Finding the Look
Pick a dress that suits your style

By Debra Jacobsen/Tribune Correspondent

Hustle and bustle. Stephanie (Zrust) Adams' wedding day.

But thanks to Black Tie and White Satin of Fremont, her day was right on course.

Adams said she appreciated the store's attention to detail as she mapped out the wedding day.

"When we bustle dresses, we make every girl a (design) map," said Susan Janssen, owner.

Janssen's attention to detail includes style, color and service.

Strapless wedding gowns are the No. 1 seller, Janssen said.

"The look is tending to vintage, with lace," Janssen added.

Taffeta and satin in white or ivory are popular.

Styles start on the coast before reaching the Midwest. At Janssen's store, well-liked lines include Maggie Sottero and Mori Lee.

Rouched dresses - featuring a series of tucks - are in style.

"Ivana Trump made that famous, and it's still popular," Janssen said.

An even bigger trend right now are a few shorter gowns, for informal or destination weddings, Janssen added.

Originally Adams had picked out another dress. When she went in to finalize the purchase, she noticed a different dress - and changed her mind.

"Try on everything," Adams said.

Adams' final choice was a pearl-colored dress with an A-line design - embellished with lace and beads.

There are many price and color choices. Colors pour from the pages of bridal catalogs. Wine (or claret) is the top color. Espresso is a hot second.

"One manufacturer has 55 color choices," Janssen said.

The arrays of colors are designed to accent bridal gowns or for bridesmaids' dresses.

"A lot of two-tone action in bridesmaids' dresses," Janssen added.

For Janssen, a personal favorite is red and black.

Recently, a bride selected banana and celadon green.

"One bride is doing her wedding in sunset colors - yellows and oranges," Janssen added.

Fuchsia goes down the aisle with black - or pink.

Brides and bridesmaids are wearing dyed-to-match or metallic open-toed shoes.

"They ordered shoes for me at the last minute and I got them the morning of the wedding," Adams said.

Typically brides are wearing a tiara and a separate beaded-edge veil.

Janssen recommends brides begin shopping at least six months in advance, as it takes three to four months for the dresses to arrive.

Allow at least two hours for that first visit.

Spring bustles for Janssen - weddings and prom.

The store includes 14 dressing rooms and a special prom loft.

Patty Zrust, Adams' mother, stopped in the store recently to share photos with Janssen.

Near the front counter, there is a bulletin board with dozens of photos sent by brides.

Janssen tends to remember the brides - and their colors, Adams said.

Adams recalled a hitch during the ceremony - a little "tussle with the bustle."

During the vows, her father hustled to help.

"An enormous spider was on its way up the back of my dress," Adams said.

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