An asymmetrical neckline is perfect for a bride-to-be with a taste for modern and an eye for fashion. Chic and stylish, these gowns draw the eye upward, elongating a girl’s silhouette and highlighting her shoulder and collarbone for a feminine look with a little edge.

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Classic and timeless, finding a gown with long sleeves has been no easy task! Thankfully, that traditional style element is making a comeback, and brides who dream of never seeing another strapless gown again are heaving a collective sigh of relief! At their most flattering when constructed of light, malleable fabrics such as lace, organza, chiffon and dupioni, sleeves subtly turn up the volume on style.

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Chic, modern, and feminine, UK designer Sassi Holford’s bespoke gowns are designed for a traditional bride with a heart for fashion in mind. Filled with gowns that evoke icons such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Rita Hayworth, her collection has a timelessness that is unmatched.

Relatively new to the US, visit here to find a list of boutiques.

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Dress shopping can be exciting, chaotic, and sometimes downright scandalous! If you don’t have any guidelines going into it, you’re guaranteeing yourself a pretty wild ride. Here are a few tips we offer to make the most out of your ‘dress day!’

Know what you like or don’t like: Ivory or white, strapless or sleeves, lace or silk, fitted or billowy, short or long? Subconsciously we tend to know these things as women, even though we offer that we ‘are open to anything.’ It’s important to state the things (even if they are few) that you know about the look you were going for- it can save you hours!

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If the philosophies of  “handmade” and “eco-friendly” inform the choices you make as you plan your wedding, the Cotton Bride collection by Chris Kole may be the answer to your bridal gown prayers.

Don’t let the name fool you.  Textiles including all natural rich jacquards, light organzas, and georgettes are all utilized in the construction of the collection, as well as the cotton and linen fabrics they are named for.  Cotton Bride’s gowns vary in style from classic to breezy and modern, with each gown offering a fresh alternative to more traditional fabrication.

Second image in top row via Martha Stewart, all other images via Brides.com

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Where is it written that brides must wear a white bridal gown?  Before Queen Victoria chose to wear a white wedding dress, many brides wore any color they wanted on their wedding day.   A romantic, dramatic way to express yourself, I have been seeing a rainbow assortment of  gowns everywhere, and a bride in color is just as lovely, as these ladies prove!

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Imagine a traditional veil and chances are an image of encumbering, fussy layers of tulle pop into mind.  While there are veils like that out there, a modern cathedral length veil is a classic and romantic accessory that virtually guarantees a dramatic entrance.  Usually 108″-120″ or longer, the cathedral veil can be one layer or two, have lots of pouf or very little, and can be finished in almost any edging.  Paired with a full ball gown or a lean column, a cathedral veil elegantly frames a woman’s silhouette and is breathtaking.

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Martha Stewart answers a lot of questions from brides; however, this question caught my attention. “I’m getting married for a second time.  What should I wear?”  The answer: ”The distinction between a first-time bride and a second-time bride is that the “encore” bride is not an ingénue and shouldn’t dress like one, which basically just means do not wear a veil.  The color of the gown has no connection to virginity, but white was once reserved for brides without the experience of a previous marriage.”

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Fingertip or elbow length veils are popular for a reason! Versatile, light, and retaining a traditional quality while decidedly modern, these abbreviated cousins of cathedral veils are favored by brides everywhere.  Similar to the cathedral veil, the pouf factor is flexible, and any detail such as lace or beading can be added.  Almost any style of veil (like the mantilla) can be made into an elbow or fingertip length veil, and most can be comfortably worn throughout the reception (if you choose)!

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One trend I never tire of is the cage veil.  Commonly made of a wide net, it falls just short of the lips, making the wearer bewitching, sassy, and sophisticated all at once.

There is a decidedly vintage feel to a cage veil, which was made popular in the ’40s by women who wanted a chic alternative to the longer, more ornate veils of the time.  Paired with a large flower or other dramatic accessory, it’s a great way to glam up your look!

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