Walking down the aisle isn’t just wearing a pretty white dress with a train and veil anymore. Walking down the aisle is more like walking the red carpet and the bride is the star. Designers are setting high standards, offering an abundance of fashion-forward, classic, chic, regal, sassy, and tradition-shaking looks. It can be confusing just deciding what look you want to portray, let alone deciding on a gown, and unlike celebrities on the red carpet, most brides don’t have personal stylists to help them define their image. Where do you start?
During the spring bridal market in New York and Barcelona in April and May this year, designers were covering all their options when it came to silhouettes. We’re seeing full, natural-waisted ball gowns with pockets, modified A-line skirts hugging the hips and flaring out into layers of airy silk, curvy fit’n’flare figures with dramatic pleating and draping from the thigh down, and simple and straight sheath lines with V-necks and cap sleeves.
But choosing the right shape for you is not completely up to the designers. The gown should flatter your body and figure first.
Those high-waisted ball gowns look great on tall skinny models, but are hard to wear (unless you do look like a model). If you are petite then you’ll be lost in it. If you have a wider waistline then it’s going to look wider. Instead of this fashion-forward look, a dropped waistline will be flattering on most figures. 
But, just as important as the silhouettes this season are the details—subtle yet bold. Handmade flowers made from light silks adorning shoulders, sashes, asymmetrical draping and even detailing all over the gown. Vera Wang is taking the lead on this look, and doing it beautifully. Other designers are taking it further with beaded details in the flowers. These gowns look perfect in a garden setting; crossing over into the evening light, the beadwork will start to glow.
As far as necklines go, strapless is always flattering, but more detailed necklines are in. They’re delicate, feminine, and quite dramatic at times. Lace V-necks and cap sleeves sit on the tip of the shoulder. Shear lace over shoulders and backs is subtle and sensuous. Plunging backlines look incredible, but it’s a fine line between a striking gown and a night gown. Those silk flowers are dressing up the bust line and chest area and the sleeves.
All these styles are to be worn in a garden or at a beach and that just so happens to be where more and more couples are flocking to get married. [caption id=”attachment_70005″ align=”alignleft” width=”320″ caption=”BACKLESS: Catalan designer Rosa Clara
