Wedding Dress Regrets

Shopping for a bridal gown, veil, and wedding jewelry is one of the highlights of planning a wedding. In fact, many brides have been dreaming about their wedding gown since they were little girls. But what happens if you buy a wedding gown and start having second thoughts about it? These are some tips on how to handle wedding dress regrets.

If there is one piece of advice every bridal consultant wishes engaged women would listen to, it is stop looking at wedding gowns once you have picked yours! There will always, always be another beautiful gown to admire, and you could shop forever, but then you would have nothing to wear on your wedding day. After you have placed a deposit on your bridal gown, the best thing you can do for yourself is to close the dress shopping chapter of your wedding planning. And besides, you will still get to shop for wedding jewelry, a veil, a headpiece, shoes, and lots of other gorgeous accessories.

But what if you just can’t shake the feeling that you have made a bad choice and ordered the wrong gown for your wedding? 99% of the time, this second guessing is simply pre-wedding jitters. Call up the bridal salon and make an appointment to try on the sample gown again. The chances are very strong that as soon as you put it on you will remember exactly what you loved about it. If you still are not sure, try on a few other dresses, and you will probably be reminded that your original dress is still the one for you.

With all these tips in mind, there might still be occasions when brides come to realize that they have definitely chosen a wedding gown that they no longer love. At that point, it is time to re-select. You only have one wedding day (hopefully!), and you deserve to feel incredible for it. You will also be living with your wedding photos for the rest of your life, and it would be a terrible shame to hate the way you look in your pictures. Some salons may allow you to transfer a deposit from one gown to another, but most will not. In that case, you can sell the first gown online and treat yourself to the wedding dress that you really love. Just promise yourself that you will really stop shopping after that!

How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Gown?

In standard wedding budget tools, it is recommended that 10% of the wedding budget be allocated to attire. Some people take that to mean all of the wedding attire, including the groom’s, particularly when the bride and groom are paying for their own wedding. If the bride’s parents are picking up the wedding tab, it would be reasonable to assume that the 10% figure applies only to the bridal ensemble, since the few items for which the groom is responsible (his attire, bride’s wedding band and bouquet, wedding gifts) would fall outside of their budget.

When people say that 10% of the wedding budget should be set aside for the bride’s attire, they mean her entire bridal ensemble, including the wedding gown, veil, crystal bridal jewelry, shoes, headpiece, and even the alterations on the gown. All of those little extras can really add up. For instance, if you were planning a $20,000 wedding and spent the entire 10% for attire on a $2000 gown, you could easily end up over budget by $500 or more with the accessories and alterations. The choices would either be to select a less costly gown, or to purchase the accessories with funds from the “extras” category, which should have a cushion of about 8% of your total wedding budget. Some brides also get around this problem by asking for wedding accessories like their crystal bridal jewelry or shoes for their birthday or as a holiday gift.

A lot of what will determine the right price point for your bridal gown depends on what is important to you. To some brides, nothing short of a made-to-order silk gown will do. Going back to the example of the $20,000 wedding, $2000 would be rock bottom for the gown desired, and closer to $4000 or even $5000 would be more realistic, especially for a gown with lace or beadwork. Those women may need to allot more than the standard 10% of their budget towards attire. That is perfectly fine, as long as the wedding budget is set up that way from the beginning. There are always other areas where you can trim expenses, as long as they do not detract from entertaining your guests graciously.

On the other hand, some women would not dream of spending thousands of dollars for a dress which they will wear only one time. For those women, spending less than 10% of their budget on attire might feel more comfortable. A great money-saving tip is to shop for an elegant white or ivory bridesmaid or special occasion dress instead of a traditional bridal gown. Those gowns can be in the hundreds, rather than the thousands, of dollars. Of course, a less expensive dress will not feature the same elaborate details as a designer gown, nor will the quality of the fabric or construction be identical. So it really comes down to where your priorities are. As long as you put your wedding budget towards the things which mean the most to you, however much you choose to spend on your wedding gown will be the right choice for you.

Preppy Bride Alert: New Lilly Pulitzer Wedding Gowns

Preppy brides, your dreams have finally come true! Every preppy gal’s favorite designer, Lilly Pulitzer, has created her very own line of wedding gowns, set to debut in select bridal salons in early 2011. Get inspired for a pink and green wedding with the most perfect preppy bridal gowns ever created.

Like all Lilly dresses, the new bridal collection has an informal and lighthearted spirit. It is not a collection of princess ball gowns with heavy beading, but rather a group of gowns which are perfect for all the places one would usually wear their Lilly, like Nantucket, Palm Beach, or a seaside resort. The silhouettes are primarily slender A-lines; there is nothing extremely poufy nor anything skin-tight. In short, the gowns are ideal for a preppy bride who loves simple elegance. Kind of like a Lilly party dress, only full length and just a tad dressier.

The standout feature of Lilly’s new bridal gowns is the use of lace. All Lilly lovers know how beautifully her collection has always used a heavy 1960s inspired lace, and the collection makes good use of it.  Paired with the simple strapless or cap sleeve silhouettes, it is a gorgeous look for a bride who wants a perfect afternoon wedding gown. The wedding gown which is destined to become an instant classic is a strapless gown with a slim A-line skirt and a natural waist; the gown is created from the signature Lilly lace in white over a soft pink satin lining. Finished off with a pink sash at the waist, it is quite possibly the most perfect preppy wedding gown ever made! Add a classic pearl necklace and a bouquet of pink peonies and you will be good to go.

What to pair with all this Lilly fabulousness for bridesmaid dresses? More Lilly, of course! The natural companion to a Lilly Pulitzer wedding gown is pink and green bridesmaid dresses in one of her exuberant patterns. They suit the relatively informal style of the Lilly bridal gowns, and of course you can be sure that these will be the bridesmaid dresses that will definitely be worn time and time again. Pick up some matching Lilly ties for the men and a mini Lilly dress for the flower girl, and your wedding will be nothing short of preppy perfection!

The Most Slimming Wedding Gowns

Without question, the most important thing any bride will buy for her wedding is her bridal gown. It is also a certainty that the most important factor in choosing the perfect gown is how figure flattering it is. After all, all the beading and lace in the world will not make you look great if the cut of the gown does not suit your body shape. These are some tips on what makes wedding gowns flattering, and how to find the most slimming gown for your figure.

There is one thing which makes a bridal gown universally flattering, and that is a boned bodice. Light boning under a fabric like silk organza will help the gown hold its form and keep it from turning into a wrinkled mess (not to say that it won’t wrinkle at all, but the boning will at least hold the fabric more taut). The more heavy boning which is found in any well made strapless gown does incredible things for the bride’s figure. The structure of the bodice will tuck a tummy, lift the bust, and smooth out all of the little squishy bits that most women have.

On the lower half, an A-line skirt is the most slimming shape. The angles of the A glide over the hips, creating a more streamlined appearance. For brides who are top heavy or have a straight figure, the A shape on the bottom does a nice job of creating a more balanced hourglass figure. Ladies with fuller lower halves should be wary of the trendy trumpet skirts, which really emphasize the behind. On the flip side, a very fitted trumpet gown can also be problematic for the bride with a flat tush who cannot fill out the curves of the silhouette. The A-line, however, flatters all shapes and sizes beautifully.

The neckline of a bridal gown can also be very slimming, if chosen well. Just as the A-line gives a streamlined look to the lower half, a V-neck can do the same for the upper body. The neat thing about a V-neckline is that it can be incorporated into a variety of styles. There is the traditional V with a wide strap, of course. Then there is a portrait neckline or tip-of-the-shoulder gown, which has a very wide open neck which tapers to a V shape in the center. Halter gowns can also come to a V in the center of the neckline. A pair of crystal chandelier earrings would be a stunning accompaniment to a halter, and will elongate the neck. When you know all the tricks heading into wedding gown shopping, it becomes much easier to know which gowns are likely to be flattering.

Bridal Gown Colors

In the world of bridal gowns, there is white, and then there is…white. Diamond white, silk white, and natural white are just a few variations on the classic white wedding gown. A pure silk gown will never be bright white, because that is not the natural color of the fiber, even when bleached. The slightly softer shade of silk white is much gentler on most skin tones than the bright white with a bluish undertone that is often seen in polyester gowns. Whatever shade of white is available in a wedding dress, it will tend to look best on brides with darker or olive skin tones, or women with dark hair and pale skin.

Ivory is the next most popular color for wedding gowns after white. Nearly every gown will be available in a shade of ivory or cream, unless it has a special feature which would make it impossible. Some lace trims, for instance, are only created in white, so a gown with that embellishment would only be made using white fabric to match the lace. Ivory tends to have a slightly yellow undertone and looks wonderful on blondes and most redheads. The yellow undertones of ivory can, however, bring out sallow tones in olive skinned women, so they should stick with white or choose a deeper color like champagne. Always see a fabric swatch before ordering a gown in ivory; while most fabrics look lovely in that shade, some will be far too yellow. Also take care that if you are looking at pearl bridal jewelry sets that you select one which is similar in tone to your gown, rather than a strong white.

Champagne is another option for many wedding gowns. The deeper color is particularly nice for evening or winter weddings, although it might look out of place at a summer afternoon wedding. The rich color pairs especially well with luxurious fabrics like silk satin and silk shantung, which will play up the luster of the color. Champagne usually has a slightly brownish or pinkish undertone, rather than the yellowish tones found in ivory. As a result, it is a flattering color for women who find that ivory makes them look sallow. This sophisticated color is also very popular with second time brides who want a gown in a color other than pure white which still has a very “bridal” feel to it.

Last, but not least, consider the season when selecting a color for your wedding gown. The white which washes you out in the dead of winter might look fresh and crisp with a light tan in the summer. Warmer colors are often preferred for cold weather weddings, although the right shade of white is perfect for a sparkling Winter Wonderland theme wedding.

Pick the Perfect Wedding Gown Shape for Your Shape

Column or Sheath: This is the most narrow wedding gown silhouette, and accordingly it is best suited to brides who are slender. Column gowns often feature empire waists which hit just under the bustline, with straight skirts which go straight down without a flare. Sheath dresses tend to be made of more clingy fabrics than column gowns and are the sexiest of all the wedding dress silhouettes. Both shapes are very flattering for petite brides, as they are elongating. Brides who are pear shaped or top heavy would be wise to choose a different style.

A-line: The A-line gown is extremely flattering to virtually every figure. The A-line refers to the shape of the skirt, which is of a medium fullness, and has a silhouette which resembles the letter A: nipped in at the waist, gently flared over the hips, and fuller at the hemline. A-line skirts can be paired with natural waists or drop waists, which adds to their versatility. They are a great choice for pear shaped brides, petite brides, tall brides (especially with a drop waist), and any bride who wants a gown which has some fullness, but not too much.

Ballgown: The ballgown is the most traditional and the fullest of the wedding gown shapes. They generally feature very fitted bodices and very full skirts. The skirt will be supported by a petticoat or crinoline and is magnificent for a formal wedding. The full cut of a ballgown skirt may be created by gathering or pleating at the top of the skirt to increase the fullness. Wonderful for a fairy princess style wedding, the ballgown is ideal for brides who love to dress up with lots of crystal bridal jewelry and long veils. On the other hand, if your wedding is less formal, this can simply be too much dress. Petite brides should be careful about ballgowns, as they can end up being swallowed up by too much fabric.

Mermaid or Trumpet: Brides who really want to make a dramatic entrance adore the trumpet shape bridal gown. Very fitted through the bodice and into a very low dropped waist, the skirt then flares out dramatically at the low hip or just above the knee. This shape is very striking and works well with bold accessories like crystal bridal jewelry and long cascade bouquets. Tall brides with well-balanced hourglass figures can really rock a mermaid gown, but petite or pear shaped brides should steer clear of this somewhat challenging shape.

Romantic Illusion Neckline Wedding Gowns

Are you looking for a wedding gown which is elegant, romantic, and timeless? Something different than the typical strapless bridal gown? Then take a look at some of the latest illusion neckline wedding gowns, which have a special ladylike charm.

An illusion neckline is one which is created using a sheer fabric, usually either organza or a fine net or tulle. The thing that is so wonderful about a bridal gown with an illusion neckline is that it allows the dress to have real straps without looking too heavy or covered up. For brides who are uncomfortable wearing strapless or who simply want something a bit more modest, a sheer neckline can be the perfect answer. It allows you to have a bit more coverage and structure in the gown, yet does not look too covered up or conservative.

One of the most intriguing things about illusion neckline wedding gowns is that they can also be quite dramatic. The sheer fabric can be used to provide structure over a plunging back or daring low cut bodice. On a gown which would otherwise be very tricky to wear, the stability of the sheer organza or net makes it structurally practical. This is an effect frequently used in the world of figure skating, and it works just as well for a wedding gown. It allows a bride to have fun trying a style which is daring, yet not scandalous!

Oftentimes, an illusion panel will be embellished with light beadwork. It can be absolutely breathtaking to see a sheer fabric which twinkles and sparkles with the glow of many tiny crystals. The effect against the skin which is visible through the illusion material is just gorgeous. Play up the crystal detail with fabulous crystal bridal jewelry to match. The overall effect will be a truly sophisticated and elegant bridal ensemble.

Princess Style Wedding Gowns

What elevates a bridal gown into something so regal that it makes the lucky bride wearing it feel like a princess for a day? The answer is drama! A true princess wedding gown must have outstanding features that make all of your guests’ jaws drop and will leave your groom speechless. In other words, it must have that “wow” factor that will cause everyone in the church to gasp when you take your first step down the aisle. There is more than one special feature that can have this marvelous impact; here is a look at the top details.

Elaborate embellishment is one thing that will set a bridal gown apart. Think about it, when you see a royal wedding, they will always have the finest of everything, including lavish embroidery, exquisite lace, and opulent crystal beading. Sparkle is definitely a plus, as is silver embroidery or silver lace. A true princess style wedding dress has details that just look rich, and that are impressive enough that they will be instantly noticed. Subtlety has its place, to be sure, just not on a royal style bridal gown!

Another fabulous feature to look for in a princess wedding gown is a show-stopping train. Your wedding may well be the only day in your life that you get to wear a dress with a long train on it, so why not go all out? If your ceremony will take place in a grand venue with a long aisle, a cathedral length train will look impressive. Many of the best princess style wedding dresses have trains that are not especially long, but which have amazing details. There is nothing like a mountain of cascading ruffles to give your gown a stately presence when you glide down the aisle.

Once you have found a wedding gown to love, don’t forget to plan your accessories. They will certainly add to the overall impact of the dress you have selected. Every princess needs a crown, after all. Choose a bridal tiara with plenty of sparking crystals. To complement the tiara, glittering Swarovski crystal necklaces will hit the perfect note. When wearing a strapless gown, bold multi-strand necklaces of Swarovski crystal are amazing, or opt for a large crystal drop to highlight a V-neck. Finish it off with a fabulous pair of Swarovski crystal earrings and a bracelet to catch the light when you move. Gorgeous!

Winter Wonderland Wedding Attire

Planning a Winter Wonderland theme wedding? Great! It is a fabulous and festive theme for a wedding in the cold winter months. A Winter Wonderland wedding needs equally fabulous attire for the bridal party; here is a guide to the most spectacular outfits for everyone from the bride on down.

The hallmarks of a Winter Wonderland wedding are icy sparkle and plenty of shimmer. This is a very fun idea to capture in a bridal gown. Look for a lustrous white silk gown, rather than one in ivory or champagne. Choose a style that has a grand presence, such as a very full ballgown with a box pleated skirt. Then think about the details. Silver embroidery and crystal beadwork are a must!

No wedding gown is complete without the perfect finishing touches. A sparkling headpiece is great for a Winter Wonderland bride. Choose a tiara, a double headband, a festive comb, or a set of hairpins. Crystals and rhinestones can be mixed with tiny pearls for the perfect icy snowflake look. In fact, you can even get hairpins or other jewelry that is made in the shape of a snowflake. A snowflake pendant is a fantastic gift idea for your bridesmaids. You will want plenty of other twinkling touches, too, such as stacks of Swarovski crystal bracelets, chandelier earrings, and a fabulous crystal necklace.

The bridesmaids for a Winter Wonderland wedding should also look spectacular. As popular as red is for winter weddings, it makes too strong a contrast to the icy white palette that characterizes this theme. Opt for bridesmaid dresses in a color like silver, platinum, or champagne instead. They will look just as festive, yet will not be a distraction from the décor. Certainly the bridesmaids will also want to shimmer. Sets of Swarovski crystal bracelets, earrings, and necklaces would be the perfect finishing touch.

Fabulous Cover-Ups for Winter Brides

Brides get married at all times of the year, and yet it seems like almost all of the wedding gowns you see are strapless or sleeveless. For many women, there is an easy solution to this problem: choose your favorite gown and then accent it with a cozy cover-up. From wraps to shrugs to boleros, these are some of the most fabulous cover ups for fall and winter brides.

One thing that you really have on your side this year is fashion. Much more than in recent years, the wedding gown designers have been showing dresses with matching cover-ups.  Small fitted jackets like shrugs and boleros are one of the most popular options for bridal cover-ups this season. Many of the top designers were showing them with their bridal gowns. This style is wonderful because it fits closely to the torso, so it will not add any bulk, and it is short enough not to obscure any of the special details on your gown. A bolero can be created from a matching fabric to the gown, such as a silk satin or mikado, or it can be a sheer accent like lace or organa. The lace boleros are particularly lovely, as are those with couture details like oversized organza ruffles. For jackets with high necklines, it is best to omit a necklace and instead accessorize with a standout pair of Swarovski bridal earrings. If you need to cover your arms and shoulders for religious purposes, consult with your officiant, as a sheer jacket may not suffice.

If you are looking not for a ceremony cover up, but more for something to throw on at any time in case of a chill, a silk wrap is a great choice. They can be made in almost any weight, ranging from lightweight sheer silks for the early autumn, all the way to double layered silk satin or silk velvet for the winter months. Many of the wraps feature very special detailing; look for one that coordinates with your other accessories. For instance, if you have chosen sparkly Swarovski bridal earrings, a wrap with a crystal beaded edge would be fantastic. Brides who are having very feminine weddings might opt for a wrap with floral embroidery. Although many brides will prefer a white or ivory silk, a wrap can also be the perfect place to add a dash of color to your wedding ensemble.