’50s Flair

Bridal designers are loving belted gowns, high necklines, tulle skirts, and tea-length dresses. Dress by Anne Barge via the Knot.

Tulle

Tulle can be tricky to get right– you want to look ethereal without feeling like a little girl in a party dress.  Artful draping combined with stunning bead-work make tulle the perfect combination in this Vera Wang dress, via AllWomensTalk

Black is Back

Bits of black make wedding dress details pop, from bows and sashes to bolder embellishments and patterns.  Dress by Jenny Packham via the Knot.
See more black-accented wedding dresses

Asymmetrical Necklines

The one-shoulder style is gaining popularity. But this season, over-the-top details are what really makes them stand out. Dress by Anne Bowen via the Knot.  See more one-shoulder wedding dresses.

Bows

These knots are hot, from droopy satin bows to more structured ones! Bows give your dress a feminine look that’s not too girly. Dress by Amsale via the Knot. See more wedding dresses with bows

Flower Power

We love the burst of springtime blooms, whether it’s cherry-blossom details or embroidered, eye-catching rosettes. Dress by Claire Pettibone via the Knot.  See more dresses with flowers.

Illusion Necklines

Sheer straps are the perfect coverage if you want something subtle and sexy. Whether it’s bateau, V-neck, or even one-shoulder, this look is dreamy! Dress by Melissa Sweet via the Knot.

Metallic Prints

If black details are not your thing, consider this hot, new style glittering in gold and silver details.  Dress by Christos via the Knot.

Top it off

To finish the look, designers are adding a hat! Whether it’s something dainty and demure with a birdcage veil, or a large, droopy picture hat, this is one trend we take our hats off to! Carolina Herrera via AllWomensTalk

This photo is of Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen, who wore a silver ribbon as a headband to the white party.  One way to get this look yourself is by using a metallic silver mesh ribbon. Visit M&J Trimming for more info!

Easy Ribbon Headbands

Click here for the tutorial at Altered Cloth.

All you need is some ribbon and ponytail elastics!

Elaborate Bridesmaid Headbands

Click here for the tutorial from Once Wed. For these headbands, you’ll need ribbon, 2 types of trims, elastic, needle & thread, and a hot glue gun.

Double Leather Cord Headbands

The headband in the photo below, from Anthropology, grabbed the attention of Forever Chic, and she decided to make one herself, using some leather cords she cut off a vintage dress, and a couple ponytail bands! See how she did it here!

Embellishing a Colored Headband

The instruction from a headband class at M&J Trimming led participants like the neon tea party and friends to create all sorts of headbands, from glamorous to funky. You start with a store-bought headband, then use your imagination and a glue gun to add ribbons, flowers, and other any other embellishments you fancy. Viola!

1950′s Polka Dot Hairband

Here’s a super cute headband made by Rascal Kosher on the Crafster community board. You can make your own using ribbon with an elastic band and a button in the back. She used the Crafster Book tutorial, but looks simple enough that you can figure out how to DIY!

DIY Marc Jabobs Headbands

Here’s a gorgeous, glimmering headband fashioned after the  headbands at Marc Jacobs. You’ll need some netted metallic fabric, flat-backed rhinestones, and super glue. Take a look at the tutorial here at Fashionista!

While you may choose the hue of your roses based on personal color preference, it is interesting to note that there are traditional meanings associated with various colored roses. For example, red roses symbolize love, passion, and beauty. White roses symbolize purity, innocence, and youthfulness. Pink symbolizes sweetness, grace, and faithfulness, while yellow symbolizes joy and friendship. Orange roses symbolize desire. Lavender says “I’m enchanted by you” and blue stands for mystery. Click here for more on the Meaning of Roses.

The Knot provides an overview on the three main types of roses used for wedding flowers:

• Hybrid Tea Roses: With its classic shape, the hybrid tea rose is, in fact, valued for its uniformity, durability (it will last the whole day without wilting!), and availability. The most popular kinds include the deep red roses known as Black Magic, the creamy white ones known as Vendela, and the gold-tone roses known as Leonidas.

• Spray Roses: These smaller roses include five to 10 small heads per stem and therefore fill out bouquets more than a single stem — making them a great value. They are available in single hues or bicolor, like the hybrid. Because of the variance in size, they are ideal for giving texture and visual interest to an arrangement.

• Garden Roses: These roses are far larger and more lush than the other varieties. They are often very open, and they’re more natural and free-form — like something you’d find in your own garden (hence the name). Because of the fragility, they are rarer, precious, and costly.

Understated Elegance: Here are some photos of bridal bouquets from the knot, made of roses all in the same color.

Mixed Magic: Mixing roses of various shades, sizes, and/or varieties makes a stunning bouquet. Pictures from The Knot:

Unexpected Hues: You can make a statement with roses in nontraditional colors, such as lilac and blue.

Here are some of my favorite wedding gowns for the plus-size woman:

Short bridal gowns: This satin and lace Alfred Angelo Style No: 1142W is sweet and elegant, while the chiffon Bonny Style No: 1813 turns you into a real-life goddess.

Long bridal gowns: Alfred Angelo Style No: 1148W and Style No: 1146W. I love the neckline on both of these with the pretty shoulder straps. It takes the attention away from your bust, which may work well if you are generously endowed in that area.

If you’re looking for something sleeveless, the sweetheart cut of this Alfred Angelo Style No: 1807w
is absolutely gorgeous, and the body-hugging silhouette lets you show off those curves! For something that flares, the A-line Allure Bridal Style No: AW182 will make you feel like a real princess.

Short and Long sleeves: For a slightly more modest gown, try the Aurora D’Paradiso Style No: 6811 which has a flattering V-neck and short sleeves, or Style No: 6864 with a slightly higher neckline and sheer sleeves.

Sydney’s: Love Connection is a strapless satin gown with matching beaded bolero jacket. Venus Style No: W271 has long chiffon bell sleeves that add a dramatic flair to the otherwise simple elegance.

Extra Coverage: You can choose one of six Alfred Angelo boleros to compliment any gown of your choice. There are long sleeved, short sleeved, lace and satin:

Splash of Color

One wedding shoe trend that that is sure to delight everyone has brides wearing vivid colored bridal shoes underneath their wedding gowns. I love it!! Whether it’s a feisty red, sunny yellow, or even your “something blue,” colorful shoes will highlight your adventurous spirit.

Photos from: Nathat Walker (Flickr) and Inspired Occasions

These boots are made for…

These boots are made for brides, of course! And why not? From sweet little ankle boots to kickin’ knee-highs, you can find the perfect boot to suit your bridal style. Ladylike Victorian lace ups… Western cowboy-style… even real satin dyable bridal boots… There’s a boot for every bride!

Pictures from Manolo and Flora Photography.

Barefoot Sandals

To be the ultimate beach bride, consider wearing barefoot sandals. They’re bottomless, so you don’t have to worry about pesky sand in your shoes or getting a heel caught, but their enchanting beads and charms adorn your feet beautifully. Barefoot sandals are often also referred to as slave anklets, but they make fun and fanciful footwear for a beach bride!   From simple ribbons to extravagant swarovski crystals, these sandals are priced well below your standard bridal shoes!

These barefoot sandals are from Style Hive and Sella:

Nude Heels for long, lean legs

If you are wearing a tea length or mini-dress, you are probably looking for ways to show off your legs!  To elongate your legs, wear high-heeled nude shoes. Choose a color that matches your skin tone; nude tones will look great with gowns of any color (including white, of course) and make you legs look like they’re going on forever!

Photo credits: Photobucket and Zimbio

Bridal Flats and Kitten Heels

Destination wedding? Beachy, rocky, or grassy locations may make it hard to find footwear that’s pretty yet practical.  While style options do include flip flops, there’s no need to settle for anything less than supreme elegance.  Ballet flats, open-toe sandals, strappy shoes… there are so many beautiful and comfortable shoes to choose from!

These wedding flats are compliments of My Lovely Big Feet, Bride’s Best Mate, Perfect Details.

Sneaks and Tennis Shoes

Now let’s take comfort one step further (pun intended!) If you’re trying to make a statement by wearing All Stars, you really have to do it right, like this awesome bride in purple Converses, a la Manolo. But if you just want to be comfy and don’t much care for the dictates of fashion, then break out the Keds and rhinestones, and party hardy!

Custom Designed Satin and Pearl Beaded Bridal Tennis Shoes: