Wedding Dress Styles

Wedding Dress Styles
Whether you've envisioned your dress for many years, changed your mind several times along
the way, or are still unsure, selecting the perfect gown will probably seem a daunting task. To
help demystify the process, Martha and weddings editor Darcy Miller visit Michelle Roth Bridal
Salon in New York City to compare four basic wedding-dress styles: the full-skirted ball gown,
popularized by Queen Victoria; the A-line, which takes the same style its name suggests, with a
narrow bodice and a wide skirt; the princess, defined by clean lines and a widening skirt; the
sheath, whose darts and seams create a simple, streamlined silhouette; and the Empire, a highwaisted style that dates to the early-nineteenth century.
There are a variety of sleeve treatments, including long sleeve, short sleeve, cap sleeve, spaghetti
strap, and strapless, that can be adapted for each style of dress. The bride also has a number of
fabrics from which to choose, such as satin, lace, silk, organza, and tulle. Look to the season and
the type of wedding-formal or informal, day or evening-for guidance.
Before you go to the bridal salon for the first time, browse through weddings magazines to get a
sense of what you like; it's helpful to bring pictures of dresses that appeal to you. Also, be open
to trying a variety of dresses. What may seem unlikely on the rack may be stunning on you.
Sources:
Wedding Dresses
Michelle Roth Bridal
24 West 57th Street
New York, NY 11019
212-245-3390
www.michelleroth.com
Flowers
Michael George Hybrid
5 Tudor City Place
New York, NY 10017
212-883-0304
www.mgflowers.com
Hair and Makeup
Warren Tricomi
1-800-457-2292
www.warrentricomi.com
Jewelry
Fred Leighton
773 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10021
212-288-1872
www.fredleighton.com
MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA
Wedding Dress Styles
"Calliope" Crystal Evening Clutch (in Chartreuse) by CJ Yoon
Crystal Beaded Evening Bags by Larisa Barrera
Bergdorf Goodman
754 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
800-967-3788 or 212-753-7300
Taj Mahal embroidered clutch in "candlelight"
Palm Beach embroidered clutch in "candlelight"
Kate Spade
454 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
212-274-1991
www.katespade.com
MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA