It’s that time of the year when next summer’s brides are putting on their comfy shoes, getting the entourage together and hitting the pavement to go wedding dress shopping.
As a wedding coordinator, I wanted to offer some practical considerations on the various styles of wedding gowns that are available as many brides select their gowns based on emotions and I can’t tell you how often I have heard “Oh, if only I had known this dress would be so difficult I would never have bought it!”. So not only should a gown be beautiful and flattering but you should also be aware of the realities associated with its fabric, silhouhette and neckline. I’m not saying don’t buy the gown you love but be aware of and accept any negatives that come along with it. Here is a sampling of some considerations:
The Strapless Gown
This is the one that most brides select. It graces 80% of the pages in wedding magazines. It can be very flattering on the average woman. It’s here to stay!
However, be forewarned that you will either be constantly pulling it up as it will start to slip down through your movements through the day OR you will have to have it altered such that the bodice is so tight that you can barely breathe.
It is also not the best for large-busted girls. We’ve all seen enough “blooper” photos of “the girls” barely kept in! On the other end of the spectrum, for girls who are smaller chested, this dress can draw attention to that area and make you look flat.
The Tulle Ballgown
If you have a dress with a ballgown skirt with layers and layers of tulle, be warned that the cost of alteration is going to be hefty! One of my brides paid almost as much for the alterations as for the dress itself! The reason is that each layer has to be altered individually. And bustling of this dress can be a nightmare, again because of each individual layer and the thinness of each tulle layer. It took a team of two people almost 40 minutes to bustle a dress like this.
Lace Up Backs
I’m a fan of the corset look. Always have, always will be. And there is no question in a wedding gown it adds that extra amount of romance. However, throughout the course of the day, there will be some give and stretch and the dress will become loose, prompting several “time outs” where your bridal party will have to tighten the laces again (ie. Retie the dress). This is especially tough on brides who don’t really have a bridal party to rely on for this (can you imagine the groom trying to do it at your photoshoot?). You may want to see if you can have some additional “security” like hook and eye closures here and there in case the laces loosen.
Cap Sleeves
I have always found this neckline to be pretty and romantic, and actually the one I chose for my own wedding dress. The one issue I found here is that during your first dance, if the sleeves are tight, the dress can be restrictive when you try to put your arm up (like your groom is trying to give you a spin).
In summary, I would suggest when you are in the bridal salon trying on gowns, to really think about the scenario of your wedding. Will you be doing a lot of walking? Will it be outdoors? Will you be dancing in this gown or changing into another one? That might allow you to put some practical perspective on what you are looking at.
