Oleg Cassini Satin Ball Gown with Laser-Cut Floral Appliqu

Flattering Wedding Dresses For The Bride To Be

It the worst nightmare for any bride-to-be: discovering that your wedding dress is unflattering.

Fortunately, it a fear that is never realized for several reasons. First, your seamstress or bridal shop is capable of working magic to make your dress fit you like a glove. Next, nothing is more flattering than your emotions of joy and happiness - which will be the focal point of all your guests as you walk down the aisle. Finally, there are so many different wedding dress options to choose from that you are bound to find one that will give you the precise look that you are searching for.

Here are several flattering dresses from Oleg Cassini, Galina, Galina Signature, and David Bridal:

Oleg Cassini strapless dress Strapless Lace and Tulle Slim Gown

Consider this the perfect wedding gown if you want to hear the collective gasp of awe as you sashay down the aisle. The bodice features beaded lace and a slim silhouette and the tiers of tulle on the chapel length train give this gown a one-of-a-kind appearance.

Oleg Cassini Satin Ball Gown with Laser-Cut Floral Appliqu

This item is the dress for the stunning princess bride who wants the romantic wedding of her dreams. The strapless bodice showcases the intricate floral appliqu, which have been carefully laser-cut. The full skirt with a sweep train comes with eye-catching horizontal bands for a unique effect.

Oleg Cassini All Over Lace A-Line Gown with Obi Sash

This dress completely embodies the term tunning.?Its elegant all-over lace patterns provide a spectacular look to the entire dress and chapel train. The ruched waist, obi sash, and halter bodice add a dash of drama to the ensemble.

Galina Strapless Shantung Taffeta Sweetheart Ball Gown

Perfect for the bride who likes to be on the cutting edge of all fashion trends, this gown jaunty sweetheart bodice perfectly complements the flirty bow at the waist. The exquisite gown with sweep train is constructed of radiant shantung taffeta ?and it also comes with side pockets for convenience.

Galina Tea-Length Satin Gown with 3D Floral Detail

This dress is an ideal combination of retro and chic. Its three-dimensional floral beaded detail lines the strapless bodice, providing a timeless appearance. The empire waist and structured tea-length skirt give the entire gown a carefree and cheery look.

Galina Short Dress Featuring 3D Floral Appliqu

For the woman who has tons of sex appeal and isn afraid to flout it, this dress only drops to the knee and is decorated with horizontal satin bands. The strapless silhouette is accented with several 3D floral appliqu.

Galina Signature Organza A-Line Gown with Angled Draped Pick-Ups

For the glamorous bride who wants to be nothing less than divine on her special day, this strapless gown features a striking sweetheart neckline to show off the shoulders, while the waist is highlighted by three-dimensional floral embellishment. But the angled draped pickups are guaranteed to catch the eye of this A-line silhouette dress with a sweep train.

Galina Signature Satin Trumpet Gown with Cascading Ruffle Back

This dress screams sleek and ultra-chic. It all starts with the artfully-embroidered asymmetrical ruffles and the cascading ruffle back. This dramatic strapless silhouette dress with sweep train is beautifully accented at the neckline with modern beading detail.

Galina Signature Charmeuse V-neck Halter with Ruched Surplice Bodice

This visually astonishing dress has ornate detail wherever you look. It boasts plenty of unique features from the attractive V-neck halter to the dropped waist with beaded embroidery. There are even beaded embroidered appliqu on the godet chapel train.

David Bridal Soft A-Line Chiffon Gown with Side Drape

A timeless look with a healthy dose of dazzle, this gown side drape detail, lace-up back, and the sweetheart neckline will flatter any figure. The waist is nicely accented with fun 3D flowers.

David Bridal strapless cocktail dresses Cap Sleeve Organza A-Line Gown

Enchanting and opulent, this dress is perfect for the lady who wants to feel like a queen on her modest clothing stores wedding day. The gown has several intricate features like the illusion cap sleeves and beaded lace on the bodice and skirt hem. And the lavish organza fabric creates an attractive A-line gown with a chapel train.

David Bridal Modern One-Shoulder Pick-Up Gown

This gown is perfect for the woman who wants the ideal balance of modern and classic styles. The taffeta ball gown with chapel train is highlighted by pick-up detail on the skirt. The trendy one-shoulder design blends beautifully with the beaded embroidery on the side-drape and hip.

Of course, you can add little touches of your own to make your dress completely unique. You can select a stylish veil or a floral headpiece. You can opt for white gloves or a brightly colored sash. Or you can pick out the perfect accessory like a clutch or purse.

In the end, whichever choice you make will be created specifically for your figure and body style ?so youe guaranteed to look your absolute best. Then all you have to do is smile, glide down the aisle, and watch the faces of your guests light up as you pass by them on the way to your awaiting groom.

Choosing A White Vs. An Ivory Wedding Dress

White wedding dresses are rife with symbolism: purity, virginity, what have you. Clearly today these symbols are less relevant in our society. Nevertheless, the white dress persists! Why? Is it that brides tend to glow in white? Is it that guests assume the bride will wear white therefore no other woman will wear it, rendering the bride a visible beacon amongst her guests? Maybe it's because many weddings tend to be in the summer and white looks so nice outdoors in the sunlight.

Whatever the reason, the vast majority of wedding dresses are still in shades of white and ivory. Some more intrepid brides have chosen other colors, such as a gold wedding dress or even pink!

Is White Your Color?

Despite white being the default choice in many brides' minds, not everyone can pull it off. White compliments very dark skin tones and the lightest skin tones best. Olive-skinned women should steer towards a richer color. If you have a tendency to tan in golden tones white will also look great on you. Brides with yellow undertones to their skin will look better in a diamond white rather than a gleaming white.

Considering Ivory

How do you know an ivory wedding dress is the right color for you? Can it be more than a "middle of the road" between pure white and champagne tones? Absolutely. To answer the first question, think of how pearls look against your skin. Have you always liked the effect? Don't think of the style of pearls, which might be too conservative for you: rather, think of the tone itself. Chances are you'll be saying a resounding "yes" if you have olive or creamy skin. Also in the resounding "yes" category: dark-skinned women, especially those with rich brown tones. In this case you may want to consider a rich ivory color, or a gold wedding dress. Creamy skin also looks nice in ivory, especially a paler shade of ivory.

If you have very fair skin you'll probably want to avoid ivory in favor of white. This way your dress will be lighter than your skin tone, which is the goal.

There are many shades of ivory with varying levels of color, and varying levels of yellow. If you're shopping for a dress in person, the best way to judge the color is against your skin, and preferably in daylight. If this is not possible in the store, ask for a fabric sample that you can take home. Shopping online? Take the time to request a fabric sample. It's well worth the minor cost if you're serious about the wedding dress in question. Not only for the color, but to judge the texture, shine and overall fabric quality.

Whatever your choice, make sure you long sleeve maxi don't compromise your fabric for the color you want. The fabric of your dress is incredibly important and needs to "stand on it's own". Don't be afraid to ask for a fabric sample to be really sure. This goes for a white dress too. Happy shopping!