Stunning Designer Wedding Dresses

July 27, 2011

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Two words: stretch chiffon. Like your favorite pair of jeans, this mermaid-style number was made to play up your assets while masking any flaws.

Vera Wang gown (212-628-3400).

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Wedding Dress Inspired by Cairo, Egypt

A dramatic drape of jewel-encrusted silk georgette channels all the glamour of Cleopatra in a modern way.

The Details: Temperley London Phoebe gown. Clara Kasavina Bianca earrings. Rosena Sammi Tisra bracelets. Travel poster from greatbigcanvas.com.

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Wedding Dress Inspired by Hong Kong

Macrame lace gives this otherwise traditional cheongsam a twist, while its delicate Mandarin neckline and body-skimming shape lend it grace.

The Details: Ines Di Santo Norah gown and bolero. Cheryl King Couture Christina hair sticks. Doyle & Doyle earrings and necklace worn as a bracelet. Chad Allison platinum ring. Pearl River parasol. Travel poster from greatbigcanvas.com.

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Wedding Dress Inspired by Bermuda

With a flouncy knee-length skirt and crisply tailored collar, this satin-organza cocktail dress serves up fun with a dash of formality -- just like the island itself.

The Details: Vineyard Annette dress, priscillaofboston.com. Corine Serruya headpiece, opheliehats.com. Kenneth Jay Lane earrings and cuff, 877-953-5264. Gumuchian Twinset ring. Travel poster from greatbigcanvas.com.

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Wedding Dress Inspired by Oaxaca, Mexico

The full skirt of this floor-sweeping chiffon dress is adorned with appliques and fluffed up with a crinoline for a Flamenco-style swoosh.

The Details: Morgane Le Fay Rhiannon dress and crinoline. Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz earrings. Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry necklace. Travel poster from greatbigcanvas.com.

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Wedding Dress Inspired by Zurich, Switzerland

A sheer and close-fitting corded lace jacket is a prim yet provocative addition to the delicately embroidered strapless gown underneath.

The Details: Oscar de la Renta gown and jacket, Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, 212-319-6778. De Beers Dormeuse earrings and ring. Adia Kibur necklace, Supplements NY, 800-631-3844. Cassin muff. Travel poster from greatbigcanvas.com.

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Wedding Dress Inspired by New York

With its one-shoulder sweetheart neckline, this silk-chiffon number is every bit as romantic and architectural as the city's sweeping skyline.

The Details: Romona Keveza Goddess gown. Christopher Designs platinum necklace. Rina Limor earrings, 800-999-0583. Stephen Russell bracelet, 212-570-6900. OGI platinum link bracelet. De Beers ring. Swarovski Kiosque clutch. Travel poster from greatbigcanvas.com.

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Wedding Dress Inspired by the Cote d'Azur

The "Carolina" gown features a subtle sweetheart neckline that is the perfect counterpoint to the lush, exaggerated blossom on the skirt, Carolina Herrera.

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Wedding Dress with Ruffles

It's the epitome of effortless style: a layered silk skirt, a graceful chiffon cowl neckline, and long, trailing black bows for that je ne sais quoi. 

The Details: Carolina Herrera Berenice gown and hat. Doyle & Doyle earrings. Siman Tu bracelet, 212-327-4626. Gabriel & Co. ring. Travel poster from greatbigcanvas.com.

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Wedding Dress with Floral Accents

Move over, pristinely plaited tiers of fabric. This season's soft, feathery folds have little in common with the well-defined ruffles of seasons past. The new incarnation of easy, breezy tulle and clear paillettes perfectly showcases this drop-waist gown's standout shape. "Fashionista" gown, by Kenneth Pool, from Amsale, amsale.com, 212-583-1700. Pearl necklaces: 125-inch rope, Honora, honora.com; five strand, Mastoloni, mastoloni.com. Ring, Varna, varna.com.

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Wedding Dress with Embellishment

Crystals, pearls, beads, ribbons -- it used to be that one of these elements was enough to deck out a dress, but not anymore. Piled high around this silk, satin, and organza gown's jeweled neckline, the artfully layered adornment is as striking as a piece of statement jewelry. "Rhianna" gown, Monique Lhuillier, moniquelhuillier.com. Earrings, by Jose and Maria Barrera, from Tabandeh, 202-244-0777. "Everlon" band, Macy's, macys.com.

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Wedding Dress with a Sleek Bow

Streamlined and strapless, Manuel Mota's architectural wonder of silk mikado boasts a centerpiece of crisply folded fabric so chic that we hesitate to call it a bow. Unlike its more delicate predecessors, this knot isn't the slightest bit frou-frou. "Chez" gown, by Manuel Mota, from Pronovias, 212-897-6393. Pearl stud earrings, Mikimoto, mikimotoamerica.com.

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Simple yet Beautiful Wedding Dress

This tall drink of water represents a new breed of sleek, streamlined styles. It's a far cry from the satin bias-cut dresses that used to define simple. With its uniform embellishment of hand-stitched chiffon petals, the effect is just as pared down as plain satin -- only much more interesting. "Petal" gown and headpiece, Colette Komm, colettekomm.com. Earrings, Mikimoto, mikimotoamerica.com.

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A Wedding Dress with Great Length

It's not quite long, and it's certainly not short -- no, this ballet-length ankle-grazer falls divinely in the middle. The hand-beaded bodice and soft, delicate pleating keep the look current, never retro, while skyscraping heels and bare shoulders add edge. Gown (style No. 29129), Destinations by Mon Cheri, moncheribridals.com. Short veil, Suzanne Couture Millinery, suzannemillinery.com. "Blossom" sandals, by Bourne, from endless.com. Ring, Rina Limor, rinalimor.com.

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A New Twist on the Wedding Veil

The veil will always be in vogue, but right now, there's a much more innovative alternative: the cloche hat -- a must for any bride who's willing to try what other women only wish they could. The key? Make sure it's wedding worthy, like this heavenly, handcrafted style with its delicate ribbon and cluster of pretty-as-can-be rosettes. Hat, Albertus Swanepoel, albertusswanepoel.com. Gown (No. 12n17/2), Oscar de la Renta, from Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, bridalatelier.com, 212-319-6778. Ring, A. Jaffe, ajaffe.com.

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A Modern Empire Wedding Dress

Spun from rich silk taffeta and adorned with a shimmering bodice and satin neckline, this is the most refined high-waisted number we've ever seen. It's not a bit like the bohemian versions of the hippie-dippy days of yore. After all, you wouldn't dream of going barefoot in this dress. "Neely" gown, by Mark Brower for Vineyard, from Priscilla of Boston, 800-970-9205. Beret, Suzanne Couture Millinery, suzannemillinery.com. Eternity band, Memoire, memoire.com.

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Column-Style Wedding Dress

All clean lines and body-skimming shape, the old column relied on its spare design to stand out. But Reem Acra's mesmerizing version, with its clusters of shimmery beading and flapper-esque court train of pleated tulle, isn't just new; it's improved. "Thumbelina" gown, Reem Acra, reemacra.com, 212-308-8760. White pearl bracelets, R. J. Graziano, 212-685-1248. Gold glass-pearl bracelet, Sequin, 212-398-7363. Ring, Zales Jewelers, zales.com.

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A Wedding Dress that Really Sparkles

Before now, flash like this was reserved for accepting an Oscar, not saying "I do." With this stunning gown's shape-skimming nude backdrop and twinkling, hand-beaded overlay of crystal and silver filigree threadwork, it has the power to transform the aisle into your own personal red carpet. Gown (RG337), by Naeem Khan, from Bergdorf Goodman, 888-774-2424. "Celeste" tiara, Jennifer Behr, jenniferbehr.com. "Purity" ring, Memoire, memoire.com.

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A Wedding Dress with the Wow Factor

We've been awed by gowns in black...and gowns that bare backs...and 30-foot trains. What haven't we seen? Carolina Herrera's tulle confection with hand-painted water lilies so gorgeous, it turns the bride into a work of art. "Claude Monet" gown, and cathedral-length veil, both by Carolina Herrera, carolinaherrera.com. Pearl earrings, Mastoloni, mastoloni.com. "Ellen" ring, Erica Courtney, ericacourtney.com.

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Wedding Dress with Feathers and Sparkle

Gown, Selia Yang. Ring, Cartier.

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Embellished Wedding Dress

Gown, by special order, Reem Acra, 212-308-8760; necklace, Siman Tu. Dress, by Redux Charles Chang-Lima, from Esti's, 718-645-2600. Groom's tuxedo, Salvatore Ferragamo, 212-759-3822. Groomsmen's tuxedos and men's shoes, Brooks Brothers.

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Wedding Dress with a Sweeping Silhouette

"Selena" gown, by Rivini.

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Wedding Dress with Hollywood Appeal

"Hayworth" gown, Ines Di Santo. Engagement ring, Chad Allison.

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Wedding Dress with Ruffled Layers

"Alex" gown, by Edgardo Bonilla, from Kleinfeld; necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane, 877-953-5264; diamond solitaire ring, De Beers.

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Halter Wedding Dress

Silk charmeuse "Quinn" halter gown, by Vineyard Collection. Boa, by Paloma Blanca. Platinum flower ring, Michael M. "Laraine" slingbacks with pleated bow, Nina.

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Pleated Tulle Wedding Dress

"Calista" A-line gown, with satin bodice and tulle skirt, Amsale. "Pucele" satin pumps,  Manolo Blahnik, 212-582-3007.

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Wedding Dress with Crystal Bust

Gown with crystal bust (#4009), Jennifer Salzman. Cushion-cut diamond and platinum ring, Neil Lane Jewelry, 310-275-5015.

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Organza Wedding Dress

A-line strapless organza gown, by David Fielden, from Kleinfeld; diamond and platinum bangle, Chad Allison. Black silk-satin ostrich feather chemise, OMO Norma Kamali; crystal flower clip earrings, Siman Tu. Hoop earrings, by Sequin, from Henri Bendel, 800-423-6335.

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Wedding Dress with Geometric Designs

Silk mousseline and tulle gown, J. Mendel.

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Strapless Wedding Dress

Strapless gown (#12n23/11), and fascinator (#12n89), Oscar de la Renta, from Saks Fifth Avenue; engagement ring, Peter Storm.

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Chiffon Wedding Dress

A-line gown (#112210, look #1), Vera Wang. Engagement ring, Chad Allison.

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