Fashionably Kate: Pin the Train on the Bride: Finding The Dress with the help of Pinterest

Brides-to-be, get your pin boards ready! It's Bridal Fashion Week and photos of the latest and greatest designer bridal gowns are circulating the Web! If you're like me and can only drool over these works of art, pinning images of them is a great way to get an idea of what you like. Then you can take photos of the details that make your heart flutter, like a sweetheart neckline, lace trim, mermaid train or whatever your little heart desires, and look for similar elements at more budget-friendly bridal shops. You can also bring these ideas to a skilled seamstress to create a custom gown exactly how you imagine. More about that later.

Thanks to the Oscar PR Girl of Oscar de la Renta for making photos of their bridal line immediately accessible during the show on Monday, April 16. Erika Bearman, director of communications and a leader in social media, had images of the gowns and backstage pinned to a designated "bridal" board on their Pinterest account. Many brands have pin boards of their wedding dresses too, such as Ann Taylor, Sarah Jassir, Temperley London and Modern Trousseau. BRIDES magazine also has their own Pinterest account with 58 different boards including "Bridal Fashion Week," "Couture-Inspired Wedding Gowns," and "The Wedding Dress."

The Custom Wedding Dress

If you decide to use your favorite pinned photos of wedding dresses to have your gown custom made, be sure to find the best seamstress your money can buy. Ask potential dream dress-makers to see actual gowns they have made, a portfolio of their work and references of past clients to make sure you have an expert who can visualize your style. When viewing their work check for quality, examine seams, notice the shape and movement of the dress and feel the fabric.

Once you chose a seamstress, bring in all the photos you've collected from Pinterest (or that binder you've been stuffing with wedding wishes since you were little) that show what you prefer in style, shape, color, fabric, unique details, etc. You can even draw a sketch of what you want. Ask your seamstress for help with things you're not certain about, like the right fabric. Then let them work their magic! When it comes to the dress fitting, be brutally honest to make sure The Dress is perfect for The Big Day.

Here are the wedding dresses from the Spring 2013 Bridal Fashion Week that I pinned for my dream wedding, hopefully at the beach:

Alfred Angelo