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Bridal gowns: Don't rule it out before trying it on

Lisa Powell/The off-beat bride may find the vintage look appealing. Here, Stacey Davis of Beavercreek wears Kitty Chen Couture's romantic Edwardian embroidered lace-over-chiffon gown . The dress features cap sleeves and a bouquet of fabric flowers. Dubbed "Briar Rose" the gown retails at $999. Vintage jewelry sells for $118 each. The old-fashioned hat with lace and veiling sells for $129. All from Athena's Bridal in Centerville.

Lisa Powell/Model Val Banjoko plays the elegant bride in a Victorian ivory chiffon gown with pleated bodice, jeweled breast line and sides. The skirt drapes into a fluted train with jeweled bustle; the back is laced. The gown is $400 at Price Stores. Photographed at the Dayton Art Institute.

Lisa Powell/Lily McCoskey of Fairborn will wed on May 15. Here, portraying the bride who loves sophisticated simplicity, she models a Sarah Danielle strapless silk dupione gown with empire waist, vintage brooch and chapel train. The coordinating jacket features a rouched ruffle collar. It's $998.00 at Lillian's in Centerville. Photographed at Aullwood Audubon Center.

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By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer Updated 6:30 PM Thursday, December 31, 2009

Let the magic happen:

That’s the advice given by bridal experts when it comes to selecting a wedding gown.

Many women quick to categorize themselves as “traditional” or “trendy” may be in for a surprise when they’re standing in front of the three-way mirror at the bridal salon.

“Girls will come in with an image of a dress and even bring pictures and say ‘this is the dress I want,’” says Renee Brewster, who helps brides make selections at Altar Bound in Beavercreek. “We’ll pull the dress, she’ll try it on, but it won’t look like what she had in mind.”

The bottom line for most brides: Keep an open mind. Try on a variety of gowns.

“We don’t recommend ruling out any options until she has actually tried them on,” Brewster adds. “Sometimes the dress she would never wear turns out to be ‘the one.’ ”

Rachel Leonard, Fashion Director of BRIDES magazine, says many brides don’t know what’s best for their figures. “They don’t wear these kinds of gowns everyday,” she says.

Leonard says today’s trends emphasize surface textures: pleating, folds, flowers, draping of fabric. Those options, she says, can be found in a wide variety of dresses and for every type of bride. She says the return to volume will please the “princess” bride, whose big tulle ball gown may feature a dropped flair or come out of a natural waist.

“The trendy bride may wear coffee or blush, the new buff tone. She might choose black-and white, or a short dress that’s above or below the knee. The ‘off-beat’ bride may opt for a vintage-inspired look with an ankle or ballerina length.”

Leonard says there are plenty of choices for the simple bride: A-line dresses that are understated, a little lace dress. And the elegant bride will go for old Hollywood glam, such as a flowy charmeuse gown with a lingerie influence.”

As for price, don’t forget that many shops sell samples and discontinued styles off the rack. It pays to inquire.

Advises Brewster: “Experience the gown and see which one is your true fashion.”

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