If brides-to-be were attended to by gorgeous tailors while fitting THE dress, I have a feeling the wedding may never happen. Handsome male models aside, I’m really digging the bombshell styling in YolanCris’s fall 2013 bridal lookbook. Called “Couture Couture”, this exclusive collection features sumptuous gowns made using exquisite silks, hand-crafted floral appliques, and gleaming Swarovski crystals. I really love how the embellishments play with the sheer paneling on the bodice to create irresistible little hints of skin. The bold red lip and side-swept updo is also the perfect complement to the designs.

Indulge me with my obsession for art deco-inspired wedding dresses for just a little longer. I recently discovered the work of Australian designer Gwendolynne Burkin, a fashion purist who avoids trends and relies on her vivid imagination to create the beautifully delicate gowns out of floaty fabrics and rich beadwork. Her 2013 collection from Melbourne fashion week spoke to the flapper girl within me and said, “Come out, dance, and screw what anyone else might think.” Each gown is a stunning revival of the glamorous fashions worn by the rebellious women of the 1920s, and made with so much thought and care that they can easily be worn by brides who’d happily go barefoot or brides who want to be bedecked in jewels. Each look is topped off with beaded flapper caps and headdresses, a dramatic accessory for brides searching for an alternative to a veil.

View more of Gwendolynne’s work at www.gwendolynne.com.au.

Lebanese haute couture designer Zuhair Murad reigns on the red carpet with his stunning designs for A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, and Beyonce. But his designs for wedding aisle are quickly making him a household name among fashion-forward brides looking for Hollywood-level couture on their big day. Zuhair Murad’s wedding dresses carry his tradition of glamour; voluminous skirts, gold beadwork, and the finest of fabrics breathe life into each look. The collection manages to be romantic and sophisticated at the same time, without going overboard on the little details. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny for these gowns; prices range from $4,000 to $20,000.

Lace wedding dresses are still the biggest thing on the spring 2013 runways, but if you must wear lace, consider the stunning gowns from Anaessia Bridal‘s spring 2013 collection. Handmade with love in Australia, each gown tells a beautiful story of girlish dreams come true using the finest vintage lace and carefully-placed embellishments.

Nobody makes lace like they did in the old dace, and it’s utterly refreshing to see such bold patterns on the fabric.

Because of the quality of materials and intricate handiwork, each design is available in very limited quantities. View more Anaessia wedding dresses at their website.

I am so thrilled that the 1920s is back in a big way, with so many designers reinventing flapper girl style and old Hollywood glamour. One designer that I’m eyeing is Sydney-based Johanna Johnson, whose spring 2013 bridal collection took my breath away with their sultry elegance. The label has always been synonymous to elegance and style, and this collection uses champagne-colored silk, Swarovski crystal adornments, and luxe detailing to achieve the epitome of glamour.

Inspired by the her own nocturnal nature and the chorus girls of the Ziegfield Follies, Johanna’s latest work is a stunning marriage of art deco influences and modern design.

A strong focus on accessories brings the magic and the mood together, elevating some of the simpler silhouettes to a more detailed level of luxury.

The collection is available in very limited quantities and is expected to sell out by March 2013. So envious of brides who can get their hands on a Johanna Johnson piece for their big day!

I’ll admit – I’m more in love with the styling and dreamy, soft focus photography than the wedding dresses from Alvina Valenta’s spring 2013 collection. But just because they’re a little too princessy for my tastes doesn’t mean that they’re not worth a look. Made of the finest silks, shantung, and satin organza, Alvina Valenta wedding dresses make a spectacular statement without necessarily commanding all the attention. The label’s designer Jessica Williams knows when to embellish and when to tone things down, creating a look that’s balanced and ultimately glamorous. Bonus: all gowns are handmade in the USA. Check out my favorites from the collection below!

What was I doing when I was 21 years old? Certainly I wasn’t taking everyone’s breath away with my stunning, hand-crafted wedding dresses like Kelsey Genna is. This New Zealand-based bridal designer has made some of the most lovely and unique wedding gowns I’ve ever seen, which makes it very surprising to learn that a) she’s only 21 years old, and b) her bridal label is new, having been launched late 2012.

Kelsey brings a fresh perspective on nature-inspired gowns with her eye for detail and a skilled grasp for architectural designs. Her debut collection is quite literally the stuff of fairy tales. Inspired by a children’s book called A Flower Fairies Treasury, each gown is named after a flower and uses materials like cotton lace, dupion silk, and silk crepe de chine to create a look that’s part-fairy child, part-bohemian.

Each of the gowns are lovingly handmade in New Zealand and available in very limited quantities.

To order, visit www.kelseygenna.com or her Etsy shop.

Summer is just around the corner, which probably explains why I’m already daydreaming about frolicking on a field wearing a bohemian wedding dress. Or it could be the thrill of discovering a new bridal designer and her beautifully boho creations. All you carefree brides should take a look at Grace Loves Lace and find something to fall in love with. This Australia-based ready-to-wear label that takes its cue from the free-spirited nature of the bohemian era, and embellishes it with the nostalgic charm of vintage elegance. Each gown is carefully handmade using of the finest French lace, silk, and embellishments in soft cream, white, and ivory tones. The production process is so meticulous and careful that gowns are purchased on a made-to-order basis.

If you’re already in love by this point, there’s good news – Grace Loves Lace ships to anywhere in the world!
View more dresses at graceloveslace.com.au.

Let’s greet the new year with something a little offbeat! I was instantly smitten by Monique Lhuillier’s pre-fall 2013 collection and decided that I like her a lot more as an evening wear designer than a bridal designer. Far from being a boring collection of safe, drapey gowns and dull strapless confections, her pre-fall collection is an exciting and edgy interpretation of glitter and glamour. Maybe it’s the sci-fi nerd in me, but I’m also excited about how she borrows from futuristic influences. From the delicate beadwork to the metallic embroidery, each gown is a mesmerizing homage to the stars – the ones out there in space, not the ones in Hollywood.

Despite the tough details, the gowns manage to remain feminine and flattering. The hard edges are juxtaposed against delicate, sheer fabrics, and Monique’s expert ability to craft silhouettes that celebrate the body complete a sumptuous picture. I can’t wait to see these gowns come award season. It’s a daring and unconventional choice, but anyone who walks down the red carpet wearing these breathtaking gowns need not worry about being in anyone’s worst-dressed list.

If I could go to London to buy a wedding dress, I’d probably make a beeline for anything Alice Temperley. I’m a huge fan of Temperley London wedding dresses and I don’t know why I waited until the end of the year to view her 2013 bridal collection. Her wedding dresses are beloved for their light, airy qualities and easy ethereal elegance, and this collection continues to charm brides-to-be with gracefully cascading lace tiers, rich silk, and fine embroidery.

A hint of the trendy peplum skirt adds a contemporary touch to this bohemian silhouette.

Long lace sleeves are still en vouge, but 2013 is seeing a shift from illusions necklines to higher necklines.

All in all, Temperley London’s spring 2013 collection is an incredible addition to her body of work, and I’m envious of brides who get to wear these gowns on their big day.

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