Wedding Dresses and Accessories

Planning a Wedding on a Budget

2008-12-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

Wedding planning can be difficult enough, but if you are on a tight budget, it can be even more challenging. Here are some tips for having a fantastic day without overspending.

1. Get a firm budget. If you know how much money can be used it is easier to plan. Write down everything that you need for the wedding and then break this list down and estimate a cost for each of the items. This way you won't go over. You want to keep in mind the dress, the gifts for the bridal party, the venue, the church donation, if needed, the limo, the cost of the reception, the cake, and the planner if one is needed.

2. Call around to get prices for your budget. If you know how much the client or you can afford call around to different places and get estimates. This will help you break down the list in number one of all of the items needed for the wedding.

3. Start with what you NEED. For example you need to find a venue for the wedding ceremony and reception, flowers, a cake, a dress and more. But remember you can get a dress at a discount if you shop several stores. You can get married at the same place as your reception. A member of the family or several members can help with the cake, the food and beverages.

4. Plan ahead. One of the biggest ways to save is to start early. If you start looking for a dress early enough, for example, during the sales, you may be able to get your dream dress at a discounted price. You can get cheaper rates for venues if you plan ahead about a year. This way you won't end up spending more money because you are booking at the last minute. Remember those who do the wedding such as ministers and such have vacations and other things they must do so be sure to find a minister ahead of time.

5. Ask for help. As mentioned above you can also get friends and family members to help you. You might know a seamstress that can help with the dress. You might be able to borrow or rent tuxedos for the wedding instead of buying them. Someone might babysit any children during times you need as a present for the wedding. You might even be able to barter to get a limo to drive you from the wedding to the reception.

6. Have fun. Planning a wedding, if it is your own, won't be something you will do again. Enjoy the wedding planning and remember that not everything will go to plan. In this world, nothing is ever perfect, so if something goes wrong on the day, remember the most important thing - you are marrying the person that you love.

Visit the wedding planning blog for more tips.

How to Look Good in a Tuxedo on Your Wedding Day

2008-07-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

Ten Tips to Looking Fabulous in Your Wedding Tuxedo
Copyright © 2008 Janine Giorgenti

You have proposed marriage to the woman of your dreams. Her acceptance means that now, you must prepare for the big day! You will stand beside your bride in that "picture perfect moment," a snapshot in time which will forever adorn your mantel.

Choosing the perfect tuxedo and accessories is vital, thus making the task daunting. Here are some guidelines to make it easier for you to choose the perfect formal wear for your wedding.

1) "Get With" the Theme! And Don't Forget the Bride!
Don't look out of place at your own wedding! Weddings can have themes ranging from The Great Gatsby, to Art Deco, Renaissance, Nouveau... It's your party and you're the co-star. So, dress the part! Choose a tuxedo that complements your bride's gown. For instance, if it's a traditional wedding, dress in a classic tux. If it is a modern wedding or themed wedding, then dress according to the theme and style.

2) "Don't Sweat It!"
Consider the climate and time of year. If you are getting married in the south in mid-summer, you should go with a lighter, more breathable fabric. If your theme is a beach wedding, opt for white instead of the traditional black tux. In the winter months, a traditional tux may do the trick.

3) Like "Night and Day."
Are you planning an evening or daytime wedding? The general rule is that evening weddings or those after 6pm are considered more formal. Such a wedding calls for full dress, including tux, tuxedo shirt, cummerbund or vest, tie or bow tie, cufflinks and studs and tuxedo shoes.
For daytime weddings, your attire can be less formal. Although a tux is still appropriate, some couples opt for a dressy suit with tuxedo accessories.

4) It's All About You!
Find your personal style and show some flair, whether it is the style of your tux shirt or the cufflinks and studs that you choose. A touch here and there can really make the look your own.

5) Don't Be Late For Your Own Wedding!
Don't procrastinate! This is not something you sit on until a couple of weeks before your wedding. Finding the right tuxedo takes time, as do fittings to make it look just right. Alterations can take a few weeks. If you're having the tux custom made, allow 2 months.

6) It Just Ain't Fitting!
Make sure it fits. There should be no pulling, puckering, sagging or drooping. The length should cover your socks when you are walking but not puddle on the floor when you are standing. A professional will be able to help you make the right choices and get a fit that will be both comfortable and flattering.

7) Ahhhhhh, This Feels Good!
Yes, you can be comfortable in a tuxedo, if it fits well and is made from a nice, high-quality fabric. When you figure in the photo sessions, the wedding ceremony and the reception, not to mention all that dancing, you will be wearing this tuxedo for quite a while.

8) When a Little "Bling" Will Do!
Tuxedo shirts require cufflinks and studs. Here is where you can flaunt your personal taste, by choosing from simple gold knots to gorgeous inlays. You don't have to spend a fortune. Unless the set is under a jeweler's loupe, costume cufflinks and studs will achieve the same look.

9) Who Wants "Pre-owned," Anyway!
Consider buying rather than renting. A tuxedo is no more expensive than a good quality suit. You would never rent a suit, so why rent a tux? Plus, you don't know who's worn it before... yuck! The fit will look better and the fabric will feel great on a tuxedo that you buy or have made... Most importantly, you get to keep it.

10) You Are My Sunshine!
Polish and shine! Shoes finish off your look. Make sure they are clean and polished. Black patent leather is the standard. If you buy new, don't forget to break them in. The last thing you want to think about during this momentous occasion is how much your feet hurt.
So enjoy yourself and have the time of your life!

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Janine Giorgenti is a renowned fourth generation Italian designer, image consultant and custom clothier. Visit her website at http://www.bestcustomtuxedo.com/ for more style advice and fashion tips.

Choosing a Wedding Dress for the Beach

2008-06-20T05:11:00.001-07:00

Pick a Beach Wedding Dress
Copyright © 2008 Al Alexander

You have decided to have a gorgeous wedding on the beach. Beach wedding dresses are usually made of lighter material. The more casual bridal gown still delivers images of class and style. Most often women looking for a beach wedding gown make sure that the hemline doesn't got all the way to the sand. Beach wedding dresses are not just for the skinny brides. Bigger brides can look just as beautiful in their beach wedding dress.

The key in picking your beach wedding gown is to pick a dress that matches your figure. It is important for everyone to look their best on their special day. Finding a dress that compliments your specific body type and figure is the key to looking gorgeous. A good plus size dress should flatten your curves instead of making them look bigger. Handling your curves is the key to plus size beach wedding gowns.

Look for a dress that fits well and doesn't dig into your skin. The high quality beach wedding gowns should be soft to the touch, with no itchiness. Beach wedding gowns should be made of breathable materials to keep your dress soaking up sweat. The breathable materials will keep your gown staying white all day long. This will keep your dress flowing and beautiful through the ceremony and reception.

A-line dresses make for the best plus size gowns. A full skirt dress should be avoided. Always look for a dress that will flatter your figure.

A high quality beach wedding dress is formed with lightweight, flowing materials. Stay away from heavy or cumbersome gowns. Popular materials are linen, silk, lace, gauze, rayon, or light cotton.

Sarongs are now becoming the rage for beach weddings. Wear a one piece, for a strapless mini gown style, or use as a skirt with matching halter top. Search online for the best prices for bridal dress shops.

The top styles for beach wedding dress are strapless or spaghetti strap gowns. It is typically hotter for beach weddings and this important to take into account when picking your dress. Remember to always pick a dress the matches your figure. Lacy sleeves are a great option for people who have larger arms.

Beach weddings are starting to become exceptionally popular. You now can have a high end and stylish wedding dress for your beach wedding. Search online for the latest styles to match your figure.

Find the latest styles of wedding dresses and beach wedding dresses at Bridal Online Store.

Plus Size Vintage Wedding Dresses

2008-01-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a plus size vintage wedding dress? Regardless of your size you should be able to find a selection of plus size vintage wedding dresses online and in your local wedding dress boutiques. If you can't find a plus size vintage wedding dress that is right for you, you may want to consider getting one made for you. You can visit a wedding dress designer, take photos of what sort of styles you like and get one made for you that fits your womanly curves perfectly.

Here is an article about finding plus size wedding dresses:

Plus Size Wedding Dress - Feel Good
By Andrea Dilea

There are a lot of factors to consider when you are planning a wedding. How many guests will you have? What food and which cake will you serve? Where will you hold the wedding? It can all start to run together. It can be an added stress to try to locate a plus size wedding dress. As a bride you want to look amazing for your important day. This is a dream that is totally reachable even in a plus size wedding dress.

Not too long ago, there were no choices for ladies needing plus size clothes. Everything was about as attractive as a burlap bag. Even wedding fashions bordered on the unwearable. However, things have changed in the marketplace. The discovery of a large and thriving community willing to spend on quality has led to choice. It is no longer a chore to find the perfect plus size wedding dress in any style you want.

If buying off the rack is not your style you can also seek out a local designer or seamstress that specializes in making plus size clothing. An expert dressmaker should be able to advise you on the most flattering designs for your body shape and tailor a precise fit for your body. A unique dress design tailored specifically for you is guaranteed to make you look great.

You may find that your wedding budget can't be stretched to include a custom gown. In that case, you'll be happy to know that there is an alternative. You will find many gently used dresses in consignment shops. In doing so, you will be able to buy a gorgeous gown that's only been worn once but for substantially less cost than a new one. Get out your phone book and contact the consignment shops located near you. You can find out what selection and sizes they have
available by phone which will help you save on both time and gas.

After exhausting these options without any luck, don't give up. You could still make your own dress. All the major pattern lines now carry wedding pattern for women's sizes. This way you can still have your custom made dress and all you have to pay for is the fabric and a few notions. If sewing is not your talent, take a good look at your family. Maybe someone could make the dress as your wedding gift.

Any bride nowadays is very lucky. She can look her most beautiful and feel good by selecting from various gowns in any gown store. It's possible through the net also. Why not try it 6-month before the wedding date?

Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Visit us for plus size deals on a Plus Size Prom Dresses at http://plus-size.discountsonline.com/

Seven Tips for Finding the Right Wedding Suppliers

2008-01-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Organising your wedding is a huge task and it can be daunting at times. Not only do you have to find the perfect venue and a dress that makes you feel beautiful, you also have to find the right photographer, florist, cake designer, music, invitations and more. But, how do you go about finding all these wedding suppliers?

Here are a few tips to help you get started.

(1) Make a To-do list – be organised and get yourself off to a good start by making a to-do list. There are a few things that you will need to organise as soon as possible such as finding a venue, booking caterers and choosing a dress. Other things such as choosing your wedding rings, ordering your cake and selecting stationery can wait until a bit later. Prioritise your list and put a rough date beside each item to help you remember when it needs to be done by.

(2) Get Recommendations from friends – how do you know which suppliers are reputable and provide a high quality service? The best way to determine this is by speaking to friends or relatives who have recently married and ask them which suppliers they chose and which ones they were happy or unhappy with. Nothing can beat a personal recommendation.

(3) Go to Wedding Fairs – wedding fairs can be a lot of fun for you. You can sample a few canopies, wedding cake and perhaps some champagne, while speaking to a lot of different suppliers under one roof. This is a great chance for you to meet potential photographers, cake designers, stationery suppliers, caterers, videographers, dress designers and more, all within a couple of hours.

(4) Look in Wedding Magazines – most wedding magazines have lists of suppliers and classified adverts inside them, usually on the last few pages. Many magazines also have real life stories with information and photos about recently married couples and often details on the suppliers used by the couple.

(5) Use the Internet – sounds obvious, but it makes sense to visit Google or Yahoo and enter the name of your town or area along with what you are looking for e.g. “wedding cakes London” or something similar. This gives you a great opportunity to browse the website of your potential supplier before speaking to them in person. Often this can be a huge time saver as you can immediately eliminate suppliers that are too expensive or that are not to your taste.

(6) Use the Phone – don’t be afraid to phone round a few suppliers before you make the decision to speak to them in person. Many suppliers do not have any information about their prices on their website, so a quick phone call to find this out can save you a lot of time.

(7) Be Prepared – finally, make sure you are prepared! Before you visit a supplier have a think about what you want. Discuss it with your fiancé and with your parents if they are helping to pay for the wedding.

Who Pays for the Bridesmaid's Dress?

2007-12-06T04:10:00.000-08:00

Who Pays For Bridesmaid Dresses? (By Yolanda Nash)

A bridesmaid in a wedding is the person, who caters to every need of the bride and helps her in pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding arrangements. There is usually more than one bridesmaid in a wedding, but the principal bridesmaid is called "The maid of honor" or "The matron of honor" (if she is a married person).

History says that during the Roman period, the bridesmaids used to form a kind of army that helped protect the bride from thieves or scorned suitors on the way to the bridegroom's village. During the later Roman period, the number of bridesmaids was kept at ten to form witnesses to the wedding. In today's times, the bride gets to choose the number of bridesmaids that she would want in her wedding.

The principal bridesmaid or the maid of honor is usually a sister of the bride, a close relative or a friend dear to her. She, with the bride, helps in coordinating all the planning required before and during the wedding.

Before the wedding, she helps the bride in fixing up the venue to the wedding, helps in preparing the wedding list and sending out invitations to various guests, helping the bride with her shopping for the wedding gown and her other requirements, etc. She also coordinates the other preparations for the wedding with the other bridesmaids. She also takes charge of hosting a party called the Bridal shower, where gifts are brought to be given to the bride.

During the wedding, she helps the bride get ready for the wedding and assists in checking on the arrangements in the reception hall. She holds the groom's wedding ring that is handed over to the bride during the ceremony. She also holds the bride's bouquet and assists the bride in managing her veil. At the reception, she makes a toast to the newly wedded couple followed by a speech to congratulate them and to wish them luck with their wedded life. Overall, she acts as a backbone to the bride in seeing that the wedding goes on without a hitch.

As per tradition, the bridesmaids usually dress up in attire that is quite identical to the bride. This is a custom that originated with the belief that the similar clothing will confuse evil spirits as to who the bride is and protect the bride from any harm. Therefore, a bride would want her bridesmaid to be dressed up for the occasion in a dress that would suit her gown.

This brings up the question as to who has to buy the bridesmaid her dress for the wedding. Traditionally, the bridesmaid is expected to buy her own attire and accessories to go with her dress. She is also expected to bear all her other expenses such as travel, cost for hosting the bridal shower, etc.

If you need some wedding favors such as love glass coasters, glass grapes candle favors, beach wedding favors and more we got you covered.
We also have many different wedding gifts such as tote bags, anniversaries, gifts for him and her and more.

Also we have many wedding accessories such as unity candles, ring pillows, guest books and pens and many more accessories for your wedding.

Choosing a Pattern for your Wedding Dress

2007-10-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

Are you planning on making your own wedding dress or having someone make your dress for you? If so, this will provide you with a few tips on how to choose a pattern for your dress.

Wedding Dress Patterns - Tips On How To Choose Them
By Melinda Barton

Shopping for wedding dress patterns can be just as daunting a task as shopping for a dress off the rack, even more so, if you will be sewing the dress yourself. There are so many things to consider when looking for just the right wedding dress pattern so that you will be the most stunning of brides on your wedding day.

The good news it that since you or someone else will making the dress from scratch, you will have total control over how your wedding dress will look on your most special day. You will have a custom creation that is unique and designed especially for you alone.

Here are some things to consider when shopping for wedding dress patterns.

The first thing to consider is the style of your wedding. Will it be a traditional wedding, or will you being doing something a little more out of the ordinary and have a themed wedding, such as a Celtic wedding? This of course dictates which type of wedding dress pattern you will be looking for.

Another consideration when looking for your wedding dress pattern will be the location of your wedding. Will it be indoors, or outdoors? If you will be having your wedding outdoors, you will want to consider the time of year and season. If it is in the fall or winter you will want to choose a pattern that help keep you warm, if it is spring or summer you will want something that will help keep you cool. The pattern in conjunction with the fabric that you choose will make a big difference as to your comfort on your special day.

You will want your wedding dress to show off your figure to it's best advantage. Listed below are the 4 basic body types and the goals that you want to keep in mind for yourself based on your body type when choosing your pattern:

Triangle -
your hips are wider than your bust and shoulders. Your goal will be to minimize your lower body and create the illusion of additional upper body width.

Reverse Triangle -
your upper body is wider than your lower body. Your goal will be to emphasize lower body width.

Hourglass -
your bust and hips are larger than your small waist. Your goal will be to create balance.

Rectangle -
your body is long and narrow without a strongly defined waistline. Your goal will be to emphasize width and avoid long vertical lines.

Pick a wedding dress pattern that emphasizes those body features that you want to play up or down.

Since you want your wedding dress to be the most flattering of dresses, there are other things to think about as well, such as the color of the wedding dress.

You want to pick a color that looks the best on you if you are not going with a white or off-white traditional wedding gown. You will want to consider your skin color when picking out your dress color. Your skin color will greatly affect how the gown looks on you. A bride with a lighter skin color has more choices than a bride with a darker skin color.

For brides with a lighter skin color, white or a dress in a darker color will result in a very lovely appearance. Brides with a darker skin color will want to choose their colors while also considering their make up also for the most beautiful appearance. If you have darker skin and do not consider your make up while choosing your fabric and during your fittings, you will not have a true reflection of how you will look on your wedding day.

Since you are making your own dress or having it made, you will be able to embellish it any way you choose. Brides can make fashion statements with fabric. You can range from delicate draping to more dramatic ruffles and fabric flowers. Ruffles, ribbon, ruching, gathering, pleats, fabric flowers, and draping are all special details that you can add to your gown. Just remember to keep your body type in mind when picking your embellishments.

Here are few places where you can start looking for your wedding dress pattern on line.

- Simplicity Patterns has been making patterns for generations. Look them up on the internet and browse through their patterns. They have a large selection of wonderful patterns to choose from.

- Vogue Patterns also offers a stylish selection of bridal patterns. Go to their website and browse through their collection also.

- McCall's, is another trusted name in sewing patterns. They have a marvelous collection of patterns on their website to go look through.

Searching through all the wedding dress patterns may seem overwhelming at first, but by following the tips presented here you will end up with a stunning dress and you will be the most beautiful of bride's on your wedding day.

Melinda Barton is an Internationally recognized wedding planner and author of the book Wedding Planning Secrets

She has given several TV and radio appearances and is passionate about helping everyone succeed in their desire to have the best wedding through simple and easy to use wedding planning secrets.

Should You Go for a Knock off Wedding Dress

2007-09-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Is there anything wrong with buying a knock off wedding dress replica with a small change to suit your needs? You could pay a few thousand dollars for the gown of your dreams, so why pay this much when you can buy the same wedding dress, with a few slight additions you may want for a tenth of the price?

Here are a few questions and answers about knock off wedding dresses.

Where Can I Find Knock-Off Wedding Dresses?

You can find many websites and auctions sites that offer knock-off wedding dresses like these. Normally you have to submit your measurements and wait about 30 days to receive the dress since they are made to order, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality.

How Can They Make a Knock-Off Wedding Dress So Cheap?

Normally these gowns are made in countries where the price to make a gown is a lot cheaper - places like China, India and some countries in Eastern Europe.

How Can I Be Sure of the Seller and the Quality?

Like anything in life, no you can’t be 100% sure you’re going to like your knock-off wedding dress – no more than you can be sure you’d love a designer original. You need to research the seller, see if they have any testimonials, and if you're buying off an auction site - check their feedback.

What Is the Average Price of a Knock-Off Wedding Dress?

Prices do vary, but you can normally pick out a gown for between one hundred and two hundred dollars. Not everyone can afford a really expensive gown, so the next best thing is a knock off wedding dress that’s a replica of the original designer you admired.

Yes, they look the same, but normally the knock off wedding dress has slight variations so they don’t affect the copyright of the designer. After all, this is your big day, so why should you go without the design you want when you can get a gown made to your liking, with any additions you want, at a fraction of the price you would expect to see in your local store?

Bridal Lingerie for your Wedding

2007-09-05T01:23:00.000-07:00

Bridal Lingerie - Be Prepared For Your Wedding Night
By Mike Harader

Marriage isn’t something you enter into every day nor is it something to be taken lightly for sure. Entering into a marriage is serious business and will change your life forever.

Marriage usually begins with the engagement of the new lovers. Once the bride and groom to be are engaged, then they can start planning for the wedding night.

The wedding night is the coming together of all of the painstaking time and effort put forth by family members and friends. It is truly an amazing event that requires considerable attention from many concerned individuals.

Many women have had a picture in their mind of the day that they would finally be married. For some women, this is the culmination of everything they have dreamed of since they were little girls.

Once the newly wedded couple has said their vows and the party is over, the next phase of the wedding night can begin.

This is where another important planning phase of the wedding will come to fruition. This is when they are alone in the bedroom and the wedding dress gives way to the seductive and sexy lingerie outfit beneath.

While planning for the wedding, the bride or her bridesmaids should be sure to secure the ultimate wedding accessory, which is sexy lingerie for the bride.

Bridal lingerie or wedding lingerie includes everything from the gorgeous panties to the sexy corset underneath the bridal gown to make the bride appear slimmer, to the sexy lingerie she will wear during the most intimate moments of the wedding night.

Regardless of the style of lingerie the new bride wears, she will revel in her sense of beauty and seductiveness from her sexy wedding lingerie. While the choice of conservative or provocative lingerie is up to the bride and her bridesmaids, the thing that matters is that when the wedding night arrives, she is well prepared.

Mike Harader is self proclamed lingerie buff. To see a large selection of sexy lingerie, sexy shoes and leather lingerie as well as many other sexy items, visit http://www.loveherlingerie.com.

Choosing a Dress for the Mother of the Bride

2007-08-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

Mother of the Bride Dresses
by Lorna McLaren

One of the most stressful parts of organizing a wedding is to try and coordinate the choice of the mother of the bride dresses with the rest of the outfits being worn. There is nothing worse than having mother of the bride dresses that outshine the bride or clash with others who will be in the official photos.

If you are the groom-to-be then you may be extremely worried about the type of mother of the bride dresses that your future mother-in-law may turn up in on your big day. Unfortunately it usually falls to the bride-to-be to call on all her diplomatic skills and discuss the issue with her mother.

The issue of how to decide on the perfect color and style that the mother of the bride dresses in can be a complex one. Obviously she wants to look her best too but she should not wear an outfit that takes all the attention away from the special couple. I know this has happened to a number of my friends.

If the color that the mother of the bride dresses in has the potential to grab too much attention then she needs to be persuaded to make another choice. Remember too that the bridesmaids are going to have their own color theme and this also needs to be taken into consideration.

By far the best types of mother of the bride dresses are those that have simple lines to them and not too many frills or accessories. The color should blend in and, if the bride is not getting married in white, compliment her daughter’s choice of wedding dress.

Another extremely important point about how the mother of the bride dresses is to take into account is the color of the outfit that the mother of the groom will be wearing. Many a wedding group photo has been marred by clashing colors.

Finally, the choice of outfit that the mother of the groom and the mother of the bride dresses in should be different.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of couples who have not found out that the mother of the groom and mother of the bride dresses are the same before the big day!

Find out how to organise your big day from the comfort of your own home. Check out http://www.a1-ourwedding.com!

Choosing Dresses for your Flower Girls

2007-07-05T06:25:00.001-07:00

Here is an article which will help you to choose nice dresses for your flower girls, as well as outfits for christenings and communions.

'Tis the Season for Flower Girl Dresses and Children's Formal Wear
by Chris Robertson

Spring is just around the corner, which means it's the season for children's formal wear. Weddings call for flower girl dresses and boy's tuxedos, as well as for First Communion dresses and boy's suits. What's in this season? Read on to find out!

Flower Girl Dresses

When it comes to flower girl dresses, you have several options that will bring smiles to the faces of your attendees, and make your flower girls feel like little princesses. A sleeveless satin bodice with a satin skirt and organza overlay is a simple but stunning combination. Scattered colored stones with a matching band at the waistband coordinates well with the attire of others in the bridal party. Depending on the age of the flower girl, choose either tea length or floor length.

For a feminine yet upscale look, choose a flower girl dress that is tiered in the back. A full peau satin skirt with one tier in front and three tiers in back, accented with a large bow with tails and fabric roses, will make the day special for both the flower girl and the bride.

If you're budget conscious, don't overlook some of the discount flower girl dresses that are available online. Just as beautiful as the pricier flower girl dresses, you can find satin and organza dresses, as well as tiered dresses, for between $35 and $80.

Communion Dresses

Every little girl will remember her First Communion for the rest of her life, so Communion dresses are an important part of the ritual. An organza scalloped princess style gown with coordinating veil will make her feel special, as will the simple lines of a satin Communion dress with lace and a removable bolero jacket.

Boy's Suits

This season, there are many choices for boy's suits. Whether it's his First Communion or whether he's attending in a family wedding, he'll be thrilled to wear a traditional five-piece suit. Double-breasted jackets are back in style, and come in white for the perfect First Communion outfit. For a more formal occasion, a boy's tuxedo - with or without tails - is always appropriate.

Christening Dresses

When it comes to girls' christening dresses there are many choices. An all-white batiste dress with smocking on a bodice dotted with white pearls, along with matching bloomers, is adorable. For more traditional christening dresses you can choose a length of up to 32 inches with intricate embroidery and a matching bonnet. Keep in mind that a christening dress is something that can be handed down for generations, so choosing a timeless style may be in order.

Christening Outfits for Boys

For boys, christening outfits are usually five-piece sets that consist of a shirt, pants, bowtie, vest, and hat. The typical pant length is either shorts or knickers. Some sets feature brocade, while others have satin trim.

How to Buy

With the Internet, a wide variety of children's formal wear is available at the click of a mouse. Plus, you're more likely to find discount flower girl dresses and bargains in children's formal wear at an online store. When ordering online, look for a company that not only offers flower girl dresses, boy's tuxedos, Communion dresses, and christening dresses, but that also asks you for the date of the event. Before ordering, check out the sizing charts, and don't hesitate to ask questions. Then, on the big day, make sure that your little ones enjoy themselves, and feel as special as they look!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Flower Girl Dresses or Majon's Clothing for Children directory.

How to Make the Wedding Dress of your Dreams

2007-06-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

How to Make the Wedding Dress of Your Dreams is a book by Susan E Andriks.

The book includes a wealth of information about how to make your own wedding dress including:

- Who will sew it?
- Choosing the Style of your gown
- Designing your gown
- Bridal Fabrics
- Necklines and Collars
- Sleeves
- Hems
- Trains and Bustling
- Slips
- Headpieces, hats and veils

Flowers to go with your Wedding Dress

2007-03-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

You have to have flowers at your wedding. This is one of the most important things that you can have. You want them to look good and make a great impact on your guests and create a loving and precious atmosphere for your special day. You will want to consider all of the advice and tips that you can on how to have the most beautiful flowers for your wedding day.

You want to make sure that you are booking your florist in advance. You will not want to wait until the last minute to have the perfect florist for your wedding. You should do this at least six months in advance. You can find florists in every town. You should look around and get prices for the flowers that you want to have.
You may also want to get as many references on the florists that you can. Ask around and find out who is the best in your area. You will find that word of mouth is the best way to find someone to perform a service for you. You can ask other people in the wedding business if they have any suggestions to who is a good florist.

You should make sure that you are getting estimates for your wedding flowers. You do not have to avoid a florist just because you think they are too expensive. You may be surprised with a better and more creative florist that you can feel confident in. You can find quality in an affordable florist and you will not have to break your budget.

You will have to have certain types of flowers for your wedding and you do not want to forget them. You want to make sure that you are picking what you need for your day so that you are not finding yourself short once the day approaches. Make sure that you have the following for your wedding day.

You will need to have a bride's bouquet, bridesmaid's bouquets, mother of the bride and mother of the groom corsages, and father of the bride and father of the groom boutonnieres. You should also have corsages for the grandparents as well. You will want to make sure that you have all of these as well as any other flowers that you may need for someone special in your wedding.

You want to make sure that you have enough decorations and flowers for your ceremony. You should include the following for your wedding flowers. You want to make sure that each pew has flowers on them as well as the alter. Having the candelabras decorated as well is a good idea.

The reception is going to need some flowers to brighten it up a bit as well. You will want to have flowers at the tables on the centerpieces and at the cake table as well. You should think about a great looking group of flowers for the buffet table to spruce it up a bit. You will also want to have a nice arrangement at the guest book as well.

You may want to think about getting some help with the flowers for your wedding. Sometimes the flowers can be expensive. It will depend on the types of flowers you want. You will usually spend ten percent of your overall budget on the flowers. You will want to see if you can get help from a parent or you can ask the florist if they have some sort of payment plan. You will not want to use your credit card for the florist if you do not have to. The less interest that you have to worry about means that you will have an easier time of paying off the final bill.

Bridal Bouquet Ideas

2007-02-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

When a bride orders her wedding bouquet, it might not seem that any "activities" will come from it other than as a thing for the bride to hold. But the bridal bouquet can be the source of many interesting activities and meaningful gestures.

During there ceremony there are all kinds of possibilities. Certainly you can go traditional and have a flower for both the mother of the bride and mother of the groom. The moms, in particular, love this activity and guests usually appreciate it as well. But what if you turned that traditional gesture on its head and supplied flowers for both the mothers and the fathers?

If the bride supplies flowers to both the men and women, there are a couple of ways to do this. What if dad's flower was enclosed in a verse that he will then get up and read at the ceremony? What if it was a flower to recognize the members of the family who have passed, and it gives dad an opportunity to recognize those family members?

If the bride chooses not to have a unity candle, but wants some gesture like it, she can have her bridal bouquet designed by having several small bouquets put together. At an appropriate time during the ceremony, the bridal bouquet is "broken up" and various people might receive a share, such as the mothers and fathers of the bride and groom.

Now, if the bride wants to hang onto her bridal bouquet during the wedding ceremony, but is willing to have some fun with it at the reception, there are a few options there as well. How about a dance involving the bridal bouquet? This is silly, but fun. The bridal bouquet is on display somewhere near the dance floor and guests must guess a flower that's in the bouquet before they can enter the dance floor. The first few guests might not have a problem as some flowers are obvious, like roses and tulips, but others might give people pause. Of course, this won't work if the bridal bouquet is all roses or some other single and obvious flower but for a traditional mixed bouquet, it can work well.

For a naughty touch, the bride can hide her garter in the bridal bouquet and actually put it on her leg before the groom takes it off. Or she can have a couple of breakaway bouquets that are wrapped in garter belts, so hers doesn't get thrown, but instead the tiny bouquets with garter belts attached are thrown.

When it comes time for the bride to throw her bouquet, there are several options. Some brides choose not to keep their bouquet and simply pluck one flower out of it before chucking the whole thing during the bridal bouquet toss. This is an alternative to having a special bouquet set aside for throwing, and there are others as well.

Are there are a lot of single women coming to the wedding? Maybe one thrown bouquet won't be enough. Many brides these days are opting for something a little more fun. There are a few options, really. One popular option is to have the florist create several small bouquets and then bundle them to look like one bouquet. They are tied lightly with a ribbon. When it comes time for the bouquet toss, the bride unties the ribbon, and throws the "bouquet" which is actually several little bouquets. Several women will catch the bouquet, rather than just one.

What do you Want in a Wedding Gown?

2007-02-09T02:28:00.000-08:00

Choosing your wedding gown is an important moment in a woman’s life. Its become more a reflection of what you want your wedding to be instead of just the gown you want to wear. Women are choosing to make their wedding celebration an event not just a party after the ceremony.

Many women are looking at designing a wedding gown that suits an era that has styles they are attracted to. No longer is the wedding gown only a reflection of the styles of the day. Now women are more likely to pick what they want to wear instead of just succumbing to the pressures to wear the current style. No longer do they want to look like every other bride. Maybe the interest lies with a retro wedding where the wedding gown is actually a mini dress from the sixties.

Women are looking to express themselves with their choice of wedding gown. Although most brides still like to continue the tradition of marrying in white, which was first begun by Queen Victoria in 1840, many decide that a solid white wedding gown is not necessarily what they want. A little color on the dress to accent it or an off white or cream gown may better suit what she wants to wear.

What the groom would like to wear is also a consideration when choosing what the bride will wear. This is not as big an issue since usually a man will simply choose a tuxedo to wear and it will only be a matter of deciding on the style or color to be sure it suits her choice of gown.

What about those women who decide to marry in what their mother’s wore? This has come back into fashion as well. A woman who is fortunate enough to be built similar to her mother, and so chooses to wear her mother’s wedding gown is following in a tradition when daughters wore what their mothers had and maybe so did their sisters. No matter what a woman chooses to wear for her special day she will be beautiful and the day will be one she should remember forever.

Unique ideas for Wedding Photos

2007-01-29T06:50:00.000-08:00

Pictures are an integral part of any wedding. Newlyweds are usually thrilled to get their pictures back from the photographer so they can relive their special day. But there are many special activities you can build into a wedding that involve photos.

One fun idea that many brides employ is to take photos of everyone as they arrive at the wedding, almost like you do at a high school prom or company Christmas party. You can provide a backdrop and couples can pose either for a paid photographer or for whoever happens to pick up the camera. These pictures can be taken with a Polaroid camera for instant fun or with a disposable camera. If you want slightly higher quality photos, go for a digital camera.

This can be an excellent way to keep guests busy and happy until the "official" reception begins with the arrival of the bride and groom.

As an extension of that idea, you can take instant photos and create scrapbook pages or memory book pages with the photos. There can be supplies on hand so guests can create pages on site, or pages can be pre-made and photos simply placed into the prepared spaces. If guests don't want to create pages on site, or the bride doesn't want this particular activity going on, the photos can be saved for later. As a gift for the bride and groom, someone can create memory books with these photos.

If Polaroid cameras are used, another option is to have the people in the photo sign the Polaroid photo and place that in a basket somewhere. The bride and groom will enjoy looking at the photos later.

While it's not a particularly unique idea, many brides like to provide disposable cameras on each table at the reception so guests can capture candid shots of the reception and the table guests. These photos can be added to the newlyweds' wedding album or they can be placed into a separate album showing the wedding from the guests' perspective.

Another fun activity sure to be entertaining is to create a "silent photo guess" area. Here's how this works: before the wedding, someone close to the bride and groom collects pictures of the bride and groom at various stages in life. The photos should depict the bride and groom doing things, not at Christmas or with their first birthday cake. In other words, the photos should include some action, but it shouldn't be obvious in the picture what has taken place or where the person is.

Much like a silent auction, people will come along and look at the photos, then take a silent guess as to what the photos show. They can write their guess on a piece of paper and put it in a numbered basket that corresponds with the number on the photo. Reading these guesses during the reception is entertaining and sure to be amusing. The bride or groom can provide the real answers. This is a particularly fun activity at a relatively small, family wedding where the participants know the bride and groom very well.

If you want to provide an area for guests to have their photos taken but aren't thrilled with the "prom night" idea, how about having a photo corner set up somewhere in the reception hall or facility. Here, the wedding photographer will take candid shots of wedding guests. They might be couples, but could also be entire families, friends having a good time, or the groom being carried on the shoulders of the best man. Whatever the pictures end up being, they provide a fun, "let it all hang out" area for the wedding guests and a surprise for the bride and groom. Since they will likely be busy with all the reception details and having the time of THEIR lives, they might appreciate knowing their guests had a pretty good time too, as evidenced in the photos.

Wedding Dress Acessories

2007-01-19T04:49:00.000-08:00

When you are getting married, you want to make sure that you look great all over. This will include all of the accessories that you wear along with your dress. Picking the right wedding accessories is not as easy as you may think.

The one thing that you want to do is make sure that you are wearing the right jewelry that makes your dress and you stand out. You will want to choose these items carefully. You have to consider many things. You need to think about the neckline that you have on your dress. There are different necklaces that you will have to choose from, which can be difficult. You want the right style that will fit with the neckline of the dress. You can try on different necklaces with your dress beforehand and find the one that you will wear for your big day.

The earrings are another big part of wearing the right accessories for your wedding day. You want to wear earrings that will go along perfectly with your dress and hair. You want to make sure that you are wearing earrings that will accentuate your face and go along perfectly with your necklace if you are wearing one and the other jewelry that you have on too.

You may want to think about the color of stones that you will want to have in your jewelry. You can choose from many different things. Think if you want to have colored stones, clear, or diamond stones. Some women like to have a fancier look to their jewelry when they are walking down the aisle. Others like to have a simpler look to their wedding accessories.

You may also want to think about wearing some jewelry that you may have had passed down to you by a special family member. This would make the day more special and you will have something that meant something to others with you on your special day. This is a great way to use something that has been in the family for many years as well as have something, which means a lot to another person in your family. You will feel blessed to be able to have something so special on your wedding day. You will also be saving some money at the same time.

The shoes that you wear for your wedding day is important as well. Think about the height that you want to have for your shoe. You will want to have enough height that you are not too tall for your groom. You want to be eye level or less with your groom on your wedding day. If you are already tall, you do not want to make yourself any taller than he is.

Think about the color that you want your shoes to be. You can choose to have something in the same color as your dress or you may also want to have something that is similar but a shade or two lighter or darker. You can have them encrusted with beads on them or have other decorations that will make your shoes stand out.

Think about the style of shoes that you want to wear for your wedding day. You will be able to choose from strapless, open toed, or closed toed. You may also want to think about the comfort of your shoes. Remember that you are going to be wearing your wedding shoes for a long time and you will have to dance and walk around in them. You want something that will make you feel comfortable and look your best as well.

Save Money with Wedding Crafts

2006-12-31T13:17:00.000-08:00

Weddings are a joyous occasion but can get expensive in a hurry. With wedding crafts you can insert a personal touch and hold the price down as well. Here are a few ideas for wedding crafts to add sparkle and creativity to your big day.

It is not that hard to create your own wedding veil. To make this wedding craft, you will need a length of bridal illusion in the desired length. You will also need a comb to attach it to your hair and a hat or headpiece to cover the comb. Sew large running stitches about an inch from the end of the illusion and gather it tightly. Now sew the veil to the comb. Top with hat or headpiece. As an alternative, you can decorate a wide-brimmed straw hat with silk flowers, ribbon, and pearls.

The bouquets and floral arrangements can also be personally crafted. For a simple outdoor wedding, consider wild flowers. They are free and have a charm all their own. Bouquets can be arranged in large clear vases, with a bow tied elegantly around.

Favors for the guests are particularly appropriate wedding crafts. Refrigerator magnets are a simple and well-received favor. A really nice idea is to make a magnetic picture frame and include a picture of the couple. You could cut a frame out of craft foam in one of the wedding colors, arrange over the photo, and glue all onto a cardboard backing. Place self-adhesive magnet tape on the back of the cardboard. Decorate the front of the frame with foil heart stickers and a monogram of the couple's last name.

Bows for the ends of the pews or rows make simple wedding crafts. Wide velvet ribbons are nice for fall and winter weddings, while satin is more appropriate for spring and summer weddings. Loop some flat lace in with the ribbons. In the center of the completed bow, attach some silk flowers and pearl sprays with a hot glue gun.

Perhaps you'd like to try your hand at decorating your own cake. Check the craft section of the department store for pans and gadgets of all types to help you create a cake to remember. Do remember, though, that it takes a steady hand. Be sure to practice before starting on the real cake.

Preparing for a wedding can be expensive, but with wedding crafts, you can take some of the sting out. Plan early, however, because it will take a little while to make favors for everyone and all the other little details you will want to take care of. Maybe creating wedding crafts will even relieve some of those wedding jitters. In any event, crafting your own wedding items is a way to have a personal, beautiful, and less expensive wedding.

Paying for your Wedding Dress

2006-12-27T13:46:00.000-08:00

A Wedding dresses can be one of the major parts of your wedding budget. You want to find the dress of your dreams, but can you afford it at the same time? This is something that you need to ask your self before looking for dresses so that you can set a budget and stick to it.

It makes sense to think about your wedding dress as soon as you start planning your wedding. You will need to think about the style of the dress, the look, the color and the price that you are willing to pay for the dress that you want.

You should think about the type of wedding that you are going to have. If you are having a more elegant wedding that is going to cost more than what you would expect, you are going to have to cut out something in order to get the wedding dress that you want. If you have a certain amount of money that you are spending on other things, you should think about what you will need to use for the wedding dress and what you will need to cut for the rest of the budget.

Most of the time, a bride and groom will start to save for their wedding as soon as they know they are right for each other. This could be at the beginning of the relationship. It is a good idea once you are thinking about marriage to start saving up some extra money where you can so that you is prepared for the cost. Many couples have to take on the challenge of paying for their wedding on their own.

Put your money into a savings account so you can get as much interest as possible from the money that you are putting into the account. You want to keep a good bit of money in there at all times and do not take out of the account for any other reason unless it is an emergency.

Start saving on things like clothes, food and utility bills as soon as you can for the wedding. This extra money will give you more for the expense of your wedding needs. Use coupons when you can and make sure that you are not using more power than what you need to be.

If you have to, you may want to buy your wedding dress on a credit card. Make sure that you are using a credit card that has a good interest rate. You want to be sure that you will not be paying more than necessary for the dress in the end. Some places will not hold the dress for you and when this is the case, you may have to use the credit card to get the dress now to ensure that you do not lose it.

Some wedding shops have a lay away program. This is good idea to take advantage of to meet your budget. You can make a deposit on the wedding dress and then pay for it over time. Give yourself plenty of time to pay for it so that you are not running around looking for money right before the wedding day. Get your dress home in time to do any alterations and changes that you may want to make to the dress.

If you have to, you may have to check into discount stores for your wedding dress. You can find wonderful dresses for less money at these stores and you will save a lot of money in the end. There are plenty of dresses for you to choose from and you will be able to get the one that fits your style and your budget the best.

Be Sure that the Rest of you Matches your Wedding Dress

2006-12-17T11:59:00.000-08:00

In order for you to make sure that your day is perfect, you will want to have perfect hair, nails and skin as well as the right dress. You should be sure to go and get all of the pampering that you want and need for your special wedding day. This is something that is important and you will want to make sure that you doing all of this so that you are perfect in your wedding dress.

Weeks before your wedding day, you will want to start the process of getting your skin in the right condition. You will want to go to the spa and have all of the necessary procedures done so that you can get your skin in the condition that you want it to be. You will look youthful and perfect for your wedding day.

You will also want to be sure that your make up is right. It is good idea to go through the entire process of what you will do for the big day at least once. You will want to do your hair and make up in the same way that you plan to do on the wedding day to make sure that you will look your best with your wedding dress and headpiece.

Trying out different kinds of makeup is good idea. You can see what shades of eye shadow, eyeliner and lipstick will suit you. This is something that may take a little thought and some extra work, but eventually you will find the right look that you want. If you are someone that usually likes to stick with the neutral colors, you may want to spice it up a little bit for your wedding day and make your lipstick and rouge a little darker.

Going to the spa a few days before your wedding will get your skin and hair ready for the big day, you will need to have a few days of rest and relaxation before your wedding. This will give you the time and the rest that you are in need of after the much research and shopping that you have been doing for the wedding.

Getting exercise is another good idea before the wedding. You want to make sure that you are in the perfect shape for your big day. You will want to hit the gym and get in shape so that you are looking your best and looking good in your wedding dress. This will also get you prepared for your wedding night.

Do not forget to get your fingernails and toenails done. You will need a good manicure and pedicure to go along with your wedding day. This is something that will make you feel good and special as well. Picking out the perfect colors to match your skin tone is good idea for this. You do not want to draw too much attention to your nails by having a tacky looking color on them.

Do not be afraid to get a professional to do your hair and make up for the day of your wedding. You will want to figure out what you want for your hair. You want to make sure that you have the hair that fits your dress perfectly.

Choosing From A Variety Of Wedding Dress Patterns

2006-12-13T12:50:00.000-08:00

By Donald Saunders

He's "popped the question" and you're ready to hit the bridal shops for that wedding dress. But where do your start? There are so many wedding dress patterns to choose from.

Well, a good place to start is with a few of the many bridal magazines that are published today. This will give you a good idea of current styles and you'll find ideas for both traditional full white wedding dresses and the huge range of fresh and fun patterns that the brand name manufacturers are offering.

One thing you will need to consider right from the outset is just what sort of wedding dress will suit you best in terms of both your personality and figure. In this latter respect you'll need to remember that any dress can look great in a magazine, on a model or even simply on the hanger, but it might not look quite so good when you put it on.

There are hundreds of ways in which designers can change the look of a basic dress pattern but, underlying the finished product, there are basically four main wedding dress patterns that are seen today.

The first is the "Ball Gown". This is the pattern of the traditional white wedding dress, which remains extremely popular, and consists of a fitted bodice and tight waistline leading into a full bell shaped skirt.

The second is the "Empire" gown. This has a high waistline coming right up under the chest and the dress falls away into a somewhat slimmer skirt than that seen in the ball gown. This pattern of dress is also designed to enhance the bust and can be cut in a traditional or modern style.

The third pattern is the "A-line Princess" dress. This is often described as a vertical form of dress with lines flowing down from the shoulder and is particularly popular as it flatters a wide range of different body types. Just about any bride will feel happy wearing this pattern and will appreciate the way in which it accentuates the body.

The final style is the "Sheath" dress. As its name suggests this is a very close fitting and slimming dress which will certainly not suit everybody. The sheath style of wedding dress is very much a modern style and for those that can carry it will certainly make a lasting impression on not only the groom but also the wedding guests.

These four different patterns can of course be made up into an endless variety of different finished wedding dress patterns and can come in many different colors and lengths, with or without sleeves, with high or low necklines, full backs or no backs at all and so on.

Whatever you choose the most important thing to remember is that this is your special day. So, choose a dress that suits you and your personality and that make you feel great.

For more information of wedding dress patterns please visit Talking Weddings today

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

2006-11-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

The old saying that a bride should carry or wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue is a time-honored tradition that is supposed to bring the bride good luck. Each of these items represents something different and can be incorporated into the bride’s attire in several different ways. This fun tradition dates back for centuries and is still honored by many modern day brides who are interested in ensuring a little bit of luck for themselves or simply honoring a tradition that has been passed on in their family for years.

Something Old...

Choosing to wear something old expresses a desire to retain your connections with your family after you enter into your marriage and begin your own family. You may choose to wear a locket with a picture of your grandmother on her wedding day inside to express this sentiment. This old picture reminds you of your family and keeps them close to your heart. You may also wish to incorporate something old into your attire by having a handkerchief used by one of your ancestors sewn into the lining of the skirt of your wedding dress. Incorporating this item into your wedding dress as a permanent feature is a special way to ensure that you will always remember your family and that they will always be a part of the new family that you and your husband create.

Something New...

Wearing a new item on your wedding day conveys the message that you and your husband are creating a new union that will endure forever. There are countless ways to incorporate something new into your attire. If you opted to include a picture of your grandmother on her wedding day into a locket that you wear on your wedding day, you might want to consider putting a photo of you and your husband into the other side to represent your new item. Another new item to consider is a piece of jewelry, besides your engagement or wedding ring that was given to you by the groom such as a necklace or bracelet. This is a special way to wear something new because it expresses the love that you and the groom have for each other.

Something Borrowed...

Wearing a borrowed item on your wedding day is used to symbolize your love and admiration for the person from whom you borrowed the item. Wanting to wear something that belongs to a loved one lets them know that you want to include them in your wedding in a very special way by wearing something that either is held very dear to them or is something that represents them symbolically. One nice way to express this sentiment through a borrowed item is to wear your mother’s wedding ring on your wedding day. Doing this lets your parents know that you admire their marriage and their respect for each other and that you hope to have an equally satisfying marriage. It also lets them know that you will be thinking of them on your wedding day and that you want them to be with you in a special way. Another way to incorporate a borrowed item into your wedding day attire is to borrow a friend’s signature piece of jewelry. If you have a close friend who has worn the same necklace for as long as you have known her, you might consider borrowing this particular necklace for your wedding day as a reminder of your friendship.

Something Blue...

Wearing something blue on your wedding day is a symbol of the couple’s fidelity to each other. It may sound as though incorporating blue into your wedding attire is a difficult task but it really is much easier than it sounds. One simple tip for wearing blue on your wedding day is to wear a necklace with a blue stone. This is a beautiful yet inconspicuous way to wear blue on your wedding day to ensure fidelity. Another way to wear something blue is to include blue flower in your headdress. Some brides also opt to wear a blue garter under their wedding dress to represent their blue item. If you choose this option you might want to consider wearing two garters if you plan to follow the tradition of having the groom remove your garter and toss it to the single men in attendance. If you plan to do this you might want to wear a blue garter and a white garter and instruct the groom to remove the white one so that he is not tossing away your garter that symbolizes faithfulness.

Brides have been honoring the tradition of wearing an old, a new, a borrowed and a blue item during their wedding for centuries. Although wearing these items is supposed to symbolize luck for the bride, they are also just a fun tradition that gives the bride an opportunity to express her admiration for a few special people in her life.

Kleinfield Bridal

2006-11-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Kleinfeld Bridal is a one of a kind bridal store selling more designer bridal gowns than any other store on this earth. Kleinfield bridal is located in Manhattan at 110 West 20th Street.

Ronald Rothstein, the Owner/CEO of Kleinfeld, and Mara Urshel the Owner/President of Kleinfeld are authors of an excellent book called How to Buy Your Perfect Wedding Dress

This book covers:

What dresses are best for specific body types, including silhoutette and skirt length.
Colors, fabrucs and decorations from the simplest unadorned silk to lace with all the trimmings.
Accessorties - including the veil, shoes, gloves, jewelry and undergarments
What to bring on your wedding dress shopping trip and whether or not to bring Mom
What to expect at fittings
How to care for your gown before and after the wedding

Hemming your own Wedding Dress

2006-11-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

Many brides are planning their wedding on a tight budget. They will have to find a dress that is a 'good deal', and that will fit into their budget. For some of these dresses, getting a good price will mean that you will have to get something that will not be perfect right off the bat. They will need to have to have some alterations done to the dress so that it fits perfectly.

Some brides decide to hem their wedding dress on their own. This is a risky business and it needs to be dealt with in the right way. It is important for the dress to be hemmed correctly so that it is not damaged.

First, you need to make sure that you allow enough time for the wedding dress to arrive. If you are ordering the dress special from a catalog or designer, you will want to give yourself plenty of time in advance to get the dress delivered and then do the necessary alterations that need to be done.

You will want to try on different styles of dresses to make sure that you know exactly what type of dress you want. It is a good idea to do this wearing a similar height of shoes that you will be wearing on your wedding day. This is something that will give you a better idea of what length you need your dress to be.

In some cases, you will be able to find fabrics that match your wedding dress. It is always a good idea to have extra material on hand so that you can make sure that you have some in case you do make a mistake for your hemming. You will have the material that you need to fix the problem and you will not be searching later for the perfect match for the fabric.

If you want to have a perfectly even hem, you will want to leave the dress hanging for three to four days before you begin hemming it. This will allow the dress to hang so that it will be at the perfect length. You will have the natural length that you want to have so that you can get the hem at the perfect length for you.

When you are working with fine laces and fabrics, you will want to have the right equipment so that you don't damage the material. You want to be extra careful with the delicate fabrics that you are dealing with.

Some people like to personalize the gown that they buy for their wedding day. They may want to add some lace or some beading to the dress. It can be done easily. You can sew these items on your wedding dress and you will have the perfect masterpiece that you have been dreaming.

Many brides have to buy a simple dress because it fits into their price range, however adding some extra decorations like beads and lace is a great way to make the dress become a personalized statement that you will have for your special day. There is so much that you can do to add some flair to your wedding dress and all of your wedding accessories.

Bridal Shower Ettiquette

2006-11-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

Are you organising or thinking about having a bridal shower? Not sure about bridal shower ettiquette? Have a read of this article to find out who should host the bridal shower, when to have the shower, who to invite, what the theme should be, what type of food to have and more.

A Wedding Shower Checklist
By Claire Bowes

Bridal showers are one of many pre-wedding parties and are great fun. They are known as parties with a purpose. The purpose of a shower is to assist the couple in equipping their new home or for the bride to assemble a trousseau. Not only that, but they are a good excuse for the bride to get together with her friends and family to play hilarious games and to enjoy the food and wine.

Did you know that a trend has started for ‘couples showers’? This is sometimes termed as the ‘Jack’ and ‘Jill’ shower where you shower both the bride and groom with gifts and good wishes. Either way, if you are having a traditional shower party for just the bride, or decide to have a couples shower, then the planning and the checklist will invariably be the same.

Here is an outline of a wedding shower checklist to get you on your way to organising a great shower party.

Who should host the shower?

Traditionally the maid of honour tends to plan the shower party. But today, anything goes and it is perfectly acceptable for both family and friends to work together to organize, host and share the cost of the wedding shower. It doesn’t really matter who actually hosts the party as long as it is planned well in advance and normally in consultation with the bride. If the shower is planned to be in someone’s home, then it’s always a good idea to choose the person with the largest home or garden.

Traditionally the maid of honour tends to plan the shower party. But today, anything goes and it is perfectly acceptable for both family and friends to work together to organize, host and share the cost of the wedding shower. It doesn’t really matter who actually hosts the party as long as it is planned well in advance and normally in consultation with the bride. If the shower is planned to be in someone’s home, then it’s always a good idea to choose the person with the largest home or garden.

When to have your party

Because of the busy schedule the bride and her family will have in the lead up to her wedding, it is best to hold the shower about four to six weeks before the wedding. A growing trend is that more wedding showers are no longer a surprise and statistics show that 4 out of 5 brides are employed, therefore it is necessary to include the bride in the planning when it comes to setting a date and time. A traditional ’girl-only’ party could be a Sunday brunch, a midweek lunch or an afternoon tea garden party.

Couples showers are best held on a weekend day or evening. The majority of people tend to work between 9-5 Monday-Friday, therefore a weekend is a safe bet in that most of the couples’ friends and relatives can attend. If you are having a shower party with work colleagues, then the ideal time would be in your lunch hour or straight after work.

Who to invite

Apart from your family members, the host should invite people you know well whether it be friends, relatives or work colleagues. You don’t want to invite too many people, as a large group tends to split off in small separate groups. You want everyone to interact with each other and be a manageable size for everybody to play the hilarious shower games and not feel left out. Taking all this into consideration, a comfortable shower should involve about 10-20 people.

You don’t necessarily need to buy expensive shower invitations. Another growing trend is that many brides are doing their wedding research on the Internet. The internet has opened up many ‘cheaper’ avenues and you can now get some great printable-wedding-shower-invitations. These invitations are customized with your own wording and design, and are printed directly from your own printer.

What’s your Theme?

As with the actual wedding, it is wise to choose a theme before sending out the invitations. The theme can then be used throughout the shower and incorporated in with the invitations, decorations, favors and refreshments.

There are literally dozens of topics for a shower party theme. The most popular is the ‘kitchen’ theme as there are endless pieces of equipment and accessories you can buy for the kitchen. The host knows the bride well and will surely fit a theme around either what the bride and groom need, or their lifestyle. For example if the happy couple are both into health and fitness, then a fitness theme could be an option.

One good idea for a couples shower is a wine tasting theme. This is ideal for a Saturday night party and I am sure the men will enjoy this one and easily get into the swing of things!

Food, Favors and Games

Food: It depends on the theme and location for which type of food to prepare. For example, if you are holding a ‘wine tasting theme’, then a finger buffet with crackers, nuts and other nibbles goes down well with wine. If you are holding a garden shower party, consider light finger food - cheeses, crackers, fresh fruit, mini-quiches, blueberry cream puffs, crab dip and a bacon, egg and cheese casserole and salads.

Favors: Some people choose not to give shower favors. It really depends on where you live and if it is a tradition in your area or not. If you do, you don’t have to go overboard with favors if you want to keep the expense down. Give something small and useful like a scented candle. Most people like scented candles and they are practical. A potpourri satchel is another welcome and practical idea.

Games: Everyone should be included in the shower games. Shower party games are a great ice-breaker for people to get to know each other. Games can include bridal shower bingo as this is always a big hit as is ‘what’s in the bag (memory game). Trivia questions about the bride and groom or making a wedding dress with toilet paper are all fun games to be had.

Thank You Cards: Normally a simple ‘thank-you’ was enough, but today, with showers being larger and guests busier, a personal note is the only way to make sure that sincere appreciation is expressed.

Summary

Bridal showers are meant to be fun. They do need a lot of planning and organization in advance, but they are worth it. The bride and groom receive practical gifts for their home, and shower party’s are a great excuse to get together with friends and family to have one whale of a time!

About The Author

Claire Bowes is a freelance writer and owner of the Wedding Planning Guide website.