Pam Black of function resource venue Celebration House offers her advice on selecting a wedding dress, and reveals the ongoing fashion influence of a royal bride of the past.
Wearing white
One of my all-time favourite wedding books, ‘Legendary Brides’, contains beautiful pictures of Queen Victoria’s wedding in February 1840. According to author Letitia Baldrige, Queen Victoria had no idea of the fashion trend she was starting when, for her marriage to Prince Albert, she decided to wear a white satin, lace-trimmed wedding gown with a lace veil held in place by an orange-blossom wreath.
Up until then, brides had always worn their best dresses (whatever the colour) for their weddings. What I find fascinating is that Victoria’s wedding gown, with its form-fitting, off-the shoulder bodice and full skirt and train, is a style still worn by many brides today.
The Queen didn’t forget the bling factor either: diamonds glittered in her hair, a diamond necklace graced her neck and she also wore a sapphire-and-diamond brooch – a gift from Prince Albert – over her heart.
Her 12 bridesmaids were dressed in ballerina-style tulle dresses trimmed with creamy white roses – a style which, interestingly, featured prominently on the catwalk at a London wedding show I recently attended.
Your style
As regards your own wedding style, you will be receiving a good deal of advice from all corners on the subject of your dress. Always remember, however, that your final choice should express your taste, not that of the designer, your mother, your sister or your best friend.
Spend time looking through wedding magazines, which can help you get an idea of what styles you like, but when visiting a designer, go with an open mind. I have known of brides who were sure they wanted a slim-line wedding gown but have changed their minds in favour of a full-skirted one, having tried on ones in this style.
Always remember that your final choice should express your taste, not that of the designer, your mother, your sister or your best friend.
The best advice I have heard is that your dress should be a glamorised version of your everyday style - if you are not one for frills and flounces, don’t feel you need a wedding dress in this style. Likewise, if you are an incurable romantic, you will probably not feel at ease in a classically designed garment.
You should also take into account the kind of wedding you plan to have. A relaxed, casual wedding on a beach will require a very different style of dress to a formal evening affair.
The fit and the fabric
You will be spending a lot of time in the dress, so it is vital that you feel relaxed and comfortable in it. You should be able to sit, kneel and dance comfortably while wearing it – remembering that for an evening wedding, this could be for up to eight hours!
Bear this in mind when choosing a full-skirted dress with petticoats, and also beware of too-tight bodices with bones (you must be able to breathe freely!) or an ill-fitting strapless top – there’s nothing worse than a bride continually tugging at her dress or looking unrelaxed in it.
Wedding dresses vary enormously in both style and price and, when you take into account the number of metres of fabric used in some of the more bouffant styles, as well as the time required to meticulously sew on hundreds of beads, you will soon realise what you are paying for. Incidentally, it took 100 lacemakers 6 months to make the exquisite lace required for Queen Victoria’s dress!
It is equally important to be honest with yourself, and to choose a style that suits both your figure type and personality. If you are fairly plump or ’roundish’, try to cut down on frills and flounces. Too many frills and a wide skirt should also be avoided if the groom is slightly built, as the bride could look a bit overpowering next to him!
Making or hiring a dress
If your budget doesn’t run to a designer dress, there are many other options open to you. Some designers offer ‘off-the-peg’ garments for sale and others may make the dress for you and charge you a hiring fee only. (The garment is then handed back to them after the wedding.)
If you are having your outfit specially made for you, or even if you plan to hire one, it is important to wear the bra and petticoat you intend wearing on the day (as well as your chosen shoes), whenever you go for a fitting.
It is also a good idea not to wear much make-up at fittings, to avoid the risk of marking your dress.
Head dress
If you are planning to have a veil, practise wearing it around the house ‘ if it is long, this will help you get used to the feel of it. Always ensure that before placing it on your head, the short piece is uppermost, making it easy to cover your face when you enter the wedding venue, and thereby avoiding a last-minute panic.
Choose a head-dress that is light and easy to wear or, if the groom is the same height as you or shorter, don’t wear one at all if you don’t want to tower over him. Rather, choose something flatter, or settle for a few flowers.
Jewellery
Jewellery should enhance, not detract from, your outfit, and if you don’t normally wear lots of it, now is not the time to do so. Your earrings should be tried on with the dress beforehand, with your hair done in the style you plan to wear.
Don’t forget to move your engagement ring to your right hand before the service, so that your wedding ring can go on first.
Questions to ask your dress designer
• Do you charge for a consultation?
• How much time do you need to make my dress?
• Do you require a deposit?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• Do you levy a fee for trying on dresses?
• If I hire a dress, is there any extra charge for alterations?
• How many fittings will I need?
• How long before the wedding will I receive my dress?
• Are you able to provide outfits for the entire retinue?
• What accessories do you supply?
• Can you make a suit for the groom?
Source : http://wedding.balebali.com/choosing-your-wedding-dress.html
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