Happy Monday/Tuesday. I know I’ve already chosen my wedding gown, but a lot of you haven’t so here’s another post for you!

I will  forever be enamored by the concept of wedding gowns. Any of you have this obsession? Admitedly, “Say Yes to the Dress” is one of your favorite shows and sadly, I can tell who designed the gown just by looking at it! So really, it’s no surprise I’m a subscriber to Vera Wang’s updates, and I thought I’d share the Dinah gown (spring 2010) from her “Behind the Dress” Issue in case you haven’t seen it! In it you’ll go into the mind of the very talented Vera who also gives some tips on how to choose the dress.

Says Vera:

With this wedding dress, I sought to create fullness and lightness in the skirt by tucking the fabric into soft layers. The result is a rich, cascading effect. I chose to offset the volume in the skirt with a fitted bodice. Lace is quintessentially romantic. With Dinah, I have used it only on the bodice to add but not overpower.

In wedding fashion, I love to use ribbons, buttons, bows and blossoms to add whimsy and eccentricity. These design elements introduce fantasy and establish an optimistic tone. For Dinah, I chose a bowed sash tied at the natural waist of the wedding dress. The sash is in grosgrain, one of my signature fabrics (I named my first Vera Wang china pattern Grosgrain in tribute).

While I have embraced color in my collections, I chose to design Dinah in white and ivory to underscore the innocence that I believe this wedding dress conveys.

Keep in mind, a strapless neckline strikes the delicate balance between propriety and flirtation. Strapless is not for every bride, however. When choosing a neckline for your wedding dress, consider weight, height, bone structure and age. Select a neckline that is most flattering to you; don’t feel held to what is perceived to be sexy or in fashion.

Bows add femininity and grace to any wedding dress. The size and placement of bows serve different purposes in wedding fashion. On Dinah, the large bowed sash is a more dramatic statement. On other wedding dresses, I use small bows to cover up hooks on a bustle. The bow detail on a wedding dress can be carried through other aspects of the wedding, from the wedding invitation and bridesmaids’ dresses to the fastening on the backs of the chairs at the reception.

The A-line shape is always elongating. I appreciate this silhouette for its versatility: In a fuller form, like here with Dinah, the A-line can be extravagant without sacrificing slimness. In a more fitted form, it can be sleek and sensual. On a wedding dress, the A-line can be dressy, or informal. Regardless of form and function, the A-line is always a classic and refined choice.

SO many great tips from perhaps the most well-known wedding gown designer in the world. I too am a sucker for bows or floral pieces to add a statement and feminity to a simple gown. Here’s a look at my favorite pieces from the newest Fall 2010 Vera Wang Collection for you to enjoy! Notice the trend? Oh black and white how I love thee!

{images: Dinah gown: Vera Wang; Fall 2010: brides.com}

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