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dress is on a sunny day. “You’ll have the shop to yourself ” said Faraday.
She organizes the big bridal show that’s held every year at the Patriot Center and has been outfitting brides for 14 years. Like Brady, she’s seen the styles come and go.
So what’s the bridal look of the millennium?
Strapless. Sleeveless. Two-piece. And no matter what the matron of honor says, chiffon is in this year, as are embroidered fabrics and Duchess satin.
Long veils descend from simple crowns or tiaras, giving a flowing look to gowns with no trains. A luscious rum pink color is edging white out of the spotlight — and in the battle of Simplicity vs. Pouf, simplicity is the clear winner.
Brady describes her shop, A Formal Affair, as “a New Orleans laid-back boutique.” It’s a full-service bridal salon: she can dress the entire wedding party, plus the mothers, and do flowers. She does a couple hundred weddings a year, plus 10-15 vow renewals.
“The bride is getting older,” Brady said. “And over the age of 30, they want a more sophisticated look.”
Also (although they may not like to admit it) the average woman is a size 14 today. Of course, if a woman falls in love with a size-10 dress, that’s no problem — nearly every dress has to be shortened, and both Brady and Faraday can offer more extensive alterations.
“You’re rarely going to find a dress exactly the way you want it,” said Brady. “Anything can be done to a dress — change the trim, add or remove a sleeve. I love to change things around.”
Both owners like to see a bride at least six months — preferably nine — before the wedding date. If alterations are needed on an off-the-rack dress, that adds a month. Ordering a dress takes more time, anywhere
from four to five months.
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