Don O’Neill, Creative Director for THEIA, knows a thing or two about fashion. Check out his cheat sheet of what to wear and when to wear it.

Black Tie: As a courtesy to your hosts, a gown is definitely the way to go. Wear color when possible to set yourself apart in a sea of black gowns.

Creative Black Tie: Women still need to look sophisticated and formal, buthere you have the freedom to step out of the box…channel your inner fashionista and add a glamorous or modern twist.

Formal: Formal is still very dressy and calls for a gown or quite elegant cocktail. If you opt for a cocktail, sequins or lace would be appropriate.

Semi-Formal: These events a little more relaxed, and short cocktail dresses are totally your best bet. An organza cocktail dress is a safe bet, or, step entirely out of the box and make a big fashion statement with a soft leather cocktail dress.

Cocktail: Short and pretty, and color should be key. Opt for something flirty and fun, like a floral print or bright sheath.

Informal: Short dresses in fun prints, or softer silhouettes areappropriate for this type of occasion. I’d suggest something like a
pretty, soft chiffon floral print cocktail dress.

Dressy Casual: This particular attire would mean a dressed-up pant look or casual cocktail (dresses are always the way to go in my mind). Something along the lines of a floral-printed silk chiffon dress, perhaps with a cardigan worn over it would be appropriate.

This article and more was contributed to BridePOP from GetMarried.com

Your wedding dress is the most important piece of clothing you’ll ever own, and though you’ll only wear it once, you’ll likely want to preserve it forever. We sat down with Sally Lorensen Conant of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists to get some tips on gown preservation.

GM: What’s the difference between wedding dress cleaning versus preservation?

SLC: Cleaning removes all of the stains that are on your gown and takes it back to the condition that it was. If you have it preserved, if you store it in acid free tissue or fabric, muslin of some type, and put it into the proper container, it will stay the same color that it was. Fabric has a shelf life of 200 years if it’s treated nicely.

GM: What will happen if I don’t preserve my dress?

SLC: It’s going to discolor first of all, because silver oxidizes and turns black, fabric oxidizes and turns yellow. The other thing that happens is the latent stains that were there from the things you spilled that were colorless the day of the wedding are going to begin showing up. When it hangs for a very long time the fabric stretches. The fabric itself is distorting from the stress as you hang it.

GM: What questions should I ask the preservationist?

SLC: First and most importantly, does the cleaner do his or her own work? Ask the cleaner what he/she does to protect the dress during the cleaning process. What are they going to do to protect the trim and the beading? How will they be sure they’ve removed all of the stains, the ones they can see and the ones they cannot see. And ask, today or tomorrow or 20 years from now, who’s going to honor the guarantee that the dress won’t discolor or have stains.

GM: When should I get my dress preserved?

SLC: If it’s a silk gown, then it’s more important to have things cleaned right away. Silk is a hollow fiber. So if your gown is silk, and you happen to get red wine or mud, then you need to do something instantly. Other than that you can take your time, and shop for a good preservationist. Even after a year, or 2 years, it’s possible to clean and preserve it properly.

GM: What should I look for to pick a preservationist I can trust?

SLC: I think even people who are not members of the Association can be judged by the look of their premises. Are they clean? Are they neat? Have they been in business a long time? Can they answer your questions? Are they going to do their own work? That’s the sort of thing they should check for.

This article and more was contributed to BridePOP from GetMarried.com

Photo courtesy Sage Studios

If you covet Melissa Sweet and want a similar look, consider the Mila or Dylan styles. Both have very similar silhouettes to Emily’s dress. SmartBrideBoutique.com has the Mila style in sizes 4, 6 and 8 for anywhere from 50% to 70% off the $5000 price tag. The Dylan style is a boutique sample and available for $1474 (a savings of 60% off the $3700 retail price).

If you just love the sexy and sophisticated fit to flare silhouette, but don’t need it to be Melissa Sweet, these 4 dresses will also give you that hourglass shape.

Dresses featured:

1. Used size 8 Moonlight J5971 Wedding Dress – Original Price: $1300, SmartBride Price: $750
2. Used size 12 Paloma Blanca 3963 Wedding Dress – Original Price: $2300, SmartBride Price: $1000
3. Used size 10 Vineyard Sailor Wedding Dress – Original Price: $3450, SmartBride Price: $1500
4. Used size 8 Priscilla of Boston 4106 Wedding Dress – Original Price: $3650, SmartBride Price: $1825

There has been a resurgence of asymmetrical lines on wedding dresses in recent seasons. With the comeback of this seemingly futuristic style, it’s only fitting that your hair compliment the gown accordingly. We asked Oscar Bond, Creative Director of L’ANZA to weigh in on how to get this look, who should wear it, and when it looks best.

The style is “a classic, glamorous look appropriate for the occasion,” Bond explains, great on classic movie stars like Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, and Angelina Jolie. Bond reminds us that “this style is not affected by the face shape, but the stylist should consider the jaw and neckline since they are exposed.” So what should you where below the neck? He suggests a strapless dress or asymmetrical neckline to compliment the shape.

Although the look is very red carpet, you don’t have to be a screen siren to wear this do. Get your inspiration from a bold mermaid style gown, perhaps one-shoulder, to dazzle your admirers, or consider dressing up a sexy sheath dress with this dramatic statement. A great pair of teardrop earrings will finish the frame around the face, and with a little volume or curl to the side (in either a pony tail or bun), your simple chic dress will really pop.

Always red-carpet ready, Denise Richards (pictured above) was recently spotted on the set of her upcoming film, Kambakht Ishq. Bond suggests that the locks in this scene were created to actually balance the asymmetrical neckline of the dress. She pulls it off flawlessly with big false lashes, a natural lip color, a pair of drop earrings, and two bold cuffs around the wrist. As with any look, don’t forget to accessorize accordingly.

While long, flowy, tousled loose curls are still white hot on aisles everywhere, if you want to be a bit more bold on your wedding day, then consider the look of the asymmetrical style and pin those wavy curls to the side.

This article and more was contributed to BridePOP from GetMarried.com

Would you don a statement necklace for your big day, or do you prefer to go the more traditional route?

Casablanca 1854 Wedding Dress: $150
What an amazing price! This boutique sample size 10 classic V-Neck halter Casablanca 1854 wedding dress has just the right amount of sparkle.