16. Wedding Gown

Posted on 25 September 2010 by admin

16. Wedding Gown

More than likely, as the bride, you have dreamt of wearing a gorgeous wedding gown since you were a small child. Dreaming about a fantasy wedding is something most little girls do, longing for the day when they can actually get all dressed up to walk down the aisle and marry the man of their dreams.

For this reason, the process of shopping for the wedding gown is one of the most cherished moments of a woman’s life. What you will quickly discover is that there are multiple designs, colours, styles, shapes, designers and so on from which to choose, meaning you will probably have many questions before making some very tough decisions.

Remember, your wedding is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a very special occasion that you want to enjoy. Therefore, no matter what style of wedding gown you choose, you want a gown that will be cherished for many years and perhaps even passed down to your daughter one day when she too exchanges wedding vows. Although a trendy gown may be something to consider, just remember that fads come and go, meaning your gown may only be in style for a very short time.

If this will be your second or third marriage, keep in mind that the old rule of wearing white only for first marriages is outdated. Today, brides can wear whatever they like. Additionally, you can also choose a gown that is pastel such as mint green, lavender, yellow or even pink. There are no hard and fast rules, simply what you want. Now remember that if you were planning a traditional wedding, then a white wedding gown would be the appropriate choice.

Allow yourself several months if possible to find the right wedding dress. If you narrow your search down to three or four, set them aside for about a week. You can then return to try them on again, seeing if your opinion has changed. After trying on so many dresses, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. By allowing yourself time to step back from the situation, you will probably have a different perspective. Since this is your day, you should never “settle” on just any dress.

16.1 Gown Designs

No matter what type of gown appeals to you, remember that you should choose the perfect gown according to your taste and not that of a well-intended friend or family member.

Soon after becoming engaged, you will want to start shopping for your gown. Considering that finding the right gown takes time and then there are several alterations and fittings, you need the appropriate amount of time to get everything done. Rather than feeling completely overwhelmed, buying your wedding gown is another aspect of the wedding planning that should be fun – a treasured memory.

16.1.1 Popular Choices

Although there are many different styles of gowns that you could consider, the following are the most popular designs that brides choose:

A-Line – Form-fitting in the bodice area, flaring from the waist to a full, seamless skirt.
Back Drape – Flowing material that is attached at the shoulder or waist, then flowing to the floor. These gowns are made with permanent or detachable options.
Ball Gown – Traditional ball gown with a beautiful full skirt, starting from the waist Ballerina Neckline – Low neckline made with thin, spaghetti straps or no straps at all.
Basque Waist / V-Waist – Dropped waist, which starts just below the natural waistline with the centre of the skirt dipping into a “V” shape.
Bateau Neck / Boat Neck – Wide neckline that is straight and high, running across both front and back and meeting at the shoulder.
Cap Sleeve – Short, small sleeves that rest gently on the shoulder forming a stiff cap.
Cathedral Train / Monarch Train – Very formal, this gown has a train that trails behind the bridal gown by 1.8 to 2.4 metres.
Chapel Train – Of all trains, this is the most popular that also flows behind the gown but only 0.9 to 1.2 metres.
Column Skirt / Straight Skirt – Clean skirt with a straight line and no flair.
Corset Top / Boned Bodice – Very form fitting and typically strapless with a boning bodice that is designed with snap closures or lace worn underneath or as an outer garment.
Crinoline – Also called a Petticoat and worn underneath a gown to create fullness.
Diamond Neck – Diamond-shaped neck cutout with fasteners at the front or back.
Dropped Shoulders – Very sophisticated and romantic, falling gently off the shoulders.
Empire Bodice – Bodice comes up just below the bust line.
Empire Waist – Waistline is just below the bust line.
Fishtail Train – Beautifully fitted around the hips with a nice flair from the knee to the hemline.
Fitted Pointed Sleeve – Sleeves are long and narrow, tapering to a soft point that rests on the back side of the hand.
Gauntlet – Elegant bridal gloves that extend just above the right line.
Halter Top – Sleeveless bodice with a wrap neck or high choke and typically backless.
Keyhole Neck – Tear-shaped or round hole bodice that fastens at the top either on the front or back of the gown.
Mermaid – Skirt gracefully hugs the body, then dramatically flairs from the knees down.
Sheath – Full gown or skirt with a form fitting bodice and a gown that is usually ankle length.
Spaghetti Strap – Thin, tubular straps fitted to the bodice.
Square Neck – Open neckline in the shape of a half square.
Sweet Train – Train comes to the floor without trailing behind on the floor.
Sweetheart Neck – Heart shaped neckline.
Tank Top – Short, sleeveless top, designed with wide armholes.
Tulle Skirt / Bouffant Gown – Overskirt made from rayon, nylon net or some other type of puffy material that is sheer and then laid over the actual gown.
V Neck / V Back – “V” shaped neck or the back midway on the bodice.

16.2 Tips For Shopping

To get ideas of the types of gowns you like, you can start by looking at bridal magazines or visiting wedding sites on the internet. By narrowing your ideas down, you will not spend countless hours just milling about, looking for that one special gown. Armed with your new ideas, you can then schedule time with your mother, father, future mother-in-law or maid of honour to start shopping for your dream gown. These people can help provide opinions to you on what looks best.

Additionally, on the day of shopping, you should try to have your hair similar to how it will be worn on the wedding day, be wearing heels of the same height and have your makeup on. The reason is that this will help you see a clearer vision of exactly what you will look like on your wedding day. Another tip is to have a digital camera handy so that you can see pictures immediately, again, to help with the decision-making process.

The key when shopping for a wedding gown is to be comfortable. You want this day to be special, enjoying the time spent with the people you love, thus making the entire process of trying on different gowns something to cherish. In fact, go out to a nice lunch with your mother, mother-in-law, father or whoever goes with you. Take pictures and just have a great day. By being relaxed, you will feel much better about the final choice.

The dress chosen should accentuate your best features. For instance, if you have great shoulders and arms, then a strapless gown would show off that part of your body. If you have a tiny waist, then a Basque Waist gown would be great. Consider your body type and then try on gowns that will take the positive aspects of your body, making them the focal point.

Another important thing has to do with the reception. In this case, if you plan to stay in the gown during the reception and will be doing quite a bit of dancing, then you want a gown with a removable train. This will ensure you still look beautiful in your gown but are not tripping all over the long material of the train.

16.3 Discount Gowns

Considering that the average wedding gown costs between $10,000 and $20,000, it is easy to see why finding a discount gown is a good idea! Sadly, there are couples that will actually take a loan out just for the gown, putting their marriage in debt from day one. A better way to go would be to find a beautiful gown that is still high quality but not high priced.

Some options to consider would be consignment shops and even high-end department stores. For example, if you were planning to have an elegant but intimate wedding and want a beautiful gown not necessarily a standard white wedding gown, the department stores could have just what you want. Look in the formal wear section of the stores where you will find all types of gowns, many of which could be used for this type of wedding and at a huge saving.

While you will probably pay much more by going through a bridal store, there are exceptions. In this case, look at the gowns being sold at the end of the year. These gowns are still new and beautiful but simply last year’s styles. To you, it may not matter and the result is that you could save up to 50% or more on the price tag. In addition to this, many bridal stores will have overstock sales, again providing outstanding prices.

Finally, whether looking to buy a simple or designer gown, take time to look at options on the internet. Now keep in mind that this does create a specific set of challenges but by knowing what these are, you can avoid them while enjoying great savings.

Primarily, you could be working with a company without a well-known name. Another challenge relates to not being able to try the gown on. In this case, you would need to expect that additional alterations might be required. However, if you save quite a bit of money for a quality gown that simply needs to be modified, it might be worth it to go through the extra effort of having it altered a few extra times.

Typically, the benefits far outweigh the challenges and in fact, you can often find gorgeous designer gowns by famous designers for a fraction of the original cost, simply by using the internet. Another huge benefit is that you will have more gowns from which to choose.

Just remember that buying a discounted wedding gown does not necessarily mean you are buying something cheaply made. Most gowns sold on the internet, in year-end or overstock sales or at a consignment shop are perfectly fine and no different from a gown you would buy at full price.

16.4 Designer Gowns

Although some brides are completely satisfied with a nice, off-the-rack wedding gown, most brides to be would love to have a designer gown. However, designer gowns also come with a steep price tag. If you have your heart set on a designer gown but cringe at the thought of paying so much money, you do have some viable choices.

First, with a designer gown, you will work very closely with the designer. He or she will work with you in choosing the fabric, style of gown, embellishments and so on making a gown that is specially made for you. Typically, you would need to provide your approval for the major steps of the process and plan to spend several occasions with the designer for fittings.

Finding a designer is easy to do. For starters, you can check with your local bridal shop to ask for recommendations or local designers. Other options include looking in bridal magazines, in your local yellow pages and even on the internet. The key as you begin your process is to work with a designer that you feel comfortable with, someone that will take your ideas and preferences and use them to weave a fairytale gown.

If you plan to use a designer for your wedding gown, you should plan on that person having a minimum of eight months, preferably twelve. This process is very delicate and detailed to ensure that the outcome is a gown like none other. Therefore, you need to plan accordingly, trying to be as flexible as you can in helping the designer. The price of a designer wedding gown will vary depending on the particular designer as well as the type of material being used, the type and number of embellishments, the pattern, the amount of work being done by hand versus machine work, etc.

Although the price of the fabric and the embellishments will have some affect on the price, with a designer gown, you will be paying more for the labour done by a professional since they are creating an original gown and will do much of the work by hand. In fact, it is common for a wedding gown designer to take a month or more simply to attach the embellishments by hand. Therefore, the more ornate the gown, the more time it will take to complete and the higher the price will be.

16.5 Trains

Many brides still love having a train on the wedding gown in that it adds an almost fairytale like aspect to the wedding. A train is very elegant and depending on the length and design, they can add a dramatic flair. If you want a train for your gown, you will discover that they come in a number of shapes, sizes and materials.

For instance, some wedding gowns have trains that are designed as an illusion. They are created with soft, sheer fabric, creating an elaborate and beautiful addition to the gown. Other trains might be made with a heavy material that is so elaborate that up to four people would be needed to carry it down the aisle. For choosing the right train, the following guidelines will be helpful:

For an informal or outdoor wedding, a Sweet train would be the ideal choice. With this train, the material will only flow about six inches onto the floor, adding a hint of elegance that is subtle.
For a semi-formal wedding, you might consider a Chapel train. This very popular choice flows gently behind the gown by thirty to forty five centimetres. The look is a little more dramatic but still soft and romantic.
Formal weddings are a different story in that you want something very dramatic. In this case, the Cathedral train is the perfect option. This train measures a minimum of fifty centimetres and can be much, much longer.
Always make sure that the train is detachable. With this option, you will wear the train during the ceremony but then for the reception, it can be removed so you can kick up your heels on the dance floor and move freely to mingle with guests.
Finally, you can choose to have the train bustled if you like. With this, the train would be attached to the bodice of the gown using buttons or hooks and eyes. Then, ribbons are designed in the dress on the underside so that by pulling on the strings, the train can be lifted up off the floor. While this is a great option and will help in the receiving line and until you arrive at the reception, in addition to having the bustle, you should still choose a detachable train.

16.6 Headpieces

Some brides prefer wearing a very traditional headpiece while others prefer something more traditional such as hair jewellery, combs, headbands or tiaras. Just like everything else with your upcoming wedding, the choice is yours to make. Just remember, you want to choose the option that will enhance your wedding gown and overall complement you as the bride.

Before you start shopping for the headpiece, you might talk to your hairdresser to get his or her opinion. Since your hairdresser knows your hair, he or she can look at the design of the gown and then consider your hair to give you some good ideas. Regardless of the choice you make, the goal is for the headpiece to create a soft, romantic look that accents your face, not overwhelms it.

If you are not sure where to start, you can always look through bridal magazines or on the internet to come up with ideas. Additionally, when you shop for your gown, you could try on various headpieces at least to have some ideas of your own before you talk to your hairdresser.

One consideration when choosing is the amount of time the headpiece will be worn. For example, if you were having a formal wedding that will last for hours, then obviously, you want a headpiece that will be lightweight and comfortable. In addition to this, if you are having a reception, you might also choose a detachable style so you can take it off while dancing and enjoying time with your family and friends.

Once the headpiece has been chosen, you need to go through one or two trial runs with your hairdresser. Working with the actual headpiece, he or she can now take initial ideas for your hair and determine which style will look best. To secure the headpiece, typically plastic or elastic holders or bobby pins are used. Although you might feel nervous about the headpiece coming off, chances are slim.

Finally, if you want an elaborate headpiece but find your budget will not support your choice, remember that you can always choose one that is simpler and within your price range and then embellish it. Simply visit your local hobby store and choose faux pearls, ribbon, crystals, miniature flowers or whatever you like and then sew, pin or glue them on. In just a short time, you have an ornate headpiece without paying the high price.

16.7 Veils

In addition to the headpiece, most brides will choose a veil, which is an important tradition. Again, you can choose something simple or something very detailed and elaborate, based on your gown and personal preference. If you want to save some money and have a creative streak, you can even make your own veil, which is not difficult to do.

If you decide to make your own, you can purchase veiling material that is already gathered and cut, making the process even easier. All you do is take the material and attach it to the headpiece. Most fabric stores have veiling material and to enhance it, you can choose beautiful lace or ribbon.

However, if you are not comfortable making your own veil, they can be purchased at any bridal shop or on the internet.

As you begin shopping for your veil, you will find all types of styles and colours. The goal is to choose a veil that will match the wedding gown and the headpiece but also to choose one that is age appropriate and that matches the situation best. To help get you started, I have put some of the most popular choices together below:

Blusher – Traditional, shoulder length veil is worn over the bride’s face, keeping it hidden until she comes face-to-face with the groom. After the “I Do’s”, the veil is pulled back, allowing the couple to exchange a kiss.
Elbow Length – Usually worn with a gown that does not have a train and although beautiful, this veil is less formal.
Fingertip Length – Perfect for semi-formal and formal weddings and is simple yet elegant.
Chapel – Typically worn in formal weddings and is designed where the veil falls to or near the floor.
Cathedral – Very formal, this style of veil extends onto the floor and is usually worn with a trained wedding gown.

16.8 Shoes

Considering that you will be standing for quite some time at the wedding ceremony and the reception, comfort should be your number one consideration when choosing shoes. If your mind is on how uncomfortable your feet are, you will not be enjoying your wedding day.

When shopping, your best option is to go in the morning or the time of day when your feet are the least swollen. Although you want shoes that will look gorgeous with your particular wedding gown, remember that today’s styles cover the gamut. You can find literally anything you want and if the shoe is quality, it should fit right and feel great. You can choose from a simple white shoe to one that is embellished with crystals, ribbon or beads. Regardless of the style of your gown, you will find the perfect shoe!

While you can still find your shoes at a bridal shop, if you want to save money, keep your options open to other types of stores. You can check at your local department store, retail outlet, discount shoe store and even on the internet. In addition to the traditional white shoe, you can also consider off-white or pastel colours. Shoes also come in a number of materials to include matte, satin, leather and crepe.

Additionally, while you might want the maid of honour and bridesmaids to all wear the same exact style and colour of shoe, it is not mandatory. In other words, as long as they all wear the same colour and similar styles, you might consider letting a little bit of their individual personality shine through.

For style, the most popular choice is the sling-back. Since this shoe can easily be worn for other occasions after the wedding, many brides like this style. Additionally, when it comes to height, you should stay with a two-inch heel or lower. While you could go much higher, remember that the higher the heel, the quicker the shoe will become uncomfortable.

When you have finally found the perfect pair of shoes, bring them home and wear them around the house for an hour a day if possible. This will help loosen the material and “break in” the shoe so that when you wear it on your wedding day, it will be far more comfortable. Another important thing that many brides are not even aware of is that some churches have slick style carpeting. That means as you make your way down the aisle in new shoes, the chance of slipping is escalated.

To solve this problem, you can take fine sandpaper and lightly sand the bottom of the shoes to take off the new, slick surface. Another option is that you can find patch-like material that adheres to the bottom of the shoe. These patches have a gripping surface to eliminate spills.

16.9 Jewellery

Although many brides wear diamonds and other precious gems on their wedding day, one type of jewellery that will never go out of style is the pearl. Pearls have been worn for hundreds of years and are ideal for the bride and the bridal party and can be worn as a necklace, hair jewellery or embellishments.

To create a traditional and romantic look at your wedding, you might consider adding pearls to the attire. The following information will be very beneficial in helping you choose the right type of pearl for your wedding:

Akoya – Commonly called the Japanese Pearl, this is the classic white pearl and affordable. The strands are typically forty centimetres long with the measuring 7 to 7 1/2 millimeters in size. The standard price for a single strand will run from $1,000 to $1,500. Another great aspect of the Akoya pearl is that they come in a variety of colours, ranging from silvery white to blue-grey to pure white.
Freshwater – Of all pearls, this is the most affordable and can be purchased in asymmetrical shapes. These too come in several colours such as black and white and they can be dyed. For a forty centimetre strand of five twists pearls, you would pay just $150.
Tahitian Black Pearl – While this pearl is called black, it actually comes in several colours, ranging from a silvery grey colour to deep black.
South Sea White Pearl – Just like the Tahitian Black Pearl, the South Sea White Pearl is also found in Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines and has a satin-like colour of silvery white, cream and a very rare colour of gold.

Good, quality pearls will last for years, making them an excellent choice of jewellery. The key is to keep them away from alcohol that could be found in perfume and makeup. To store them, they need to be kept separate so they are not sitting next to hard gems that could scratch. Finally, to keep them lasting long, you should have them restrung about every two years.

16.10 Gown Fitting

After you have chosen your wedding gown, you will go through a series of fittings to ensure your gown fits perfectly on the actual wedding day. Finding a gown off-the-rack that fits exactly as it should is rare. Therefore, even if your gown is close, chances are it will need a few nicks and tucks to make it perfect. Additionally, most brides lose weight just before the wedding, either on purpose or simply from stress. This means that even 3 kilograms will make the dress fit differently, meaning it needs to be altered.

16.10.1 Working With A Tailor

For minor alterations, the tailor would need a minimum of eight weeks while major alterations could require more time. The best option is to find a tailor after you buy your gown and then ask him or her about the schedule. Typically, you can expect to go through two fittings but again, depending on the complexity of the gown and the amount of weight lost or gained, you might have more.

16.10.2 Using Cameras

When shopping for your gown, if the store where you are buying it will allow you to bring a camera in to take photos of the exact gown you will buy, that would be very beneficial to the tailor. However, before you start snapping photos, make sure you ask permission first in that some stores are very cautious about this, not wanting designs to be exposed.

16.10.3 Fitting Preparation

The best thing you can do for yourself on your fitting day is to wear the exact undergarments you will wear for the actual wedding. This would include your bra, camisole, stockings, garter, slip and everything. The reason is that if you go to your fitting wearing different garments, even a slight difference could matter. By wearing the exact pieces, the tailor will be able to make your dress fit like a glove.

You would do the same with the shoes. Wear the exact shoes you will be wearing on your wedding day, not just ones that are similar. Even one-half inch can make a big difference when it comes to the length of the gown. This way, you can see how the gown and shoes will look when pinned to the appropriate length and the tailor will not have to guess. If the shoes have a higher heel, just be sure you take a pair of tennis shoes or flats to change into once the fitting is complete.

Additionally, try to eat the same amount of food you think you will eat on your wedding day. For instance, if your wedding is in the evening, then perhaps you might eat a piece of fruit and some crackers about 30 minutes before your wedding so you have something nutritional in your body.

For your fitting, you would want to eat some fruit and crackers, again, so your body will mimic what it will be on the day of the wedding. In other words, do everything the same on your fitting day, as what you expect to do on your wedding day. The result will be a much better fitting gown.

Each fitting will take from one to two hours, again depending on the complexity of the gown. If you have a gown that is streamlined and just one or two layers, then you would expect an hour but if the tailor has multiple layers of fabric to pin, then it will take longer.

16.11 Preserving Your Wedding Gown

Many mothers and grandmothers preserve their wedding gown to be passed on to their daughter or grand daughter. If you plan to save your wedding gown in the hopes of one-day passing it down to your own daughter, you will need to store it properly to ensure it does not deteriorate or turn yellow.

After you become married, chances are you will be exhausted. After all, you have been running around for a long time, planning, organising and shopping and so on, all in preparation for your wedding. Then, you head off to your honeymoon and by the time you arrive back home, you are spent.

Too often, the bride will be so focused on putting gifts away, organising the home, unpacking and all the things needed to settle into married life that the care of the wedding gown she so carefully chose is pushed aside.

To avoid ruining your dream gown, the first thing you need to do is have it cleaned by a professional that specialises in wedding gowns. Keep in mind that even if you were in the gown for three hours, it needs to be cleaned. The reason is that the fabric will have perspiration, body oil, perfume and other fragrances and various types of dirt that will not show up. If the gown is not cleaned, over time, the fabric will weaken and the gown will be damaged.

If you keep thinking that you will get this done but somehow the gown is still not cleaned within a week of coming home, you could ask your mother or mother-in-law if she would mind taking the gown to a reputable cleaner for you. In fact, you might even ask her prior to your leaving on the honeymoon, which would be an even better solution.

Once the cleaning process is complete, the wedding gown needs to be stored properly. Some cleaners will preserve your gown for you but whether they do or you do, the process would be the same. The gown will need to be wrapped carefully in a special, acid free, tissue paper. Then, it is placed in a storage box, which is also acid free. The purpose of this is to bring the aging process to a halt.

The most important aspect of preserving your gown is that once it is safely inside the box, never put it away in a basement, attic, drawer, garage, trunk and so on. Rather, you need to keep your boxed gown somewhere within the home where the temperature will be consistent. For instance, if you have a room where you store things, then you could place it on the shelf or in your walk-in closet. Even under the bed would be fine.

Additionally, if you can find a cleaner that offers a guarantee on their work, great but keep in mind that this is difficult. The reason is that while they can preserve the gown, for it to remain preserved, you too need to do special things. Therefore, since the cleaner would not have any control over the gown once it leaves their hands, finding a guarantee is difficult.

Just as storing, the box in the right location is crucial, it is also crucial that each year the gown be cared for by opening the box and removing the gown, unfolding it carefully and then refolding it so that it now has different folds. Then, rewrap the gown again using acid free tissue paper and replace it in the acid free box.

By doing this, not only do you get to enjoy seeing your gown each year but you are also preserving it so your daughter can wear it. Finally, if you are worried about forgetting to do this, many brides will make this a ritual on their wedding anniversary.