First of all, there is the wedding formality and theme. If your wedding features an original whimsical or unconventional theme you might want your bridesmaids to dress adequate, with a special costume. On the other hand, if your wedding is old-fashion inspired, you have to choose vintage outfits for your girls. The color of the wedding must influence you in selecting the color-scheme for the bridesmaids’ dresses in the same measure. Besides this, you also have the wedding venue and the season to take into consideration when purchasing the dresses.

Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses (Source: weddingsbylilly.com)

Many brides of today decide to offer full freedom for the girls to pick their favorite outfits based on the wedding theme. Traditionally, the bride is in charge of selecting the length and color of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Nowadays she can simply offer the bridesmaids a few general guidelines about what to look for and what to avoid and let them pick their own gowns based on their preferences. This is a risky thing to do, but if you trust your girls’ taste in fashion you can relax and let them enjoy this experience knowing that they will come up with something suitable for your wedding and their personalities.

Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses (Source: weddingsbylilly.com)

One gorgeous and intriguing trend is based on off white bridesmaid dresses. We’ve also noticed that white is not only for the bride but also for the bridesmaids, flower girl and the bride’s mom. There are cases when the bride wants to share this special look with her dearest ones. So she chooses short white dresses for their bridesmaids, in different fabrics and textures. We love the all-white frame the bridesmaids create for the bride! If you think this trend is too much for you, choose something close, like a grey nuance. Grey is whimsy, feminine and very, very chic.

Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses (Source: botanicafloraldesigns.com)

It is one of the hottest trends at this hour for bridesmaids. Soft gray hues are ideal for elegant weddings, but slate grays also make unique choices. For a more vibrant look you can combine grey with bright yellow or purple. Soft gray also looks sensational next to blush pink. Use the bridesmaids’ colors in the bouquets, shoes, sashes and headpieces. Make sure to incorporate a similar color-scheme in the wedding décor.

This style was very popular back in the old days and now it looks like it is all back in trend. The truth is that our modern brides needed something this dainty and chic for their wedding ceremony. The strapless styles are not every bride’s cup of tea. Not all brides dream of wearing a sleeveless gown at their wedding. The contrary, more and more women prefer the models with short and mid-length sleeves. One of the most attractive styles to suit a bride who is not into the strapless look is the off-the-shoulders style. There are many types of ¾ sleeves to select from for a wedding dress.

3/4 Sleeve Wedding Dresses (Source: onlyweddingdresses.com)

The most popular ones are made of lace, illusion, net and tulle. If you like the off the shoulders design you can choose it with a ¾ sleeves model. You will obtain a sensual feminine look for your ceremony. If your wedding will occur in winter you can still wear a strapless gown if you add an extra covering for your shoulders and arms. The best idea in this sense is a bolero with long sleeves. The matching bolero and jacket styles with mid-length sleeves are very hot and trendy, especially among mature brides who want an elegant yet fancily modern look. You can take the bolero off when you’re inside and enjoy your favorite strapless look.

3/4 Sleeve Wedding Dresses (Source: dressessalestore.com)

It’s always advisable for those who are having a cold season wedding to bring a wrap for their arms and shoulders. The ¾ sleeved models are ideal for those who don’t like the long sleeved style. The mid-length style is the perfect compromise between the short and the long styles. We’ve seen many young brides wearing this type of dress looking fabulous!

3/4 Sleeve Wedding Dresses (Source: ebuir.com)

We adore models featured in Rosa Clara, Pronovias and Aire Barcelona collections. After all, deciding upon the length of your sleeves depends on how much skin you are willing to show at your wedding. Wedding dresses with sleeves – of any length always look seriously more elegant and formal. They also look more modest in their own cute way. Take a look at these gorgeous samples!

There are many beautiful things you should know about this style. And if you haven’t got the chance to read anything on this subject so far perhaps now it’s the best time to do it. Even if you’re not choosing this look for your wedding it would be interesting to find out a few important things and fun facts of that period. One great thing to know is that the majority of the fashion and wedding dress styles promoted back in the ‘50s was inspired from the Parisian style. Brides of that time used to wear gorgeous gowns based on the fashion that was coming out of Paris. And we all know that we’re talking about Christian Dior’s influence. In big trend were the hourglass silhouettes.

50's Style Wedding Dresses (Source: small-wedding-venues.com)

The cinched waists were combined with full skirts, creating a unique pair for an irresistible bride. The floor-length designs were also popular, especially those with hoop skirts. These types of outfits were elaborated and the skirts extremely lavish. At the end of the ‘50s period the silhouettes were shaped in sleek satin. This fabric wasn’t very expensive back in those days. The bride also wore skull cap headpieces to complement the dresses. These hairpieces were used for different types of veils. However, among the most popular materials used for ‘50s style wedding dresses were lace and tulle. During the war the production of these fabrics was stopped, but it was all back in trend after the war was over.

50's Style Wedding Dresses (Source: thenot.files.wordpress.com)

These types of textures were considered a sign of wealth and this is why producers of that time started to incorporate lace and tulle in different types of dress styles. As for color, ivory was the most common choice. Any woman can recognize a ‘50s style wedding dress by its length. The tea length designs are the trendiest and the most famous. In the mid of the ‘50s the sassy bride was looking for a middle-way design, something different from the floor length ballgown dress. This is how the tea length designs and ballerina models emerged in the wedding industry.

There are many other inspirational styles by year to consider when making this selection. But these are the most important ones. The amazing look we’re presenting today is based on a 1980s style. Those who want this look for their wedding should invest more time in learning about the trends and tendencies back in those days. The gorgeous gown worn by Lady Diana Spencer at her wedding in 1981 was a big hit and many fashion designers were inspired by that style. Her gown was high-profile, but certain elements of that style can still be used for a 2012 old-fashion inspired dress for a common wedding.

1980's Wedding Dresses (Source: bios.weddingbee.com)

You don’t have to be a member of a royal family to wear a wedding dress inspired by a celebrity’s gown. To make your self an idea on the type of wear that was popular back in the ‘80s it’s enough to analyze Diana’s gown. Many people said that her dress was very romantic and frothy. The big skirt and lace embroidery were very trendy back then and her meringue gown was like the apogee of this type of wear. Diana’s gown influenced the fashion field of that time and even today many designers are interested in that classy outstanding look. One of the most popular types of fabrics used for a wedding dress from 1980 is silk. Diana’s gown was made of taffeta.

1980's Wedding Dresses (Source: ny-image3.etsy.com)

This material is a mix of silk and cotton. You can also choose silk or nylon for your ‘80s themed wedding dress. White is the classic choice, but you can also select a creamy, ivory or even a paler pink shade. The necklaces used in that time were slightly simple and very modest. The bodices were covered with lace and this added more drama to the neckline. The most common necklines were the sweetheart and the V-neck styles. These were rarely deeply scooped. If you want to keep your look original but more appealing, use ruffles instead of a lace overlay for your neckline. Add a few pearls and small bow to add more opulence to your gown. The skirts were big, gathered around the waist and the sleeves were puffed.

The truth is that we all wish to get married once and for good, but the reality is sometimes different. So, even if you are having a second wedding, you should not be disappointed about the misconceptions and rumors that wonder around this subject. The second time bride is free to choose whatever type of dress she wishes, according to the wedding style and her personality. There are many debates on what is and what isn’t acceptable for a bride to wear at her second wedding. If you happen to be one of those women who want to plan her wedding by the book and honor all traditions assigned to a second marriage, follow these etiquettes.

2nd Marriage Wedding Dresses (Source: mychicbridedress.com)

The number one says that you should not wear a white gown. Everybody knows that Queen Victoria was the first woman to wear a white dress in history and establish this trend for the years to come. The white color is so sophisticated and impractical that it can’t be worn in any type of circumstance or occasion. So the white wedding dress became the symbol of purity, wealth and innocence. This is why they say that a woman who’s getting married again is not allowed to wear white but any other color she likes. This is not necessarily bad news, giving the fact that you get the chance to obtain a more personal and eye-catchy look.

2nd Marriage Wedding Dresses (Source: blog.stillthelovely.com)

Nevertheless, you should also know that the white wedding dress is now considered a symbol of happiness and not necessarily of chastity. Champagne, ivory or even silver and gray can make great accents to a second time white wedding dress. Try to assort your gown with the wedding theme. Wedding suits are great alternatives for encore brides. Another second wedding etiquette is about the veil. Encore brides are not supposed to wear a long veil on their face. Wear it back or opt for a shorter style to have everyone happy with your look. A simple hat or headpiece can make other beautiful matching options for a second time bride.

We know many brides of today adore the antique look but they would like it to be easier to adjust to their modern wedding. However, there are also many brides who prefer the old-fashion look and so they would like to wear an original medieval dress at their historical themed wedding. We have to admit that royalty and noble brides often offer a lot of inspiration for those who want a luxurious bridal look for their wedding. There are two types of medieval wedding gown to choose from: the luxurious one and the peasant attire style. If you’re having a simpler wedding you can just opt for a modest design. It doesn’t have to feature long evasive sleeves if you don’t like this style.

Medieval Wedding Dresses (Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com)

No matter what style you choose, in the end you will definitely be a beautiful medieval bride. These types of garments are very romantic and ideal for outdoors ceremonies. As we said before, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re having a full medieval wedding or just a medieval accented celebration. It’s advisable to wear a medieval-themed wedding dress. The old eras still make a rich source of information and inspiration for our fashion designers. You can find gorgeous costumes and gown silhouettes inspired by the Medieval and Celtic styles in our modern designers’ collections. The outfits that were popular during the medieval times often dictated the bride’s attire. The typical style was not elaborated at all. The contrary, a common bride’s dress was rather simple and very modest.

Medieval Wedding Dresses (Source: weddingdressesinfo.com)

Those from noble families used to wear a more extravagant costume. If you too want a rich look, invest more in the color and fabric of your gown. For instance, red was considered one of the most powerful colors and when used in velvet gowns it was a sign of wealth. Green, purple and navy are other bold colors fit for a royal medieval wedding dress. If you are not the biggest fan of strapless designs you will surely like the idea of wearing a medieval gown because they usually feature long sleeves. The corset style was also very popular, especially at the end of the medieval era.

There are no standards or criteria to classify a wedding dress by, but you can always give your sincere opinion whether you like the dress the bride is wearing or not. The subject we thought it would be interesting for today’s article is based on black wedding dresses. This type of wear is not the most popular and definitely not the most traditional or well-accepted by all brides. There is a rich history behind the black wedding dress that we would like to share with you today. Contrary to what many might think, black wedding dresses are not necessarily a trend but a historical type of wear that seems to be back in vogue.

Pictures Of Black Wedding Dresses (Source: 9lover.com)

Only today the black wedding gown is interpreted as an offbeat attire selection for the unconventional bride. Colored wedding dresses were very common during the 1800s. The brides of that time used to wear everyday colors at their wedding, like pink, blue, green, burgundy and even dark nuances like brown or black. In many cases, the bride used to dress up in the best gown she had at home, regardless of the color, design, fabric or texture. It is obvious that black was among those colors. So it wasn’t inappropriate to dress in black at a wedding.

Pictures Of Black Wedding Dresses (Source: bayliy.com)

Besides this, this color held a special meaning. Everybody knew for example that the bride who wore a black wedding dress was marrying a widower. This makes a lot of sense and it was a formal thing to do and a beautiful tradition to honor. But there are many other aspects to talk about when it comes to black wedding dresses. This type of wear was very popular in the 1800s, as we said before, when the bride could wear her wedding gown on many other occasions.

Pictures Of Black Wedding Dresses (Source: weddinginspirasi.com)

The black color was very functional, giving the fact that it was easier to keep the dress looking clean. Nowadays, many brides have troubles with their white gown especially at the bottom where it can get visible dirty. There were also superstitions regarding the black wedding dress wear. Some thought that a black wedding gown was nothing but bad luck to the bride. Even after the trend with white wedding dresses became popular many brides still wore black.

 The blue water and sky, the green grass and trees, the crashing waves and the sparkling sand are natural elements that create the most beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony. Beach weddings are typically casual and more comfortable than traditional church ceremonies. This is why so many commodious modern couples decide to go for a casual location. Seaside nuptials are also ideal for brides who want to wear something more simplistic and fluid. The beach attire is an important aspect to plan by both the bride and her female wedding guests.

Beach Dresses For A Wedding (Source: styles-guide.com)

Giving the fact that the venue is more pretentious, you need to dress up more specifically. This means that you might be asked to drop your shoes and enjoy a free sand-riding at your friend’s wedding! The bride has many options when it comes to beach wedding dresses. Anything simple and clean can suit. The fabric must be chosen with more care and attention. It has to be a lightweight fiber that can be worn without difficulties on a hot summer time day. The color should also be light. White, cream, ivory, champagne and gray make unique inspired choices for a bride’s beach wedding gown.

Beach Dresses For A Wedding (Source: wedding-pictures-01.onewed.com)

The design can be more or less revealing, depending on the bride’s personal preferences. One-shoulder strap models are sexy and feminine and they can suit any type of bride – young or older, slim or more corpulent, classic or modern. The deep V-neck cut is another good option for a beach wedding outfit. As for the bridesmaids, anything colorful and fun can suit.

Beach Dresses For A Wedding (Source: zaradress.com)

Choose short dresses for your girls and allow them to move and dance freely without worrying about the fact that the hemlines might be damaged by the sand. When there is sand, water and perhaps green grass involved in the ceremony it would be wiser for the bride to opt for a shorter dress too. You can bring a shawl or a matching bolero for your wedding dress. Pick similar coverings for your bridesmaids to make sure they will feel comfortable during the evening when the breeze is more intense. This is the case for those who choose strapless gowns.

If we are to discuss about the ‘80s wedding dress style we can say that it was voluminous and ample. Everything from the veil to train is sophisticated and intricate. Large & ornate is the best definition for a 80s wedding gown. To help you make yourself a more appropriate image of this style, we ask you remember the dress worn by Princess Diana. Her gown inspired by British designers of that time. Her style had a large influence on the dresses worn by ‘80s brides.

80s Style Wedding Dresses (Source: my-weddingdream.com)

Many women chose the same design for their wedding. If you want to make a fashion statement at your wedding and look like a real princess, you too can adopt a similar style. Diana’s wedding dress followed a meringue style. The specific of this style is based on a puffy skirt. The fabrics you can use to create this beautiful large effect are crinoline and taffeta. The ample sleeves are also characteristic to the meringue gown style. The puffy sleeves complement the puffy skirt and train and balance the overall silhouette.  But let’s see what other options are there for you to try.

80s Style Wedding Dresses (Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com)

The high-neck style is also ideal for those who want to wear an early 1980s dress at their wedding. You can get inspired by the gorgeous wedding dresses with high lace necklines worn during the Victorian times. The models with sheer necklines were also popular back in the old days and now they are trendy again. If you want something more romantic, you can opt for a model with buttons at the neck and a sheer bodice. These designs are relatively simple and modest but extremely attractive and elegant. By the mid ‘80s, brides used to wear beaded dresses at affordable prices. The hand-sewn beading was very popular back then.

80s Style Wedding Dresses (Source: manolobrides.com)

The neckline, the bodice, the sleeves and the train were all adorned with sparkling pearl beads. The last model we propose to those who want a 1980s wedding is the unstructured style. This design was largely based on cotton and simpler silhouette. You can follow this style and still use lace. The unstructured gown is less voluminous and very simple compared to the meringue styles.

Girls dream of wearing a ballgown dress at their wedding to look like a real princess when they are little. Many of them still want that fairy-tale look when they are big. It’s a fact that girls love dressing up like princesses. And what better day to achieve that look than the big day! There are many variations of this style. And the most popular one is the dramatic style. But it’s not obligatory to go for the lavish look if you’re not into voluminous dresses. The same A-line is followed for all princess style gowns. But it depends on the exact model you’re choosing.

Princess Wedding Dresses (Source: superbweddingdress.com)

The waist can be natural or even empire – fit for a Victorian wedding. If you prefer something more original, choose a dropped waist princes gown and obtain an amazing old-style look. The skirt can be full or simpler and straight, falling naturally down your body. It can feature ruffles, frills, feathers or a romantic and classy pick-up style. It depends on your vision. The hemline can end up at the base of your feet or it can come with a long train. If you’re having a cathedral ceremony, you can choose a ball gown style with a cathedral length train.

Princess Wedding Dresses (Source: weddingdressespricesale.com)

There are many beautiful A-line dresses with less dramatic designs. And this is because the skirt is not as full as in other cases. Some lavish models look like real royal-dresses! Those of you who love the regal style can select something similar to what Kate Middleton wore at her wedding. One of the many reasons for why this type of dress is so popular is because it is very figure-flattering. Any woman can select this style and look beautiful at their wedding. Even those who are more corpulent can select this type of look and obtain a more slender appearance.

Princess Wedding Dresses (Source: weddingdressebay.com)

The A-line silhouette conceals large hips and brides who have a lower body. There are many other flaws that this type of gown camouflages when worn properly. On the other hand, it can enhance the beauty of your waist line and provide you with a perfect hourglass look. Check out these photos to select your favorite style!