Wedding Bells
Spring Wedding Dress Trends
By Joanne Eglash
The wedding bells are ringing,
For me and my guy.
The girlfriends are singing,
“What color shoe dye?"
Seeking the perfect bridal attire for your spring wedding? We asked the experts to gaze into their crystal designer balls for the latest and greatest trends in everything from bridal dresses to veils to shades:
Judith Ann Graham, a bridal consultant, makeup artist, and stylist in New York City (www.myweddingmyway.com), says that “all-over crystals, embroidery, beading, or appliques” are popular. If you want to be trendy, consider “embellishment and elaborate detailing” in choosing your gown. Hemlines have changed as well: they’ve become “shorter in front, cascading in back.” In addition to short styles (above the knees), long, pageant-like gowns “dripping with shimmer” are chic as well, says Graham.
Although white continues to be the preferred shade, “color is found in detail such as sashes, roses, or embroidery.”
If you’ve been working out at the gym, you’ll love the new designs, which Graham describes as “body-hugging.” In addition to a smoothly fitting bridal gowns, look for designs with plunging necklines, “halter styles or thin straps.”
Also chic : “scooped necklines, empire waists, slimming silhouettes,” adds the consultant, who authored My Bride Guide.
Debating whether to wear a veil or some type of hair covering? Graham feels that a veil is appropriate only for first-time brides, although the decision is “up to the bride.” One option: “Many brides choose to wear a veil for the ceremony and take it off at the reception.”
In general, this spring’s trends emphasize jewelry, such as drop earrings or necklaces, rather than veils or head ornamentation, adds Graham. And don’t neglect your feet: look for light footwear or “the classic close-toe sling back with delicate heels.”
In Florida, bridal gowns for spring are more elaborate, with “very delicate ornamentation so they don’t look overdone,” says fashion expert Candice Bell, who manages Carolyn Allen's Bridals & Tuxedos in Orlando, Florida. Even the simpler styles boast extensive details, particularly in the dress’s back and train, according to Bell. In addition to intricate beading and embroidery, Bell is noting “jewel-like accents in strands for straps and brooch-style accents on trains. Lace is coming back in, and is also very intricate and delicate.”
Although white remains popular, ivory shades are increasingly in vogue. “Our inventory is about half white and half ivory. Brides are realizing that they can wear the color that looks best on them, and that white is no longer mandatory.” Ivory shades range “from barely off-white to rich butterscotch/gold colors.” Accent colors are increasingly popular as well, with “gold, platinum, pastel pinks, greens, and blues” reigning on the best sellers list for bridal gown shades.
The slimming “faux-wrap style” that appears to be a split front is chic, and “A-line and princess silhouettes are 'the' silhouettes. Ruffles are probably the newest trend. They are everywhere in sheer fabrics.” notes Bell. And accompanying that ruffled style: elaborate veils, although those “pouf” veils are definitely on the outré list! “We are selling more veils with crystal, pearl, and rhinestone accents,” and the bridal store manager also has observed that brides are particularly fond of “veils with embroidery and beading that matches their dresses.” And although Florida brides are opting for elaborate veils, many are eliminating the traditional headpiece, particularly if their bridal gowns are elaborate, according to Bell. “For those that want headpieces, a fairly small and delicate tiara or tiara comb is still most popular. Brides often choose crystal, rhinestone, and freshwater pearl styles that have a vintage look to them.”
Portland, Oregon-based fashion expert Catherine Stephenson, who is on the Apparel Design faculty at The Art Institute of Portland and has owned her couture custom dressmaking business for 25 years, has observed that the trend continues for “body-conscious designs that closely fit the body, and have open necklines and sleeveless cuts.” Increasingly popular, she says, are gloves, which look attractive with those trendy sleeveless dresses.
Look for “luscious, rich fabrics dominated by silk peau de soie,” with “added embellishments either through beaded and/or crystal appliqués or richly textured Alencon or Venice laces. Each season, more embellishment is introduced, but is still a long way from the over the top opulence of the 80's and 90's,” says Stephenson.
Although white and off-white hues remain “the” color for first-time brides, as well as for “many second and third-time brides,” an increasing number of spring wedding gowns will contain “small additions of color,” in embellishments such as bows or ruffles. Also growing in popularity, according to this bridal expert: the incorporation of “ethnic design elements into a gown.” Many brides are opting for such gowns because they want “to have all aspects of their heritage represented in their dress, either through the cut of the style lines of the fabrics used. This personal choice is best achieved through a custom-designed gown, which offers this kind of individual design opportunities.”
Debating about a veil? It’s up to you, depending on your preference (not all brides feel comfortable in a veil) and just how formal a wedding you plan. If you do want a veil, base the style on your gown’s design, but make sure that your veil does not detract from or “cover up the gown,” cautions Stephenson. And if you want to omit the veil, you may want to opt for the popular trend of placing flowers in your hair.