A dress fit for a queen

Kelsey Burt of Dayton in Ladybird, a quilted silk bridal gown by designer Beth Elis. The gown starts at $13,000 at Bethany’s Bridal and Prom at The Greene, 114 Plum St., Beavercreek. Inspired by Lady Bird Johnson, an advocate for the beautification of cities, the gown features hand-embroidered and beaded shoulder and waist details. Earrings and bracelets by Jim Ball, $35 and $15 each. Bel Aire Designs headpiece, $144. Hair and makeup by Lisa Scott of Beaute Box of Dayton.

Jim Witmer Kelsey Burt of Dayton in Ladybird, a quilted silk bridal gown by designer Beth Elis. The gown starts at $13,000 at Bethany’s Bridal and Prom at The Greene, 114 Plum St., Beavercreek. Inspired by Lady Bird Johnson, an advocate for the beautification of cities, the gown features hand-embroidered and beaded shoulder and waist details. Earrings and bracelets by Jim Ball, $35 and $15 each. Bel Aire Designs headpiece, $144. Hair and makeup by Lisa Scott of Beaute Box of Dayton.

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Stacey Davis of Centerville in Contessa by Kitty Chen Couture, $1,599 at Athena Bridal & After Five in Centerville. This popular design blends silky satin and lace. It has a scoop neckline and a lace-up back and features heavy beading under the bust and an eye-catching fabric bouquet. Ivory Giselle, $189. Tiara adorned with Swarovski, $79. All bridal gown models were photographed at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Dayton.

Jim Witmer Stacey Davis of Centerville in Contessa by Kitty Chen Couture, $1,599 at Athena Bridal & After Five in Centerville. This popular design blends silky satin and lace. It has a scoop neckline and a lace-up back and features heavy beading under the bust and an eye-catching fabric bouquet. Ivory Giselle, $189. Tiara adorned with Swarovski, $79. All bridal gown models were photographed at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Dayton.

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Bride-to-be Brittany Nelson of Fairborn in a Madelyn Marie ball gown by Maggie Sottero, $1,129 at Altar Bound Bridal and Prom, 265 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek. The gown includes a dipped neckline with a gathered frills, shimmering ruched lace bodice, a corset closure and playful tiers down the skirt. Swarvoski tiara and gloves by Ansonia Bridal Veils, $168 and $26. BelAire earring and necklace, $64. Cathedral embellished veil by The Bridal Veil Company, $144.

Jim Witmer Bride-to-be Brittany Nelson of Fairborn in a Madelyn Marie ball gown by Maggie Sottero, $1,129 at Altar Bound Bridal and Prom, 265 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek. The gown includes a dipped neckline with a gathered frills, shimmering ruched lace bodice, a corset closure and playful tiers down the skirt. Swarvoski tiara and gloves by Ansonia Bridal Veils, $168 and $26. BelAire earring and necklace, $64. Cathedral embellished veil by The Bridal Veil Company, $144.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Amelia Robinson, Staff Writer Updated 6:12 PM Sunday, January 9, 2011

Not every woman can marry Prince William, but every bride wants to feel like a queen or, at the very least, a princess, said Tasha Northcutt, owner of Altar Bound Bridal and Prom in Beavercreek.

No matter the budget, buying a dress fit for royalty is part of that experience, she said.

“You are walking in our doors with a dream you have had since you were a little girl,” said Northcutt, whose shop will celebrate its grand opening at its new location this month. “It’s a fantasy.”

This year, brides will draw inspiration from what is sure to be a regal gown.

All eyes will be on Kate Middleton and the dress she wears when she marries Britain’s Prince William on April 29.

Beth Harper, owner of Athena Bridal & After Five in Centerville, predicted Middleton’s dress will have the same effect that Princess Diana’s did when she married William’s father, Prince Charles, in 1981.

Harper recalled watching the wedding and being inspired by Diana’s lavish dress.

Designers and brides will be inspired by the dress Middleton selects.

“Whatever she wears, people will try to get close to it,” she said.

Francesca Walker, owner of Bethany’s Bridal and Prom at The Greene in Beavercreek, said brides are historically drawn to gowns worn by celebrities.

“Everyone wants to look like a princess on her day,” said Walker, noting that many modern brides opt for a ball gown with a little something different.

Industry veteran Linda Pierce, owner of Linda’s Bridal & Formal in Union, said Middleton’s dress will be copied for years to come.

Consider the impact of the Vera Wang swirling silk organza dress Chelsea Clinton wore during her walk down the aisle in August and the one-shoulder Jason Wu ball gown Michelle Obama wore to her husband’s presidential inauguration.

“Now we are seeing every design use a one-strap shoulder,” she said.

Finding the perfect dress

Need help during your hunt for the perfect wedding dress? Here are a few tips from Linda Pierce, owner of Linda’s Bridal & Formal in Union.

Fabric counts: The quality of dress fabric speaks to the quality of the dress, Pierce said.

“I can tell where the dress came from just by looking at the fabric,” she said.

Pick a reputable shop: Pierce said where you buy your dress is as important as what dress you buy. Pick a shop that will be professional from the first visit to the final fitting, she said.

Be leery of missing tags: Shops that hide manufacturer labels or prices may be hiding something, Pierce said.

“They don’t want you to price-compare or it may be a knockoff,” she said.

Ask about the seamstress: Pierce said some shops contract the work.

“You don’t know where it’s going,” she said.

For all you know, the most expensive dress you’ll probably wear in your life could end up altered in a three-pack-a-day smoker’s smelly attic.

Fresh face

Makeup artist Lisa Scott, owner of Dayton’s Beaute Box, offers the following tips for makeup on your big day:

Meet twice: Have at least two consultations with your makeup artist to make sure you are on the same page.

Keep it natural, but apply a lot: Scott said most brides wear much more makeup on their wedding day, with good reason. “Those pictures are going to last forever,” Scott said.

Picking the right foundation and concealer is key to a flawless look, she said. “Make sure you blend it well from your chin down to your neck and around your ears,” she advised brides who decide to apply their own wedding day makeup.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384.

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