Alternative wedding dresses look set to be all the rage at celebrations this year.

The British Bridal Exhibition took place at Harrogate International Centre between September 12th and 14th and plenty of alternative styles were sent down the catwalks.

Many designers chose shorter, prom-style frocks instead of large, full-skirted creations.

Similarly, slinky gowns made from sleek satin fabrics were also debuted by the likes of Anoushka G and Lusan Mandongus, with the latter bringing a Grecian feel to the garments with subtle pleats and thin, one-shouldered straps.

Long wedding dresses were also the order of the day for Crystal Breeze, with one stand-out design featuring pearl detailing across the chest, which is set to be a key trend when spring arrives.

Among the other designers showing off their spring/summer 2011 collections were Amanda Wyatt, Maxima, Veromia and Justin Alexander.

Colourful gowns also look set to be popular among brides-to-be, as boutique owner Angela Wilson recently told the Sydney Morning Herald that women are using shoes, sashes and hair pieces to bring brighter tones to their attire.

Click through for a top of the range list of beautiful wedding dresses

This article was originally posted onHitched.

Now that everyone else was ready, it was my turn to slip on my dress. My stomach was all fluttery and I couldn’t wait to put it on. I felt like my hands were shaky and my heart was racing, but it was all because of the excitement. It was our wedding day!!

I got my shoes ready:

And, put on my wedding day jewelry:

I stepped into my dress:

Here’s where things got difficult. I’d purposely worn a dress that I could just slide off that didn’t have to go over my head. But this meant that I would be standing there nakey in my really hot Spanx, and I didn’t think anyone needed to see that, nor did we need to get video or pictures of that. So, my sister held up my wedding dress as I slipped off my other dress and tried not to mess up my hair.

I was in! Now it was time to zip it up. Of course, my niece and flower girl was there to help:

And just to be sure nothing fell out, I gave my dress an extra tug:

Then, I put on my Something Blue shoes. Again, my niece helped (with her silly bandz on):

Then I was all ready for our big reveal!

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Brides looking to save a few pennies when they tie the knot could do so with their wedding dress.

This is according to one expert, who has encouraged women to shop around and be smart with their purchases.

In an article for the Washington Post, Nicole Brewer, a celebrity stylist and fashion expert at David Bridal's Style Council, said ladies should time their hunt for a dress with shop sales.

This way they may be able to take advantage of the bargains on offer, while still getting a beautiful frock.

Grooms can also reduce expenses with their choice of attire at the wedding venue, Ms Brewer continued.

She said: "You can never go wrong in all black" and suggested men wear one of their own business suits and then rent accessories, such as a cummerbund or tie.

Actress Odette Yustman, who is engaged to Brothers and Sisters star Dave Annable, recently told UsMagazine she picked the first wedding gown she tried on.

Click through for a top of the range list of beautiful wedding dresses

This article was originally posted onHitched.

The single most photographed and scrutinized piece of cloth that will ever adorn your body will likely be the all-mighty bridal gown.  With such hefty pressures to be an even more glorious version of your stunning self, finding your gown, the one that causes angels to descend and trumpets to sound, is no easy feat.

Before you gallivant off to the nearest bridal store, start with a little prep work at home that will help pinpoint your most flattering fit.  With that out of the way, you just may see your fantasy gown waltz right off the racks and into your waiting arms.  To showcase your body in the best light, check out JLM Couture’s fabulous dress type guide.

Even better, JLM Couture’s match-up guide also works wonders for bridesmaid dresses.  Gorgeous bridesmaids in dresses that enhance their figures and can be worn again as formal dresses are the perfect complement to a radiant bride.  Discover your special style, then print out the guide and take it straight to the store with you.  It’s that easy!

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

Two things I absolutely love are sweets and photography. So when Veraya Gachacoop of Isnap Studio posted this to her blog I was giddy with excitement.

One of the things I didn’t get to do before we got married was a boudoir session. I really wanted to surprise Mr. Jelly Beans with one but somehow it just didn’t happen. I think it was partly due to my fear that they weren’t going to come out how I wanted them to.

I wish I had thought of this concept for a boudoir session. Incorporating the cupcakes and the vintage apron is perfect in so many ways! Who knew boudoir shoots could look so good in the kitchen? Enjoy today’s eye candy.

If you were to do a “themed” boudoir session, what would it be?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Lingerie, lingerie, who doesn’t love bridal lingerie? Affinitas Intimates has a darling new line, one that bridezilla had the glorious pleasure of reviewing. What you’ll find: corsets that give you Christina Hendriks’ curves. Boy shorts that make your butt look Beyonce, gorgeous jewel tones, soft fabrics, luxurious lace trim, I can go on and on. See it for yourself – you’ll love it.

This isn’t me. But seriously, isn’t it cute?

This being a wedding blog, I selected a few pieces from their new bridal line. Let me tell you – it’s honeymoon-sexy without the overt French-maid cliche. It has all the sexy, feminine details a bridezilla wants, and yet, it doesn’t pull and roll like other delicates. The Rose Set, for example, is daring enough for date-night but comfy enough for any old Tuesday.

Affinitas hires French designers to create their collections. I wonder if maybe those designers aren’t used to shapely American thighs? The fit was slightly snug, but this is after I neglected to go to the gym for three weeks. So really, I can’t blame them.

All in all Affinitas earned an A (and a yay) for creating luxurious French lingerie fit for a bridezilla. And it’s affordable too!

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

Nothing melds fashion forward with vintage style quite like the capelet.  At once both old school glamour and, depending on the cut, avant garde.  The capelet is a daring accessory for the ultimate center-of-attention bridezilla.

For true grab-the-spotlight flair, take on a cape that in itself makes the gown.  Feel all eyes hang on your every swish as you glide through your event of a lifetime in a Monique Lhuillier cape as modeled by invitation designer Christine Van Duyn on her wedding day.

Take dreamy wonderland to new heights in a doll-like fashion with a cinched waist and rib-length cape found at Wedding Inspirasi.  For a soft, carefree and almost indie vibe, go the handmade route and check out Holly Stalder’s ruffled shoulder capelet and more in her collection on Etsy as well as her feature in Summer Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine.

Take inspiration from none other than Miss Harlow, one of Hollywood’s most notorious glamour queens.  Bring a grand sense of drama and panache to the affair with the ever-chic capelet.

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

For some brides traditional style just won’t cut it.  Even a few of Hollywood’s glamorous “It” girls have given the “white wedding” a swift backhand to the face (complete with chunky rings to make sure it leaves a mark).

The famous bride-to-be times eight, Elizabeth Taylor, dropped the white in favor of yellow in nuptial number five to actor Richard Burton.

Trend-setter Gwen Stefani found her dream dress in a touch of traditional mixed with an ombre pink wash.

For sultry stripteaser Dita Von Teese, a darkly romantic deep blue was only natural.

If  “go big or go home” is your motto, then put down the white gown and sashay right in to the wide world of colorful wedding dresses.  For the truly daring, forget labels and shop the prom section to score creative treasures like a peacock-style dress.  Take modern sophistication to new levels in a steel gray gown or go big and flouncy in soft pastels for the ultimate in feminine allure.

For rule-breaking brides, the first step in moving away from tradition is finding a gown in anything but pure white.  Go ahead, it’s easier than you think!

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

Okay, I know – I know! – I’ve said plenty of times that the details don’t matter, it’s about the relationship, blah blah blah. And it is. I absolutely do not rescind that sentiment. However, one still kind of needs the details.

As you know if you’ve read anything about me, met me, or probably seen a picture of me, my Detail Nemesis is clothing. Luckily, I’ve got that whole wedding dress thing figured out, and my custom-made-from-Etsy suit should be arriving in the mail in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, my Detail Nemesis is more specific: shoes.

I have written many a post on shoes, and “is this one okay? How about this? Here is what I really like.” And I am always met with someone saying, “THAT IS THE WORST IDEA YOU EVER HAD,” or “They have to be white!” or “Do what you want, but I think those don’t go,” or “I’m saying they’re fine with my words, but my wrinkled forehead and sneer indicate that I have other feelings.”

I bought these shoes, because I loved them…

(source)

and then I realized that the heels were just too much for me. Luckily my sister also loved them and she is their new proud owner.

Then I found these shoes…

(source)

… and then I saw their price tag. Oh well.

But you guys – I finally did it. I found some shoes.

I was being stubborn and insisting that I could find one pair of shoes to wear with both dress and suit. This was hard because 1. I have no idea what my suit actually looks like, and 2. No one approved of any of my choices for both outfits.

Then, in a freak occurrence, I found some shoes that I liked and of which various family members approved:

And I was all prepared to be happy with these. They’re nice enough, they’re comfortable, they were only $30… and then I found these:

Oooh Pretty Shoe!

Shoe, I find it pleasant to look at you.

You make me feel silly and happy, Shoe.

Friends, readers, friendly or less-friend people of the Internet, please don’t tell me you don’t like these shoes. I am too faint of heart to continue my search, and honestly? I really, really like these shoes. They are a little bit oxford-esque, which I really like, and still feminine. They have the teeniest, tiniest wedge (see picture here) and they’re way comfortable. I am so happy.

So the plan is to wear these with my suit (which is dark brown and will be here in a few weeks/a month) and wear the Rocket Dogs with my dress. Though I strongly suspect that I will end up barefoot, and I am quite happy with that.

What is your Detail Nemesis? Or even your clothing nemesis? Guys, I can do tank tops, I can do shorts, I can even do dresses, but if they’re not Chacos or Keens, shoes are not my friends.

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

The Pin Cushion Wedding Party has a bit of a gender bias. We’ve snagged ourselves a lot of ladies, and seem to scare off the men. In fact, we have 6 females in our bridal party (3 on my side, 3 on Mr. PC’s) and only 2 males (1 on each side). We love our bridal crew, lopsidedness and all.

Our bridesmaids and groomswomen deserve to wear awesome dresses at our wedding (though perhaps a slightly less awesome dress than my own would be acceptable). The six ladies have fabulously different bodies. And different skin tones. And different hair color. And very different heights (two people under 5″ [I chose ’em to make me look taller in comparison]).

It was a daunting challenge to pick out a dress that would flatter all of the ’maids. But when I face a challenge, I buck up, square my shoulders and attack it head on… no… wait. That must be some other bee. This bee tends to slump over, wave a white flag and pass the challenge off to some unsuspecting victim. Like my bridesmaids and groomswomen.

I asked the ladies to choose their own dresses. I gave them the loose guidelines of 1) stay within our wedding colors, 2) no long dresses, 3) please don’t look like you work at A) a strip club or B) a nunnery. That was pretty much it. And, watching the ’maids’ reactions, you would have thought it was some great act of selflessness on my part, and not a brilliant scheme to pawn off my difficult decision on someone else.

Here are the decisions that I didn’t have to make, I mean, here are the dresses they’ve bought so far:

Groomswoman L has a smokin’ red dress from here (with detachable empire waist for baby-nursing [or showing off your goodies {though that breaks guideline 3}).

Bridesmaid J bought a sweet eyelet dress from here.

Groomswoman Q bought a sexy satin dress from here.

And Bridesmaid S picked a fab flowy green dress from here.

As I assume most of you are over the age of 5, and thus, can add single digits, you probably noticed there are only 4 dresses shown and we have 6 bridal party ladies (if you are under the age of 5, I congratulate you on your extraordinary ability to read and navigate the internet). That is because two of our female attendants are still looking for their perfect dress. And though we are only a few weeks out, knowing those 2 are still dress-less doesn’t raise my blood pressure even 1 point (okay, maybe 1 or 2, but that’s it!). The gorgeous dress choices that the others have made leaves me confident that the last two dresses will be amazing as well. (And if not, all the better my own dress will look in comparison, right? [I’m just asking for bad wedding karma here]).

The decision to hand off the dress picks to the ladies has been win-win. I have less to worry about and the girls might actually find something they will wear again, and in a price range that doesn’t give them a heart attack (I’m just thinking about my friends’ health here, people).

How did you pick the dresses for your bridal party ladies? Or are you joining me in waving a white flag on that decision and giving up full control?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.