Don’t let anyone tell you that wearing a veil is old-fashioned. Well, maybe it is a little old-fashioned, but in a good way, which we don’t call old fashioned. Call it retro. Or traditional. In any case, a veil is a work of art. It frames your face, showcases your hair, neck, and decollete, and adds a sheer, sweet, feminine touch to a wedding ensemble. It isn’t obligatory, but it can be beautiful.

I’m really stuck on this lattice lace veil by Veiled Beauty. The length is just exactly right for wearing with a frontal updo, as in the picture. And the curved edges are so delicate and lovely that I kind of want to cry. Don’t mind me, I’m always a sucker for a modern bride with a vintage sensibility. Available for $65 from Veiled Beauty.

Photo Credit: Veiled Beauty

The thing that I like about J. Crew bridal, besides the imminently reasonable prices, is the fact that you’re bridesmaids don’t have to agree on one style of dress. And they don’t have to go out and have their own style dyed to match, either. If you choose one of the colors that J. Crew uses in their bridal line, your girls can simply pick the dress that suits them best, and all the bridesmaid’s dresses come in the same colors. Brilliant.

And the dresses are great. By “great”, I don’t mean “great for bridesmaid’s dresses”. They’re just plain great. Chic, sophisticated designs made in high quality fabrics. Infinitely wearable. Like this apricot colored halter frock, which is such a flattering design. Available for $205 from J. Crew.

Photo Credit: J. Crew

Why, you might wonder, would I possibly need wedding stickers? Too kitschy and cheap and, well, stickery…It’s not as though people are going to use them as bumper stickers, after all.

Well, yes, okay, fine, but imagine creatively what you could use them for. I think they would be perfect on gift bags, which for my wedding were a time eater, because my mother-in-law hand painted every single bag, which was sweet, but this would have saved her a lot of time. Or, if you’d like to give something like a scented candle as a party favor, then this would be the perfect way to personalize it.

Knowing me, I would probably put them on all my wedding notebooks and whatnot, just to differentiate them from my non-wedding stuff, but that could just be me.

Available for $35 per 150 from Mau Promos.

Photo Credit: Mau Promos

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 know, I know. I’m an enabler. I can’t help it. I love sample sales and I know that you do, too. I’m not saying you should dip into savings or anything, but the sample sales on Gilt this week are so good that it’s hard not to. And they’re over before you know it, so you gotta check them out.

D&G Dolce & Gabanna has some very sweet and sleek dresses that are perfect for summer formals.

Splendicity favorite, Vera Wang’s Lavender label has about a zillion fetching frocks and summery skirts for you to slip into.

And Lacroix! The totally over-the-top designer has some totally wearable finds right now on Gilt.

So sorry, ladies, to whet your appetite this way when the economy is so depressed, but who can resist?

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

Photo Credits: Gilt

When I got married, bridal lingerie is one of the things I had the most fun shopping for. I had to do a lot of shopping, though, because I am terribly picky about the quality of lingerie, and it’s hard to find good quality at reasonable prices. It’s also hard to find things that aren’t, well, cheesy, like covered with lace ruffles and bows and whatnot. 

Try to ignore the creepy gold mannequin and just focus on how sweet this little cami and shorts set is. I love the delicate lace edging and the soft fluttering silk georgette. This is definitely bridal lingerie that you will want to wear long after the honeymoon is over. Available for $75 from Sandmaiden.

Photo Credit: Sandmaiden

Everytime I turn on the TV, someone is wearing a bandage dress. Kim Kardashian is famous for fitting her curvy figure into them, and Alex from The Real Housewives of NYC rocks them regularly. This is nothing new, of course, rich/famous/temporarily celebrated people are always wearing expensive, slim fitting clothes that most of the rest of us shudder to think about fitting our plebian imperfect figures into.

Well, here’s one for the rest of us. Not price-wise, of course, this is a designer dress, and it comes with a designer price tag. But it is somewhat more flatteringly designed than other versions out there. The width on the shoulder straps provides balance to the volume of the skirt, which simultaneously hides problem areas, and accentuates curves. Available for $1,020 from Net-A-Porter.

Photo Credit: Net-A-Porter

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about this amazing moss ring bearer’s pillow, which initiated an elaborate fantasy on my part about the weddings of wood nymphs. I can’t say for sure that they have a marriage ceremony similar to our own, but whatever it is, it’s sure to be elaborately, and greenly, decorated. 

Well, maybe we can’t all be wood nymphs, but you can have a fancifully lovely wedding if you want to. I love these gorgeous and earthy terrariums by Greenbriar for centerpieces at just such an occasion. Even if you’re style is more modern than fairytale, these are an affordable and beautiful alternative to the traditional floral centerpiece. Available for $45 from Greenbriar.

Photo Credit: Greenbriar

You already know that I’m not the kind of women that goes in for huge mounds of tulle, princess-style gowns, or long swaths of chiffon. That doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate a little over the top in my wedding apparel though. Personally, I take it by way of quirky details, but this is one princessy gown that is done so well that even I am mentally photoshopping myself into it.

This dress by Nicolas Designs is a fairytale gown of epic proportions. It was designed for an editorial photo shoot, and it really looks it. This is couture bridal, baby. The skirt alone contains over 40 yards of fabric! The boned bodice and elaborate shape make it flattering for almost any woman, although at $10,000, very few will be lucky enough to afford it. Available from Nicolas Designs.

Photo Credit: Nicolas Designs

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