bridal fashion week!

I may have my dress already, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy window shopping the new collections. Luckily, I haven't found anything that I like better than what I already bought. Yet. Eek.

For those of you not in New York, Brides.com updates their runway shows constantly, so never fear:  Marchesa's embroidery or Vera's tulle can be streamed to your computer almost in real-time.

My professional review? (ha):

One of my favorite Moniques.

Monique Lhuillier featured a lot of lace and a few short and tea-length dresses. Not for me, but for a garden fete, pretty spectacular. She also created many silhouettes with lace cap- and long-sleeves, so for those of you needing to cover up for religious regions, check it out! I could have done without the capes, though.

Check out this Marchesa beauty.

Marchesa had a lot of gowns that were a bit to structured for me, but, as always, there are some black-tie stunners in the mix. The trains on this babies are INSANE. I adore the bodice on the one above.

For an avant-garde bride. Not me.

Vera Wang has gotten progressively edgier on the bridal runway over the years, in my opinion. Last season she sent down hardly any white dresses! I couldn't find any of those blood-red creations in her atelier though. Did anyone see them in person? Anyway, this season there were white dresses with long, black gloves (for the S&M lurking inside each virginal girl?), but a few straightforward, typically-Vera numbers too.

Carolina Herrera.

Carolina Herrera generally has demure, classic silhouettes and I don't think this season was an exception. I kind of thought -- dare I say it? -- that a lot of these were a bit boring. I dug the hem on the one above, though.

Amsale.

Amsale will always be near and dear to my heart because this is where I first tried on dresses. Their newest collection is very streamlined, but the shapes are really flattering. I thought the one above had a very Second-Empire feel, no? Maybe it's the hair.

OdlR.

Oscar de la Renta is magnificent. If I actually attended red carpets other than as press, I would hire him as my personal couturier. This season had gorgeous silhouettes and many of the A-line, sweetheart neck gowns that have become his signature. Really stunning. If the one above weren't pink, I would be more in love.

Reem Acra: nothing says ethereal more than her gowns. There's just a bit of magic in the flecks of gold and silver. Probably my favorite collection thus far and the dress above is a standout.

Anyone else hunt down bridal slideshows like me? I'd love to know your favorites.

Other brides-to-be, please keep in mind that anything you see on the runway this week unfortunately won't be in stores for months and months. But if you're getting married in summer 2014, may the odds be ever in your favor. Lots of wonderful confections to choose from.