What Dress Should You Wear to Say “Yes”
As big and exciting a moment as your wedding can be, it can also be nerve-wracking as the spotlight will be on you, entirely. As much as you might like to choose your wedding look based on your preferences alone, anyone who has watched even one episode of “Say YES to the Dress” knows a lot of thought (and a lot of drama) can happen before you land on just the right look for the occasion.
But what, exactly, is the right look?
Now, yes, it’s been a minute for me. I am closing in on 29 years. In 1994, the right look was “princess’.
I said yes as princess
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It is my Universe, after all.
Now ignoring the pure fear in my groom’s eyes - it’s okay, we’re still together - the dress was a winner. For me. at 23. In 1994. Even I wouldn’t choose that dress now, even though I adored it then. So let’s talk dresses and how to narrow the search so you don’t end up exhausting yourself saying “no”.
Keep an eye out
Let me start by saying, you don’t have to be “in style”. You be you , girl! But , let’s be honest, most of us are influenced by the styles of the moment. I ran out and bought every Bridal magazine and subscribe to them for the year. Remember 1994 - Now just take a look at the many photo collages of brides from recent weddings. Wedding dress inspiration pages are always updating, so set up a Pinterest board specific to dresses and start pinning. You can make it a shared one with your best friends (and maybe your mom???) so they can add when they see a great one. Another option is to make the board private if you want to ensure that your big moment is exactly that — a huge surprise. Either way, the board, is a place to see what looks are speaking to you and gives you a great place to start when you walk through those doors.
It’s More Than the Dress
It’s not just the dress itself that you have to make a decision on, of course. Accessorizing plays a huge role in your look. Whether you go classic like my mother’s borrowed pearls or sophisticated with a modern pendant, your jewelry will define your bridal personality. Take a look at some of the bridal jewelry trends currently in vogue for some ideas. For instance, right now, things, like stacked wedding bands and diamond pendant necklaces, have been making appearances lately. Remember, you don’t have to be a stickler to the trends and adhere to them religiously, but it can be a great place to get some ideas. One choice stays with you for life and that is the ring. Really consider it as something that you will love as styles change.
Keep the season in mind
When are you getting married? Not only do you want to make sure that you’re able to match it aesthetically, as a summer wedding can look a lot different from a winter wedding, but you want to make sure that you’re dressed practically for the weather, as well. Fabric choices will vary for temperature, breathable fabrics in summer and warmer in the winter. There are also different personalities to seasons which often influence fabric choices, as well. Richer, warmer colors in fall and winter, pastels and other lighter shades in spring and summer.
Include the Space
Take inspiration from your venue, as well. For instance, a wedding in the countryside might see you trying out a more rustic and simple flair, creating a more homespun look, while people tend to go for all of the traditional glitz for a big church wedding. I had min at a country club. So we were pretty jazzed up.
Please stand by while I take this moment to share this photo of a lot of loved ones (many are gone - a great reminder to do up a wedding however makes you happy and take a lot of pictures!)
My Yes Dress
But the point is, match the aesthetic of the venue, and choose the look that’s makes you feel you fit perfectly. After all, you’re choosing both venue and dress, so it should be easy to make them match. For example, here we are when we did it again for year 20 in Vegas…
My Vegas Wedding Look
In the end, there is no ‘correct’ look for a given wedding. The above can help you choose, but in the end choose what make you feel beautiful and don’t forget to shine brightly!
