This is my sketch for the Kate Middleton Wedding Dress.  Since there is a strong possibility that she will wear her hair down, the soft romantic textures of Chantilly Lace combined with an ontrend neckline and ruching make for a gown that is timeless yet youthful.  A centered, very full Godet of the Lace overlay would give interesting movement as she walks. Besides Kate being the focal point, a Platinum Blue Topaz and Diamond Brooch would sit upon the center of the inverted V silk chiffon sash.   

Many Blessings to the Royal Couple.

Sketch By Janet Lyons Brooks for Leontina Gowns

Wedding Dresses 2011

Wedding dresses 2011. What can you expect this year?

Of course strapless wedding dresses will still prevail because Brides are still buying them.

Designers are still utilizing ruching in strategic places to make brides look their absolute best in almost any silhouette. Wedding gowns in 2011 will also have ruffles. Rubbles on skirts are obviously the most popular. However watch for the way they run so that you get the optimum look without the volume in the wrong places.

Wedding gowns 2011 that have ruffles look best on Brides when they are placed either asymmetrically or vertically. This way Brides with all sorts of figure types can wear these gowns without adding to their hips or waist.

All in all look for more of the couture techniques to be seen in skirts as prominent eye candy. The swirls and textures make the gown look not only more expensive, but unforgettable. Get the most out of Wedding Gowns 2011 by shopping for a wedding gown that has these techniques, but is affordably priced.

One Shoulder Wedding Gowns--Ontrend for 2011

While many consider one-shoulder wedding dressdx a "new" trend, the one shoulder gown has been popular on and off since the early 70's.

One shoulder wedding dresses can be either extremely contemporary or even romantic. There's something about an off the shoulder strap that just drapes ever so slightly that can be just down right sexy!

My latest design for 2011 is an off the shoulder--one shoulder wedding dress that wraps the bride in total luxury. From the heavily hand beaded Crystal bodice to the hour glass making ruched midriff, the Dahnya is a very unique one shoulder wedding gown.

Perhaps even more interesting is the back of this one shoulder wedding dress is the Obi bow that has very long, heavily embroidered, hand beaded tails. These give just as much drama to the back of the dress as there is to the front.

Even plus size brides can wear one shoulder wedding dresses and actually this can be quite slimming when done right. Look for something that has asymmetrical ruching to give you the slenderizing silhouette.

At least for 2011 Wedding Dress Trends definitely include the one shoulder wedding gown.

Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses--That Elusive Creature!

Lately, I have been getting more inquiries from winter brides who want a wedding gown that has sleeves, but is ontrend.

You asked, I answered. My newest design isn't your typical strapless wedding dress. (Yes, we still have to design them because you keep buying them). But rather a winter princess' dream!

This is the Capriana. A beautiful winter wedding dress that actually has ahem....lined sleeves!!!!!

The Capriana is an off the shoulder gown with an interesting asymmetrical neckline. The bodice is a gorgeous ancelon lace beaded subtly. The dropped waist makes the gown flattering and so ontrend.

This long sleeved wedding dress will look gorgeous in photos with it's 7 layer English netting skirt. It truly gives off that winter wonderland feel.

You can expect to see 2 more long sleeve wedding gown designs from me this year. The biggest challenge I face when I start to create these is keeping them fresh without going too 80's.

If you are a bride that is getting married in the Winter, which by the way I was! Then the Capriana is perfect for your season and to keep you from freezing in that ever so common strapless wedding dress!

Halter Wedding Dresses

Halter style wedding dresses are probably one of the most misunderstood styles of wedding gowns.

Some brides get it, others just shy away from the halter wedding gown. So what bride should consider this neckline and which should steer clear?

One of the biggest considerations when purchasing a halter wedding dress is the back of the dress. Just like a strapless, it's out there. And in some cases this style can be a very low sexy back.

Surprisingly, this is a great neckline for a variety of figure types. If you want a little more support than a strapless, but still want to look sexy, then the halter is definitely the way to go.

This brings us to the plus size brides. A halter can be a buxom brides best friend. In most cases it is best to have the halter in a V neckline for the optimal slimming effect. In the world of Boobology, support, push up and hold is definitely the Halter Wedding Dresses biggest and best feature.

Who should steer clear of the halter neckline? Because of it's slimming effect, brides with less than a B cup. However, if you have a love affair with the halter and a smaller chest size, then you can still to this, just go for the higher neckline and a lot of detailing. That way it will add and not detract from your bust line.

Convertable Wedding Dresses--2 dresses for the price of one

Amoungst other projects I am working on. Convertable wedding dresses are on the list!

I get so many brides that will buy their ceremony gown from us and then as soon as they receive it, they are so pleased that they come back and request a reception dress from us.

Many times, I can design a dress for them that is based on the ceremony dress and this is always a hit. However, it is also quite fun to have a reception dress that is totally the opposite of the ceremony gown.

Some brides want a traditional ceremony gown. or an over the top ballgown to walk down the isle, as the have always envisioned. But then, maybe they realize that walking around in a big dress all night isn't as practical as they thought. Perhaps their Fiance wants to see them in something "sexy"? Whatever the case, a second or reception dress is almost becoming the norm. Especially when our brides can often buy 2 dresses and not even exceed their original budget for just one.

A good convertable dress is either obvious that it has 2 lengths or sometimes it isn't so obvious, like the dress and the bride have a little secret!

In either case, don't pay too much for a fabulous convertable wedding dress, or maybe have one designed for you . Where else but at http://www.mybigfatbeautifulwedding.com/ can you find a custom made convertable dress for under $500! That's 2 wedding dresses for less than half of what most brides pay for their wedding gown.

Transparent Midriff Wedding Dresses--A Trend That's Here Again

Transparent midriff wedding dresses! Still going strong in 2010!

Whether a bride is looking for the unique, sexy or both in her wedding dress, a transparent midriff gown just might be the answer.

This type of wedding dress isn't for the faint of heart, but rather for the confident bride that wants to show off her curves and do it in a big way!

This ontrend look was probably pionered by Pnina Tornai a famous Evening/Wedding Dress Designer from Israel.

While these dresses are gorgeous, her gowns start at right around $5000. So what is a bride that has this type of taste to do?

We have these type of over the top dresses and they are all under $600! Most of them are under $500! And they look like you spent so much more!

The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a transparent midriff wedding dress is the construction of the gown. These highly detailed wedding dresses must have certain construction points to not only look good, but to perform properly on the brides body.

A see threw wedding dress should have a corset style mid section to support the bust and maintain the weight of the skirt. The tranparent midriff should consist of at minimum 1 layer of netting sandwiched inbetween 2 layers of organza. Then the boning structure should be sewn threw all layers. Most likley that outerlayer will be a lace with subtantial amounts of beading to finish off this unique wedding dress style.

The most popular closure for a transparent midriff wedding dress is the corset style. There should be a detachable privacy panel inbehind the lace up so that the bride has the option of either showing some skin, or having the same type of netted, organza laced panel to flow evenly with the design of the dress.

This highly sexy style can be toned down with a removeable privacy lining. This is a good idea for the bride that wants this look, but perhaps for religious ceremonies is not allowed to do so. The lining is made to match the transparent midriff section and snaps in and out at the brides discretion. This way, she can have a more modest look for the ceremony, while enjoying the fully blown, over the top style of her sexy wedding gown for the reception or after party.

All in all, with a transparent midriff wedding dress you will have a gown that no one will ever forget and your Fiance will probably thank you for!