What to Wear to a May Wedding

May can be a tricky time, in that the weather is still quite variable in many parts of the country. A May day might be bright and summery, or it might be cool and wet; it is hard to predict. The best way to work around unpredictable weather is to wear layers. For a formal wedding, a beautiful outfit would be a silk sheath dress, perhaps with a special embellishment such as a bow or embroidery. Since a sleeveless dress might not be warm enough, choose a coordinating silk bolero or an organza wrap which complements your dress. Add a pearl necklace and a pair of low silk heels for a beautiful late spring look.

Outdoor weddings start to become popular in the late spring. If you are invited to a May garden wedding, a dress or skirt with a floral print would be very pretty. Even if you do not think of yourself as a flower print person, you may well find that there is an abstract, modern, or pop art floral print which appeals to you. Imagine how lovely it would look to wear a poppy printed silk skirt with a complementary silk sweater for an afternoon wedding in a garden. Women who like smaller prints can choose delicate sprig patterns on chiffon dresses or skirts. Many women wonder if it is acceptable to wear a dress with a white background as a guest at someone else’s wedding, and the answer is yes, as long as white is not the primary color. If you really want to embrace the spirit of the garden wedding, complete your ensemble with a wide brim hat and a pearl necklace.

If you are a guest at a casual springtime wedding, a pretty sundress would be a good option. Look for one with special details, such as a sweet print, straps which tie into bows, or ribbon trim. As there is a good chance that you will be chilly in a sleeveless dress in May, add a cardigan to your outfit. Choose one which is special and dressy enough to wear to a wedding, not the oversized cardi you wear to lounge around the house! May can feel a bit early for strappy sandals with a sundress, so consider other shoes like slides, slingbacks, or ballet flats to give your outfit more of a springtime look.

As for the men at a May wedding, a tan suit or a navy jacket with khaki trousers is ideal for all but the most formal weddings. A shirt or tie in a springtime blue, pink, or tangerine will complete the outfit. With everyone dressed beautifully, you will be ready to go to the May wedding!

2011 Wedding Trend Alert: Hats!

Hats are back in a big way for 2011 weddings! Perhaps it is a natural extension of the birdcage veil trend or maybe it is inspired by royal bride Kate Middleton’s passion for fabulous hats; whatever the case, one of the most avant-garde trends for brides today is a hat instead of a veil. Take a closer look at all the fabulous styles of hats and fascinators coming from the milliner’s shop these days.

One hot trend for bridal hats is a tiny top hat. The most chic top hats are not made out of satin like miniature mens’ hats, but rather from traditional womens’ millinery materials such as horsehair or a finely braided straw. The small top hats often feature a bit of tulle netting, silk flowers, or a cluster of feathers to add personality and whimsy. Such a statement-making hat would be wonderful with a simple wedding dress with a modern flair.

Vintage style has been very hot for weddings in recent years, and this includes wedding attire. Channel your inner Jacqueline Kennedy with a classic white pillbox hat. With a bow in the back and a small piece of wide mesh netting over the eyes, it is a very neat and chic hat for a bride who likes the look of the early 1960s. A bridal pillbox hat would be fantastic with a column wedding gown or a knee length sheath with three-quarter sleeves. Pearl bridal jewelry and classic pumps are the perfect complementary accessories to this vintage inspired hat design.

Brides who like the idea of a non-traditional headpiece but are not quite sure about a true hat can consider wearing a fascinator. A fascinator is a headpiece that is almost as large as a hat, but not quite. Many of them are quite quirky and unique, featuring details such as showy feathers, large silk flowers, and hints of sequin or beading. Fascinators tend to be asymmetrical, and are often worn perched jauntily on one side of the head. While striking, fascinators make less of a statement than a true hat, which makes them more versatile. A bride could wear a fascinator with anything from a formal beaded gown to a deconstructed tulle dress. A unique headpiece is a great way to really spice up your wedding day look.

Wedding Gown Alterations FAQs

Is It Easier to Take a Gown In or Let One Out? It is almost always easier for a seamstress to take in a bridal gown which is too large, rather than trying to let out one which is too tight. This is particularly true for any bridal gown which has embroidery on the bodice, because if the side seams are let out, you might be exposing a section of interior fabric which was not embroidered. This is why bridal salons always recommend ordering your gown in a size which is fits your largest measurement, even if it may come in a bit large.

Can a Gown With Straps Be Converted to Strapless? Sometimes. If you are thinking about ordering a gown which has straps with the idea that you will have it altered to become strapless, always consult with the store’s head of wedding gown alterations first. Gowns which already have a lot of structure and boning often can be made strapless, but very soft gowns made from flowing fabrics may not lend themselves to the conversion.

Do I Need to Bring Someone to My Gown Fittings? Yes! Definitely plan on having your mother or maid of honor present for at least your final fitting. The person at your final fitting serves two purposes. The first is to look over your bridal ensemble from all angles, at the wedding gown, the veil, the bridal jewelry and other accessories to make sure that everything looks fantastic together. The second reason to bring a friend or your mom to your final fitting is so that she can get a lesson in how to dress you on the morning of the wedding and how to do your bustle after the ceremony.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for Bridal Gown Alterations? This depends considerably. The factors are where you are having them done, how much the gown needs to be changed, how full the skirt is, and any special considerations like a lace hem or a beaded bodice (they are more time consuming to alter). If your wedding gown arrives fitting like a glove (which is rare), you might spend $200 having the gown hemmed and bustled, whereas if you need extensive alterations the final bill could run $750 or more. The bridal salon should be able to give you a general idea of their alterations price range when you purchase your wedding gown.

What to Wear to a Casual Wedding

When trying to determine what type of outfit is special enough for a wedding, yet appropriate for a casual celebration, it helps to take the particular location into account. Even the most relaxed wedding is still a very special occasion, after all, and it should be treated as such. For instance, if one were invited to an afternoon wedding in a state park, a pretty outfit could consist of a knee length floral skirt and a sleeveless blouse. Simple handmade wedding jewelry and a pair of flat sandals will round out the look. For the men, a pair of khaki pants and a button down shirt without a tie would be appropriate. Remember that jeans are never dressy enough for a wedding, no matter how casual it happens to be.

For an informal wedding at a beach, a cheerful sundress would be fantastic. Look for a cotton shift dress with a summery print or a strapless cotton sundress. There are special considerations for a beach wedding, chief among which is the need for shoes which can be worn on the sand. Forget the high heels and wear a pair of leather thong sandals instead. Save the plastic flip flops for another time, as they are not nice enough to wear to a wedding. Handmade coin pearl wedding jewelry is great for the beach. Add a wide brimmed hat if you tend to burn, and you will be ready to celebrate in style.

Men attending a casual beach wedding should aim for a low-key look that is still pulled together. A pair of khaki pants worn with a short sleeve button down shirt would work well. If the wedding is really informal, a golf shirt could also work. Only wear a Hawaiian print shirt if the wedding is actually in Hawaii! A preppy guy would look great wearing a pair of madras shorts with a long sleeve oxford shirt (with sleeves rolled up). There is no such thing as dressy sandals for men, so opt for a pair of boat shoes with your khakis or madras.

Some women wonder if they can wear shorts to a casual wedding. I would tend to advise against it. You would be far better off in a cute skirt and a sleeveless polo shirt if the wedding is super informal; shorts just do not look like you put in enough effort. In fact, that brings us to a key point: no matter how casual the wedding may be, a guest should always look as though they put in the effort to look nice for the event. With that in mind, you can put together a comfy, casual, and stylish outfit to wear to a casual wedding.

Can Long Distance Relationships Survive?

There is an old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Some even say that familiarity breeds contempt. These sayings were probably written by someone in a long distance relationship! It is certainly true that there is something very special about the time spent with a loved one who you only get to see occasionally. In a long distance relationship, there is little of the day to day grind, so that when you do make the trip to see your sweetie, that time together tends to be spent doing fun and exciting things. That in turn makes the relationship seem very exciting.

To make up for the lack of daily or even weekly contact, it is important to keep in touch via phone calls, letters, and email. Long, romantic letters can be one of the best things about having a distant boyfriend or girlfriend, as a matter of fact. Without regular times to have long phone calls, the relationship will end up withering. Send little gifts to say “I was thinking of you”, like a pair of pearl earrings you picked up while on a business trip or a travel guide to a place you want to visit together.  To have any chance of nurturing a long distance relationship into something lasting, both people have to be willing to put in the work to stay connected.

Trust is another vital element in maintaining a long distance romance. If you know that you are the jealous type, you may never be able to become comfortable with having your boyfriend or girlfriend (or spouse, for that matter) in a far off location. Their daily life will be filled with people that you do not know, and some of them are bound to be attractive members of the opposite sex. If you cannot trust your partner to remain faithful when they are far away, a long distance relationship is definitely not for you.

Living far apart can tend to make people grow apart. For a long distance relationship to have a chance at succeeding, there has to be an end point in mind for the separation. If there is no chance that you will ever live in the same place, it is hard to stay motivated to put in the work required for a long distance relationship. It can get very lonely. The long distance romances that end up working out are those which hold the promise of one day being together all the time.

How to Propose So That She Says Yes

Thinking of proposing this holiday season or perhaps in the New Year? There is more to a great proposal than just picking out an engagement ring. Learn how to propose so that she says yes.

The most important thing is that your proposal is sincere and from the heart. That is what will show your girlfriend that you really want to marry her, and that it would be a wise decision for her to accept your proposal. So how does a man show his sincerity when he pops the question? Actually, the most important thing may be knowing when not to propose. Never ask your girlfriend to marry you while you are fighting. It can come across like you were just saying it to end the argument, which is dreadfully unromantic. Wait until a happier moment. Also be sensitive about timing if you decide to pop the question to your girlfriend if you have just discovered she is pregnant or very ill. It may look like you are offering to marry her out of obligation or pity, rather than because you genuinely want to be her husband.

Planning something special is a wonderful way to show your sincerity to your girlfriend. Grand gestures are exciting, of course, but what really counts is that the gesture is from the heart, not that it was expensive. I knew one man who took his girlfriend to their favorite casual Italian restaurant for dinner one night, as he had on many occasions. His girlfriend did not suspect that anything was different about that night, until the waiter brought the dessert menus; her boyfriend had arranged for the regular menus to be replaced with ones which said, “Hannah, will you marry me?”. Her answer was a resounding yes and they are happily married today.

Putting forth effort helps to show your intended that you think she is worth the extra effort. This is why it is so much better to propose over a romantic dinner than during a commercial break while watching television. If you do not usually cook, try your hand at making her a special dinner, complete with candles on the table and a nice bottle of wine. Your girlfriend is sure to be touched at the trouble you went through to make your proposal a romantic and memorable evening. By the time you drop to one knee and pull the diamond ring out of the wedding jewelry box, how can her answer be anything but yes?

Lace Bridesmaid Dresses

Lace is a beautiful and romantic fabric for a wedding, and it is not just for brides. Pretty lace can be a wonderful choice for the bridesmaid dresses as well. Here is a look at the many options for beautiful lace bridesmaid dresses that your attendants are sure to love.

White lace can be marvelous for summer bridesmaid dresses. A substantial cotton lace or Venise lace is ideal. Layer it over a lining in your favorite summery color like sunny yellow, pretty pink, or baby blue. This is an adorable look for a knee length strapless bridesmaid dress. A sash around the waist made from the same color as the lining will complete the dress perfectly. Classic pearl bridesmaid jewelry and strappy sandals are beautiful finishing touches for this lovely style. Check out the spring collections from designers like Lilly Pulitzer to find the dresses.

Another beautiful design for bridesmaids is a solid dress with lace accents. This is often done in a fairly high contrast way, such as a heavy white lace layered over the bodice of a solid black dress. Another lovely style is a shift dress in a dark color like navy with white lace trim around the hem or the neckline. Shaped lace can also be used to create a beautiful neckline for your bridesmaids, such as a romantic scalloped border framing out a halter neckline. These are marvelous options for brides who prefer to have bridesmaid dresses which are not entirely made of lace.

Remember that lace can be found in colors other than white. A brown chantilly lace would be stunning for an autumn wedding. Black lace over a neutral colored lining is very elegant, and much softer than a solid black bridesmaid dress. For a formal wedding, consider breathtaking metallic gold or silver lace. A very soft lace in a metallic will flow and drape beautifully. Your bridesmaids will look like movie stars in such gorgeous dresses! Strappy evening sandals will complete their ensembles. Not only are lace dresses beautiful, they are so different than the standard bridesmaid dresses that your attendants may actually be able to wear them again. That is something which is sure to bring a smile to the faces of all of your bridesmaids!

Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette Essentials

Before you start planning your pre-wedding dinner, brush up on the essentials of rehearsal dinner etiquette here…

The Groom’s Family Traditionally Hosts: People often wonder who should throw the rehearsal dinner, and traditionally it has been the responsibility of the groom’s family.  However, it is important to realize two things: first of all, this custom began back when the bride’s family paid for all of the wedding arrangements; if the couple is older and hosting their own wedding or if the groom’s family is chipping in for the reception, it may well work out that someone else hosts the rehearsal dinner. Point number two is that nobody is ever obligated to throw a party in someone else’s honor. If the groom’s parents do not offer to host a pre-wedding party, they certainly should not be pushed into it.

The Guest List: At the very minimum, the rehearsal dinner should include the bride and groom, their parents, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and the officiant, along with spouses. Other immediate family such as grandparents, siblings, and often aunts, uncles, and cousins should also make the guest list. Etiquette has long stated that out-of-town guests who arrived the day before the wedding should also be invited to the dinner, however this custom is no longer so strictly observed, as the pre-wedding dinner would end up being as large as the wedding itself.

The Toasts: As the traditional host of the pre-wedding meal, it is customary for the father of the groom to open the dinner with a toast to the bride and groom. During his speech the groom’s father will usually thank everyone for making the trip, tell the bride how thrilled he and the groom’s mother are to welcome her to their family, and say a few kind words wishing the couple much future happiness. Anyone who wishes to follow suit after the groom’s father is welcome to say a few words. It is smart to do the speeches early in the evening before people get too many drinks in them!

General Party Etiquette: The rehearsal dinner is an event for all of the people directly involved in the wedding, therefore it is not the best time to hand out groomsmen and bridesmaid gifts. One of the main reasons to have a pre-wedding dinner is to allow the bride and groom’s families to get to know each other a little better before the main event. All guests should make an effort to mingle and chat with members of the other family. Unlike the wedding reception, the departure of the bride and groom from the pre-wedding party does not necessarily signal the end of the event, so the couple should feel free to graciously exit after dessert to get their “beauty sleep” before the wedding day.

Stress Reduction Tips for Brides

Exercise can be one of the best ways for a bride to manage the stress of wedding planning. Whatever you enjoy, whether it is yoga, running, cycling, or swimming will help to melt away the stress of the day. It can also be a great chance to spend some time with your fiance doing things together which are not wedding related. Regular exercise will not only make you feel better on the inside, but it will make your body look better on the outside. That will help to alleviate another source of wedding stress: the fit of the bridal gown.

Laughter is always a great stress-buster. When the strain of the wedding starts to get to you, take a break from wedding planning and head to a funny movie with your fiance or your best friend. If there is nothing great in the theaters, plan a movie night at home. Rent a great old movie that always makes you laugh, dim, the lights, pop some popcorn, and laugh your cares away. This can be a fun activity for the bride and her bridesmaids to do together, kind of like a slumber party for grown-ups. It would be a nice time for the bride to give her friends their bridesmaid gifts as well.

For some women, nothing is more relaxing than a day at the spa. The bride could get a long massage at her favorite spa at the end of a trying week. Or make it more of an event by planning a whole afternoon or all day at a spa with a companion. It would be a great quiet time that the bride and her mother could take to unwind before the wedding. Another idea is to get all the bridesmaids together for a pedicure party instead of a standard bridesmaids’ luncheon. The bride can treat her girls to some pre-wedding pampering as part of her bridesmaid gift to them. Add in a bridesmaid gift that the attendants can keep, such as a monogrammed cosmetic bag with a pair of crystal earrings inside.

How can anyone be stressed out when they are getting down on the dance floor? When the wedding planning drama is really bearing down on you, gather up your friends and head to a hot nightclub. Dance, sip some drinks, laugh, and just unwind in the company of good friends. There is no need to wait for your bachelorette party to hit the clubs for a night of dancing. Call up your pals, have your fiance call his, and get a whole group out together for a great night. With the stress under control, you will be better able to enjoy all the fun parts about planning a beautiful wedding.

Find Great Deals on Wedding Gowns

Tip number one is to find out when bridal salons in your area have their sample sales. At least twice a year, most stores will sell off some of their designer samples to make way for new arrivals. Get sale dates early, so that you can snag the first appointment on the first day of the sale. That will give you the best shot at finding your dream gown for 50% off. Come prepared with pictures of the styles that interest you, but be open minded, because you are unlikely to find the exact gown from a current magazine ad in the clearance samples. Also come prepared to buy, because if you walk away from a great deal on a beautiful designer bridal gown, it will probably be snapped up by another bride while you are thinking it over.

Girls who are up for a big adventure can consider searching for a great deal on a wedding gown at the Filene’s Basement wedding gown sale, also known as the Running of the Brides. Definitely not for the faint of heart, the shy, or the bride who wants personal assistance, the event can nonetheless be a great opportunity to score a once-in-a-lifetime deal on a top designer gown. Brides make an event of the Filene’s Basement sale, bringing along a gaggle of assistants, wear their bridal jewelry, signs to hold up stating the style and size they seek, and even their own mirrors. For those who survive the mayhem, this can be the least expensive way to get a high dollar wedding gown at bargain basement prices.

If you want the hottest look off the runway at a discount, your best bet is a bridal trunk show. You will not get the deep discounts found at sample sales at trunk shows, but there is often a small incentive for purchasing during the event. The salon might offer 10% off on trunk show orders (which can be hundreds of dollars for some designer gowns), discounts on coordinating veils, or no-cost customization. The bride will get a deal on a brand new look, which none of her friends are likely to have.

Shopping around for a great deal on a bridal gown takes a little extra work, but it is totally worth it. With all the money you save, you can get yourself a fabulous set of bridal jewelry, upgrade your honeymoon, or maybe just afford a spectacular dress that would have been unaffordable at full price. Being persistent and open-minded just might help you find the designer wedding gown deal of the year!