Choosing Your Bridal Gown

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Buying your Wedding Gown should be absolutely the most fun of all your wedding planning. Here are some tips for making it a memorable and pleasant experience to look back on.

• Go to a store where you feel comfortable. If you don’t feel like you are being treated well, or are unhappy with tile selection, go elsewhere. Don’t try on any dresses if you wouldn’t buy one there. This is your time to feel like a Queen!

• Don’t go shopping if you aren’t feeling well. If you are bloated, sunburned, or in any way feel ugly or uncomfortable you won’t feel as beautiful as you should.

• Take someone with you, but not a small army, and never any children. They get bored instantly, and will make you crazy, since they really shouldn’t touch anything in the store.

• Minimize or don’t wear any make-up, it will get on the gowns you try on. Also, remove jewelry since the satins and silks used for Bridal dresses are very delicate, and will snag or damage easily. Once you purchase your gown, remember these things for fittings as well.

• Bridal Gown sizes run small. Don’t think about the size, but the fit. Order the size you are now, don’t expect to lose a lot of weight. If you do lose weight, you can always have the gown taken in.

• Expect to have alterations done. Your dress should fit perfectly and very few women are a perfect size, and 5’9” tall. Buying separates can minimize this problem. Remember, you can’t have alterations until you have the shoes, slip (if you are wearing a full skirt) and bra you will be wearing with your dress.

• Try on different styles. Be open to possibilities. You may discover that the perfect gown is different from what you had imagined.

• Try to be realistic. You may have been dreaming of your gown since you were a little girl. Your dress should be fantastic and make you feel beautiful, but don’t have unrealistic expectations.

• Start early! Most gowns take several weeks to arrive, and some manufacturers can take months. Also consider buying a gown off-the-rack. These are usually discounted and can be altered to fit.

• When figuring your dress in your budget, don’t forget accessories and alterations.

• Buy your gown first, then match it when purchasing your headpiece, veil and accessories.

• Accentuate your best features and camouflage flaws. Choose a dress that you are comfortable in because you will be wearing it for several hours, Keep that in mind with your shoes too – break them in beforehand. It is hard to have fun when your feet hurt!

• You don’t have to buy the first dress you find that you like. Visit several shops and be sure before you place your order since your deposit is non-refundable. Most shops require half down as a deposit.

• Have fun trying on several dresses before making your choice, but don’t look forever. You can’t move on to other decisions such as bridesmaids’ and flower girl dresses until you select your gown. Besides, if you look too long, you will start to get confused by too many choices.

• Your gown sets the mood for your wedding, whether it will be formal, semi formal, traditional, etc. Your gown should reflect the style and formality you intend to have for your wedding.

• Once you are sure you have found the perfect gown, buy it! Bargain hunting is usually frustrating and futile. Avoid buying from the internet, since you can’t see what you are getting, and have no retail location where you can try the dress on or come back to with any problems.

• If you plan to have your gown custom made, be aware that it will usually cost more and will require more time for fittings. There are so many beautiful gowns out there, you should be able to find one that is perfect for you. You can always alter a gown too, but keep it simple like changing sleeves, or a bow. Don’t try to redesign the whole dress.

Reference: The Wedding Guide

Selecting Formalwear

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10 Tips To Help Them Look Their Best

1. The groom’s formalwear selection will depend upon his coloring and build, the bride’s and bridesmaid’s dress color and style, the
season, time of day and personal taste.

2. Darker colors have a slimming effect.

3. Ties, cummerbunds or suspenders that are the same color as the bridesmaids’ dresses bring the party together.

4. If the men in the wedding party are identically dressed, you may wish to set the groom apart. A slightly different boutonniere or
neckwear accomplishes this effectively.

5. Tuxedos should he reserved three months in advance and all measurements taken at least three weeks prior to the wedding. Have all the men try them on a few days beforehand for last minute adjustments.

6. Out-of-town groomsmen can have their measurements taken at a men’s formal wear store near them and forwarded to the formalwear store where you have reserved your tuxedos.

7. Rented formal wear usually includes a jacket, vest or cummerbund, pants, suspenders, shirt, cufflinks, studs and a tie.

8. Usually, shoes are rented from the same store to maintain consistency.

9. Find out when the tuxedos may be picked up and when they must be returned.

10. Make sure he gets a hair cut two weeks before the wedding.

Reference: Premier Bride

Preserving Your Bridal Gown

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Your wedding gown will undoubtedly be the most beautiful dress you ever buy, and probably the most expensive. It is an heirloom that you’ll want to pass down to future generations and therefore it should be professionally cleaned and stored after your wedding.

Before purchasing your gown we suggest you inspect it carefully, and check the cleaning requirements. Wedding gowns are usually decorated with beads, sequins, lace and other ornate trim. This decorative trim may cause problems during cleaning and the storage process. At the time of purchase, you may want to ask the retailer for any suggested cleaning procedures that may come with the gown, since many gowns don’t have a care label attached.

After the wedding, your gown should he cleaned and protected as soon as possible. For best results, have your gown cleaned within the next week or two. Remember, the longer stains and soil are left in your dress, the greater the probability of their becoming permanently embedded. Choose your dry cleaner carefully; not all are bridal wear specialists. A professional dry cleaner skilled in the restoration and treatment of wedding gowns can breathe new life into your wedding dress.

After your wedding gown is cleaned, definitely have it “Heirloom Boxed.” The heirlooming process preserves the delicate laces, beading and fabric of your wedding ensemble. Your gown will be packed in a dust-proof box suitable for storage. Often it can be boxed with a window so it may be viewed without opening the box. Store it in an area that is cool and dry. High temperatures may cause oxidation of finishes or trims, while moisture may cause mildew. The most suitable place is an interior closet where it is dry and cool.

Your new heirloom will be safely protected while it patiently waits to bring joy and beauty to your family’s future brides.

Reference: The Wedding Guide

Top Five Tropical Destination Wedding Spots

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by: Michelle O’Connor
Southern California Weddings

Certainly, one of the most interesting wedding trends in recent years has been the destination wedding. Bridal couples enjoy treating their families and friends to vacations in various lovely corners of the world. For many brides and grooms, tropical locales are the hottest wedding destinations around.

Here’s a list of the top five tropical wedding locations in the world:

Bahama Dreams

The Bahamas are considered to be the perfect wedding destination for many people. The country is made up of more than 700 lovely islands. There, you can relish in some of the most luxurious accommodations in the Caribbean, while also enjoying the natural beauty of Bahamian beaches.

Dancing in the Dominican Republic

You’ll enjoy dancing the night away with your new spouse in the Dominican Republic. It’s a pleasure spot filled with both impressive mountain peaks and beaches overflowing with palm trees. Punta Cana in particular is considered to be a prime wedding spot for American couples.

The Caribbean Marvel

The Caribbean is a splendid location for a wedding. For instance, you can say your “I Do’s” along the sandy heart-shaped beach in Megan’s Bay which overlooks the lovely Caribbean Sea in St. Thomas. Or you can exchange vows in a historic palace with a tremendous harbor view.

A Bermuda Romance

Certainly, one of the best romantic wedding getaways is Bermuda. There, you’ll find amazing rolling hills, quaint sugar plantations, and an incredible Atlantic surf. It’s also quite convenient, since it’s less than a two-hour flight from most cities on the East Coast.

Electrifying Cancun

If you’re looking for a tropical locale with plenty of energy, consider Cancun. This Mexican mecca features a fast-paced nightlife, sandy beaches, and stellar dining. Chances are, you’ll want to return there again and again during your life as a married couple.

Some Final Thoughts

When planning your tropical wedding, you need to be realistic. Be sure to find out the seasons when the weather is likely to be best for your nuptials. Also, consider whether you can really afford to host a wedding in an exotic locale. For less exotic tropical venues, try looking around in the San Diego area to see if a San Diego wedding is right for you. However, if you have the means to do it, a tropical wedding may be one of the most exciting experiences of your life.