Guest Post by Shirley Tan, AmericanBridal.com

When you turn that age where everyone is getting married, you start to notice that most gals turn out to look like the typical cookie-cutter bride in her white ball gown. If you’re the type of girl who wants to stand out and show your individuality on your special day, follow these tips:

Indulge in Color

White is definitely not flattering for all skin tones (especially women with light skin) and it is not the most complimentary color for darker skin tones. The white wedding dress was meant to symbolize virginity and purity, but now that times have changed, dresses should reflect our newfound strength and power with vibrant, bold colors. Choose lively yellows and shocking reds, or if you want to take it down a notch, look for less vibrant colors like maroon and navy blue.

Original Headpieces

There are many veil alternatives on the market today, so no need to go traditional on this one ladies. Place baby’s breath flowers in your up do to create a breathtaking, natural look. For a more romantic look, invest in one medium sized colored silk flower of your choice, I recommend a rose paired with small white flowers, and place it to the side of your swept up hair. If you are a free spirited gal, try placing a large daisy in your hair. Whatever kind of girl you are, there’s always a flower that matches your personality. If you do want to go more towards the traditional side, I recommend buying a veil, sans netting, that drips with ruby and silver balls or crystals.

Accessorize to the Max

If you’ve decided to go the more traditional route with yur dress, then it’s time to glam yourself up with some accessories. A cost effective way to look even more stunning is purchasing a dainty velvet ribbon to tie neatly around your neck; you’ll surely create a statement with this look. Depending on what type of dress you have, buying a long pearl necklace would also look amazing, and add some drama to your ensemble. This look goes especially well with a plain wedding dress that does not flair out at the bottom- think simple. For funkier brides, try a diamond upper arm bracelet to look fabulous.

Shoes Please!

If you have chosen to stick with the standard white wedding dress, then spice it up a bit with some colorful shoes. Who wants to wear white from head to toe. A lot of bridal shoes can be dyed any color you like, so you can be as creative as you want.

No matter what route you decide to take (traditional or non) it’s important to feel like an enhanced version of yourself on your special day. So, if that means going bold, then by all means go daring, you deserve it!

Shirley is the President/CEO of AmericanBridal.com. Her company is a major leader in the wedding favors industry and her website contains many useful resources for brides planning their wedding.