Most people think of the white wedding gown as being one of the oldest traditions in the book.  When I was looking for my wedding gown, the thought never entered my mind to step outside of the white/off-white color realm.

However, trends have emerged pointing to a more nontraditional approach to the wedding gown.  A day doesn’t go by that I don’t stumble across some sort of colored wedding dress while thumbing through a bridal magazine.  Just recently, Diva Dialogue blogger Lea shared a photo of a gray dress with me:

Contrary to what you may think, colored wedding dresses are nothing new.  As a matter of fact, white dresses didn’t become popular amongst all class levels until the late 18th century.  In the case of the gray dress, this was traditionally worn by the lower class in the 18th century.

Step back in time even further and you’ll find that traditional wedding dresses in Medieval times were rarely white when planning an extravagant wedding.  Instead, they focused on jewel tones such as ruby, sapphire and emerald, and were often worn by princesses and the upper class.  Today, these choices still exist, such as this red Fiorenza dress from Maggie Sottero:

…And another example straight off the runway in emerald green…

So you tell us!  What do you think?  Do you like the colored wedding dress trend, or do you prefer to stick to the traditional varying shades of white?

I loved the wedding dress that Project Runway designer Kenley Collins made so much that I had to post it!  What do you think of the feather silhouette?

I also adore the corresponding bridesmaid dress (even though it’s a little too short for the average person):

These days, you don’t have to take out a loan in order to afford a beautiful and stylish wedding dress. I thought my dress was a steal until I found these gorgeous designer gowns. At these prices, you could afford to get two, one for the ceremony and another for your reception.

(From left to right) When you see the beaded detail on this Aidan Mattox Niteline strapless gown from Nordstrom, it’ll be hard to believe it’s only $408. Similarly this Grecian-inspired gown by JS Boutique sparkles at only $188, also from Nordstrom. And you can’t beat this price for a Bianca Nero Beaded Empire Gown from Neiman Marcus at $410. The Kay Unger halter style gown is breathtaking and easy on your wallet at only $370 from Saks Fifth Avenue. The ABS by Allen Schwartz Burnout Sleeveless Shirtdress from Neiman Marcus is also a steal at $285, in addition to being cool, casual and in style for an informal gathering. Any way you look at it, you’ll be saving a ton of money without having to sacrifice style on your wedding day.

Shades of violet, lilac and lavender make their royal comeback this season! In everything from designer dresses to fashionable decor, this hue adds a hint of drama to everything it touches. Take a look at my idea of a truly royal wedding inspired by the color purple.

Photos from top to bottom: Signature cocktails from Brides.com, Pronuptia ‘Flash’ purple bridal gown from Bridalwave, Chrysanthemum earrings from Etsy, Chinese Laundry Satin Bow Tie Clutch from ThisNext, Wild Bundle bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, Graphic flower cake from TheKnot, and Ornamental Scroll wedding invitation in deep purple from Wedding Paper Divas.

Short wedding dresses are in right now, and I can see why. Though my girlfriend commented that they showed a bit too much leg, I felt that they would have been a blessing at my wedding. Short dresses allow for more freedom to dance and aren’t as confining as long ball gowns, and I bet they keep brides cool in the summer. What do you think? Do these dresses come up short for being too casual, or are they just right?

Photos from left: Vera Wang from About.com, Amsale Tulle, Melissa Sweet and Oscar de la Renta from TheKnot.