Vera Wang on how to dress the part on your wedding day

By Pamela Sitt
Seattle Times staff reporter

JOHN LOK / THE SEATTLE TIMES Designer Vera Wang visits Seattle to promote her new bridal fashions. "Not so long ago, brides were wearing lace bodices and poufy skirts. The vocabulary of bridal, I'd like to think, has expanded."

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Never is the age-old question — "What to wear?" — as important to a woman as on her wedding day.

It's no longer a simple matter of a white dress. Modern brides want to make a fashion statement, and the industry has responded with edgier designs inspired directly from the runway.

"Not so long ago, brides were wearing lace bodices and poufy skirts," said designer Vera Wang, who is renowned for her bridal line. "It was pretty drab out there. The vocabulary of bridal, I'd like to think, has expanded."

Once the domain of floor-length, strapless gowns, bridal options now include designs that are asymmetrical, backless, textured, layered, knee-length — or pink. Brides-to-be are inundated with images from increasing numbers of bridal magazines, celebrities and television weddings, from "Friends" to "Trista & Ryan." And a rise in destination weddings — everything from barefoot on the beach to lavish ceremonies in English castles or Italian villas — has further broadened the needs and options for today's bride.

"I think for most clients, the vision they had when they were young of what they would wear for their wedding doesn't match up to what's available now," said Jennifer Brisman, a Manhattan-based wedding planner. "I don't think people are moving away from the traditional white wedding gown; I think there are so many more varieties now."

A recent client walked down the aisle in a matte-jersey, asymmetrical halter gown by Wang. On her feet, she wore a pair of silver open-toed, crystal-encrusted Manolo Blahniks with a four-inch heel. "It was extraordinary," Brisman said.

But when it comes to choosing a wedding dress, should brides really go trendy over traditional? Not necessarily.

Visions in white We asked local wedding coordinator Wendy Wojcik (www.weddingswithwendy.com) for dress-shopping tips. First, decide on a budget. Prices are determined largely by the material: silk (or "silk-satin") or polyester with a satin finish (often referred to as "satin"). "The difference is the feel of the fabric," Wojcik says. "Silk fabric will look like a pearl. It'll have that luster. The polyester is going to have a flat look." Plan to visit two or three shops in your price range, Wojcik said. Look first at styles, not prices; determine what neckline, bodice and skirt look best on you. Then choose two gowns from each store and return with a friend or relative in tow for a second opinion. And avoid bridal shops on Saturdays. Here are some local places to get started, with the pricier shops listed first. Marcella's La Boutique, 1417 Fourth Ave., Suite 200, Seattle (206-264-0700). Designer gowns, including Vera Wang, start at about $2,500 at this high-end bridal shop. The Bridal Garden, 10 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland (425-889-2151). Designer gowns by Jim Hjelm, Lazaro and more start at $2,500. Elaine's of Edmonds, 610 Main St., Edmonds (425-778-1814). Exclusively carries Santorini gowns, and others, ranging from $800 to $3,000. La Belle Mariee Bridal, 8433 122nd Ave., N.E., Kirkland (425-889-8606). Sister store to Elaine's of Edmonds. Price range: $800 to $6,000. Princess Bride Couture Bridal Salon, 19512 35th Ave. S.E., Bothell (425-488-5558). Carries a variety of medium-priced designers, with both silk and polyester-satin gowns. Brides By Demetrios, 15350 S.E. 37th St., Bellevue (425-641-7334). This fairly new shop carries a wide selection of polyester-satin dresses starting at about $400: "They have the best polyester-satin gowns you can get," Wojcik says. Pamela Sitt

"There's a big difference between following a trend and being trendy," said Antonia Van der Meer, editor in chief of Modern Bride magazine. "Being exposed to the fashion styles that are en vogue right now can help you to make more informed decisions, and also can unleash more creative impulses."

Just remember this: When shopping for a wedding gown, apply the prom-picture test. Ask yourself, will I cringe at my wedding pictures in 20 years?

Layers and lace

"Lace, right now, is huge," Van der Meer said. "It's romantic. This may be where you say to yourself, 'I think lace is beautiful and I'm glad there are options out there.' "

It's one of the biggest trends at Elaine's of Edmonds, where brides are layering lace with organza or satin. "It's definitely becoming more popular to have a slightly less traditional look to a dress, with lace overlay or tons of chiffon layers, which is really pretty," said Liz Takacs, a store supervisor.

"Girls are starting to say they want something different than a strapless gown. They're starting to realize all their friends are wearing the same type of dress."

Designers favored delicate chantilly lace during 2004 bridal shows, with some gowns made entirely of lace and others featuring lace details, on sashes, sleeves or on the train.

Pretty in pink

Wedding gowns aren't just white or ivory anymore. Following colorful spring fashion trends, more bridal dresses are infused with pink, blue, champagne, gold and even black for a dramatic effect. Some brides are opting out of white completely, choosing gowns in soft shades of pink or peach.

"Color has really made its way into fashion," said Brisman, the Manhattan wedding planner. "Pinks, lemons and limes have been really prevalent, and they have made their way into bridal attire. You'll see a number of designers doing gowns in pink. ... The door opened, and now color is more accepted and fashion-forward and chic."

Shoes

Given women's ongoing love affair with shoes, how did they remain a bridal afterthought for so long?

"It used to be the case that you'd buy a dress and your shoes got covered," Brisman said. "Now clients are spending as much time looking for the perfect shoe as the perfect dress and the perfect veil."

Bridal shoe options are now sexier than ever, with more detail and higher heels. Designers like Badgley Mischka and Stuart Weitzman are now designing shoes specifically for weddings. Vera Wang makes open-toed mules with flowers and touches of pink. And for die-hard fashionistas, two words: Manolo Blahnik.

"I think it's incredible," Brisman said. "I think the industry has really exploded. You look at shoes, and it tells you something about the bridal industry."

Pamela Sitt: 206-464-2376 or psitt@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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