Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester wore this white Nina Ricci dress to Piaget’s launch of its LImelight Paris-New York Collection in New York recently. The sweetheart neckline adds a more demure touch to the very mini hemline - a style that has been seen a lot on the wedding gown runways. Opt for this look if you want to avoid wearing a traditional formal gown or if you plan to have your wedding on a hot, summer day.

sources: style.com & brides.com

Courtney Gregoire, daughter of Gov. Chris Gregoire, and Scott Lindsay walk down the aisle lined with pink and orange rose petals in Olympia, Washington on August 9, 2008.

The wedding was held at Washington state’s century-old governor’s mansion.

Pictures: AP Photo
for La Vie Photography (thanks Michelle)

New York Weddings recently sat down with wedding gown designer Elizabeth Fillmore and got a candid interview on what she thinks about current bridal fashion.

Who should brides bring along to gown-shop?
No one. Friends, mothers, sisters—it’s the danger zone. You’ll get sidetracked; you’ll get everybody else’s opinion but your own. Go to three stores. That should be your limit.

Tell me about your gowns.
I cut close to the body. I’m known for hourglass silhouettes, not ball gowns. Lace is one of my favorite materials to work with, from guipure to Chantilly. If I use beading, it’s extremely delicate, because unless it looks like fairy dust, it can get heavy.

To what degree is fashion influencing bridal attire?
When women see bold textures, pieces of bunched-up tulle, or really unique flowers used in wedding gowns, they’re not afraid of it.

What are you digging right now?
Sleeves. They add so much character and don’t have to look old-fashioned or mumsy. You can wear a jacket with a lantern sleeve over a sleek strapless gown.

Are you a wedding-gown purist?
I prefer shades of ivory instead of white. They’re more flattering, and if you can’t buy a “designer gown,” soft-ivory gowns look more expensive. Incorporating color is best done through the shoe.

What about a colored sash?
It chops the dress in half and draws attention to the wrong place. It’s a recent trend and I want it to go away. I think it already is.

Are you a fan of veils?
I love long, cascading, vintage-style veils. Sometimes a fingertip-length veil is better suited for a petite bride, as she may be overshadowed by all the tulle of a long cathedral veil. Tall girls look great in long veils, and some brides don’t need one. Tia Mazza designs beautiful veils and headpieces (she’s carried at Bergdorf Goodman).

How coordinated should the bridal party be?
I don’t like it when bridesmaids are all in the same black dress. Variation is prettier. They should be in dresses that relate in color scheme, all in the same fabric, but with different necklines.

What did you wear to your wedding?
It was at the James Burden Mansion on 91st and Central Park. I wore a fitted Chantilly-lace gown, and my husband wore a white tie and tails. We wanted something that felt out of the late 1800s. If I did it again, I’d wear something more avant-garde. I’m a Gemini, so I’d probably wear two.

Ah, the “scene change.”
Love it. Some of my brides do change into another dress after the ceremony. It’s pretty extravagant.

Especially because brides never wear the dress—or, dresses—again.
Oh, I always tell girls to throw a Champagne party and to ask all their friends to come in their wedding gowns.

elizabethfillmorebridal.com

Here are a couple of her designs:

I just love this!! This shrug has two purposes because it can also be worn as a scarf. This modern piece would look great paired with light lavender bridesmaid dresses. Or, consider giving one to each of your bridesmaids as their gift for sharing your special day.

Purchase at MoMA (You definately have to check the store out. The Museum of Modern Art has the cutest things for your home)

Bridesmaid dress from Alfred Angelo (style #6547 in pink)

Bride-to-be Kate Moss recently posed for the new Agent Provocateur bridal lingerie collection with her wedding just around the corner to fiancee Jaime Hince. Kate’s apparently a big fan of the fashionable lingerie company stating:

“I find it’s the most sexy lingerie to wear. I love their attention to detail and I’m a particular fan of a knicker bum detail.”

Check out the collection here.

Veils in Fashion?

Check this out:
Japanese designer Misa Harada’s new bridal-inspired spring/summer 2008 collaboration with Yohji Yamamoto:

“The collection is entitled Just Married - this symbolises the designer’s marriage, or commitment, to the label and also the Yohji Yamamoto concept: women wearing men’s clothes,” Harada tells us. “My take on the collection was to translate masculine hat forms to feminine ones, adding a touch of haute couture. Yohji’s team gave me complete freedom over my designs, which was lovely.”

I couldn’t get hold of any more pictures from the collection..but you can have a look at the Autumn/Winter 2008/09 collection here.

I bet you it’s fashion forward in Japan….but this is just a little weird for the rest of us!
Keep the veils for the brides-to-be!

vogue

It depends on your dinner location. If you`re having a family BBQ or going to a casual restaurant, maybe the above options aren`t the best idea. However, if you are attending a more formal dinner, wearing a dress is a resounding `yes.`

Some experts believe that your rehearsal dinner outfit should express you in a different way than your wedding dress. So, if your dress is traditional, consider a more contemporary, sophisticated dress. I`ve given you three fantastic options in offset amber colors.

Tips:

Prepare - Start looking for your rehearsal outfit a couple weeeks in advance. You need the time to shop around (trust me, it always ends up taking longer than expected!) This will give you plenty of time to do some alterations if needed.

Be comfortable - The last thing you want to do at your dinner is worry about your dress slipping if you`re wearing a strapless dress. Make sure you feel relaxed and comfortable in your dress so that you can enjoy the company of your guests. Thus, if your dress is brand spanking new, wear it around the house and decide if you feel comfortable in it.

It may get chilly at night, so consider pairing your dress with a cute button-up sweater with three quarter length sleeves. For the dresses above, complement them with a beige or white sweater.

Pull it all together - Once you have the dress, make sure you have the right shoes (ballet flats, sandles, open-toed pumps etc.) Accessorize with bracelets and earrings to add your personal style to it.

All in all, if you get a good nights sleep and bring your smile to the event, all eyes will be on you and your groom.

1st dress:
Cooper by Trelise Cooper Quantum Bristol Cities Empire Waist Dress in Black - $396
2nd dress:
Black Halo Revolve Exclusive Prada Twill Jackie O Dress in Amber - $327
3rd dress:
Black Halo Bustier Dress in Amber - $309

Check out this “Bride - sexy little thing” tank & v-string from Victoria’s Secret. The v-string has its own blinged out veil =)

Tank: $34
V-string: $20

Simple, yet stunning.

Click below to see the rest of the collection.

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