour of choice, and pink bouquets seem to be must-haves for many women this season.

“Gloves are not a big thing,” said Samuel. “(Vancouver brides) are very understated brides. We have lots of outdoor weddings.”

As for jewelry, she said it’s always pretty minimal - Swarovski crystals, diamonds and pearls. “And these days people are liking pearls with some crystals or diamonds to mix it up, and some colour in them.”

She added that chandelier earrings seem to be the new rage.

And while the “ever classic veil” is still as popular as ever, with about 90 per cent of brides wearing one, she said many women are wearing hair pieces that are woven into the hair as an alternative to the tiara which, she said, is a fad that has for the most part died.

source: http://www.northshoreoutlook.com

To be brides in Vancouver prefer to drape themselves in silk for their wedding night.

Vancouver brides, are no more interested in lots of beading or tulle in their trousseau, instead they are interested in slimmer silhouettes and luxury fabrics.

Pure whites and ivories have captured the hearts. There is a slight tilt towards the champagne colour.

To color up the white trousseau lot of brides are accessorizing with sashes in colours to match with brides maids’ dresses or with their flowers.

Swarovski crystals, diamonds and pearls are the likings of Vancouver brides and chandelier earrings have become the new rage.

As far as the Veil is concerned many women are wearing hair pieces that are woven into the hair as an alternative to the tiara.