Wonderful Striped Wedding Attire
Stripes are fresh and crisp, tailored and classic. They can be formal and restrained, as in a pin stripe suit. Stripes can be exuberant when they are done in a rainbow of bright colors. They can be vertical, horizontal, printed or woven, even made from ribbon embellishments. With all this variety, it is no wonder that stripes are one of the best patterns to choose when dressing your wedding party.
You can find some amazing striped dresses for your bridesmaids. The most classic are a two color stripe, woven in a fairly stiff fabric. This looks fantastic for a knee length strapless dress, in any color. If you are having a preppy wedding, pink and green stripes are perfect, especially when paired with pearl bridesmaid jewelry. For summer weddings, you cannot beat the fresh and easy look of seersucker striped bridesmaid dresses, in pink and white or blue and white. The classic elegance of pearl bridesmaid jewelry also looks pretty with this style of dress, and will not compete with the patterned fabric.
For a formal wedding, I love the look of a ball skirt made from wide tonal stripes (which have a very subtle contrast between colors). Rich gold tones created in wide vertical stripes look magnificent and grand. The top of the ensemble can be a fitted strapless or square neck top in a solid color that matches one of the stripes, a cashmere twinset, or even a white wrap blouse in a dressy taffeta. The last style also works beautifully for the mother of the bride or groom.
The men in the wedding will also look handsome in stripes. A very subtle pinstripe or even a chalk stripe suit can be a nice option for a fairly formal wedding which is not black tie. Just be sure that the effect is not overly business like, and avoid double breasted pinstripe styles, which look more mafioso than stylish. A solid suit can be made more interesting with the addition of a striped shirt. This looks especially nice for a summer wedding when the groom and his groomsmen will be wearing linen suits. A pastel striped shirt adds a nice detail to the mix. And of course, don’t forget about dressing up a solid suit and shirt with a boldly striped repp tie.
Even the bride can get into the act. A white on white seersucker stripe would be fresh and beautiful for a spring or summer bridal gown. The detail is very subtle, but so pretty when seen up close. You can also find some wonderful wedding dresses which have horizontal or vertical bands of lace, which creates a striped effect. Pearl bridal jewelry with crystal accents would be a lovely finishing touch, especially if the lace is beaded.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Bridesmaid Jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: bridal gowns, bridesmaid dress, groom, pearl bridesmaid jewelry, stripes, wedding attire | Comment (0)Dramatic Fabric Embellished Bridal Gowns
Bridal gowns this season offer some incredibly unique and distinctive elements. Many of the most intriguing details are created from fabric that matches the body of the gown. These are some of the wonderful fabric embellishments that you will find on bridal gowns, from the dreamy to the dramatic.
Floral motifs are huge in bridal this year, and so are the flowers! Big, bigger, and biggest is the order of the day when it comes to floral accents on wedding gowns. Picture a layered organza gown with one enormous flower on the skirt. Or a graceful one shoulder dress with a corsage of exaggerated blossoms cascading over the shoulder and down the back. The most subtle floral effect that you will find is a voluminous organdy ballgown covered in hundreds of three dimensional floral appliques. The really terrific thing about all of these feminine floral extravaganzas is that they can easily work for weddings as diverse as an afternoon garden wedding or a formal evening affair.
Designers are also doing some intricate work in pleating, scalloping, and ruffling for brides this year. Some of the styles can be very bold and dramatic. If you are thinking about wearing a gown with a striking cascade of scallops down the train or a wild profusion of ruffles, the key to pulling it off is to really own the look. Choose your accessories wisely to complement your unique gown. Custom bridal Swarovski necklaces will make it possible to have a wedding day necklace that is as distinctive as your gown. One of the best things about bridal necklaces that are custom made from Swarovski crystals is that they will give you a bold look at a small price so you can splurge on your dream dress.
Another special detail to look for in this season’s crop of gowns is an impressive train. The aforementioned scalloped train is one option. You can also check out some of the dresses that pair a slender gown with a billowing train. This is a great way to have a dramatic ceremony gown without being encumbered by a large and heavy dress during the reception; some of these styles feature removable Watteau trains.
Indulge your romantic side with a frothy chiffon gown, or treat yourself to a gown made from numerous organza pleats or one with a billowing organza skirt. Any of this season’s dramatic and yet ultra-feminine gowns will help you to feel chic and gorgeous on your wedding day.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: bridal gowns, custom bridal Swarovski crystal necklaces, wedding dress | Comment (0)Luxurious Bridal Lace
Lace has always been a favorite of brides. It is prized for its beautiful designs, romantic feeling, and fine needlework. Whether you use a lot of lace or just a few accents, it will add a sense of luxury and elegance to your wedding.
Of course the most obvious way to use lace in a wedding is on a bridal gown. There are a variety of different effects that can be created with lace, depending on which type is chosen, and how it is used. One of the most classic styles is to appliqué sections of Alencon or Venise lace to the bodice and hem of a wedding gown. For a fresh daytime look, keep the lace details delicate. If you prefer a more formal or grand effect, use a wider border of lace on the hem of the gown, and heavily bead it with crystal and pearl beads to match the bridal jewelry.
Lace is a beautiful addition to many parts of a wedding beyond the bride’s attire. A romantic bouquet of sweetpeas or lily-of-the-valley would look amazing finished off with a wide lace ribbon. This idea would work equally well for the bridesmaids’ bouquets, perhaps in a colored piece of lace. Another lovely way to use lace in your wedding ceremony is as a runner. Lace aisle runners can easily be rented from your florist and create a very pretty path for the processional.
At the reception, lace is a wonderful accent for the tables. An ivory lace cloth laid over a solid tablecloth will look romantic and luxurious. For the solid underlayment, choose a color in a contrasting color to help showcase the design on the lace. Pale blue or yellow look fresh and summery under a crisp white lace; a deep tan color is elegant and understated when paired with an ivory lace.
Small squares or circles of lace can used to wrap the wedding favors. You can also purchase or make tiny lace drawstring bags, which are ideal for the classic wedding favor of Jordan almonds. The lace squares would be pretty packaging for any type of favor, and are especially fitting for a country wedding.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal gowns, lace, pearl bridal jewelry, wedding bouquets, wedding decor | Comment (0)Creative Places to Shop for Bridal Gowns
When shopping for bridal gowns, most brides will usually go traditional bridal salons. When you want a classic wedding dress, this is a great option, but for brides looking for a more simple gown, a bridal shop may not be your only choice. These are some ideas on creative places to shop for bridal gowns.
Many of the newest bridal gowns on the runways are inspired by vintage fashion. If this appeals to you, why not go right to the source? It is possible to find stunning wedding gowns at vintage or antique shops for a fraction of the cost of a new vintage inspired gown. When shopping for vintage, it is important to be educated about what you are looking at. Inspect the gowns carefully for damage, dry rot (often seen in lace), or embellishments that are glued on instead of stitched on (common in the 1970s, and a very big problem when it comes to cleaning and alterations). Find out if the vintage shop will let you buy a gown on approval to take to your seamstress to see if it can be altered to fit you properly.
Women today love the ease of shopping online, and many will use the internet as a starting point when seeking out a wedding dress and bridal jewelry. You will often find very nice bridal accessories, such as crystal jewelry, veils, and shoes available online, but be cautious about buying a wedding gown sight unseen. The best source for internet gowns is a well-known retailer that has a special occasion collection, like J Crew. They offer chic streamlined styles for the modern bride, as well as easy return policies, in case you don’t love the dress when it arrives. Unlike some of the so-called “discount” online gown retailers, when you go with a well-known clothing company, you will know that they are reputable.
When you are looking for a gown that is offbeat or non-traditional, also check out your local boutiques. Especially in major cities, there are little shops that carry unique and beautiful styles appropriate for weddings or other special occasions. You might just find the perfect little beaded or hand-sewn dress that will give you the one-of-a-kind look that you have always imagined.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal gowns, Bridal Jewelry, wedding dress shopping | Comment (0)