A summer wedding with fragrant flowers and warm, festive atmosphere may seem far away in February. But for many spring and summer brides, the dress is already hanging up in the closet, last-minute plans are being finalized and the “save the date” postcards have long ago been anchored with magnets to chosen guests’ refrigerators.
But when the big day finally comes, here’s what the bride (the star of the show) will be wearing when she says, “I do” this year.
POCKETS
It’s small details that add personality to the wedding dress. While a small detail, side pockets are definitely making a big impression on wedding fashion this year, especially among fashion-forward brides, said Olga Earle, owner and designer at La Belle Reve Bridal on 108th Avenue. Earle, who provides custom tailoring at her shop, said adding pockets has been a popular request among her clients. “[Pockets are] flirty, fun and great for holding your phone or tissues,” Earle said. You also see them on bridesmaid’s dresses.
COLORED SHOES
This trend has been around for a few seasons and brides still love it. While the tradition of the white dress isn’t going anywhere, many brides these days would rather match their shoes to their theme color or wedding party as opposed to their gown, said Earle, who also provides a shoe-dying service for her clients. Pink, purple, red and turqoise seem to be the most popular, she said.
BIRDCAGE VEIL
Vintage is another enduring wedding, and the birdcage veil, an icon of old glamor and Parisian chic, is a big part of that. The short, delicate netting of the bridcage veil that partially or completely covers the bride’s face goes well with dresses made from lace and feathers, Earle said. To complement the old-school feel, the veils can have a pearl or rhinestone accent. “Some brides don’t want to be traditional, they want to be unusual,” Earle said. A vintage wedding is a great way of accomplishing that.
RUFFLES
On the hemline, neckline, bride’s dress, bridesmaid’s dress, ruffles by the multi-tiers are everywhere. Even whole skirts will be covered by ruffles. “On a mermaid-style dress, you might see ruffles on the flair of the dress to emphasize the ‘mermaid tail,'” Earle said.
FLORAL ACCENTS
These can be seen on the waist detail, embroidery, back of the dress, on a bride’s train and on bridesmaid’s dresses as well. “For example, you’ll see a dress with an asymmetrical design and the one strap will be covered by a large flower,” Earle said. Floral accents are great for garden weddings and casual weddings, she said.
MINI-DRESS
Short dresses are in. Knee-length or above-the-knee frocks are chic, flirty, modern and fun. Various forms of them exist, too: “I had a bride who came here for an alteration and it was a dress with a pencil skirt that came with a long detachable skirt that snapped on for the ceremony and could be taken off for the reception,” said Earle, who likes dresses that are short in the front and get longer in the back. Short dresses tend to work best for taller women or women who want to emphasize their legs or shoes, Earle said.
