As a bride, there are really two ways to “make an entrance.” One is of course with the show-stopping bridal dress and the other is with – play on words – the ceremonial wedding processional, which can oftentimes be modified to fit personal style, tastes and family dynamics.
Dress Trends
Similar to Beatlemania sweeping the nation in the 1960s, Royal Wedding fever had quite the influence on this season’s wedding dress designs and decisions. Sleeves, once thought uncommon place on the typically strapless wedding dress, are having their moment on store racks and the arms of savvy brides on our side of the pond. Whether it’s a delicate cap sleeve, a just-to-the-elbows 3/4 sleeve, an inches-above-the-wrist sleeve a la Meghan Markle, or a full-on long, dainty laced sleeve like that worn by Kate Middleton, the extra addition is now a style staple.
Weight (of the dress!) is also being considered.
“Brides like it lighter and with less crinoline, which is the tooling underneath the dress that makes it fuller,” said Patrice Catan-Alberty, owner of Catan Fashions for the Bride in Broadview Heights and daughter of arts and crafts mogul Pat Catan. Patrice has more than 300 dresses in her Broadview Road shop and she designs each and every one of them.
The poufy frilly cupcake look is mostly out for 2019, and has made way for more elegant, fitted designs that are regal and glamorous. Colors white and ivory still rank supreme, with ivory slightly in the lead, and a light layering of soft color underneath is gaining momentum, along with plunging necklines and soft feminine backing. A sweep on the Internet even showed velvet, both in dress design and wedding reception accents, making its way into the mainstream. Catan-Alberty said she is looking to design some gowns that incorporate the soft, swoon-worthy fabric.
The bridal party is having more fun in 2019 with trendy, modern dresses. And gone perhaps are the days when the bride knowingly lies to her bridesmaids assuring them their dress isn’t a one-and-done purchase – bridesmaid dresses are being intentionally designed and crafted so their owners can truly wear them again as a cocktail dress, Catan-Alberty said. Color trends are pointing to shades of blush and the light, creamy purple of Victorian Lilac. And, once again, the bride is allowing her bridesmaids to choose their dress style as opposed to having each woman wear the same dress. Mother-of-the-bride dresses are looking to be more complimentary in color to that of the bridal party as opposed to heavy dark shades from a completely different color family.
Accessories, or the “icing on the cake,” as the staff of Catan Fashions puts it, are perpetually dictated by the dress.
“If a gown is beaded, our accessories should be minimal, and if the dress is plainer, accessories should incorporate rhinestones and pearls. You want to connect everything so it has a home,” Catan-Alberty said.
Though styles and trends will always come and go, one thing when dress shopping is certain – wear what fits your personality and comfort level. As with any outfit, if it doesn’t make you feel wonderful inside and out, it’s not for you and your confidence level will show it.
“We tell all the girls that you need to try all the different styles in order to eliminate what you don’t like,” Catan-Alberty said. “The reason being is that you don’t dress like this all of the time and it is a very different feeling having a wedding dress on. Ninety-nine percent of the time, brides leave with the opposite of what they thought they would like. I would advise to look online, get some ideas of styles and fabrics you like, bring a pair of shoes and proper undergarments, though most shops offer those anyway, and come in with an idea of what you feel is the look you want. Come in with an open mind.”
Here Comes the Bride: The Wedding Processional
The wedding processional can take various forms depending on a couple’s culture, faith and tastes. The Christian wedding procession calls for the mother of the bride to walk down the aisle first. The officiant awaits the couple at the altar and the groom and best man enter the venue from the side. The bridal party walks in pairs and arm-in-arm. Next is the maid/matron of honor followed by the ring bearer and flower girl. Lastly, the bride and her father make their way down the aisle. A bride could choose to be escorted down the aisle by both of her parents, as is procedure in a Jewish wedding ceremony. Depending on family dynamics, a bride, for example, wanting both her father and stepfather to escort her could walk halfway down the aisle with each individual.
Couples having non-religious, civil wedding ceremonies do not follow any set protocol but typically take cues from religious processional orders.
Lori Geyer, music director at Saint Albert the Great Church, said she’s seeing more and more grooms walk in as part of the processional order. And, taking cues from the Royal Wedding, Geyer noted that vocal hymns are more popular than traditional bridal marches. The unity candle, the long-time ceremony staple that symbolizes two people joining in marriage, is rarely used in today’s weddings, as observed by Geyer, and couples consider the unity candle archaic.
On Jan. 24, the Wallings Road parish will host its yearly “Wedding Music Night” in the church, where couples can hear samplings of various wedding music and from different vocalists, receive marriage ceremony guideline packets and ask questions of Geyer and her staff.
As is with wedding planning, always consult your officiant for venue and ceremonial guidelines, such as that of Saint Albert the Great where secular, or nonreligious music, is not allowed. Discuss ways you can add personal flair to your processional while still staying within observed protocols.

By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer