Dance Chiffon Veil

Bridal Gowns for Exceptionally Stylish Brides to Be

The Western wedding has remained more or less unchanged since 1840. That was the year Queen Victoria married Prince Albert and started a new tradition. The white wedding was more than mere fashion. It came to symbolize a certain kind of marriage, at least for the royals. Heretofore, royal weddings were almost always based on politics. But Queen Victoria married for love. Her wedding set a precedent in the Western world. Marrying for love was a relatively new concept, and people slowly started to embrace it.

Fashion-wise, the white wedding took more than a century to catch on. It wasn't until after the Second World War that romantics on both sides of the Atlantic started staging traditional white weddings. What exactly is a white wedding?

In addition to the white dress, the ceremony is defined by its rituals. There are invitations, flowers, candles and faithful attendants who all must play their parts. As a tradition, the white wedding is still quite popular, though it has declined a bit due to the global economic recession.

Over the past twenty years, wedding costs have skyrocketed. The price of the average ceremony has doubled since 1990. There are many reasons for this. To begin with, the average couple has more money than ever. Because most couples are gainfully employed by the time they get engaged, they can often afford a more elaborate wedding ceremony.

As a result, weddings are big business in America. The industry takes in around sixty billion dollars per annum. That's billion, with a "b!" There are professional wedding planners, photographers, florists, bands and singers. Caterers, chefs, and bakers can make a nice living working for couples that want traditional weddings.

That was until last year, when wedding costs unexpectedly fell for the first time in over a decade. Prices can't rise indefinitely, of course. But a decline of more than ten percent rose more than a few eyebrows. Is the white wedding officially dead? Well, not exactly.

Nearly two million couples get married in America each year. And while most brides wear white, they are far more likely to plan unconventional ceremonies to save money these days. In the wake of the Great Recession, most couples simply cannot afford a traditional white wedding in a church and a fancy reception hall. Many of them are opting for outdoor affairs instead.

One thing most women refuse to compromise on is the dress. They still spend around one thousand dollars on their bridal gowns. But they can save a few hundred dollars when they plan an outdoor ceremony in the summer months.

Material

Many modern brides consider Princess Diana's gown to be the ultimate white wedding dress. The silk taffeta gown with the 25-foot train and the 100 yards of tulle crinoline cost fifteen thousand dollars in 1981. Because they often pay for their own dresses, most modern brides realize that a dress like that is beyond their budget.

The good news is that dresses that are designed for the outdoors are much more affordable than traditional gowns. As you might imagine, when a bride walks down an aisle of grass or sand, there is no need for an elaborate train. In fact, a train would likely be stained or damaged in an outdoor ceremony.

For a casual outdoor affair during the summer months, a bride-to-be should avoid heavier materials like velvet, brocade and certain silks. Duchesse satin, crepe, damask, chiffon and charmeuse are all appropriate for beach or backyard weddings.

Length

Because most formal gowns are floor-length and they don't breathe especially well, most traditional brides are forced to buy a reception gown. A reception gown is a shorter, less elaborate dress that some brides change into after they have smiled for all the formal photos and take a few turns around the dance floor. They generally go for around three to five hundred dollars.

When couples plan an outdoor ceremony, there is really no need for a reception gown. In fact, the average bridal gown is much closer to a reception gown than it is to a formal wedding dress. Not that it is simple or plain. But because of the environment, bridal gowns that are worn outdoors are generally much shorter and they use lighter materials. Instead of full-length numbers, the typical outdoor bridal dress is tea length, which means that it falls to the ankles.

Accessories

Anyone who has ever attended a formal indoor wedding knows that it is full of pomp and pageantry. There are long trains, elaborate veils and spectacular shoes. But when a wedding is held outdoors, there is no need for such accoutrements. After all, brides can't walk in high heels in the sand and wedding veils are a nuisance when the wind is high. Most bridal salons and boutiques sell gowns that were designed for the outdoors.

Consider these important points when it comes time to find that perfect bridal gown for your special day.

About the Author

Megan Burley is a freelance writer who writes about weddings, fashion, and bridal gowns

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