Gone are the days where a bride had to slavishly follow the latest trend in bridal fashion, even if it didn’t suit her. Today, you can find a style that will fit you perfectly, complementing your skintone, hair colour and shape.
Image by The Evoke Company, Styling by The Bride's Diary, Flowers by Flowers on the Mill
You will truly want to feel like a princess, so choose a wedding dress that whispers perfection to you personally. A dress, that when slipped over your head, or gingerly stepped into, feels so right, you couldn’t imagine wearing anything else. It is so important to select a dress that complements the overall theme of your wedding.
While, you most definitely want to stand out as the bride on the day, you don’t want to scream ‘ballgown’ should you be having a casual beach wedding, or ‘bohemian’ whilst walking up the aisle of a cathedral. This also applies to your selection of accessories, hairstyle and shoes, which should all be chosen to enhance your dress, not to overpower it. The best solution is to speak with the couturiers, visit their premises, and begin trying on the styles of dresses you love. Their advice, honed from years of experience, really is invaluable.
As every bride knows (and most grooms suspect) your wedding is all about the dress! Seriously though, this is your day to shine, and you wouldn’t want to look anything less than sensational. Finding bridal fashion inspiration you need to search for the perfect wedding gown may seem daunting. Celebrity weddings always have a major influence on international bridal fashion trends.
Image by The Evoke Company, Styling by The Bride's Diary, Dress by Lilli Marcs
You will enjoy the fun of thumbing through the latest magazines, watching the fashion channels on pay T.V., and searching blogs and online fashion sites for the latest on celebrity weddings.They often have big budgets and great stylists to ensure the chosen theme is co-ordinated and executed perfectly – great for bridal inspiration!
Hollywood glamour simply never goes out of date. Hire some of the older black and white movies (we’re thinking Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn) and it won’t take long to get the style message. Also watch contemporary films (Sex and the City would have to be close to the top of the list), coverage of red carpet events, and tune into Australian fashion events for ‘closer-to-home’ fashion inspiration. It’s also a good idea to purchase a scrapbook and paste in clippings, fabric swatches, trims and all things gown related – this will become another great source of inspiration.
Now let’s talk style. While vintage glamour remains timeless, this classic look is counterbalanced with gorgeous coloured dresses, lighter-than-air fabrics, and bodices and hemlines that reveal without losing style. Other wedding dress accents making a comeback include beading, sequins, drapes, frills, birdcage veils, sleeves, empire lines, and strong colours, to name a few.
Image by The Evoke Company, Styling by The Bride's Diary, Dress by Blue by Enzoani
Some gowns are quite daring and it takes a particular type of bride to wear these creations with the kind of confidence that makes a show-stopping statement. Are you that bride? If you are, wonderful. If not, look at styles that you know you will be more comfortable in. Colour has become a wedding gown feature. Ivory, taupe, biscuit, oyster, blush pink, and stunning white gowns with black accents are popular. Softer pastel colours look gorgeous either as the primary gown colour or as clever colour accents.
And what’s hot in wedding gown silhouettes? Sheer straps are a definite trend, as are sweetheart and plunging ‘v’ necklines. Backless is good, and mini and above the knee gowns are stealing the show. If you’re a summer bride, these gowns are perfect as they’re made to show off those divine designer shoes.
Tulle is making a stunning appearance in flowing, whimsical skirts, or there’s the slinky, sleek, form-fitting dress that, with clever styling, can be a winner for most body shapes. Sheaths, mermaid cut, and trumpet are just some of the figure friendly styles currently available – see the Planner at the back of this edition for more.
Image by Duncan Robinson, Styling by The Bride's Diary, Dress by Essense of Australia
You probably know what dress style suits you – but if not, ask for the opinion of your shopping buddy. You’ll be wearing your gown for the best part of a day, so it should allow you to sit, walk, possibly kneel, and dance in comfort. Start looking for your gown at least eight months before the wedding (remember to factor in delivery time too), and be sure to opt for quality.
The couturiers featured in each edition of The Bride’s Diary are amongst the best in Australia and will provide you with truly personalised service. You will want your wedding day to be perfect: an exciting, romantic, beautiful event that you and your guests will remember for years to come. So dress for the occasion and take the time to find a gown that is absolutely, beautifully and unequivocally you.
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