The major trend in wedding dresses for 2014 seems to be variety, with styles ranging from the ostentatious to the austere.
Both Brittany Vickers of Blush Bridal in West Vancouver and Cheri Hamm of Isabelle's Bridal in North Vancouver trumpet the range of fashions.
"It used to be that brides had to pick between the more traditional ball gowns and a slim lace dress, but there's a lot more options out there now," says Vickers.
Despite the plethora of choices, Hamm still finds a lot of brides looking for a vintage lace dress, which she calls "soft, very romantic, very whimsical."
"On the opposite end of the scale I find that ball gowns are also making a huge comeback," says Hamm.
Soft-layered ball gowns have the advantage of giving the bride a princess-look while keeping her from getting over-heated at the ceremony, according to Vickers.
"They're nice and lightweight but you still get that dramatic look," she says.Wedding dresses for 2014 are more colourful than any year in recent memory, according to Hamm.
"We very rarely see a white wedding dress anymore. It will either be an ivory or a champagne," she says.
The new range of colours, which also include blush and red, tend to be more flattering on the skin than white, which is often too harsh, says Hamm.
White can also diminish the fabric of the dress. White lace in particular pales in comparison to ivory lace, she adds.
While some of the styles appear to have less structure, the gowns are often replete with embroidery, low backs or illusion backs, explains Vickers.
"I think part of that is inspiration from The Great Gatsby coming out and of course all that Bohemian style," says Vickers.Modern brides tend to favour beaded cap sleeves and illusion necklines, according to Vickers. Despite a long history as a staple of the wedding gown, veils are not as fashionable as they once were. "Veils are still hit and miss. I would say still the majority of girls will wear a veil for their ceremony, but then they'll take it off and they'll accent their hair with either a flower or a sparkly comb for their reception," says Hamm.
Vickers has also noted the demise of the veil.
"We're seeing a lot of vintage accessories. .. crystal belts, flower crowns for the more Bohemian bride. A lot of brides are now wearing head pieces instead of veils," she says.
Crystal headbands, feathers, and pearls can each be used as a headpiece, according to Vickers.
In terms of accessories, shiny is good.
Shiny sashes, chandelier earrings and thick bracelets are all in demand, although necklaces have largely drifted out of vogue, according to Hamm.
Sparkly shoes are also a much-requested item, adds Vickers. When it comes to materials, Vickers says many brides are looking for beauty and comfort. Silk organza is breathable, light, and also lends itself to the ball gown effect, according to
Lace has remained popular, but many brides prefer delicate lace as opposed to structured lace.Silk chiffon is also in high-demand, particularly for brides planning a summer ceremony. And while those materials move in satin has moved out, according to Hamm.
She says satin dresses are "almost non-existent."
Light fabrics are in vogue, says Hamm, who has also seen a dip in the demand for crinoline.
When it comes time to turn those materials into a style, Hamm sees brides opting for the fit and flare, where the gown is fitted throughout the torso and the skirt falls from the hip.
"It's getting close to a mermaid but it's not quite," she says.
A-line dresses with a simple but eye-catching silhouette are also sought-after. For Hamm, the final point of bridal fashion is the bride's personality.
The bride should look like herself, she says, and "not like somebody we've dressed up."
