Spring is a perfect time for getting married. It symbolizes hope and renewal, new life and new beginnings. More than that, spring has many practical advantages that make it the perfect choice for your special day, such as great outdoor weather (beach or garden wedding, anyone?); yummy fresh fruit and ingredients for your reception feast; and the abundance of spring flowers for your bouquets and décor.
Best of all, brides and their bridesmaids can now wear spring fashions! In honour of the season, spring couture wedding dresses are lighter, more colourful, and more fun than their winter counterparts. Below is a list of some of the trends for spring gowns you may wish to consider when designing your own.
Shorter, layered, or asymmetrical hems
Outdoor weddings are hugely popular in the spring. After all, who wants to stay indoors when the sun is finally shining, birds are singing, and the flowers are in bloom? Consider shorter hem lengths for your couture wedding dresses; not only will shorter lengths keep you free from mud, dirt, or grass stains, they’ll be easier to move (and dance!) in when you’ve said your ‘I do’s’ and are getting down to some serious partying.
There are no worries about showing too much leg (unless you really intend to!); ‘shorter’ can be anything from just skimming the ankle to well above the knee. Layered hems are quite popular, and high-low hemlines (i.e., shorter in the front but longer at the back) are currently attracting much attention. Or consider a shorter skirt with a removable train-both romantic and modern. Check with your dress designer to determine the perfect hem length for your bridal gown.
You have the right to bare your arms
The warmer weather is the perfect for a ‘minimal’ fashion approach. Couture wedding dresses featuring bared shoulders, such as a dress with a sweetheart neckline, give you an opportunity to show off your beautiful skin, lovely neck, and toned arms. With your hair swept up and a gorgeous headdress, you’ll be sure to feel like a princess. ‘Less is more’ not only refers to the amount of fabric, but also to the kind of fabric used.
Spring is the perfect time for light, sheer, and airy fabrics such as georgette, silk chiffon, and lace. If you’re worried about possible inclement weather or intend to party deep into the night, have your designer create a matching cape or jacket that you can just throw on when it becomes cooler.
Colour is the new white
This spring’s couture wedding dresses are moving away from plain white, preferring soft neutral and pastel shades. Champagne seems to be one of the most popular shades for gowns this year, in addition to ecru and pale peach. For brides who still prefer white, consider coloured accents such as flowers (whether real or silk), ribbons, or seed pearls, which, thanks to modern technology, now come in all shades. Try shades of coral and tangerine, which are being hailed as being especially beautiful and flattering, as well as ever-popular pink and lilac. Prints, especially floral prints, are also making a splash.