Top Wedding Dress Trends for 2009 and 2010

by Cori Russell

Want to ensure a fashion-forward look for your upcoming 2009 or 2010 wedding? From sleek silhouettes to mini-dresses and tiered gowns, these latest looks for wedding gowns will help you put your best fashion foot forward to get you down the aisle in style.

Sleek Silhouettes

Slim is the silhouette of choice for the modern wedding dress - as sheaths, trumpets, and column wedding dresses ruled the runways. Don´t fret if you´ve always dreamed of donning a billowy ball gown, however, as this traditional style never goes out of style.

Colorful Details
Modern brides are experimenting with color to tie their ensembles into the color scheme. Adding a splash of color to the basic white gown remains popular through colorful sashes and appliqué details, or more dramatically through two-toned wedding gowns with a colored bodice against a white or off-white skirt.

High Hemlines
Not afraid to show a little leg, today´s brides are embracing the tea-length and mini shift dresses that have become de rigueur in nearly every wedding dress designer´s latest collections. The trend makes sense for destination weddings calling for laid back attire and brides opting to don a second dress for dancing the night away at the reception.

Tiered Skirts
Whether chiffon, tulle, organza, or even feathers - layers of fabric are the newest major detail designers are playing with to create soft, yet dramatic gowns. This flowing style is perfect for the bride who is a romantic at heart.

Floaty Fabrics
Dresses weighted down by heavy crepes, matte satins and silks are lightening up to fabrics like taffeta and organza. These airy fabrics are easy to layer and more comfortable for a gown worn for up to 10 hours. And for brides having a summer wedding, donning a lighter fabric will ensure they´re glowing - not sweaty and red-faced - on their wedding day.

One Shoulder
This asymmetrical look is a hot fashion trend that has crossed over into the bridal world to update the basic strapless gown. Carrying a simple, no fuss vibe, the one shoulder gown is a great option for a destination wedding. Bonus points for those blessed with toned limbs, as this neckline shows off the upper arms and shoulders.

Practical Pockets
Having graced gowns for a few seasons, pockets remain hot in 2009. The style lends a casual vibe for relaxed events, and - perhaps best of all - it´s practical too, allowing brides to keep essentials like lip gloss or tissues on hand throughout the day.

Get even more 2009 and 2010 wedding dress trends in this complete wedding dresses guide and photo gallery.

About the Author
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete weddings and wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to walk brides and grooms through every step of the planning process.