Wedding Gallery

In the past year, we saw wedding gowns that went the overly romantic route with vintage accents like bows, lace, generous beading, and tiered ruffles galore like wedding cakes. For instance, the last wedding I attended for December 2007 had the bride walking around in a strapless duchesse satin number, but with a full meringue-like skirt over a hoop petticoat. It was cute and photogenic, but she had a hard time sitting still throughout the wedding proper. Plus, her gown was too heavy for her to dance the night away with her new groom.

Take heart, 2008 brides. Bridal fashion mavens are predicting a more sensuous silhouette with either a cinched waist or draped hips in the coming year. The last quarter's craze over obi sashes will still be evident with the aforementioned trend, but with more sedate metallic colors like silver, pale gold; and bolder, brighter colors for the more daring, to complement the wedding motif. Skirts will be either full in manner of Marilyn Monroe's famous up-skirt moments, or diaphanous to the point of cruelty. Lace overlays are still favored to add a formal touch to an otherwise more fun, more casual feel to wedding dresses, but the coming year's bridal statement is all about flowing fabrics, not stiff ones.

Speaking of casual, the trend is also moving toward ankle-length dresses in favor of floor-length ball gown affairs. As mentioned, the modern bride likes to dance and mingle with her guests instead of just sit on a chair with her groom and be a queen-like spectator to her own wedding. Romance and risqué are fashion factors to consider, with strapless bodices, asymmetrical necklines, and bustiers taking precedence over high-necked ones. Again, for a formal touch, cover-up garments are a must especially for morning nuptials. Capelets trimmed with fur or lace are dramatic and chic, but beaded boleros, sheer shawls, and fur shrugs still make the grade for the fashion-conscious bride who doesn't want to bare her shoulders too much.

Those who don't want to do away with sleeves altogether can have several options. One is the more innocent, picturesque puffed sleeves. Done daintily in sheer tulle or chiffon instead of encrusted with piles of beading and whatnot, it can add an unexpected panache to a Grecian-style gown with a below-the-bust waistline. Dropped sleeves are also gorgeous for this particular style, as well as extended sleeves to flatter broad shoulders. Those with "stronger" arms can opt for bell sleeves that will emphasize their wrists rather than their biceps. At hotbridesonline.com, the latest trends in wedding gowns can be found.

However, 2008's freshest, boldest bridal fashion trend has everything to do with (le gasp!) opting for colors other than virginal white. Pale golds, mauves, blues, pinks, and even silvery greys won't raise eyebrows when the brides wearing them walk down the aisle, but will earn nods if properly done. Now, if you're not daring enough, you can choose to accentuate your white or off-white gown with your favorite color. A sash, belt, ribbon, or obi can complement a simply (but superbly) cut gown, as long as the fabrics and patterns don't clash horribly with each other. Oversized bows and flower accents are also in, and these provide the perfect venue for brides to personalize their wedding attires with colors that add character. The secret is not to go overboard, but to make sure the colors are well-placed and done in good taste. For the more daring brides, they may want to visit redhotbrides.com to see what some bold and courageous woman are sporting these days.