Dream ruffled wedding gowns by Vera Wang

The first name that comes to my mind when I think about luxurious and exquisite wedding dresses is Vera Wang! She has designed wedding gowns for pretty much everyone in the who’s who list of Hollywood, from Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham, Kate Beckinsale, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez, to the gowns worn by Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson in Bride Wars. If there is one thing that Vera Wang knows to do better than anyone else though, it’s a dream ruffled wedding gown.

Her Fall 2011 collection has several that I am sure many brides are dreaming off but here are my top 4 picks, each of them looking more heavenly than the next.

GHILLIAN

Take a look at this gorgeous strapless ball gown that fuses yards and yards of shadow and chantilly lace blossoming into a chrysanthemum organza blossom skirt bringing to mind spun sugar.

GISELE

A strapless soft ballgown with fusions of shadow and chantilly lace, swirling multi-tiered confection skirt and crystal bouquet embroidery, perfect for a classy affair!

GENEVIEVE

A modified mermaid strapless sweetheart gown with asymmetrically draped peplum bodice and multi-tiered back over–skirt. So elegant and feminine!

GABRIELA

A v-neck mermaid gown with illusion corset top and cut blossom skirt with tulle overlay reminiscing of a delicate rose. I already picture it for a vintage chic affair mixed with some glamorous headpieces by Jannie Baltzer!

DINAH + DIEDRE

And now here are two other gorgeous wedding dresses from Vera Wang’s Spring 2011 collection that I am still having a major swoonfest over!

Dinah is a strapless full A-line gown with lace bodice, bow at natural waist and softly tucked skirt. Diedre is a pale nude strapless full A-line tissue organza gown with asymmetrically draped bias tiered origami skirt, back bows, and nude grosgrain bow at natural waist. Both are just right for an outdoor celebration!

Luxury designer wedding fashion by Net-a-Porter

Light & whimsical satin wedding dresses

I’ve recently come across a wonderful wedding designer, Yoo Lee, and have fallen in love with the sweet simplicity of her light and whimsical SAJA wedding collection.

Her feminine and sophisticated gowns are floaty and delicate and would make a beautiful summer wedding dress.  Made from 100% silk chiffon, silk charmeuse and silk habotai, they are perfect for a beach wedding as well as a chic, modern affair.

I really believe this is the dress Shakespeare’s Juliet would have picked for her elopement to Romeo.

The Saja gowns are also deliciously affordable and are available at many of the Bella Bridesmaid boutiques across the country as well as at the Saja Weddings flagship boutique on Elizabeth Street in New York City.

Visit the Saja Weddings site for more information and to find Saja near you!

Sweet & sexy – 10 gorgeous short wedding dresses {part 1}

Today there are infinitely more options when it comes to short wedding gowns and just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. I hope you’ll find inspiration in the 10 under $1000 wedding outfits I have put together, mostly selected from the Nordstrom store.

1. THE AVANT-GARDIST BRIDE

Layered organza ruffles create prominent cap sleeves on the Eliza J Ruffle silky, lightly textured shift dress.

1. Eliza J Ruffle Sleeve Shift Dress: $198 | 2. Hair photo via: sweetiepiepumpkinnoodle.com | 3. Alexis Bittar ‘Crystal Dust’ Large Hinged Bangle: $345 | 4. Bourne Ruffle Back Embellished Satin Pump: $258

2. THE MODERN PRINCESS BRIDE

Satin ribbons, sequins and pearlized stones swirl across the bubbled mesh skirt of the decadent Sue Wong Empire-waist dress. Little flowers accented with beads trim the pleated crepe bodice, fashioned with a V-neckline and low back.

1. Sue Wong Embellished Sheath Dress: $388 | 2. Hair photo via Pinterest | 3. Tasha ‘Heart’ Clutch: $198 | 4.Badgley Mischka ‘Lissa’ Sandal: $245

3. THE MERMAID BRIDE

Overlapping petals of crisp organza fashion the skirt of this Sue Wong sheath dresss, beautifully embellished with beads, sequins and metallic threading at the bodice.

1. Sue Wong Organza Petal Sheath Dress: $398 | 2. John The Photographer – Photography via stylemepretty.com | 3. Nadri Framed Cubic Zirconia Chandelier Earrings: $145 | 4. Martinez Valero ‘Olivia’ Pump: $159.95

4. THE BALLERINA BRIDE

Lush, ruffled rosettes fashion the skirt of this Milly strapless minidress with a sweetheart neckline. Princess seams shape the fitted gazar bodice, while a removable black ribbon wraps the waistline.

1. Milly Strapless Rosette Minidress: $695 | 3. Sondra Roberts Floral Organza Clutch: $98 | 4. Pedro Garcia ‘Irmina’ Flat: $ 450

5. THE SEX AND THE CITY BRIDE

A dramatic collection of raw-edge rosettes defines the single shoulder of the Tadashi Shoji vivacious ruched chiffon dress, reminiscent of the Carrie dress from Sex and the City (see picture).

1.Bourne ‘Emilia’ Pump: $240 | 2. Expressions NYC ‘Rose’ Frame Clutch: $48 | 3. Hair photo via: simplesmentebranco.com |4. Tadashi Shoji One Shoulder Chiffon Sheath Dress with Rosettes: $288

Picture yourself in these dream ruffled wedding dresses

Layers upon layers of delicious goodness. This Sarah Seven Everthine crinkle silk chiffon creation is feminine, modern and so very flirty.

Sarah Seven Everthine wedding dress| Ruffle Romantic chiffon Flower Shoes by Finkshop on Etsy.com | Magpies Bakery wedding cake

Like a blooming rose that spills into a thousand petals, this Vera Wang strapless organza fit-and-flare gown with draped bodice and hand-cut bias flange skirt has captured my heart. I tried to imagine what hairstyle and shoes would match such a extravagant wedding dress.

Dress: Vera Wang, photo by Elizabeth Messina Photography | Hair: Elizabeth Messina Photography via OnceWed.com

Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe this one shoulder Vera Wang soft modified mermaid gown with hand-painted organza and metallic tulle with corset bodice and blossom flange skirt.

For the Farrah dress, Vera Wang created a diaphanous, frothy skirt with a flange that blooms and blossoms and seems to bubble over. Paired with the delicate ruched French tulle bodice, it’s a truly romantic experience.

Farrah -Vera Wang wedding dress | Giuseppe Zanotti Chiffon Rosette Sandals | Photo via laboomeria.tumblr.com

Royal wedding-inspired romantic lace wedding dresses

Brides nowadays have a lot of options when it comes to choosing their wedding dress. But just like the little black dress, I believe that the lace wedding gown is still a classic. And it’s making a royal comeback!

Kate Middleton looked absolutely stunning for her royal wedding to Prince William in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen classic lace wedding gown.

This dress is iconic on the level of Grace Kelly‘s wedding gown who added to it a royal status when she wore a Helen Rose lace creation on her April 19, 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco. Three dozen seamstresses worked on the gown for six weeks, resulting in a 125 year old rose-point lace, silk taffeta gown costing over $7200.

Today, lace wedding dresses have come back in style, looking as elegant and delicate as ever and lending a romantic air to the brides. Lace adds a special touch to a wedding gown, whether you choose a classic long dress or decide to go with a more modern, short version.

Valentino Sposa on Wedding Gowns.com

Jim Hjelm | Mignonne Handmade | Alberta Ferretti

Trent Bailey Photography

Another option is to select a vintage lace bridal gown. This type of dress usually has high quality lace that is soft to touch and flows nicely with the gown. The classy fabric can still be found in good condition on a dress even it is worn for several decades and can be brought back to live if you have it cleaned at a quality cleaner.