Planning a Holiday Wedding

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Jenna Zielbauer

If the thought of getting all of your family together in one place for your wedding is a daunting one then planning your wedding on or around a holiday may be the best idea for you. There are plenty of holidays to choose from but for the sake of being practical here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Eve wedding.

1. Sure for your own family a holiday wedding is practical, fun and a new way to celebrate that holiday for the year but for your friends it may be a little different. Understand how busy that time of year is for them and with your wedding you’ll only be adding more to their itinerary not to mention possibly taking them away from their families during the special holiday season.  There is no right or wrong here but before you commit to anything really take the time to weigh the pros and cons of a holiday wedding, especially one that falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Eve. I personally had a holiday wedding (Memorial Day) and we got a lot of backlash from people about the choice of our wedding date. We made an executive decision that we were sticking to our date regardless of what people thought and dealt with whatever “drama” if you will that came along with our wedding date. This decision is an important one and it is even more important for you and your fiance to discuss it in greater detail and agree that a holiday wedding is best for you. Believe me, you won’t want to be arguing about this for the remainder of your engagement.

2. Start making your plans like yesterday. The holiday season is a busy time of year for parties which could make your choice for a venue, florist, caterer, etc. limited. As soon as you have committed to a date it is time to book your venue, caterer, DJ/band, and florist as many other people will be planning events on that day as well. 

3. Send out those save the dates and send em’ out early. It is courteous and very wise of you to send out your save the dates approximately 6 months before the wedding. You can send them out even earlier if you prefer, but 6 months is ample time for people to plan for your upcoming holiday wedding. Invitations should also go out 3 months before your big day rather than the standard 2 months. If you have a lot of out of town guests I would also include some recommendations for discounted hotels in the area so they can make proper arrangements before everything is booked out. 

4. Take advantage of the holiday decor. I’ve never met a venue that didn’t decorate for the holiday season which can make your job of planning the decor a bit easier. Incorporating the holiday theme in your wedding can cut back on costs and help people feel like they are still celebrating a holiday, not just attending you wedding. 

5. Incorporate seasonal food/drinks in your menu. Many people associate certain foods and or drinks with the holiday season. Serving such items like spiced apple cider or spiked egg nog at your wedding will really create that holiday atmosphere people long for making the day that much more memorable for them and you of course. And if you are hosting a New Year’s Eve wedding a champagne toast and all of the NYE accessories is a must! 

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Getting to know Clark and Diversey: Interview with Stephanie

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Rachel

Stephanie Fontaine

Keeping up with fashion trends from year to year can be hard to do. Tossing away outdated styles, wasted money; it’s for the birds. But as summer trends fly south for the winter, Stephanie Fontaine works to design fashion statement pieces that will have brides flocking to her no matter what the season. A bright feathery hair pin can chase away the winter blues. A bright floral headpiece for spring can pay homage to the beauty in bloom around you. A fierce fiery barrette can make the fall leaves twinge with jealousy. Whatever the season, whatever the trends, Clark & Diversey is a brand dedicated to letting a woman’s inner style and beauty shine on the outside.

Not only does she put lots of love into her bright and energetic designs, she puts herself into the shoes of the women who she designs for, “If I wouldn’t wear a creation, neither should anyone else,” she states. Wearing a piece from Clark & Diversey means you’re going to be turning heads-for all the right reasons. Designs that are elegantly current and that age gracefully, that’s Clark & Diversey. They are well-crafted pieces in tune with today’s trends but sophisticated enough to be tomorrow’s wearable heirlooms.

Stephanie’s roots in design started by chance when she found herself making head pieces for a friend’s ‘20s themed birthday party and she’s never looked back. She dives into her work with a passion and draws inspiration from the life around her. She loves what she does and we love what she does too!

Montrose Flower (left); Addison (right)

So, Stephanie, where are you from originally? Short story: Morton Grove, IL (north suburb of Chicago) Longer story: born in Cebu City, Philippines & moved to New York when I was 13 months. Headed to Chicago a couple years later.

Where did the name of you company come from? I used to live a block away from the intersection of Clark and Diversey streets in East Lakeview.

Your designs are so uniquely beautiful, what do you love most about designing and creating your own pieces? Actually creating the piece – pulling together materials to create something that’s one of a kind. Lots of love goes into each piece!

Besides love, What are some of your other favorite materials or fabrics to work and create with? Textured fabrics, vintage lace, silk organza, feathers, rhinestones, crystals, peals and beads. When possible, I try to source eco-friendly materials, luxurious scrap fabrics from bridal gowns, and cruelty-free feathers.

Quincy (left); Chicago 33 Flower (right)

You have to be constantly thinking of new ideas for your designs, where do you get your inspiration for new collections? My travels, both domestic and international. The colors, architecture, culture, food, sounds and feelings influence and motivate my creations.

What are your favorite place to travel, the best places to draw inspiration from? I have SO many favorite places. I love Madrid, Prague and Istanbul. Belize, Scandanavia and the Philippines are also gorgeous places to visit. So … hard… to… decide!

Ok, so you draw inspiration from gorgeous places I’ve only seen in pictures, but you have to be up to date on the trends too, so what bridal trends are you seeing for 2011/2012? More textures and splashes of color. It’s not going to be all white & ivory – at least not in my book!

Now, forgetting about trends,  sum up your look and aesthetic in three words. Free-spirited, vibrant and wanderlust. Because I’m quite eclectic, with my pieces running the gamut of bridal to edgy, just as I bounce all over the globe to travel!

Now on to you; how would you describe your personal style? Always changing. Impartial to color, stripes and edgy pieces paired with a back or gray base. And don’t forget the flair! I always don at least 5 pieces of flair when I go out.

So what was your style like in high school? More specifically…what did your prom dress look like? My mom sewed the entire shebang for me. It was tailor-fit maroon a-line with a fitted waist, skirt flaring to the knees. it’s quite modern and I’d wear it again!

Stephanie's something blue

 

Is there a piece you created that you can brag about? One that you just adore and holds a special place in your heart?  I have to say it is the aqua blue flower I made for my own destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It embodies beachy; festive colors with happiness and lightness – how I felt during our wedding. Oh, and by the way, I whipped up that piece the morning we caught our flight! My husband did my packing.

 

What other designers do you admire? Ones that you feel ‘get it’ when it comes to fashion. alice + olivia, Stella Mccartney, Free People, matt & nat, Antonio Ballatore.

 

Chicgo 39

What about your clients, is there a piece they just fell in love with? An unexpected hit? Yes – the Chicago #39 with pearls and Swarovski crystals. It’s the #1 seller for me on Bella Bleu and I had no clue it would be in such demand.

What do you do on your days off from work? Though I work every day, I take breaks whenever I feel like it! My husband, San Diego transplant, and I love poking around Chicago’s neighborhoods, popping into boutiques and restaurants, soaking in the city’s eclectic culture. We sold our cars before we moved into the city and get around via bicycles or public transportation during inclement weather.                                                                                  

It all sounds like such a fun journey for you, but what’s been the most exciting time in your career thus far? Though I always remember to celebrate the small victories, I knew I hit something good when I received press in a magazine (Exquisite Weddings).

You love all your clients, but who would you especially love to design a piece for?  I would LOVE to make something for Ellen Degeneres. She’s such a positive, kindred spiritwith the best sense of humor. I’d create a nature-inspired boutonniere for her jacket lapel and something airy to pin in Portia’s hair.

Do you have any pearls of wisdom to give out to the brides-to-be reading this? Remember your big day is about you and your partner making a lifelong commitment. Stay true to yourselves when it comes to your big day! I love to travel and my husband loves to surf, hence we got hitched on a beach in the Carribean.

What’s your goal in life? What do you have to accomplish before life’s journey is over?  Travel to as many countries as my age. I’m 9 countries behind right now…

Do you have any pets? Who runs to the door when you come home? 3 furry, meowy kids – Olli, Ox and Eko (added to the family April 2011). We’re planning to rescue a retired racetrack greyhound in the near future.

Ok, time to dig a bit deeper! What’s your guilty pleasure? Those horrible tabloid magazines (US, People, etc) that are nothing but printed half-truths and lies about the stars.

Do you have an all-time “favorite song”? I have a million. However, we walked down the sandy aisle to Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” and Izzy Kamakawiwoʻole’s “What a Wonderful World”. Hearing the tunes puts a huge grin on my face.

Do you have any secret talents that not many people know about? You can tell us!  I’m one to brag about my talents! I am the queen of dace-offs! But, the oddest one I have is that I can usually guess the correct time within a few minutes. Except when I’m jet-lagged.

Well, we also know what time it is now! It’s time to head on over to Clark & Diverseys’ corner on our website and check out her gorgeous designs!

Grand Flower (left); Belmont Flower (right)

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Groom’s Cake-It’s His Turn!

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Rachel

Yeah, you got sparkly crystal centerpieces, rustic mood lighting and your fresh rose bouquet- dyed blue and pink to match the bridesmaids dresses. But the one person who just might be indifferent about it all, from the fabulous vintage wedding to that must-have mod lounge you rented for the reception, is that guy you’re going to call your husband. While he doesn’t need many fancy accessories to get him wedding ready, it might be a good idea to find ways to make him feel included in the wedding decorating bonanza.

If you just can’t seem to get him into picking the centerpieces, one thing he’s sure to be interested in is the cake.  Picking out his own special cake is a sure fire way to make the groom giddy. Not only will he feel appreciated with it- he’ll also be helping you stay in tune with one of the hottest comeback trends in weddings today. The groom’s cake is actually a tradition that dates back to the 1700s; however, back then the cake was nothing more than a plain and simple symbol of recognition for the groom. Today, with popularity for customizing weddings, the groom’s cake has grown into a manly work of art.

The groom’s cake can take its own spotlight and be served at rehearsal dinners or day-after brunches. He can even share the main stage at the final reception if he doesn’t mind getting slightly overshadowed by that couture cake you had made…or vice versa.

Whether you surprise him with a cake he’ll love, or have him come up with his own inspired design, the groom’s cake is a fun way to celebrate his individuality and maybe a bit of the reason you fell in love with him in the first place.

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How Sweet It Is!

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Rachel

There’s a love buzz surrounding your wedding. It perks up the weary, cheers the mad and puts hope into the hopeless. Your wedding is a time to whisk your guests away from their reality and enchant them with that romantic, happy high.

Adding to that love buzz with the sugar rush from a candy buffet is the perfect way to delight everyone and celebrate the sweetness of love. A candy buffet can so do much more than get the kids all wound up before bed; it can captivate all adults that come across it with a sense of nostalgia all while adding to your reception’s decor.

Credit: Shauna Younge Dessert Tables

The retro-themed wedding is about the hottest trend in nuptials today, so if you happen to be on this chic bandwagon, indulge in a candy buffet that can take your guest back in time. Whichever decade you dedicate your buffet to, there are mounds of sweet treats to choose from. From an arrangement of Pez, to Lemon Heads or a cluster of colorful rock candy; getting vintage with your bar should be a fun and unique way to buffer that retro feel. Sites like http://www.candydirect.com make it easy to pick up that retro candy by carrying the most notorious selections from each decade.

Credits: Corey Ann

It’s been said that love is the greatest drug in the world, but we women know that chocolate could arguably hold its own in a battle. But why compete?  Melt the two together and create a sweet chocolate buffet table that everyone will be smitten with.

Credits:Shauna Younge Dessert Tables

The first step in creating the sweet pinnacle of your reception is to figure out how many types of candy you want to offer your guests. You want enough so it evokes the wonders of those fun old fashion candy stores, but offer too many and people might think that you ARE operating an old fashion candy store.  After that comes the sweet part: picking the candy. In an ideal buffet the colors of the candy will mix nicely with the color scheme of your wedding party or complement a running theme. You should also decide on a theme for you buffet table. Simplifying it by choosing all chocolate or a specific type of candy can narrow down your options and keep you stress level low.

Credits: Tracy Hunter

Once your ideal candy is chosen, picking the perfect containers to showcase the colorful goodies should be your next step. Purchasing little “doggie bags” for guests to store their treats in to enjoy at home is also a thoughtful idea they will appreciate and be delighted with.

Top: Salicia; Bottom: Corey Ann

You cant go wrong with a beautiful and fun candy buffet, so treat your guests to the sweet life!

Top: Kylan Robinson; Bot: iriskh

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Wedding Cake Trends and Tips for 2012

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Rachel

Mix together a cup of butter, some sugar, eggs, flour and a few other ingredients, then bake. An hour or so later, you’ll end up with the base of the most important element in your wedding reception décor.

Much more than just dessert, nothing says nuptials like an intricately decorated wedding cake. Steeped in centuries of tradition, the cake will be the center of any wedding reception. It’s a frosted pillar of symbolism to be scaled first, by the newly married couple.

The key factor of any wedding cake is that it must complement your wedding reception scheme. It can be extravagant or understated, but it should always make sense when compared to the other design elements in your reception.  Stay true to your décor intentions and your wedding cake should be a natural decision; you’ll know it’s the one when you see it. The best thing about the wedding cake, besides how delicious it is, is that it can be completely customized- inside and out. A wedding reception is all about letting the couple’s unique tastes and style shine, and the cake is the icing on that expression of individuality.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ChodHound, top;Victoria Made, right; Corey Ann, left

 

Elegant or quirky, whatever your style -the cake can be baked to match. Cakes can be adorned with everything from to edible gold or silver leafing and icing petals to the inedible Swarovski crystals or other bedazzles.

 

 

       A Sweet Success (Laura), right; brianandjaclyn, left

Ben-Israel, a wedding-cake designer in New York City, insists that the inspiration for the most memorable wedding cakes can come from one or more of the following elements: location, fashion, nature, or the menu.

Couture cakes, which are all the rage for the 2011-2012 season, are usually runway-ready works of art that can even be adorned with unusual materials to really make a statement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracy Hunter, top left; ashleypalmero, top right; slappytheseal, bottom left; Tobyotter, bottom right

This season is also partial to cakes with some extra height.  Extravagance is making a comeback so cake shops are setting up the scaffolding to construct those high-rising cakes-up to 6 tiers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Panzarella, left;  t4n14_phei, right

A timeless symbol of romance- flowers are also trending in the wedding cake world.  A cascading gathering of petals or a delicate bouquet on top will show guests that love is in bloom. Fruit is also being used to make sweet and stylish arrangements this season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


andrewmalone, top; luvjnx, bottom

Where ever you decide to draw your inspiration from, make sure to follow your gut (literally too) and work with the stylist to cook up something that allows you to have your cake and eat it too!


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Stay in Tune With Wedding Guests: Picking the Right Music

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Rachel

The Macarena, the Electric Slide, the Y.M.C.A. You’ve done, it we’ve all done it. But does that mean these songs are a “do” at your wedding reception?  If you’ve planned a wedding, or helped someone plan one, you know just how important every tiny element is.  Each category; food, decorations, flowers play their role in complementing and tying everything together. The music you play at your reception is no different. The music can determine whether your guests boogie down into the twilight hours, or look for reasons to leave before the sun falls. It’s important to strike the right chord with guests, but how do you please everyone?

It’s a good idea to pick song that match up to the groups’ demographics. If your wedding guest are mostly comprised of your friends from Sunnydale High, class of 1986, it might be ok to play nothing but retro hits. On the flip side, pleasing a more eclectic group will be harder. First it’s a good idea to go over your guest list and match similar demographic groups. Dividing your guest list up by age and picking some popular songs from each groups’ prime, such as their high school days, is a sure way to make everyone feel included. But when picking the song, make sure, whether it is from this century or last century, it was or is popular enough so that any generation at your reception might have heard of it before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get your guests on the dance floor!

Of course, there are going to be some songs that mean something to you and your partner, and it is your big day. So, for some songs, to relive and commemorate a a memory, its ok to throw out all the rules. If you and your significant other fell in love dancing to “Mandy”, and your guest list is comprised of people who grew up to “The Right Stuff” (new kids on the block reference, thank you very much), you are still entitled to dim the lights and sway to your memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To offset any off weird looks and to make guest who may not be familiar with the songs feel included , you can get your DJ to announce a section of songs that are just for you, and have him explain why you’re playing these. Having the DJ say “Tommy and Tina first met when ‘Island in the Sun’ was playing at a bar in Tampa”, is going to make everyone feel involved, even if they’ve never heard the song before.


Some people even get together and make a dance routine to get everyone pumped up and in the mood to party. Nothing gets everyone talking about the wedding reception like seeing Uncle Larry, dancing to ‘Single Ladies’. But be cautious with jests like this depending on how well you know the guests at your wedding. If it’s the first time your two families, distant cousins and all will be meeting, maybe it’s best that Larry leave the one piece in the closet.

Most weddings, whether you planned it or not, have a theme hidden within the big day. Be sure to keep the theme of the wedding alive with music a few times through out the night. If you got married outside, that can be theme, if you got married in the fall, under the moon or by the ocean, these are all subtleties that can help you pick the right songs and keep your guests swept away in the feeling of the day.

So what about that Y.M.C.A, should you play it? It’s up to you. You should know a bit about your guests and how they will respond to that type of “corny” party music. You should also know the feeling you want to exude during your party. If the YMCA is what you’re in the mood for, then do it! When you look that fabulous, who cares how silly you are?

 

 

 

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Long Distance Engagement

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Jenna Zielbauer

Planning for a wedding isn’t necessarily what we call a piece of cake and when you add a couple of hundred or even thousand miles to the mix it definitely does not make it any easier. Thankfully, in this technological advanced time, long distance engagements are nothing what they used to be. So yes it is possible to plan a wedding while in a long distance engagement you will just need to put forth a little extra effort and get creative with your time. Here are a few tips to help you survive the long distance and plan the wedding of your dreams while most importantly staying in love.

 

-Have the initial wedding talk early on. The first step in a successful long distance engagement is understanding expectations. As soon as you get engaged, well not like the day after but maybe a week or so, chat with your fiancé a little bit about wedding planning. Do you want him actively involved in all research? Will you be splitting up the responsibilities half and half? Who will meet with wedding vendors? Is it necessary for you both to be at all wedding meetings? These are the kinds of questions you will want to come to common ground with so the rest of your time spent planning is not an argument of what someone should or shouldn’t be doing.

-          Set up a day or two during the week for wedding talk. If you are hundreds of miles away from your soon to be husband I am assuming your time for chats is pretty limited. The last thing you want is for wedding planning to take over all of your conversations, especially if it is an aspect of wedding planning you two don’t agree on. No one wants to fight 7 days a week, right? Plan for one day (or even two) out of the week to discuss the latest and greatest regarding your wedding. Sure this won’t always work as details come up and decisions need to be made quickly but do your best to stick to the plan.

-          Make every minute count. When researching, viewing venues, meeting with vendors, etc.  make sure to use your time wisely. Time is precious when planning a wedding and even more precious when you are hundreds of miles away from your loved one. Always be efficient and effective with your task at hand. There may be a day you spend interviewing 7 photographers, or 4 hours researching a wedding band but as long as you are giving it your all at that time so you won’t have to revisit the “to-do” a second time consider yourself successful.

-          Be open and ready for on the go planning. If you have a long commute to and from work use that time to knock off some of your to dos. You can also use this time to touch base with your wedding party, research music, etc. No I am not condoning internet usage while driving here because obviously that isn’t safe but you can use the good ole’ telephone and radio to accomplish many of these tasks.

-          Rely on your wedding party. Your bridesmaids (aka your best friends) know the situation you are in and I can bet you a million dollars they are more than willing to help where needed so you can spend more quality time (sans wedding talks) with your fiancé. Delegate tasks to them when and where you can. This can and will take a lot of time and pressure off of your shoulders. You can thank me later.

-          Invest in a webcam or even better an iPhone with face time talk. Sure you can chat on the phone with your fiancé 5x a day but nothing beats the ability to actually see your loved ones face on a daily basis. Having those “face to face” conversations really makes that distance seem like not such a long distance during that time.

-          Set up a date night. Sure you already have one (or two) days set up for wedding discussions but date night is something special. Allow this time for you and your fiancé to do something special together at the same time, like watching a movie for instance. If you have a web cam you can use that too while watching the movie so you can chat if you’d like to about anything going on. Or if you have a favorite TV show maybe you could watch that together on a weekly basis. This time really allows for your relationship to strengthen while being so far apart which is crucial in a long distance engagement.
I’d like to tell you with these tips your time apart will seem like a walk in the park but we all know that’s not true. It is hard being away from your loved one which is why it is important to really embrace your “time” together whenever that may be even if it’s just a phone call. When and if you are frustrated remember why you are in this situation in the first place, because of love. And with a strong love and a strong will I promise you, you can get through anything.

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Winter Wonderland Wedding

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Rachel

Winter is just around the corner and along with the bears, most of the wedding industry is preparing for a long hibernation until spring.

Yeah sure, admittedly spring is a beautiful backdrop for a wedding with nature doing its annual reopening act. The summer even gets some love from brides with June being the most popular month for weddings.  But the winter months are left out in the cold by brides who overlook the season for its three fairer cousins: summer, spring and fall.

The winter months are a time when family gets together and a kinder feeling of comradery and giving takes over.  The lights, the snow, the glistening, the feeling; winter can be a pretty romantic time.

The quite calm in the atmosphere is enhanced by the crisp, cool air. The crunch of snow can be heard as friends and family approach. Icicles glisten in the light above the windows as Mother Nature creates the most organic sun catchers. A blueish-gray tint washes over the sky that the snow-covered ground starts to mimic. Flakes being to fall gently as the church bells ring in the distance. It’s the perfect backdrop for a winter wonderland wedding.

Reasons for Winterizing your Wedding:

  • Try booking that perfect site for next spring- we dare you.  Most likely you’ll have to wait for a year, at the very least. But the winter months leave appointment books bare so you’ll have an almost unlimited pick when it comes to the choice wedding venues.
  • School is starting, businesses are bustling- spring is a busy time for people so it may be hard to gather all your friends and relatives during these months. Summer can be a rather difficult time as well, since vacations and various activities can be at odds with your wedding date. Winter is actually a great time for friends and family to come together since people are less busy with activities and winter breaks make way for much-needed free time.
  • The lack of business for the wedding industry in the winter months can lead to great deals for couples.  From sales on dresses and tuxes to discounts on cakes and catering- a good deal can be easy to find and bargaining in the winter usually always leads to a bite.

Wintery Decor:

Bad weather isn’t exclusive to winter, and like any season plans can change when an uninvited  storms drops by.  But there are actually less weather events depending on your region that can completely shut down a winter wedding.  A light snow, a chill in the air?  It all adds to the setting.  Anything except for a nightmarish mix of sleet and snow can be dealt with.

A winter wedding ceremony can take place outdoors while nature covers of most of the decorations for you.  If you choose to have your nuptials outside, it’s a good idea to find a vendor that can provide you with a heated tent, just in case it gets too chilly or snows more than expected.

After the ceremony move your guests to a warmer environment adorned with seasonal decorations. Play up the season with  chandeliers that mimicking icicles and icy-colored lights that put an artificial frost on things. A snowflake cake, hot chocolate bar, ice sculptures- these can all warm guests’ hearts while keeping the decor icy-cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Credits: Moon Wink Bakery (left),  cliff1066™  (right)

Keep the decorations somewhat neutral though; too many snowmen or gold-plated reindeer and people are going to think they’re at their holiday office party. Stick with non-offensive snowflakes or white lights and beautiful red Poinsettias.

Have fun, keeping the atmosphere cool, or turn the reception into a oasis of warmth with rustic fireplaces and mood-enhancing candles.


Make this winter your own; it’s the season to be merry and the new season to get married!

 

 

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Finding A Wedding Gown Within Your Budget

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Jenna Zielbauer

Just engaged? Congrats! If you are anything like me your first step of wedding planning will be the wedding gown hunt. I literally went the day after I got engaged to try on dresses, which I agree may be a little aggressive, but the dress was (and still is) my favorite detail of any wedding and I just couldn’t resist. The dress I fell in love with was of course $15,000 and while I’d love to be able to shell out that kind of money on a dress I’d only wear one time, it was not in my budget which meant it was NOT happening.  So before you set out to try on wedding dresses and fall in love, like really in love, with a dress that may not fall in your budget I offer you these tips to help make the process a little easier.

-          Discuss with your parents, fiancé and maybe even soon to be in-laws what the overall wedding budget is going to be. Decide what portion of that budget will be allotted for your wedding day look, you know the dress, shoes, accessories, etc.  Statistics show the bride’s attire should be no more than 10% of the overall wedding costs but that does not mean you can’t go over or even under this amount.

-          Do your research. Before trying on dresses view bridal magazines, bridal blogs and wedding websites to get a better idea of the style you are looking for. Bring any pictures, if you have them, to help your wedding stylist at the bridal salon find the dress of your dreams. With that said just because you have fallen in love with a mermaid style dress doesn’t mean it is the best dress suited for your body type – don’t get your heart set on anything until you try on. And even more importantly don’t close off the idea of trying on a certain style as you never know what is going to be the most flattering with your body type.

-          Take time to understand fabrics. Sure you may have fallen in love with a $20,000 dress but there may be a very similar dress out there constructed of a more affordable fabric that will fall within your budget range.

-          Be straightforward and ask questions. When visiting a bridal salon for the first time make sure to communicate with the sales staff your dress budget and the percentage you would be willing, worst case scenario, to go over so they don’t pull any dresses you can’t afford. If you are unsure of the style you are looking for the staff is there to help, ask them for suggestions. If they have been in the business long enough they will know by looking at your body what best suits you so you won’t waste and of your precious time trying on dresses that won’t work. And make sure before trying on both you and your bridal gown stylist (aka sales staff) are on the same page as far as the theme of your wedding day goes. You don’t want an elaborate ball gown for a beach wedding.

-          Visit appropriately priced bridal salons. There are a wide variety of bridal salons out there catering to all budget types – be sure to visit the correct stores to eliminate any heartbreak when viewing price tags.

-          Be sure to ask about any discounts they offer, sample sales and what the general costs of alterations would be. Keep in mind alterations at the bridal salon are usually a lot higher than one anticipates so it is good to know that information upfront.

-          Clearance sales could become your best friend. Bridal salons often sell last season’s gowns and discontinued styles at a discounted price. Keep your eyes and ears open for these sales, there are some true treasures to be found at these sales.

-           Buy a used dress. There are several amazing websites out there that offer used designer bridal gowns at discounted prices which is probably the greatest idea of all time. You only wear the dress once right? Why spend a fortune on it. Recycled Bride and Once Wed are two of my favorites … just in case you were wondering.

-          And then there is always the option to borrow a dress from a family member. I love the idea of wearing your grandmother’s or mother’s gown and having it tailored to a more current style that truly flatters your body type.

 

Now that you have the tips to find a gown in your budget range it is time to start researching and making those appointments. Try your best to enjoy every moment at the salon and not get frustrated. There is a dress out there for you that won’t break your budget, I promise!, you just need to spend the time looking for it. Best of luck on your journey!

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Here Comes the Bride- All Dressed in Red?

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Rachel

1894:

She spent almost all of her 18 years of life searching for a husband, and today was the day. She only met him a few times, but she was excited to serve him as a wife.  She grew nervous as the clanking of the horse hooves picked up their pace after breaking free of the traffic jam. Someone’s horse had gone awry and flipped a carriage by the covered bridge, so it took a bit to get by.  Back on track, she nervously pet and flattened her bright white dress against the seat.  Watching the houses go by slowly, she practiced her vows. “…and obey my husband for the rest of my life,” she mumbled, reading from the scroll in her lap.

Flash forward to 2011 and much of that scenario would make any modern woman, even a bride-to-be scoff.   It was tradition, in those days to include a blip about obeying the husband in the vows, among other eyebrow-raising customs. Thank goodness most of the ways of life and traditions from the 1800s haven’t stuck around. But in the 1800s, Queen Victoria set a tradition we have a hard time shaking to this day: the white wedding dress. But the fact is, there is no rule that you have to wear white on your wedding day; come into the light and get colorful! White dresses are fabulous, but so are reds, blues and champagnes. We’re going to show you how to un-whitewash your wedding dress with bold color or just the right splash of color.

The rule that only the bride can wear white has been broken thanks to a recent slew of celebrity wedding events. Lindsay Lohan wore a slinky white dress to the Kardashian wedding while Kate’s sister wore and understated white number as a bridesmaid.  Since white is no longer reserved for the bride only, why should the bride ONLY get to wear white. You think a stark-white dress makes you stand out, wait ’til you walk down the aisle in ruby red. If you’re ready to be bold and turn heads, these vibrant colored dresses will dazzle everyone. The  darker backdrop is also great for making any diamond-colored jewelry you wear pop.

Ok, so maybe you like the idea of adding color to you dress, but aren’t ready to go full-on. There are ways to add a pop of color without completely veering from the traditional white dress. The trim of the dress can be a fun and funky place to add color while keeping the base in line with conventional tastes.

 

Still looking for a more subtle addition of color? Try adding some around the neckline or just the straps.

 

 

Or add some color to your waist with a removable sash, or built in to the bodice.

This stunning look also has an added bonus since the waistband is great for slimming and elongating your body.

 

Still somewhat discreet, the peek-a-boo color dress takes the spotlight while you’re walking down the aisle, but remains understated at the perfect times-like when you’re exchanging vows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If  you like the idea of an all-over wash of color but crimson makes you cringe, play up the popular vintage look with champagne and brassy tones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s nothing more classically beautiful than a bride in white, but if you’re ready to repaint tradition, try on some color!

Thanks to bride-gown.com for letting us use photos of their fabulously colorful dresses. Head on over to their site to see their full offerings for color and traditional white dresses.

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