With so many options to choose from, has it become easier for today’s brides to pick their dream gown?
“I Do! An Insider’s Guide for Brides” offers would-be brides (and grooms) plenty of useful ideas and inspirations as they prepare for the big day, including advice on finding the right bridal ensemble.
Since the task is as personal as finding your soulmate, “the perfect wedding gown should reflect the bride’s personality and make her glow,” says designer Rhett Eala in “In Full Bloom,” one of the book’s 12 chapters.
The mini book is published by Inquirer Lifestyle and Hinge Inquirer’s LOOK magazine, with Bulgari. It is written by Carmencita Sioson, Stefanie Cabal-Rostoll and Ronna Capili-Bonifacio
Designer Ivarluski Aseron has a similar advice: “The gown should not overpower the bride; she should remain the star of the day.”
Eala, who did the wedding ensemble of model and Preen columnist Isabel Roces when she married Felix Trebol, was one of five featured designers in the exhibit of seven wedding gowns at the upper lobby of the Peninsula Manila during the launch.
Eala did a strapless gown made of mikado and silk organdy. He used French lace for the gown’s bodice, and silk organdy for the floral- and crystal-embellished godet skirt.
Roces also wore a secondary train made of laser-cut silk organdy with lace and crystal details.
Highlight
The exhibit was one of the highlights of the launch of “I Do!” and Bulgari’s line of engagement rings and wedding bands.
The other featured designers were Kristel Yulo, who did her own gown when she married Marco Diaz in Tuscany, Randy Ortiz (for new bride Jebeth Lejarde), Joey Samson (for Kelly Misa) and Amir Sali (for Pam Huang).
Yulo wore a sheer-sleeved silk gown in pale blush and cream, which she embellished with embroidery, floral appliques and her signature hand-woven details.
“Your gown should reflect your personality and style,” Yulo says. “To make this happen, communicate with your designer early on in the process. Be open about who you are as a woman, how you want to feel on your wedding day, and what you basically like and don’t like design-wise.”
Bianca Gonzalez, who married basketball player JC Intal, opted for an off-the-rack Rosa Clara gown, while Beatrice Tantoco, who married Tulsi Reyes, collaborated with New Yorker and sister Kat Tantoco-Lobregat for her sleeveless dress and veil.
Samson used illusion tulle with beaded lace appliqués on the bodice and hem for Misa, who exchanged I do’s with Carlos Fernandez. The ankle-length illusion tulle also served as overlay for a strapless mini dress made of satin.
Lejarde, who married Sioson’s older brother Patrick Sioson, chose Ortiz’s princess-cut gown made of layers of silk tulle embroidered with baroque patterns on the bodice. The skirt was embellished with cut beads, crystals and pearlized flat sequins.
Despite the numerous options available out there, it still pays to prepare early. Take it from designer Maureen Disini, who encourages brides in “I Do!” “to have options when it comes to your wedding gown. Allot a year when having your gown customized.”
It pays to be stylish and to listen to well-meaning inputs from friends and loved ones, but when in doubt, designer Vania Romoff offers confused brides the perfect solution: “Forget trends and other people’s opinions because in the end, the gown has to feel like it was meant just for you.”
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