Bridal trends blow in from the Windy City

Candlelight adds romantic ambiance to the ceremony, but brides also might want to consider what it could do for their gown.

The color “candlelight” – a soft shade that falls somewhere between white and ivory – is the hot new hue for 2010 according to Tiffanys Bridal owners Sharon Townsend and Carolyn Simons. They returned from Chicago early this October with the scoop on all the latest trends in bridal fashion after attending seminars and shows at this year’s National Bridal Market, the nation’s largest and longest-running bridal market

Townsend, who has also served as manager of Tiffanys since she and Simons purchased the business last year, said that styles from the 1950’s influenced many of the designers at the market this year. New collections featured gowns with more volume and defined waists.

“One of the biggest changes in bridal fashion is the shift in material from mostly satin and taffeta to more free-flowing or traditional fabrics like organza, delicate lace and chiffon,” Townsend said. “Gowns with sleeves or a sculpted neckline, such as a sweetheart, are also becoming more popular than the simple, straight-across strapless dresses that have dominated in recent years.”

Other trends at the market included asymmetrical, one-shoulder styles and gowns with three-dimensional, layered embellishments or more emphasis on the back. Bold elements from feathers to flowers adorned headpieces, and the jewelry depended on the gown: over-the-top sparkle for simple gowns and understated elegance for highly embellished ball gowns.

Townsend and Simons expanded their selection at the show, ensuring that Tiffanys will carry all the new looks. They also acquired an exclusive label for Tiffanys that will feature designs unique to the Richmond area, offering an even greater selection to local brides.