Illusion sleeves, or sleeves made of a lightweight, see-through material like lace or tulle, are sexy and fun, and a great way to disguise imperfections in your arms. The lace, tulle, or other fabric can be a small amount, like on this gown, or can go all the way down to your wrists, providing some measure of covering without overheating you.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Fur can add a classy and elegant touch to a gown, like this one. The gown is accompanied with a snowy white cape/train with a fur trim that will make any bride look and feel like royalty. Although it is possible still to find real fur, it might be a better moral choice to use a fake fur, which is this day and age is often just as soft and luxurious as the real stuff (and no dead animals to get it!)

Fur trim is a gorgeous accent, and can add warmth to  your gown as well, which is particularly good for winter weddings.

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This gown, created by designer Janet Hansen as a custom design, is a surefire way to make sure the bride glows on her wedding day! While some brides may not be able to pull off a look like this, and others might find it tacky, the image of walking down the aisle of the church with the lights down low or off entirely, glowing from the light of your own gown like a thousand fireflies have settled on you… well, obviously someone found it a seductive visual.

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A short wedding gown may seem less formal than a gown that kisses the ground or even trails a long train, but there are other benefits to be had if you have the courage to be a little different with your gown length.

If you have gorgeous legs, a short gown allows you to show them off. This is especially great for brides who may not want all of the focus to be on their upper body. If you are very proud of your shoes, you may also love a short gown that lets you show them off. In the end it comes down to taste, completely, but if you are proud of your shoes and legs, why not try on a few short styles and see how they work for you.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Do you have a female dog that is at the center of your  life? Have her stand in as a bridesmaid! Dogs aren’t limited to bearing the rings in modern weddings, although animal participation is still a small minority in weddings. A doggy bridesmaid like this one available on Amazon is relatively inexpensive, at just around $20, and totally fun. You may even be able to find a local dressmaker to customize a doggy bridesmaid gown for you and your favorite female dog.

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Want a gorgeous gown without paying the high costs? You can always try renting a gown. A rental gown is much cheaper than buying an expensive gown, and may allow you to get a much more expensive designer gown for your wedding day than if you were to purchase a gown new. Some people may have an aversion to renting for whatever reason, but if you don’t mind (keep in mind, the gowns are cleaned and maintained, not rented out dirty), then you will find it little different than renting a tux for the groom.

There are a few downsides to renting a gown. Your options may be limited to what the local rental shop has in stock (as opposed to shopping around online), for example. You may also not like the fact that you will not get to keep the gown for posterity. Few brides wear the same gown more than once, but many brides enjoy passing their wedding dresses on to daughters or daughters in law years later. These are important factors to weigh before you decide whether to rent or buy a wedding gown.

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If you are planning a winter wedding, incorporate some of the beauty of the season into your gown. A snowflake pattern is beautiful whether it is in beads, lace, or shimmering thread. This gown, from New Formal Dresses, is a perfect example of how sexy and fun the snowflake look can be.

If your gown is more plain, consider pairing it with a snowflake lace shawl, a snowflake pin, or some other accessory to really take advantage of the season and the lady-in-white look.

Popularity: unranked [?]

If you want a traditional white gown, but don’t want to feel completely whitewashed, a splash of color is just the thing. Some brides enjoy color in the form of embroidery. Others might choose a gown with a colored accent panel in the skirt of the gown, flashing red, for example, as they walk.

A cummerbund gown, like this one from Dream Dress Bridal, adds a splash of color right around the waist. The look is elegant, and you get to keep the traditional white gown without sacrificing color completely. Beautiful!

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Your wedding went off perfectly, your gown was lovely, and the planning is finally done. All you have to do now is drop your dress off at the dry cleaners and you’re off on the honeymoon!

When you return, you will pick up your gown and put it away for posterity. When you get it back, be sure to double check the box. You need to make sure that the dress you bring home is the same dress you dropped off. While most dry cleaners are exceptionally careful with wedding gowns, it is not unheard of to get the boxes mixed up, and if you find out decades later, there is no way to correct the mistake.

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A low neckline flatters a lot of figures, whether you have a lot of cleavage or not so much. It can also make you look taller by elongating your torso. A low vee like this one, which is held together in the front for modesty.

This gown is from Romantic Gowns.

Popularity: unranked [?]