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.

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.

Pink and Black Wedding Style

Pink and black make a striking pair. Pink is soft and ultra-feminine, where black is dark and sophisticated. When the two are put together, you get a high contrast and high style palette that will add instant flair to your wedding.

There are some great ways in which pink and black can be used for a wedding. One idea is to go with a retro 1950s theme. The color combination of pink and black was very popular in mid century fashion, and it can provide a really cool look for a wedding. Picture the bridesmaids in knee length pink satin strapless cocktail dresses with black tulle peeking out from the hem. Add a black sash at the waist with an oversized fabric flower for a lovely detail. Finish off their look with custom bridal jewelry made from pink Swarovski pearls and jet black crystals.

Pink and black can also have a wonderful modern Victoriana flavor. This would be wonderful for a formal or evening wedding. Use motifs like intricate swirls, scrollwork, and brocade designs. A pink background with thin black scrolls would be an elegant and chic design around which to base your wedding. You could start by using it for the wedding invitations, and branch out from there.

There are some marvelous things you could do for wedding flowers with these colors. Any flower you could ever desire is available in pink. For the bridal bouquets, trim the flower stems with braided pink and black satin ribbons. Or add drama to an evening wedding by combining glamorous black feathers with pink flowers for centerpieces and bouquets.

Your wedding cake is a perfect place to showcase your wedding colors and design scheme. A pink fondant cake can be decorated with black in a variety of gorgeous ways. One of the most elegant would be a modern damask pattern. For something more dainty, try tiny black Swiss dots on a pink cake. Trim each layer with a gum paste ribbon and “bow”. Have fun planning a marvelous wedding all done in shades of pink and black.

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.

Pregnant Brides

The fact of the matter is that you see more and more pregnant brides these days. Once held as a deep secret, a pre-marital pregnancy is now seen as more of a fact of life (not to mention often a reason for getting married). So when a baby on the way makes three, how does a bride go about planning the perfect wedding?

Timing is everything when you are tying to manage a wedding and a pregnancy. It is far better to plan a simple affair that you can get organized in a few months than to try to plan a lavish reception that will mean pushing the wedding date into your final months of pregnancy. By those last days, all you will want to do is sit on the sofa with your feet up; trying to fit into a fancy gown and wearing dressy (in other words, uncomfortable) shoes for hours and hours will be the last thing you feel like doing. If a large reception is important to you or your parents, have an intimate wedding now, and the lavish party after the baby is born.

Speaking of the wedding gown, this can be one of the biggest challenges for a pregnant bride. The first step is to find a really good seamstress, because fitting your gown will be a little trickier than most. When you select your gown, be generous when estimating how much extra room you will need as your belly expands. Remember that you can easily take something in, but letting dresses out may not always be an option. Shop for gowns that have embellishments like lace appliques that can be easily stitched on at the last minute once your gown has been fit to you.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time, but for most women it is not the time in their lives when they feel their most glamorous. Give yourself a boost by treating yourself to something sparkly like a pair of handmade Swarovski crystal earrings. The great thing about jewelry is that it always fits perfectly, no alterations needed! And on days when you are feeling a bit drab, a fabulous pair of handmade Swarovski crystal earrings could be just the spark that you need to restore that beautiful bridal radiance to your face.

Finally, try to take it easy. Do not let planning your dream wedding stress you out or wear you down. Remember to enjoy the process, and look forward to your perfect little family to come.

Serene Blue Wedding Accents

We all know that weddings can be almost as stressful as they are magical. Wouldn’t it be nice if your wedding could feel like a peaceful oasis? Color can have a profound influence on the way we feel, and it can be a wonderful tool to create the mood that you desire for your wedding. A great place to start creating your own blissful wedding is with these serene blue accents.

A gentle pale blue is incredibly easy to use in a wedding, and it combines seamlessly with other colors.  The wonderful thing about this color combination is that it can be used for almost any style of wedding. It can be stunning for a formal wedding when you use luxe patterns like a silver and blue damask motif. Or it can be very Zen and modern when combined with contemporary elements and accents. The choice is entirely yours.

The serene blue also combines wonderfully with lavender for a bit more depth. You won’t find many flowers that come in a true ice-blue shade, but there are some lovely feminine flowers that are bluish-lavender. Some of the prettiest blossoms include, classic hydrangeas, grape-like muscari, lovely delphinium, and ruffly sweetpeas. Create a bouquet combining the different bluish shades, or choose a single type of flower, and use a mixture of white and blue blooms.

Of course the bride will want to feel as serene as possible on her wedding day, so a touch of relaxing blue on the bridal gown would be a wonderful idea. A simple blue sash at the waist is a pretty way to introduce a colored accent into the bridal ensemble. And don’t forget about a special set of custom bridal jewelry incorporating your signature color. Pale blue crystals look divine when used in combination with radiant white pearls for an unforgettable set of bridal jewelry that was custom made just for you.

There are numerous other ways that a serene blue can be used in the wedding.  A sea of pale blue details will help to create a tranquil and blissful environment in which to celebrate your marriage surrounded by your nearest and dearest.

Saving on Wedding Attire

Every bride wants to look as beautiful as possible on her wedding day, and yet doing so need not mean going deep into debt for a designer gown with all of the trimmings. It is definitely possible to find affordable wedding attire for both the bride and her attendants while keeping the budget in check. Here are some suggestions on the best ways to save on your wedding attire.

One of the best ways to keep your expenses under control is to think creatively. For instance, if you are a bride who is seeking a simple but elegant gown, you may find some fabulous choices available in the evening wear department of your favorite boutique or department store. There will often be some stunning styles available in many of the most popular bridal fabrics like wispy chiffon or flowing charmeuse. Not only will you pay less, but you will have access to all of the latest trends and styles.

Bridesmaid dresses are not just for bridesmaids any more. Did you know that many bridesmaid dresses can also be ordered in white or ivory? You can find a huge array of styles and fabrics, including satin, organza, or crepe. Bridesmaid collections are also easy to order in virtually any size, and take much less time to come in that wedding gowns. This means that you can save both time and money!

Of course, since you are working to save on your attire, you will want to find great accessories that will not break the bank. This can actually be easier than you may expect. Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry is a great option. It will definitely help to transform your dress into one that says, “bride”, and yet it is also quite affordable. Choose a sparkling crystal headpiece, dramatic bridal earrings, and finish off your jewelry set with a pretty necklace and a bracelet or two. Top with a simple veil, and you will look every bit the beautiful bride.

Boots and Black Tie Weddings

If you are a Texan, you probably know just what I mean by a boots and black tie wedding. The literal meaning of a boots and black tie wedding or event is that the gentlemen wear black tie attire, but instead of the traditional shoes, they wear a great pair of cowboy boots (your dressy black cowboy boots, please, not the scuffed up ones that you wear working on the ranch!). At this type of party, the ladies will also wear very elegant attire, most often long dresses, but they are also free to add some character to their outfits, as well. Western inspired details are the most common choice, and some of the ladies may also decide to wear a very fancy pair of boots as well under a long full skirt.

The spirit of a boots and black tie wedding is one of relaxed elegance. In other words, it is black tie, which is formal, and yet, festive, fun, and above all, never stuffy. The bride can wear any gown that strikes her fancy, although with the men in black tie, it needs to be fairly dressy. An all-over lace gown can be the perfect answer, and if the skirt is full enough, the bride can even wear her own pair of boots under it (this is cute under a full skirt, because the boots will only peek out once in a while). To bring the look back down to earth, unique handcrafted bridal jewelry is great, as is a loose hairstyle.

Part of the spirit of relaxed elegance will be achieved by the music at the wedding. You definitely want a great band for dancing to really get the good times rolling. If you are a true daughter of Texas, you might go with a hot country band. Brides who are not country music fans could consider another style of music with a folksy edge that will get the toes tapping, such as zydeco or Irish folk music. What to avoid? Anything too stuffy like classical music.

Food is always a big part of the festivities at a wedding.  Choose a whimsical cake topper to perch atop your dessert, such as a little bride and groom dressed in formal attire with cowboy boots (this is the type of thing that you can custom order from a website like etsy).

A boots and black tie wedding is a fun twist on the traditional formal black tie wedding. It is one of the rare occasions in life where you can have your cake and eat it, too; an elegant and stylish wedding that is also festive and fun. Whether you are a native son or daughter of the Lone Star State, or are just looking for inspiration for a great wedding theme, a boots and black tie wedding might be just what you have been looking for.

Chinese Wedding Customs

Chinese weddings are rich with traditions, symbolism, and rituals. If you have Chinese heritage or are marrying a person who does, it would be wonderful to incorporate some Chinese wedding customs into your own special day. These are some tips on how to plan a beautiful East meets West wedding.

Red is the lucky color for Chinese brides and grooms, and this is a great place to begin with your East meets West celebration. Chinese brides will traditionally wear gorgeous red silk cheongsams for their weddings. Many Chinese-American brides will choose to wear the cheongsam during the ceremony, and then change to a classic white wedding gown and bridal jewelry for the reception (or vice versa).

You can pay tribute to your Chinese heritage in the flowers that you use for the bouquets and centerpieces as well. Some of the favored flowers for Chinese brides are peonies, orchids, and lotus blossoms. The combination of plum blossoms and butterflies stands for long life, and these symbols would make a lovely addition to your centerpieces. A beautiful silk butterfly perched on a plum blossom would make a wonderful surprise accent in your floral displays.

Speaking of symbolism, it is very important in Chinese rites of passage. The double happiness symbol is one that is perfect to use in a wedding. You can set the tone with a rich red double happiness sign embossed on your invitations. The symbol can also be used to decorate the wedding cake, on the favor boxes, as well as on the programs, menus, and placecards.

There are many other wonderful Chinese wedding traditions to think about using in your wedding. They range from décor like paper lanterns to photos in memory of ancestors to exciting performances involving firecrackers, drums, or lion dancers. Whether you decide to have an authentic Chinese wedding, or just to incorporate a few of the customs, it will be sure to make your wedding day more meaningful and memorable.

The Modern Bridal Trousseau

In times gone by, every young woman worked on assembling her bridal trousseau, even before she became engaged. Filling a hope chest full of exquisitely embroidered linens and nightgowns is not something that most brides today bother with. However, there is still a place in today’s weddings for a modern version of the bridal trousseau.

A bridal trousseau should be filled with elegant fine lingerie and nightwear. Sexy is great, too, but keep it tasteful. Particularly for the wedding night, it is better to wear a nightgown that is seductive, and yet a touch demure. This is why white is such a popular color for the wedding night lingerie.

As for the specific pieces to shop for, the classic wedding night ensemble is a white silk nightgown, often with a robe over it. Many brides love the elegance of a long nightie, sometimes even with a train, but shorter ones are also a great option. Wedding night pieces usually have some beautiful details that set them apart from everyday nightgowns, such as fine lace (often in sheer panels), chiffon accents, and cuts that reveal just enough. The trousseau robe is generally created from the same luxurious and seductive materials, and is a far cry from the terrycloth robe that you throw on after a shower.

The nice thing about having the two piece bridal trousseau set is that it is like the wrapping on a present. When you emerge in your white silk ensemble, perhaps with your hair down, but still wearing the wedding jewelry that your groom gave you, you will be a vision to behold. (And the pair of pearl earrings that you wore for your wedding jewelry will add that touch of elegance to your trousseau.) Your first time alone together as husband and wife is a momentous occasion, and it deserves to be treated as such.