Nothing screams elegance and refinement quite like a pair of white gloves. Just the idea of them is enough to conjure up iconic images of Camelot or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, gloves used to be a must for all formal events. These days, however, they’re more of a fashion statement – and are completely optional. Unsure if you can pull off this once ubiquitous accessory? Read this guide to bridal gloves to find out.
Gone are the days of the tired blue garter. Temporary tattoos are an interesting alternative to “something blue” for the modern bride. As more and more members of the tattoo generation are tying the knot, a chic, temporary tattoo may just be the perfect wedding day accessory to showcase a trendy personality.
These blue temporary tattoos from I Do Tattoo (TM) come in eight wedding-themed designs ranging from hearts and doves to wedding rings and champagne flutes. Two tattoos of your chosen design (one for practice and one for your wedding day) will arrive in a keepsake blue folio that has also been screen printed with your tattoo in scratch-resistant silver ink, so you’ll always remember what you wore as your “something blue.”
Learn more about temporary tattoos for weddings at the Unveiled Wedding Blog
Before stepping into a bridal salon, you should know the basic styles of wedding dresses and the terms used to describe them.
A wedding dress is typically described by five parts: silhouette, sleeves, bodice, neckline and train. For each part of the dress, there are many different styles:
The silhouette is the basic shape of the gown:
Ball Gown: The ball gown is characterized by a fitted bodice and a waistline leading to a very full skirt (think Cinderella)
Empire: An empire-style gown features a high waistline (right under the bust) falling to a slimmer (yet not body-fitting) skirt.
A-Line or Princess: An A-line or Princess shape features vertical seams flowing from the shoulders down to a flared skirt, creating and inverted V — or A — shape
Sheath: The slim sheath closely follows the line of the body, creating a form-fitting look
Mermaid: The mermaid style is form fitting at the top, similar to the sheath, and then flows out around the knees, creating a mermaid shape.
For wedding gowns, sleeves are more than just long or short. Read below to decide which type of sleeve is best for you.
T-Shirt Sleeves: As the name indicates, these sleeves resemble those of your favorite T-shirt. This style is a good option for brides who want to cover their upper arms but don’t want to go all the way.
Cap Sleeves: Shorter than a T-shirt sleeve and more rounded, therefore a little more baring. Cap sleeves work best on women with fairly slender and well-toned upper arms.
Off-The-Shoulder Sleeves: These sleeves cover the upper part of the arms while leaving the tops of the shoulders exposed. The sleeves also cover enough of the upper arm to make most feel comfortable.
3/4 Length Sleeves: This style has a classic, ladylike feel, with the sleeves ending midway between the elbow and the wrist. An elegant look suited for a formal or winter wedding.
Spaghetti Straps: These are skinny straps with no sleeves attached. Not for the “arm-shy,” this style works best for brides with well-toned upper arms or who just want to look sexy!
Sleeveless: Today, strapless gowns with no sleeves are actually the most popular choice among brides. This style works for many body types.
As the name indicates, the bodice represents the “body” of the gown, or the section between the neckline and skirt.
Corset: This is a form-fitting bodice, complete with boning and lace-up or snap closures. This bodice style is fashioned after the ladies undergarment with the same name.
Empire: This bodice style ends just below the bust and flares into a full skirt. This style is flattering on almost all body types.
Halter: The halter is a sleeveless bodice that wraps around the neck. Sometimes backless; always sexy.
Midriff: This bodice fits closely around the mid-ribcage, and is a great choice for accentuating a small waist.
Princess-line: This sleek bodice, characterized by two vertical seams that travel from bust to hem, is super-slimming and gives the illusion of extra height.
Surplice: The surplice bodice cross-wraps the fabric in either the front or back.
Tank: The tank is a short, sleeveless top with wide armholes. This popular style looks great on most body types.
Learn the terminology for the rest of a wedding gown's anatomy - including the neckline and train in the Elegala.com guide to wedding dress styles. Visit the complete wedding dresses guide for even more style advice, tips and a gallery of designer wedding dresses.
Nothing screams elegance and refinement quite like a pair of white gloves. Just the idea of them is enough to conjure up iconic images of Camelot or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, gloves used to be a must for all formal events. These days, however, they’re more of a fashion statement – and are completely optional. Unsure if you can pull off this once ubiquitous accessory? Read these wedding gloves style tips to help you decide.
Fabric
Gloves are available in a number of fabrics. Kid leather gloves are regarded as the most formal; however, romantic lace, classic satin, crushed velvet, and sexy sheer organza also provide an elegant look.
Glove Styles and Lengths
Fingerless:
Either long or short, fingerless gloves offer added convenience during the ring exchange, as your ring finger is already exposed.
Gauntlet:
Extending from the elbow to the wrist, a gauntlet glove looks like a sleeve, as it lacks any material covering the hand.
Wrist-Length:
These short gloves cover your hands to within two inches of your wrist, providing a simple yet sophisticated accent. This style is less formal than longer lengths, and looks great with long-sleeved gowns.
Elbow-Length:
These gloves extend to just before or just after your elbow. This style is flattering for brides with toned limbs, as it draws attention to the upper arms. This length works well with short sleeved dresses.
Opera-Length:
The longest and most formal style, these gloves extend almost to the shoulder, ending at the upper part of your bicep. Opera length gloves provide an alternative for those who want an open neckline, but prefer a bit more coverage. This glove style looks great with strapless and sleeveless gowns.
Get even more advice on wedding accessories, including veils, bridal shoes, and jewelry.
Want to ensure a fashion-forward look for your upcoming 2009 or 2010 wedding? From sleek silhouettes to mini-dresses and tiered gowns, these latest looks for wedding gowns will help you put your best fashion foot forward to get you down the aisle in style.
This article lists the top 7 wedding dresses trends for 2009 and 2010. My personal fave from the list? Tiered skirts - I just love the romantic and feminine look. As the article says,"Whether chiffon, tulle, organza, or even feathers – layers of fabric are the newest major detail designers are playing with to create soft, yet dramatic gowns. This flowing style is perfect for the bride who is a romantic at heart."
Once you've brushed up on the latest styles, this complete guide to wedding dresses will walk you the rest of the way towards finding the gown of your dreams.
Let's face it ladies - there’s something about whiling away the hours browsing images of gorgeous wedding dresses that becomes so addicting once a ring adorns your left finger. Well, it’s all here for your viewing pleasure - provided your boss doesn’t catch you surfing the web while on the clock. Search hundreds of Designer Wedding Dresses by price, silhouette, sleeve, fabric - you name it - to find the latest styles, trends - and most importantly, the perfect wedding gown for you!
Just what is charmuese, and what does it have to do with your wedding gown?
In addition to silhouette and neckline, fabric plays a key role in selecting the right gown, since the same style of dress looks and feels very different in a variety of fabrics. And while most of us can discern between satin and lace, what about shantung, crepe or organza?
Thankfully, this handy guide to wedding dress fabric will help you sort through the sea of Silk Mikado and Chantilly Lace to find the most appropriate fabric for your wedding day look.
Once you've got your dress fabrics down, this complete guide to wedding dresses offers style tips, budget advice, and trends to help you choose the right wedding gown.
Round out your honeymoon trousseau with sweet little underthings. Elegala.com's Unveiled Wedding Blog has a new post on the luxurious line from couture lingerie brand, Spoylt. (Famously style-privy celebs like Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria are fans). Designed by women for women, Spoylt’s decadent delicates, handcrafted from carefully selected and dyed fabrics, strike a balance between demure and daring. After all, you deserve to spoil yourself when it comes to your bridal lingerie.
Read more about luxury honeymoon and bridal lingerie
So you’ve got the rock and you’ve found your frock, but you’re a bit perturbed whenit comes to your wedding day arm candy. In the world of wedding accessories and bridal purses, the profusion of gaudy beading and chintzy white satin just doesn’t cut it for the fashion forward bride. Answering the call for a suitable option are online storefronts that make getting your hands on a stylish couture bag for your wedding convenient and affordable.
Read more about where you can find stylish couture bridal purses
No doubt about it - flattering dresses equal happy bridesmaids. But when it comes to cramming bridesmaids of varying sizes and shapes into the same dress, planning the wedding party attire is often a headache-inducing chore for a busy bride-to-be.
Thankfully, this handy workbook makes managing the bridesmaids dresses and other attire a breeze. Print this easy-access, take-anywhere cheat sheet to help you stay organized when planning your bridesmaids dresses and the guys tuxes.
Remember, the big day may be all about the bride and her big dress - but the rest of the party should look and feel great too.
Here is a direct link to the pdf worksheet: http://www.elegala.com/pdf/planning_workbook/my-wedding-party-attire-planner.pdf
Ah the veil… the ultimate accessory in the transformation from engaged girl to blushing bride. Though steeped in tradition as it is, unless required by your religion, a veil is strictly optional. Today wearing a veil is more of a style statement than a symbolic gesture. Thus, the ideal veil depends largely on the style of your wedding gown and the overall look you want to create.
This wedding veils guide has everything you need to know about this finishing touch to the bridal ensemble.
Q: I'm attending a New England wedding in November as a guest of a guest. What dress code rules should I adhere toto? Are long formal dresses inappropriate for anyone other than bridesmaids? What's the etiquette?
-Shelley
A: Dress codes for modern weddings have relaxed a bit, but there are still traditional standards for fabrics and styles. Style really depends on the formality of the wedding. For formal evening weddings, guests should dress for a nice dinner or event. This includes suits (or black tie) for men and dresses or skirts in sophisticated colors and fabrics for women. Lengths can also vary according to the style of event and location. For instance – an outdoor beach wedding lends itself to shorter hems and more casual fabrics; however, a formal wedding in a ballroom calls for longer ball gowns or cocktail dresses. As for colors – female guests can now wear black (a color that was once frowned upon), but to avoid competing with the bride, guests should never wear white.
Get more Wedding Etiquette Advice at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple
-Cori Russell - style and etiquette editor
