How to decide on your wedding dress style, shape and color
Find the bridal gown that fits and flatters you in all the right places
On your wedding day, you will no doubt want to be wearing the most fabulous, yet affordable dress that makes you the center of attention, helps you feel fabulous and ensures all your guests are green with envy… all of which makes for a big shopping task!
Before you head for the high street and frantically look through rail after rail of dresses , just take time to think through what you are looking for beforehand.
Follow our guide and you can calmly go shopping for your wedding dress knowing exactly what you want and will be able to get the shop assistants to help you too.
After all, you want to look like a princess on your big day and whoever heard of a princess having a meltdown in a changing room?!
Think about your venue
Before you even begin to think about choosing a wedding dress, you need to consider where you are getting married. Is your venue traditional, trendy or downright relaxed (like on a beach maybe?) You need a dress style that will suit the venue, (it’s no good buying an elaborate dress with a full skirt, enormous train and veil if you are planning on walking barefoot to the water’s edge for your ceremony for example!)
Think about the season
Take into consideration the time of year you are getting married. For example, you might want to choose a lighter fabric for summer or a long-sleeved style for winter (you want to be the center of attention because you look beautiful, not because you’ve gone blue from the cold!)
Think about your figure
No matter what size or shape you are, there is a wedding dress to suit you that will fit and flatter in all the right places. All you need do before you shop is think about what dress styles usually suit you best. For example, do you look and feel fabulous in a slinky bias-cut skirt? Do you feel comfortable in a strapless corset, or do you prefer a halterneck style for support? Use the shapes and styles you prefer as a starting point and discuss these with the shop assistant.
Think about your skin color.
Traditional wedding dresses come in all shades of white, cream and gold, so don’t think you have to opt for pure white – particularly if you are very pale. Ask the shop assistant to help you choose a fabric color that helps you glow – not look like a ghost!
Note down your choices based on these considerations and you will be all set to go shopping.
A good sales assistant should ask you all these questions about the venue, time of year, your figure and skin color before you even begin to get near the rails and now you’ll be all prepared with the answers.
July 5, 2009
How to find the perfect bridal dress!
July 4, 2009
Planning your Wedding
Planning your wedding is not easy. Everyone has advice. Everyone has an opinion. And that's just the people you know! If you were to read just half the books, pamphlets, web sites, etc. written in the last half-century about wedding etiquette and protocol, you'd be reading and planning until your retirement! So how do you choose whose advice to heed and what resources are most relevant?
Unfortunately, we can't help you with the first part of that question: You'll have to wage your own battles with Aunt Frances and Grandma Helen over the seating arrangements. We can, however, point you to the most helpful resources: books, magazines and web sites that tell you what you need to know, not what you need to do (a selection of resources are listed below). We restrict our discussion to what we know best - information and tips on "managing" your bridesmaids. We refrain from telling you what to do, because your creativity and imagination are what will make your wedding celebration memorable. We'll just provide a little help along the way.
As a bride-to-be, wedding chief executive and senior creative officer, you'll be faced with a barrage of questions, comments and suggestions from your bridesmaids. Your "staff" will look to you for help, direction and sometimes even dispute resolution. We hope that after reading this book, like a seasoned CEO, you'll have the background, context and knowledge to manage your bridesmaids effectively and easily. So, without further ado, The Bride's Guide to Bridesmaids.
Introduction
Although there is a tremendous amount of literature on how to be a "good" bride, there is a noticeable lack of information about bridesmaids. Even if you were a bridesmaid in another wedding, did the bride explain to you what your role was, what she expected from you, and where you could help? As a bride yourself, you will find that establishing your bridesmaids' responsibilities up front is the most effective way to be on top of everything. Perhaps your biggest questions surround the bridesmaid dress, fittings and finding the right fabric. Whatever your questions are about managing your bridesmaids, we can help you find the answers.
We open with a brief discussion of the bridesmaid tradition, and then move on to modern day rituals, expectations and tendencies. As we move from the past to the present, we'll lay out what you need to know to run the show in the days leading up to your wedding - including a detailed list of your bridesmaids' responsibilities. Finally, we step into the future, outlining the important information you'll need to organize your bridesmaids and enjoy the wonderful celebration on your wedding day.
Choosing Your Bridesmaids
A Brief History
The history of the bridesmaid varies across cultures, religions and time periods. In early Roman times, bridesmaids formed a kind of bridal infantry as they accompanied the bride to the groom's village. This "protective shield" of similarly outfitted bridesmaids was supposed to intervene if any wayward thugs or vengeful suitors tried to hurt the bride or steal her dowry.
However, the Western bridesmaid tradition seems to have originated from later Roman law, which required ten witnesses at a wedding in order to outsmart evil spirits believed to attend marriage ceremonies. The bridesmaids and ushers dressed in identical clothing to the bride and groom, so that the evil spirits wouldn't know who was getting married. Even as late as 19th century England, the belief that ill-wishers could administer curses and taint the wedding still existed. In Victorian wedding photographs, for example, it can take quite a bit of inspection to pick out the bride and groom from among the other members of the bridal party!
The Modern Day Bridesmaid
These early customs continue to have an influence today. The expression "thrice a bridesmaid, never a bride" arose from the bridesmaid's interception of, and gradual infection by (over the course of three weddings), the evil spirits trying to disrupt the ceremony! And, although the bridal party no longer functions as a troop of foot soldiers, bridesmaid dresses are still commonly chosen in harmony with the look and feel of the wedding. The bridal party continues to serve a vital role in the wedding process, not by fending off hexes and robbers, but by providing key support staff and an advisory board. Besides being an honored member of the wedding party and special guest at the reception, today's bridesmaid is also designated as the bride's special assistant. From shopping for dresses to scouting hotels for out-of-town guests to writing place cards to hosting a bridal shower, her first duty is to be helpful. The payoff is that walk down the aisle, looking absolutely beautiful in a gown that is stylish, sophisticated, colorful and absolutely wearable. In 21st century America, bridesmaids are chosen to be caring helpers, thoughtful organizers and skillful liaisons.
How Many Is Too Many?
There is one obvious answer. If the altar only fits a handful of people, you'll have to limit your number of bridesmaids! But, seriously, the first rule in determining how many bridesmaids is right for you is to coordinate the size of your wedding party with the size of the venue where your wedding is to take place. Although it may be difficult to choose five bridesmaids from among fifty of your best friends, you must if you're having an intimate wedding. And there are plenty of other great honors that you can hand out to close friends who want to participate in the wedding (e.g., they can help coordinate any other wedding-related activities, or they could write a special song or toast for the reception, etc.).
A good second rule is to consider the formality of the wedding. In general, formal weddings have a half dozen or more bridesmaids in addition to the maid of honor (it could be as many as a dozen, but that is very rare). Semiformal and casual weddings can have just one bridesmaid - the maid of honor - but typically have about three to five. And don't worry if the groom has more ushers than you have bridesmaids: Ushers can always double up in the recessional. Of course, the final decision rests with you, the bride, but remember that the larger the number, the more difficult it may be for you to manage. And remember that the bridesmaids will all have to work together on many aspects of planning, so addressing any conflicts up front will avoid problems down the line. So the more the merrier? or too many cooks spoil the broth? you'll have to decide!
"Popping The Question"
In all likelihood, your bridesmaids will be among the first people to know that you're planning to get married. That's because most brides ask their closest friends and family members in a flurry of excited phone calls! However, there are no rules prescribing the right people to choose and there is no particularly right way to ask. It's entirely up to you. In general, your bridesmaids should be your sociable and engaging friends and family members, since many of their duties (in addition to organizational ones) will involve hosting, greeting and introducing. You can also have Junior Bridesmaids, generally between eight and fourteen years of age, who wear "junior" bridesmaid dresses. Or you can have Senior Bridesmaids - like a great aunt or grandmother - who may be your closest confidant or best ally. However, in the great majority of weddings, brides select friends and family around their own age, whom they know will be supportive and helpful in the planning process. Bridesmaids in your age group can also relate well to the groomsmen, who are generally around the same age as the groom. But before you get ready to announce your bridesmaid nominees, you should be well aware of the bridesmaids' responsibilities, so you can be sure your bridal party can handle their duties. Once you have made your decision, an easy way to "pop the question" is a bridesmaid card.
April 13, 2009
Do's, Dont's and Basic Truths to Bridesmaids ...
Do Try to find a style and color that is flattering to the different sizes and skin tones of your bridesmaids.
Don't jump on a trend without thinking of how your friends will look and feel.
Do Try to keep the price at something that everyone can afford. $200 is a good figure to keep in mind, but if you can do it for less, everyone will be happier.
Do Consider letting your bridesmaids wear clothing of their own choice. What you lose in uniformity will be made up for in comfort and happiness, which will be apparent in the way they carry themselves and smile.
Do Consider dress length: Formal and semiformal weddings call for long, ballerina-length, or tea-length dresses. At an informal or daytime wedding, bridesmaid dresses can be the same length as the bride's dress, short or long.
Do consider body types : Simple, elegant designs are the most flattering to all figures.
-- The Knot
Bridesmaids:How to Choose your Crew
More isn’t always merrier. The more bridesmaids you have, the greater the potential for complications. Also, you’re on a limited budget, think about who has to pay for all those bouquets.
Blood is thicker than water. If you’re close to your sister and future sister-in-law, the thought of not including them in your wedding party. It's usually worth including family just to avoid unnecessary conflict. Think of it as having more bargaining power when you’re battling with your parents over the guest list.
Try not to make assumptions. Don’t write off some friends simply because you think they don’t have enough money to afford the dress you have your eye on. If she has to decline, promise to find something else for her to do in the wedding.
A bridesmaid doesn’t have to be a woman. Despite the prevalence of feminine pronouns in this guide, if your best friend is a guy, there’s no reason why he can’t be in your wedding. Today, many couples are including members of the opposite sex to stand by them. In these cases, a man on the bride’s side is simply called an attendant or bridesman, while a woman on the groom’s side can be called a groomswoman.
No, you don’t have to return the invitation. Just because someone asked you to be in her wedding doesn’t mean that you must have her in yours.
Life will go on if you have uneven numbers of groomsmen and bridesmaids. There’s no law of symmetry when in comes to wedding parties. Don’t put yourself under the added pressure to fill positions, should they be empty.
-- Joanna Saltz
January 9, 2009
Party Dress Express?
*We are open 7 days a week
*No appointments needed
*Knowledgeable and friendly customer service
*All sizes in stock 2-24 (additional sizes can be ordered)
*Beautiful selection of designer gowns
*Special orders that can be placed through our catalogs
*Dresses are 20% off or Free Alterations
*Shoes, jewelry, accessories, and more!
Your Wedding Gown: Style Do’s and Don’ts
Do: Tie your look to your wedding location. If you're having a traditional ceremony with a formal reception, opt for a classic, gown style. If your getting married outdoors in an afternoon garden ceremony, consider a strapless sheath made of a light material. If you're marrying in the sand on an island, a tea-length gown with festive shoes is the ultimate nontraditional wedding attire.
Don't: Let your wedding style dash your dreams of the perfect gown. If you have your heart set on a fun, sexy gown but you're worried it's not appropriate for your ceremony site, consider carrying a sash for a more demure look during your ceremony.
Do: Think about wearing fun footwear. Getting married in the middle of July? Consider sporting flip-flops under your gown. If you're all cowgirl, try a pair of boots. And for a slope-side winter wedding, you've got the perfect opportunity to don a pair of furry white snow boots.
Don't: Dress more casual than your guests. If you choose to have a black-tie, formal affair and expect your guests to dress up, make sure you follow suit! Any floor-length gown is appropriate, whether decorated with intricate beading, or just accessorized with beautiful jewelry.
Do: Choose the right white for your skin tone, no matter what style you pick.
Do: Let your personality show through your accessories. Give a traditional gown a fun twist with a colorful sash or large, flashy earrings, or keep your style poised and polished with a simple pearl necklace and earrings.
Don't: Let your jewelry overpower your ensemble. If your dress has lots of intricate details already, opt for simple pieces, or even just your engagement ring.
Do: Keep an open mind when it comes to shape. Try on many different types of gowns -- you never know how they'll fit until you take them off the hanger.
Do: Pick the right undergarments. Many bridal salons recommend choosing pieces that closely match your skin tone, and there are many varieties of body-shaping products that will perfect your silhouette no matter how slinky the gown.
-Kristen Hawley
