Dangling Modifiers
Hanging earrings make a perfect finishing touch. Photographs by Carlos Alejandro
White gold and diamonds by Barry Kronen, $5,340 at A.R. Morris Jewelers, Wilmington and Greenville
Yellow gold and white diamonds, $2,400 at Elegant Slumming, Rehoboth Beach
Forever diamond drop earrings, $8,550 at Carl Doubét Jr., Greenville
Pavé diamond hoops, $9,250 at Carl Doubét Jr., Greenville
Aquamarine beads with white gold and diamonds, $1,425 at Elegant Slumming, Rehoboth Beach.
Page 2: The Color of Now
The Color of Now
Spring and summer broadens the palette for bridesmaids’ dresses. Winter colors such as black and chocolate brown are still acceptable, but brides can lean toward the lighter side.
“Pink is always a strong color for us,” says Jennifer Hewes of Jennifer’s, a bridal shop in Hockessin. “There are so many different shades of pink available right now.”
Janet Lawrence of Simon’s Bridal Shoppe in Dover is seeing increased interest in turquoise, Tiffany blue and a color called “pool,” an aqua-like shade lighter than turquoise. Cathy Sawdon, owner of the Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe in Newark, says robin’s egg blue and sea foam dominate the Alfred Angelo line.
Lavender and lilac are favorite spring colors, and some lines this spring feature yellows. Champagne and taupe continue into spring, and not just for bridesmaids. Brides are also ordering linens in these airy colors.
If you go dark, brighten things up with light accents. One of Hewes’ brides chose navy bridesmaids’ dresses with fuchsia trim. One of Sawdon’s selected brown dresses with pink trim.
Though Lawrence’s brides still favor long dresses, tea-length gowns are gaining popularity. The shorter length has long been a trend at Jennifer’s. So is offering bridesmaids a choice. Lines such as Siri feature the same dress with varying necklines and sleeve lengths.
Many dresses come in different fabrics and colors for the ultimate in versatility. Or, Hewes says, choose dresses in different shades of the same color to create a striking gradient look in photos. When it comes to creating a pretty tableau, it always pays to grasp the big picture. —Pam George
Page 3: When White’s Not Right | Want to reflect your personality? Wear something different.
When White’s Not Right
Want to reflect your personality? Wear something different.
Who says your gown has to be white? Color is trendy.
“I’ve seen gowns in blue, peach and pink,” says wedding photographer Laura Novak of Wilmington, who wore pale pink, inspired by a T-shirt her husband loved on her, to her own wedding last year.
“Everyone complimented my color choice, and I’m really happy with my decision,” she says. “What I did was out of the box, because I’m at weddings every weekend, so it was easier for me to feel like I didn’t have to be traditional.”
Donna Baker of Wilmington loved her friend’s brown wedding dress. “The dress was her,” Baker says. “The girls wore pink, and she wore brown.”
Hope Mitchell and Julie Ferris of Candlelight Bridal & Formal in Millsboro have seen brides choose gowns in every color—including black. Some trim a white or ivory gown with color, Mitchell says.
Sandi Patterson, owner of Clothes in the Past Lane in Newark, sold a maroon Victorian wedding gown last year. “I think a lot of people look for vintage gowns that are perhaps more unique,” Patterson says. “Also, people who get married outside, especially at the beach, will tend to wear something flowery, like Hawaiian vintage.”
Valerie Bergeron of Newark chose a red dress for her second wedding. “I had one wedding with the white velvet dress, maid of honor and best man accoutrements,” says Bergeron. “Twenty-three years and three kids later, it was a really different situation. My husband and I included what we thought was important, which was having our children, siblings and parents support our marriage.” — Katie Ginder-Vogel
Page 4: Unveiled | Even if you don’t love the princess look, there’s a style of veil for you.
Unveiled
Even if you don’t love the princess look, there’s a style of veil for you.
When choosing a veil, brides tend to stick to one basic rule: match the gown.
“It’s important to look for a veil when you choose the dress because you want it to complement the dress,” says Catherine Sawdon of Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe in Newark. “The veil and headpiece is the crowning glory that completes the look.”
Tammy Robinson of The Wedding Boutique in Dover says, “A lot of brides like to have detail—pearls and rhinestones—and they want two separate pieces so they can take the veil off and wear the tiara at the reception.”
Sawdon sees the most popular veils as fingertip length with beaded edging. “Most veils are on a comb for different placement on the head and are worn off the back, with a tiara on the front,” says Sawdon. Headbands are also popular replacements for tiaras. “And girls getting married on the beach like the very simple veil that’s flowing without any beading at all.”
“Women who don’t want the traditional wedding, who are more destination-oriented and want to put their feet in the sand or who are older or marrying for the second time often choose to accent their hair differently,” says Tara Lewis of Tiara’s Bridal Boutique in Lewes. “They may wear a Swarovski crystal comb, flowers made of crystals, tulle and fabric, or hair pins of many sizes and shapes.”
Yet , most young brides still prefer veils, Lewis says. Tastes vary, but traditions stay strong. —Susan Oates
