Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year to tie the knot. The mild temperatures, riotous fall colours, and approaching holidays make it a wonderful time for celebrating family and friends, too. Plus, this Fall 2011 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in fashion’s memory — especially for wedding dresses! This is an article on some of my favourite bridal trends for this fall. We’re seeing lots of exciting texture and volume in many of this year’s fall and winter wedding dresses. These features are both extra festive, and very becoming on all body types. Your betrothed will fall in love with you all over again when he sees you coming down the aisle in an ultra feminine wedding dress with lots of embroidery on the bodice, and a sexy, unexpected ball gown skirt with crinoline hoops to give it shape. These gowns make an elegant statement without your ever having to say a word.

Additionally, lush skirts decorated with luxurious feathers, embroideries, and even translucent prints were all over the bridal shows. These decorations looked amazing, as with your every stride, the gown will undulate hypnotically. This is a glamorous take on the simple, relatively unadorned white skirts we’ve seen on bridal gowns for years. If you’d like to really make a statement on your wedding day, this is a trend you should explore. Beautiful, dramatic skirts have the added advantage of making your waist seem very small, and give you a lovely hourglass figure.

While many women were excited to wear long, dramatic veils after both Kate Middleton and Kate Moss reinvigorated the tradition, with the advent of these very dramatic bridal gowns, we are seeing this trend for fancy veils die back again. It just doesn’t look right with an ultra-fancy dress. So, if you choose to wear a voluminous, richly decorated wedding dress this autumn, consider pairing it with a short veil, or even foregoing the veil altogether, and wearing your hair in a sleek, glamorous style. This will keep your look modern, and prevent it from feeling “overdone.”

We’re also seeing lots of classic “fishtail” silhouettes on the bridal runways. This look is a bit trickier to pull off, but if you have a fabulous figure and want to make a singular entrance, this look is very glamorous, and you’ll want to display all your wedding pictures with pride. “Fishtailed” gowns are a fantastic way to show off a toned rear view, but they can be a bit difficult to walk in, so keep this in mind. It’d be a shame to trip and fall. If you decide to go this route, you may want to consider finding a dress with a removable skirt so that it is easier for you on the dance floor, or you may even want to change out of your bridal gown after the ceremony entirely.

Finally: sleeves. I already mentioned the residual effects of the royal wedding, and while a dramatic veil doesn’t look as fresh as it did last season, princess tiaras are still extremely popular, as are sleeves. Whether you want to look ladylike, need to cover up your tattoos, or just feel more comfortable with extra coverage, this is a very flattering look.

I hope this overview of this fall’s bridal trends helps you in your decision. And whatever look you choose, above all, remember to have fun! Happy hunting!

Have a Shopping Partner

If you haven’t already noticed, counting on your fiancé for wedding dress shopping help can be an exercise in futility. The fact is you need a friend to help you scour the stores and Internet for the most beautiful wedding dresses. If you can hit some of the bridal shows with your friend, you will have an ally on this elusive hunt. Your friend may end up somewhere that has just what you’re looking for and can easily snap a picture on her phone to send to you. You may even want to sit down with your shopping partner and hit the Internet to find the perfect dress together.

Have a Budget

If you’re trying to find the perfect wedding dress, you have to focus your efforts. Part of staying focused is going to revolve around your budget. Don’t waste your time looking at $10,000 dresses if you have a $2,000 budget. You’ll just be wasting valuable time and effort by spreading your search into price ranges you cannot afford. If you shop for your wedding dress with your budget firmly in mind, you will be better able to make a good decision and focus your energy on finding the best dress in your price range.

Think About the Big Picture

Your wedding dress should be the crowning jewel of your wedding day. Consider all the details about your wedding that you have already decided on. Have you picked out the flowers yet? If so, make sure that the flowers accentuate any dress that you do end up deciding on. You have to think about every other element of the wedding and make sure that they all flatter the wedding dress choices you are considering.

Your big day will be here before you know it. Make sure that you stay focused on the goal of getting the perfect dress for your wedding. You will only have this special day one time in your life. Make sure that you get exactly what you want. And be sure to use the right resources to help you make your dress shopping efforts more fruitful.