David's Bridal

What to Wear to a Summer Wedding
by Katrina Mitzeliotis

Now that the warmer weather is here, it feels like wedding season is in full swing! I recently had a family wedding and decided I wanted to update my look. I opted for a floral frock and paired it with a bright lip. I don’t often think of prints when I’m picking out my formal wear, but it was such a refreshing change—I definitely recommend it!

When you’re selecting a dress for an upcoming occasion, it’s important to opt for a frock that’s consistent with the setting – but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it! Read on for more tips for finding the perfect dress for a summer wedding.

Black-Tie Weddings
For a formal affair, embrace the opportunity to work a glam gown. From pretty pastels to embellishments, the possibilities are endless! Since we’re seeing slits on so many stars on the red carpet, I think a formal wedding is the perfect time to try the look out on your own. I love the dress below, especially because the slit is so tasteful.

Destination/Beach Weddings
A beach wedding is definitely much more laid back—and it’s great to embrace the vibe of your surroundings! I think a printed maxi is both practical and chic for the occasion. Leave the stilettos at home and instead wear wedges or flat sandals and your ensemble is complete.

Rustic Weddings
Rustic, romantic weddings set outdoors are definitely popular in the spring and summer months. Whether it’s an ethereal garden setting or in a rustic barn, you definitely don’t want to go overboard with your ensemble. I recently embraced florals in formal wear, and I think it works so well with a rustic scene.

Traditional Weddings
The family wedding I recently attended was traditional—and if you’re attending a conventional affair the possibilities are endless! I think a cocktail dress in a silhouette that flatters your figure is your best bet. It’s also a great opportunity to try out some of the new trends for the season like blush tones.

Summer Wedding Looks
by Nicole Brewer

Whether you’re in a wedding or on the guest list, you want to look and feel your best. This summer it’s all about the dress! We saw lots of fresh colors, feminine fabrics, romantic prints and sexy silhouettes on the red carpet this season. No matter your shape and size, start your dress shopping now to find styles with the right details to fit your personality and your budget.

Pretty in Print
This strapless, chiffon dress is both fun and festive, with a sexy maxi length that doubles as comfortable and elegant.

Sweet & Feminine
In soft ivory and gold, this whimsical cocktail dress with its sweetheart neckline has all the feminine touches of summer’s hottest trends–the ruching cinches at the waist and the full tulle skirt is flirty on the dance floor.

Simply Classic
Stretch satin has a flair for sophistication. This plunging V-neck and subtle, tiered peplum on the skirt makes this silhouette work on many different body types.

Although you may buy a dress or two with specific summer weddings in mind, consider the wear-again potential! I wore my favorite David’s Bridal gown to a wedding on the New Jersey shore and got more compliments than I can count. I’ve already decided to wear it again at the end of the summer to another wedding, different bride & groom and of course, an entirely different guest list!

Tips for Finding the Perfect Bridesmaid Dress Your Entire Party will Love
by Carmen Ordonez

Wedding gown—check. Finding a venue—check. Finding the perfect bridesmaid dress your entire party will love…now that can get a bit tricky. You’ve suddenly become a stylist and a bride! But not to fret, here are some easy tips to ensure the bridesmaid dresses you pick will not end up never seeing the light of day again.

Consider Different Body Types
One of the most important things to consider is the size and shapes of your bridesmaids. Sure you love that clingy silk dress, but is it going to look great on everyone in your bridal party? Instead look for universally flattering styles such as an empire waist dress or an A-line cut. This long halter empire beaded dress from David’s Bridal is a perfect example of a figure flattering dress. Plus, the halter neckline is ultra chic and will provide support for those with a larger bust. It’s also available in sizes ranging from 2-26.

One Color, More Than One Style
Nowadays, more brides are opting for picking a color and a length (either short or long) and then letting their bridesmaids choose the style. This is a great option. Not only will you be able to keep the color consistent, but also every bridesmaid will be able to wear a style they love.

A Wear-Again Dress
Save your bridesmaids some money and keep a smile on their face by picking a dress they could wear again. David’s Bridal has several “wear-again” styles like this short satin dress with a contrasting black waistband. How great would this look at a cocktail party too?

Katrina’s Favorite Looks from the 2012 Met Ball
by Katrina Mitzeliotis

The Met Ball is literally like the Oscars of fashion, practically trumping all of awards season combined with the glamorous avant-garde dresses and major star power. I had the opportunity to go, and it was so refreshing to see so much variety on the red carpet! If you want to emulate some of the major trends I saw that night, check out my favorite David’s Bridal picks below.

Peplum Detailing
Peplum detailing on skirts and dresses was a major trend for spring and summer on the runway, and it also ruled the red carpet at the Met Ball, with both Eva Mendes and January Jones showing off the trend. I love the detailing on this strapless dress—in fact, it’s almost the same color as January’s dress, (but is definitely more wearable)!

Plunging Necklines
So many stars opted to flaunt their assets with a plunging neckline, making it a major trend at the Met Ball. From Dianna Agron to Debra Messing and Camilla Belle, stars showed off the trend in all shapes, sizes and silhouettes. If you want to recreate the look, I recommend wearing a halter dress, like the gorgeous gown below.

Backless Dresses
Talk about bringing sexy back! From Rihanna to Cameron Diaz, so many stars looked stunning. Their bare backs left such a dramatic yet chic impression. You too can achieve the same result by wearing a dress like this to your next affair.

Florals
From Emma Stone’s embellished gown to Hailee Stienfeld and Sarah Jessica Parker, the stars exhibited that florals are a fitting choice for formalwear at any age! Whether you go for a gorgeous gown or a flirty frock, the trend is such a nice way to show off a different look at your next occasion, like this vibrant gown.

Carmen’s Visit to David’s Bridal—Vote for your Favorite Look!
by Carmen Ordonez

One of my good friends is getting married in just a few weeks– I can’t wait! I stopped by David’s Bridal to start looking for my dress, as I am going to be in part of the ceremony, and there were so many options. Here are four of my favorite dresses. Tweet me your favorite look @vivafashion and the dress with the most votes will be the one I wear to the wedding!

The first look I tried on was this yellow strapless dress with ruching details—I love the feminine feel to the dress. This summer we’re seeing tons of pastels, so this light yellow is right on trend and perfect for a summer wedding.

I usually like to wear short dresses for summer weddings, but as soon as I saw this long dress on the rack, I immediately gravitated towards it. The layers give it a nice breezy and romantic feel. It also cinches at the waist, which is something I always look for in dresses to avoid looking boxy.

David’s Bridal is filled with fashionable wear-again styles and as soon as I tried on this dress, I just pictured myself being able to wear it to so many occasions. And, did you notice it has pockets? Double-win in my book.

For the last look, I decided to go with this one-shouldered party dress, which is a little more conservative (since it’s a church wedding), but yet still trendy.

Which is your favorite look? Tell me @vivafashion!