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Picking The Perfect Bridal, Bridesmaid Attire

(WCCO) The start of summer is also the start of wedding season. So what will the brides be wearing? WCCO had the chance to visit with one of the bridal industry's top designers at one of Minnesota's newest shops. He shared the #1 rule for picking the perfect dress.

"I never have particularly specific inspirations. What really inspires or motivates me is the concept of shape and form and proportion," said Mark Brower, a Priscilla of Boston designer.

"Sometimes it's someone passing by on the street and the way somebody's raincoat looks in the wind that tells me something about movement or shape that inspires me, and I start jotting stuff on paper," he added. 

Then, a design sketch becomes a beautiful dress.

Brides Magazine chose Mark Brower's fit and flare design, a modern take on a classic ball gown, to grace a recent cover.

"Very, very exciting. I walked into the office and they said Mark, Mark, Mark, you're on the cover!" recalled Brower.

Brower designs the Vineyard Collection, a selection of gowns priced from $1,200 to $2,800, for Priscilla of Boston, now located at 50th Street West and France Avenue South in Edina.

In town for a trunk show, he showed WCCO what's popular.

"I think what's really hot are really kind of natural soft, ball gowns. Not strict severe satin ball gowns, but I have a couple of really great soft, wrapped draped taffeta ball gowns that look terrific," said Brower.

But these aren't your classic ball gowns.

"Like a couple of styles -- pockets! Make it really modern and updated and the brides absolutely love it," he added.

For the more fashion forward, you might find yourself taking a step back in time.

"We have the box pleated camisole blousant with the silk sash and again a really, really full and abundant skirt and satin chiffon, very fluid," he explained.

All of Mark's dresses are come in off-white, as opposed to white. It's another trend that's become more popular over the years.

"I just think it looks so much richer in ivory," he said.

As for the color of bridesmaid's dresses?

"Interesting greens, the kind of saturated pastels," he said. "I see for the fall going a bit darker, going into the darker chocolates and the burgundies."

Bridesmaid dresses are going shorter too, for a longer life.

"I tend to stick towards more clean and modern, great shaped little dresses that can live far beyond the ceremony and the reception," he said.

Brower also said that the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a gown is your body type. If you're pear-shaped, a ball gown or something A-line works well. For those with a little fuller on top, something with good coverage is the way to go. If your thin, think about a sleek style.

Brower added that it's important to go into a bridal salon with an open mind. Monica Ashborn is glad she did.

"I just want something that I feel comfortable in and still look pretty," said Ashborn.

Even though she came in to see the gown from the magazine cover, she liked another one too.

"I think I'm kind of going for the mermaid thing so far, the fit and flair," she continued.

Brower said not to rush into any decisions. It's advice Ashborn is taking.

"I want to look beautiful obviously on my day," she said.

Some other trends for weddings this year include all chocolate receptions, with even the entrees in cocoa bean sauces, centerpieces that separate so that every guest gets flowers to take home and wedding cakes decorated to match the porcelain you serve it on.

If you had to wear a bridesmaid dress that's so bad it's good: We're dying to see it.

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