What are women who elope supposed to wear?

Isn't that the question always on a eloping bride's mind? What in the world do I wear?

Well, I've learned that even the girls who elope with their beloved's to the proverbial city of elopements, Las Vegas, have some kind of full-length wedding frock in one of their bags. So, the general answer is "Whatever you want to, you are the bride!". I could tell you what all the colors mean and everything, but honey, it's your special day, so you wear your clothes your special way? Me? I'll be wearing a dress inspired by Kimono due to my love for Japanese culture. It'll be white, because I do want to wear white, but that's because I want to. But I digress, and I know not everyone is into Kimonos.

But I will take a different spin on the normal elopement attire, giving you suggests as to what to wear...but again, I insist that the choice is yours. I'm just giving you simple suggestions.

Part One-City Wedding: You're going to...city hall?

If you're one of those who consider just going to city hall to get the job done (and believe me, here in Chicago, where it's just $40 to get married at city hall, and that includes the license, there are a lot of people who do it), you can get married in something other than a t-shirt and jeans...and if you are, you can do something stylish with a t-shirt and jeans. I wish to be married this way, and I know a lot of others feel the same way as I do (it's so romantic, if not quick).

Stylish Options

-- I found this beautiful bridesmaids dress from Alvina Valenta that is just gorgeous! Quoted from the website, it's a "Ivory chiffon tea-length A-line dress, pleated chiffon strapless bodice accented with Lt. Gold duet satin bias band and bow at natural waist". Even though it's not pure white, it's definitely stylish enough, especially if you and the new hubby intend to hit the town in style after the nuptials. A nice shawl or even peacoat in white or ivory will compliment if it's cool outside. It's a good find!

-- Another tea length find, this time by Jim Hjelm, that is also available in a floor-length style for you brides that would rather be safe than sorry. It's a "Mango radiant chiffon A-line tea-length gown, V-neckline, empire bodice with crystal buckle" that is available in a variety of colors (including white! A rarity with bridesmaids gowns). It's sexy and yet very feminine, and since the bridesmaid's sizes are from 2-28, all aspiring elopement brides will love it. If you want want to be tied down to white, I highly recommend this designer. I want a dress from him myself.

-- The Queen of Stylish bridesmaids gowns you can use for your elopement is definitely Vera Wang. Period. A lot of her dresses are not in white, but who cares? You can say proudly that you married in Vera Wang (without breaking the bank because you had a small budget in the first place).

Trendy Options

-- I could have put this under stylish, but I think Watters and Watters to be more trendy with their bridesmaid line...and you can actually wear this selection even after you've married (and it comes in white. It's sleek, and it's shiny enough so no one will hit you! Just kidding, but I think it's lovely. Another idea is this dress, because it is trendy, you can wear it again, and for some reason, it's lovely enough that you can feel confident in wearing gold without feeling like the flamboyant church lady with her over-the-top hats.

-- A shout-out to the plus-size ladies that don't mind wearing white at city hall...and even bolder to wear black. Torrid is an awesome retailer that offers fresh, trendy clothing to plus-sized women. If I weren't wearing my kimono, I would wear this Black Sequin Laced Hem Pencil Skirt with this Black Mock Neck Cap Sleeve Lace Top. Isn't it gorgeous? If you must wear white, then wear a white garter or something. This outfit is too cute to pass up.

-- Anything from Charlotte Russe or even anything for Anthropologie will suit your tastes. Thing thing that I like about those stores, even though I'm too big to wear them, is the quality of clothes, and with so many colors, that one outfit is bound to tickle your fancy.

-- And while we are on the subject...you must go to J.Crew right now! You can thank me later.

This concludes the first part of the series of what to wear. Come back Friday to learn of the second part, which I will outline some of the best designers for destination weddings and designers that have dresses for the non-traditional bride.