“I’m engaged just over a month and am already panicking about my wedding dress! I know I really don’t want to wear white or ivory on my wedding day and am not really interested in wearing a ‘traditional’ wedding gown. I know absolutely nothing about weddings, and my friends are of no help! Do Irish bridal stores carry any alternative styles of wedding dresses or will I have a hard time finding something modern that still says ‘bride’?” – Joanne
From the Experts
1. Meghann from Myrtle Ivory
Hi Joanne. Firstly congratulations on your engagement, exciting times ahead! We are renowned for having alternative styles of bridal gowns. Designers such as Claire Pettibone (see the 2014 Claire Pettibone collection here), Sarah Janks, Maria Luisa Rabell and Amanda Wakeley (see the 2014 Amanda Wakeley collection here) offer brides beautiful palettes of colour. Dusty pinks, bronze beading, lavender touches, soft gold hues and intricate Swarovski beading are just some of the options you would have. Stephanie Allin has introduced beautifully embellished bodices of antique gold beading, with amber and cream tones in full tulle skirts. David Fielden offers rich warm tones of silver and gold in his vintage style collection. Claire Pettibone is famous for her use of colour- she tends to stay away from ivory and white, opting for deeper shades of ivory, blush, gold, oyster, with delicate raspberries, greens and plummy lace motifs.
Colour is such an important part of choosing your dress as you will want a gown that will enhance your skin tone and show you off in the best light. Different fabrics will bring out different colours; silk organzas will diffuse light, laces and silk crepes can be quite matte against certain skin types, whereas silk satins can lift certain skin tones.
We at Myrtle Ivory pride ourselves on offering brides alternative looks for their day and staying away from what is considered “the norm”. Have a look on our website at some of our beautiful and unique Real Life Brides and at the numerous exclusive bridal designers we are so proud to stock!
2. Anne Gregory, Anne Gregory Designs
The answer to your question is yes, there is an alternative to the traditional white/ivory wedding gown! A big trend at the moment is a blush gown. It can be subtle or it can be bold, depending on how much of a statement you want to make. We are also seeing the re-emergence of the tea length wedding gown, which is a perfect alternative, while still allowing you to feel like a bride. You also have the option of having a gown designed specifically for you, incorporating your ideas with current trends – it would be bridal but very unique to your individual style and taste. Good luck!
Main image – Claire Pettibone by Elizabeth Messina
