WHAT TO WEAR WHEN YOU SAY ‘I DO’
Some brides have had the exact dress they want to wear on their big day in mind for years. Others don’t have a clue and can scarcely envision themselves waltzing down the aisle in a fancy dress.
The good news? There truly is a perfect dress for every personal preference. But when it comes to wedding attire, there’s a lot to think about. And we’re not just talking about accessorizing.
In addition to dressing themselves, the bride and groom must also coordinate the clothing of an entire ensemble of loved ones — and most likely those loved ones come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The challenge can feel daunting — even hopeless after a full, fruitless day of shopping with your bridesmaids — but if you keep an open mind and a willingness to compromise, it can actually be fun.
For a little inspiration, here are some of the trends that experts say we’ll be seeing in bridal fashion this year.
BRIDES
The biggest wedding of 2018 may have been held overseas, but its American bride wowed crowds on both sides of the Atlantic. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has inspired this year’s crop of non-royal brides, with elements of both her wedding dress and reception dress seen on runways this fall. The open boat neckline, equal parts sweet and sexy, is popular, as is the sleek silhouette of her gown. It’s a style, sans embellishments, that’s being reproduced by many mainstream designers.
Gowns with sleeves — whether romantic, billowy and sheer or delicate tapered lace — are still making a strong statement. And brides looking for comfort along with sophistication are in for a treat, as the wedding jumpsuit is even bigger this year. Beautiful bridal fashion with pockets for lipstick and tissues is a win-win-win! Fun and fanciful mini dresses also are making a strong showing. This is a particularly great option for Lowcountry brides opting for a beach wedding, or those who are just looking to beat the heat and set a mood through wedding fashion that’s a little less formal.
GROOMS
Guys who want to be trendy but not sweaty are in for a challenge, as the three-piece suit is what’s hot — literally, in the Lowcountry — for 2019. Hilton Head Island grooms can pull off this classic look without suffering from the heat if they’re mindful of their fabric choices.
A straight or tapered trouser leg and a slim jacket are an of-the-moment choice when it comes to a tailored look. And don’t underestimate the magnitude of just the right accent to pull the whole look together and show off your personality. Funky socks and colorful bowties FTW!
BRIDESMAIDS
Bridesmaids will have a much easier time looking and feeling great than their counterparts from previous decades. Gone are the days of insisting every woman standing up for the bride wear the exact same dress and shoes. Today’s bridesmaids often opt for varied dresses in the same hue or color family, and the results are stunning. This year look for more embroidered embellishments, along with luxurious fabrics like velvet. And what started as a bridal trend for wedding gowns has drifted to the bridesmaids: Bishop, bell and balloon sleeves in sheer fabrics add a bit of fashion-forward fun to their dresses. And while we’re on the topic of bridal fashion trickling down to bridesmaids, get psyched — the bridesmaid jumpsuit is trending. There are lots of complementary colors and styles that will allow you to suit up your whole party, and then party!
GROOMSMEN
The slim fit is on trend for every guy in your wedding party, so keep the trouser leg straight or tapered. A slim jacket looks sleek and makes for a masculine, athletic silhouette. The groomsmen are there to look good but make sure their main man stands out, so choose complementary colors and have fun with subtle patterns for shirts and ties and not-so-subtle socks. No sneakers with suits, lads, and leave the regular notch lapel in the boardroom. For the big day, opt for a peaked lapel or even a shawl lapel. And it’s more than fine to leave black behind: More grooms and groomsmen are choosing navy, neutral or even bright shades like purple or burgundy.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
It can stress a mom out to find just the right dress for her daughter’s big day, but take heart: Mother-of-the-bride dress trends for this year will make shopping fun. Consider capes, for instance: They’re popping up in varying lengths on some of the trendiest dresses for moms. And that makes sense — mothers are superheroes, after all. Metallics continue to be a popular color choice for their modern and sophisticated look. And off-the-shoulder necklines will be popular for moms too; it’s an elegant look and can ensure your mom’s gown complements the rest of the bridal party without being matchy-matchy with the bridesmaids.
