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Who: Modern, Creative, Sexy Retro/Vintage, Old Hollywood and/or Unconventional brides
What: Hourglass, Triangle, Inverted Triangle
Age- mid age (30-50)
If you have these body parts skip it- No Waist, Very Large Tummy,
If you have these body parts embrace it- Curves
Where: Semi-Formal to Formal
When: Morning-Evening
How: Beach, Resort, Boat, Ballroom, Loft, Museum, Creative Venue
Why: There are many reasons why I love this dress. First, you know, The Wedding Gown Guru always goes gaga for a birdcage veil because that is what I wore when I married Mr. Wedding Gown Guru. Second, I like this dress because it is a kissing cousin of my own wedding gown. So, I admit, I’m bias towards this gown, and overall wedding look, for obvious reasons.
My own preferences aside, however, I like this gown because it is simple, yet not boring. Due to this simplicity, it becomes more of a “blank canvas” on which to do whatever you want. For example, the photo was styled with a birdcage veil, however, you can do anything you want. If you prefer a long simple veil or a skipping the veil altogether, you can. Jewelry is entirely up to you as well. When I wore a similar look, I skipped the necklace, wore vintage citrine earrings and bracelet.
Lastly, I like this dress because it is flattering for curvy women. The fit and flare style of the gown, counterbalances a woman’s curves, the lack of a waist seam and sweetheart neckline can minimize the size of a large chest, and the subtle ruching or gathing can camouflage a slight tummy nicely. I also like that the dress is simple enough for a morning wedding, yet, can be worn at night as well.
By the way, if you’re wondering where I got my birdcage veil, Unveiled Bridal Designs makes the BEST birdcage veils that I’ve ever seen!!! She’s super quick and affordable, too!!
Price: Fabu
Who: Girly, Vintage, Romantic, Unconventional Brides
What: Slim hourglass, Rectangle, Triangle
Age- Young-Mid (25-35)
If you have these body parts skip it- Large Chest, Large Arms
If you have these body parts embrace it- Small chest, Slim arms, slight (very slight) tummy
Where: Semi-formal to Formal
When: Morning-Evening
How: A Creative Venue, a Vintage Inspired Wedding, Ballroom, an Old Mansion, Garden
Why: Here is an example of another dress that photographs well but would probably look good on 10% of the world’s population. I like this dress, I think it is interesting, yet can’t help but wonder if, when she pulls back her gown, there will be a Punch & Judy puppet show going on under her skirt. What is it with all those ruffles? And, why are they so front and center like that?
The biggest problem I have with this dress is the fact that the ruffles can accentuate the parts of the body that most women want to slim, their hips, thighs and tummy. Sure, you would think that a multitude of sins could get lost beneath all the layer of chiffon goodness. Yet, think again…bulk added to bulk just creates more, well, bulk. This dress is suited for the average sized bride who can stand to cover up her minimally large bottom half, not the bride who never found a buffet that she didn’t like. It’s not for the teeny tiny petite bride, either. Why? Well, unless you want to play the game, “Find the Bride Beneath the Layers of Fabric,” this dress will be all too consuming for little brides.
Price: The dollar signs match the ruffles
Who: Romantic, Unconventional and/or Diva type bride
What: Hourglass, Inverted Triangle
Age- young to mid (20’s-40)
If you have these body parts skip it- Large Arms, Tummy
If you have these body parts embrace it- Small chest, Slim arms, curves
Where: Formal
When: Evening
How: This dress doesn’t fool around. Your wedding better be as grand as this gown is.
Why: When I was looking for my wedding gown, I tried on Pnina Tornai gowns (exclusive to Kleinfeld) and LOVED the way they fit. I’ve got curves and Pnina loves to dress them. Her gowns are made for women, which seems like an obvious statement, however, if you’ve ever tried on a wedding gown you’d know that not every gown designer is interested in working with the curves many ladies naturally have.
Let’s talk about this particular dress, though…this visual explosion of expensive silk satin, embellishment and drape. Pnina could heed the advice that more is always more. Another “Kitchen Sink” gown, perhaps? The model looks burdened with fabric. Can you imagine having to lug that dress around all day?
With most of the activity going on near the hem of the gown, this dress will also make you look bottom heavy and short. So if you are really triangularly shaped, or just plain petite, move on.
Price: More is also more on price!
Who: Traditional, Classic bride
What: Hourglass, Triangle shaped bride
Age- Any Age
If you have these body parts skip it- Very large arms
If you have these body parts embrace it- Large Chest. The slight dip in the bodice is a great strapless option for large chested gals
Where: Somewhat formal, formal
When: Afternoon to evening
How: Banquet Hall, Church Wedding, A very classic A-typical multi-purpose wedding gown.
Why: If you took this bride out of the obscure setting (is she getting married in a sewer system?), and placed her in your classic ‘run-o-the-mill’ wedding setting, this dress would be considered pretty typical. It’s not breaking new ground, nor is it offensive. It’s just a wedding gown.
I would not suggest this for the bride who wants her dress to be ultra-memorable or who considers herself a risk taker in any way. It’s a safe, classic wedding dress, ‘nuff said.
Price: price matches the excitement
Who: Modern, Romantic, Creative, Unconventional bride
What: Hourglass, Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle shaped brides.
Age- young to mid-age (20’s-50)
If you have these body parts skip it- Tummy, Extremely large chest
If you have these body parts embrace it- skinny arms, small chest, great legs, broad shoulders
Where: Somewhat Casual, Somewhat Formal, garden, ocean, intimate evening affair, urban loft setting,
When: Day to Evening (as long as it isn’t a very large formal evening wedding)
Why: There’s something fresh and modern about this dress in a modern-city girl kind of way. Great dress paired with a small birdcage veil (the Wedding Gown Guru’s personal favorite, btw.)
A few words of caution to those of you who are want to feel liberated by trains and yards of tulle: This dress isn’t for everyone or every occasion. Consider this dress if you are having a more intimate affair (morning to evening, time doesn’t matter.) What does is size…yes ladies, in this case, size does matter. A very large formal wedding isn’t the appropriate type of wedding for a dress like this. But a glitzy smaller evening wedding, a small affair on a bluff during sunset or a morning wedding in a garden…fabulous!
Price: Cha-ching
Who: Modern, Creative, Sexy and/or Unconventional brides
What: Slim hourglass, Rectangle, Inverted Triangle, Triangle
Age- mid age-mature (30-60)
If you have these body parts skip it- Large Arms
If you have these body parts embrace it- Small Chest, Slim Arms, Great Legs
Where: Casual to Semi Casual
When: Morning-Evening
How: Beach, Backyard, Intimate Morning Wedding, Resort, Restaurant, Boat, Elopement, Vegas, Destination, Second Wedding, City Hall
Why: This dress is so pretty, and a lovely palette cleanser from all the layers of tulle, satin and taffeta often seen in bridal. It’s simple, not boring, subtle yet not expected. This dress is great for the gal who just wants to surround herself with immediate family and ‘besties’ (or maybe just her husband) when she says “I do.”
This dress is also an idea for the bride who plans on having several outfit changes throughout her wedding day, a recent wedding gown trend that has me scratching my head. But, don’t let my disagreement with the trend stop you. If you want to be Cher on your wedding day, well, then so be it.
With a neckline like this, skip the necklace, it will just get in the way of the asymmetric neckline angle. Instead, gorgeous earrings, a beautiful bracelet and you’re good to go. This dress also should not be worn with a veil. A simple flower in your hair, hairpins or, maybe, the hint of a tiny birdcage veil, and that’s it.
Price: Very Affordable
Who: Modern and/or Unconventional brides
What: Slim hourglass, Rectangle, or Inverted Triangle shaped
Age- mid age (30-50)
If you have these body parts skip it- Large Chest, tummy Large Hips, Thighs and/or butt
If you have these body parts embrace it- Small chest, Slim arms, narrow hips and thighs
Where: Casual to Semi Casual
When: Morning-Evening
How: Beach, Backyard, Garden, Intimate Morning, Resort, Elopement, Destination
Why: This dress is so pretty that I’d be willing to overcome my fear of tube tops just to wear it. However, the Wedding Gown Guru has a large chest (hence my fear of tube tops) making this dress an unwearable number for me. It’s also an unwearable dress because if I could trade body parts with God, I’d ask him for smaller thighs and hips. Yes, you buxom brides out there, this dress isn’t for you.
It’s not just the silhouette that makes it unwearable for the engaged ‘vavavooms’, it’s the fabric. The fabric is far to drape-y and float-y to contain a curvier body shape.
The style of this dress is so clean and fresh. Don’t clutter it up with tons of accessories, a big veil or overdone hair. A simple veil, if you must wear one, flower or hairpins in your hair, understated jewelry and a simple hairstyle will suffice.
Price: Reasonable
Who: Romantic, Girly, Unconventional, Creative,
What: Rectangular, or very slim hourglass shaped bride
Age- young to mid (20’s-40)
If you have these body parts skip it- Large Arms, Large Chest, Large hips and thighs, large butt, Tummy
If you have these body parts embrace it- Small chest, Slim arms, narrow hips and thighs
Where: Somewhat formal, Formal
When: Morning to Evening
How: A garden wedding, Country Club setting, intimate environment
Why: I wonder if I like this dress because I am being fooled by how it is presented. If the model wasn’t 5’11” 89lbs. and not doing that ‘hunchback, broken arm’ pose would it be so cool? Doubtful. Put this on the wrong bride and you’ve got a case of Bo Peep looking for her sheep.
A few words of caution if this dress appeals to you in any way: If you have any voluptuous curve to speak of, this dress isn’t for you. The belt and high neck will make your boobs look like Dolly Parton’s chest was your ‘something borrowed’ and the flutey sleeves will just enhance a more ample arm. The trumpet skirt style, while normally good for curvy figures, is not good in this case because the fabric is too unsubstantial and, with the rest of the dress’s shape, will just make your hips and thighs look really, really, really round.
Next, if this dress winds up being the dress you wear, consider more modern accents, like a more modern hairstyle or a more modern veil. Reason? Well, with such a romantic, victorian look, more modern accents balance it out and make you look less like Ann of Green Gables.
Price: Good lace is expensive lace
Who: Modern, Unconventional, Creative or Diva bride
What: Inverted Triangle, Rectangular shaped brides.
Age- young to mid-age (20’s-35)
If you have these body parts skip it- very curvy figure, large chest, heavy legs
If you have these body parts embrace it- skinny arms, long slim legs, small chest, slight tummy, broad shoulders
Where: Casual, Somewhat Casual
When: Intimate Day, Afternoon or Evening
How: Eloping, Island Destination Wedding, Beach, Backyard, Cool Urban loft feel, Art Gallery, Museum
Why: These are the types of dresses that I always wonder about. Does anyone really wears them? If so, who is she and where is she getting married?
I can’t say I am vehemently opposed to the dress. In fact, if you grabbed a pair of scissors, and did this dress a favor by snipping off the bow, it’d actually be a cute dress, for the right bride and the right situation.
One thing is for certain, however, this dress is for an extremely specific body shape. Unless you are built like a gazelle, or look like Giselle, leave the dress at the store.
Price: Not bad for Amsale
Who: For the Romantic, Unconventional or Girly bride
What: Hourglass, Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangular shaped brides.
Age- young to mid-age (20’s-40). This style on a bride over 40 has ‘Glinda the Good Witch’ written all over it.
***If you have these body parts skip it- Large Arms, Tummy, Extremely large chest
Where: Very Formal
When: Evening!!!!!
Why: This gown is what I refer to as a “Kitchen Sink” wedding gown because it has everything on it except for the kitchen sink. Embroidery, ruffles, beading and more, oh my! While I wish the designer had done a little bit more editing, I try to remember that just like every shoe has a foot, every gown has a bride. Who is she exactly? I don’t know.
However, upon gazing at this dress longer than I should have been, just like every gown has a bride, ever gown also has a venue and if you were to plop this bride in a big, elaborate, blinged out venue, this dress would sorta just blend in…while also being seen from space.
Price $$$$
