We know sleeved wedding gowns are more than just a fashion statement for many brides. Whether religion, tradition, or modesty dictate covering your arms or shoulders, the popularity of the strapless gown has made it pretty difficult to find something chic and sleeved. Luckily, sleeves have started to make a comeback so the options are only growing. Here are some of our favorite sleeved gowns.

The cap sleeve has an Edwardian romance feel. Whitney’s mom made her dress and the sweetie on the right is one of our favorite Rodney Smith photos.

For a part time sleeve, shrugs are a great option. You can get two complete looks and shed the layer when you heat up the dance floor. Ginny’s vintage shrug is to die for and eclectic in it’s contrasting fabrics and colors while the Oscar De La Renta shrug is more traditional in a matching fabric.

Lastly, elbow lengths have made a comeback well before Ivanka Trump got married in her elbow sleeve Vera Wang. This look is best suited for lace or another sheer fabric so you don’t risk looking drab. ODLR’s version is so cute for a pretty Connecticut lawn wedding and Kesh’s ensemble is really just a lace top and a skirt…so genius to use seperates to achieve the look!

We’ve seen a lot of alternative wedding dresses around the blogs the past few weeks. Emerald green, jet black…all so fun and daring. But if you are prefer to put your toe in the water and not dive in, we love the subtle details that make a gown unique but still very bridal.

The two prints on the top have just the right amount of spunk (a fun polka dot with black trim shot by Rodney Smith and a Carolina Herrera gown from her Spring 2010 collection.) These illustrate how a subtle print can work for a more preppy bride or a romantic bride. Or if you really aren’t taking the plunge, but like to lounge by the edge of the pool taunting the boys, you can have some fun with color through the buttons on the backside. The black and white is again more of a clean trimmed look…just the right hint of Audrey Hepburn, again shot by the photo love of our life, Rodney Smith. Or you can show your sass by hot pink buttons like the ones on this wedding gown designed and worn by the Lovely Heidi Elnora (who will we carry exclusively at Lovely this spring!)

Recently, I saw The Sweetest Occasion’s pick for pink wedding dresses as a favorite trend for 2010 weddings, and it really got me thinking… If white (or ivory) wasn’t the norm would I go for another color? Here are my favorite considerations for alternatives, pink and other, to the traditional white dress.

Ultimately, I know a white dress is for me. I actually really love the color ‘white’ (my staple outfit is a white t-shirt and jeans). Still, it’s good to know us brides have more options these days. So if your favorite color is blue and you look awesome in blue, I say go for it.

Daydreaming of a beach in Santorini right now…maybe it’s because NYC has borrowed Chicago’s wind, Atlanta is experiencing Minneapolis type snow, and Miami warrants a scarf and ugg boots. What is going on in the states? Let’s close our eyes…well actually keep them open, and dream about a fantastic wedding gown, blowing on a white sand beach. Maybe Jude Law is the the groom…maybe you are wearing this fabulous Marchesa gown that you bought HALF price at Bergdorf Goodman…

Ok now snap out of it. It will warm up soon, your fiancee is better than Jude Law (meaning: faithful) and this dress really is on sale at Bergdorf Goodman! What a great life.

A friend of mine got married in a jiffy this summer, grabbed a cute little dress off of shopbop.com and rocked a totally unique look that you won’t find on repeat in wedding magazines. I adore her bravery. So in day dreaming how I would do it all again if I needed a quickie dress, I decided to puruse my favorite sites and find some great alternatives for you.

J’adore this Camilla and Marc number, especially since you can throw on a belt and a blazer and wear it on the honeymoon.

This Anthro dress would be sooo cute with black tights and black patten pumps…tres Zoe Deschanel.

And there is nothing wrong with a wedding dress that feels like a tshirt. Rachel Pally’s dresses are sooo buttery soft.

This little Anzevino & Florence number is so tres, and on sale!

And lastly, but mostly, for the spunky fun bride who likes a little drama, Notte by Marchesa.