A wedding dress suggests a mood, a beautiful reflection of the bride’s personality and the way she wants to feel on her special day. Maybe it’s a chic wedding jumpsuit or a prairie-influenced bridal gown. More often, it’s a romantic and feminine style that’s everlasting and stunning, sometimes with a fresh update or two.
Today’s brides wear gowns that are delicate and dreamy, almost ethereal-looking at times. Airy ruffles and exquisite lace soft as a whisper. Intricate embroidery and 3-D floral appliques … undeniably beautiful both up close and from a distance. Soft draping and subtle crystals that catch the light for a slight shimmer. And, yes, even goddess inspirations. Why walk down the aisle when you can float?
Lillian West gown with illusion neckline, flutter sleeves and V-back. From Bella Rose Bridal, 3224 S Broadway, Edmond.
The words feminine and romantic don’t go far enough in describing current gown styles. They’re classic elegance. Dramatic without being edgy. Timeless and sophisticated. Always beautiful, sometimes minimalistic. Never boring. Pull out the wedding pictures in 25 years and there’ll be no, “What was I thinking?”
Wedding dresses have seen many changes over the centuries, from dark and bold colors in medieval times to Queen Victoria’s enduring endorsement of white on her wedding day in 1840. Fast forward to the 1950s, when actress Elizabeth Taylor wore what is considered the first sweetheart neckline in the movie “Father of the Bride.” Women begged for the design. Sleeveless gowns became acceptable in the ’60s. So did white pantsuits.
Willowby by Watters crepe and floral embroidery gown with lace inset and lace cap sleeves. Erica Koesler headband. From Bella Rose Bridal, 3224 S Broadway, Edmond.
Fairytale and ball gown styles have been popular for decades. Princess Diana’s larger-than-life ivory silk taffeta, full-skirted vintage-style gown with a ruffled neckline was intricately embroidered with sequins, lace and 10,000 pearls, complete with a 25-foot train.
At another royal wedding 37 years later, Meghan Markle wore an exquisite, sleek silk gown with a flattering bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves when she married Prince Harry, Diana’s son. The simple yet elegant dress cinched her waist but was devoid of all the embellishments and volume that Diana favored on her own gown.
Lazaro ivory beaded and embroidered net over cashmere chiffon trumpet gown, halter neckline with sheer embroidered back. Maria Elana tiara. From JJ Kelly Bridal Salon, 12325 N May, OKC.
Whether embellished or breathtakingly simple, voluminous or body hugging, 2020’s romantic and feminine gowns will always be in style and ready for a bride’s big moment.
Galia Lahav embroidered tulle ballgown with embroidered lace and immense floral patterns, drop low back and hidden pockets. Maria Elana tiara. From JJ Kelly Bridal Salon, 12325 N May, OKC.
