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BRIDES (special section) Retro Touches Add Hip, Personal Flair To Nuptials

(with cut & dropquote)

With a blast from the past, the '70s and '80s are making their way back into

fashion. And what better way to make wedding memories than to put a little

funky flair into the big day? You can start by sending invitations printed on

recycled paper.

If your style is retro, then the traditional wedding gown is probably not

going to be "you." Your friends and family will not expect you to wear the

long white dress that screams BRIDE, but you may have a harder time finding

your dream dress for this theme.

Instead of shopping only at your local bridal boutique, you may also want to

visit your favorite vintage shop or department store. You may be lucky and

find just the "right" dress at a store that specializes in secondhand clothes.

Many vintage boutiques offer not only turn-of-the-century lawn dresses that

are suitable for weddings, but one-of-a-kind dresses or suits from more recent

decades.

But don't settle for anything less than perfect. It's a special day, and you

will be the center of attention -- and this includes your dress.

Unless you happen to stumble upon a design that fits you perfectly, it's more

likely you will need some extra work done to make the dress fit your figure.

Do be sure to use an experienced seamstress, as old lace and fabric can

quickly deteriorate if not handled properly.

If you do not find anything after scouring the local vintage stores, make an

appointment with the personal shopper at a specialty or department store, and

tell them what you are looking for. These services are offered at no charge.

Do you want to wear a white mini skirt? A silver beaded strapless dress? A

black satin pantsuit? A big floppy hat? White boots or metallic platforms?

On the other hand, there are lots of young designers out there whipping up

retro-inspired designs that will make your wedding a fantastic flashback for

years to come. At the local bridal boutique, look for designs by Cynthia

Rowley, Betsey Johnson, Mossimo, Nicole Miller or Anna Sui: you'll end up with

a dress or suit that will probably cost you a lot less than a traditional

wedding dress, and you can wear it after the big day if you want to.

According to Melanie Mattegat, co-owner of Julie Allen Bridals in Newtown,

many of the designs considered "retro" have already found their way into

designers' new lines. Mrs Mattegat says brides are selecting dresses for their

attendants that have spaghetti straps and capes. The polyester materials so

prevalent in the Seventies are now being replaced with crepes.

"Shawls, which were out for many years, are also coming back," Mrs Mattegat

says. "And sandals, not only for the bride but the whole bridal party, are

replacing the pump we saw all during the Eighties and Nineties.

"The only thing we don't have yet are matching headpieces," she said.

Even fashions for men are making a return to some of the styles of the

Seventies. Black tuxedos will always be in, says Mrs Mattegat, and navy blue

has been making a resurgence. "Brown tuxedos," she says, "have been `out' for

about 20 years. They're coming back, too."

As far as what to wear with a tuxedo jacket, that remains in the air. Years

ago, there were the now-laughable colored and/or ruffled shirts. Mrs Mattegat

does not see anything like that coming into fashion any time too soon.

"I highly doubt they will ever come back," she said. "Now men are much more

fashion conscience. It used to be, `OK, give me my outfit and I'll show up.'

But now they are more conscience, and more involved, about everything."

Endless Possibilities

Your own wedding accessories will depend on the creation you decide to wear

for your ceremony. If you forgo pearls and embroidered gloves, choose other

special pieces instead: vintage rhinestone earrings, a jaunty straw hat

swathed in gauze, or patent leather high-heeled boots.

The trick is to keep the whole bridal ensemble consistent with one theme --

retro -- no matter what era you choose to give your own personal touch. While

this theme calls for a more casual approach to a wedding ceremony, it also

provides you a way to personalize the event.

Picking out the attendants' attire may be the most fun of all: get them in on

the shopping. Chances are, they will want something as individual as your

dress. Neon-colored A-line cocktail sheaths, perhaps? Why not match them to

the grooms' attendants' shirts?

If your wedding day is filled with surprises, chances are your engagement and

wedding rings will be, too. Some of the newest looks in his and her jewelry

are colored gemstones. Look for tsavorite, a deep green stone; tanzanite, a

rich purple; pink tourmaline and chrome tourmaline, in bright greens.

Or check out the vintage jewelry at estate sales and jewelers. You can find

rings just as unusual as your wedding ceremony.

The possibilities are endless with this theme, one that relies not on

tradition but your own sense of style. Consider a disco dance after the

rehearsal dinner at your favorite nightclub. Or a great pianist and a soloist

who belts out blasts from the past. There are always plenty of local disc

jockeys available to spin your favorite retro tunes, too.

If you have any artist friends who would like to help, encourage them to come

up with some creative ideas: use hand painted ceramic flowers on your tables

and in the wedding bouquet; stencil linens to swag from the ceiling at your

reception; cover the tables with tablecloths that can be signed with your

guests' signatures and saved for years to come; let tall, colorful candles

cast a rosy glow on the entire scene.

Give your attendants gifts of tree seedlings, bowls of flower bulbs or

custom-designed glassware wrapped in shining Mylar to toast your new life and

a great party they will always remember.

(Copley News Service reports were used in this story.)