Ines Di Santo Wedding Dress

Ladies, there's never been a more exciting time to get married than now!

Wedding dresses are getting revolutionized by style trends that result in fresh, yet extremely wearable pieces. The secret, it seems, is a fast-paced lifestyle incorporated into the wedding plans and details. While there are still ladies of leisure who can organize everything to do with their weddings down to the last grosgrain ribbon and rose petal, the modern bride, more often than not, would opt for a less formal affair to tie the knot. Small wonder brides lugging their laptops into honeymoon suites don't raise eyebrows in these times. Practicality is the key.

With that in mind, designers are now coming up with hot new wedding ensembles for the modern bride. A very popular trend dictates ditching the floor-length hems and opting for shorter skirts. Whether it be something above the knee (bubble skirts are making a serious comeback in this length), a more sedate below-the-knee one, or something that stops at mid-calf, shorter hemlines ensure mobility, and consequently, more opportunities for the blushing bride to kick up her heels and dance. Also, the transition from wedding to reception to honeymoon is guaranteed to be smooth as silk with this practical new style.

Another bold, yet very welcome, venture into bridal design involves adding dramatic colors to a traditional white or off-white wedding dress. Some hot colors being picked out to welcome the coming year are muted gold and silver, and even a hint of shimmery copper. While these look best as accents or overlays atop a more sedate white ensemble, some brides are opting for muted baby pinks, blues, or other pastels for the actual gown color. While it's always “a nice day for a white wedding”, as Billy Idol sang, colorful gowns make for great bridal eye-candy as well. However, for this trend to work, it's best to stick to traditional bridal fabrics, like silk shantung or chiffon, to maintain a semblance of formality.

Now, while a lot of today's brides are donning corsets and strapless bodices to show off their sexy upper bodies, the hot new trend that goes with gowns incorporating these are the cover-ups. Whatever reasons there may be to don one: temperature, formality, conservative family members, or to add panache to your wedding ensemble; cover-ups are in, in, in. Capelets or shrugs trimmed with fur or lace look best for the winter season. Sheer jackets, boleros, cardigans, and shawls are good for summer, fall, or spring. Just make sure your cover-up matches your wedding gown well: fabric, cut, and all.

In spite of the trends that come and go, however, soft, flowing fabrics will always be hot. Tulle, organza, or chiffon guarantee movement and gracefulness, and aren't cumbersome for the bride. Today's runways feature tiered, layered sheer skirts that billow and whisper as the bride moves down the aisle. Very romantic, yet very practical; this style can do away with heavy beading and encrusted designs, and settle for silk ribbons and light lace instead. In other words, it's picture perfect for the graceful, willowy bride who doesn't want to look like a wedding cake on her big day.

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