Weddings are emotional affairs and nothing is more emotional than a wedding dress.
Every bride and groom wants to feel that what they wear reflects their own style and not something imposed by others. So, if you’re a bride-to-be and wear the trousers, so to speak, in the relationship, then why not invest in a pair of culottes, the season’s hottest trouser trend? Surprisingly few women do, although Angelina Jolie’s recent Bafta appearance in a tailored and elegantly sexy YSL tuxedo might encourage others to follow suit – in every sense.
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Here we give you a choice of seven looks.
HIPSTER
Opt for easy breezy pieces that you can wear again as separates.
MSGM cream top, €135, Brown Thomas; cream culottes, €60, Warehouse (in stores mid March) pearl collier, E??, Kalu Emporium, gold statement necklace, €255, Melissa Curry, made to order, Priyanka ring, €259 , Knightsbridge; plain gold stack rings, €9 for a set of six, boohoo.com; fresh flower head piece, E70, made to order, The Garden, Powerscourt Townhouse.
ELOPE
If you’re getting married abroad go for a light-as-air natural fabric dress that is easy-to-pack.
Silk organza disc made-to-order dress, €950, Helen Cody; Lucy Choi shoes, €245, Arnotts, heart ring, €49, Pandora; head piece, made to order, E70, The Garden, Powerscourt Townhouse
GLAMOUR
A heavy embellished dress is something that you can wear to other special occasions. Shorten it and it becomes the perfect summer party frock.
Full length embellished silk Jenny Peckham Joy dress, €3,600 at Anabel Rose, Jennifer Behring gold feather headband, €239, Knightsbridge; turquoise stone ring, €159, Pandora; shoes, €160, Buffalo; bouquet, from E100, Appassionata
ROMANTIC
Rock romantic in a modern way with wedding day shirt and skirt that shows off all that hard work in the gym.
Embellished tulle shirt, €1,800 (includes a camisole), tulle skirt, €650, both made-to-order and headpiece, €195, all at Sharon Hoey; Lucy Choi shoes, €245, Arnotts; Pandora ring, €159 , bouquet, from €100, Appassionata
RETROFABULOUS
A short jacket worn over a dress covers arms and lending warmth to chilly spring wedding days..
Mooski striped dress, €1,695, (avail in sizes up to 18 and also made-to-order) Frilly Frocks, Drogheda; Balenciaga jacket, €1,195, Brown Thomas, Dublin; head piece, €195, Frilly FrocksKat and Bee ring, €280, Coldlilies, MoMuse cross earrings, €45, Bow boutique.
FORMAL DO
If your wedding is a black tie affair go something simple and elegant, simple.
Long sleeve Jenny Peckham Ingrid silk dress, €3,865, (sizes 8 – 18) Sharon Hoey; MoMuse earrings, €55, Bow Boutique; Kat and Bee ring, €290, Coldlillies;Lucy Choi shoes, €245, Arnotts; Bouquet, from €100, Appassionata
CLASSIC BRIDE
Full-length lace is the modern bride’s way on the classic wedding dress.
Cream lace overlay, €1,495, worn over cream full length dress, €2,995; both Frilly Frocks, Drogheda; hair clip, €160 (for a set of three), Sharon Hoey; gold and pearl bracelet, €400, pearl ring, €160 and thin rose gold ring, €620, all Links at Kildare Village, bouquet, from €100, Appassionata
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Most brides, however, opt to wear a dress or a skirt and top on their big day. But, as hemlines rise, more and more are eschewing the formality of a full-length frock in favour of a flattering midi length, a style which makes most women look taller and slimmer.
More mature brides could reference the 1990s revival and opt for something short and fun, though it’s a good idea to roadtest the garment in advance by sitting down and seeing how far the hem rides up before saying “I do” to it.
Simone Rocha, who recently made a dream dress for her friend fashion stylist Aisling Farinella’s wedding in Sicily, knows how to do youthful romance, and at her recent collection in London showed how ruffles could be used in a contemporary way. She also presented soft pink dresses in brushed wool tulle that could start a colour trend away from traditional bridal whites, creams and champagnes. Barely-there pink is a delicate but secret weapon that works well against porcelain skin – and can be worn again.
Accessories also play a major role in the big day. Savvy shoppers don’t want the traditional satin-covered bridal shoes any more, preferring classic courts or other styles that don’t date and have a life beyond the wedding day.
So what about veils? Historically they were designed to cover the bride’s face as she walked down the aisle (and to ward off evil spirits), but a more fashionable option worth considering is what’s called a “birdcage veil” that can cover the whole face or just the eyes – for maximum discreet sensuality – a speciality of Emily Jean O’Byrne. Other options include studded leather headbands that can be commissioned in white from Fiona Mangan.
CREDITS
Bride models: Jenny Drea and Claire Tracey
Bridegroom models: Eider Leite; Paul Murphy; Daniel Lengyel; Caoimhin O'Brien; Daniel R and James Crerar.
Brides' Make-up: Naomh Kirwan, assisted by Ashley Morhej of The Wedding Crew theweddingcrew.net
Bridegrooms' grooming: Taylor Lee at LA Creative College of Arts
Hair: Trudy Hayes, assisted by Kevin McGarry of Wilde salon Donnybrook wildesalon.ie
Stylist: Grace Moore, assisted by Rebecca Brennan and Annie Dunne
Photography: Alan Betson assisted by Lisa Buttafuoco
Shot on location at The Marker Hotel, Grand
Canal Dock, Dublin 2 where they can accommodate wedding parties ranging in size from 10 to 242. themarkerhoteldublin.com
With special thanks to Morgan The Agency morgantheagency.com
