Let wedding dress take a cue from the venue

Imagine your wedding ceremony is in an ornate house of worship with a long nave and stained-glass windows. The bridal party, in flowing gowns and classic black tuxedos, waits with the groom at the altar. And before you make your grand entrance on your father's arm, two adorable flower girls in white dresses sprinkle rose petals on the runner as a string quartet plays "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel.

Now picture your wedding dress.

Are you wearing a sexy, V-neck sheath with an open back and a revealing slit, a la Angelina Jolie at the Oscars? Or is it a ball gown with a voluminous skirt and a strapless bodice encrusted with beading and embroidery? Sexy may be back, but it may be as appropriate for this church wedding as your honeymoon bikini and flip-flops.

No matter your childhood fantasies, when shopping for your wedding dress, it's important to take the ceremony and reception venues into consideration. In fact, one of the first questions a bridal sales consultant will ask is, "Where are you getting married?"

"The gown we help the bride select is usually directly related to where she has chosen to have her wedding," says Cristina DeMarco of Bridal Reflections in Carle Place and Massapequa. "It's very important to know the venue, because it sets the tone."

Depending on the place, there are certain realities to consider. A summer wedding on the beach lends itself to a lightweight chiffon or lace so the bride doesn't overheat. A heavier fabric, such as Duchess satin or a gown covered in beads and embroidery, is more appropriate for a formal affair held in a grand ballroom.

In addition to fabric, the location can influence the dress's overall design. A fashion-forward or even avant-garde gown will play off an urban setting or loft space, while a tea-length style may be a better choice for a garden wedding -- with all that grass, why risk tripping over a floor-length hem? And for couples running off to City Hall, what could be more chic than a bride in a sleek white suit or minidress?

Confused? Don't be. No matter the venue, this season's choices are nothing short of spectacular.