Different shades of...white?

It's time to talk about the different colors of wedding dresses (bet you didn't realize you have options?). The options out there are seemingly endless! But the realty is, there's several different color names for the same color. For example: one designer may say the dress comes in " Champagne" but another designer may call it "Honey", others will use words like "taupe" or "nude". I'll be honest, each season I roll my eyes at the new options that designers come up with (do we really need 4 different names for the champagne color?). Not to worry though! Your bridal stylist will help you navigate this and find the perfect dress for you!

So let's dive in and start with the biggest misconception: IVORY vs WHITE.

Ivory is what we refer to as "bridal white". About half of our sample gowns are in ivory, the other half are in a speciality color (more on that later). We tend not to have samples in a true white, which actually has a blue undertone. Many brides come in thinking they want the traditional white dress. When we show them white vs. ivory, they choose the ivory.

Ivory has warmer undertone. It's important to know the difference when planning your whole wedding look. If your dress is Ivory you'll want to make sure the flower girl is also in ivory and that your veil matches accordingly.

Now let's talk about the specialty colors.

Many dresses come in other colors such as champagne, blush, nude, or honey, we even have a couple dresses that come in smokey lavender! This is where it gets complicated as each designer has their own color chart and several different shades, BUT not every dress comes in the same color options. Are you still with me? Like I said, your bridal stylist will be your best resource to help you find exactly what you want.

Lace dresses will always have IVORY lace and the color comes from the underskirt. What is great about this is you really see the detail of the lace and beading. Check out some pictures below of our darker tones compared to the ivory.

I hope this will help you in your journey to find the perfect dress! My advice is go in with an open mind. Try on some colors, and try on some ivory! I'd say we order about 50% ivory dresses and 50% in darker tones so weather you want the traditional bridal white or a modern twist, you can't go wrong!

The Top 5 Silhouettes Every Bride Should Know

One of the first questions any bride shopping for their wedding dress will have to answer is, "What type of dress are you picturing yourself in?". To help with this sometimes very tough question we've broken down the top five dress silhouettes for you.

1. Ballgown:

Ballgowns are the most classic silhouette and will give any bride the "princess" look just due to its' shape. Ballgowns have a fitted bodice to either the natural waist or dropped waist and the skirt will be wide and full, a look typically achieved by using layers of crinoline or tulle. This silhouette is great for any bride who wants to really accentuate their waistline as well as make a statement.

This very regal ballgown by Morilee (style 5716) is a great example of a dramatic skirt created by the use of crinoline layers beneath the satin.

Another example of a ballgown is Morilee (style 5577) that uses the "handkerchief" type of skirt, which is layered organza with crinoline underneath, to achieve its' classic ballgown silhouette.

2. Sheath:

A sheath dress is very form-fitting and hugs the body through the hips then falls straight to the floor. This silhouette is perfect for the bride who wants as little fuss as possible when it comes to the dress. In general, sheath dresses have less material and little to no train. This is a great shape for slim or petite brides who are worried about their dress wearing them and not the other way around. I absolutely love a bold lace sheath dress such as these two. The first is a beaded lace dress by Lillian West, style 66103, with a plunging V neckline that is mimicked in the back and a double-banded waist. This dress would be perfect for the bride who wants the glam of a beaded lace but the low-key feel that comes from any sheath silhouette.

I also chose this bohemian dream of a sheath dress as an example with its' allover lace and buttons that continue all the way to the floor. This is style TR11832 from Mon Cheri's modest collection and, modest or not, this sheath would be perfect on the beach, in a meadow or at a dive bar, whatever the location this gown will bring the beautiful bohemian vibes.

3. A-Line:

A-line dresses are a great compromise for the bride who can't decide between a fitted dress or a ballgown. This silhouette got its' name because of the way it forms an "A" on the body. This is the most universally flattering silhouette, it fits all body types as well as venues, whatever your wedding vibe is this silhouette will be right at home. I absolutely love A-lines because they maintain the classic look of a ballgown but without the over-the-top drama of a ballgown. There is an A-line for every bride and every venue such as this Lillian West that has an overall boho feel with its' large floral applique, fitted bodice and great tulle A-line skirt.

A-lines can also look just as classic as any ballgown but in a more subdued way that lets the bride steal the spotlight instead of just the dress. One of my favorite examples of this is Enchanting gown style 219150 which has a timeless look but a modern fit.

4. Mermaid:

This silhouette needs no introduction and is considered the "sexiest" of all the silhouettes. Mermaid gowns are great for accentuating curves as well as creating them. whether you're already all about that bass or you want to be, this is the shape for you. This silhouette is known for bringing the drama, it is fitted all the way through the hips then flares dramatically below the knee. Most brides think a mermaid means mega curves and mega glam like this Martin Thornburg style 119253 or Morilee style 8177.

The mermaid silhouette is known for it's over-the-top drama and curves but it is just as stunning when simple such as this Morilee style 5766.

5. Fit and Flare:

One of our most popular silhouettes here at Amour Bridal is the fit and flare. This silhouette has all the hip-hugging, curve appeal as the mermaid but without so much of the drama. Fit and Flare gowns will still hug your body through the bodice, waist and hips but the skirt's flare begins above the kneeing freeing up your legs for easier walking, and more importantly, dancing. Whether you're going for a modern princess look such as this Sophia Tolli style Y11961....

...or a dress that no one could ever forget like this Martin Thornburg style number 219210. You simply can't go wrong with the fit and flare!!

#Bride #Weddingdress #Weddinggown #DressSilhouette #FitandFlare #Ballgown #BridetoBe #Mermaid #AustinBride

The Princess Revival

The princess look is back, not just in one way but two, and I’m loving every minute of it! The fairytale princess look is generally defined by a sweetheart neckline, a fitted bodice that is usually intricately detailed and a large ballgown skirt with enough crinoline to keep a five foot radius around the bride at all times. If Cinderella would rock it, it’s a princess ballgown. This look continues to be sought after by so many brides for the obvious reason, what better chance will they have to be a literal princess for a day if not on their wedding day?! Designers like our very own Martin Thornburg have continued to make this look relevant by designing dresses that are just as spectacular and show-stopping as they were in the days of carriages, balls and princes searching for princesses at those balls. Here are three of my current favorite princess ballgowns that we have here at Amour Bridal as well as an exclusive sneak peek of the ballgown I am beyond obsessed with from Martin Thornburg’s Spring 2020 collection.

Martin Thornburg 218209

Morilee 8182

Martin Thornburg 119264B

Martin Thornburg 120255

Coming Spring 2020!!

The other princess look taking the wedding gown industry by storm is the modern princess which was given a much needed makeover when Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in May 2018. Overall, this is a much more simple look than the fairytale princess ballgown and typically don’t have much in the way of lace or beading. The shape is completely different as well, favoring a body hugging silhouette and thicker fabrics such as crepe or matte satin. The dresses below are my favorite modern princess styles that we have in-store, as well as a sneak peek of the dress I’m dreaming about the most from Sophia Tolli’s Spring 2020 collection.

Martin Thornburg 119268

Sophia Tolli Y11961

Martin Thornburg 219209

Sophia Tolli Y12026

I am such a huge fan of both of these looks because they capture the two sides of every bride. The fairytale princess ball gown embodies the young, fun and playful spirit of every girl or woman who is approaching her wedding day; while the modern, fitted look plays up the sophisticated, new wife that she’s becoming. If I had it my way we would all have multiple weddings (same man, different dresses of course) so we could all be the princesses we are, in whatever way that may be, as well as the ones we still fantasize about being.

#princess #princesswedding #princessgown #ballgown #weddinggown #bridalgown #AustinTX #Bridal