Gilles Montezin, former costume designer for The Opera Bastille in Paris, has recently launched his first ever bridal collection for 2009. You may already recognize his work from his epynonymous line, which he started in 2004, or because it is seen on the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker.

The launch of this line is exciting not just for the sharp eye for tailoring and impeccable attention to detail that Montezin brings to his work, but also because he has made spectacular strides in women’s undergirding. The man has reinvented the corset.

No, I’m not entirely sure we should thank him, either, but as long as they stay in bridal wear and costumes, I’m fine with corsets. Especially if they are, as the line promises, “less confining and achieve the perfect hourglass silhouette with unprecedented comfort.”

Well, I’ll believe this whole comfortable corset thing when I wear it, but judging on looks alone, Montezin really has something here. The silhoettes are all, as you might guess, wasp-waisted and extremely flattering, the fabrics are rich and luxe, and the overall aesthetic is refined and glamorous.

All of the gowns have opera-related names. The dress above is called the Juliet (as in Romeo and…), and the dress below is the Puccini. Come to think of it, if Montezin can make corseted gowns that opera stars can stand to sing in, he’s probably got something figured out. He calls it “Le Cinch”, and it’s a built-in corseting device that promises the perfect hourglass.

Le Cinch promises women an instant 2-4 inch reduction in waistline, and will be available in sizes up to 18, and custom made for larger sizes. Available from Gilles Montezin.

Photo Credit: Gilles Montezin

The 1900’s are an overlooked period in fashion history, I think. Romantica fabrics and feminine silhouettes are never totally out of style, and this vintage reproduction wedding gown would fit right in at a modern wedding. The soft, flowing layers of fabric are sweet without looking too girly. I love the unfussy, comfortable look of the gown. I also think that the lightness of the fabric and lack of structure makes it perfect for an outdoor summer wedding. Available for $175 from A Vintage Wedding.

Photo Credits: A Vintage Wedding

I love convertible clothing. Like those dresses that tie six ways? I love that. It never occured to me that this type of feture could be brought into the bridal kingdom with any grace, but here it is.

This triple tiered mermaid gown by Natural Bridals is made of an eco-friendly hemp and silk jacquard. Not only that, but the bottom two tiers are totally detachable, which makes it a dream dress. This totally cuts out the problem of deciding whether to change for your reception. In other words, you can have your dress, and dance in it too. Available for $5,400 from Natural Bridal.

Photo Credit: Natural Bridal

In these modern times (not to mention this economy), alot of women are looking for alternatives to traditional wedding gowns that require a lot of tailoring. I love this ethereal option by Jil Sander.

This is exactly the kind of minimalism that Jil Sander is known for, although I wouldn’t usually associate her with such an amorphous silhouette. This chic hippie look would be amazing with simple gold sandals and a fresh flower behind your ear. Marked down to $1,298 from $4,895 on Gilt.

You need an invitation to shop on Gilt, and if you click here you’ll get one.

Photo Credit: Gilt

Having a summer wedding can mean a lot of things. It can mean an early June church wedding, a beach wedding in bare feet, or even a casual backyard barbecue. Whatever it means to you, you will have to think about the season when planning your soiree, as the heavily beaded princess gown with several tulle petticoats and intricate corseting may not seem as reasonable to you in ninety degrees as it does in the dress shop.

Which is why my first pick for summer wedding dress trends is cotton. Cotton?!? Yes, I am totally serious. Designers like Chris Kole are starting what amounts to a wedding revolution with lines like The Cotton Bride. Kole uses cotton, linen and other natural fabrics to create sophisticated designs that are both comfortable and heirloom-worthy. His silhouettes are modern and diverse, and I feel sure that, barring the woman that is only interested in heavily beaded satin, there’s something in his line for every woman. Including those who want poufy skirts! Kole has ingeniously redesigned the petticoat in lightweight, breathable fabrics.

Another trend I’m seeing a lot of, and love, is the short wedding dress, AKA the little white dress. I know that a lot of traditionalists feel like only long gowns are formal enough for a wedding, but that tide is changing, and more and more women are opting for short gowns. For one thing, they are more comfortable, and they are also often less expensive. Not to mention the fact that long gowns really work best on taller women, so if you’re small, you might want to opt for a shorter dress and show off your legs. I love Amsale’s Little White Dress Collection, released this year.

My last pick for summer wedding trends isn’t a dress, but a hair accessory. Feather fascinators, like this one by Breeziway, are an elegant alternative to the traditional veil. They add a bit of old Hollywood glamour to your look without weighing you down. These are perfect for short-haired girls, who are looking to add a little oomph! to their styles, but they also look great with long hair or updos. If you want both the look of the fascinator and the classic appeal of the veil, you can have a veil of any length added.

Photo Credits: The Cotton Bride, Amsale, Breeziway

New York City designer Michelle Roth created an exclusive collection for Kleinfeld Bridal. The gowns are available in limited number and you can take a look at a few of the dresses online on the Kleinfeld website.

A very feminine collection, these bridal gowns feature lots of crystals, beading and ruffles. One of my favorite Michelle Roth gowns was featured in Episode 1 of Season 2 of Say Yes to the Dress.

Dubbed “Marina,” this A-line gown features an strapless top and asymmetrical drop waist. The highlight of this wedding gown to me is definitely the skirt, which features tiers of lace and organza ruffles accented in crystal beading.

If you don’t watch Say Yes to the Dress, you should. If not for the behind the scenes scoop on the bridal industry from Kleinfeld, then definitely just to look at the gorgeous wedding gowns. Say Yes to the Dress airs on TLC on Fridays at 10:00 pm (9:00pm CT).

Photo credit: Michelle Roth/Kleinfeld Bridal

One of my favorite bridal lines is Maggie Sottero. The details are exquisite and the dresses are so feminine. This particular bridal gown dubbed “Oakley” is one of my favorites.

The off-the-shoulder design and sweetheart neckline are beautiful, but what really makes this wedding gown is the beautiful lace. The wedding dress is slim fit though the hips. Then after the satin band, there are tiers or plated tulle and lace that make up the A-line skirt. It’s available in all white as well as a few other nice color combinations.

Check out this and the many other beautiful bridal gowns from Maggie Sottero at MaggieSottero.com.

Photo credit: Maggie Sottero

Junko Yoshioka’s Fall/Winter 2009 Wedding Collection was on display at Essex House in New York in October. This line features gorgeous gowns with long flowing tiers, silky fabrics, organza overlays and long trains.

One thing that I love about this official video is that they give the name of each bridal gown as the model comes down the runway. Oftentimes when checking out runway videos, you don’t know the name of the gowns to look them up later.

Here’s the complete show in two parts:

Personally, I like the tea-length Mimi wedding dress that is about half way through the first part. The skirt is fabulous and I love tea length gowns because they show off your shoes! The whole collection is really pretty.

For more information about the Fall/Winter 2009 Wedding Collection and to find out where to shop, please visit the Junko Yoshioka website.

If you are looking for a wedding gown that is refined and simple, Henry Roth offers a variety of beautiful options that may just be what you are looking for.

This sweet lace bridal gown is very feminine and elegant. From the Henry Roth collection, this light gown features beading at the empire waist that adds a touch of sparkle.

Available in Ivory or White and in sizes 2-36, this wedding gown, dubbed “Cameron” is available at select bridal shops across the county. To learn more about this gown or others from Henry Roth, visit their website at HenryRoth.com.

Photo credit: Henry Roth

The Amsale Blue Label Collection offers gorgeous wedding gowns with a lot of special details. This wedding dress is one of my favorites.

Dubbed the Aurora, this bridal gown features a high-low bubble skirt that shows off your shoes! Since, I’m a big fan of shoes, I think this dress is fantastic.

This silk taffeta gown has a shirred bodice that is accented with an antique crystal broach at the waist. Check out this wedding dress and plenty of other beautiful gowns from Amsale’s Blue Label Collection at Amsale.com.

Photo credit: Amsale Blue Label