Wedding Day Style
by Susan Henderson

The hallmarks of a modern bride are as subtle as excellent manners and as exciting as a Spanish Tango. These are just some of the elements that distinguish style in young women today.

The fantasy of being the perfect bride continues. Personal wedding style depends upon the where, when and how of the wedding itself. Destination weddings are becoming more popular (see page 16) although one fact remains; brides still want to look glamorous. You need to know the precise kind of ceremony and reception a bride will have before you even think about a dress. There are seven distinct style categories of brides.

Traditionalists: dignified and refined designs
Modernists: outrageous and exaggerated
Sensualists: comfort and sex appeal
Individualists: will go to any length to make a fashion statement
Romanticists: seek enchantment, fragility and prettiness
Minimalists: clean and pure
Exhibitionists: too much is never enough

However, there is no reason why a bride can't be sexy and fun at a formal wedding or elegant and formal at a casual wedding.

Christine Wells of Bridal Elegance tells us the hot new trends for 2004: color in any bridal dress, bare with spaghetti straps, strapless, A-line silhouettes and sleek, waistlines gathered to one side, and satin and crepe chiffon fabrics are very popular.

Tiaras are so important because of the new simplicity of the dresses. Veils have come into their own with elaborate trims and beading and crystals once again because of the sleek tailored style of the new dresses. Shoes are strappy. Sandles with bare legs are in. Pumps go to the back burner and pantyhose almost cease to exist.

The return of the tea length dress in maids attire is an old idea brand new once again.

In closing, women should be true to themselves. A bride should always adhere to her personal style no matter what her groom or her bridesmaids are wearing. §