Some men wonder why it takes most women so long to find the right bridal gown. The average bride-to-be starts shopping for her dress nine months before the ceremony. This might seem like a long time, but the fact is that a wedding dress is the most important outfit most women will ever wear. Furthermore, she finally has control over what she wears.
Until only recently, most brides wore dresses that were handed down to them by their mothers or future mothers-in-law. If there was no dress to hand down, they wore whatever their soon-to-be husband could afford. But now that most women are in the workforce, they can take their time and shop around, since they often end up paying for their own gowns. In this article, we will review a few simple gown shopping tips.
Color
A generation ago, it would have been considered outrageous to wear any other color save white on your wedding day. But things have changed. The growing popularity of less formal ceremonies has inspired intrepid designers to experiment with colors other than white. Pink, red and even blue gowns can be found at most bridal boutiques, salons and warehouses.
Non-white colors are particularly popular at outdoor weddings. Brides that say "I do" on a beach or in a garden often go with more exotic dresses. At the present time, pink is a hot seller with beach brides and lighter shades of yellow are a hit in the garden.
Of course, white is still the most popular color, but pure white has fallen out of favor. Most modern brides are embracing off-white colors that are still technically white. They include colors like ivory and champagne. Another light shade of ivory called diamond white is all the rage these days. It is apparently much softer that many of the other shades, which means it photographs quite well.
If a non-white or an off-white color is a bit too much for you, but you want to add some color, consider a red or pink sash, colorful lace, beading or embroidery. Decorating shoes with colorful bows and ribbons is yet another way to go.
Material
As a general rule, the more formal the dress, the heavier, hotter and less comfortable it will be. Formal dresses are often made with luxurious fabrics like satin and velvet that look great but don't breathe all that well.
It seems like a waste of time and money to us. Why not buy a dress that is made from a lightweight material like china silk or charmeuse? That way you won't have to spend money on a reception gown or waste time getting changed.
Sheer Materials
Sheer materials are see-through and can be used to give a gown a more delicate look without compromising comfort or support. Since it is often used in the straps, a sheer material makes a gown appear as if it were strapless from a distance. Sheer materials are also occasionally used on the back of the dress, the neckline and in the train. These fabrics are quite popular with formal brides who want to do things a little differently.
Neckline
Most brides-to-be are shocked to discover how many different necklines there are. The bateau, the halter, the scoop, the one-shoulder and the sweetheart all give a gown a distinctive look. Selecting the right neckline really does depend on the body of the bride-to-be and what she feels comfortable in.
The bateau neckline, for example, sits just above the collarbone and looks great on petite brides who are not particularly well endowed. One-shoulder gowns are incredibly popular with women who are planning outdoor ceremonies in the spring or summer months. These stylish numbers work best for women who are quite fit, since they are always sleeveless and often backless as well.
Hemline
As the average wedding becomes ever more casual, the length of the average dress continues to rise. Brides-to-be who are planning more informal ceremonies rarely wear floor-length gowns, mainly because they might get dirty. It would obviously be a big mistake to wear a floor-length dress to a beach or garden wedding.
Most modern brides go with a tea-length or a ballerina length gown, which tend to fall to about the ankles and the top of the feet respectively. The only time a floor-length dress is considered de rigueur these days is at a formal church wedding. Otherwise, girls wear shorter dresses, without trains or elaborate veils. In fact, many brides-to-be do not wear veils at all. The tradition has fallen out of favor a bit due to the popularity of more informal nuptials.
Stylish and affordable wedding gowns can be found at bridal boutiques, warehouses, and salons as well as online at discounted prices. Find your picture perfect wedding gown now.
