Goddess Gowns

Helen herself would have gone to war over this delicious silk-taffeta Reem Acra number with embroidered waist. Pearl and pink-sapphire earrings by Gabrielle Sanchez; ring by Harry Winston.

More fanciful frocks, from left: Silk-lined tulle gown adorned with feathers and beaded applique by Claire Pettibone ($3,300); silk-satin strapless gown with beaded and embroidered bodice by Kenneth Pool ($5,200); ivory silk-chiffon gown by Jenny Packham ($4,500). Gold high-heeled sandal with T-strap by Jill Stuart ($368); jewelry (on busts), from top, by Lenora Dame and Dana Kellin.

Rows of crystals and pearl beads plus meringue-like pleats add plenty of drama to Ines Di Santo's antique ivory silk-taffeta gown ($9,900). Double-strand crystal drop necklace by Lenora Dame; ring by Tiffany and Co.

You'll be on cloud nine come your wedding day. Why not dress for the occasion and don a billowy, cumulus-soft dress? Silk-chiffon gown with asymmetrical pleats by Monique Lhuillier ($3,630); green amethyst earrings and freshwater-pearl ring by Gabrielle Sanchez; quartz pendant by Dana Kellin.

Gossamer-light fabrics lend movement to sheaths and high-waisted styles. From left: Embroidered silk-chiffon dress by Badgley Mischka ($4,600); silk-voile gown with crystal embroidery by Karl Lagerfeld Bridal; French Chantilly-lace dress by Carmela Sutera ($7,700). On model: Silk crinkle-chiffon gown with braided neckline and streamer trains by Birnbaum & Bullock ($3,100); golden laurel headpiece by Vera Wang Bridal; platinum and diamond ring by Harry Winston; amethyst earrings by Gabriella Kiss.

Silk-taffeta gown by Romona Keveza ($6,988); crystal and glass-bead necklace by Ggerard Yosca; carved rose-quartz teardrop earrings by Wendy Mink.

Pleats and tucks, when executed with a couturier's precision, give a gown an architectural look that's both modern and classical. And the result is particularly flattering. From left: Empire-bodice dress with pleated skirt by Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija Couture ($2,600); strapless gown by Judd Waddell ($2,800). On model: Silk-faille gown with pockets by Angel Sanchez ($4,840); headband by Leah C. Couture Millinery; faux pearl leaf earrings by Lenora Dame.

With little more than a few twists in the fabric, Vera Wang's gorgeously simple shift puts a stylish spin on a neoclassical silhouette. Victorian earrings from Kentshire; moonstone ring by Gabriella Kiss; head wrap with vintage metallic cording by Jennifer Behr.

Whether the silhouette is body-skimming or more free-flowing, these dresses hug (and give) in all the right places. On model: One-shouldered gown by Carolina Herrera ($2,990); antique diamond grape cluster earrings from Kentshire. On dress forms, from left: Hand-beaded and -embroidered silk-chiffon gown by Liancarlo ($4,130); hand-embroidered silk-crepe gown with bateau neck by Reem Acra; bow front silk-satin gown by Collette Dinnigan ($1,590). T-strap high-heeled sandals by Christian Louboutin ($695).

Halter gown with organza flower by Amsale; antique earrings by Liz Palacios.