Bridal Trends
Trends, especially fashion trends, change constantly, but here are a few places to start if you want to be on the cutting edge:- Vintage dresses are in; you might find you like your grandmother's carefully preserved dress better than the cookie-cutter styles in shop windows.
- Green weddings are in, and even if they weren't, it's always a good idea to be environmentally friendly! Look at natural fabrics like cotton, hemp or silk, or consider buying a secondhand gown or donating your dress to someone who needs it.
- If a green wedding's not your style, you can go to the other extreme and try another recent trend of wearing two dresses, one for your ceremony and another for your reception. You can even change your hair and accessories between the two events!
- More and more brides are starting to bring color into their ensembles, whether in a sash or ribbon, embroideries or embellishments, or accessories like shoes and hair ornaments.
What's Your Style?
When picking a wedding dress, you have a few choices to make that will come together to form the dress of your dreams.Color: The vast majority of wedding dresses are white or off-white; the particular color you pick depends on personal preference, your skin coloring and any other accent colors you have selected. For example, ivory might look better against darker skin, or a very pale pink might look stunning next to your wedding colors of magenta and dark blue.
Length: If you're planning a formal wedding, you should select a full-length gown; less formal wedding dresses might be any length, from mini (keep in mind that this might shock your grandmother!) to knee-length and anywhere in between.
Silhouette: This refers to the shape of your gown and how it flares out or clings to you. Some popular styles include the mermaid silhouette, which hugs your torso and hips, then flares out like a mermaid tail; the ball gown, which has a fitted bodice and full skirt; the empire, which features a high waist just below the bust; and A-line, which forms a shape like a triangle from your waist down to your feet. Pick your silhouette according to your own personal preference and what is most flattering to your body shape.
White or Not?
Until Victorian times, Western brides didn't necessarily wear white, but chose the best dress they owned. Queen Victoria popularized the white dress in the mid-nineteenth century. White symbolizes purity and innocence; if that's not your style, and you don't mind flouting tradition a little, feel free to try some color.Nowadays, many brides are opting for pale pastels or even gold. And if your heart is set on a crimson dress, go for it! You might want to let your friends and family know about your choice beforehand, though, so that your more traditional guests aren't too shocked on the big day. Another way to work in color is to incorporate sashes, ribbons or accessories in your favorite color.
Dress-Buying Tips
As you wade into the world of bridal fashion, keep these tips in mind to make the experience as painless as possible.Set a budget! You don't want sticker shock to ruin your experience. The average cost of a wedding gown is $800, and if you need extensive alterations or want expensive accessories, that price will rise. Be prepared!
Allow enough time! Customization, delivery and alterations mean that getting a gown takes a long time. To be absolutely safe, allow six months from fitting to wedding day.
Start early! If you find the array of designs and styles overwhelming, start by looking through wedding magazines or pictures online and finding a few dresses that you like. Even if the dress you love is an extremely expensive label, you'll probably be able to find a similar design at your local salon.
Come prepared! When you're visiting salons, wear what you'll wear on the big day! If you're planning to wear a jeweled thong, wear that thong to the salon. You might want to stick with slightly more conservative underwear, though, since you're likely to have to change in front of others. You should also wear the kind of jewelry, shoes, and hairdo you're planning for the big day so you can get a more accurate idea of how you'll look.
Bring a notebook and a camera! You'll want to document the various designs you try, and some salons won't let you take photos.
Look out for sample sales! Designers often offer discounts on dresses that had been on display.
Virginia Bridal Shops
Salons range from large chain stores to tiny salons that only offer original designs. Many salons also offer bridal consulting services, accessories, and formal wear for other members of your bridal party. Here are a few places to start:Bella Rosa (Richmond): Salon offering gowns from various designers, bridal accessories, and the services of bridal consultants.
Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria): Full-service salon staffed by professional consultants offering big-label as well as private designs.
Blush Bridal Consignment Boutique (Newport News): For a slightly different concept, try looking for your gown at Blush, which offers consigned (though not always used) gowns donated by brides. If you're open to the idea of a previously worn dress, Blush could be a great place to find your perfect dress without breaking the bank.
Bride'sHouse (Roanoake): Family-run bridal shop offering gowns, tuxedos, and accessories.
