Wedding Dresses

While there are no set rules when it comes to wedding day attire for same-sex couples, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of dress options. One of the most common concerns we see are brides who want to coordinate gowns but avoid styles that are overly matching. As we enter the first week of Pride Month, here are a few of our best tips for choosing two gowns for pride brides that complement each other. 

Communicate Before Shopping

Before you both begin your wedding dress shopping, we recommend communicating what styles or the overall dress code you both love. Whether you decide to keep your wedding day attire casual, more formal, or even wear couture dresses, it’s helpful to discuss this ahead of time so you can better coordinate for the big day. You can also let each other know which silhouettes and color palettes you prefer. 

Find a Trusted Friend

One of the best parts of your wedding day will likely be the big reveal, or when you first see your partner walking down the aisle. For couples who prefer to surprise each other on your special day, we recommend finding a trusted friend to go wedding dress shopping with each of you. They’ll be able to help you coordinate gowns without you knowing exactly what the other is wearing, while also ensuring you both don’t choose something too similar. 

Wear Different Colors

If both you and your bride find yourself loving similar dress styles, an easy fix is switching up your color palettes. While white is the traditional color for a wedding dress, colored dresses are also being a popular trend this year ranging from blush shades to jewel tones. If you don’t feel comfortable straying too far from a white dress, neutral colors such as taupe or cream are also appropriate – or even wearing different colored bridal shoes. 

Switch Up Accessories

For pride brides who want to wear matching bridal gowns, switching up the accessories is a great way to coordinate while still showing off your unique styles. Whether it’s the veil, your jewelry, hair accessories or your flower bouquet, don’t be afraid to embrace your own personal style and make it your own. 

Once you’ve discussed your preferred wedding day looks and are ready to start shopping, book an appointment with one of our bridal specialists today! 

After many couples were forced to postpone their wedding plans this past year, the fall 2021 season is already shaping up to be a busy wedding season. For soon-to-be brides who are still searching for their perfect dress, here are just a few bridal fall 2021 trends to keep an eye on this year.

Off the Shoulder

Off the shoulder gowns have always been a popular wedding style, but this trend is in high demand for the fall season. This dress from Gowns by Gretchen features delicate lace long sleeves for the cooler fall months, with a tie waist and flattering slit for added movement. 

All Over Lace

You’ll find hints of lace detailing on a vast majority of bridal gowns, but all over lace will take center stage in the fall this year. Whether you have a simple silhouette or full ball gown, lace is romantic and dramatic for a gorgeous wedding day look. 

Two Piece

One of the more unexpected trends we’ve seen for the bridal fall 2021 season is two piece wedding outfits. Not only are they a surprising break from the traditional wedding gown, but they can be worn a variety of different ways. Brides can choose from a crop top and pants, a long sleeve shirt and skirt or even a pantsuit – there are nearly endless combinations. 

Cutouts

Less is more with this fun bridal trend for fall. For brides who feel comfortable showing off a bit more skin, cutouts are a great way to add some drama to your wedding day ensemble. You can also show off as much or as little as you’d like. This Allure Bridals gown features a minimal cutout along the back for a subtle yet elegant design. 

Book an appointment with one of our bridal specialists today to browse our selection of more than 600 wedding dress styles!

Designed with your happily ever after in mind, the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection from Allure Bridals can turn every bride into their favorite Disney princess. Known for her spirited personality and fiery red hair, Ariel’s adventurous spirit inspired a variety of beautiful designs for your special day. Here are a few of our favorite Ariel Disney wedding gowns from the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection. Who doesn’t want to be a princess for a day?

Covered in sparkling sequins, this Ariel-inspired gown is dramatic yet elegant. The slightly flared train is also more subtle, ideal for brides who are looking for a more understated design. The all-over sequins also pay homage to the light shimmering across the ocean waves. 

As one of the most dramatic Ariel Disney wedding gowns in the Allure princess bridal collection, this dress features various layers of tulle and organza that mimic the crashing waves of the sea. Its strapless sweetheart neckline and ruched bodice come together to create a flattering silhouette. It’s also finished with covered buttons along the backside. 

With a traditional mermaid silhouette, this stunning dress puts a modern twist on the timeless Disney princess inspired look. Crafted with luxurious stretch Mikado fabric, the minimal shimmer and illusion cutouts are also reminiscent of the ocean waves. The gown is finished with intricate beading and a buttoned down back leading into a romantic train. This style is currently available at Kleinfelds. 

Which Disney princess is your favorite? Book an appointment with us today to try on your favorite Disney princess-inspired gown, and start living your happily ever after! Browse through all of our available dresses from the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection, along with our selection of other Disney bridal gowns. Brides will also receive $100 off their purchase for all weekday book and buys!

Beginning the search for your wedding dress may seem daunting at first, which is why drawing inspiration from other designs can be helpful in finding one that’s a perfect fit for you. Here are a few of our favorite elegant wedding dresses inspired by television shows you know and love.

Bridgerton

With its square neckline and floral pattern, the Monia dress by Allure Bridals is the perfect style to pay homage to your favorite Netflix royals. The sleek sheath silhouette and romantic embellishments are also reminiscent of Daphne Bridgerton’s own wedding style. 

WandaVision

Originally inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Wanda’s wedding dress in WandaVision features a high neck and belted waist. This Justin Alexander gown puts a modern twist on those classic elements with simple side cut outs and a keyhole back. 

This Is Us

With the wedding episode of This is Us set in the 70s, Rebecca wears a long sleeve lace gown as she says ‘I do’. Similar to this vintage-inspired dress, the Meryl Lynette gown by Maggie Sottero features lace appliques over layers of textured tulle along with illusion straps for an updated look.

Monica in Friends

This bold ballgown from Justin Alexander reminds us of Monica’s popular wedding dress in Friends. With a tight-fitting bodice and natural waist, Justin Alexander’s gown is also available without the neckline cutout for brides looking for a more classic design.  

Rachel in Friends

As one of the most popular dresses in Friends, Rachel wears an off-the-shoulder wedding gown with an embellished bodice. The Pamela dress from Morilee draws inspiration from Rachel’s lace appliques along with crystal beading and a wide scalloped neckline. 

Phoebe in Friends

With a simple and timeless design, Phoebe wore an elegant wedding dress complete with a buttoned bodice and satin skirt. The Sophie dress by Allure Bridals pays homage to Phoebe’s gown with an A-line silhouette, chiffon skirt and floral bodice. 

Not sure which of these elegant wedding dresses is right for you? Book an appointment with one of our bridal specialists today and browse our large selection of gowns! 

It’s no surprise that bridal shops are at their most busy during the weekend. While Saturdays and Sundays are the most popular days for bridal appointments, did you know that one of the best times to shop is during the week? Here are just a few reasons why it’s better to do your wedding dress shopping on a weekday.

Personalized Attention

Similar to a private appointment, you will often have the whole store to yourself during the weekdays. Not only will you receive more personalized attention from your bridal specialist, the weekdays are also ideal for shy brides who prefer to try on dresses without a room full of people.

Flexible Schedule

Weekday wedding dress shopping is perfect for brides-to-be with flexible schedules. With so many people transitioning to remote work this past year, this is a great chance to take advantage of your weekdays and book an appointment. If this isn’t an option for you, you can also request a day off work or even come in on your lunch hour. 

Less Rush

More time to shop means less stress during your appointment. With fewer brides to share the store with on a weekday, you’ll be far less rushed during the try-on process and can really take your time with all the different styles to find one that feels right for you. You also won’t need to worry about the dress you love being tried on by other brides while browsing through our gowns.

Bring Your Bride Tribe

Since our store is less crowded during the weekdays, you’ll be able to bring a few more of your closest family and friends with you to your appointment. While we do still recommend keeping your bride tribe limited to 5 people or less, having a slightly larger group can help you feel more supported.Gretchen’s is also continuing to observe all social distancing guidelines with increased daily sanitization and masks required for all customers. If your friends have work during the weekdays, you can also video chat them during your appointment to show them your favorite gowns and styles.

Are you ready to find your dream wedding dress? Book an appointment with us today and receive $100 off all weekday book and buys! 

For brides looking to embrace their inner royalty on their wedding day, the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection has classic styles and designs inspired by some of your favorite Disney princesses. Here’s a sneak peek of the latest collection of Disney bridal gowns from Allure Bridal.

Ariel

Elegant yet playful, the Ariel gown features a subtle flared train and draws inspiration from a mermaid’s silhouette. With an open back and button details, the dress is covered with sparkling sequins that “mimic the play of light across the moonlit sea.” 

Aurora

The Aurora dress pays homage to the princess’ famous basque waistline and romantic silhouette with a sequined floral lace bodice and exposed boning along the backside. The off the shoulder cap sleeves add the perfect touch of royalty. 

Belle

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, the Belle gown is inspired by the character’s iconic ballroom dress with embroidered lace overlay on top of a tulle skirt. Rose details cover the train, along with an illusion back and structured hemline.  

Cinderella

Yards of gorgeous fabric drape perfectly into a graceful ball gown reminiscent of Cinderella’s own magical transformation. The ice blue tulle creates a ruched bodice completed by sequin and bead clusters for sparkle and classic glamour. 

Jasmine

Designed with a lightweight crepe chiffon fabric, the Jasmine dress finds inspiration from the princess’ own adventurous spirit. The beaded bodice features an intricate design with a gradual illusion back balanced perfectly with the skirt, along with easily hidden pockets.

Pocahontas

“Listen with your heart” as the Pocahontas dress shows off its delicate patterned leaf appliques to pay tribute to the princess’ love of nature. The detailed bodice opens to a sheer illusion back, long sleeves and flowing train.  

Rapunzel

In true Rapunzel fashion, this dress features a beautiful cascading cape that resembles the princess’ long locks. The Rapunzel gown is embellished with delicate blooms covering the surface of the dress, along with dainty lace cap sleeves for an off the shoulder finished look.  

Snow White

Intricate, multidimensional beadwork creates a breathtaking floral effect on this Snow White dress. The bodice flows into layers of a tulle skirt, complete with subtle sparkle for extra shimmer before descending into a romantic train.  

Tiana

Drawing inspiration from the Jazz Age, the Tiana gown flaunts exquisite sparkling appliques and heavy beadwork covering its simple silhouette. Vintage flair meets classic design for this timeless dress.

All gowns in the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection are available for order in sizes 0 through 30. Book an appointment with us today and see which of the DIsney bridal gowns is right for you.

Try on dresses from the new collection during our Disney Wedding Weekend March 27th – 28th with vendors, giveaways, sips and more!

“And they lived happily ever after.”

With warm weather and beautiful sunshine, it’s no wonder that summer is one of the most popular seasons for a wedding. However, this sunny weather can also impact the type of dress you fall in love with for your wedding. From simple straps to beautiful embroidery, here are a few of our favorite summer wedding gowns.

Strapless Summer Wedding Gowns

As one of the most timeless and popular wedding styles, a strapless dress is perfectly suited for a summer wedding. There’s nearly endless strapless gown styles to choose from as well since you can choose the shape of the rest of your dress, whether that’s a ball gown or tulle skirt. You can also include added details such as a beaded bodice or an embellished belt like this Allure Bridals gown. 

Off the Shoulder

An off the shoulder dress is one of our favorite summer wedding gown styles. Not only is it appropriate for the season, it’s a great way to show off your arms without committing to a fully strapless dress. Off the shoulder is also ideal for the warmer summer months as it helps keep you cool and allows for more movement. 

Embroidery Overlay

Summer is the perfect season to show off a bit more skin if you’re comfortable. This Maggie Sottero gown has a beautiful embroidered bodice complete with a light airy skirt. You can also take inspiration from the season and get creative with overlays such as floral appliqués on the bodice or skirt. 

Spaghetti Straps

For brides looking for a more simple summer wedding gown design, this Justin Alexander dress is elegant and chic with its thin spaghetti straps and clean silhouette to hug your curves. This also allows you to have more fun with your accessories such as jewelry, hair pieces or your bridal shoes. 

Summer Wedding Gowns with Flowing Train

This stunning Allure Bridals design has a bit of everything with an ethereal flowing train, breathable fabric and dainty floral appliqués. All eyes will be on you as you walk down the aisle with the train flowing beautifully behind you. We recommend opting for a lightweight train with airy fabric to help keep you cool and comfortable during summer, as well as being easier to maneuver. 

Book an appointment with one of our bridal specialists today to start searching for your perfect summer wedding gown!

Shopping for your wedding dress is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding. Whether you already have a few styles in mind or want to try a variety of different options, here are just a few of our best wedding dress shopping tips to ensure you have a relaxed, enjoyable day.

Start Early

Finding your perfect dress will take time, and rushing the process will only create stress. We recommend starting your search nine months to one year in advance of your wedding date. Our dress vendors can take six months to make and ship your gorgeous gown, so this allows plenty of time to ensure you receive exactly what you want. You’ll also be able to have alterations done if needed when you shop ahead of time. 

Have an Open Mind

Perhaps the most important thing to bring with you to your wedding dress appointment is an open mind. Even if you have a specific style or neckline in mind, it’s helpful when brides are also willing to explore other options because you never know what dress you’ll fall in love with! Also remember that bridal runs small, with many designers running 2-4 sizes smaller than street wear. There is a good chance that you will try something that doesn’t fit. However, the size of the gowns that fit you does not define you.

Come Prepared

One of our best wedding dress shopping tips is arriving prepared for your appointment. You don’t need to be runway ready, however it can be helpful to come with your hair and makeup done so you have a better idea of what your overall bridal day ensemble will look like on your wedding day. We also recommend eating a good breakfast beforehand so you’re fueled up for a day of browsing and trying on various dresses. 

Bring a Small Group

We encourage all of our brides to be mindful of who they bring with them to the bridal appointment. Do you want people there for moral support who will keep their opinions to themselves, or someone more outspoken who will tell you what looks best? Knowing what you want in terms of support can help you decide who to bring along. A smaller group of 3-5 people often works best to avoid an overwhelming number of opinions while shopping.

Be Honest

Your stylist is there to help you find the wedding dress you feel most beautiful in. Being honest with them from beginning to end allows them to help you that much more. Some good details to share with your stylist include your maximum budget, any areas you don’t want to highlight on your body and a few styles you have in mind. This helps avoid any miscommunication, along with finding a dress that truly fits your personal style.

When you’re ready to start shopping for your own wedding dress, book an appointment with us at Gretchen’s Bridal! “Come for the selection, stay for the experience and leave with your perfect dress!”

Every bride should feel confident and beautiful on her wedding day! Knowing what styles and necklines look best on your body can also help show off your best assets. Here are a few of our favorite wedding dress styles to highlight your favorite body parts, along with tips for taking attention away from those you aren’t quite ready to show off.

Arms

Whether you want to rock your toned arms in your wedding dress or draw attention elsewhere, there’s a variety of great dress styles that can do both.

• Show It Off: Strapless, spaghetti straps
• Don’t Want Attention: Cap sleeve, off the shoulder, flutter sleeve 
• Pro Tip: Many brides opt for full sleeves when they don’t want to show off their arms, but this can actually draw more attention to them.  

Shoulders

For brides looking to show off their shoulders, be sure to choose a neckline that flaunts your beautiful collarbone and upper body. 

• Show It Off: Off the shoulder, strapless 
• Don’t Want Attention: High neck, halter 
• Pro Tip: Bring the point of interest to your neck area to diminish the look of broad shoulders.

Waist

The waistline of your wedding dress can make all the difference, whether you’re looking for a fitted bodice or a loose silhouette. 

• Show It Off: Natural waist (fitted or flowy)
• Don’t Want Attention: Empire waist, drop waist
• Pro Tip: Make your waist look more defined by adding a belt to your dress.  

Chest

From the bust area to your collarbone, there are several great wedding dress options your bridal specialist can select for all bust sizes.

• Show It Off: Plunging necklines, scoop neck, off the shoulder
• Don’t Want Attention: High neck, sweetheart, boat neck
• Pro Tip: Bodice structure is key when choosing your dress. The larger your bust, the more support you will want in the gown. 

Back

A low or backless dress is one of our favorite wedding dress styles to make a strong, dramatic statement as you walk down the aisle. 

• Show It Off: Low back, key hole, illusion back
• Don’t Want Attention: Illusion back with appliques, straight across
• Pro Tip: Most illusion back gowns can be lined during alterations for brides who prefer more coverage.  

Stomach

While the stomach can be an area of insecurity for many women, your bridal specialist is there to help you choose a dress that highlights (or hides) your favorite features.  

• Show It Off: Mermaid dress, sheath, fit and flair
• Don’t Want Attention: Ball gown, A-line, fitted gown with ruching
• Pro Tip: Fabric thickness and the fit of your dress are equally important. Lace and beading details also help disguise areas you may not want to highlight.  

Hips

When choosing a dress to show off your hips and back end, we recommend a fitted dress style that hugs all the right spots.

• Show It Off: Mermaid dress, fit and flair
• Don’t Want Attention: A-line, ball gown
• Pro Tip: Button details can accentuate your shape and make your booty look more perky.

Still unsure which style is the best wedding dress for your body type? Book an appointment with one of our bridal specialists today to find your perfect wedding dress! 

When the seasons change, so does the weather which often means chillier temperatures for winter weddings. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for warmth when it comes to choosing the perfect dress! Here are a few details to consider when searching for winter wedding dresses.

Warm Fabrics

With the cooler winter air, you’ll want to pay attention to your dress fabric because this can make a large difference in keeping you warm on your wedding day! Slightly heavier fabrics will hold up better in the colder temperatures. Popular fabric choices for winter wedding dresses include silk mikado, velvet and brocade.

Layer Up

Adding some layers to your wedding day look not only helps keep the frost away, but also adds some subtle style. Depending on just how cold it will be, we recommend choosing either a faux fur wrap, fuzzy shawl or even a cascading cape. Be sure to try them on with your wedding dress beforehand as well to see the complete look.

Add Some Shimmer

Stand out from the crowd (and the snow) by adding some shimmer to your winter wedding dress. Whether you choose a sparkling bodice, shimmering sleeves or even glitter accents covering the gown, it’s also a perfect touch for the holiday season.

Long Sleeves

Long sleeves are one of our favorite details for a winter wedding dress. There are several ways to style these, such as fully covered sleeves or sheer fabric covered with elegant lace appliqués down the arms. You can also opt for a half sleeve or 3/4 length depending on which style you prefer.

Have a Second Dress

If you really want to avoid the layers and wear a sleeker, thinner dress, we recommend having a second dress on hand once you move indoors for your reception. Your second look can be a bit simpler and also more comfortable so you can dance the night away without having to worry about feeling confined.

Are you planning on hosting a smaller, more intimate winter wedding? Check out some of our favorite small wedding venues in Indiana to find the perfect location for your special day!