- Bridal gowns are commonly white, if not off-white or cream in traditional Western societies. In contemporary times, however, it has become acceptable to add color accents to white gowns. Brides with unorthodox tastes have even chosen to wear dresses of a different color. While conventional gowns have skirts that are floor-length or longer, it is not unheard of for a modern bride to walk down the aisle in a miniskirt on her wedding day.
- Old-fashioned bridal gowns were designed to be modest, in keeping with the custom that required a female to be a virgin on the day of her wedding. The bride's face was covered with a veil until the end of the ceremony, when it was customarily lifted by the groom for the kiss that declared the two officially wed. A veil is optional for today's bride. Even if she chooses to wear one, she no longer has to drape it over her face in an attempt to appear virginal. Nowadays a bridal veil is worn more as a fashion statement or as a tribute to the styles of past decades than as a means of following decorum.
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Brides who aren't set on keeping their gown as a memento after the wedding day have a few options.
Brides on a tight budget can rent a wedding dress instead of buying one. If you want a gown that flatters your figure so that you have attractive pictures of yourself on the big day, an alternative is to shop for a dress that matches your preferences and sell it after the wedding. - It can be challenging to move around in multilayer frilly garments and a skirt that is much longer than you are used to wearing. No matter how expensive or attractive your wedding dress is, make sure that you wear it--don't allow it to wear you. Practice walking in your wedding dress long before the actual day so that you appear comfortable and carry yourself with ease. Hold yourself upright with your back straight and your stomach tucked in, and pull your dress up slightly to give you room to walk without tripping. This is the ideal way to find out whether your gown needs adjustments that will make moving around in it more effortless.
- To make sure your bridal gown stays intact after your wedding day, buy an airtight bag to keep it in. Once the dress is in the bag, store it in a large, sturdy box that does not require you to fold the dress. If you are planning to keep the gown as a family heirloom, you don't want it bent or misshapen in any way. If, over the years, you notice any discolorations or yellowing on the gown, you can have it professionally cleaned or send it off to a company that specializes in wedding gown preservation. If you are willing to make the investment, such a company can safeguard your gown using methods that bring longer-lasting results than those achieved through simple home remedies.
