Oscar de la Renta designs for women, not girls. His wedding dresses are elegant, structured and ultra-feminine. And if you wear one of his dresses for that big day, you need to own the look, since your choice will leave a lasting impression.

The 2013 collection previewed at Bridal Market was pure fantasy, as lovely to behold as to wear. The looks ranged from super-narrow strapless silhouettes to voluminous tulle wonders that flutter like a sea of soft ruffles when set in motion. Nearly all were topped with cathedral veils. Pale blue was a subtle tint that made its way to the runway, peeking out through an overlay of lace or as a sash. One particularly memorable dress was awash with not only the softest cornflower blue but also rose and celadon lace flowers à la Midsummer Night’s Dream. A wreath of flowers crowned the pastoral look. And for those preferring to play the diva, feathers and furs were present in abundance. The grand finale: a gorgeous model who appeared in a magnificent red dress reminiscent of the 17th-century French court. She wore it with a towering black mantilla.

As I took in the spectacle, I recalled interviewing Mr. de la Renta a couple of years back and asking him how he felt about a bride wearing something other than white on her wedding day. He told me he had actually designed a red dress for a bride who was getting married for a second time. His thought was that she should wear what she wanted—and then he sang a line or two of the lyrics from “Love Is Lovelier the Second Time Around.”