Popular wedding dress styles

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

There are hundreds of wedding styles -- the perfect one for you is out there

There are hundreds of wedding styles — the perfect one for you is out there

Congratulations! You’re getting married! What a wonderful, exciting time in your life!

Now that you’ve said “yes”, there are a thousand things to decide. From where to hold the ceremony to finding the perfect wedding reception decorations, the time from the first day of your engagement to the final toss of the bouquet will be a whirlwind of choices.

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is about your wedding dress. There are so many wedding dress styles to choose from ? where do you start? Should it be today’s most popular wedding dress styles or something more traditional? Here are some suggestions that will help narrow down the search for the perfect wedding gown.

Consider the season

Planning a summer wedding in December or a winter one in June can make it harder to chose the right gown. It’s hard to imagine being comfortable in a simple, strapless gown when there’s snow on the ground. Or to slip into a long-sleeved, fur trimmed gown when the mercury has just passed 90 degrees. But that’s exactly what you need to do when you’re looking at wedding dress styles. Think about the temperatures and the weather hazards (ice, snow, rainy season.)

Popular seasonal wedding dresses this year include airy, feminine Edwardian-inspired gowns for summer, and lush satin and fur gown and overdress combinations for winter nuptials.

Look at a holiday calendar

Also consider any holidays that occur near your wedding date. You may wish to incorporate holidays colors and styles into your wedding ? or you may wish to avoid anything that confuses your wedding with the holiday. One of the popular choices is to give a nod to the season ? perhaps a red ribbon for Christmas or Valentine’s Day, rather than creating an entirely holiday themed wedding.

Learn about religious restrictions

In many religious settings, there are rules about dress style, sleeve length, neckline and trains. For instance, if you’re getting married in an LDS Temple, a dress that does not cover garments would not be acceptable, even for the reception. Many religious officiants require standards be observed even if the wedding occurs in a neutral location like a hotel or park. In other cases, extra sleeves or cover-ups may be available for the ceremony and removed for the reception that follows.

No matter what restrictions may exist, it’s still possible to find a lovely dress in one of today’s popular styles that will meet your religious requirements. Just be sure you know the rules before you begin selecting gowns.

Formal or informal

While there are no hard and fast rules, it’s generally accepted that a formal gown with a long train is more appropriate for a very formal wedding than for a casual backyard event. Look at the traditions and the norms and see if they work for you. If you’re unsure, try to imagine yourself in a variety of gowns in your chosen setting. Which would be most comfortable for the space and time? Then make your own choices. It’s your day to be a princess with your prince, so choose look for wedding dress styles that will make that dream all it can be.

Take your time

Look through bridal stores and catalogs to find the gowns that seem “just right” for your fairy tale day. Take your time. Avoid ordering the very first gown you try on, no matter how tempting it may seem. Give yourself time to see past that first rush of excitement of seeing yourself in a gown, and think about what will look best on your big day.

Your wedding day should be a memory that lasts a lifetime. Make sure your gown is a perfect part of that memory.