Modern dress styles range
from traditional to obscure
While the conventional
white A-line wedding dress
remains popular, modern
brides have many choices
By Tyler Tronson
Freelance Reporter
Finding the right wedding dress
can be as tricky as finding a spouse.
Many modem brides feel they must
find a dress that will both steal the
show and represent their personali
ty, beliefs and values. In the past,
brides didn't have the myriad
choices of color, length, fullness,
fabric and styles that grace wed
dings today.
These choices mean women can
make their own fashion statement
without the fear of disrespecting
traditions. Reed & Cross Wedding
Gallerie employee Linda Goode
encourages brides and grooms to
go into shops, look around and
not remain limited to one style.
"Often I'll show customers
something much different than
what they were trying on, and it's
perfect," Goode said.
Goode said full dresses — espe
cially those with a corset back —
are popular in the local area.
Diamond white is a new color
replacing the more traditional
white, and heavy beading with crys
tals and rhinestones is also a
favorite. Goode added that women
like dresses that are "simply ele
gant" — usually white with an A
line shape and simple details.
Junior Stephanie Cappelluti found
the "simply elegant" look perfect for
her July 2003 wedding.
Photo Illustration by Lauren Wimer Photographer
Tiffany Browne tries on a traditional dress at Eva’s Bridal Mart, located at 970 Pearl St.
"I really wanted something simple
but still beautiful," Cappelluti said.
Her A-line strapless dress was
white and had beads that followed
around the neck and back line that
slowly dispersed down the dress.
Though Cappelluti's dress was a
traditional white gown, her
bridesmaids dressed in copper
and black.
"I could never imagine putting
someone in a teal dress," she said.
It's not uncommon to find
women marrying in pants or
bright colors. For example, a tradi
tional Chinese wedding costume
called the Qungua can come in
brilliant reds and has ornate
embroidery of dragons and flow
ers. Traditional African attire
comes in rich colors, such as pur
ples and gold. Men often have a
matching outfit that uses the col
ors and patterns of the bride's
dress. These outfits have inspired
many designers to incorporate a
wide variety of styles in their new
designs.
Whether it is a traditional white
gown or overalls with orange flip
flops, it is important to pick wed
ding attire that will be comfort
able and make the day memorable
for years to come.
Tyler Tronson is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
Winter engagements, summer
weddings prove most popular
According to recent trends,
most marriage proposals
occur around winter holidays
By Chad Kreiger
Freelance Reporter
Sometimes relationships start as
"just friends," eventually evolving
into dating and sometimes ending
* up lasting forever.
But when do most marriage pro
posals take place? On a birthday?
What about the anniversary of the
first date? Current engagement trends
suggest that most marriage proposals
occur during the winter holidays.
The holiday season presents a
festive atmosphere ideal for mar
riage proposals.
"A lot of people seem to get
engaged over the winter and New
Year's holidays," David's Bridal
store manager Elizabeth Moore
said.
Moore said she hears about a
lot of "sweet" proposals that hap
pen over winter vacation. She
added that most people buy their
wedding gowns in January and
plan for summer weddings.
Eugene resident Ty Mellinger
proposed to junior Kim Wood in
July 2002.
"I'm glad it was the day he
chose," Wood said, acknowledging
that many couples seem to get
engaged in the winter. She said
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Mellinger chose July for the propos
al because they wanted to get mar
ried at a baseball field on the
anniversary of the proposal.
A popular marriage proposal
tradition is the element of sur
prise. Wood said she was surprised
when Mellinger proposed to her.
Mellinger hid the ring in Wood's
room, and when she found it he
got on one knee and asked her to
marry him, Wood said.
Fred Cuellar, writer for
http://www.lovegevity.com, said
he believes the number-one mis
take men make when they pro
pose is doing it on a birthday or a
holiday. Cuellar said the proposal
should occur on a significant day
for the relationship, not a holiday
that cannot be the couple's.
Although there are many days and
times to propose, the marriage
proposal is a climactic moment for
many relationships, whatever day of
the year it occurs on.
Chad Kreiger is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
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