Red wedding gowns have been popular in Europe for the last ten years and now are the hot new trend in America. At first we saw a hint of red, in a bold sash attached to a traditional white dress. Now you can select a complete red gown, a red bodice with a white A-line or organza skirt, or a strapless white bodice with a full red skirt. Other options include red corset lacings, trains, embroidery and mini-bouquets attached to the dress.

Many brides are bored with the monotonous selection of strapless white and ivory gowns. They are independent and want to make a statement. Some are choosing colored gowns according to the season. Spring brides are choosing pale pastel pinks, lilacs and blues. Those getting married in the summer are adding deeper shades of turquoise, aqua, purple and hot pink to the gowns. Chocolate, rust, olive and eggplant are popular for fall brides. And winter brides are selecting deep reds and blues, as well as black and white gowns, to make the boldest statements. Red, however is the one color that symbolizes passion and romance, and is appropriate all year long.

When deciding whether to wear a solid red wedding gown, the bride should ask herself whether she will be bothered by the opinions of her more conservative wedding guests. Another consideration is how she will feel about her wedding photos 10, 25 or 50 years from now. Are red wedding gowns just a temporary bridal fashion fad or are they here to stay? My guess is that the bridal industry will continue to be innovative with bold new styles, colors and fabrics for years to come. Strapless wedding gowns, for example, would have been unthinkable 20 years ago. Now they are the hottest selling gowns available and will continue to be popular. The bride should select the gown that best suits her personality and wear it with confidence.