How beautiful! Radiant! Stunning! These are some of the many adoring family members and friends will say when they see you walking down the aisle.
You deserve every bit of the attention; especially from your new hubby! Imagine his face as the door opens, everyone turns around as the cue is given and here you stand. Looking like an angel in your dress. Staring at the end, all choked up with pride, love, amazement and may even shed a tear or two. Or if you are thinking of that beach backdrop view, this is your scenario. The sound of the waves are gently crushing against the sand, the crowd awaits for you as you make the turn around from the hedging that was secretly keeping you at bay. And here’s that moment! You step ever so softly down the aisle, soaking in the rays of love from everyone and the biggest smile of them all is from the man who gave your stomach a butterfly when he proposed.
The real question is: What shade of that white dress will you be wearing? What style? Which designer? Who will be there when I go shopping? Eek! Ok, breathe. This will be a breeze with the aid of this article and the tips from Bridal Consultant, Wendy Lee, who gave a two-hour seminar on “Which White is White” this past weekend. By the end of this article, I’m certain you will find yourself more bridal gown savvy than any other person out there! Look out world, here she comes!
First thing that Wendy notes is that you need to understand how to make that budget stick without feeling overwhelmed. “When it comes down to the price, a lot of brides sometimes forget that you have to include alteration fees and taxes to the ticketed amount.” You must be able to have a clear direction on your dress price. It can sometimes get lost to some of the many retail shops and reality show consultants that may omit this factor. Also, know what you need on that order form. Wendy noted that so many brides may order a dress and walk away without noting the exact details and upon their return for their fitting, they may have the wrong style, the wrong order number from that designer or worse: all of it is wrong. So here are the items: The name of the manufacturer, the name of the dress, the style number, the size and colour choice. Wendy commented that so many brides will have their dresses ordered from outside their country and with the shipping that is approximately three to six months, there is no time to waste. *Eco Green Tip: If you are ordering a dress, choose from a local manufacturer first; the turn around time is shortened and the alteration fees can be reduced with.*
Not all dresses are made to give you that “WOW” appeal.
“Get to know your body shape and don’t limit to just one style; try them all on”, says our seminar host Wendy. There are approximately 4 main body types. The first is the Pear Shape. Most of the weight is carried by your lower end; a great example is Jennifer Lopez. The next is the Apple Shape; basically the largest amount of weight is on the top and our example is Dolly Parton. The third, and the ideal, shape is the hour-glass. All the curves are evenly proportioned. And the last is the rectangle; where everything is straight up and down. Example, Mel C from the band Spice Girls.
Now, which shade? Did you notice that there are over 25 shades of white in the land of bridal dresses! Then again, it could all be the same shade just a different name. They key to remember is that one you choose is your white! No one can tell you otherwise and only you will have it on for your special day! Here are just a few.
First there is Stark white or brilliant white. It will have a bluish hue woven into the synthetic fibres and will be so white you honestly swear it will match the fondant on your 3 tiered cake! The brilliant white can be found in various colour satins, organzas and taffetas.
Next, is Diamond white. Just like the glistening fresh snow, it will have that same glossy look and stand out in the synthetic fibres.
Egg-shell. Just as the name states, the shade of an egg. Almost like an off-white look.
Natural or Pure silk. The purest white of all silk fabrics. *Silk is environmentally friendly since it is made by nature and cannot by dyed into that stark white hue. It will actually destroy the intensity and purity of the fibres. This is great for those who may not like the pure white tone and want something more “nude”.
The Classic Ivory. A shade with a bit of yellow undertones and can appear darker than normal in the bridal shops. Yet when standing alone, superb!
All around Oyster. A slight champagne hue with soft natural undertones. Higher end designers love this fabric and create a lot of not just signature gowns, yet also custom designed dresses by the brides. (Yes, it is possible to sketch your own dress, but be ready to negotiate the details since you aren’t Vera Wang.)
A toast to Champagne. A very noticeable tone that is far removed from white. However if you have that ‘alabaster’ skin, this will look flawless against your skin. Just think of a tall flute of champagne and you have this dress in a snap!
Now that you know your body, let’s dress it for your event!
So, which style? If you are like me, viewing those magazines can be pretty daunting to decide what would be best. That is why so many brides love having a friend or two (or in some cases a pack of at least five) attend the find a dress ritual. So have fun and remember, only you can really know if you have found that “perfect dress!“ Although the names can vary depending on where you live, the basic foundation of each are the same. Ready? Let’s go!
First, the A-Line or Princess cut dress – it creates an illusion of height if you are a petite person and it also gives a slim body shape for those who may be carrying a bit more weight below.
The Ball Gown – a fitted top with a full skirt. A very traditional dress for weddings and a great hit for those who are very slender or pear-shaped. If you are endowed with a larger bust size, then you may be able to pull off the fabulous hour-glass shape in this type of gown.
The Mermaid or Trumpet – contours the body from chest to knee with an exact fit. Talk about Jessica Rabbit shape and not being a cartoon! Smashing! Take note, this design isn’t ideal for everyone. It is great for slender figures and if you are a bit conscious of your imperfections, you may want to rethink this one all together.
The Sheath or Column dress – perfect pencil or evening gown dress. It will not hide the imperfections but it does have a classic and elegant touch.
The Empire Waist or Baby Doll Gown – a very symmetrical dress where the skirt expands as it travels from the band just above your waist to the floor. It’s great for those who may be small in the chest area and would like to have more attention drawn to the neck. You also appear longer if you are a petite person as well.
*According to studies, 40% of brides choose the ball gown style, 335% choose the A-line and 36% will pick from the other various styles.*
Wendy had some other key points that you definitely need to know before purchasing that bridal gown or even your mother’s formal dress for the evening. Who makes the better dress? What do you need to know before you head to that sale or trunk show? What is the big deal about the hem? And why are you being rushed to pick up your undergarment if you have not made it to your desired weight? All these questions will be answered and more in Whimsical in White.
