Since your fiance popped the question you have probably spent hours imagining yourself walking down the aisle looking radiant in a stunning bridal gown. This is one wedding item that few brides are willing to compromise on; it will undoubtedly be the most expensive dress you will ever wear, but it will also be the one that you have the best memories of, and the one that you will have the most photos of. The eyes of all your friends and family will be on you, and you want to be sure you look your best.
When to order your wedding dress
You probably want to start looking at dresses as soon as you are engaged, and you will need to be collecting ideas for styles and dress designers twelve to eighteen months before the big day. Don’t worry about being out of fashion if you choose your wedding dress too early, most brides order their dresses many months in advance so the dresses in the bridal shops are already the styles for next year, and most bridal stores stock designs to suit all seasons.
Ordering your dress six months to a year in advance is a good idea and you will need to plan for a couple of fittings in the three months before the wedding. Many brides lose weight before their weddings whether they intend to or not. Have your dress delivered or pick it up at least a week before the wedding; you don’t want to be worrying about your dress not arriving in time.
Current wedding dress trends
Here are the top ten trends to hit bridal show catwalks this year:
- Feature straps and sleeves. Although strapless dresses will always be popular with brides the world over, the hottest bridal gowns this season use straps and sleeves to create an interesting neckline. Popular styles are tank straps, keyhole halter necks, double beaded straps, and short capped lace sleeves.
- Splashes of colour. While designers tend to use muted colours such as pale pink and blue, or silver and gold for fully coloured dresses, they are being more daring in their use of brightly coloured details. Sashes, ribbon and embellishments in yellow, green and magenta are all proving popular.
- Doubling up. Many brides who can not decide on the perfect style for their wedding dress are choosing two instead. It is becoming fashionable for a bride to alter her look including hairstyle, dress accessories, or even the whole dress itself between the ceremony and the reception. A simple way to follow this trend would be to have detachable straps or sleeves that can be removed or changed during the day.
- Shorter skirts. Many designers are featuring short skirt wedding dresses in their current collections. Most brides won’t opt for the mini skirt option, but a tea length dress, which comes to mid calf, is flattering to most figures and is a very fashionable look this year, especially for casual or informal weddings.
- Sheer fabrics. Materials such as organza and tulle are really making a comeback this year, and are being used to give a soft, flowing appearance to wedding dresses. Adding scallops to the sheer material is also a big trend on wedding gowns. This type of dress is particularly suitable for a lunchtime or outdoor wedding.
- Jackets and wraps. Wedding dresses that incorporate a cover-up such as a fitted jacket, beaded cape, or fur shrug or wrap are very much in style this season. Especially useful for autumn or winter evening weddings, some designers seem to focus on the cover-up as much as the actual dress.
- Flower accessories. Large silk flowers attached to bridal gowns have become very popular, and these can be found at the waist, on the straps, or trailing down the back of the skirt. Another popular trend in wedding gowns this season is the use of broaches, an excellent way to display a family heirloom. Both embellishments are a great way to introduce colour into your wedding dress.
- Structured skirts. Whether you choose the mermaid, which flares below the knee, or the modified A-line which flares just below the waist, structured skirts are the perfect way to create a dramatic effect as you enter the ceremony.
- Vintage gowns. Many designers are looking to the past, rather than the future for wedding dress inspiration. Vintage details such as lace sleeves and beading are making a comeback along with delicate fabrics like chiffon.
- Asymmetric necklines. One shoulder style wedding dresses are re-emerging in designer collections for brides that want to stand out and make a statement.