Rivendell Bridal is the place to go for gorgeous medieval and fantasy bridal gowns. Emily Jane, Rivendell Bridal’s talented designer, hand works each dress so that it is perfectly fitted to the client. Working from her UK design studio and shop, Emily Jane welcomes brides from all over the world who are hoping to create the perfect “castle in the sky” wedding.

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Elegant and timeless are words that have been used describe the designs of Caroline Castigliano. This season the words classic, chic, and contemporary can be added to her repertoire as Castigliano adds a touch of whimsy to her stunning designs.

Fitted bodices with flowing skirts in tone on tone white and ivory have always been a Castigliano signature. Added to this classic silhouette for spring are modern details every bride will love. Castigliano has chosen to play with fabric textures and layering to create a truly romantic collection. Unusual bits of contrast such as a slim ribbon of black at the waist or a soft metallic rose on the bodice add a stylish contemporary touch.

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The writer over at Blissful Vows is a blogger after my own heart. They have just featured a look behind the scenes of one of my favourite bridal designers, Jim Hjelm. Although he may not be a household name, he is certainly a darling of the couture and celebrity world, and for good reason. Hjelm designs are always so tasteful and flattering, with a depth of detail that is not often seen in modern day fashions.

My personal favourite from their 2009 range is this low backed sheath design which reflects the current taste for vintage nicely, with a champagne colour and plenty of lace.

Blissful Vows promise to be featuring more from other designers in the near future, so I highly recommend following me over there for a look.

Maria La Fuente is the designer behind this gorgeous and exuberant gown.  Overflowing with celebrity style, her gowns show her commitment and passion for design, creating unusual gowns that test the boundaries of the wedding dress genre.

Her designs are exquisitely feminine, so it’s no suprise that her latest collection ‘Mantis’ is inspired by the ‘color combinations, symmetry and fragile texture’ of butterfly wings.   La Fuente says that she wanted to create a look of ‘risky silhouettes and organic shapes.’ 

Just one of many European designers who are the fashion secrets of the stars, she has been featured in hundreds of glossy fashion magazines, including several appearances in Vogue.  Celebrity fans include Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie), Marla Sokolov (The Practice) and Debra Messing (Will and Grace).

Visit her website or check back with us in February to see her new collection from the Madrid Fashion Week 2009.

Medieval style weddings have seen a huge rise in popularit over the past two decades,  with more and more couples choosing renaissance, celtic or fairytale inspired wedding themes for their ceremony.  The main feature of these types of wedding is the style of clothing.  By choosing a Celtic wedding dress, brides can abandon the structure of a conventional white wedding gown and opt for a more personal expression of their personality, and beliefs.

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What I love about Maggie Sottero is that they offer such a wide range of styles, to fit any budget. While other designers focus on the luxury market (that wonderful combo of rich and thin), Maggie gowns offer couture style to brides of all shapes, sizes and means.

The Maggie Sottero collection gowns are undeniably glamorous, with plenty of diamante embellishment, embroidery and ruched fabric. Or, if you are looking for something simpler, the Destinations collection is made up of slinky, streamlined designs ideal for a wedding by the pool, or on the beach. In the Sottero & Midgley collection, the brand has teamed up with designer Kelly Midgley to create a line of dresses that explore exquisite and contemporary fabrics.

The collections also offer more colour choices than most, with dresses available in champagne, ivory, gold, as well as subtle shades such as ‘blush’ and a silvery ‘oyster’.

Maggie Sottero is available at bridal stores throughout the world, and there is a handy store locator on their website.

More Resources:

View all the dresses at MaggieSottero.com