The bride’s back received equal attention, if not more, than her front. An empress pouf made a grand exit at Vera Wang, while Claire Pettibone’s tulle sheet made a veil superfluous.

Crumb-catcher necklines modernized a simple silhouette. Angel Sanchez layered his straps for a sporty-meets-evening look; Giambattista Valli made his scalloped trim look like a confectioner’s cake detail; and Amsale fastened her cream-colored fan with a jeweled belt.

A hint of tuxedo-shirt folds offset the lace at Atelier Aimée. Delicate accordion pleats needed little embellishment at Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta; and at Angel Sanchez, they resembled chiffon origami.

If some of them weren’t so exaggerated, they might be too sweet. J.Crew’s was loose and natural; Oscar de la Renta’s recalled pigtail ribbons. Best were the magnified, abstract bows at Vera Wang—half Japanese obi, half Marie Antoinette sash.