White or Bright? A Question of Colour…

“So, what colour is your wedding dress?”

For many years this was not a question that needed to be asked – the answer was white, and very rarely anything but. A symbol of purity, innocence and virginity, the white wedding gown was – and still is for some people – a statement of unblemished femininity.

This long standing trend was introduced in 1840 by Queen Victoria, who stepped out in a white gown for her marriage to Albert of Saxe- Coburg. Forget Diana and Kate – this was a wedding dress that would influence wedding gown trends like no other. 

And when Coco Chanel bravely introduced a short, white wedding dress in the 1920’s, the fashion was reinforced, and white became a universal colour for wedding dresses.

The connotations of wearing a dress that wasn’t white became rather negative. It implied the bride had been married before, or had already lost her virginity and was therefore no longer ‘pure’.

However, times have changed, and the focus of the wedding dress is less about purity and innocence, and more about individuality. Women are moving more and more away from the traditional white gown, and towards a colour that is right for them and their personality.

For example, Vera Wang has designed a spectacular red wedding dress that is incredibly powerful and attractive. 

But this is quite a daring and bold statement. If a bride wants something a little more subtle, the addition of a colourful belt, or just a layer of soft pink fabric under a top layer of chiffon is enough to inject a touch of individuality.

This very soft pink is incredibly understated, but it adds a bit of mystery and excitement to the dress. It’s unconventional without being too risky, and ‘out there’.

We at Achillea Marini believe that the most important thing when designing your wedding gown is that you consider lots of different options. It’s about exploring different colours, shapes, and styles until you find the dress that is just right.

Can you imagine yourself wearing a red wedding gown? How does it feel? The more options you explore, the surer you’ll be when you find the wedding dress of your dreams.

We love white dresses – they’re very elegant, pretty, and timeless. But we also love trying new things, and are always excited when our brides come up with something different. A colourful belt, some colourful detail on the bodice, a splash of pink on the train…the world’s your oyster when you choose a custom-designed gown.

The only limit is your imagination!

From Grace Kelly to Diana – the famous frocks that continue to inspire

When it comes to celebrity wedding dresses, fairy tale frocks come to life in full force. Under the watchful eye of the press there’s huge pressure to look magnificent, so all the stops are pulled out in order to wow the crowd.

As wedding dress designers, it’s the breadth of style that is inspiring. From Elizabeth Taylor to Kate Middleton, our beautiful celebrities tie the knot in some of the most striking gowns in the world.

Let’s start with Margaret Whigham’s ornate and detailed dress made by Norman Hartnell in 1933. It’s the extremely fine details that set this gown apart. Looking at this dress as a 21^st Century designer there are elements that are rather dated, but the rich chiffon detail around the edge of the train is sumptuously lovely.

Notice how the edges of the train almost resemble the seashore as the waves hit the sand. This is a truly tactile and pretty frock.

Then there’s the gorgeous Grace Kelly, who in 1956 married Prince Rainier of Monaco in what can only be described as a jaw-droppingly stunning wedding dress. Designed by Helen Rose, Kelly’s striking gown featured an elegant round collar and full skirt of ivory, with a fitted bodice that showed off her doll-like physique beautifully.

And then in 2011 Kate Middleton married Prince William in a frock reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s dress, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. Although not a courageous dress, it is undoubtedly timeless, and will most likely still be in fashion 30 years’ down the line…

But as wedding dress designers, we believe it’s all about creating what’s right for the bride’s unique personality and style, regardless of how it will be viewed in the future. It’s about living in the moment.

For example, Princess Diana’s magnificent gown now looks very outdated, but at the time it went down a storm. And for Elizabeth Taylor’s marriage to Eddie Fisher, she wore a wedding dress that suited her perfectly and captured a moment, but would most likely not be seen on a modern day catwalk…

Does it matter that Diana’s and Elizabeth’s frocks wouldn’t be worn in the 21st Century? Absolutely not. Of course there’s always room for timeless frocks that can be recreated time after time, but there’s something spectacular in creating new and exciting designs that capture a personality.