Ha! Fooled you! This is just a random shot from one of the Twilight films. Thing is, I know there are at least three Twihards out there who haven’t seen Breaking Dawn Part One yet, and I’m not going to spoil them. You’ll have to look under the cut.
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If you’re a bride in your twenties, chances are your mother wore something very similar to this. Yes, it’s the quintessential eighties wedding gown. And somewhere out there, a loving mother is trying to make her daughter wear it when she walks down the aisle.

But Mom, while this was the top of the pops in 1983, it isn’t anymore. And remember how you didn’t want to wear your mother’s wedding gown that looked like this?
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Everybody knows there are lots of things to think about when choosing a wedding gown. Price, how long it will take to get delivered, what accessories to choose, whether you prefer jewels or lace as accents, etc. But there are some other things to think about before you make that big decision that you may not have considered yet.

Let’s take a look at a couple of those things, shall we?
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Different brides want different looks. They have different styles. This gown is by Jill Stuart, a designer whose work is available, alas, mostly in Asia. I say alas, because I find I’m oddly taken with it.

Believe it or not, I’m not a fuss and feathers kind of gal, for the most part. But I do have a Boho heart and a fondness for ballerinas that transcends the fact I don’t actually care at all for the ballet. In short, I’m a mass of contradictions.

And while I definitely get that this gown isn’t for everyone, I have to go with love. Yes, the crumb catcher ruffles make her look a little like a Christmas cracker, but in a good way, I think. I love the soft coloring and feminine lines. About the only thing I would change is to take off those twee little gloves. The whole thing gives off a confectionary vibe dear to my baking-obsessed soul.

So yeah, love here. What about you?

The other day, legendary bridal designer Vera Wang came out with her new line. It’s a little different. It featured a lot of black and black with nude gowns.

I think my views on black at weddings are well known around here. I’m not a fan. I do, however, think that if the bride wants to wear black… well, it’s her wedding and she’s absolutely entitled to wear any darn color she likes. I’ve even seen a couple wedding gowns that feature black that I (GASP! CONSTERNATION!) have actually found both pretty and bridal.

These… I have to say that I’m not loving most of them, as wedding gowns or even as just gowns. I have no doubt that since they’re Wangs, they’re impeccably made and littered with exquisite details it’s hard to see at this size. Overall, though, they read kind of blah to me. The black on black on black is kind of oppressive and the nude just seems drab and sad. Then again, I think most tulle confections are better served by lighter coloration, such as white or pastels. Black tulle is something I appreciate more as a contrast than a major statement.

So yeah, I’m going with hate here. How about you?

When you announce you’re getting married, everyone has expectations. You have expectations, your parents have expectations, sisters, cousins, aunts, co-workers, and random strangers on the street have expectations. Vendors certainly have expectations, as do officiants.

But the fact of the matter is that 98.735% of all of those expectations are based on what is typically done, not on what’s required. The actual legal requirements of getting married here in the USA are pretty minimalist. They’ve even decreased in the years since Mr. Twistie and I tied the knot. When we got married, California still required blood tests. Now most states have dropped that requirement. Several have opened their legal arms to same-sex couples. More will no doubt follow.

And when it comes to religious requirements, well, the vast majority of those are concerned entirely with the marriage ceremony itself. Several faiths do require premarital counseling, and a couple have requirements that may affect your menu. Still, most faiths are more concerned with the wording of the ceremony than the activities at the reception.

When you get right down to it, everything from the bride dressing in white to the tossing of the bouquet and garter, to carrying flowers, to going on a honeymoon afterwards is a matter of tradition or fashion. It’s not written in stone.

That means if you want to wear an unexpected color, like this light green Vera Wang gown from her 2012 collection:

… you’re perfectly free to do so.
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Goodness knows I’ve long wanted an end to the tyrannic reign of strapless wedding gowns. Not that I want all strapless gowns to simply disappear. It’s just that I’ve wanted choices for those who would like another option or three.

And things have changed. Spaghetti straps and halter necklines are now becoming pretty common. But what about this?

One side is strapless… and the other has a long sleeve.

I find myself kind of wishing this dress would make up its mind. It’s not horrible, but it comes across to me as somewhat wishy-washy. I know this sort of look comes along every once in a blue moon in the world of fashion… but I mostly consider it indecisive. I can’t work up the passion to actually hate it, but I certainly don’t love.

How about you? Is this a yea or a nay in your book?