David's Bridal

Nicole Brewer, Celebrity and Plus Size Fashion Expert

Choosing the color of your wedding gown is a personal choice, one that may be more important than you think. For many women, wearing white is not an easy feat. Those with very fair or pale complexions can even disappear in the wrong shade of white. So, just as your wedding gown should fit your curves and flatter your figure, the color should also complement your complexion.

Today “wedding white” has been expanded to include all shades of traditional white and off-white, including cream, ivory, antique white, oyster, pearl, eggshell and ecru. But regardless of white’s fancy aliases, the most important task at hand is discovering which white is right for you.

The secret to cracking the color code lies in trying on lots of different shades of this ultimate neutral. Here are a few tips to think about in the process:

•Try on lots of different shades of white and ivory
•Consider how different shades play off your hair and eye color
•Avoid too severe whites that might draw attention to any imperfections in the skin on your face and décolletage
•Make a note of which shades enhance your skin tone rather than wash you out
•Try on an alternative-to-white gown like a floral print or blush pink, even if you’re dead set on wearing white. You never know!
•Be sure you try on a dress in your color choice before actually placing your order
•If the bridal salon allows photography, have a camera handy and see how your skin looks against different color hues in pictures
•If you choose to purchase online, request to be sent color swatches of your fabric choice as well as alternatives for comparison

Bridal fashion trends continue to evolve, offering endless possibilities for the modern bride. When you start shopping for your dream dress, open your mind to fashion trends, design details and color infusions that re-define “traditional”:

Whimsical watercolor prints, faint floral burnouts, soft sheer overlays and subtle ombres offer a bit of fantasy and alternative elegance.

A cosmetic palette of creamy nudes, balmy blushes and soft pastels look dreamy on the runway and down the aisle. Baby blue and pale pink take the romantic look to a new level.

Metallics finishes like pewter and bronze set the stage for a dramatic entrance.

In addition to different colored dresses, designers have come up with exciting new ways to add a splash of color to your wedding wardrobe:

A removable color sash, 3D bow or textured flower can accentuate your waistline and coordinate with your bridal party.

Declare your fashion independence with a platform shoe in hot pink, ruby red or borrowed blue.

Fascinate the crowd in a fashion forward hair accessory like a feather plume, fresh flower of your favorite bloom or a vintage inspired birdcage headpiece.

Don a sweet and colorful shrug, a dramatic wrap, or luxurious pashmina after the ceremony.

Whether it’s your first marriage or a vow renewal, there are no antiquated rules about which white to wear. The decision is yours! Choose the color that makes you look and feel your most beautiful – ever!

Amy Oselkin, Celebrity Style Expert
So far, 2011 has been chock-full of celebrity engagements. Leading up to the big day means anticipation of what celebrity brides-to-be will wear is high. Here are my inside scoop predications on what fashionistas like Kim Kardashian, Vanessa Minnillo and Jessica Simpson will don as they walk down the aisle.

Kim Kardashian: Sexy Style
Surprisingly Kim Kardashian admits she is clueless on what style gown she wants to wear when she weds basketball player Kris Humphries. “I keep changing my mind,” she told reporters. Not to worry Kim! I am going to make your bridal dress shopping experience a little easier.

First, in order to compete with her 20.5-carat engagement ring — worth 2 million dollars—Kim’s gown needs to be gloriously glamorous. Additionally, Kim will likely want to flaunt her famous derriere so she’ll need a body conscious number. Plus, at just 5’2” the fashionista should look for something that elongates her frame — especially since her fiancé is 6’9”.

So I’ve narrowed it down to this satin fit and flare dress because it seamlessly fits all of the criteria. The curve-hugging silhouette will highlight Kim’s hourglass shape. The sweetheart neckline is feminine and flattering. And finally the bow detailing and slightly bejeweled bodice offers the right dose of razzle-dazzle fit for Kim’s big day. For a little extra pizazz, I suggest adding a fabulous pair of earrings like these gorgeous chandeliers.

Vanessa Minnillo: Fairytale Fashion
Vanessa Minnillo has waited a long time for her dream wedding to Nick Lachey. In fact the couple have been dating on and off again since 2006 so their nuptials are sure to be spectacular. Over Memorial Day the couple celebrated their upcoming union with a wedding shower at the posh London Hotel in Los Angeles. For the festivities, Vanessa basically “test drove” a wedding dress – she wore a white strapless knee length Monique Lhuillier lace dress. Judging from this pick, Vanessa’s gown is sure to be classic, glamorous and romantic.

This strapless tulle fit-and-flare gown featuring hand-detailed lace appliques and paired with a coordinating lace jacket perfectly suits Vanessa’s elegant yet youthful taste. To complete the princess-like feel, pair this with a crystal embellished headband.

Jessica Simpson: A Sassy Spin

As Jessica prepares to walk down the aisle with former NFL player, Eric Johnson, she knows for sure that she isn’t looking for anything too regal. “I absolutely adore Kate’s dress,” said Jessica, 30. “I thought she looked absolutely beautiful. There’s no bride that can top a Royal Wedding. I’m not going to be wearing the same kind of thing, but it will be beautiful in its own right.”

We know Jessica has already broken with tradition with her ruby engagement ring so it’s fair to say she might opt for something unexpected for her wedding gown as well. This silvery gray chiffon cocktail dress still has a bridal feel, but the unique shade gives it a little edge. Plus, it’s figure flattering. All Jess needs is a great pair of heels like these metallic rhinestone platforms and she’ll be all set.

Jeannie Mai, Celebrity Fashion Expert
Every bride should know the best wedding gowns are the ones that best fit your unique, beautiful shape. And I have been loving the flurry of celebrity weddings this season! 2010 has been a runway of A-list celebs donning gorgeous dresses, showing us a variety of styles for their big day.

Hilary Duff really took advantage of her big day to display her sultry curves. Truly living up to fairy tale fashion, her elegant train cascaded from the knees and kept going on….and on and on! For the rest of you curvaceous cuties out there, this David’s Bridal Mikado gown with ruffle back is a match made in heaven. Not only will the fit and flare skim every ounce of your curves, but the rippling of this luxurious train makes for a gorgeous walk down the aisle. I especially love the beaded neckline that creates an attractive glimmer for all those close up shots. I also suggest playing up the beads with an iridescent shimmer on your skin for a refreshing pearly glow. Showcase the pearlescent finishes with opals, turquoises, and even rose gold jewelry.

Next take a look at our favorite country crooner, Carrie Underwood. I’m obsessed with how her elegant gown showcased her toned and trim physique! With the amount she works out, she has every reason to flaunt her great shoulder line and toned arms. Carrie’s strapless gown not only shows off her dainty décolletage, but also really opens up her bright smile. Not to mention she’s right on trend with this immaculate Chantilly lace bodice, which made Carrie look perfectly petite. Delicate textures like this can really whittle your middle, something we all love! You don’t have to have the same athletic lean build to wear it well like Underwood. In fact, this Oleg Cassini lace trumpet gown allows any woman’s shape to be celebrated. You can even personalize it with a sash to match the colors of your beautiful day, or impro-fashionize it with your own soft sash of lace.

Then there’s the magnificently talented and utterly beautiful, Alicia Keys. It’s no surprise this bride was in a fashionable state of mind to select a gown with an asymmetrical shoulder drape, a tasty trend we’ve been loving this year. The soft sheath perfectly enveloped her barely there bump and showcased how we’ve fallen for her forward fashion sense! Alicia definitely brought us a unique wedding style that no one, no one, no one, can rock like her. For a similar style, check out this Galina soft chiffon A-line gown. What I like about this gown even more is the floral detailing on the strap itself, and the sheath is made up of various soft layers to give you a romantic movement as you walk down that aisle with style. Just make sure to gloss up that shoulder line with Scott Barnes’ Body Bling, or your own version of a skin glow. Spray it on shoulder tops and avoid beneath the arms – they won’t catch the light much anyway, and you can avoid staining the sides of your dress.

There you have it my brides-to-be, three star studded reasons why you, too, can make your wedding day blissful. With these David’s Bridal selections and your own added personal touch, I vow you’ll wow your guests and have your groom starry-eyed, too!

by Jo Gartin

by Angelique Serrano

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by Jo Gartin

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Learn more about the db Style Council

by Jeanne Yang

As one of Hollywood’s top fashion stylists, Jeanne is known for putting together just the right look for her celebrity clients. Here she shares some tips and solutions on how to create a personalized wedding day outfit that fits your style.

by Jeanne Yang

A top celebrity stylist shares tips on creating a fabulous, fashionable wedding look for less.

Learn more about the db Style Council
View all posts by Jeanne Yang

David’s Bridal is proud to stylishly outfit brides on TNT’s “Wedding Day”, a new reality television series that helps deserving brides ensure that their wedding day is one of the most magical days of their lives. Each week, celebrity wedding planner and author Diann Valentine hosts as family, friends and community come together to create a dream wedding. Today, the David’s Bridal Style Council is thrilled to welcome Diann as a guest blogger who will share tips to ensure your picture-perfect wedding fantasies come true, no matter your budget!

Diann’s Blog: Dream Weddings within Reach

In these uncertain economic times with consumer spending decreasing, there is one milestone that remains recession-proof: your wedding day. Although many brides are exercising cost-conscious decision-making, the opportunity for a woman to have one day to experience the greatest celebration in her life should go without sacrifice. To help you achieve all of your wedding dreams without uttering the ‘R’ word, here are my tips to ensure that your ‘I Do’ day is nothing less than fabulous!

1. Never sacrifice quantity for quality! Rather than compile a guest list that includes everyone from your childhood nanny to your college professors, ask yourself ‘if this were the last celebration of my life, who would I want to celebrate it with me’? This list can make all of the difference between a chic afternoon backyard soiree for 50 of your closest family and friends versus a buffet style reception for 200 complete with aluminum foil containers at the local banquet hall.

2. Choose non-traditional locations! Many hotels and venues will have a designated ceremony and reception location within their event space. Elect to flip the script and swap the areas for a less than predictable celebration. For example, you can opt to have a simple ceremony on an outdoor courtyard or ballroom of a hotel and then invite all of your guests to an intimate dinner and reception inside of the on-site chapel.

3. Color Your Love! Do not allow traditions or seasons to dictate the colors for your celebration. Most brides default to seasonal colors but if tangerine orange, celadon green and blood red excite you and ingnite your creative genius, and your wedding is planned in the middle of winter snow season, do not allow the weather forecast to deter your creative direction. It’s your day and probably the only day when you should absolutely have it your way!

4. Pre-ceremony receptions! Guests often arrive at weddings rather early to be certain not to miss the bride’s grand entrance. However, there are always a few last minute guests rushing in at the last minute or our precious bride herself that is running behind schedule. In anticipation of this often inevitable circumstance, plan for a 15 – 30 minute cocktail reception before the ceremony actually begins. Chilled white wine or naturally-flavored fruit spritzers will be well appreciated by your guests and offer you a cushion of time to mask any last minute delays while appearing to be a gracious and thoughtful host.

5. Unformatted seating! Traditional table seating with place cards is a must for multiple entrees offered for a sit-down dinner reception. However, a more casual affair lends itself to groupings of vignettes that may include sofas with coffee tables, dinner tables and chairs, ottomans and side tables or high cocktail tables with stools. The non-traditional approach to your seating plan will allow everyone to find their comfort zone and enjoy your celebration in the most comfortable manner for themselves – not to mention all of the great conversations that will stem from the variety of options.

For additional tips, please visit www.diannvalentine.com and check out Diann’s tips of the week. Diann Valentine is the co-host of Wedding Day a new reality show from Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) that airs on Saturday mornings at 9am ET on TNT, author of Weddings Valentine Style and Creative Director of her Los Angeles based company D. R. Valentine & Associates, Inc.

Learn more about the db Style Council