2. The Grecian Goddess style is not only classic, but very flattering

3. A Slim Silhouette allows for an elegant and dramatic entrance

4. Floral Embroidery adds a romantic and whimsical touch

5. For added dramatic flair, get Black Accessories & Flowers

6. Hollywood Glamour dresses bring back the screen sirens

Text By Stephanie Dickison 2008.

So what’s driving this change? Today’s brides want to look sophisticated…sexy. That’s why strapless gowns are so popular. They show off shoulders and decollete, tastefully. Whether it’s a sweetheart, straight or curved neckline, a strapless dress is glamorous, elegant, and sexy. The classic halter neckline has also become trendy. And the bateau, a boat-shaped neckline that draws the attention away from the bust and toward the neck and collarbone, is very popular.

Designers and wedding gown experts agree neckline selection should be considered first, to frame your beautiful face. After the neckline, look at the shape of the dress. A hot trend in bridal wear for 2008 is the “Mermaid”, a fitting design that hugs the bodice, hips, thighs and flares out dramatically at the knees, giving a silhouette that shows off an hourglass figure.

This spring, other popular shapes include the “A-line”, or the “Princess”, a dress that’s fitted around the bust and flows outward in a subtle A shape. Making a huge impact are “Empire” dresses which feature a waistline that’s positioned just beneath the bust and is figure flattering for many body types. Whatever shape you select, know that the dress silhouette is likely to set the overall tone of your wedding.

This season, designers continue to introduce splashes of color on white and ivory wedding gowns. The color trend certainly didn’t happen overnight and has definitely been gaining momentum the last few years. Now, even more brides are opting for a color accent to customize their look. One of the most popular accent colors is claret red, followed by black and navy blue. Gold, matched to an ivory gown, is also popular. Ultimately, whatever bridal gown style you select from the spectrum, rest assured you’ll look fabulous!

Text by Norma-Jean Alt

Most little girls dream of being the princess for a day, and their wedding day is her “princess day”. According to a t-shirt I saw on a wedding website, the wedding day is “All about ME!”

The Dress

Before you start looking for the “perfect dress”, you need to decide on whether you are having a themed, traditional, modern wedding or a destination wedding. Will it be day or night, indoors or out? A theme wedding with traditional wedding dress just won’t work. Do you want the ball gown style, mermaid style, three-quarter-length dress or destination style? Destination attire appears to be simpler, less fussy, and easier to pack for your wedding in the tropics (or Las Vegas). What type of train? Do you want chapel length that goes just past the floor or Cathedral length that is two feet longer than the chapel length?

As a girl, I often dreamed about my dress. From looking at the gowns in a recent bridal magazine and on bridal websites, dresses have changed considerably since my younger girl dreams. Many of the dresses I saw were strapless or at least sleeveless. The designers have started adding color to the dresses. They have red or pink sashes to match bridesmaid/matron dresses.

Another decision for brides, do you want an “off the rack” dress, or one made especially for you by a seamstress. When you get a dress made just for you, there will be no dress like yours, but it also means more decisions. Do you want Chiffon, Taffeta, Silk, or Matte Satin? I had my wedding dress made by a very experienced and talented seamstress from Alberta, and although it may have been a little more expensive than some of the ready-made dresses, it was a dress made in love, just for me, and I helped to style it and pick out all the laces.

It is suggested that you order your dress 6 to 9 months before the wedding. Schedule fittings to make sure that your dress will have necessary alterations. It is a good plan to have the initial fitting done 2 months before the wedding day and have a final dress fitting a month before and make sure to bring all your accessories including shoes. Make sure you arrange to have your dress picked up a week before the wedding.

Now that you have the dress decided on, it’s time to pick your jewelry. Depending on the elegance of the dress, or the theme of the wedding, jewelry needs to compliment what you choose. With the “total princess picture” in mind, choose the perfect headpiece. A lot of brides have been going with a Tiara style. Do you want to be able to remove the veil so you don’t spend all day sitting on it? What about a fan of pearls to replace the veil after? The final fun decision is the garter. It goes under the dress so the choice is completely for fun.

I know, that it is a lot of decisions to be made for just one day for just one dress, but the memories you have years later are so well worth it. I look back at my wedding pictures from 12 years ago, and am in awe, as I’d love for you to be in awe as you look back years from now.

Text By Sheila Kolesar