The Best New Dresses for the Mother of the Bride

The mother of the bride used to have to resign herself to wearing an unflattering matronly dress. Mother of the bride ensembles have come a long way, however, and it is now possible to find dresses that are stylish, figure flattering, and very pretty. These are the best new dresses for the mother of the bride and groom.

One of the biggest trends for mothers of the bride are two piece ensembles. These usually consist of a long dress worn with a short fitted jacket. This can be a great style, because you will have the appropriate amount of coverage for a formal ceremony, but you can remove the jacket to be comfortable during the reception. A jacket will also allow more mobility of the arms than a dress with fitted long sleeves.

Mother of the bride dresses are definitely more slender and figure flattering than they used to be. You no longer have to look like the Queen Mum just because your daughter is getting married! Many of the dresses feature nicely fitted strapless bodices (to be worn with a jacket) or wide v-necks with cap sleeves. For the more fashion forward moms, there are even one shouldered gowns that look like they are straight from the red carpet. Ruffles are another hot fashion trend that is being seen in some of the mother of the bride ensembles.

Other big trends in mother of the bride dresses include fluted skirts, short trains, and waists with special details. Sashes, ribbons, and brooches at the waistline are all in style right now. As for your accessories, look for pieces like custom bridal jewelry that can be made in crystals to coordinate with your dress. Many of the shops that specialize in custom making bridal jewelry for the bride and her bridesmaids will also make unique and special necklaces, earrings, and bracelets for the mother of the bride to make sure that she looks just as fabulous as the rest of the wedding party.

The perfect mother of the bride dress is out there. Flip through magazines and look online to get ideas of the styles that appeal to you before you start shopping. That way, you will have printed examples to help the bridal consultant steer you to a mother of the bride ensemble that you will actually love wearing.

Selecting the Perfect Jewelry for Everyone in Your Wedding

In many cultures, the ceremonial wedding jewelry that a bride wears is passed down as a family heirloom through generations of brides. Even if your family does not have any special wedding jewelry customs, you will still want to find just the right pieces for your bridesmaids, your mothers, and even yourself! This is how to select the perfect jewelry for everyone in your wedding.

First of all, let’s begin with the bride, who is after all, the star of the wedding day. The bride’s jewelry needs to do a variety of things. It should complement her face and hairstyle, it must match the bridal gown, and it should tie in with the general theme or style of the wedding. Most bridal jewelry is created from pearls or crystals, which are fantastic because of their beauty and versatility. Many brides like the combination because the pearls are such a classic bridal look, but the crystals can add a touch of glamor and modern elegance.

When shopping for bridal jewelry sets, you will definitely want to pick one that features at least a necklace with a coordinating earrings. Even if you do not wear a bracelet every day, it can be nice to have a special one for your wedding, which is certainly not just like any other day. The pieces can be delicate, such as airy tin cup necklaces and bracelets, which are great for an outdoor or beach wedding. Or you can go for a designer inspired look, and layer strands of pearls over a streamlined gown, just like Coco Chanel would have done.

Bridesmaid jewelry is very popular for gifts. This is the first choice for most brides when they are looking for that little something to show their appreciation for their attendants. And yet, picking out jewelry for another person can be a bit more daunting than trying to choose something for yourself. A great place to start is by looking for bridesmaid jewelry sets that can be custom ordered to your specifications. Having pieces handcrafted with sparkling Swarovksi crystals in your wedding colors is a fabulous idea.

Sometimes overlooked are the mothers of the bride and groom. It is a very thoughtful gesture for the bride and groom to give a special piece of wedding jewelry to their moms before the wedding. Look for pieces that have a style and sophistication suitable for a more mature woman. Most mothers of the bride and groom will already have the staples of a jewelry wardrobe, so more exotic choices, like black pearls, will be much appreciated. The jewelry that you select for your wedding will make a wonderful reminder of your special day every time that it is worn.

Traditions to Include in Your Wedding

A wedding is a wonderful time to pay tribute to your family, its customs, and your heritage. It can also be a terrific opportunity to learn more about the groom’s family and the traditions that are important to them. One very meaningful way to honor these customs is to include them in your wedding ceremony or reception. Here are some of the most special traditions to include in your wedding.

1. Wear something of your mother’s on your wedding day. This is a lovely way to signify the bond between generations and to symbolize that even as you join a new family, you will still keep your own family near and dear. It could be your mother’s bridal gown or veil. You could wear a piece of her wedding jewelry. This is a favorite idea for bride’s, as jewelry is an important symbolic part of a wedding; in addition, you can easily update a classic piece of jewelry like a pearl necklace by mixing it with something more contemporary, such as pearl and crystal drop earrings.

2. Use a family cake topper. Forget about the modern and trendy cake toppers. Wouldn’t it be so much sweeter to use the little bride and groom that graced the top of your parents’ or grandparents’ cake? Chances are that they still have it, and would be honored to share it with you if you ask.

3. Serve the festive foods that are customary in your culture. Whether your parents are first generation Americans or your family has lived in the U.S since it was the Thirteen Colonies, chances are you have a rich cultural heritage on which to draw. A wedding reception can be made much more personal and interesting by the addition of the food and drinks that are normally served in Russia, Italy, Mexico, or wherever else your ancestors may hail from. Food can also be a great vehicle for combining different cultural traditions on the bride and groom’s sides of the family. A buffet or serving stations can present a selection of favorites from each family’s background.

4. Carry a replica bouquet. This is a particularly nice tradition that can be used to honor a beloved grandmother who has passed away, although it is also a lovely way to honor a living relative. Share the origins of your bouquet by telling the story of its history in your wedding program.

The little details that you choose to include from your families will go a long way towards making your wedding more special and memorable. Not only will they make the day better for the bride and groom, but including family customs will also make your wedding a wonderful experience for the rest of your family, as well.

What to Expect at Your Final Gown Fitting

In the final months and weeks before your wedding, you can expect to have several bridal gown fittings. The last fitting usually takes place about a week or two before the big day, and it is the most important one of all. Here is what to expect at your final bridal gown fitting, as well as some tips to make sure that you get the most out of the appointment.

One  misunderstanding that many brides have about their final fittings is that they will leave the appointment with their wedding gown in hand. In most cases, the gown will require additional finish work after the last fitting. Unless you have made a special arrangement to that effect, you should plan on leaving your gown to have the final sewing done, as well as to have it freshly pressed in the last few days before your wedding.

Okay, so now you know what will not happen at your final fitting, but what about what will take place? This is your golden opportunity to try on all of your accessories with your gown to make sure that you like the way it all fits together. This is particularly useful for brides who did not have all of their accessories in advance; for instance, if your mother flew in the week before your wedding with her antique lace bridal veil or the pearl jewelry she wore to her debutante ball, this may be the first chance you get to try it on with your gown. It is far better to find out before the day of your wedding that your mother’s pearl bridal jewelry does not look right with the modern chandelier earrings that your chose, or that her veil looks too brown against the white of your dress.

Definitely plan to bring your mother or a friend to your final gown fitting. You will want to have the seamstress give someone a lesson on how to tie up your bustle. Each one is different, and the last thing you want is to have your maid of honor and your mother fumbling around after the ceremony trying to figure out how to deal with your train. Also, it can be helpful to have an objective set of eyes to take a look at your gown to spot anything that needs to be adjusted. After that, it should be just a matter of a few minor tweaks; before you know it you will be picking up your wedding gown just a matter of days before your wedding!

Choosing Your Wedding Colors

Certain colors are very traditional for weddings, especially white and pastel pink. But this does not mean that you should automatically assume that these are the “best” or “right” colors for a wedding. In fact, the entire color spectrum is at your fingertips, and you can make things even more interesting by combining two or three colors. The trick is to design the wedding color palette that will best help to express the theme or overall style of your wedding.

Formal weddings tend to use more limited colors. A pure white wedding, from the bridal gown to the flowers to the tablecloths and other décor can be breathtaking and romantic for a traditional bride. It can also be bland and incredibly boring, if not handled well. To pull off the perfect white wedding, plan to spice things up with the addition of an accent color like silver or pale blue, or by mixing and layering textures and forms for visual interest.

Red is a bold color, but is also very popular for weddings, as it symbolizes love and passion. Perhaps this explains why deep red roses are such a favorite for Valentine’s Day. Dark red roses are an excellent choice for a formal evening wedding, especially if the bridesmaid dresses are in a similar shade. Just be aware that in black and white photography, dark red can be a harsh contrast against a white wedding gown.

Blue is another favorite of brides, as it symbolizes fidelity. Baby blue and white is a fresh and versatile color palette, one that can easily be used throughout a wedding. It looks wonderful for invitations, china, seat covers, and favors. You can even design custom bridesmaid jewelry gifts that combine white pearls with blue crystals. A nice thing about blue is that the groom will probably like it too. When you select the ideal color palette for your special day, you will find that the rest of the decorating will fall easily into place.

Modern Wedding Bouquets

To design a wedding bouquet that feels fresh and contemporary, there are a variety of elements to play with. You can choose a classic flower, but take it up a notch by doing it in a bold color. Or you can select flowers with an updated feeling. Another idea is to incorporate non-floral elements into your handcrafted wedding bouquet, such as feathers or crystals to match your bridal jewelry.

The best modern wedding bouquets will tie in with the style of the wedding gown and the overall feel of the wedding. If you are having your wedding in an urban loft, and wearing a chic wedding gown with unique handcrafted bridal jewelry, a traditional nosegay of white flowers will detract from the vision that you are trying to bring to life. Your flowers should be as streamlined and hip as your venue. A bouquet of sultry dark red dendrobium orchids or hot orange calla lilies would fit the bill perfectly.

Unique elements are one of the trademarks of modern wedding flowers. Your bouquet does not have to be limited to just flowers; for that matter, it does not have to include any flowers at all. A fabulous statement making bouquet can be designed using all feathers. Choose either bleached white peacock feathers (marvelous for a Winter Wonderland wedding), or go for all out glamor with multicolored peacock feathers. If an all feather bouquet feels a bit too bold, try incorporating a few feathers into a floral bridal bouquet for a dash of flair.

There are many other intriguing natural elements that can be used to make a bouquet fresh and interesting. Think about using nontypical greens, such as bear grass or hosta leaves. Plants with a unique texture or form can also be layered in; great options include seed pods, fiddlehead ferns, kangaroo paw plants, and vines. You can also choose an unusual plant as your main flower, such as a succulent. Have some fun working with your florist to design a bouquet that is contemporary, unique, and above all, one that reflects your personal style.

Wedding Saving Ideas: Smart or Tacky?

Saving money has become a national obsession. Conspicuous consumption is out and living a more sensible lifestyle is in. And yet, when you are planning a wedding, it can be difficult to know how to cut corners without cutting style. These are some of the common ways in which brides try to save money on their weddings; I will help you learn which ones are smart and which ideas will look tacky.

Saving idea #1: Wedding invitations. Fine engraving and letterpress are extremely beautiful but also extremely expensive, so it is only natural that brides would look for ways to save on the wedding stationery. But your invitation is also the first impression that your guests will have of your wedding, so you want it to be a good one. Smart way to save: printing your own invitations on nice paper with a high quality printer. Tacky: hoping your guests will be fooled into thinking that thermographed invitations were engraved; they won’t be.

Saving idea #2: Wedding accessories. Once you have found your dream wedding gown, you will want to finish it off with some gorgeous accessories. Diamonds from Tiffany’s are not in everyone’s budget however; nonetheless you want to have some fabulous sparkle for your wedding day. Smart way to save: crystal bridal jewelry. With its dazzling sparkle, bridal jewelry created from Swarovski crystal will give you just the glamor you crave. Tacky: trying to pass off a child’s costume tiara as a real one. (I have actually seen this done; it was dreadful.)

Saving idea #3: Reception libations. The bar bill can add up quickly at a wedding reception, especially if you have a fun loving crowd. It can be difficult to balance the desire to throw a great party with the need to keep expenses manageable. Smart way to save: offer a signature cocktail or hold a brunch reception. A signature cocktail will add style to your reception, but it can also keep the alcohol costs down as compared to a full open bar. To save even more, have an early morning ceremony followed by a brunch reception, when most people will order very few alcoholic drinks. Tacky: cash bar. It is far better to serve what you can afford graciously than to demand that your guests pay for their own refreshments. Unless your reception is being held at a frat party, just don’t do it. It is possible to save money on your wedding while still maintaining the style and dignity of the event.

Divine Accessories for Destination Weddings

Destination weddings have a fun and festive feeling unlike any other kind of wedding. The sun, the sand, and the ocean views just have a way of putting everyone into a happy frame of mind. The details of your wedding should reflect this laid-back attitude. These are some divine accessories for destination weddings.

Let’s start with the bridal jewelry. Anything too heavy or formal will look out of place at the ocean. Look for sets of wedding jewelry with a beach motif or natural flair, such as kehsi pearl necklaces or silver seashell bracelets. A monogrammed shell necklace is a wonderful choice for the bride; it also makes a great idea for the bridesmaid jewelry. Other styles that are pretty for the beach are open and airy tin cup necklaces, very delicate crystal earrings, and bridal jewelry with a pop of color.

The best wedding hairstyles for the beach have a soft and natural effect. Gentle waves cascading down the shoulders, softly tousled buns, and loose modern braids are the types of hairdos most suited to a destination wedding. To accent your wedding hair, choose a headpiece that is also relaxed and uncontrived. Remember that the kind of ornate tiara that is perfect for a ballroom reception will seem out of place in a natural setting. Nice choices include a scattering of hairpins, a double row headband, or a large silk or fresh flower.

Next comes the veil. When you are being wed outside, it is wise to select a veil that will not drag on the ground. You don’t want to get to the altar only to find that your cathedral length veil has accumulated all sorts of debris on the trip down the aisle! Twigs and tulle do not mix. A crystal beaded border on the veil not only looks gorgeous twinkling in the sunlight, but helps to weigh it down and keep it from blowing around too much.

The accessories for destination weddings really are not the same as those that work for a traditional wedding. You will find that you have a lot more freedom to choose pieces that are fun and whimsical. Beach wedding accessories really give you the chance to express your personal style on your wedding day.

Wedding Stationery Terms

When you are shopping for your wedding stationery, you may feel like a fish out of water. Here is a glossary of the wedding stationery terms that you will need to know to make choosing the perfect invitations a snap.

Engraving: This refers to a printing process in which a copper plate is engraved with your wedding invitation wording, inked, and run through a press to print the lettering onto the stationery. Engraving is easily identified by its raised lettering. The back of an engraved invitation will have an indentation behind the words, which is an easy way to distinguish it from thermography. It is true that engraving is costly, due to the step of making a unique etched copper plate for your order, but it is also the most elegant form of lettering. For a formal wedding or traditional wedding with the bride in a classic gown and pearl bridal jewelry, engraving is the best choice.

Letterpress: This style of printing has been around for hundreds of years, but it has only become popular for wedding invitations in the last decade or so. Letterpress is a technique in which moveable pieces of type are hand arranged in a printing press, and then the paper is rolled over it with a heavy roller. It is perhaps not quite as labor intensive as engraving, but it is close, and the pricing is fairly comparable as well. Letterpress invitations are very popular with brides who want a chic and contemporary look for their stationery, while still having the fine craftsmanship that has made engraving the gold standard for generations.

Thermography: Another technique in which the wedding invitation wording can be transferred to the paper. Thermography consists of an ink being printed over a fine powder to give the lettering a raised look. It is intended to mimic engraving, although anyone familiar with fine stationery will immediately know the difference. The telltale signs of “fake engraving” include no indentations on the reverse of the paper, shiny ink, and some subtle unevenness of the lettering. Being a machine made process, thermography is considerably less expensive than engraving or letterpress, although for a discriminating bride, that may not be reason enough to cut corners on her invitations. Old-fashioned etiquette mavens will say that if you want to save money, simple but honest flat printing is better than trying to mimic engraving with thermography.

Now that you are an expert on wedding stationery, get out there and start shopping for those perfect invitations!

Casual Bridesmaid Attire

Not every wedding calls for the attendants to be dressed in formal attire. For a wedding on the beach, in a park, or in your own backyard, you might want to consider choosing something informal for your bridesmaids. These are some of the best looks for casual bridesmaid attire for any type of wedding.

For a beach or waterside wedding, a great informal look for bridesmaid dresses is a dress with a festive pattern. Tropical Hawaiian prints are wonderful for a beach wedding. For a preppy beach wedding, Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses worn with pearl tin cup necklaces will make your bridesmaids picture perfect. New England weddings by the water are the perfect excuse for your bridesmaids to get cute dresses from Vineyard Vines. The classic Nantucket style of their patterns will look great with tin cup necklaces (the perfect bridesmaid jewelry gifts) and the guys in Nantucket red pants.

Another idea for a relaxed bridesmaid look is to have each one wear a top and a skirt instead of a dress. If executed well, this can be a wonderful look, although if it is not properly coordinated, you will lose the cohesiveness that a bridal party should have. Choose one pretty skirt that each attendant will wear, and pair it with a simple top. An example would be a patterned skirt worn with very nice crisp white blouses. An appealing variation on this is to put a simple white blouse with a ball skirt for a relaxed holiday evening wedding. Just resist the urge to have each skirt be a different color of the rainbow; I have seen this done, and frankly it is impossible to pull off well. A better idea would be to put each bridesmaid in a version of the same color, such as shades of pink.

When you have only one or two attendants, your options for informal bridesmaid attire will open up even more. You could just allow each bridesmaid to select a strappy sundress that she really loves. The nice thing about this is that you will know that your friends will love their dresses enough to wear them again. When you have two or fewer attendants, it is not so important that they coordinate with one another or the rest of the wedding party. Your attendants will be ready to go and have a great time at your fun and casual wedding.