Wedding Gown Elegance: Avoiding Tackiness In Few Words

A wedding dress is probably the most memorable piece of clothing a person will ever wear. It is a significant investment both emotionally and financially. However, there are many ways a wedding dress can be considered tacky. From dresses that are edible, made of condoms, or made to look like a wedding cake, to those that are overly ornate, there are many ways a wedding dress can miss the mark.

Dresses made from unconventional materials

While some may opt for a traditional wedding gown, others may choose to express their unique style and taste through an alternative bridal gown. These non-traditional wedding dresses can be a modern and stylish way to celebrate your holy matrimony. Here are some examples of wedding dresses made from unconventional materials:

• The Edible Dress - Artist Lukka Sigurdardottir created a dress that is completely edible, with a checkered cake petticoat. While it may be delicious, it might not be the most practical choice for a wedding gown.
• The Balloon Dress - Bride Su Xuenuo's multi-talented wedding entertainer and balloon magician husband-to-be crafted her wedding dress from 600 balloons in just one night! They took to the streets of Quingdao, China, where they captured the attention of many onlookers.
• The Condom Dress - A shimmering gown made from condoms caused a buzz in Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia. Nicknamed "Connie," this dress may have been created for a good cause, but it's safe to say that most brides wouldn't want to walk down the aisle in a dress that resembles "Sex Ed Sally."
• The Fast Food Couture - Miami International University student designer Ricardo Hardouin's creation involved 900 white sandwich wrappers, 60 yellow sandwich wrappers, and 20 fry boxes from McDonald's. While it certainly made a statement, it's safe to say that most brides wouldn't want to marry their love for fast food quite so literally.
• The Toilet Paper Dress - In a Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest, 31-year-old mother of three, Amber Mills, fashioned blue Charmin toilet paper into a wearable gown. While she took home third prize, most brides would likely prefer to keep their toilet paper in the bathroom rather than wear it down the aisle.
• The Cream Puff Dress - This unique wedding dress was made from 1,500 cream puffs and weighed 20 pounds. While the bride, Viktoriya, loved her edible gown and didn't want to take it off at the end of the reception, most brides would probably prefer to eat their food rather than wear it.

While these dresses may be considered unconventional and even tacky by some, it's important to remember that your wedding dress should reflect your unique style and taste. Whether you opt for a traditional gown or something more unconventional, the most important thing is that you feel confident and happy on your special day.

Revealing outfits

A plunging neckline that shows off ample cleavage may be better suited for a night out than a wedding. Similarly, a gown with a high slit that bares your leg may be better for a red-carpet event. While it's your day to shine, you don't want to steal the show with an overly revealing gown.

Sheer fabrics can also veer into tacky territory if not executed tastefully. A see-through gown with strategic embroidery or lace panelling can be elegant, but too much transparency can come across as risqué.

Backless gowns can be elegant and sexy, but an overly revealing backless design may be more suited for a boudoir photoshoot than your wedding day. Additionally, be cautious with cut-outs. A well-placed cut-out can highlight your figure, but multiple cut-outs or those that are too revealing may be better left for a different occasion.

Lastly, be mindful of the overall fit of your gown. A form-fitting silhouette is one thing, but a skin-tight dress may be uncomfortable and appear tacky. You want to be able to breathe, dance, and enjoy your day without feeling restricted or overexposed.

Remember, the key is to strike a balance between sexy and classy. You can showcase your assets while still maintaining an air of sophistication and elegance on your special day.

Over-the-top designs

Sabina Gorelik, a designer at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Russia in 2012, crafted a wedding dress with pockets for guests to load up with cash. Her other signature bridal couture included a shawl of white rubber gloves, a bottle-nipple bustier, and a skirt loaded with champagne flutes. While it may be creative, it borders on tacky due to its excessive and unconventional elements.

Another example of an over-the-top design is a gown made entirely of balloons. Although it showcases creativity and skill, it is more suited for a birthday party or a clown costume than a wedding dress. The bright colours and playful nature of balloons may be fun, but they do not align with the elegance and sophistication typically associated with a wedding gown.

Some designers take an edible approach to their wedding dress designs. Artist Lukka Sigurdardottir created an entirely edible dress, complete with a checkered cake petticoat. While it may be unique and delicious, wearing your dessert as your wedding gown is not the most elegant or practical choice. It may be better suited for a different theme or event.

Extensive trains can also push a wedding gown into the realm of over-the-top. In 2012, 17-year-old Romanian model Ema Dumitrescu broke the Guinness World Record for the longest train, measuring 2,750 meters. While it may be impressive, a 2-mile-long train is not exactly practical or dance-friendly. It's important to consider the functionality and wearability of the gown, not just the wow factor.

Lastly, some designers take inspiration from unconventional sources, such as fast food. At Miami Beach Funkshion Fashion Week 2015, designer Ricardo Hardouin presented a McDonald's-inspired couture creation made from sandwich wrappers and fry boxes. While it may be creative, a wedding dress made of trash flowers and fast-food packaging might be a step too far from traditional elegance.

Poorly-timed pre-wedding workouts

While it's important to feel your best on your wedding day, there is such a thing as a poorly-timed pre-wedding workout. Avoid the temptation to squeeze in a workout on the morning of your wedding—you don't want to be red-faced and sweaty when you walk down the aisle!

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, be careful not to overdo it with intense workouts. You don't want to risk pulling a muscle or injuring yourself, which could leave you uncomfortable on your big day or even unable to walk down the aisle. Start your wedding fitness routine at least six months in advance to avoid this scenario. This will also give you time to see results and make healthy changes gradually.

If you're feeling stressed in the lead-up to your wedding, opt for a yoga class instead of an intense workout. Yoga will help you feel calm and centred, and it's a great way to stretch out tired muscles. You could also try hot yoga if you want to try something different that will help you de-stress.

Remember, your pre-wedding workouts should ultimately be about feeling good and making healthy choices. So, if you're not enjoying a particular workout routine, try something else! There are plenty of options to choose from, including Pilates, barre, dance cardio, and more. Find what works for you and make sure you leave enough time to rest and recover.

Dresses that are too tight

A wedding dress is a memorable piece of clothing, and an emotionally and financially significant investment. It's important to get it right.

One of the biggest mistakes a bride can make is choosing a dress that is too tight. While it is understandable to want a form-fitting silhouette, it is important to be able to breathe and move comfortably on your wedding day. You don't want to be sucking in your stomach all night or feeling restricted in your movements, especially when it comes to dancing.

A tight dress can also lead to an uncomfortable situation if it stretches out too much throughout the day. This can be exacerbated by weight loss close to the wedding, as one bride recounted: "I fell in love with [the dress]... but if I could do it again I would either not wear a strapless dress or tailor the neckline so it wasn't quite so low. When you wear a traditional, heavy, wedding gown like I did, it inevitably stretches out as the day goes on. I also, like many brides, lost weight right before the wedding, which didn't help things."

Another bride, who chose a very snug dress, said: "I did want a form-fitting silhouette, but it would've been nice to not have to suck in all night."

It is important to choose a dress that allows for a "smidge more breathing room" to ensure comfort and confidence on your big day. You don't want to be constantly adjusting your dress or feeling self-conscious about your curves.

Additionally, a tight dress may require more alterations, which can add to the overall cost. It is worth considering the potential need for alterations when budgeting for your wedding gown to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

In conclusion, while you want your wedding dress to flatter your figure, opting for a dress that is too tight can lead to discomfort, restricted movement, and additional costs. It is advisable to choose a gown that offers a bit more breathing room to ensure you can fully enjoy your special day.

Frequently asked questions