Sometimes, wedding-dress shopping doesn’t always go the way you wanted it to. You won’t always be able to say “yes” to the dress, but it wouldn’t be right to walk down the aisle wearing the wrong gown, either. So, what do you do? You alter the dress to suit your style.
If you find a rockstar wedding dress that ticks off all but one of the boxes on your checklist, don’t let it go! You don’t need to wear the dress as-is. Take it to your tailor to tweak it a bit, turning it into a wedding gown that’s you.
Here are a few ways to add a pop of personality to your wedding dress.
1. Be bold with the belt.
Don’t want to change your dress too drastically? Change the belt to something more à la mode. This applies particularly to old dresses that were handed down. By changing the belt, you’ll be able to wear something you feel good in, without robbing your mother or grandmother of the sentimental value they have for the wedding gown.
Let’s say your wedding dress has a satin ribbon wrapped around the waist, which you aren’t a fan of. You want your dress to be bolder, so what you can do is make minor alterations. Swap the ribbon with a lace-up corset belt that’s borderline bedroom-appropriate or a leather belt.
Or if you want your dress to be more subtle, get rid of the ribbon! Who says you can’t?
2. Change the color of the lining.
If wearing a colorful wedding dress is way out of your comfort zone, change the color of the lining instead. This is the perfect option for brides that want a pop of color, but still want to look like a traditional bride in a white dress.
No one will be able to see it when you’re standing still, but wait ‘til your groom twirls you around the ballroom. The fabric’s movement and the blur of colors will be so magical that it will look like it was taken right out of a fairytale book.
If you want to sneakily show off the color and give guests a glimpse of blues, greens, etc. as you walk down the aisle, wear a wedding dress with a sheer overlay.
3. Spice up the veil.
Brides-to-be spend so much time on their wedding dresses that they forget about their veil. They aren’t aware that their veil has the power to make or break their whole look, so they end up throwing on a veil that doesn’t go with their wedding gown.
When designing your wedding gown, be sure to think about what the veil will look like. In that way, you can avoid over-embellishing your dress and allow your veil to stand out, as well.
Additionally, if you’re wearing a rented dress, your veil is the perfect opportunity to show off your personality. Create a custom veil so you don’t end up looking like the rest of the women who wore that dress to their wedding.
Whether you want a modest veil like Kate Middleton’s or a modern veil that’s covered in Swarovski crystals, one thing is for sure — wearing a veil with your wedding gown can make you look like the picture-perfect bride.
4. Wear a custom cape.
If a grand entrance is what you want, a grand entrance is what you’ll get when you wear a floor-sweeping cape. By wearing a wedding dress and cape combo, you won’t walk down the aisle — you’ll strut.
A cape can add personality to your dress, particularly if its neckline is too plain. Depending on your dress’s cut, the cape can either be detachable or a permanent part of your ensemble. However, if you plan on partying after you say your vows, it would be better to wear a detachable cape — you don’t want people to step on your dress!
For a fairytale-like flair, go for something sheer and lightweight like georgette. This fabric offers gentle movements that follow your every movement. Tulle, on the other hand, creates the appearance of a cape without concealing the dress underneath. For a more smooth silhouette, choose charmeuse or crepe for your cape’s materials. You could also take inspiration from Solange Knowles and tie the knot in an all-white suit with a cape that cascades down to the floor.
5. Pick a wedding dress that ISN’T white.
I know, WILD. But this choice can actually be really beautiful and special. It may feel more like you than the classic look.
And if you can’t find a dress in a specific color? Don’t worry — you can always dye it.
As long as you have the right fabric dye, you can turn your wedding dress from drab to fab. Dyeing it on your own is also a budget-friendly choice, as it costs a fraction of what you’d otherwise pay for a tailor-made dress.
You can dye your dress one color or go for an attention-grabbing ombre design. But do make sure you don’t need to return your dress, or else you’ll be in trouble!
For more on how to pull that off— https://www.brides.com/how-to-dye-a-wedding-dress-5089297
You deserve to wear a wedding dress that you’re comfortable and confident in. If you can’t find the perfect dress at the store, don’t lose hope — there’s still time to alter your dress to your taste.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to walk down the aisle in a dress that’s truly yours.