Good Things come to those who wait. Today more than ever before more men and women are getting married later in life. In the United State the average of first time brides is 25.3 and 26.9 for grooms; compared with 20.3 (brides) and 22.9 (grooms) in the 1950’s. The same trend can be found in other countries as well. In 1977 British Columbia’s Ministry of Health Planning reported the average for first marriages as 22.5 for brides and 25.2 for grooms. In 2000 the same study found the average age for fist time brides has increased to 27.9 and 29.3 for grooms.

Why the big wait? Today’s men and women are choosing to either further their education by pursuing graduate degrees or they’re devoting more time to focus on careers.  This is especially true for women who are choosing careers once dominated by men (medicine, law, accounting and finance to name a few).  Additionally more women are choosing entrepreneurship than ever before. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research as of 2004, there are an estimated 10.6 million privately-held, 50% or more women-owned firms in the U.S., accounting for nearly half (47.7%) of all privately-held firms in the country

So what does this mean for women? Well it means that she’s smart, well educated and confident in her own skin. As a result when she decides to marry she wants to make sure the wedding reflects her attitude and sense of style.

What’s your bridal style?

The twenty something bride is a study in contrasts, on one hand some lean towards a more traditional princess bridal look. Think Cinderella or Princess Diana (without the pouffiness). Her style choices would include ball gown, ballerina and princess style gowns with sweep or chapel trains. For more traditional bridal looks check out Alfred Angelo, David’s Bridal Woman and Birnbaum & Bullock

Conversely twenty somethings can be more edgy deciding to take more fashion risks with silhouettes and lengths; from a Flapper style gown to a form fitting mermaid gown or a short slip dress. Look into designers Melissa Sweet, Angel Sanchez and Lazaro for inspired choices.

The thirty something bride is more confident with an exact vision of how she sees herself. Her style might be described as traditional with a modern flare perhaps choosing a strapless princess style gown or a V-neck gown with décolletage. Or she might decide to be a bit of a vamp with a slinky, curve hugging gown and who should tell her no?

Chamein, mother of two and the 2002 Long Island MS Society Mother of the Year, has spent a lifetime dreaming about weddings. Undaunted that today's wedding markets are ignoring the majority of U.S. women, and determined to help women everywhere enjoy that one fabulous day, she set out to create Down That Aisle In Style! A Wedding Style Guide for Full Figured Women. The book is slated for release in the spring of 2006.