Recently by Melissa Colgan

I’ve just returned from bridal market in New York City, and I am still pinching myself over some of the collections and dresses I viewed during my five-day juggernaut. While I had planned on blogging a bit form the shows, I forgot the USB cord for my computer on my desk, so instead I will spend the next few days filling you in on some of the goodies. But for all of the details and for my complete runway rundown, you’ll have to pick up the January issue of Mpls.St.Paul Weddings.

Now for a quick review . . .

Highlight shows: Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, Giles Montezin, Angel Sanchez, and Elizabeth Fillmore

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Perhaps more than neckline, train, and even silhouette, nothing really affects the way a wedding gown moves and falls over the curves more than its fabric. From the float of tulle to the cling of jersey, the light reflecting properties of satin to the texture of lace, here is an explanation of some of the most common textiles used in bridal couture. But the most important thing to remember is, no matter what fabric you choose, natural fibers—usually silk, but occasionally cotton or wool—are best.  

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Los Angeles-based couture bridal designer, Monique Lhuillier, has launched a new bridal collection. Bliss by Monique Lhuillier is  a reworking of many of Lhuillier's best selling gowns, and in most cases, at half the price.

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We just got office copies of the new issue of Mpls.St.Paul Weddings magazine. While it is currently making its way to newsstands and bridal boutiques around the Twin Cities, I just can't wait to show you all some of what we have in store. Here is a video of the fashion shoot at Mill City Museum.

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Kevin Heinz and Jillian Peterson take the cake for having the most original wedding March we've ever seen. The bride, groom, seven bridesmaids, five groomsmen, and four ushers danced down the aisle to the Chris Brown song "Forever" before exchanging vows June 20. The video has become a YouTube sensation, with well over a million hits to date.

Now that you're experts on wedding dress silhouettes and necklines, it is time to talk trains. The length of train you choose for your gown is more dependent of the location and style of your nuptials than any of the other element. While a short dress would look all wrong at the Basilica or the Saint Paul Cathedral, a monarch or cathedral length train has the mass and drama needed to make sure you're still visible to those even in the furthest pews.

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For part two of our guide to dissecting wedding dress lingo, we talk necklines. While strapless is the neckline of choice for many brides, there are a plethora of options that suit a variety of shapes.

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We just finished putting the last pages of our summer issue of Mpls.St.Paul Weddings to press a few days ago, and there were a handful of goodies that landed on the cutting room floor. One of those items, part of an article by writer Sarah Asp Olson, did a fabulous job of breaking down the wedding dress lingo that all brides-to-be can expected to hear when they start the search for their dream gown.

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The Guthrie’s summer comedy When We are Married (July 4-August 30) has an interesting twist. To help celebrate this play about love and marriage, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine is hitching up with the Guthrie to give away a $60,000 wedding!

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Ever since seeing one of her ready-to-wear collections in New York a few years ago, I’ve been a huge fan of designer Lela Rose. And when she released her first bridal collection a little more than a year ago, my respect for the designer only grew.

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