Dan's Papers - May 23, 2008 - Wedding Gowns in Every Way, Shape or Form

A vision in white appears in the distance and as this beautiful sight moves closer and closer, all eyes remain focused. In fact, this is the one day when it's "all about you." And, of course, the groom. We can't forget the groom!

Searching for the perfect wedding gown can be made less stressful if you give in to your imagination and creative side. We all deserve to feel like a princess on our wedding day. So Bridezillas step aside, weddings should be about love, beauty, commitment and magic.

In 1956, when Grace Kelly walked down the aisle in her wedding dress, (a gift from MGM Studio, designed by Helen Rose) millions watched in awe with each step she took. Twenty-five yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net and a 90-yard veil made from 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace, were used in this dazzling creation.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy's wedding dress, designed by Ann Lowe, was made of 50 yards of ivory silk taffeta. Princess Diana's gown boasted a 25-foot train and was adorned with 10,000 hand-sewn pearls. And years later, simple elegance proved best for Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, in a white silk sheath dress designed by Narcisco Rodriguez.

Whatever style of wedding gown you choose, it's crucial to select a dress that will offer comfort, elegance and personality (yours). Some brides go with the traditional while others take a more daring approach. No matter what any well meaning relatives say, it's your choice.

Believe it or not, bridal magazines really are the best starting point. Each magazine is filled with every wedding dress style imaginable. Tear out a few choices, find out who carries the line and make an appointment. This process will eliminate unnecessary stress and help the bride-to-be focus on a few designs of interest. It's also important to be open-minded. Your dream wedding dress may not be the dress you actually choose in the end. A particular style may not look exactly as you imagined, while another design may be surprisingly flattering. The following are a few style guidelines to choose from.

A-line/princess style dresses are very popular because this style works well with every body type from petite to large sizes. The A-line style is fitted around the bodice and will give long lines allowing petite women to appear taller and larger sizes to achieve a slimmer look.

The ball gown style is not as versatile. It accentuates the waistline area with a fitted bodice - it looks best on tall, slender women. Next up, is the mermaid style gown, for the more daring bride who is not afraid to bare it all. This is not a design for everyone - a more slender frame will be most flattered in this selection. The empire style dress is identified by its high waistline. This style is flattering on most body types, though not a great choice for busty women. And, finally we have the column/sheath dress, a form fitting style that flows straight down. There is not much room to hide body flaws with this style - it works best on slender women.

Each style dress offers an array of options (various sleeve lengths, strapless and luxurious fabrics) depending on the designer. Vera Wang is probably the most well-known wedding dress designer. Worn by many celebrities and socialites, Wang's designs are dreamy and elegant. "When I decided to get married at 40, I couldn't find a dress with the modernity or sophistication I wanted," said Wang. "That's when I saw the opportunity for a wedding gown business."

A few other hot designers include Badgley Mischka, Kenneth Pool and Oscar de la Renta, as well as a plethora of designers that can be found in any of the bridal magazines.

If all else fails and you have budgetary concerns, try making your wedding gown out of toilet paper. That's right, a little Charmin can go a long way. Cheap-chic-weddings.com is offering a bridal dress contest. All you need is a little imagination and a lot of toilet paper. (I recommend triple-ply for added durability and comfort.) The "Cheap Chic Wedding Contest" is proudly sponsored by Charmin toilet paper and Ripley's Believe It or Not. Check out their website for further details and prizes.

Some brides can get carried away and caught up in the pressures of making their wedding day perfect. Remember, nothing in life can be perfect, but the most important thing on your wedding day is to enjoy it.