Archive for the Wedding Dress category

Most brides spend hundred and even thousands of pounds on their wedding dresses. Dresses are not cheap and are probably the most expensive piece of clothing you will buy during your lifetime. Traditional and with the majority of wedding dresses, they are white or a very light colour like beige. Obviously this means that any marks or dirt will show up more readily.

During the actual wedding, in having a great time and enjoying yourself, your dress will get some dirt on it no matter how careful you are trying to be. Panic not as you can always clean your dress. You can always try and clean the dress yourself but this is not recommended! There are professional dry cleaners who specialise in cleaning wedding dresses.

Wedding dresses are usually substantial garments and therefore cleaning them is a a task in itself. Not only that, the value of wedding dresses means that the dry cleaners do need to cover themselves with insurance in case anything goes wrong. Due to these factors, having your dress dry cleaned is an expensive business. It can cost a couple of hundred pounds and in some cases can cost a percentage of the cost of your dress. I have come across people who were charged 10% of the cost of the dress! A large proportion of this goes towards the insurance.

Once your dress is dry cleaned, then you need a proper dress storage box for it that is the right size and more importantly is pH neutral. This means that there is no acidity or alkalinity within the material of the box. This is important because over time, any acidity or alkalinity can over time degrade the fabric of the dress or discolour it. So, when you have your dress boxed, store it somewhere at room temperature so you avoid wide temperature fluctuations.

The main piece of advice on this site is to invest in getting your dress professionally dry cleaned rather than doing it yourself. Once cleaned, store it properly in a pH neutral dress box.

A wedding is a dream-come-true occasion for everyone involved, especially the bride. After dreaming for years of her handsome Knight in Shining Armor, she has eventually found him, and is about to embark on a completely different phase of life – one that includes him, and actually revolves around him, with only their love and commitment as the focus. It is a pious union of two souls, blessed as they are by the great Lord, encouraging them to fuse into one complete entity, and face every aspect of life in this very form, with complete dedication and loyalty to each other, and enough love to fill every heart that beats in this entire world.

Now, since the wedding is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, each and every aspect of it is also equally significant. However, there happens to be one aspect which, at least for the bride, is actually a little more important than the others, and that is her special bridal wedding dress. There are many facets to be taken care of when it comes to selecting the perfect wedding dress for you, and all of them are equally important.

First of all, you need to know the theme of your wedding. This decides the important aspects of the wedding dress. You need to know whether you are holding a gothic wedding, or a casual one, for then it will require a wedding dress that will match the concept, namely a celtic wedding dress or a casual one, respectively. Your budget also plays a very important role in deciding the kind of wedding dress you ought to choose.

Next, you must take care of the fabric of the wedding dress. You could select between any comfortable types of clothing material, the thickness depending on the season, and, once again, the theme. Once you have decided this, your next step would be to decide on the kind of cut you want to wear in the form of your wedding dress. The cut not only includes the length and neckline, but also the overall contour ad fitting of the dress. Ensure that you choose a cut that suits the theme, season, and of course, the fabric of the dress in itself, and is, most importantly, comfortable for you to wear. For instance, in case you are expecting a baby, you will need a pretty maternity wedding dress, which will enhance your motherly beauty, apart from the obvious bridal kind.

Depending on these factors, you need to decide on the color of the wedding dress. While white is the traditional and conventional hue for a bride, you could select any other one based on your wedding theme and, obviously, your preference. The accessories that you select for your wedding dress, such as gloves, veil or tiara, and the special hand bouquet of beautiful and fragrant flowers, depend on all the facets mentioned above. You can make your choice from the available options.

Choosing the perfect wedding dress is going to be extremely difficult, but if you follow the right steps in the right manner, you are sure to look absolutely stunning on your wedding day, just as you always wanted, and it is really doubtful if your Prince Charming, or any other male in the vicinity, for that matter, will have eyes for any other woman, apart from you. So, choose wisely, and get gorgeous for your wedding day.

To order a crochet wedding dress, you have to understand that the wedding dress must be ordered well in advance of the wedding because adequate time must be given for the dress to be finished by the wedding date. The length of time that it takes to make your dress will depend on how many workers will be creating your dress.


Pre-Order Dresses Well In Advance Of Wedding


You may also order dresses that are already made such as an antique crochet wedding dress or through outlets that offer pre-made crochet wedding dresses. It is this handcrafted aspect of this wedding dress that adds much value to it as a family heirloom. Many crochet wedding dresses are passed through the family and are prized possessions.


Accessories


You can accessorize your crochet wedding dress with a crocheted headpiece with a crocheted veil, which should be created from lightweight thread to avoid a veil that is too heavy. Organza or tulles also look nice for veils that have been worked with crochet around the edges. You can accessorize in the style that were originally worn with the antique Irish crochet wedding dress or you can accessorize your dress with whatever suits your personal style and the design of the dress.


If you do not plan to wear a veil, why not wear roses or other flowers in your hair. Instead of natural flowers, you could wear crocheted, crystal or pearl flowers shaped accessories in your hair. Although, crocheted fabrics can be very dainty despite being hand worked, the fabric still has a bit of bulk that must be matched with the accessories you choose to match your wedding dress.


Dress Styles


Your crochet wedding dress can be in any style that you want for a wedding dress provided that if you want to have a full skirt, your under skirting will have to be stiff enough to hold the crochet fabric out. Wedding crochet dresses were at the top of their game when Irish crocheting skills were in demand during the late 1800s. A few specimens of the antique Irish crocheted wedding dresses that were made during that time still exist and can be viewed in some museums.


Your choice of a crochet wedding dress is a choice of great traditions and new styling. The great thing about crocheted dresses is that you can create a dress that can fit you perfectly and can be customized down to the tiniest detail.

There is always one gorgeous wedding dress that stands out nearly every year, and more often than not, it is always worn by a celebrity. After all, who would best represent glitz and glamour than a true blue celeb. In case you too want to shine as bright as they do on your wedding day, here are some celebrity wedding dresses that have caused quite a stir – for their aesthetic features as well as monetary value. Well, you can just imagine that these wedding dresses cost more than the value of their elegant bridesmaid dresses and wedding favours put together.

1. Renee Zellweger
Although her marriage to country singer Kenney Chesney was short-lived, Renee Zellweger’s bamboo twill, ivory-colored, form fitting strapless wedding dress went down in history as one of the best celebrity wedding dresses ever. The wedding dress perfectly complimented their beach-themed wedding. Of course, it does help that Renee has a body to die for.

2. Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock looked absolutely stunning in her Angel Sanchez-designed strapless, antique white lace dress with ruffled bodice. Although her wedding was anything but conventional, Sandra was the very epitome of a blushing bride that day.

3. Melania Trump
You may have heard the rumors that Melania Knauss’ wedding dress designed by Christian Dior cost a whooping $100,00! The form-fitting, white strapless dress donned by the third “Mrs. Trump” is almost history-book worth, with its stunning design and 16-foot train that weighed 50 lbs. Imagine walking around in that. Oh well, you shouldn’t be surprised. Expect over the top – and nothing else – from a Trump.

4. Tori Spelling
The late Aaron Spelling’s beloved daughter, Tori Spelling, wore a form fitting wedding dress sprinkled with crystal beads. It was the perfect traditional wedding dress that every woman would surely envy. Of course, the middle-class bride should do away with all the crystals and look for some other substitute to sprinkle her dress with.

5. Britney Spears
Nearly everyone hated everything about Britney Spears and Kevin Federline wedding. The groom, most especially. It came as an awful surprise to the rest of the world. However, Britney’s gorgeous Monique Lhuiller wedding gown saved the occasion. Britney Spears wore a $26,000 wedding dress with a hand sewn train and cathedral length veil.

6. Demi Moore

Demi Moore did not look her age when she became Mr. Ashton Kutcher. Her floor-length gown by by Jeanne Lanvin was sheath-style, topped with jeweled shoulder straps. Her dress was simple, lovely and one of a kind. Just like Demi herself.

7. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston’s now-defunct marriage to Brad Pitt was a wedding that stirred the media for weeks. No, it was not about the ceremony itself, it was all about the bride and her to-die-for wedding dress. Jennifer’s halter style, white tulle dress, adorned with tiny pearls was designed by Lawrence Steele. It was the perfect wedding dress to define a once-perfect marriage.

If you want to follow these celebrities wedding dresses, make sure to seek your designer’s aid in putting together fabric and materials that aren’t as costly as the real wedding dresses. You don’t need to splurge too much to get the look of a celeb on your wedding day.

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Let’s face it – getting married can be an expensive proposition! But it doesn’t have to be, for the savvy bride who knows where to shop.

There are lots of tricks you can use to find items of choice at below retail value, and your wedding dress can be the best find of your whole planning experience!

Consider the following ideas to locate an inexpensive wedding dress:

Heirloom: Your mother or grandmother may have a dress tucked away in an attic and would absolutely love for you to wear it. Perhaps they don’t mention it because they don’t want to offend you. Ask around and you may find an aunt or someone who knows of an heirloom dress you can make your own for no cost whatsoever. You can even spend a little money and have a seamstress update the dress’s look to suit you by removing the sleeves, for example, or adjusting the length. Auctions: Online auctions such as ebay, and local auctions you find by searching online or in the papers, can be a great source for cheap wedding dresses. Often women will want to recover a little of their investment after their special day, and you can get deep discounts on beautiful dresses. Once it’s been dry cleaned it will be as good as new, and you save lots of money for your other wedding expenses. Second hand or never-used: Local second-hand shops can be a great source. Set aside some time for sleuthing in your local shops, and put the word out to the salespeople about what you’re looking for. Often they will have something come in that you can work with and which will cost you very little. If you are in North America, your local craigslist, kijiji or backpage online classifieds can be a super source for a cheap and perfectly good wedding dress. Sample sales: Keep your eyes and ears peeled – many designers and wedding shops hold sample sales at the end of each season or once a year. These sales are a fantastic opportunity to acquire a new dress at a deep discount. Be prepared to go early and to shop until you drop, and be prepared for many other eager and possibly aggressive brides-to-be! Discontinued, damaged or returned dresses: Ask around at your local bridal shops. Let them know what you are looking for and that you are on a budget. They may have something that has been damaged but can be corrected by a seamstress, or perhaps something that is discontinued or has been returned and already altered (thus considered by them to be no longer saleable at retail). Friends or relatives: Put the word out among your friends and relatives. Maybe your best friend’s cousin’s best friend had her wedding last year and would LOVE to sell you or give you her dress. In this day of email and instant messaging, your request could go far and you may stand a good chance of finding something that will work for you, especially with a little tailoring. Non-traditional: ‘Fancy’ dress stores such as those which carry evening and cocktail dresses often carry dresses that would be suitable for a wedding. Cream, white or pale pastel gowns can be perfect for a wedding if paired with the right accessories, and can often be hundreds or even thousands less than what you would pay for a ‘true’ wedding dress in a bridal shop. Some of these stores and boutiques even carry traditional wedding dress styles that are very affordable.

This should get you started on your hunt for an inexpensive or cheap wedding dress. There is nothing wrong with wanting to save money on planning what can be a very expensive day. No one will know any different, but you can enjoy a smile to yourself knowing you have been smart about your money!

Weddings are one of the most important occasions in a persons life. As a result, every bride strives to look good on this occasion.  Even though other factors like make-up and hairstyle will play a role in your appearance on your big day, the wedding dress will play a major part. Again, both you and your family will be looking at your wedding pictures for decades to come. As such, it is important to let your wedding album remind you of that one moment in time when you looked your absolute best.

How can you look absolutely wonderful on your wedding day?

Here are some factors to consider when deciding on your wedding dress.

1. The occasion

When looking at wedding dresses keep in mind that some dresses will be better suited to some weddings than others. The type of wedding dress to choose will partly depend on the type of wedding you will be having;  your wedding could be formal or informal, take place indoor or outdoor. It could also be a grand occasion in a massive cathedral, a sophisticated evening event with a civil ceremony, a simple church wedding, or a beach wedding in the tropics. This will help to inform your choice but by no means limit it. There are many wedding dresses to choose from for all types of weddings, so it should not be difficult finding one you like and that fits the occasion.

2. Keep your wedding dress in proportion to your body.

There are all different types of body shapes, some people are tall and slender, while others are short or petite, some have large bust and others have wide hips, and many other body types. When choosing a wedding dress, consider ones that flatter your best features while hiding the not so good ones. In order to this, you must know your body type. Remember that a particular dress may look fabulous on someone, but the same dress may seem unattractive on another . For example, If you are a tall and thin bride, huge ball gowns will not do justice to your figure, but rather gowns which are straight up and down (sheath gowns)  will show off your figure and make you look great. Likewise, If you are a short or petite bride, stay away from gowns with too much fabric. These tend to swallow smaller women. A-line wedding dresses are great because they lengthen the body.

3. The Colour

Your wedding dress does not have to be white. More and more women are opting for dramatic reds or soft pinks, pale golds or pretty lilacs. The only condition is that, the colour of your wedding dress should compliment the theme of your wedding. Also, remember to choose a colour that best suits the colour of your skin and makes it look gorgeous.  Some popular shades are an off-white, ivory or cream shade, these are often easier to wear. Other frequently used colours are light blue, pale pink, cappuccino brown and champagne red. Instead of wearing a coloured dress, you could also decide to just add a bit of colour. It could mean just having a wedding dress  with colorful beading, hints of colour fabric, or wearing colourful accessories such as jewelry or shoes.

Your wedding occasion may be the most important day of your life. You are going to spend a fortune for the perfect dress, so look stunning in it. You will have your wedding pictures for the rest of your life. You’ll show these pictures to your grandchildren one day. Let it be a perfectly preserved memory of your special day. Choose the perfect wedding dress and turn heads when you glide down the aisle.

 

Where and how does one shop for plus size wedding dresses? Every bride wants to wear a beautiful wedding dress and full figured women are no exception. Just because one is not slim doesn’t mean one shouldn’t have the whole fairytale.

So what choices do you have?

The Bridal Boutique

If you are intending to visit your local bridal boutique, we would advise you to call ahead to find out if they do, indeed, sell plus size wedding dresses. In many cases, they stop at size 14 or 16 and don’t carry larger. If they have a selection of wedding dresses in your size, go ahead and make an appointment. If they don’t, move on to another venue.

The Plus Size Clothing Store

Many shops specialising in plus size merchandise do sell wedding dresses. Since they also sell clothes for business and every day, the selection of wedding dresses might not be too impressive. Still it’s worth a look as there may be a selection of wedding dresses that flatters your body type.

The Internet

Believe it or not, the Internet is an excellent source of plus size wedding dresses and wedding accessories. A quick Google search will yield hundreds of websites for shops and designers specialising in wedding dresses for the full figured woman. If you don’t find your dream wedding dress at one of the other venues, you’ll definitely find one online.

There’s just one problem.

When you purchase wedding dresses over the Internet, in most cases you can’t try it on. Wedding dress sizes are funny, plus size wedding dresses are no exception. So when ordering wedding dresses from the Internet, it is important that you measure yourself carefully and order the right size dress. Even if you are on a diet, we suggest that you order your wedding dress at the size you are now, rather than ordering a smaller size wedding dress in the hope that it will fit, come the big day.

Be thorough and check your measurements with those on the Size Chart at the website. If you’re unsure, add a half inch to an inch. You can always take the dress in but it is a lot more difficult to let the dress out.

Every bride should look her very best on her wedding day. The full figured woman is no exception. Don’t settle for any dress just because it comes in your size. Take your time. Look for wedding dresses online and in the real world. When you find the right wedding dress, you’ll look stunning!

Choosing the colors to accentuate your wedding dresses seems pretty easy. Predictably enough, most brides pick out their favorite shade out of the palette, without giving their wedding motif much consideration.

Let’s just put it this way, your wedding motif is red. Your wedding favors are the same shade of red, your mom’s plus size wedding attire is even red! Then you decide to go off and add a despicably obvious apply green sash to your otherwise pristine wedding dress. Horrendous is the best word for it.

Pink, red, fuchsia, burgundy, plum, mauve, purple, or blue, you name it. It actually does not matter what shade you would accentuate your wedding dresses with, as long as it is in the same color family as your chosen motif for your wedding. The key here is to leaf through a variety of color combinations and patterns. Bridal magazines are the best medium by which to look for wedding dresses. They portray wedding dresses of various designs, color combinations and color patterns.

Here are a few tips that might help you out in choosing the right colors to accentuate your wedding dresses:

1. As mentioned above, choose colors that complement your wedding’s motif. The closer the shade of your wedding dresses’ accents to your motif, the better.

2. Consider how the color of your choice will look on your wedding dresses. White may be neutral, but it doesn’t mean that anything goes with white. For instance, choosing a chocolate brown sash or a dirt brown bow may not work well for you or your wedding dress. Instead of looking special, you will end up looking dowdy.

3. Think about how your accentuated wedding dresses will look with the other wedding accessories. Will the accents stick out like a sore thumb? You may have picked out a shade that basically belongs to the same family as your wedding theme. Your wedding theme lilac. You chose to accentuate your wedding dress with a deep purple sash. Note, deep purple, the color of mourning. That is not good at all.

4. It is good to be daring. In fact, the best inventions in this world emerged because a lot of people were audacious enough to try new things. However, this does not always apply to your wedding dresses’ color combinations, or color patterns for that matter. Plaid, checkered or stripes will never work in a wedding. Leopard prints, zebra prints or giraffe prints will produce worse effects. Imagine how horrifying it would be for your guests. Unless of course, your venue is the public zoo.

5. Here is a very good piece of advice, check out the venue of your wedding and your wedding reception. Take a look at the curtains, carpet and the tablecloths. Make sure the accents to your wedding dresses are not the same shade as those. Save yourself the embarrassment.

6. Sequins look great on wedding dresses. However, covering up nearly half of your wedding dresses is certainly not a good idea. Whatever the color of the sequins is, they should not be overbearing. Sequins are meant to accentuate your wedding dresses, not to cover it up.

If you are one of the many couples who became engaged between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, congratulations!  And while the uncertain economy will probably not stop you from tying the knot, it may affect your wedding budget and how much is spent on your wedding dress.  Here are some ideas on how to get that dream wedding dress for your big day without breaking the bank.

Set a budget.  Look at all the expenses for your wedding and decide if there are some adjustments you are willing to make in certain expenses (such as food or reception hall) so that more money can be allocated for your wedding dress.

Style of wedding ceremony.  Depending on the type of wedding ceremony you choose to have (traditional, informal, indoors, outdoors) you may want a wedding dress that reflects the style of the ceremony.  If that ceremony is short, simple and informal, you won’t need to spend a lot of money on a couture, high-fashion wedding dress.  Of course, the wedding should reflect your personal style, so choose your wedding dress and ceremony to match your style and whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Be a smart shopper.  Do your research online and off-line to find the best deals in wedding attire and accessories.  Researching online to find discount and affordable wedding dresses will give you an idea of what types of wedding dresses are available and price ranges.  You can then take that information and look for a local bridal store that can offer comparable prices for wedding dresses as well as various deals and discounts on additional wedding products and services.  Purchasing your wedding dress locally from a reputable bridal store at a good price would be the best option.  You are able to try on the dress and be fitted at the store and if there were problems, you could handle them in person at the shop.  If you are not able to find a bridal store to purchase your wedding dress locally, then you may want to consider ordering it from one of the many  online discount and wholesale bridal stores.  But remember to give yourself enough lead time when ordering your wedding dress online in the event you need to have  it altered.

Remember that details add to the cost of your wedding dress.  Exquisite craftsmanship in a wedding dress adds to its value and price.  Things such as hand embellishments, the bustier, luxurious lining, rich fabric, detailed finishing and machine stitch work all add to the beauty and cost of a wedding dress.

Consider going vintage.  If vintage is your style, you may find your dream wedding dress in a second-hand store at an affordable price.  Or better yet, you may find it in a relative’s attic who would be more than willing to let you have the wedding dress for you to wear on your big day.

Rent it.  Many “green” brides are starting to consider the idea of “reusing” their wedding dress by renting it instead of purchasing a gown.  When you consider what you are really spending your money on (a once-in-a-lifetime dream dress) that will only be used once and then be placed somewhere in a box never to be taken out again, renting your dream wedding dress becomes more affordable.

The most important thing to remember when looking for your wedding dress is don’t compromise your style for your budget.   The key is to find a gown that fits both your budget and style preference.  With a little work and planning, you can have the wedding dress of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Some people may think that a large plastic bag or any old storage box will do when it comes to properly storing a wedding dress, but the fact is that you need to use an acid free pH neutral storage box for your wedding dress to keep it it in the most optimal condition. Why?

Acids Destroy Fabric The acids in the cardboard box will damage the fabric over time. The point of storing your dress is so you can have it perfect condition in however many years, to pass on to a daughter or a sister, or maybe even wear it again when it is time to renew your vows.

Why pH Neutral? Even if they aren’t acidic, the boxes may have a reverse alkalinity which may also work to damage and discolour the fabric. This is why it is very important to make sure that the box you store your dress in is not only acid free but pH neutral. This will keep the box from causing any damage to the dress.

Viewing Window or No Viewing Window No viewing window, because light will cause the fabric to discolour. When you are looking for a wedding dress storage box, make sure that in addition to being acid free and pH neutral, the box has no windows to let light in.

Once you have selected the proper box for your dress, remember not to use tissue paper inside (unless it is pH neutral!) the box to cushion the dress, because with the right box, you should not need the tissue paper. Also remember to clean the dress and allow it to dry completely before storing it to ensure that it will be in the best condition possible later.

Temperature fluctuations could also cause damage to the fabric, so the place where the box is stored should be a fairly consistent temperature year round. Store in a dry, dark place to prevent discolouration. Take time to inspect the dress each year to ensure there are no new stains and admire its beauty. So, the key is a pH neutral wedding dress box.