Things to Wear to a Wedding: Your Own

It’s coming up on us fast and furious: wedding season. We’ve all been to one, we’ve all seen them in movies and TV and seen those women (affectionately dubbed “bridezillas”) on reality shows who apparently have no grip on reality. But many of us do get married, and most of us are perfectly kind and sane, and don’t want to end up in yet another version of the strapless princess dress. So here are my personal favorites (disclaimer: I am indeed getting married this spring, but none of these are my dress, just other ones I long for) for the more stylish and adventurous Colorado bride:

Alberta Dress
WToo Brides, price on request from bridal salons.
This one, by WToo, the more affordable line from Watters Brides, is perfect for any spring or summer wedding—it’s flirty and fun, with great flower details on the skirt and a sash with interchangeable colors. It’s a nice change of pace from the norm these days…

Sophia Long Silk Dress
J. Crew, $250
A simple and elegant dress for the bride who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because she’s fabulous just as she is, this JCrew dress is a must-have. It comes in classy silk with a classic cut that will let you be the center of the show without having a 20-foot train to worry about. And best of all, at $250, you can spend the rest of your money on a romantic honeymoon, karaoke after party, or a down payment on a hotrod.

Carmen Marc Valvo Taffeta Bubble Dress
Nordstrom, $630
For the unconventional bride, here’s a way to wear your “something blue” loud and proud. This new take on taffeta is picture-perfect for that daytime or afternoon wedding, and let’s you show off yourself without having to swoon under the weight of yards and yards of satin.

Oscar de la Renta
Spring 2008 Collection '06, price (about $10,000!!!!!)
If you’ve ever considered spending as much on your wedding gown as many of us would on a car, or a down payment on a home, this is the dress for you. Oscar de la Renta has been making gowns for years and it shows: this dress is about as exquisite as possible. The hand-pieced silk flowers cascading down the skirt tell those attending your wedding, “Hey, I’m fabulous, I know it, and I’m worth it.”

So, godspeed and good luck my friends, and may you all look as beautiful as you feel on your wedding day!
-- Keelin Burke