The Elements of a Wedding Gown

When I was a little girl my grandma would let me help her make cookies.  We would add the butter, eggs and sugar.  This had to be well mixed before we move to the flour, baking powder and finally the vanilla could be put in the bowl.  If we were making oatmeal cookies we added oatmeal, sometimes raisins or chocolate chips.  If we made sugar cookies I got to sprinkle on the colored crystals or decorate with icing from a bag she had cut the corner off as I would pipe lips, eyes and noses on.  We had little candies in many colors and shapes to add not only flavor but visual interest.

The elements of a wedding gown are much like cookies.  The fabric can be satin, taffeta, organza and chiffon.  There might be lace, embroidery or bead work.  Three dimensional flowers and fabric detail may be added.  When you are standing, looking at yourself in the mirror, in the gown of your dreams you will have the perfect combination of fabric, cut, detail and bling.  These are known as the design elements of a wedding gown.

Rouching is an interesting element that we see so much of but never grow tired of because it’s style is as varied as one’s imagination.  Folds of fabric are laid atop the base dress.  Nimble fingers of the designer fold and pin and then stitch with quiet perfection.  The direction of the folds carries the eye of the beholder across the body creating a visual masterpiece.

Embroidery is stitched, usually drawn on the fabric and then carried out by a sewing machine guided by a meticulous operator at a hummingbird style rate that is difficult for the human eye to see.  The operator’s fingers stay close to move the fabric in just the right position at the correct time.  It is fascinating to watch.

Hand cut lace applique is artistically placed in a pre-determined pattern to draw the eye and create elegant patterns atop satin or taffeta.  There are many different styles of lace that will be covered in an upcoming article.

Most of my customers are so surprised when I ask them “Do you know how they get this magnificent bead work on your dress?”  They wonder if there is a bead fairy or a wonderful machine that puts them there.  “I say, they put them on the dress by hand, one at a time with a needle and thread.”  I have been around the making of wedding dresses since I was a little girl but when I first started buying ready-made gowns more than 30 years ago the beads were glued onto the fabric and lace.  This made great problems when it came time to launder the gown because the beads would often come off sometimes leaving dots of glue in the wrong places on the fabric.  The best beadwork is a combination of Swarovski crystals, beads, pearls and sequins.  Glass beads will be more sparkly and will hold their sparkle through time.  Nowadays, many companies are resorting to plastic beadwork because it is cheaper and glass beads must be handled more carefully.

The placement of the embellishments is also an element of your wedding gown.  Select the cut, then the fabric, lace, beadwork, embroidery and all other elements of your gown.

The color and size can be the last choice you make when you shop with ample time that your gown may be ordered.  It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for your gown to be made for you.  The more time you allow yourself, the more choices you will have.  Your wedding gown is the most important dress you will ever wear.  Take time to do it right and find a bridal salon where you feel that your long term happiness is most likely to be achieved.  At The Gallery by Lynette we want you happy in the store, out the door and door the aisle and that means we are here for you no matter what.

Please visit us at 5316 South Freeway Pk Dr, Riverdale, Utah 801-773-7435 or online at http://www.lynettes.com