Questions
about your bridal gown? Desired bridal gown? Bridal fashion
dos and don'ts? Bridal fashion trends? Ask Connie Walker,
owner of Aleya Bridal, exclusively at the Washington
Wedding Guide. Email: question@bridaldesign.com.
All questions will receive an answer. Questions of a broad
interest will be posted here, courtesy of the Washington Wedding
Guide.
Second Marriage
What are the appropriate colors for second marriages and the type of dress/gown to wear? I have heard that anything goes, but I've also heard strong sentiments that white should definitely not be worn.
~Rebecca
Everybody has a different opinion as to the colors worn by the second-time bride, but that's just what they are: opinions. Much has changed over the last several years, and it's harder to apply rules that were made up years ago.
Here's my two cents: Weddings are a celebration of two people's love and a commitment to a stronger bond. As a celebration, a bride should wear what makes her feel special, and she should avoid something that makes her feel self-conscious. If you think you will spend time worrying about what other people think by choosing pure white, then don't choose it. Ivory is an acceptable alternative. You may also wish to consider a champagne or rum pink, colors that look great on fair skin.
You may also wish to choose a dress that features touches of color. Wedding gowns with touches of pale pink or champagne accents can provide a fresh new perspective with a wedding gown.
Overweight Bride
Help! I am 5'6", 242lbs, and getting married in July. I'm losing weight, but my mother and I both agree that I should get my wedding gown the size I am now and take it in later. The problem: I can't find any stores or magazines that specialize or even sell wedding gowns for overweight people. Can you help me?
~Susan
You have stumbled across one of the more frustrating aspects of wedding gown shopping. Most stores order their samples in one or two "typical" sizes, meaning everyone that doesn't fit within these categories will have to guess what the gown will really look like when it arrives in their size. This means you will have to do a little research in your area to find a store that specializes in catering to a wider variety of women's sizes.
Before you and your mom head out for a day of shopping, get a phone book from your area and any other surrounding areas. Call and ask bridal salons how many gowns they have available in your size, and be as specific as you can as to what style of gown you are interested in. If they only have one or two gowns, it may not be worth a visit if it's not at all the style you are interested in. Also call the regular dress boutiques in your area that specialize in larger sizes and ask them if they can recommend any bridal salons. They probably have heard of other customers struggling with a similar situation and may be able to point you in a good direction. Another type of store to look into are the warehouse-style bridal stores. They have a lot of gowns in different sizes. It's possible that this store has a gown you want in your size (just make sure you inspect the gown carefully before buying as they are usually sold as is.)
You've also made a smart decision in ordering your dress in your current size. It's much easier to take a dress in to a smaller size and make it look good than to let out a dress that is too small using gussets. Be picky when it comes time to do the alterations. If you don t feel comfortable with the seamstress' ideas about what can be done to make the dress fit, then take it to someone else for another opinion. The fitting of a gown is what makes the dress the most flattering to you. It's best to find a seamstress whose workmanship you trust.
The Right Veil
I have short hair and I was wondering what style of veil I should purchase. My dress is made of organza and is a fuller dress. I'm afraid of picking something out that will be to overwhelming. What should I do?
~Beth
Try on several styles to see what feels the most natural to you. Brides with short hair look best in headband styles or small, unfussy tiara shapes. Think of your wedding look as a picture frame—your dress being the bottom part and the headpiece and veil being the other three sides. The main focus should ultimately be your face, so headpieces that are too busy or fussy can draw attention away. A headband or tiara-style would sit more vertically on your head than a halo or wreath style and would look more natural in shorter hair. The veil itself should come from the top of your head rather than lower in the back of your head, so it makes more sense with your hair and provides the perception of height. I don't think the fullness of the veil matters—that's up to your personal taste. I like a fuller, two-tier veil on most people because it gives a little more drama and frames the face on the sides more. If your dress has a full skirt, then I would recommend trying veil lengths that are waist-length or even slightly shorter. Where the veil ends in the back should be below any low back but above where the skirt starts, so that it doesn't create any visual traffic jams with any of the gown's strategic spots.
Wedding Gowns for Petite Brides
What style of dress would look best on me since I am only 5 feet tall and weigh 110 lbs? What type of dress should I stay away from?
~Maryann
Petite brides have more options now than ever before. The styles that provide an illusion of height are those with long, vertical but flowing lines. A-line gowns or princess-seamed gowns offer a smooth long line. Sheath styles, though they sometimes seem like they'd be the perfect design, are often cut to a tall person's proportions. On a shorter person, if the waist is too low, it can look as if the bride is cut in half. Look for styles that have more interest at the top of the gown, as they draw the eye upward. Gowns with a lot of appliques all over tend to chop up the appearance more. Waistlines shouldn't be too low, or they will make your legs look short. Look for natural waistlines or empire waistlines. These usually work best. I wouldn't recommend a really "poofy" skirt (i.e. tulle) as they can look out of proportion on petite brides. Also, really long cathedral trains can overwhelm brides who are shorter. If you like dresses with fuller skirts, look for ones with box pleats because they give you the fullness at the bottom, the long vertical lines in the skirt, and the sleeker style that won t overpower you.
