Princess Brides

Every woman wants to feel like a princess on her big day, but for some brides the royal treatment isn’t just about feeling special. Your wedding day is perhaps the one time you can really be a princess, and fulfill a dream many women (myself included) have carried over from childhood. Whether you want subtle, regal touches or a full-blown themed ceremony, there are many ideas and concepts you can incorporate to design an elegant fairytale wedding as the perfect start to your happily ever after.

First you have to choose your inspiration. Believe it or not, “princess” covers a pretty wide range, all the way from the elegance and poise of Kate Middleton to the pomp and grandeur of Cinderella to the serenity and whimsy of Thumbelina. You need to know exactly what kind of tone you want to set for your guests or it will be easy to get your vision scrambled. Look to the real royals, like Kate and Diana for a traditional and refined ceremony, to Disney for a more extravagant and modern celebration, or to the classic fairytales for a rustic and vintage event.

Alright brides. As a princess, it’s all about you, so let’s move on to the dress. To get a gown with a regal vibe there are certain details to look for, and definitely some to avoid. You will most likely want a ballgown or A-line style dress; something with a fuller skirt. While mermaid, sheath and trumpet silhouettes can be just as gorgeous, they won’t create quite the same feel you are looking for. You especially want to steer clear of shorter lengths. Princesses don’t show their ankles (at least until the reception, if you want to do it big with two dresses). Lace is good for the classic look, and tulle, silk and satin are better for the fairytale bride. For the more traditional style I also suggest a dress with sleeves.  You do not need to go crazy with the 80s style, puffy, Snow White sleeves (in fact, please don’t), but simple lace or off-the-shoulder sleeves can be stunning.

The accessories are equally as important. A queen is not complete without a tiara, and there are some truly gorgeous tiaras and diamond headbands out there. I especially like the pieces in TheBrideStore’s and EdenLuxeBridal’s Etsy shops. I also suggest lengthy, elegant veil to go with that royal train on your gown. Exact length will of course depend on your dress, but I love chapel or cathedral. Long white gloves make a great regal addition to any strapless dress, and lots of glitz is a must. Stick with traditional designs and classic stones, like diamonds and pearls, but princess jewelry is the perfect excuse to add some extra sparkle.

The venue can be key in bringing out the fairytale theme. Of course the ideal would be to have the ceremony in a castle, but America is typically in short supply of palaces. So unless you are willing to fork out the cash for a European destination wedding, you may have to find a substitute castle. If you want the full princess experience you can have a truly beautiful wedding at Disney Land or Disney World (and they will do all the work for you!). Fortunately, if that is not your style there are plenty of old Victorian-style houses, French provincial inspired estates and restored southern plantations that can provide the perfect setting.

There are several other classy ways to tie in your royal inspirations without making your wedding look like a 5-year-olds birthday party. If having a horse-drawn carriage deliver you to the isle is too much, try these carriage-designed macaroon favors instead. If Snow White is your princess of choice, add some little red apples to your bridal bouquet or have a caramel apple bar for your guests at the reception. For Beauty and the Beast it’s all about the roses, and The Princess Bride has a lot of romantic and quirky elements to incorporate, like the battle of wits or the hilarious clergyman. You can also use some of your favorite quotes from the book or movie on the programs or in frames on the tables. A good general rule is to avoid copying the story or film exactly, but instead use your creativity to incorporate some of the details into what you have envisioned. You don’t want your husband to wear the exact tux from Ariel’s wedding in The Little Mermaid, but a starfish boutonniere and sand-dollar escort cards would make really cute touches.  

The most important thing to remember is your wedding is about you and the love you and your fiancé share, and therefore the ceremony and reception should reflect your own styles and personalities. You may be inspired by a famous royal couple, but this is your time to reign.

For more princess ideas check out this Pinterest board I’ve created, and for more fun take this Which Disney Princess Are You? quiz on BuzzFeed. I got Aurora, tweet me @MJGest and let me know who you get!


Photo credits: hearts TheWoodChicks | dress1 Alfred Angelo | dress2 sortrature | macaroons SplendidSweetShoppe | plate green wedding shoes | apple bouquet DownTheIsle