GOWNS TO LOVE
By Renee Garrison
Pamela Anderson once opted for a white bikini. However, for most women, a bridal gown constitutes the single largest clothing expenditure they will make in a lifetime. If you’re searching for something to wear on your special day, you’ll be pleased to know wedding designers favor the following trends:
Tiers:
Both ball gown and A-line versions feature tiers of soft lace a’la Spanish aristocracy.High necklines:
Think of Audrey Hepburn and her sophisticated elegance.Trumpet skirts:
Melania Trump wore one that hugged her body in all the right places but flared at the knee.Embellished belts:
More sophisticated than a sash, belts define the waist and add sparkle with beading.
“You really don’t have to spend a fortune on a gown. Today, there’s so much competition in the bridal industry and there are a lot more choices for brides on a budget.”
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“Today, conservatism prevails when brides ultimately make their purchase,” Ignator says. “Many girls tell us they just don‘t want to wear another strapless dress. Bridal necklines are getting higher because the neckline is what is seen the most in photographs.”
According to Ignator, the average price of a gown sold at Brides by Demetrios is $1,500. She cautions that amount doesn’t include a veil and headpiece, shoes, lingerie or jewelry, though.
“A veil might cost several hundred dollars,” Ignator says. “And alterations are essential to having a wedding dress fit correctly. Many women don’t consider these things because, after all, how many times have they done this before?”
Wedding gown designers agree it’s best to try on all different kinds of dresses — even if you detest how it looks on the hanger — to determine which shape and style looks best on you.
“We let the bride pull dresses they like, first,” says Olga Rhoads, co-owner with her daughter, Michele, of Olga’s Bridal for 16 years. “Then, we pull dresses we think will flatter their shape. It makes such a difference when they see a dress on their own figure.
“When a bride comes in carrying a picture from a magazine, nine times out of 10 that is not what they end up with,” she says, adding that most brides spend around $1,000 on a gown at her shop.
The selection process can get confusing, but Rhoads suggests finding out which silhouette looks best to eliminate other styles and speed things up.
Silhouette refers to the overall shape of a gown. A fitted bodice and bell-shaped skirt of the ball gown makes it the perfect selection for a princess bride, such as the late Princess Diana. An empire silhouette is a softer style with a high, feminine waistline for the sophisticated bride. A sheath is a sleeker, more form-fi tting option for the modern bride.
“There’s a lot of fit and flair in our Belle Collection gowns this season,” says Paulette Cleghorn, director of sales and marketing for Kirstie Kelly for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. Available at The Event Factory in Tampa for $1,100 to $4,000, Disney Fairy Tale Wedding gowns include six collections: Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and Jasmine.
With this ring
By Ven Griva, Copley News Service
You can’t go wrong
If you and your sweetheart are in the market for rings, it is best first to decide what you both prefer in a wedding set. While many couples want tradition, others want something with a custom design.
The Material
When shopping for gold rings, it is advised you pay attention to the quality mark stamped on the inside. Pure gold, or 24-karat, is generally considered too soft for use in jewelry, so it is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength. Gold comes in many colors depending on what it is alloyed with. White gold is another option much in demand. Authentic 18-karat gold rings are three-quarters pure gold and should be marked “18k” or “750,” the European mark meaning 75 percent gold. Authentic 14-karat gold is slightly more than one-half pure gold and should be marked “14k” or “585,” which means 58.5 percent gold. Because of its durability, 14- karat gold is used most in jewelry. Nothing less than 10-karat gold can be legally sold as gold jewelry in the United States. It should be marked “10k” or “417,” equal to 41.7 percent gold.
The Style
Simple wedding bands can be slender, 4 millimeters wide, or robust, up to 10 mm or more. One thing to consider is lifestyle. If you have a very active lifestyle, consider low-set rings or simple bands. Rings set high with diamonds or other precious stones are beautiful, but they catch on things easily.
There are many alternatives to the simple gold band. Antique gold rings are hot again. The trendy yet nostalgic pieces can feature unique details such as filigree settings, floral accents, or gemstone baguettes. Platinum is another trend making rings go round. One reason is that many people are convinced that platinum’s white luster draws out the brilliance of diamonds like no other precious metal. What’s more, men are drawn to platinum because it is nearly twice as heavy as 14-karat gold and the strongest precious metal used in making jewelry. Chunky platinum rings encrusted with diamonds continue to be popular with the guys. If the bride or groom is active, choose platinum over gold for durability; avoid matte finishes, which show scratches, easy-to-blunt decorative details, and gemstones, which can chip, fall out or trap dirt.
Another trend in wedding bands: Designers are using ergonomics to make rings more comfortable to wear. Curved, not flat, interiors are one modern design element that takes the edge off of wearing a ring. Diamonds are another accepted style in men’s rings. The best-selling styles are subtle — involving less than a full carat of diamonds — and wearable. The stone usually is set to be flush with the surface of the ring to create a totally smooth exterior and to provide good security for the stone.
The Price
Once you decide what you want in a wedding ring or set, it’s time to shop around. It is best to visit a variety of jewelers. Many are willing and able to educate you about precious metals and stones. Pricing is based on four factors: how many karats, gram weight, design and craftsmanship. The karats and gram weight tell you how much gold is in a piece, but the ring’s construction and design also factor into the price.
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