Cheap Winter Ball Dresses

One of the first things you notice when shopping for your winter marriage is that some designers appear never to have heard of the North at all . ( Some can be forgiven, since they live in more temperate climates. ) To them, each dress is a summer dress, with divergences based totally on the level of pomp and circumstance, not the weather.

But if you fall head over heels in love with a summery design in spite of the fact that average temps for your marriage day hover around 20 below, never fear -- you still have options.

One gorgeous look for the winter bride is a strapless robe topped by a pretend fur-trimmed, hooded cloak. Throw back the hood, wear your hair in a swish, tiara-topped chignon, then warm your hands with a luxuriant fur muff. Naturally, this combo won't quite work if your dress is made of a fragile chiffon, so to be certain to choose a robe that is's serious and lined, made of satin, brocade or any other heavy fabric.

Another favored choice is an asymmetrical faux fur wrap that rests on one shoulder, or the fur or marabou shrug that covers both. These styles are the perfect finish for a strapless gown with minimal beading.

Capelets and stoles are more significant faux-fur accessories with a dramatic, ice princess look, but they obscure more of your dress.

She Was Nice in Ice
Wintertime isn't only the perfect season to bring out the'ice,' it is also perfect for wearing robust colours under that snow-white cloak or shrug. A bold red gown will take your guests' breath away, and would be particularly nice for a christmas wedding. Other brides could find that pale blue gowns suit their winter wonderland fantasy to a 't', while this season's trend toward bold black beading complements just about any wintertime affair.

Winter is also a superb time to go all-out with ball gown, princess or A-line silhouettes, cathedral-length veils and trains ( make sure they're detachable ), sleek formal updos, and lots of glittering jewellery. St. Pucchi's Classics line has some splendidly lacy, lined, trumpet-sleeved gowns that fit the bill perfectly.

For the more daring bride, Monique Lhuillier offers a few offbeat gowns with a vintage touch that also suit the winter months, with their long sleeves and illusion lace bodices. If you go to a major couture clearinghouse and search for long-sleeved dresses, you may find season-appropriate gowns by Reem Acra, Paloma Couture and Carolina Herrera, for starters. But if your financial position's not up to the occasional $5,000 ticket, see if a local seamstress can't copy the dress you need for a more palatable cost.

And while we're talking tailors, remember those gorgeous winter wedding gowns you saw in the magazines -- the ones with dramatic faux-fur trim sewn right into the sleeves and neckline? The ones that, alas, are very unlikely to find? See whether your seamstress couldn't pull that off herself.

As for the shoes -- well, you could wear something practical and change right before you enter the chapel. But winter brides have the perfect excuse to wear those attractive lace-up marriage boots ... An opportunity not to be missed.