World of Wedding

When little girls spend their math classes daydreaming of weddings (instead of winning the World Series -- not to say you can't do both), what do they dream of first?

The perfect wedding dress, of course: a gown in white satin with a bustle and sweeping train, the perfect embellishments, and the perfect shoes.

There are few occasions in our modern world where a woman finds herself in a position to wear a no-holds-barred ball gown, much less a crystal tiara, and all too many where she's called on to wear to a neutral suit or uninspiring "biz-caz" combo. No wonder that with so many brides, their wedding plans start with the dress.

Many of these brides are lucky. They may search high and low, braving chilly department stores and pushy bridal shops, but eventually they come face-to-face with The One. They know this is The One because they start crying, or their mother or friends all start crying at once. Suddenly the rest of the planning ... the theme, the tone, the right kind of venues ... it all springs to life.

Other brides aren't as fortunate. They've searched just as hard, working their way through shops across three or four states, but they haven't found The One. Instead, they've found three or four Contenders, all of which are serviceable and nice, but not earth-shattering enough to tell them that now is definitely time to stop the searching and get on with the planning. These brides have it harder.

Even if you're the first kind of bride, buying the dress is such a momentous decision that you run a risk of falling into that wallet-skinning category known as the Two-Dress Bride.

How does this dress look on me? Should I get the ivory or the white wedding dress? Or – worst of all – does this dress make me look fat? Every man worth his salt already knows the answer to that question and can whip it out without a moment’s thought. But when I was told (read: forced) to help find a modest wedding dress, I was a little confused and completely lost.


Not knowing where to begin, and refusing to actually go into a wedding boutique, my search for a modest wedding dress naturally began on the Internet. Unfortunately, I only have Internet access at work, and few things are as embarrassing and awkward as getting caught shopping for a wedding dress online. (What? No, sir. No, I was not looking at wedding dresses just now. I was looking at…um… err… trucks. Big trucks. Monster trucks. And hammers. Lots of hammers.)

Picking out a modest wedding dress is something that a guy should never be expected to do. At least, he shouldn’t be expected to do it well. We all know he’s never going to get it right. There are just too many variables, options, and other things we just don’t understand. Still… I gave it a try.

Even when you limit your search to modest wedding dresses, there’s still a huge variety to deal with. First, pick a sleeve. There are short sleeve wedding dresses, long sleeve wedding dresses, and if that’s not good enough you can split the difference and go for a ¾ sleeve. There’s even something called Tulle. (Toolie? What the heck is a toolie?)

And don’t forget the color. If, like me, you thought all wedding dresses were white, then like me, you would be wrong. There’s white, there’s ivory, there’s silver on white, silver on champagne, silver on ivory, and even white on white. (Isn’t that just more white?) Granted, all the silver on white was usually on a reception dress… wait. Reception dress? There’s more than one type of modest wedding dress?

Oh, and lest we forget all the accessories. Because lets face it, even the most classy, expensive, hand stitched modest wedding dress still needs a couple sparklies just to finish out the look. Even I know that. Well… I know that now. Up until now I just assumed that there was only one piece of very important jewelry that made a difference on a wedding day. Apparently you have to worry about necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras, too.

As it turns out there is more to a veil than a piece of cloth tied delicately around the bride’s head. Obviously it has to match your modest wedding dress, but once you start talking about two tier fingertip, or single tier elbow… now I begin to get scared. But after a little research and contemplation, I can now discuss embroidery, lace, and beading with the best of ‘em.

And that means that I’ve gotten in touch with my fashionable, feminine side enough for one day. In fact, I spent so long secretly looking at someone in a modest wedding dress, bridesmaid dress, or other formal number, that I had to go home and immediately spit, hammer up some drywall (with my brand new hammer), a punch a pedestrian in the throat. He seemed a little upset, even after I explained to him all about finding the perfect modest wedding dress.

Your wedding gown is arguably the most important garment purchase in your lifetime. No other dress comes with more anticipation – and will be more photographed - than this one. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend like royalty to look like a princess on your wedding day. With these smart dress savomg strategies, you can still walk down the aisle feeling like a million bucks (without having to spend just that).


Something Borrowed
Today, anything retro screams chic. So consider donning your mother’s wedding gown. You’ll not only honor a family legacy, you’ll save a pretty penny too! With vintage lace overlays and crystal embellishments making a comeback, you won’t have to worry about looking dated. With a few simple (and inexpensive) alterations, you can make it your own.

Avoid Added Adornments
Beading, pleating, stitching, embroidering…all of these trimmings add up and are going to cost you extra. Consider a wedding dress that is simply embellished, yet still elegant.

Shop Savvy
Be on the lookout for sample sales, trunk shows, and outlet bargains. Bridal shops are trying to rid their racks of the previous season’s gown styles to make room for new ones in the late-summer/winter months. Get ready to brave the crowds for super savings.

Don't Name Drop
Sure, designer duds are nice – but if you’re on a budget – you may want to skip the sought-after label. The good news is that you won’t have to sacrifice on style. If you find a look you like from a high-end wedding dress designer, you can almost always find something similar by another name in your price range.

Be Honest
Just because your wedding dress budget doesn’t match your elaborate vision doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the look you want. Approach this shopping decision with an open mind. When stepping into a bridal boutique, tell them exactly what you can realistically spend, and let them take care of the rest. They are the experts, and you might be surprised to see what they can come up with—the perfect wedding gown exists at every price point.

Think Outside Traditional Tulle and Lace
There’s no written rule that says your wedding day attire has to be an official bridal gown. The look you are going for is often available through another avenue. For instance, many bridesmaids’ dresses come in white or ivory, offering a less expensive, less fussy alternative to the traditional wedding dress.

When you choose your wedding dress, it is essential that you choose something that suits you rather than eyeing something you fancy. It is a huge misconception that only women with hour-glass figures can look perfect on their wedding day.

The key is to opt for a dress that complements your best features and hides your flaws. You don’t have to reconcile to anything less than your dream dress; you should customize your choice to a dress that suits you the best.


Designer wear

Every dress designer’s claim to fame is the exclusivity they offer. They apply their individualistic style to each wedding dress and help you shine as a unique and radiant bride. Apply your own ideas; get inspired from different sources such as bridal magazines, fashion magazines for the cut or color, designer boutiques or even the neighborhood dress maker.

Be wary of getting carried away by the latest trends in bridal wear or the current style in vogue, for it may not necessarily suit your body type, complexion or personality. If you like something that you see, cut out the picture and show it to your dress stylist as it’s much easier for the stylist to understand what you have in mind.

Customize a style or cut you like to suit your personality and body type. Try it out to check on the fittings to ensure that it flatters your figure and brings out the best features of your body. Make it a point to research and evaluate various options before you zero in on the final look.

Adaptive approach

Before you start shopping for your wedding dress, it is vital to understand your body type. Choose the fabric and style that best complements your personality. Fabrics like chiffon, georgette and silk blend with the body.

• Full figured ladies can opt for a V-neck or scoop neckline as it narrows down an otherwise broad frame by drawing attention vertically.
• Women with a heavy bosom may wear an A-line style gown that creates an overall balance for heavier brides and conceals hips and a tummy.
• Very thin and petite women should stay away from off-the-shoulder dresses as they tend to bring attention to the lack of curves.
• Pear-shaped women, those with wider hips and narrow shoulders can carry off an A-line silhouette very well as it camouflages big hips.

If you decide to buy something from a store or boutique, always make it a point to try it on. Dresses in a coat hanger or your hand look very different from when they are on your body. It makes perfect sense to try it on before you make a purchase.

Show your happiness through vibrant colors

Wearing a white dress on your wedding day is passé. If you are very particular about having a conventional wedding, experiment with different colors and bring life to your momentous day. Choose a shade that brings out the color in your eyes and enhances your complexion; it could be anything from ivory to champagne.

If you are getting married on Valentine’s Day, you can wear red, the color of love. As commonly known, different colors signify different emotions. Red is the color of love and fiery passion. In fact, the Chinese consider red as the traditional color of good luck.

A complete look
As you scout for the perfect wedding dress, do not forget that the right accessories complete the look. Accessories like shoes and jewelry are equally important and need to be coordinated with the dress and occasion. Pearls and diamonds go with almost any color and add a touch of elegance to the entire look.

You can opt for stilettos if you are used to wearing high heels on a daily basis. If not, go for shoes with a wide heel so that it is easy to balance. You do not want to prepare so much in advance and finally fall on your wedding day. Wedges are also in vogue and to a certain extent, easy to balance. High heeled shoes are very stylish except that it can get uncomfortable for long hours.

Choose the perfect wedding dress and stand apart on your special day. Your lovely face will glow with the confidence, happiness and the marital bliss you look forward to.