Author: Olga Pomeransky

Olga is manager at Best for Bride since 2005. Currently Best for Bride operates 4 bridal stores in Canada (Toronto, Etobicoke, Hamilton and Barrie). Best for Bride sells wedding, bridesmaids, mob dresses and more. http://www.BestForBride.com
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Dare to be different with a unique wedding dress

Is your fashion style unique or predictable? Do you always make heads turn with unusual and offbeat choices in what you wear everyday?

It isn’t too difficult to have a unique style statement these days, for there are diverse fashion options available. In fact, isn’t that every woman’s secret wish–to stand out of the crowd in something interesting and clever?

However, it takes guts to do the same on your wedding day!

There are traditional expectations from every bride. For instance, it is difficult for people to imagine brides in colors other than white. Take a look at this link for some interesting trivia on this practice.  Conventional style choices do not end there. Despite the passage of time, few women are bold enough to deviate from these expectations and pick dresses that do not conform to tradition.

My intent is to explore such options—dresses that are designed as bridal wear, but with quirky, bold or daring elements that make them truly stand out. Take a look and tell us which of these would you dare to be different in.

Adeline from Sophia Tolli

Why wear white, when you can make heads turn in this cappuccino beauty? The dress has a textured bodice with ruchings that gather at the side. Intricate and artistically detailed hand-embroidery with crystal accents adorn the stylish sweetheart neckline. Another motif with matching details ornaments the side of the dress. Here, the ruchings gather above the dropped waist and then flow into a gently gathered skirt. The beautiful color is the wow factor, apart from the other amazing details. It flows and is very feminine, but with an unexpected punch of color. With a corset back and chapel train to finish the dress, it has everything necessary to make a lasting impression.

Lucia from Sophia Tolli

 

Glide down your wedding aisle with an air of mystery! The Lucia from Sophia Tolli will leave your guests mesmerized with its intricate and subtly bold details. This beauty is every bit bridal, despite its unconventional design elements. Done in ethereal chiffon, the gown has a hand-beaded illusion neckline over a plunging bodice. Makes it the perfect choice to show off your bold streak without causing a scandal. The chiffon skirt gathers into tight pleats at the waist that ripples down to full length. The back has a matching illusion detail that completes the dress in stunning style.

Mori Lee Meredith

An exquisite bridal piece, the 6859 Mori Lee is a stunning dress. It is remarkably different from the regular wedding dresses we see. The crystal beaded bodice has an almost Boho vibe with it’s double straps and textured detail. The two-piece crystal bodice ends at the waistline, and from there a tiered tulle skirt begins. With an edging of lace, this skirt is just as romantic as it is exquisite. Fun and flirty, it is a modest choice that is unique in its own way. One that is sure to charm a bride who seeks a statement wedding gown that can charm as well as impress!

Mori Lee tea length skirt

Have you ever wished that top of a dress went with the skirt of another to achieve your dream look? If you have, bridal separates are the choice for you! Mix and match couldn’t be more fun than this. Customize your bridal look by choosing the different parts of your bridal dress separately. When it comes to casual tea-length dresses, there isn’t much variety available. Fortunately, this Mori Lee 6843 saves you a lot of trouble. The tulle tea length skirt can be worn with any suitable bodice to custom-create the look you want. For more details on this dress, check out the Mori Lee bridal dress collection here.

Alfred Angelo 2644

Flowers are a staple at weddings. Many floral motifs have appeared in lace and as embroidery and embellishments in wedding dresses. However, seldom do we come across colorful floral prints in wedding dresses. If you are a big fan of romantic floral prints, this dress from the Alfred Angelo is just right for you. Soft pink roses spread all over the beautiful white organza skirt in this wonderful wedding gown. There is a bright pink sash defining the natural waistline. The smart halter-style bodice makes the dress as beautiful as a dream. Perfect for a warm spring or summer wedding. It is a great choice for an outdoor wedding, and especially for a garden venue!

The Alfred Angelo Signature 2607

Super-stylish and sexy, the Alfred Angelo 2607 is a dress for a diva! This little white wedding dress features all-over lace in a fitted silhouette and has a beautiful sweetheart neckline. The hemline is above the knee. Wear it to look smart and show off your toned figure. The best thing about this dress is that it is anything but typical bridal fare. As long as women seek little white dresses for their big day, an ultra-stylish choice like this Alfred Angelo beauty will continue as a hit. Whether you have a destination wedding in mind or plan to marry at city hall or a casual venue, this is the right choice.

Alfred Angelo Modern Vintage

Talk about getting the best of two worlds, this Alfred Angelo Modern Vintage is the choice for you! It features a detachable overlay skirt over a little white dress. The sleek inner silhouette makes it a sexy choice, while layers of tulle in the skirt have vintage flair. Fun and flirty, this dress will allow your fiance to fall in love with you all over again. Chantilly lace is used throughout the length, and it is elegant and classic. This dress is a budget-friendly choice if you want two looks—one for the wedding ceremony and the other for the reception. Dress up in conventional style in the overlay skirt for the formal ceremony. Then take it off and dance to your heart’s content at the reception.

Full-sleeve peplum style mermaid wedding dress from Sans Pareil

A dress that evokes nostalgia, the 1066 from the Sans Pareil collection is unusually bewitching. It features loose fitting sleeves that gather at the wrist in a lace trim. The high neckline and gathered waist with lace peplum detail fashion a vintage look. The dress is modest in every sense, offering coverage from neckline to the hemline. Nevertheless, the fitted silhouette and softly flowing white fabric render a glamorous effect. Being an unconventional look, it isn’t one that anyone will easily forget. With a gentle sweep train that completes the design, this dress will remain etched in the memories of the onlookers at your wedding.

Princess in Pink lace dress from Sans Pareil

Remember when you were a little girl and pink was your favorite color? If your love for pink continues to this day, the 1038 in soft pink from the Sans Pareil collection will capture your heart. While every detail from the lace details in the bodice to the silhouette are bridal, the color certainly isn’t. Although pink isn’t a typical bridal color, this muted hue is as exciting and enchanting as any other white wedding gown. The pretty shade works on most complexions. The simple structure and details form a vivid picture and will amaze the onlookers at your wedding.

Rainier from Sophia Tolli

Are you a bride who loves embellished wedding dresses? Especially embellishments that are strewn throughout the design? This wedding dress from the Sophia Tolli collection is one you will love. After all, who can resist a dress that is as captivating and obvious as the details on this gown! The bright silver floral motifs have an almost 3-D effect, as they scintillate on this dress. A scattering of sparkling embellishments further enhance the appeal of this romantic dress. If it weren’t for the colorful embroidery on this dress, it would be a typical traditional wedding dress. However this addition of color makes it an unusual choice. Nonetheless this dress has the drama and effect of a bridal gown. It will only add oodles of style to your bridal look.

Emeline Y11709 from Sophia Tolli

Black and white form an astounding combination, as we can see in this lovely dress from the Sophia Tolli collection. Elaborate spirals and vines in black hand-embroidery spread across the bodice and sides of this dress. They are also embellished with crystal and sparkle details that add to the opulence. The simple A-line silhouette thus looks flanked by black and white fronds on either side. The black embroidery motifs extend into the train as well. This makes the dress a beauty from the rear as well. A misty train finishes the effect in full style.

It can be pretty confusing when you have to make your wedding dress choice. Even the women who dress up in unusual, quirky dresses on other occasions choose safe dresses for their wedding day. There is a reason for this too. Your wedding day memories live on forever, and your wedding albums will be a reminder of what you wore on this day. With time, people change and so do their tastes and preferences. It is easy to end up with a dated look if you base your wedding day choices on the latest trends. Most of us don’t want that to happen.

However, you should also remember that your wedding day look should be an extension of who you are. It should reflect your personality and showcase who you are from within. Anything other than that wouldn’t do justice to your individuality. So, if you fall in love with a dress that isn’t traditional fare, don’t hold back. Go for it and you will have the satisfaction of being wed in a dress that screams you!

With the wedding fashion world growing and evolving, there are unexpected twists and new entries in fashion everyday. So, turn to the past and the present for inspiration. You will find the look that defines you. Don’t hesitate to stay true to yourself. Settle for nothing but a dress that actually brings out your best.

All the dresses featured here are part of our inventory at Best for Bride. Whether you prefer an unconventional look from this list, or wish to go for a traditional or modern choice, you will find it at Best for Bride. Apart from wedding dresses, we also have an impressive collection of accessories, bridal party attire and a range of wedding services. Check out our online store at this link. You will find everything you need for your wedding day and more at Best for Bride—the one-stop shopping destination for the modern bride.

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7 perfect ideas for an environment-friendly wedding

You will already be aware of the fact that weddings use up lots of resources and are least environment-friendly, unless you attempt to make it otherwise. Fortunately, many couples today consider the environmental impact of everything they do, and choose to make wise and eco-friendly choices. The same applies to weddings too, and there are various ways in which you can plan an exciting, but sensible wedding that doesn’t harm the environment any more than is absolutely necessary.

There is a huge misconception that making green choices for your wedding means you have to compromise on style or function, and also that it can end up being very expensive. This is in fact, far from the truth. You can have a fantastic green wedding with as much an impact as any other wedding, if you plan it well. Additionally, there are several advantages of . Let us first look at what they are.

  • Our planet can no longer take the brunt of our demand for paper, water, energy and resources. Every wedding creates huge quantities of garbage and affects the environment in many different ways. A few eco-conscious choices can control this damage to a great extent.
  • When you make green choices and introduce this concept to your friends and family, they will also be intrigued by the options on offer. You can thus not only do your bit, but also promote an environment-conscious move, through your choices.
  • Simple actions like using less paper, making use of seasonally and locally available resources etc, can save you a lot of money and help you plan a budget wedding with huge impact. It is all about exploring the available options and keeping an open mind.

We have discussed some ideas in our previous post on planning a green wedding here. Let’s continue with some more ideas today. So, join in the fun.

1.Eco Jewelry

wedding jewelry

Do you really need that solitaire diamond for your engagement ring, for it to be meaningful? Wouldn’t responsibly and sensibly sourced jewelry and those that make use of recycled or repurposed stones and gems be equally unique? It could actually be extra-special, precisely for this reason! Ethically sourced diamonds are a valuable find that will give you what you want, sans the guilt. Cultured diamonds and other gemstones look equally good as their original counterparts, but with the added advantage that you will be wearing a stone that isn’t tainted by the sad stories behind the mining and extraction of such precious stones. Although these rings are grown chemically in a lab, they possess similar properties to the original stone and so would be just as durable and last as long as an original. The other great option is to use family heirlooms. If you aren’t a fan of the style, you can always have it reworked as it would still be a greener choice than getting a brand new one. Antique jewelers offer you opportunities to find something really special and perhaps with a history to it. So, explore these options to find not only your engagement ring, but also your wedding day jewelry. We found this wonderful article on the Inhabitat page that opens up a world of options in eco-friendly wedding rings. Why don’t you check it out to see the various choices that you can consider for your green wedding jewelry.

2.Reusable bridesmaid dresses

Choosing eco-friendly bridesmaids dresses may not be too easy, as we would be looking at choices in unusual fabrics like hemp or bamboo for it to truly be eco-friendly choices. Although it isn’t impossible to find a dress that fits the needs, it isn’t necessary that you will be able to acquire them as easily as you would if you were to go shopping the usual way. So, what we suggest is to look at this idea from a different perspective. One of the common things most brides do is to choose bridesmaid dresses so they fit the wedding theme perfectly. This can narrow down the choices drastically, as standard bridesmaids dresses aren’t usually preferred for use on another occasion. If you have your mind set on peach or yellow as your bridesmaids dress color, you can easily imagine how many of your bridesmaids will bother using the dress ever again. Fortunately, you can quickly change the picture by making a different choice. We suggest choosing bridesmaid dresses in neutral colors and in universally flattering designs, so they find use more than just once. Colors like black, brown and navy, as suggested in this previous post, are universally appealing colors that aren’t typical bridesmaid material. So, your girls are more likely to find better use for it, and you do the planet a favor by choosing a dress that will be used adequately for the resources that went into creating it.

3.Digital photo albums

wedding photo

One of the budget bombers in a wedding is the photography package that a couple books. Apart from the huge amount that goes into hiring a professional photographer, more money is spent for the rest of the things like photos in frames and the wedding album. Just think of how necessary all this actually is. Do you really need that wedding album or would the pictures on the CD do just as well? The main advantage of digital photography today is that it reduces the need and use of paper, which is a diminishing natural resource. Since you will mostly be sharing your pictures with all your friends and family online, ask yourself if you need more prints than what you will be displaying in your own home? And if you opt out of the wedding album option, you may be able to save a significant amount on the photography cost. Before you go and order your wedding album, wait for a while to make sure you think it is necessary. If you do, you can always have one made from the wedding photos you will anyway have, and perhaps gift it to yourself as an anniversary gift. Article on the Green Bride Guide also suggests asking your potential photographer whether they use green practices such as rechargeable batteries and non-toxic inks, if you are looking for the right person who shares your vision.

4.Artificial bouquets and boutonnieres

flower arrangement

Are you aware of the environmental impact of cut flowers? These flowers are usually grown in greenhouses, using loads of chemicals and transported from abroad to make it to your wedding. Imagine the damage each of the steps in their growth, packing, preserving and shipping cause the environment! Make a green choice by opting for artificial flower bouquets instead. You can recycle material like paper or fabric to create beautiful bouquets. The Its Always Autumn blog provides plenty of tutorials on how you can design beautiful flowers for your customized bouquet. You can also preserve an original flower bouquet, but it is expensive to do so and requires maintenance, and still needn’t look the same as it did. Now, if you simply must have an original flower bouquet, at least consider faux flowers for your bridesmaid bouquets and boutonnieres. Not only will it be a lot easier on your wallet, it will also look stunning if you plan it well in advance and do it well.

5.Reusable décor

bamboo

The most common wedding décor involves lot of flowers and foliage, most of which will be trashed at the end of the day. Make a change by choosing your décor wisely so that it finds further use. Options you can consider are potted plants like succulents and décor accessories like soy candles which can be used again. You can also create interesting table and aisle decorations with faux flowers and artificial foliage. Another interesting option is to deck up your tables with cacti, lucky bamboo or other interesting potted plants which double up as party favors for your wedding guests. This way they will find a home after the ceremony, and will live on as interesting keepsakes from your wedding day. Plants like lucky bamboo and succulents are easy to grow, and even guests with a black thumb will not be able to kill them off, try as much as they might! Take it further by personalizing your décor with natural elements like twigs, cones, acorns and branches that bring the outdoors into your venue. With a little creativity and inspiration, it is possible to craft stunning centerpieces and venue décor that is environment friendly in every way.

6.Reuse a wedding dress

You do not need a brand new wedding dress to be a brand new bride. You can do the same with a second-hand wedding dress or even a rented one. Not only is this the right choice for an environmentally conscious bride, it is also easy on your budget. At stores like Best for Bride, you can find great wedding dress choices from a range of top-notch designer collections on rent, and these will hardly cost you anything for the look you achieve with them. If you click on this link, you can find out all the information you need about renting your wedding gown and even the rest of the accessories to go with it. The other idea is to remove your mother’s or even grandmother’s wedding gown from the attic and give it new life by have it redone in a modern style. If you have ever watched the show “Something borrowed, something new,” you will know that a talented gown designer can transform any old-fashioned wedding gown into the most modern silhouettes, while keeping the original charm still alive. As you breathe new life into an heirloom with a re-purposed wedding gown, not only do you make a conscious choice, you also add more meaning to your wedding day by bringing in memories from another happy marriage. One other thing you may not have considered is that the color of the fabric is an indication of how much bleaching the dress has been put through. Remember that bleaching introduces several toxins into the environment, and you may be better off with a natural organic white color than stark white, if this factor bothers you.

7.Make your menu organic

organic

Every location has its own organic farms, and most vendors will agree to work with organic ingredients to create your wedding menu. You may have to think outside the box to make it work with what is available locally and seasonally, but it is definitely worth the effort. One thing many people associate with organic is bland and boring. But, this is wrong. Almost every fruit, vegetable, meat and dairy product you find on the regular supermarket shelves will also have an organic version. They can all be used in exactly the same way as you would with the inorganic counterpart. So, don’t let this idea limit you in any way. Organic is undoubtedly tastier and there are no dearth of choices in dishes. When the food you serve is free from additives, preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, it will go down well with your guests and you do them a big favor by choosing to serve a healthy hearty meal. Our favorite in the reception menu where organic food is concerned, are naked cakes without elaborate colored frosting. Usually decorated with fruits, berries and flowers, they are a delight as they are natural and delicious in their own way.

We hope we’ve shed some light on the different ways in which you can plan a stunning wedding without compromising on the details, and yet do it in a green and environment friendly manner. At Best for Bride we are constantly exploring everything that is even remotely associated with weddings. So, keep visiting our blog page for the most hot and happening updates in the wedding world. Also, don’t forget to visit our one-stop bridal website for all your wedding needs. We bring you not only wedding dresses, but have an impressive collection of bridesmaids dresses, décor options, cakes, favors, invitation cards, photography packages and much, much more.

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Our favorite trends in evening dresses this year

If you are going shopping to pick an evening dress or two for your social engagements this holiday season, let us prepare you for your shopping experience with what looked to be the most happening and interesting trends this year. We have also lined up some dress suggestions that you can look at, and these are all from our bridesmaid and evening dress collections at Best for Bride. Don’t forget to let us know what you like from these, and whether you do indeed choose any of them.

Colors

Spring and summer 2016 introduced us to the neutral color palette of pink and brown. Subtle versions of pink including dusty pink and peach, that aren’t too loud are perfect colors for evening wear if you don’t want to look too bright or bold. Plus, these neutral colors can be the perfect backdrop for some fun and dressy accessories. So, if you have that perfect bold clutch to show off or a stunning necklace, you know what would look good with it.

Now, if you want to make a stunning appearance, you could always consider bubblegum pink which was hot on the scenes last summer. This can certainly color up the scenery, but it may not really be right if you want a serious and refined look. Here is a bubblegum pink dress from the Alfred Sung evening dress collection. The added details like the up and down hemline add more spunk to the bright and vivid color that it features.

The other cool color (literally cool!) palette this year was deep blue color, and the colors seemed to pop with the iridescent highlights. What a stunning fashion statement! Bright pops of effervescent embellishments against deep dark water colors are undoubtedly a winner, don’t you agree? So, make sure your wardrobe has a perfect blue or green, that will allow you to step in and steal everybody’s attention.

Now, let us tell you exactly what we meant by deep sea colors with iridescent highlights with you this showstopper from the Jadore evening dress collection. What do you think of the scintillating effect of the top?

Our next picks are sunset hues like sunny vermillion and zesty orange which were featured on the catwalks and are always great reminders of spring and the wonderful tropics. Wondering whether it is a good idea for winter? We say go for it, as it will be different. Pair it with some colorful accessories, and you can nail that festive look that is perfect for any celebration. Also remember that deep oranges like clementine and browns are still pretty much in style and you can always turn to these as a safe bet. Since these colors look great on almost any skin tone, you couldn’t possibly go wrong. How refreshing is this sunset orange dress featured in the Social Bridesmaids collection. You can find this and many more attractive sunset hues in this collection at Best for Bride. 

Prints

Oversize prints and florals in either retro-inspired style or small and delicate Garden of Eden designs were all the rage last spring and summer. Equally attractive were color block prints, but remember that this year, color blocking has taken a new dimension with monochrome bold stripes and rainbow colors. Here is a captivating black and white striped gown from the Alfred Sung evening dress collection that is unique and distinct with the style and placement of the stripes on the sateen fabric.

Isn’t it just a fact that bold color combinations can make a huge impact, and why limit yourself to one when you can wreak havoc with many colors at the same time. So, go with color blocking in this years style, and you will be glad you did it.

Graphic prints and oversize motifs in bold statement colors are still hot. So, if you want something that is loud and daring, don’t hesitate to pick out a dress with a loud motif that screams for attention.

Graphic floral prints have been fashioned out of wide lace to make this Jadore evening dress a sensational beauty. You can find this in our evening dress collection, and remember that it is also available in red with the same design, if that is the color you favor.

A tip for your casual wear choices as well. Denim with needlepoint embroidery seems to be back, with both menswear and womenswear collections featuring it a lot. So, take a cue and update your jeans collection with at least one that features it, for a trendy look.

Patterns and Styles

Many interesting and unusual changes have popped up in the style section. Fluidity in structure was the focus this year, with many designers celebrating the natural womanly shape with loose flowing garments. Maxi dresses with loose fits and peasant dresses were an interesting trend. These are perfect for both indoor and outdoor functions. We loved how the dresses were made suitable for both formal and informal occasions through the appropriate use of fabric. While silk was the choice for formal functions, cotton and gauze made similar designs comfortable and good for outdoor and casual events.

Now, here is a fluid full-length dress from the Jadore evening collection in a sheath silhouette that courses along the natural curves of the wearer. We love the delicate and feminine effect from the soft flow of the fabric and how it is further enhanced by the spectacular addition of lace in the right places.

So, if you have a beach wedding to attend this year, it may be a good idea to revisit last year’s maxi trend and choose a dress that will look dressy even while being casual and comfortable.

The other popular dress styles were A-line skirts and asymmetrical hemline dresses that ended between mid-length and calf. Perfect for cocktail parties, these designs are cool and chic, and look good whether they are in prints or plain.

This Mori Lee evening dress features an unusual up and down hemline that makes it both casual and chic, flirty and fun. Perfect for that fun evening out with your girls, don’t you think?

We have also noticed that the neatly pleated style is back on the scene. The refined and clean look that is part of this design seems to appeal greatly to women who want a polished look. Perfect to go with a neat updo or when you want to attend a formal function at work, this is perhaps the dress style that will help you nail the look. Don’t you think this pleated dress from the Jasmine dress collection is worth your attention?

The off-the-shoulder style is still a big hit, and you would definitely look sultry and romantic in a dress that features this style. When the off-the-shoulder style is combined with a long gown it has a sophisticated charm, while it looks stylish and glamorous in a shorter version. Either way, we think that this is a definite style that will continue to be favored for a long time. So don’t hesitate to grab a dress in one of the colors we mentioned previously and look both trendy and beautiful for the occasion you will be attending.

Splendid and sexy, this Mori Lee beauty is a masterpiece for more than just the off-the-shoulder feature on it. The asymmetrically ruched bodice and the scintillating waistband are the other interesting elements that make this dress a total hit.

The other style that is really trending is the Goddess style dress. Don’t you love the one-shoulder dress that has always looked romantic and mysterious? With a dress that focuses on enhancing your natural beauty, while still adding an ethereal charm with delicate and unique features such as a draped bodice or one-shoulder strap, this is a definite winner. Choose a longer version if you want to look formal, or go with a shorter skirt or one with ruffles all along if you would prefer to be playful and effortless in what you wear. Take a look at this dress from the Jasmine evening dress collection.

Accessories

The same colors that we discussed above are the top choices in dress accessories. Brown and muted pinks are subtle colors that look great with almost any dress. They allow you to tone down your overall impact, when your dress is really vibrant. Apart from this, the deep sea hues are also seen dressing up large clutches and also adding extra glamour to earrings, necklaces and shoes with the iridescent effects that we talked about earlier. These effects are exquisite and match an outdoor beach setting, as well as look great at winter holiday parties. Now, if you know your friend has a nautical theme party, you know what you need in the accessories department to get your look just right for the theme.

Metallic Moody Blues Demi Parure Set
Image Credits: Melissa Ingram, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Warm yourself up when you step outside in oversize fluid coats, which were all the rage on the runways last year. Not only are they cozy, they go well with most dresses making it a versatile outer wear choice. Wrap cardigans and sporty culottes were also a fashion statement, however they are appropriate only when the occasion you will be attending has a casual vibe. The other style icons are trucker jackets updated with fringing and embellishments.

Details we loved

When choosing a dress, you needn’t go with the latest trends all the way, just a few statement features are all that is required to help you stand out of the crowd. These are what the details of a dress can achieve with ease. Let us now look at the various details that we loved from the dresses we have been seeing last year.

Ruffles are one of the most attractive features that adds extra personality to any dress. We have seen ruffles come and go, but its been in the main scene most of last year. So, it may be a good idea to stick to ruffles as a fashion element in your dresses. The fun thing about ruffles is how they can be used to change the overall impact of a dress. By adding it in the right locations and adequately, we have seen ruffles dramatically alter the look of a dress from formal and sophisticated to casual and elegant. Ruffles may appear either in the neckline, sleeves, bodice or skirt of the dress. Then again, it can be added in moderation or luxuriously. You can choose this based on whether you want to look fun or serious. Either way it is undoubtedly a very feminine and romantic element, so it is one that you should definitely try.

Have a look at this ruffled dress from the Jadore collection, and you will soon realize how dramatic ruffles can be.

Black and white continue to be eternal favorites, but white this time seems to have taken an entirely distinct effect from what was ever seen before. Antique white, or parchment white is the new color on the scene, and you may like to consider it in moderate doses as part of your attire or in your accessories for a clean and crisp look that also exudes a vintage vibe.

The other notable fashion styles were the presence of eyelet holes on shoulders alongside the cold shoulder or off-the-shoulder style. This use of designs that show off skin in the shoulder area is both chic and youthful. If you want a fun flirty look with lots of spunk, you should definitely consider getting yourself a brightly colored evening dress with exposed shoulders and perhaps sleeves that skim the shoulders or with a number of straps that brace your arms for the perfect look this season.

We think that a dress like the Jadore gown shown here would do the job very well.

Hope you’ve found yourself enough inspiration to go shopping for your evening dresses soon enough. Check out our evening dress collection on Best for Bride for hundreds of more attractive designs and find dresses that will be just perfect for every occasion you have in mind.

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A Quick recap: 10 favorite trends from Fall/Winter 2016

Wedding fashion is continuously evolving. What is in today may be entirely out of the scene tomorrow. It is a pity that some trends that rocked the stage on their first appearance tend to die out without a trace soon after. Well, fashion depends on the taste of the onlooker. So, what we may love today may not find favor with the next set of brides who will get married in the coming year.

Nevertheless, it is fun to recap and look back at those trends that had us smitten when they were initially introduced. This is what we will do today. Fall 2016 may have passed by too soon, and winter may already be here. So, all our winter and fall brides would most likely have picked their wedding dresses by now. Even so, we thought it would be nice to take a look at our favorite trends in wedding fashion for fall and winter 2016 and see the best that the year had in store. Why don’t you join us!

Off-the-shoulder neckline

One trend that has been considered high-fashion, and still seems to be going strong is the off-the-shoulder neckline. Sleeves that barely skim the shoulder, leaving the neck and decolletage exposed, have a magical appeal. The unbeatable charm of this design is what makes the off-the-shoulder neckline a dress style that has captured the hearts of brides everywhere. It is seductive and sassy, and is suitable for almost every wedding style. This design is recommended by fashion experts as a universally flattering neckline that almost any type of bride can attempt and get right. Whether the neckline is clubbed with a ball gown or a sheath style dress, it is always has a distinct quality of its own.

Featured here is a Jasmine couture wedding gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline design. The embellished bordering of the neckline is stunning, along the ruffled pleats of the fabric. Don’t you love how it gently grows into a ruched bodice that snugly courses along the model’s figure all the way to the hips? The flare skirt adds the picture-perfect finish to this design, and it is a dress that I think would fit any modern bride’s vision.

Light-as-air wedding dresses

Airy wedding dresses were a welcome change to the rigidly structured ball gown and fit and flare silhouettes that have been trending for a while now. Many brides embraced this loose and breathable look, through dresses that looked breezy and refreshingly new. Layers of fabric that looked as soft as snow were seen everywhere on the runways, and in plenty of weddings. We are sure that this is a trend that we would love to see more in the wedding scenes in the coming seasons as well. Fabrics like chiffon and organza are most suitable for delivering this dreamy effect.

Delicate and dreamy, we love how this Mori Lee wedding gown has a soft and billowy feel. The sheer outer layer stands out against the thicker fabric of the inner layers, making it unusually breezy. A design similar to this couldn’t possibly weigh down a bride, and it is a great choice for the outdoors if you have to maneuver your way through the natural terrain. Finally, we also love the waistline belt detail that accentuates a slender waist and helps you show off a well-toned structure in the best way possible.

Whimsical short butterfly sleeves

If you should have sleeves for your dress, it should be these soft fluttery sleeves. It is so feminine and dainty, you can only look your best wearing them. A welcome change from the cap sleeve style that was all the rage the past year, these fluttery sleeve dresses are a vintage bride’s dream come true. A dress with this single feature will immediately push up the vintage factor and add a charm that is so vintage! Fluttery sleeves can be fashioned out of lace or breathable airy fabric like tulle or organza. It looks best when it is sheer and the skin peeps through. A gown with a simple silhouette will immediately gain a personality with this single style element.

How unusually splendid is this wedding gown from our Alfred Angelo wedding collection? Notice how the fluttery whimsical sleeves add a dash of style to the beautiful sweetheart neckline. It is also sheer genius to have combined it with the asymmetrical high-low layered hemline to add more light weight layers that are float. The layered skirt contrasts elegantly with the fitted bodice in a silky finish, to create a fantastic overall look. A bride in this dress would be perfect for a vintage-inspired or classic wedding. The modesty of the dress also makes it a great choice for a traditional ceremony.

3-D flowers

One of the trends that we saw in 2015 and simply took to immediately, was the 3-D style embellishments of wedding gowns. Lace as the central element contrasted effectively with the layers beneath it to create a 3-D effect that made the floral motifs on these gowns simply stunning. Additional embellishments like rhinestones and metallic beading further enhanced the ethereal beauty of these designs. The 3-D effect has since then been a favorite with brides, and this year was no different.

Mori Lee has crafted this magical element into many of its wedding gowns, but we particularly love this wedding dress with Venice lace appliques creating an obvious 3-dimensional effect against the soft net layer underneath. The sheer lace three-fourth sleeves and fitted bodice strewn with floral motifs look spell-binding. Isn’t this dress simply a masterpiece that is perfect for a vintage-style wedding? Just like the previous gown we saw, the modest neckline and sleeves of this gown make it a good choice for traditional weddings too. Despite this, it is still a glamorous dress which will allow a bride to show-off her beautiful curves with the fit and flare silhouette it sports.

Vintage Boho

The Boho trend has been hot and happening on the casual wedding scene for quite some time now. This 2016, we saw a notable shift towards boutique vintage style in Boho wedding dresses, and this was distinctly more feminine and appealing to a wider audience. The casual, relaxed vibe of Boho chic dresses weren’t lost, even while it focused more on fluidity than form this year. We like the idea of adding more elegance to the Boho style, as this increases the glamour quotient associated with this style of dressing.

Another dazzler from the Alfred Angelo collection, this gown brings together the essence of Bohemian style and combines it with classic features to create a masterpiece. The slender straps and the effortless look of the criss-cross bodice make it casually appealing, while the delicately flowing skirt and the pretty waistband detail add an element of sophistication to this elegant wedding dress. It is a head-turner that is simply perfect for a beach wedding or any wedding held in the outdoors. It is also a great choice for a fun-filled and exciting reception, where the bride would love to shake a leg and not be restricted by a heavy wedding gown. Don’t discount the fact that the light weight and airy fabric make it practical and easy to carry. We’re smitten by its simplicity and functionality. How about you?

Up and down hemline layers

After asymmetrical hemlines, the current trendsetter is up and down hemlines, preferably in more than one layer. They have a distinct personality and are not even remotely boring. The simple addition of the distinct layers to an otherwise unsophisticated silhouette can instantly improve the style and add more glamour to any bride. The fun part about distinct layers in wedding skirts is that it is dramatic and exudes an air of excitement and joy.

Take this dreamy Mori Lee gown for example. The sprightly skirt with evident layers looks distinct from any other design you may have ever seen before. While being lightweight and breezy, it is still powerful and attractive. The ruchings on the criss-cross bodice culminate in a scintillating waistband that marks the beginning of a layered skirt, and the up and down hemlines flutter in the wind to make it a dazzling beauty. If you have ever worried about what dress to choose for your outdoor wedding, so that it is not just practical but strikingly bridal, a dress like this is what you should seek.

Overlay skirts

The truth is that more and more brides today, choose to stay away from ball gown skirts. This is perhaps because they do not favor the structured and rigid form that is associated with ball gowns. Nonetheless, they still want that little layer of pouf to add some drama of their wedding day look. So, it’s basically a case of finding that balance, and this is what overlay skirts in wedding dresses have managed to achieve. It allows brides to look beautiful with just the right amount of layering to highlight their natural curves.

In this Mori Lee gown, you can see a dainty sheer lace layer that beautifully adds an extra dimension to the original fit and flare design. This overlay skirt is the most prominent feature of the remarkable gown, and the pretty floral lace appliques have an almost 3-dimensional quality. What we particularly love about the dress is how the skirt looks very distinct from the bodice, even in the absence of an obvious waistline. This could have been achieved easily with a waistband with some added sparkle, but the designers chose to keep it simple and yet managed to create the effect beautifully with the sheer overlay skirt. The soft overlay may just be an additional layer of fabric, but it still fashions an hourglass effect and can emphasize a slender waistline.

Antique white or parchment white

Unless you are a novice in wedding fashion, you will already know that wedding dresses come in different types of whites! There is a white for every bride, and most wedding dresses are available in more than just one type. This makes it easy for brides to find the white that accentuates their skin tone in the best way and looks great on them. The year 2016 saw a new color rise to fame—antique white. This was not confined to wedding fashion, but antique white dresses were the rage all over the catwalk, even in other fashion circles. The difference in this color is that it looks distressed, but some features look best on this shade of white. Perfect for vintage weddings, wedding gowns created in antique white finish have a distinct quality to their overall look that sets them apart from the regular stark white. Whether this color is used for the entire gown, or it is weaved into the design in certain places only, it definitely adds a noticeable quality to the look.

This stylish Mori Lee gown has antique white coloring in the skirt. This contrasts beautifully with the creamy white bodice, making both halves equally prominent. Everything about this gown is captivating. The smooth strapless neckline and embellished bodice are highlighted by the breezy bouncy skirt. Although there aren’t too many details, the dress is one that impresses. Ball gowns which do not look too crowded are a rarity these days, and this one is perfect for the bride who is very particular about not going overboard with details.

This brings us to the end of our recap on the best wedding dress trends we saw this year. We hope that at least some of them are to stay. Some of the designs, like the 3-D lace effects and overlay skirts are a hot favorite, that we wouldn’t be surprised if they move over into the realm of classics in no time. If you were married this year, or are planning your wedding in the coming year, tell us if your wedding dress featured any of these design features.

And, to continue looking at more lavish wedding dress choices that will have you looking forward to your wedding day, don’t forget to visit our online bridal gallery at Best for Bride. We are sure you will love the experience.