Having a bride’s closest friends and family accompany her to the bridal salon is a time-honored tradition. Girlfriends and mothers ooh and aah over each option, narrowing down the selections until she finds “the one.” But just as much attention should go into a bridal party’s and spouse’s day-of attire. We asked the owners of local shops for their advice to ensure everyone looks and feels their best on the big day.
Expert
Tina Loyd, owner of Terry Costa
Formality is key.
After the bride’s, mothers’ gowns should be the most formal, with venue and time of day dictating dress code. “The mothers should first speak with the bride to get her input and suggestions on style, colors, and formality,” Tina says.
To match or not to match?
Should moms coordinate with the bride or bridal party, or try to stand apart? Once again, defer to your bride. “In most weddings, the mothers’ dresses should complement the bridesmaids but not look like a bridesmaid’s dress,” Tina says, adding that some brides “love when the mother’s dress has similar features to their own, like an off-the-shoulder style, buttons down the back, or lace details.”
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“One-shoulder silhouettes continue to be popular, but we’re also seeing more clients choosing strapless gowns than in the past. Florals and jacquards are also still in demand.”
Expert
Kelli Gunn, owner of Bella Bridesmaids Dallas
Decisions, decisions.
Though a bride may think letting her bridesmaids choose their own dresses is easier on everyone, it can cause undue stress. “The more input a bride can provide, the better for everyone!” says Kelli. If your bride is more hands-off, Kelli advises sharing photos with her of dresses you’re considering, “so that you can feel more comfortable with your choice.”
Master the mix.
If a bride wants her bridal party to wear a variety of patterns, planning ahead is the key to perfection. “We would advise that the bride preselect a collection of dresses that we would help curate for her,” says Kelli. “We then would help manage the dress selection process with all the bridesmaids to ensure that there is minimal duplication and ample variety.”
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“The current vibes we’re seeing are either very girly; French countryside–inspired; or ultra formal, chic, and structured dresses.”
Expert
Billy Langhenry, owner of Mister Tuxedo
Complement your bride.
Billy advises that it’s not necessary for grooms to match their bride’s gown—which they traditionally don’t see until the big day, anyway. Ivory details, for instance, create “a nice contrast” to a stark white gown, says Billy, who adds: “You can never go wrong with a classic black tuxedo.”
Suit up or stand out?
When it comes to grooms and groomsmen, Billy says, “I think it looks nice to have the whole wedding party match, but this doesn’t have to be a requirement. Oftentimes the groom or fathers may opt for a different lapel style to help themselves stand out.” He notes that boutonniere sizes can also help differentiate grooms and fathers from groomsmen.
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“Slimmer fitting jackets and trimmer pants without pleats. I prefer to wear velvet slippers with my tux as opposed to the traditional patent leather. Also, many grooms are designing their own jacket linings for custom tuxedos.”
The post These Dallas Bridal Salon Owners Share Advice on How to Dress to Impress appeared first on D Weddings.
