Women’s Issues: Finding the Perfect Wedding Gown

Weddings are a booming tradition, and despite the rising divorce rate, love
is here to stay and second, third and fourth weddings are happening with
renewed panache — and that means new trends wedding dresses!

White weddings are no longer just for first weddings — anything goes, and
many brides choose white for their second weddings, too. But the real
determining factors in weddings are:

1. Is it a first, second or third wedding?

Many brides who have been married before opt for something funky or festive
dress and decor for a second wedding. Choices include colors and lengths
that run the gamut. Ethnic choices are also fun — like Indian saris or
Japanese kimonos. Bridal salons are still tried and true retail outlets, but
for this kind of wedding, so, too are couture departments of department
stores where evening gowns are sold.

2. How old is the bride?

Young brides can often get away with slinky slip dresses — whether they’re
long or short — and therefore, have more options than more mature brides
who may feel more comfortable in something like a cocktail dress, or a dress
with a matching coat, like the one Camilla Parker Bowles wore this year. On
the other hand, older brides don’t usually feel that they are bound by
tradition the way newer brides may, and will feel comfortable in a broad
floral print dress that younger brides would only wear to a wedding shower.