DRESSING FOR THE WEDDING

Fashions change rapidly, giving way to new and fresh ideas. Men's wear, for instance, has become much more versatile in resent years allowing for more casual attire. Bridal wear has seen a strong emergence of off-white and pastel wedding gowns, with modern brides even opting for bold colours. Individual taste always plays an important part of the bridal attire. Check with your bridal consultant or local formal wear shops for the latest trends and fashions. The following is a general guide for traditional dressing for a wedding;

Bride & Bridesmaids
Formal Daytime/Evening Wedding
Choose a gown with Cathedral, Chapel or sweeping train. Short, full or long veil. Long dresses with shoulders covered. Gloves to match the dress with some type of head ornament. Bridesmaids should carry a bouquet to complement bride's.

Semi-formal Daytime/Evening
Floor length gown with no train. Veil and bouquet. Same as formal wear.

Informal Daytime
Floor length or short dress. Short veil or hat and a small bouquet. Bridesmaids dresses in the same length as bride. May have hairpiece and flowers.

Groom & Groomsmen
Formal Daytime
Cutaway coat with grey or black striped trousers.
Grey waistcoat, white shirt and striped ascot.

Formal Evening
Formal tuxedo or Black tails and matching trousers with black satin side stripe.
Same as daytime. Formal evening wear.

Semi-formal daytime
Jacket, striped trousers, with grey vest and white soft collared shirt. Grey and white striped tie.

Semi-formal Evening
Black dinner jacket with matching trousers. Black vest or cummerbund with white dress shirt and black bow tie.

Informal Daytime
Black, dark grey or navy business suit. In the summer, a white or light coloured suit.

Mothers
Formal Daytime/Evening
Floor length gown. Head ornament and corsage. Dinner length gown.

Semi formal Daytime
Floor length gown. Head ornament and corsage. Dinner dress.

Semi formal Evening
Long evening dress. Dinner dress.

Informal daytime
Same length dress as bride. Casual dress.

Bride
First, any bride can wear white. It doesn't matter if this is your first or fourth wedding--it's up to you. In regards to a long dress, short dress, pantsuit, or ball gown, this really depends on the style of your wedding. A Vegas chapel may not warrant the same type of bridal attire as a ceremony with full mass and the Pope presiding. Consider the location and ceremony time--from 6:00 P.M. on is considered more formal--when selecting bridal (and groom) attire.

Bridal Shoes
The material of the shoe should match the fabric of the bridal gown as closely as possible. The design of the shoe should complement the design of the gown, perhaps decorated with the same details as the dress. A proper fit is critical to comfort. She should purchase a half-size larger shoe to wear on her wedding day and consider selecting a second style shoe that she can switch into during the reception celebration.

To break-in her bridal shoes before the wedding, the bride should wear her shoes during the week before the wedding, wearing them around the house on carpeted floors for a while each day.

To avoid tripping on slippery floors in her wedding shoes on her wedding day, the bride can lightly apply fine sandpaper to abrade the smooth finish on the soles of the shoes.

Bridal Hosiery
The stockings should complement the style and fabric of the wedding gown and vary according to sheerness, sheen, and pattern. Patterned hosiery is available in many designs as well as small, simple motifs positioned near the ankle. The bride should choose patterned hose with plain, silk pumps and opt for simple hosiery to accent an ornate shoe. For the appropriate colour of hosiery the bride should obtain a very sheer stocking that best matches the fabric of her wedding gown in white, ivory, or nude.

Headgear for the bride and her maids
In addition to the traditional veil, there are hats, headbands, floral wreaths, and combs.

Wedding Day Jewellery
The standard rule related to bridal jewellery recommends understated, simple, classic, and conservative themes. Most brides wear fewer, more formal pieces of high-quality wedding jewellery.

The bride's jewellery, along with her other accessories, should reflect the formality of the wedding celebration. A small, informal wedding calls for simple jewellery, while a large, formal wedding calls for more elaborate jewellery. Certain pieces of jewellery are considered more traditional than others. Diamond stud earrings suggest elegance, along with classic pearl necklaces and bracelets. Pearl jewellery -- a symbol of purity and innocence -- is the most popular choice by brides.

Different types of pearls and pearl necklaces used in wedding jewellery: The most prevalent types of pearls are cultured pearls, deep-sea pearls, and freshwater pearls. Cultured pearls are the most common variety of pearls. Deep-sea pearls are the naturally produced pearls. Freshwater pearls are found in rivers and lakes, characterized by an irregular shape and colour with intense lustre. The various lengths of pearl necklaces include the dog collar, choker, princess, matinee, and opera. A dog collar is made up of several strands of pearls stacked up on the neck. A necklace that rests at the base of the throat is termed a choker. A princess-length necklace rests above the bust line. A matinee-length necklace rests below the bust line. An opera length necklace falls around the waistline. A lavaliere is a pendant on a necklace.

Bracelets can be worn with sleeveless, short-sleeve, and three-quarter sleeve gowns. It is possible to combine a bracelet with gloves as a dramatic accessory worn over tight-fitted gloves. A watch can be worn as an unusual antique or family heirloom, but most watches are not appropriate wedding jewellery for the bride or her maids.

A button earring accentuates a round face. A dangle earring widens a narrow face. A squared earring adds interest to a long face.

Most bridesmaid ensembles can be enhanced with earrings and perhaps a necklace or bracelet. All maids should wear the exact same jewellery.

Gloves
Gloves are classified by length, measured by the number of inches or buttons the glove reaches above the thumb. The most popular lengths of gloves include one-button, two-button, six-button, eight-button and sixteen-button. A one-button glove stops just below the palm and is worn with long-sleeve gowns. A two-button glove ends at the wrist and is also known as a wristlet or gauntlet. A six-button glove falls below the elbow and is also known as a quarter-length glove. This style best accents a short-sleeve gown. An eight-button glove reaches to the elbow and is worn with short-sleeve dresses. Also known as opera-length gloves, the sixteen-button glove reaches to the top of the arm. It is typically worn crushed or gathered and looks best with sleeveless or strapless wedding gowns.

Gloves can be made of kid leather, silk, matte cotton, crochet and sheer. A bride should choose a matching colour glove to her wedding gown. White gowns dictate a white glove, while an ivory gown is paired with ivory gloves. The bride should wear her gloves for the processional and replace them following the marriage ceremony. She should wear them while greeting guests in the receiving line as well as dancing the special dances at the reception.

A special consideration for the bride wearing gloves is the exchange of wedding rings. If she is wearing short gloves, she can simply remove her gloves and pass them to her honour attendant. Brides who opt for long, elbow-length gloves typically open the seams of the ring finger and tuck the fabric inside to expose the ring finger. The bride should remove her gloves while eating at the reception to prevent possibility of any food stains on the gloves.

The Bride's Handbag
Most brides will use a handbag on their wedding day but will never carry it down the aisle. The bride's mother or honour attendant carries the handbag. Handbags are most often made of fabric or lace. Specialty bags may feature pearl and metallic trims. A bride wearing kid gloves may opt to perpetuate the look with a small leather handbag.

Carrying a Handkerchief
Many brides receive a handkerchief as a bridal shower gift from an older female relative. The colour should be white or ivory and the bride's initials can be embroidered to personalize the practical accessory.

Undergarments
The proper undergarments will enhance the bride's figure and improve the fit of her gown. A corset is a strapless bustier that fits to the waistline is appropriate. A merry widow is a corset with slightly longer length and garters to hold stockings. Although some bridal gowns are constructed with the appropriate petticoat attached inside, many brides will want to purchase a petticoat to provide the desired fullness. Brides interested in achieving a voluminous skirt may wear two petticoats.

What are the guidelines these days for the bride who wants to wear white even if she has been married before or has a child?
Since white is considered to be a sign of joy, it is perfectly appropriate for second-time brides and those with children to wear it. But the tradition still stands that these brides not wear veils (unless required by religious custom), gowns with trains, or carry orange blossoms.