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Wedding dress trends

Weddings

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

February 12, 2012|By Marni Elyse Katz

Essense of Australia gown, $1,705 at Camillas Bridal, 673 Massachusetts…

ALL TORN UP

Smooth, flowing satins have given way to texture and tiers. Tracey Moran, owner of Allegria Bridal in Belmont, likes “layers of ruffles, clusters of flowers, and shirred raw layers of organza.”

> Martina Liana gown, $3,070 at Bella Sera Bridal, 85 Andover Street, Danvers, 978-774-4077, bellaserabride.com > Essense of Australia gown, $1,705 at Camilla’s Bridal, 673 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, 781-641-1300, camillasbridal.com > Claire Pettibone gown, $9,950 at Bella Bridal Shoppe, 87 Main Street, Amesbury, 978-388-4388, bella-bride.com > Sottero and Midgley gown, $1,629 at Pronuptia Bridals, 490 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, 508-753-4426, pronuptiabridals.com

THE WARM SHOULDER

Kate Middleton’s handworked wedding dress spurred a lace revival, with many designers now showing lace straps, cap sleeves, and bolero jackets – the last letting a bride “change the look from ceremony to reception,” says Ramona D’Agata, manager of Bella Bridal Shoppe in Amesbury.

> Allure Couture gown, $1,618 at Pure Bliss, 85 Merrimac Street, Newburyport, 978-462-0700, pureblissbridals.com > Amsale gown, $3,850 at Cristina’s, 1 Main Street, Andover, 978-470-3956, cristinasbridal.com > Pronovias gown, $2,497 at Precious Memories, 117 Ferry Street, Malden, 781-397-1336, bestbridalshop.com > Christos gown, $5,200 at Country Weddings Bridal Boutique, 20 Station Street, Hingham, 781-749-5774, www.southshorebridal.com

TALK ABOUT YOUR ‘BLUSHING BRIDE’

Many brides “no longer want the cookie-cutter white gown,” says Trisha McCleary, assistant manager at David’s Bridal in Danvers. A few years back ivory was hot, then champagne, but now brides are thinking pink.

> Watters Brides gown, $1,890 at Bancroft Bridals, 967 Springfield Street, Agawam, 413-789-3073, bancroftbridals.com > White by Vera Wang gown, $1,348 at David’s Bridal, Sherwood Plaza, 1286 Worcester Street, Natick, 508-655-6464; 890 Providence Highway, Dedham, 781-251-9100; and other locations, davidsbridal.com

> Julietta by Mori Lee gown, $850 at Chryssie’s Bridal, 636 Washington Street, Canton, 781-828-4040, chryssies.com > Rivini gown, $4,600 at Cristina’s

A NEW PEEKABOO

As long as you’re going to have your back turned to a room full of witnesses, why not show a little shoulder blade? “Brides are looking to show skin in a different way,” says Stacey Pincus, manager at Flair in Boston’s Back Bay.

> Alvina Valenta gown, $3,740 at Spoil Me, 240 US Route 1, Falmouth, Maine, 207-773-0743, shopspoilme.com > Justin Alexander gown, $1,372 at Alexandra’s Boutique, 452 South Main Street, Fall River, 508-679-8770, alexandrasbridalboutique.com > David’s Bridal Collection gown, $699 at David’s Bridal, Sherwood Plaza, 1286 Worcester Street, Natick, 508-655-6464; 890 Providence Highway, Dedham, 781-251-9100; and other locations, davidsbridal.com > Amy Kuschel gown, $3,200 at Flair, 10 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-247-2828,flairbridesmaid.com