Wedding dresses are one of the most important decisions a bride must make. When the music plays and the bride makes her journey down the aisle with all eyes on her, she will reveal that decision to everyone in the room and her true love. Becoming the focal point of the room can become a nervous moment, if a bride is not absolutely confident about the choice she made with wedding dresses. With seemingly a million color, fabric and style variations, the task of choosing perfect from all of the options can be challenging. A little history and a few tips will make the decision about wedding dresses simple.
Western culture says wedding dresses are traditionally white. Do our wedding dresses need to be white? This question requires that we step away from the tradition of wedding dresses, but understand it at the same time. The history behind white wedding dresses began when only the wealthy could afford to wear bleached white fabrics. Wearing white had everything to do with status. Queen Victoria set the trend with white wedding dresses in 1840 during her wedding ceremony with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha at Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, in London. That was then, and now is now. Evolving traditions related to the color of wedding dresses say anything goes.
White wedding dresses became a symbol of innocence, purity and perfection at some point in history. This is why ivory wedding dresses were the color of choice for previously married brides. White remains the traditional color for wedding dresses in Western culture; however, brides are breaking away from tradition and wearing ivory and other bold colors to match skin-tone and wedding colors. The color of your dress has nothing to do with purity. Never be afraid to break tradition and experiment with bold colors like red and black.
Wedding dresses should provide the perfect balance of elements at your wedding. It should capture theme and the beauty of the bride. Since wedding dresses should always highlight the beauty of the bride, we must consider the fit of wedding dresses. While the beauty of every bride can make perfect of anything their heart desires, there are a handful of designer secrets to matching dress to body type. There are six fundamental wedding gown silhouettes:
1. Empire wedding dresses are defined by a high waistline just below the bust. The fabric flows outward to the floor with a silhouette that fits most body types, including curvy brides, pear-shaped brides and even pregnant brides.
2. A-line wedding dresses have a fitted bodice and flow outward in the shape of an ‘A’. A-line wedding dresses create the illusion of curves, making this dress a good choice for a narrow frame. This silhouette also compliments most body types, including curvy brides.
3. Ballgown wedding dresses are the dream of a princess bride. The dramatic and voluminous skirt is sewn to a fitted bodice with a dropped waist. This style accentuates the waistline and creates an hourglass appearance. Ballgown wedding dresses are a perfect fit for slender and curvy body types. Think Cinderella, and imagine a princess fairy tale with this dress.
4. Trumpet wedding dresses flare just beneath the hips to create the shape of the bell of a trumpet.
5. Sheath wedding dresses create a slender and elongated effect. This silhouette compliments lean figures, whether tall or short. A shorter bride might choose this type of dress for the appearance of height. This tight-fitted dress hugs every curve. Boxy figures might consider adding a sash around the waist to create definition and more curves.
6. Mermaid wedding dresses tightly contour the chest and torso down to the knee or just below. The hem flares from the bottom to create the mermaid shape. It is a daring design that hugs every curve of the body. The cut highlights a slender waist with proportionate curves, and is recommended for slender brides.
Wedding dresses are an important decision for every bride. The designers at Crystal Ballroom on the Lake are the finest in the art of designing and creating fairy tale weddings to match the dress of your dreams. Contact Crystal Ballroom on the Lake to speak to a professional designer!
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