Elegant Wedding Dresses

A classic or traditional wedding dress can range from pure white, pastel white, ivory or beige and will always be in style. The wedding dress color that you select should compliment your skin tone and hair coloring.

The trend for the past several years has been to add a dash of color on the bodice, skirt, skirt hem or a long sash at the waist that flows down the back of the dress. The color you select can match your personality or coordinate with your wedding colors.

For 2009, the wedding dress color accent trend continues with more fresh vibrant colors. Popular colors for 2009 include various shades of yellows, oranges and pinks. Yes, the pastel colors and browns, reds, greens and purples will continue to be popular. If you want to keep up with the trend with new and exciting color palettes but want to have an all white wedding dress, add the newer colors to your bouquet or other floral arrangements.

How about adding embroided flowers to your wedding dress in pastel colors such as pink, blue or lavender or darker colors in red, green, black, burgundy or navy. This way you have a simple but elegant wedding dress with a dash of color.

Most importantly, this is your wedding and your very special day. Do what makes you feel good. Remember you do not have to add any color to your wedding dress but you can make a statement of color in your bouquet and throughout the church and wedding reception hall.

Selecting an elegant wedding dress is not something that can be accomplished in a few days or a week. You need to comparison shop at several bridal boutiques for selection and pricing. Buying a wedding dress does not mean you have to spend a lot of money.

Before making a decision on your wedding dress design, you need to do some homework. Look through bridal magazines and websites to get an idea of styles and what would look good on your body shape. You want your wedding dress to fit comfortably. Whatever size or body shape you have, you can find a very elegant wedding dress design that will compliment your figure. Remember, on your special day all eyes will be on you as you walk down the isle.

The most popular wedding dress style among brides is the A-line or Princess style. This dress has vertical seam lines that run from under the arm to the hem and is very figure flattering for brides of all ages. A-line or Princess wedding dresses have a fitted bodice with an a-line skirt. This dress will emphasize the bust and a smaller waist. Since this dress emphasizes the bust and waist, it may not be the best choice for smaller bust or full figured brides. Depending on the type of wedding you are planning from large to small or very expensive to moderate, there is an A-line style wedding dress that will meet your needs

The Empire style has a high waistline with fabric flowing from the bust line into a slender or a-line skirt. Petite brides will be happy that this style makes you look taller. For the curvy bride the Empire style with an a-line skirt will be more figure flattering because it will hide things you do not want to emphasize.

The Cinderella or Ballerina styled wedding dress is generally more traditional in style. It has a fitted bodice with a full skirt that gives the effect of a fairytale romantic look. A slender small hip bride with full bust will wear this dress well. This is not a great style for petite brides since they will look overwhelmed in this dress. More curvy brides will find this style places more emphasis on the hips.

The Sheath styled wedding dress is form fitting and slim. This type of dress is more modern and sexy. The Sheath dress can also display bumps and curves you don't want to show if not fitted very carefully. Petite and full figured brides will look great in this style dress providing it is properly altered to your body type.

The Mermaid styled wedding dress is like a sheath except that the skirt flares out below the knee. This very sexy style is form fitting from the bust to the knee and then flares out to the hem. Some variations to the Mermaid skirt styles can have the skirt start to flare above knee, at the knee or below knee for different dramatic effects. This style dress looks best on slim figured brides who are short or tall. A word of caution- this style has a tendency to reveal what you are wearing underneath so you must choose your undergarments carefully.

A two-piece style is very comfortable and trendy. This style dress offers a less traditional feel but yet it offers a very chic and stylish look. The two-piece dress should be worn with a bustiere underneath the top of the gown.

All the major designers are showing short wedding dresses in their 2009 collections. Short wedding dresses have always been around but for 2009 they are really making a comeback. Is a short wedding dress for you? Explore the possibilities if you are planning a casual or informal wedding, small house or backyard wedding or outdoors or beach wedding. Maybe you are planning to get married at the justice of the peace, then a short white wedding dress would look great.