This blog details my wedding planning process over the next 14 months and offers ideas and tips for others as they plan their own wedding or special event.
Some brides with more gratuitous budgets opt for purchasing multiple dresses -- usually one for the ceremony and one for the reception. The dress worn for the reception is usually a more modern and sexier style fit for dancing and partying late into the night. A recent (but hard to find) trend in bridal fashion has been the 2-in-1 dress (a.k.a convertible dress, detachable skirt). Instead of purchasing two pricey gowns, the bride can transform into a new look with a simple unzip or unbutton.
I have mixed reviews about these dresses. I absolutely love the concept, but many of the 2-in-1 dresses I have seen don't "wow" me in both forms (the ceremony version and the reception version). Usually, I like the dress one way or the other, but not both. Some dresses look great when transformed into a white cocktail dress, but fall flat when they are lengthened with the detachable skirt. Then there are those dresses that look great in their longer version, but seem a bit awkward (and maybe too short) when the detachable skirt is removed.
If you're looking to try on some 2-in-1 dresses (like me), you'll have to do some searching. Not all bridal salons have caught on to the trend, and many that have only have one or two convertible dresses in-stock. If you're dead-set on trying on some of these, I suggest making a few simple phone calls to get an idea of which shops offer the best inventory of sample dresses.
So, what do you think of these 2-in-1 dresses? Would you wear one of these gowns?
One of the biggest trends in weddings is transforming the look of a dress from ceremony to reception. Many brides are also opting to allow their bridesmaids to wear different dress styles. I discovered the “twist dress” by Dessy Group via a Facebook ad. As soon as I changed my relationship status from “In a Relationship” to “Engaged,” the right side of my Facebook profile blew up with wedding-related ads. A majority of the ads are not applicable to me, but I was intrigued by this ad after seeing twist dresses on David Tutera’s My Fair Wedding. Among changes to the ceremony and reception, Tutera frequently changes both the bride’s and the bridesmaids’ dresses. In several recent episodes, Tutera has opted for different versions of the twist dress.
I know a lot of brides say they want their bridesmaids to purchase dresses that they can wear again, but let’s be honest, how many of those dresses do we ever take back out of the closet? Depending on the number of weddings you’ve been in, it starts to look a little like Katherine Heigl’s closet in 27 Dresses. The twist dress is one of the few bridesmaid styles I have seen where I can truly picture someone wearing the dress on multiple occasions. The dress can be twisted into an elegant, ceremony-worthy style, but quickly transformed into a fun party/reception look. The jersey material and a more relaxed, fun twist allows this dress to double for date nights and other less formal affairs. Watch the video below to see some of the twistable styles.
The twist dress from Dessy Group comes in both full and cocktail lengths, allowing the bride to achieve different looks based on the theme and location of her wedding. I really like the cocktail-length version, because I can see this style worn after a wedding more so than the full-length version of the dress. I am definitely considering the twist dress as a possibility for my bridesmaids, but I’m not sure which style would coincide best with the overall look and feel I want to achieve.
The twist dress is available in 22 different colors in a washable matte jersey fabric. Based on the color swatches, a bride would almost certainly be able to find an approriate shade (I personally prefer the “concord” shade). There are a couple downsides to this dress, however. I’m not sure if any bridal boutiques offer this dress or similar styles in their stores. It would be difficult to decide on a bridesmaid dress without allowing your bridesmaids to try it on first. The different twistable options don’t necessarily guarantee that the dress will be flattering to all body types. The dress sizes also range from XS (0-4) to 2X (26-28), but a size 0 and a size 4 are two very different sizes. As far as dresses are concerned, I prefer to get a customized size based on my exact measurements.
If you're like me, and you're not sure if the twist dress is for you, you can purchase a sample-on-loan dress for $35 (either cocktail or full-length) in your color choice. However, the sample must be sent back within 48 hours with the pre-paid shipping label.
I’m sure many of those who are planning a wedding have encountered David Tutera, the infamous celebrity wedding planner . Though I’m sure most of us have never actually been to a Tutera wedding, many have felt transported to his events via My Fair Wedding, a WE tv original series in which Tutera lends his expertise to non-celebrity brides. Tutera shows up just three weeks before the selected bride’s wedding and essentially turns everything around. Many brides think they know what they want on their big day, but sometimes we all can get carried away. Colors clash. Themes collide. Brides meltdown. Although Tutera deals with a lot of brides that have very outlandish ideas, we can all learn some valuable tips from his sense of organization and his outstanding coordination skills.
My mother actually got me to watch this show. I’ve never really been enthused by reality television -- especially not wedding-related reality TV. However, after being hassled into watching a few episodes, I became addicted. It’s absolutely amazing how Tutera is able to work with and revise the bride’s original vision (or lack thereof) and create a truly remarkable, celebrity-worthy event. I’ve seen him execute outrageous wedding themes, such as Alice in Wonderland, the Wizard of Oz, and pirate-inspired. Somehow, they’ve all turned out classy and original.
So, naturally, as soon as I learned there was an open casting call for this show, I jumped on the nearest computer for more information. Good news 2011 brides, WE tv is accepting applications for those getting married between April 2011 and August 2011, as well as October 2011 and November 2011. However, the couple must reside or plan on hosting their wedding in Los Angeles or New York City. Based on the episodes that I have seen, you probably need a really outrageous theme in-mind, clashing ideas, or literally no plans at all. So those of you who have a good start on planning, forget about it. However, WE tv is casting for several other new and returning wedding shows. Visit their casting site to enter!
"Chelsea"
Tutera has also launched a wedding dress collection with Faviana, a leading designer of sophisticated evening wear. The collection, David Tutera by Faviana, is a line of luxurious wedding gowns inspired by celebrity red carpet fashions. Remember Chelsea Clinton’s Vera Wang dress featured in my previous post? Tutera has designed his own version of the gown, appropriately named "Chelsea.”
Find an authorized David Tutera by Faviana dealer near you!
“Every bride deserves to have great design. I believe the bride knows who she is and how she wants to look and feel on her special day. Every gown I create reflects that respect for other women and how much design means to me.” --Vera Wang
Chelsea Clinton in Vera Wang
Recently, the infamous Vera Wang released a collection of bridal dresses through David’s Bridal. The collection is called White by Vera Wang and positioned as an affordable alternative to Wang’s traditional line of gowns. This is an interesting route for the designer synonymous with Vogue and couture fashion. Wang is arguably the most well-known bridal fashion designer, especially among celebrities. Among her celebrity clientele, Wang has designed bridal gowns for Chelsea Clinton, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, and Kate Hudson.
The White by Vera Wang collection ranges in price between $600 and $1,400, a steal compared to Chelsea Clinton’s customized gown - inspired by Wang’s “Diana” at a cost of approximately $20,000.
The styles certainly look fashion-forward, and I especially love the folds of fabric on these two gowns (though they're probably not quite my style):
VW351010
VW351011
The design of VW351011 looks very similar to Clinton’s gown, but at a fraction of the cost. Since the gowns are inexpensive, I wonder if the quality of the fabric reinforces their fashionista designs.
I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised by this collection. I have never been a huge fan of the bridal warehouse style of David’s Bridal, so it’s a shock to see them partnering with such a big name in the fashion industry. Looks like an excellent marketing and repositioning move on behalf of the company. I will start dress shopping next month and have become intrigued by this collection despite my less than positive view of the David’s Bridal chain.
The Spring 2011 White collection has been so well-received, Wang has announced a bridal party partnership with David’s Bridal, as well. This June, your bridesmaids can also snag a Vera dress for $150-$200.
Want to learn more about White by Vera Wang? Get a few laughs and watch the clip below of Wang as a guest on E!'s Chelsea Lately.
