Photo: Dan Doke
From the best wedding dress styles available to the latest designer trends to finding the best gowns for your body type, we're talking about the ins and out of wedding dress shopping with bridal boutique owners from across the country. They're sharing their top insider secrets, hottest local intel, and everything else you'll need to have a blast finding your wedding dress (Think mani-pedi with your mom, brunch with your bridesmaids, and cocktails with your besties!).
Mother-and-daughter team Salwa and Juann Khoory founded L'élite in 1985 and recently moved to a larger showroom on Newbury Street. Here, the Boston-based bridal boutique owners share top tips for finding your dream dress.
Brides: What's a silhouette that's tricky to pull off?
Salwa and Juann Khoory: Very slinky, drapey slipdresses. A lot of women with slender figures want silk, charmeuse, or satin. Those fabrics are beautiful, but if the gown is not done well, it can look like a nightgown.
Brides: Favorite recent trend?
Salwa and Juann Khoory: We were surprised to see the comeback of lace. Many designers—Reem Acra, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera—have been putting a couture spin on traditional lace.
Brides: How do you help a bride decide between dresses?
Salwa and Juann Khoory: If a bride loves two dresses equally, we tell her to think of the wedding venue. Designers are now creating their dresses with certain weddings in mind, whether it's a big-city ballroom affair or a destination wedding on the beach.
As for local hotspots in Boston? Here's what the mother and daughter duo suggest.
Brunch: Top of the Hub "Located on the fifty-second floor of the Prudential Tower, this restaurant is a great place to dine and see the whole city."
Local Sights: Boston Common and the Public Garden "A walk through
this beautiful historic garden is a must-do, especially on a sunny afternoon."