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12:01 AM
December
"The response has been great and refreshing," says L'Atelier owner Amanda Kautt. "Chelsea seems like an achievable style icon."
Just five official photos were released from the wedding last weekend of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's only daughter. But that and the scant details eager reporters were able to glean from the closely guarded affair (Gluten-free cake! Hillary Clinton wore Oscar de la Renta!) seem enough for industry experts to confirm a return to tradition.
"She didn't set trends but was very on-trend," says Anja Winikka, editor of theknot. com.
Here's how:
The dress: Chelsea Clinton wore a strapless A-line gown custom-designed by Vera Wang. A classic choice, Winikka says, elevated with trendy details like the glamorous laser-cut swirling silk organza ball skirt and embellished sash around the waist.
"The beaded sash is going to be huge," predicts Marie Suchy, co-owner of Posh Bridal Couture in Minneapolis. "We've had them in the store, but now that brides have seen it on somebody big, they're going to request it. It's a piece you can wear in the ceremony and take off or just wear to the reception."
The textured skirt is another look gaining in popularity, Suchy says.
"For years and years, 'simple' has been the operative word in dresses," says Twin Cities-based
wedding photographer Liz Banfield, whose pictures have been published in Martha Stewart Weddings and other national magazines. "I definitely think brides will take this look as a launching point for taking more risks with their wedding gowns and go for a grander statement." L'Atelier is one of the few Twin Cities boutiques that carry Vera Wang wedding dresses. Kautt says her shop offers a dress similar to the one Clinton wore. The "Diana" gown, adorned with a vanilla-colored sash, sells for $6,990.
Knock-offs for less than $1,000 are already in production and will hit eDressme.com and stores by October.
The veil: Clinton brought back the traditional long veil and walked down the aisle with a blusher over her face. "It's very old-fashioned — many brides don't do it anymore," Banfield says. "But I think the blusher always looks beautiful."
The reception dress: For the reception, Clinton changed into a silk tulle Grecian Vera Wang gown with a crisscross back and grosgrain black belt. Wearing two dresses isn't only a trend at million-dollar weddings, says theknot's Winikka. Convertible dresses, with a long hemline that can be removed, are becoming more popular. "The trend is to wear a traditional dress and then switch into something more fun, typically after the cake cutting." It helps shift a reception into a more relaxed after-party mode or to make a surprising exit. "Brides are bringing back the big exit where they jump into a car. What's old is different."
Groom's suit: Groom Marc Mezvinsky skipped the classic tux and bow tie in favor of a slim suit and skinny tie by Burberry designer Christopher Bailey, who dressed the father of the bride in similar fashion. Credit "Mad Men" with inspiring this nod to the '60s.
Bridesmaid dresses: Bucking the trend of letting bridesmaids pick their silhouette or color, Clinton opted for a uniform look with lavender chiffon, strapless bias-cut gowns and contrasting plum bows by Vera Wang. "We're moving away from laid-back and homespun to something more elegant and cleaned up," Winikka says.
Mother-of-the-bride dress: In a dramatic break from her signature pantsuits, Hillary Clinton appeared every bit the modern mother in an Oscar de la Renta silk raspberry gown. "It's cool for mothers to see they don't have to wear black or brown," Winikka says. "They can look beautiful, too."
The bouquet: The bride carried an all-white bouquet. Simple, says Winikka, and it does not distract from the dress.
The cake: The traditional wedding cake has played second fiddle to lavish dessert bars in recent years, but Clinton brought it back in grand style. Hers was vanilla with dark mouse filling and decorated with 1,000 sugar flowers brushed in silver. It was also gluten-free, so the bride, who is allergic to gluten, could enjoy it. Ingredients matter to today's brides and grooms, Winikka says. "We hear brides say all the time that they would pare down the menu so they could use higher-quality fresh ingredients."
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