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Bridal fashion in ’09 is all about choice.
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Some of the latest styles from the Wedding Shoppe in Wayne
When trying it on moves you to tears, it’s safe to say you’ve found the right dress for your big day. Such was the case for Bryn Mawr’s Kristen Wilf when she first stepped into a strapless Richard Glasgow mermaid gown at the Wedding Shoppe in Wayne. “I tried on the dress a few different times, and every time, I had an emotional reaction to it,” says Wilf. “I finally decided that it was silly to keep looking, because I had obviously found my dress.”
Wilf originally thought she had a clear idea of what she was looking for. “I was set on finding a simple, fitted lace gown with cap sleeves,” she says. “Something traditional—nothing too fancy.”
But Wilf wanted to explore a variety of styles to make sure she was making the right decision. “I tried on what seemed like hundreds of dresses,” she says. “Everything from short styles to ball gowns.”
What finally won her over was the complete opposite of what she’d originally had her heart set on. She walked down the aisle last November in a stunning gown complete with a cathedral-length train and a blusher attached to the veil. “The last time I tried it on, I cried,” she says. “I knew then that I had to have it.”
The Wedding Shoppe’s Pattie Lamantia has helped hundreds of brides like Wilf. Her boutique carries such designer names as Monique Lhuillier, Judd Waddell, Carolina Herrera and Jenny Packham. “It’s a very emotional purchase,” says Lamantia. “There are so many different styles to choose from, and a bride-to-be wants to make sure she looks her absolute best on her wedding day.”
Right now, the Wedding Shoppe is offering something not typically associated with bridal fashion. Couture bridal designer Janell Berté added a unique look to her line last year in the form of gorgeous fitted lace pants that flare at the bottom. A matching sleeveless V-neck top is the perfect complement.
“This look certainly isn’t for most brides,” says Lamantia. “But there are women who have expressed interest in it and have tried it on.”
Regardless, it illustrates that there’s always something for every personality and style. And while there certainly are trends to look for this year, no bride should follow them blindly. Go with what you like.
