Gown Shopping 102 - The Informal Wedding

Yesterday, I shared with you some of my suggestions for your dress shopping experience. In today's post, I want to give you some tips on finding the perfect wedding outfit for your informal or destination wedding. This tips will also apply if you will be wearing two gowns - a ceremony gown and a reception gown. The ceremony gown tends to be formal and more elaborate; the reception attire is more casual, so you can greet your guests, eat, and celebrate with more comfort and ease.

1. Many wedding gown designers have "destination" lines in their collections. These range from pantsuits to knee- or tea-length gowns. Most are still in the traditional colors of white or ivory. Informal or "Destination Gowns", as they are commonly called, will still be one of the more expensive options you have, as you are still paying for the "label" or "designer". However, they are becoming very popular, and you should find several options at most bridal salons.
2. Another option is to choose a wedding gown that you love and order it with custom options; such as removal of beading and the train. You can make the gown slimmer, or add a halter top. Casablanca is a line that is very easy to work with in this way. Our signature line, Lila Couture, will also make custom changes for a bride to make a gown less formal.
3. One of my personal favorite options for an informal wedding gown, is to choose from a bridesmaid line, and order the gown in the color you want to wear. Last week, a bride at our store chose a beautiful gold taffeta sheath-style formal gown, and then added a short ivory veil with a gold silk ribbon-edge. Absolutely stunning, and so fun!

As I posted yesterday, the important thing is to relax, enjoy the process, and keep an open mind. When a bride comes into September's Bride looking for an informal wedding dress, the options are as varied as the brides. We are happy to suggest ideas and let your creativity go from there!

September's Bride... a fresh approach to formal.

Gown pictured above is from Destinations by Maggie Sottero