Celebrities spend extravagant amounts of money to have their wedding gowns designed exclusively for them. They appreciate the opportunity to wear a one-of-a-kind original that fits their personal style and figure to a tee. But you don't need a celebrity budget to look chic and fabulous on your wedding day. By incorporating vintage style into your apparel, you too can enjoy a gorgeously designed original with the perfect fit.
Craving a Dior, Galliano, or Givenchy label that is out of your budget? Seize the opportunity to wear a vintage couture gown for a fraction of the price. Vintage apparel isn't just for celebrity red carpets anymore. Exquisitely detailed designer originals can easily be bought in the $1,000 - $5,000 range. Most wedding gowns from the traditional bridal stores will not be able to match the style, detail, or quality for the price range. For a sample of vintage couture offerings, visit The Frock or Posh Girl Vintage.
Perhaps, like your favorite celebrities, you are searching for a modern and chic silhouette but with exquisite detailing and antique lace. Tori Spelling's first wedding gown emulated this look, and inexpensive knockoffs of this dress flew off the shelves. In true celebrity style, forget a knockoff of the original and embrace your own fabulous custom design. First, find the dress with the silhouette that suits your body type and is constructed of a fabric you adore. Then shop for details that can be added to bump up the style factor. Vintage or antique lace can be inset into the sleeves, bodice, neckline, or train. Sew beautiful vintage beads to accent necklines, cuffs, or hems. Ask for referrals for a great tailor (bridal forums are great way to do this) and spend extra to have a professional incorporate the details into your simple dress. An excellent tailor will ensure the dress will fit like a glove and look fantastic!
Love antique jewelery? Then be a trendsetter. Unlike last year's trend of wearing layers upon layers of jewelry, the new way to wear jewels is on the actual garments themselves. Vintage brooches can accent shoulder straps or waistline details. Small earrings can be used as cuff details. Separate beads and jewels from necklaces and then accent a V-neckline. Sew more beads and jewels at one end of the "V" to make the neckline even more stunning. To accent the face, add moe jewels toward the collar. To focus the attention on the bodice, sew more beads toward the bottom of the neckline. Either way, you will have an original gown that suits your figure and style.
For many celebrity brides, including Cristina Aguilera, one gown simply is not enough. More and more, modern brides are wearing their Cinderella dream gown for the ceremony and a second and more comfortable cocktail dress for the reception. This is a practical wedding trend that allows more freedom of movement for dancing with your new hubby and mingling with your guests. Again, look to vintage cocktail dresses for affordable couture. If need be, incorporate additional vintage beads, jewels, and embellishments to further personalize your dress.
Do remember to consider vintage details for your shoes as well. After all, what woman doesn't approach shoes as the final exclamation point to her look? Exchange plain buckles on your ankle or mule straps for vintage buckles with rhinestones, crystals, or other jewels. Decorate popular satin ballet slippers with fine ribbon bows. Then, sew buttons or earrings to the center for a comfortable dancing shoe.
With a bit of vintage know-how, you too can dress like a celebrity on your wedding day. Incorporate vintage style into your apparel and enjoy a gorgeously designed original with the perfect fit. With exclusive designer labels and stunning vintage details at your disposal, you are sure to look chic and fabulous while walking down the aisle or celebrating at the reception.
Sarah Bogle is a style expert and successful entrepreneur. Following years in the interior design profession, her focus became integrating her three great loves -- style, weddings, and soapmaking -- into her own business. Known as the creator extraordinaire of custom wedding favors and gifts by brides and wedding consultants, her designs are as unique as each bride and groom.