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!
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal gowns, wedding dress regrets, wedding dresses, wedding gowns, Wedding Jewelry | Comment (0)Fall Wedding Gown and Bridesmaid Dress Ideas
Fall is a special season with its own unique flavor. Rather than wearing a summery dress, play up the feeling of autumn by selecting a wedding gown which really suits the season. While brides can certainly wear white at any time of the year, warmer tones like cream, ivory, and champagne are very attractive for fall. Women with warm undertones to their skin or blond hair often look wonderful in an ivory gown. If yellowish undertones make your skin look sallow, seek an ivory with a slightly pinkish hue or try a gown in champagne or pale mocha.
Sheer fabrics like organza and chiffon really are not appropriate for autumn. They are just too light and summery. Better choices for fall wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses include silk shantung, dupioni, mikado, taffeta, lace, and satin. For a late autumn ceremony (say around Thanksgiving), velvet is another excellent choice. If you like the fluid drape of chiffon, substitute a heavy silk crepe instead. You will get beautiful movement in a seasonally appropriate weight.
Heavier laces such as Alencon or Venise are more fall-ish than lightweight Chantilly lace. The richness of a beautiful lace is a gorgeous addition to an autumn bridal gown. Lace isn’t only for brides. There are also some marvelous lace bridesmaid dresses available. A chocolate brown lace over a mocha colored lining would be absolutely stunning for the attendants. The bride could give them bridesmaid jewelry gifts made from mocha colored Swarovski crystals to complement the dresses. Another fun idea is to give fall bridesmaid gifts made from leaf shaped crystals for a great autumnal touch.
Of course if there is one thing fall is famous for, it is the rich colors. Definitely shop for bridesmaid dresses in deep or warm hues. Jewel tones are very popular right now, and classic fall shades like brown, russet, cinnamon, and cranberry are always lovely. The bride might even wish to add an embellishment to her gown in an autumn hue or surprise everyone by wearing a great pair of shoes in her favorite rich fall color. Everyone is sure to look absolutely beautiful in their perfect fall wedding attire.
Filed under Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, fall bridesmaid dresses, fall wedding dresses, fall wedding gowns, fall weddings, wedding gowns | Comment (0)The Cardinal Sins of Wedding Gown Shopping
Shopping for a wedding gown should be one of the most fun experiences of your life. For some brides, though, the whole process can quickly turn into a nightmare. Why? In most cases, because they have committed one of the cardinal sins of wedding gown shopping!
Sin number one is to try on wedding gowns which you would never be able to afford. If your budget is $3000, you simply have no business trying on a $15,000 bridal gown “just for fun”. What happens if you fall in love with that pricey gown? Going back to the dresses within your price range will feel like a major let down, because they simply will not have the same type of details, embellishments, and construction as the higher priced gown – if they did, they would cost just as much! Spare yourself the heartbreak, and only try on gowns which you have a reasonable chance of being able to bring home.
Another cardinal sin of wedding gown shopping is to try on dresses once you have already purchased another gown. Unless you are seriously planning to lose your initial deposit and select a different gown, this is a recipe for disaster. The last thing you want is to discover another gown which you like better than the one which you have bought, only to be stuck wearing the first one. It will greatly diminish your love for the gown you will be wearing on your wedding day, which is just really sad. If you just can’t stand the idea of being done shopping, start looking for your bridal jewelry, veil, and other accessories – but trying on more gowns is off limits!
Many brides unwittingly commit this next sin of wedding gown shopping: bringing too many people along to the appointment. It becomes extremely difficult to hear your own voice when you are being drowned out by a large chorus of opinionated sisters, friends, moms, and aunts. The savvy shopper brings only one or two people to help her. How do you narrow it down? If your mother is paying for your wedding dress, she certainly has a right to help in the selection. Besides that, your sisters or maybe one close friend who shares your taste in fashion is more than enough. Let your extended family and wider circle of friends help with the other shopping decisions, such as what type of bridal jewelry to get, the bridesmaid dresses, and so on.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, wedding gown shopping, wedding gowns | Comment (0)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.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, wedding gown alterations, wedding gowns | Comment (0)How Much Skin Should a Bride Show?
Once upon a time, all bridal gowns were modestly cut, with sleeves, long skirts, and conservative necklines. These days, however, wedding gowns run the full range and some of them are downright risque. There are gowns with low backs, short skirts, plunging necklines, and even sheer bodices which cover only the essentials. Different wedding gowns are appropriate for different types of weddings, so what works for an elopement to Vegas might not strike the right note in a cathedral. This is a look at how much skin a bride should dare to show in various types of weddings.
If you are having your wedding in a house of worship, you should always err on the side of a more conservative wedding gown. In some religious traditions, there are strict guidelines to what a bride may wear. For instance a bride who is having a Jewish Orthodox wedding must wear a gown with sleeves. Even when there is not a clear cut rule, brides should opt for a bridal gown with a more modestly cut neckline for a church wedding, and one which is at least tea length or longer. The minister does not need to see your cleavage as you stand at the altar in your white gown and pearl necklace!
When your wedding will be held in a secular venue, the choices for appropriate bridal gowns expand somewhat. A more form fitting gown would be suitable for a hotel wedding than for one in a church. Beach weddings tend to be fairly relaxed and showing more skin at the beach is generally considered acceptable. A halter wedding dress with an open back is a great look for a ceremony on the sand. A fun pearl necklace and a calf length sheer veil will ensure that the look is still bridal enough.
Short wedding gowns tend to work best in non-traditional settings like urban lofts or Vegas. If a white mini dress is your dream, be sure to choose your ceremony venue accordingly. A great way to balance out a very short wedding gown is with a more modest cut and substantial fabric. A white lace mini with three quarter sleeves and a flyaway veil will look chic and a bit vintage, whereas a skin tight dress with a low cut bodice in the same length can end up looking too “tarty”. Keep your guests in mind too; you might opt for a more risque wedding gown to wear to a gathering of your closest friends in a club, but if your grandparents will be there, plan to be a bit less daring.
Filed under pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: modest wedding gowns, pearl necklace, sexy wedding gowns, short wedding gowns, wedding gowns | Comment (0)Wedding Ideas That Are Too Good to Be True
Planning a wedding is a big undertaking, both in terms of time and money. It is only natural that brides want ways to cut down their budgets and the amount of work that goes into their weddings. However, not every offer of help or “unbeatable deal” is as good as it first appears. These are some of the wedding ideas that are simply too good to be true.
Volunteer Amateur Services: People love weddings, and many brides are fortunate enough to have well-meaning loved ones who really want to help them with their wedding. Unfortunately, in many of those instances there is an abundance of good intentions, but a lack of the skill to perform the task at a professional level. This is the uncle who offers to take all of your wedding photos to save you money. It could be your sister who thinks she can make your bridal hair jewelry, even though she has no experience making bridal hair jewelry. That “great” offer can end up with a very disappointed bride and hard feelings all around.
Knock-off Wedding Gowns: Many a bride has fallen in love with a wedding gown that she loves, but cannot afford. There are plenty of websites online that offer reproductions of designer gowns at rock bottom prices. The only problem is that the knock-offs never look anywhere near as good as the originals. The fabric, craftsmanship, embellishments, and fit are usually very poor quality from the designer imitation sites, and it is a rare bride who is pleased in the end. The wedding gown is one case where you definitely get what you pay for.
Electronic Wedding Invitation Responses: It sounds great at first: you will save on the cost of the response cards, the computer will tally up the number of guests who have accepted or declined, and your guests will all respond on time because it is so easy for them. In reality, however, there are several drawbacks to the online R.s.v.p. system. Some of your older guests simply will not be comfortable with this form of reply. Also, there is no guarantee that you will get a higher rate of replies using this system; if you have ever received an evite to a big party, you will have seen that plenty of people do not bother to reply. If you have your heart set on an electronic response system on your wedding website, make it one of several options, not the only way to R.s.v.p.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: amateur wedding photographer, bridal hair jewelry, wedding gowns, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)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.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal gowns, crystal bridal jewelry, how much to spend on wedding gown, wedding dresses, wedding gowns | Comment (0)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!
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal gowns, Lilly Pulitzer, Lilly Pulitzer wedding gowns, pearl necklace, preppy bridesmaid dresses, preppy wedding, preppy wedding gowns, wedding gowns | Comment (0)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!
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Uncategorized, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, cheap designer wedding gowns, discount wedding gowns, wedding gowns | Comment (0)
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.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal gowns, crystal chandelier earrings, wedding dress, wedding gowns | Comment (0)