Ultra Formal White Tie Weddings

Many people assume that a black tie wedding is the most formal type of event that there is. Actually, this is not the case; the white tie wedding is the most elegant and formal. Properly held only in winter evenings, white tie weddings are the pinnacle of style for a wedding celebration.

The formality of a white tie wedding begins with the invitation. Select an ultra-conservative white or ecru invitation with either a triple embossed panel design or a gold border. The wedding invitation wording should definitely be engraved, and this is a time to use a very ornate script font. The words used on the invitation should be traditional, not creative or modern, and the notation “White tie” should appear in the lower right hand corner, opposite the R.s.v.p. line on the left.

So what does it actually mean to dress in white tie attire? The gentlemen will wear a very formal tuxedo with a cutaway jacket and a white bowtie. Top hat and gloves are optional. The bride should choose a gown with a full ballskirt, a long train, and ornate details. A gown with heavy silver embroidery and lavish beading on both the bodice and the hem would be perfect for such a grand occasion. Accessories matter, too. Look for spectacular pieces such as custom bridal Swarovski necklaces. And don’t forget the long white gloves, which are de rigeur for the bride at a white tie affair.

And then there are the flowers. They should be plentiful and very ornately arranged. Loads of roses overflowing from tall silver vases are gorgeous. You can even go with a fanciful tablescape that features a small tree created from gold or silver painted branches. Decorate it with hanging crystal teardrops and fresh orchids for a centerpiece that will truly impress. The most traditional color for the flowers would be white, but a deep red or even an eggplant color would be equally stunning.

Pop the cork on the Champagne, dish out the caviar, and you will be ready to get your fabulous white tie wedding underway. It is a marvelous way to celebrate the start of a new marriage. One thing is certain: there is nothing more stylish than a grand white tie wedding.

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.

Affordable Destination Weddings

The most important thing to decide when you are having a destination wedding is the location. This is where a lot of couples can run into budget problems. However, if you keep an open mind, you can find alternatives that will have some of the features you like about a pricier destination, while remaining more affordable. For instance, let’s say that you love the excitement and glamour of Las Vegas, but live on the East Coast. Instead of incurring the expense of flying out to Vegas (not only for the bride and groom, but for everyone attending the wedding), look into booking a fabulous resort in Atlantic City instead.

Another way to keep your destination wedding affordable is to look for an area that has a range of hotel prices. In some regions, all of the resorts are incredibly expensive, but in similarly beautiful places, you can find resorts that are nice but not outrageous. You can even plan to have your wedding and honeymoon suite at the more exclusive resort, and then move to a less pricey hotel for the rest of your honeymoon. Your guests will also appreciate having a few options for hotel rooms.

When you are getting married at the beach, nature is so beautiful that you do not need to go crazy with a fancy gown or over-the-top decorations. Stick with locally grown flowers for the best prices. Rather than choosing a bridal gown that is heavy with fancy adornments, select one that is pretty, but simple. It will not only save you money, it will suit your location better. You can also cut costs on your accessories for an outdoor wedding. Instead of splurging on diamonds, look into custom bridal Swarovski necklaces.

There are plenty of ways to have the destination wedding of your dreams while working within a budget. All it takes is a little creativity and flexibility. Before you know it, you will be saying your vows in a beautiful location, just as you have always imagined.

Sexy Mermaid Bridal Gowns

Are you looking for a bridal gown with that “wow” factor? The dress that will make your fiance’s jaw drop when you walk down the aisle? Then look no further than the sexy mermaid style bridal gown.

A mermaid gown is a silhouette that is fitted through the bodice and the hips, and then flares out into a fuller skirt at the knee. Mermaid gowns are usually made of fabrics that can hold their shape, such as satin, lace, or tulle, to really emphasis the signature flared hem. It is a style that is made for a bride who wants to make a dramatic grand entrance.

Wearing a mermaid gown is not going to be for everyone. You have to be comfortable with your figure, and with having a lot of attention drawn to your hips. This can actually be a shape that is flattering on a variety of different figures. Girls who are blessed with great curves will look eye-poppingly gorgeous in a sexy mermaid gown. Brides who have more straight figures will find that a mermaid style can add the look of curves to their frame. The one category of bride who should avoid a mermaid gown at all costs is the pear shape.

Because the mermaid gown does have a glamorous feeling, you will want to choose accessories that are equally fabulous. For your wedding jewelry, look for custom bridal Swarovski necklaces. The sparkle of Swarovksi crystals will add the drama that you want in custom bridal necklaces. When the piece is handcrafted just for you, it also allows you to make changes so that the necklace is a perfect match to the style of your gown. Finish the look with dazzling crystal earrings and a matching bracelet.

You can’t beat the mermaid style bridal gown for drama, elegance, and sensuality. It is a style that always stays in fashion because of how great it makes a woman look and feel. If you want to be drop dead gorgeous on your wedding day, then definitely give the mermaid shape a try.

The Best Dresses for Busty Brides

Let’s face it, ladies: sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much! If nature endowed you with a bit too much in the bust department, flattering your figure is probably one of your top concerns when you are shopping for a wedding gown. Happily, you will find that there are many styles that will help to get your assets under control for your big day!

When you are shopping for a wedding gown that will get a large bust under control, think of structure as your best ally in reining in the girls. Run away from dresses that are filmy, unstructured, or don’t allow you to wear a great fitting bra or bustier.To get the right amount of structure in a wedding gown, look for styles that have bodices with boning and that are made from a substantial fabric,like a silk mikado. This will enable you to get a nice smooth fit that contains your chest nicely.

Choosing the right neckline is key for full-busted brides. Whenever you are trying to minimize the effect of curves, look for clothing that has strong straight lines. For example, a v-neck gown is an excellent option, as long as the neckline is not too plunging. Another flattering neckline is a portrait neckline, or a straight across strapless gown. Styles to avoid would be anything too curvy, such as deep scoopnecks or exaggerated sweetheart necklines.

Another great way to generate a flattering line on the chest is with your jewelry. The same long straight lines that work in a gown will be ideal for your bridal jewelry. To get the perfect piece, look into custom bridal Swarovski necklaces. Bridal necklaces that are custom made will ensure that you get the perfect length for your neckline, and the Swarovski crystals will ensure that they are fabulous!

It is always going to be more challenging to find the perfect wedding gown when you are not a perfect sample size. However, know that your dream dress is out there waiting for you, even if it takes you a little longer to find it.

Saving Money on Bridal Accessories

Many brides start shopping for a wedding gown with a firm budget in mind. Then they find the dress of their dreams, and the budget goes right out the window! When you have spent more than you intended on your wedding dress, you will definitely want to find ways to save money on your bridal accessories.

The first place to start is the internet. This can be a great resource for finding beautiful accessories at the best price. Let’s say that you love the look of diamonds, but just cannot justify the price. You can get a fabulous sparkle from custom bridal Swarovski necklaces at a very reasonable cost.

Another way to save money on your bridal accessories is by shopping the sales at the bridal shops. You may not be able to get the exact veil that you had envisioned, but you might end up finding a different style that works just as well. It helps to keep an open mind. Big city brides may also find that the mark-ups on veils are higher in places like New York than in the far suburbs, so it can pay to shop around.

There are some more subtle places that a bride can look to save money. One thing to keep in mind is that if you bought a designer gown, it will probably come with a petticoat already sewn in, so you can skip the expense of buying one separately. Another tip for saving on undergarments is to have the seamstress sew bust cups into your gown instead of wearing a bustier (do this only if you do not need a lot of support!).

A final way to save money on your bridal accessories is to see if you can borrow some from a friend or relative. It can be very meaningful to wear your sister’s veil or your best friend’s fur stole. The one thing that should probably not be shared is shoes, because you will really want your shoes to form to your own feet.

There are many creative ways that a bride can save on her accessories. If you look around, you will find that spending a little less on this or that can really add up in the end. It is quite possible to save money without sacrificing on style.

Custom Bridal Swarovski Necklaces

Is it possible to have fabulous and unique jewelry for your wedding without spending a fortune? Happily, the answer is yes. Brides who want a glamorous look without breaking the bank will love custom bridal Swarovski necklaces.

First of all, you should know that not all crystal jewelry is created equal. Crystals created by Swarovksi are the finest in the world. They have more sparkle, more fire, and are more precisely faceted than lesser crystals. When shopping for custom bridal Swarovksi necklaces, you will want to look for pieces that are truly handcrafted so that they can be personalized to suit your needs.

Custom jewelry may sound very expensive, but it does not have to be. Swarovksi crystals are spectacular, but reasonably priced. Combined with Swarovski pearls or freshwater pearls, you can achieve a fantastic look without going over budget. Using gleaming sterling silver or warm 14kt gold fill will make sure that your jewelry looks expensive, but isn’t.

Every bride wants to look amazing on her wedding day. But by the time you have hired the caterer, the florist, and the photographer, there might not be too much left in the budget for jewelry. Luckily you can achieve a stunning, yet affordable, effect with custom bridal Swarovski necklaces.

Two Gowns Are Better Than One!

A growing trend these days is for brides to select not one, but two wedding dresses. Is this a wee bit excessive? Perhaps. The mark of a spoiled princess? Well, maybe. (But, hey, all you princesses out there know that you are spoiled, and love it!) Is it a totally fun way to indulge your every whim on the most fabulous day of your life? Absolutely!

Sometimes, the dress that is perfect for your ceremony just doesn’t work for your reception. Often a bride loves the drama of a full ballgown for walking down the aisle, but she can’t imagine wearing something so heavy for an entire evening. The solution: pick a second dress for the reception. Choose something fun, like a beaded sheath that moves like liquid when you dance.

A great idea for your jewelry would be to have a pair of custom bridal Swarovski necklaces created. They could be made with a similar look, but with a more elaborate version for the ceremony and a simpler necklace for the reception. Or, have pearls mixed in with the crystals for a more traditional style to wear with the first gown, and go for a dazzling all-crystal effect for the second gown.

Your wedding is the one day when you really get the chance to splurge and fulfill your dreams. So go ahead, if one bridal gown just isn’t enough, treat yourself to a second fabulous gown!