Your wedding day is your day to be royalty, celebrity, fairy or whatever it is you’ve always dreamed of being. Choosing your gown, suit and bridal party clothing is a fun and wonderful way to create that dream. I recently checked in with my favorite fashionable friend, personal stylist Vanessa Valiente for some tips on doing it right.
Does the “wear again” bridesmaid dress exist? And what would it look like?
Yes it does, except you won’t find it in the bridesmaid section or in a bridal boutique. You need to think outside the bridesmaid box and select a dress from a “regular” store or brand. Think BCBG, Anthropologie, Kate Spade or a lovely cocktail dress you can order in bulk – I love Nordstrom for this with their free shipping, free returns and large inventory of sizes. If you are feeling really adventurous, have your bridesmaids select dresses in completely different colors from totally different stores that have a similar hem length to create a cohesive rainbow aesthetic.
When it comes to selecting a wedding gown, what advice do you have for brides who want to be unique but also timeless?
Go for a look that truly flatters your body type. Flattering is the only true timeless. So, if you have amazing legs, show them off in a dress with a high slit, or a high-low gown. If you don’t have a waist, skip the mermaid look, and go for something that cinches at the waist and flares at the hips and so on. As for unique, it is defined by what everyone is not doing or wearing, so I often recommend not wearing white. Instead go for blush, champagne, silver, gold, or a color.
Is there a look or item that you would advise brides to avoid, either for themselves or for their wedding party?
My number one rule of advice is to skip stiff, strapless dresses. There have been far too many, and they flatter so few women. Also, never wear anything uncomfortable to a wedding. It ruins the night for yourself and anyone depending on you to be in a festive mood.
Let’s talk fabric! What would you recommend for a San Diego summer heat wave vs. the cooler temps in January and February?
When we are talking about summer wedding looks versus winter wedding looks, it’s more about the stye of dress. For a hot summer wedding, I highly recommend skipping the volume, and looking for light weight fabrics with minimal layers. I also recommend shorter dresses. Think sexy and silky numbers versus poufy skirts. As for winter weddings, bring on the drama of the bigger dresses. Voluminous dresses are more appropriate for the season and the temperature. I also recommend taking the time to find a complimentary cover up for your winter wedding look.
We don’t want to leave out the men; what are 3 fashion statements a groom can make on his wedding day?
First order of business and maybe a tad off topic: far too many brides dress their groom. Grooms really need to have their say on what they wear. With that said, if you are going to wear a tuxedo, try a navy one. Ted Baker makes my favorite blue tuxedo. If you are not going for a formal look, skip the dinner jacket and wear a vest with matching slacks instead. For a more adventurous look, try a hunter green suit with a floral shirt and no tie.
All wonderful advice and I promise you this will pay off in your wedding photography as well! If you’d like to contact Vanessa for your wedding day styling, you can find her at vanessavaliente.com. You can also follow her blog at vstyleblog.com.
