Every eye will be upon you as you make that grand entrance and walk the aisle towards your true love, making wedding dresses one of the most important decisions. With endless color, fabric and style variations, the task of choosing the perfect wedding dress can be challenging. A little journey through history, tradition, and designer secrets will help you pick the perfect dress to match theme and body-type.
Traditional Wedding Dresses
Traditionally, brides in Western culture wear white wedding dresses on their special day. The history behind white wedding dresses stems from the times when wearing white had much more to do with status than the common association with purity. Queen Victoria established trends with white in 1840 during her wedding ceremony with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. While the color of wedding dresses previously represented status, evolving traditions have tossed meaning aside and opened the door for expression.
White remains the most common color for wedding dresses. White wedding dresses were once associated with innocence, while ivory represented a loss of purity. This erroneous ideal is the reason some brides chose ivory for a second marriage. When it comes to wedding dresses, never be afraid to break tradition, and never let tradition impede your creativity.
The Romance with Red
Red is the powerful color of romance, passion and love. This dramatic choice of color for wedding dresses is common in Asian and East Indian traditions, but makes a powerful statement in Western culture that writes extra passion into the wedding theme.
Pink Wedding Dresses
While pink is commonly chosen as a color for bridesmaid dresses, it is finding its way to the center stage more frequently. Pink is a feminine color that is compatible with varying skin tones. Pink wedding dresses work well under natural light and when paired with earthy spring colors. Pink and flowers go together.
Blue Dresses
Medieval brides did not struggle to find something blue for their wedding day. History has it that deep rich blue wedding dresses was the fashion trend. It represented purity and innocence in the way we think of white. Whether silk or velvet, blue wedding dresses represented status.
The Elegance of Black
Dare to break all of the rules and tradition with black wedding dresses. Black wedding dresses are becoming part of modern ceremonies to match bolder color schemes, and to make a powerful statement. Black is elegant and formal, and is a symbol of sophistication and class.
Silhouettes
Wedding dresses must flawlessly fit the bride to perfection. Obtaining the perfect fit involves trying on multiple wedding dresses, and these designer secrets to the six fundamental wedding gown silhouettes:
Empire wedding dresses have a raised waistline that begins just below the bust. A high waistline allows the fabric to flow outward from beneath the bust, making this dress flattering for almost every body type. The cut of this dress fits curves or a pear-shaped body type by flowing outward over the midriff without definition. Empire wedding dresses can make the perfect wedding dress for pregnant brides.
A-line wedding dresses have a fitted bodice and flow outward in the shape of an ‘A’. It compliments all body types, and can balance a large bust. A-line wedding dresses create an illusion of curves, making it the perfect choice for a narrow frame.
Ballgown wedding dresses have a fitted bodice and a drop waist with a dramatic skirt. The voluminous skirt paired with the fitted bodice accentuates the waistline while hiding the lower body, creating an hourglass appearance. This dress works well with slender and curvy body types. Shorter brides might need to modify the volume in the skirt to avoid unwanted illusions.
Trumpet wedding dresses are often confused with mermaid wedding dresses. The difference is noticed where the flare begins. Trumpet wedding dresses flare just beneath the hips, creating the shape of the bell of a trumpet.
Sheath wedding dresses create a slender and elongated effect to compliment lean figures, whether tall or short. A shorter bride might choose this type of dress to give the appearance of height. This tight-fitted silhouette reveals every curve. Boxy figures might consider a cummerbund-style belt around the waist to create definition and curves.
Mermaid wedding dresses snugly contour the chest and torso down to the knee or just below. The dramatic skirt flares at the bottom in the shape of a mermaid. The daring design of this tight-fitted dress demands confidence to pull it off. The cut highlights a slender waist with proportionate curves, and is recommended for slender brides.
Crystal Ballroom Saint Augustine
The perfect wedding dress should always match the theme and color scheme of a wedding or provide the right amount of contrast to make the perfect statement. The designers at Crystal Ballroom Saint Augustine create fairy tale weddings to match the dress of your dreams. Meet with the in-house designers and florists to bring your dream wedding to life.
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