I know that when I married at 45 (for the first time!) in late September 2011, I didn't want a 'meringue'. Hands up, I did try a few wedding dresses, but much as I wanted to look like Scarlett O'Hara, I just didn't feel comfortable with all that froth and voluminous material. And since we were having a civil wedding ceremony in a hotel, acres of train and anything uncomfortable to sit in was also unsuitable. For my bridal headpiece, I also discounted a veil and went instead for a more modest tiara.
I think that if you choose a simpler style, you can make up for it with embellishment and extra detail, for example crystals or extra lace.
Anyway, here is the advice from Venus Bridal.
Wedding Dresses For The Over 40's
Maybe you have found love late in life or it’s your second time around. Whatever the reason for being a mature bride, one thing doesn’t change, choosing your wedding dress will be one of the most important decisions you make for your special day. You’re not a baby but neither are you old. You are in your prime and you deserve to look amazing.
There has been no better time than now to be a mature bride. Most of the taboos have gone and you can wear what you want. There are no rules and all you need to do is find the perfect dress for you. With this in mind there are two things to accomplish - looking fantastic and feeling comfortable.
Many late brides want to feel like themselves and not as if they are in costume. In a recent mature bride survey, most of the participants said they wanted some sort of sleeves on their wedding gown, with 3/4 length being the most popular. When it came to necklines, the number one choice was the V neckline. Many went for streamline silhouettes, like a sheath or medium full A-line, and a lot of the late brides preferred a shrug or a jacket to a wrap.
All in all, the general preference was more coverage but without feeling matronly and the desire to feel relaxed.
Then there’s the choice of what type of style of gowns are most suitable for brides who are 40 plus.
Contemporary
Fashion trends keep moving all the time, so do the trends of wedding gowns. However, age is no barrier to looking sleek and current.
Classic
A classic wedding dress does just what it says on the packet. It doesn’t date and it’s always in vogue.
Vintage
Choose the era you love for an individual look on your special day. But whatever year, a vintage dress is bound to add glamour to your day.
Two Piece
Two pieces can be more versatile than one. The outfit can be traditional or why not be more daring and mix and match.
As with any bride, mature brides need to play to their figure strengths and hide any weaknesses.
Empire waist
While the empire dress fits well on most body types, it is especially suited for those brides with a smaller bust since it draws attention to the neckline and creates definition. The design of the empire dress is also ideal for covering other unwanted body features such as a long torso, short legs, or a pear shaped figure. Since the dress flows from the bust line, it can easily leave these areas undefined.
Strapless with a jacket
A stylish jacket worn with a strapless bridal gown with look elegant and will cover the back and arms, which can sometimes be a problem area.
A-Line
The A-Line style dress is flattering to all figure types and is a great choice of style for older brides.
Lastly, you will need to think of what material you want your dress made out of. Many mature brides prefer something that is care and wrinkle free. Draping fabrics such as satin, chiffon or polyester silk blends that require less maintenance are a popular choice for brides getting married in their later years.
Once you’ve decided more or less what you want the fun begins, as remember, the perfect dress is out there waiting for you, no matter what your age is.
This blog post was written by Venus Bridal, bridal gown designers and manufacturers who provide timeless, glamorous and diverse wedding gowns to stockists throughout the whole of the UK.
