Belle of the ball

The bridal gown, though central, is only part of the overall look

CAIRO: For all members of the wedding party, what to wear for the “big day preys heavily on their mind. The bride, however, is under an unfair amount of the pressure; she needs her groom and bridesmaids to compliment her look for maximum impact.

The Bride

The style of the bride’s dress often sets the ambiance of the wedding. Do you choose a magical gown of white tulle, organza and lace for that fairytale wedding? Or do you opt for simple, elegant tailoring for a more classical wedding? Needless to say, making a choice is a daunting task.

Lamia Khalifa of LUCA Bridal and Evening Wear in Heliopolis, offers brides-to-be advice on seeking out the perfect wedding dress. When making a choice, follow your instincts. “You should always trust your own opinion over anyone else’s. It’s your day.

The choices seem infinite. There are countless styles, fabrics and, surprisingly, seemingly endless shades of white, off-white and champagne. Khalifa recommends the “timeless look.

“The trend that I am seeing among the more elite designers is a tendency to more classic, sleek look, she explains. “The dresses are elegant, more tailored and with a lot of attention to detail and craftsmanship. In Europe, there is less beading. Stones are very much in. Dresses are embellished with aqiq [semi precious stones] and even turquoise stones threaded on with silver and gold wires.

Lace is always a classic choice, and doesn’t necessarily have to look traditional. The guru of wedding dress designers, Vera Wang embellishes the skirt of the gown with a subtle layer of lace.

Khalifa suggests that before you even enter a bridal store, or talk to a tailor, study your existing wardrobe carefully to get an understanding of what styles flatter you and make you feel most comfortable. Then browse through the Internet for ideas and see what styles capture your imagination. She prefers Web sites to expensive magazines, and suggests that you can always use the money you save to pamper yourself with a stress relieving massage instead.

Make your first round of visits alone. Keep an open mind. Try on as many dresses, styles and trends as you can then shortlist just a few.

On your second visit take your mother, or someone you trust equally. Avoid taking a group of friends who will only offer, though well-intended, conflicting opinions. But before you go, Khalifa suggests you make a trip to the hairdresser and maybe get a manicure. After all, no dress will look good on you if you’re disheveled after a stint with the workers at the apartment you and your fiancé are preparing, she notes. Also, take a pair of proper, heeled shoes, a hair clip to try different hairdos and some classic accessories to get a clearer idea of what the final look will be.

Searching for that wedding dress is an experience you will always remember, so try to enjoy it. Above all, Khalifa warns, “Never go when you are in a bad mood.

The Groom

Whereas men have a relatively simpler ordeal to go through when choosing their wedding attire, there are a few tips they can follow to ensure that they complement their bride’s style.

The groom will have a very difficult time finding a tie to match the exact shade of the bride’s gown. By taking a swatch from the gown, he can find a tie that best matches the undertones of the dress. His best bet is to find a tie that is ecru, taupe or even light gray. A more creative approach would be to tailor the groom’s tie and handkerchief from the same material as the wedding dress – of course that would ultimately depend on the material.

For the groom’s boutonniere, choose a sprig that echoes the bride’s flower bouquet or centerpieces in order to maintain the overall effect.

Always a bridesmaid

Today, bridesmaids’ dresses have steered away from frou frou ribbons and bows to make way for the simpler, sleeker silhouettes. The latest trend in colors closely resembles those of elegant cocktail dresses found at women s ready-to-wear retailers.

The biggest change from standard bridesmaid offerings is the fabrics. A lot of people got caught up in fancy fabrics, but that can be the killer that makes something difficult to wear again. An easier-to-wear fabric gives more places for the dress to go, says Jenna Lyons Mazeau, senior vice president of women s design at J.Crew, in an interview with the Associated Press.

Another trend in bridal-party fashion is coordinated but not matching outfits. Bridesmaids can choose the styles that look best on them, and then have them in the same fabric and color as everyone else.

The group photo

The key is to find a look that is sophisticated, fashionable but timeless. Though the wedding itself will only last a few hours, the photo will last forever.

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