Hollee Actman Becker - TheKnot.com
You've been dreaming about buying a wedding dress since the very first time
you draped a white pillowcase over the back of your head. But now that you're
finally ready to walk down the aisle, you're not quite sure what type of bride
you'd like to be. Should you go with a traditional look? A modern one? Or are
you more of a bohemian?
And what about your groom? Is he a tuxedo and bow tie kind of guy? Or is he
more comfortable in linen pants and a blazer?
Whether you choose a formal candlelit ceremony, a spiritual setting, or a laid-back
island style, here are a few tips for dressing for the occasion.
FIND YOUR INNER BRIDE
Before you start shopping for your dream dress, take a minute to close your
eyes and envision yourself as a bride. What do you see? Are you wearing a full
ball gown with your hair in romantic ringlets? Or are you outfitted in an ethereal,
flowing dress, with loose hair sprinkled with flowers? Write down six adjectives
that best describe how you want to look and feel on your wedding day, such as
summery, traditional, princess, sexy, sophisticated, over-the-top. Then have
your groom do the same and compare notes. If you're thinking full royal regalia
and he's thinking beach wedding and bermudas, you may have your work cut out
for you. Try using a religious custom, an aspect of the way you met, or something
near and dear to your hearts -- swing dancing, horseback riding, the '20s --
to set the mood instead.
CELEBRATE YOUR SETTING
Another thing to consider: the formality of your ceremony and the features of
the site. While every bride and groom should feel free to choose the wedding
style of their dreams, their attire should also reflect the time and place of
their nuptials. A formal candlelit ceremony is not the time for a bride to be
sporting a short sundress, the groom a morning coat and ascot. Nor is an afternoon
garden party the place to break out the cathedral-length veil, top hat, and
tails. If your wedding is outdoors in a quixotic locale, choose an equally romantic
look for your ceremony -- say, a flirty ankle-length dress with embroidered
leaves and vines. Likewise, if your party is planned in a proper reception hall,
consider more classic to-be-wed ensembles that mimic the mood, or celebrate
your inner cool catness with a sleek asymmetric gown and a monochromatic look
for the groom. Go for drama in a theater environ with a vintage tux and over-the-top
gown. And embrace the setting at a beach wedding with a two-piece dress, a pair
of sheer flowing pants or a daring white bikini; have your groom don a Hawaiian
shirt and swim trunks.
PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
That said, there are ways to effectively incorporate your personal sense of
style into any ceremony -- no matter what the location. It's all in the details.
Whether your motivation comes from the "something old, something new..."
tradition, or the "I'm-going-to-do-this-MY-way" credo, accessories
are the easiest way to add a few unexpected touches of personal style to your
setting. If you're a classic country bride, why not have your groom slip into
a pair of cowboy boots and a lariat? If you’re Scottish, don a kilt. Are
you athletes? Change into running shoes for the ceremony. If you're the starving
artist types, make it Birkenstocks. Even if you decide to go the straight up,
by-the-book traditional route, you’re still communicating your own personal
sense of style. How? The ageless Grace Kelly gown, a string of pearls, a classic
tux, the perfect pair of gold cufflinks... all timelessly elegant. Just like
you.
Copyright TheKnot.com
2003
