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Nowadays, brides are fortunate in that styles can be contemporary or drawn from an age gone by and bridal fashion reflects more than ever before the diversities of society, religion, culture, history and the various ways marriages are now celebrated.
Although the classic white wedding gown, made fashionable by Queen Victoria in 1840, is still a firm favourite, with more weddings taking place during the autumn and winter months, brides are making the most of the elements and choosing colours and fabrics suited to the seasons.
Every modern bride can find her perfect dress be it from couture houses, designers, high street shops and stores or even on the internet. It can be new, second-hand, antique, or a new gown with antique accessories! Moreover, your perfect outfit need not necessarily be a gown; it could be traditional dress or a tailored trouser suit.
So, your choices are numerous, but this should not be daunting. Deciding on your wedding outfit will be an enjoyable experience as long as you do your homework and know the jargon used by the wedding industry. You may be surprised to learn that a simple, beautifully cut gown made by a true couturier will cost less than an off-the-peg gown with all the trimmings.
COUTURE
A couture garment is made from scratch exclusively for you and is mostly crafted by hand to your exact design details and measurements. It is a process which takes many, many hours and this is essentially what you are paying for. If it is described as couture, a test garment, or toile, will be made for you to try on at your second fitting before the quality fabric is used to make “the gown”.
Allow at least six months before your wedding and expect to have at least six fittings. Always ask about additional costs should you make alterations to the original details.
If you are on a budget, tell this to your couturier before making an appointment. If they can’t work within your budget they will tell you. If they can, when they see you, they will only work within your means.
MADE-TO-MEASURE
This is where a gown is chosen from a collection which is available in standard sizes for you to try on. The best designers and manufacturers are particular about where their gowns are sold and will only be found at quality bridal stores and boutiques.
The dress will be cut from the nearest pattern size and expertly made-to-order to your measurements, much of the detail such as beading and the boning in the bodice will be finished by hand.
The lead time to arrange made-to-measure is normally four months and three fittings are usually required.
READY-TO-WEAR
These are off-the-peg gowns which can be made- to-fit or “tweaked” to your measurements. They can fall in all price ranges including a few of the best designer labels.
DRESSMAKER / DESIGNER
A dressmaker is not always a designer. A good dressmaker can make a dress from a pattern, available from shops and via the internet. A dressmaker who is also a designer can make a dress to yours or, to their, design. They will know what will work and what won’t. In all cases, be sure you have done your homework and are confident that the style you choose will suit you; otherwise you won’t find this out until you try your dress on.
BEFORE YOU START SHOPPING
As a starting point, apart from forming an idea of what your thoughts or dreams are on your wedding dress, ask your groom what clothes he best likes you in: long skirts, short skirts, high neck or low neck, etc. Then look together through bridal magazines. He can then tell you what styles he likes and dislikes. Also, ask him if there is any aspect of your wedding he “must have” as this too may influence your decision. For example, he may want to arrive at the reception in a helicopter, but will that full gown with layers of tulle you were dreaming of “travel” well?
Secondly, be realistic about your size, remember how you are now, is how your other half loves you. However, if you intend to lose a lot of weight, and most brides lose a small amount in the lead up to their wedding, do so with healthy eating and regular exercise, before you start shopping for your dress. Alternatively, if you haven’t already done so, now is the time to visit a lingerie specialist and be properly measured and fitted for your perfect underwear, especially your bra or basque. Ill-fitting underwear not only affects the line of your dress, it also affects your posture, and it can give you back and headaches - thank goodness for Lycra and “Magic Knickers”; they can push you out or pull you in to give you the shape and silhouette you are looking for. Choose a flesh colour, especially if wearing white, and wear it whenever trying on or having your gown fitted. And, for all you brides out there who wish to treat their “husband to be” by wearing stockings and suspenders or something frilly underneath, including the traditional garter, make sure the lining of your dress is thick enough for these not to show through.
HEADDRESSES
Some brides consider their hair to be more important in the overall picture than having a veil or a hat, preferring instead to dress their hair with accessories, flowers or a tiara. However, as a compromise, and in consultation with your hairdresser, you could decide that your veil be removed during your reception leaving just your hair accessories in position.
If having a veil is in your dream, and this is still the norm, it should not compete with your dress but rather complement it. As with styles of gowns, the choice is endless. It is usually made up of 4 layers of material: silk, tulle or lace and trimmed with pearls, crystals or embroidery.
If your veil covers your face, decide beforehand whether you want it lifted by your groom after exchanging vows or at the beginning or, will it be lifted by the person giving you away. Practice lifting it to help whoever does this for you. Also, will you be removing your veil during the reception? If so, will this be before or after cutting the cake? Make arrangements beforehand for someone to help you.
VEIL LENGTHS
|  | Shoulder - adds a touch of tradition to a less formal outfit | | | Elbow and Fingertip - to be avoided by the shorter bride | | | Three Quarter or Waltz - falls between the knee and ankle | | | Cathedral - full length and flowing behind the bride, best designed to be detached leaving an | | | Elbow or Fingertip length for the reception | | | Mantilla - Spanish style and circular to frame the face | | | Blush or Blusher - the optional part that covers the face |
For a winter wedding, consider a shrug jacket, shawl, cape or stole.
TIARAS, JEWELLERY & GLOVES
Choose your gown before deciding on accessories unless
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there is a special accessory, for example, an heirloom veil or a special piece of jewellery that you must include.
Hair accessories, especially tiaras and hair jewellery, have become extremely popular and affordable. Adorned with pearls, crystals or diamante they give that extra sparkle to your photographs. Feather fascinators for the bride and or her bridesmaids can also add a stunning effect.
The tiara, worn either with or without a veil, sits in the middle of the head and at a 45-degree angle. Choose carefully considering your height (and that of your groom), the shape of your face and how your stylist will do your hair. They are available at bridal outlets or directly from a designer who, if you wish, could create one exclusively for you.
When considering other jewellery; earrings, necklaces, bracelets - less is more! If wearing a tiara, consider either earrings or a necklace but avoid wearing all three. Keep to the same gilding, gold or silver, for all your jewellery.
Gloves are back. But remember to remove them before he puts the ring on your finger!
SECOND TIME AROUND
There are no set rules for what to wear, just that you feel comfortable.
POINTERS FOR BRIDES ON A BUDGET
Most couturiers, rather than have clothes professionally cleaned, have “sample days” when they sell-off clothes tried on by potential clients or used on photo shoots.
Designers, high street retailers and hire shops usually have sales of discontinued lines.
Hiring a gown could be your way of wearing that fabulously expensive designer gown. (Keep in mind though that it may not be possible to do alterations.)
“Buyer, beware!” If buying a new, ex-hire or once-worn dress off the internet, make sure you know the difference between “couture” and “designer” and if possible check out the website of the manufacturer or get a photo. If buying once- worn, apart from asking about the condition and the size, always ask about the vital statistics of the first bride: her height and breast cup size, plus get arm, sleeve and bodice measurements. But remember, the danger is that even with all this information, because you probably won’t be able to try it on before buying it, it may not be what you want or be as you expected. So, unless you can afford to risk losing your money, don’t go down the internet route.
SHOPPING TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR DRESS
| | If you have a particular dress in mind, check first with the retailer that your size is in stock and make an appointment | | | Take along any magazine cuttings of dresses, bouquets, veils, etc which you particularly like, plus any other things which will affect your decision, for example, a particular piece of jewellery, your tiara for example, or pictures of your “special” venue | | | If you are usually happier shopping alone, do so. The worse scenario is to have too many opinions and anyway good sales consultants will guide you, listening carefully to your “wish list”. They will ask questions about where and when the wedding will take place and have an “eye” for what styles and shapes will suit your height and build | | | If you take someone shopping withyou, be sure you can completely trust their judgement. Avoid people who say, “I’d buy this one!” Alternatively, if you want a totally different perspective, take your dad or a male friend shopping! | | | Saturdays are usually busy. To have a more relaxed shopping experience, shop on a weekday if possible | | | The night before shopping have an early night and on the day make time for lunch | | | Don’t be rushed into a decision. When you have found the right dress, try on the whole ensemble with your underwear, headdress, shoes, and jewellery | | | If you intend to wear your outfit after your wedding you could widen your search to include ball gowns or special occasion wear | | | To prevent marking the dresses you try on, avoid heavy make-up | | | Be open-minded about styles of dresses, many look completely different when you try them on. Ask yourself, “Do I feel comfortable?” “Is it me?” If it is slightly daring but makes you feel excited, then go for it! For anything outrageous or revealing, consult your ceremony officiate (your minister or registrar) as some impose strict dress codes | | | Before paying a deposit, ask the delivery/ collection date. Will there be a charge for alterations? How many fittings will there be and set a date for your final fitting. Check the small print on your order | | | After paying your deposit, now is the time to have your photo taken (to be kept hidden from your groom, of course) and to ask for a swatch of material. You will need these when making your decisions regarding your bridesmaids, bouquet and your hairdressing | | | Don’t miss fittings | | | If you are, or become pregnant, tell your supplier as soon as possible | | | On collection, examine your dress carefully before paying the final bill. Check seams and fastenings especially | | | Ask to be shown how to fold your dress to avoid excessive creasing during car journeys | | | Ask your couturier or designer for a signed sketch to keep as a souvenir | | | At home, when your groom is not around, get used to sitting down, walking up the stairs and using the loo! |
GOWN CLEANING & HEIRLOOMING
Your wedding dress is the most important you will ever wear. Fragile and expensive, it is essential that you have your wedding dress professionally cleaned after your big day and before storing it away.
Your dress should be cleaned as quickly as possible, old stains that you may not have noticed, can become immovable and poor packaging can often lead to oxidation, which can turn the garment a yellowy- brown permanently.
| | Do not try and remove stains or marks yourself, leave it to the experts | | | Do not cut out cleaning labels in the dress | | | Do have your dress cleaned as soon as possible | | | Do ask your wedding shop for any manufacturers guidance on cleaning and share this with your wedding gown cleaner |
A Wedding Dress Box protects your dress in the most traditional and natural way possible by helping to prevent potentially harmful effects of the surroundings from reaching your dress. Providing protection from light and dust which can fade or mark the dress, the dress box also allows the fabric to breath. It is made from specially milled neutral board and comes from acid free tissue paper, preventing ‘yellowing’ or discolouration of the fabric.
YOUR WEDDING GOWN AFTER THE BIG DAY
You have many options once the wedding is over and your fabulous dress has done its work. You could sell it, store it, or preserve it as an heirloom. Dying the dress to use it as an evening gown is usually not the best option as the different parts of the dress will take up the dye at different rates and the end product will be too much of a disappointment.
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