Spring is here and with it comes wedding season. A wedding, renowned for being one of the best days in a person’s life, is also one of the most memorable. With that said, it’s natural for a bride to want everything to be perfect.

A wedding is tricky because it is an event that should be timeless; however, it is easy to get sucked into trends that do not stand the test of time. For some, it’s not about the look but about the feel of the day and even how it will look 10 years later in their wedding album.

Following is a guide that should prove helpful with fashion decisions that need to be made for the big day.

Something Old, Something New; Something Borrowed, Something Blue
Blue is the “it” color for the 2010 wedding season – more specifically, cobalt. There are many ways to incorporate color schemes into wedding decor as well as attire. 

Made popular in 2007, color in wedding gowns is now acceptable. Whether your gown is decorated with a colored sash or embroidered with colored beadwork, color on your gown is in. It is very non-traditional and it can be simple or spunky. If color on your gown isn’t the way you want to go, then play up your color scheme through your bridesmaids’ dresses. The secret to finding the perfect wedding dress is to go with your gut. Too often girls find the right dress but feel like they found it too soon or that there may be something else out there, which usually leads to more confusion and stress. When you find a dress you love, chances are you will keep coming back to it.

Gown trends this season
Florals are back. Choosing a wedding gown with a floral design is a hot choice, even if it’s just in the lace. Ruffles are making a comeback, so be watching for tasteful ways to add them to your gown. Play up your gown with color! Informal, short wedding dresses are on the rise. Dressing down for the big day is becoming quite common.

Bridesmaids’ dresses
From my work in a bridal store, I can offer a personal testimony that almost all brides say they want to pick a dress that their bridesmaids can wear again. However, that often leads to added stress for the bride, because she feels pressure to pick something that all her girls, every shape and size, will be happy with and can wear again. It’s a nice thought, but nearly impossible to do. They are bridesmaids’ dresses and are designed to look that way! The bride chose her attendants because they are the ones closest to her and they should honor her choices.

On the other hand, if you feel bad about forcing your friends to wear what you choose, an increasingly popular solution is to let the girls choose their own dresses, but in the same color.

In recent years this has become a solution to making the most of body type and style problems that many brides face. Her friends most likely don’t look the same and may prefer the dress they feel most comfortable in.

As a bride, it is still okay to desire uniformity. If she chooses to allow her bridesmaids to pick their own dresses, she should still be able to set some rules. For example, if she wants all the dresses tea length, strapless, etc., then she needs to say so. Ultimately it is her day and her opinion matters most.

The bride will not pick dresses for her bridesmaids that don’t look good.  While the chosen dress may not be the best cut for one individually, most of the time the bride will choose something that is somewhat flattering.

What Mothers and Others Should Wear to a Wedding
Mothers of the bride and groom should allow ample time for ordering their dresses and for any alterations that might be needed.

Moms, keep it classy and keep in mind the bride’s color scheme. You should blend in, but not be confused with members of the bridal party. Typically, the bride enjoys helping the mothers with their selection, plus it’s a great bonding experience!

Black has recently become acceptable for guests to wear to weddings, though personally, I do not agree that it’s the proper thing to do. The exception is a formal evening ceremony with dresses and skirts preferred over pantsuits. Wearing a dress is a privilege and is an expression of one’s confidence. Women in dresses get noticed, and feel pretty, too!