Bride Dresses

Are All Bride Dressed in White?

The song describing a bride, who is all dressed in white, does not pertain to the universal bride after all. It seems that not all brides wear white during their wedding day.

What people commonly refer to as the traditional white wedding gown is not even a tradition that is being followed all over the world. The wearing of a white dress became traditional for some folks only after the 1840 wedding of Queen Victoria where she wore white, before that the gowns were commonly black. However, there is no book that mandates any specific color. Some people believe that wearing white signifies purity and virginity. On the contrary, blue is the original color for purity, the reason why a lot of gowns during the Renaissance and Medieval periods were blue.

Brides the world over wear different colors during their event. This is particularly true in China where the red will commonly be worn to symbolize luck and happiness. The same color brings luck to India so brides there often wear red as well. However, there are those who choose green to symbolize fertility. Indian brides are also partial to burgundy and pink sari for their occasion.

On the other hand, the Japanese bride wears the white kimono during the ceremony and tops this with a colorful and bright uchikake kimono during the reception. However, there is no stopping the modern Japanese bride to change into different attires during the day. Among the most colorful gowns are worn by the Korean brides. The traditional wedding attire for the Korean bride is a very colorful yellow jacket and a bright red skirt. The Vietnamese brides wear the same colors to symbolize prosperity.

There is really no limit to the choice of color for the gown. She can match the color of her choice to her wedding theme or even to the season or the time of the year. Pastels are however a favorite color for modern brides who want to get away from the traditional white but not entirely. However, the more adventurous ones can settle for darker colors.

The final decision on what colors you will wear during your wedding will depend on you. For one, it is your day and you are the one getting married not the people who might get offended if you choose another color.(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Jane)

Find out the other guide on Bridesmaids Dresses.

Strapless Wedding Dresses

Should You Choose a Strapless Wedding Dress?

If you have ever picked up a celebrity magazine and read about a celebrity that has recently gotten married they very likely wore a strapless wedding dress. Because of the clean lines and elegant layout most stars choose this type of dress. So you may be thinking that is what I will wear. However as with most things your body shape, the type of wedding you are having, and your budget will weigh heavily in whether you need to choose a strapless wedding gown for your dress.

One reason stars love to wear strapless wedding gowns is they show off their very good physiques. It also helps to frame a beautiful face and of course accentuates a great bust line. If you are blessed in terms of physique and a beautiful face then this is your dress.

One drawback to a strapless wedding dress is that it has to fit perfectly. As it is gravity defying it depends on a precise fit so that it does not suddenly drop into a pile on the floor. If you are someone who has weight fluctuations you would need to monitor your weight closely and basically be sure you maintain the weight and overall body build you had when you were measured for the dress. If you have let the stress of wedding planning get to you and tend to eat or not eat when under stress this may not be the dress for you. You are not going to have the option of getting your gown altered on your big day . The fact that it is strapless also means that nothing other than you is really going to hold it up. It is you against gravity and if you falter then gravity will win.

Because a strapless gown shows off your physique if you are heavy or out of shape this would not be the best selection for you. Because it is so open in the chest area you need to be careful about tan lines as they will certainly show as well as any other flaw in your upper chest. One popular alternative is wearing a wedding basque. This is used to help sculpt your body. It has boning which will pull in your waist and also helps to shape your hips. It will also give those needing it, push-up support for their breasts.

One big plus with a strapless wedding gown is it is a great choice for a summer wedding. It does allow the bride to stay cool and comfortable in most any warm setting. Depending on the amount of adornment this is a great style for anything from a casual wedding to a formal one. You will find that it has some limitations. For example it is not the gown to be wearing if you will be participating in the limbo at the reception.

It is also versatile in terms of design. You can get strapless gowns with sleeves if you desire. They are also the first choice for a bride who wants to wear gloves at her ceremony.

No matter what style of dress you eventually select it needs to be one that you not only look beautiful in but also feel beautiful in. There are many different styles and this is just one. Search the net and buy several bridal magazines and look around at what is out there and decide what you think would look best on you. Then take your magazine or pic and head to the local bridal dress shop and try on several different styles. This is probably the single most important decision you will make. So take your time and make the right one.(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mae_Summerville)

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Lace Wedding Dress

Make Your Wedding Elegant With a Lace Wedding Dress

Your wedding day is a special time in everyone's life and one of the more thrilling tasks is selecting your wedding dress. As soon as you pore over all the options and styles available to you, you may be somewhat bewildered as to where to begin. If you would like to get something whimsical and romantic, though, a lace wedding dress is absolutely the choice to make.

Wedding gowns are available in all sizes and shapes, but the lace ones historically have a romantic and flowing atmosphere to them. They can be inclined to feel a bit old fashioned, but if you select the proper design and some attractive embellishments and beading, you can possess a extremely spectacular wedding dress.

Lace dresses can be rather pricey too, so you might also decide on just a portion of the dress including lace on it. You might fashion the sleeves out of lace so that your arms slightly show through. You might additionally only use small pieces of lace to line the base of the skirt, or to position surrounding the neckline to make it more feminine and softer.

Pick out your lace dress to match your wedding. If your wedding ceremony will take place on a beach, or anywhere outdoors, you may rather have a shorter, ankle length dress. Needless to say, you could opt for a knee length dress to have it more informal and then add bits of lace here and there.

Another thing you can do for a lacy effect, is to make use of the lace on your veil or on your garter instead of on your dress. You could make the complete dress from satin or other fabric, and then have an eye catching, unique lace veil. That will give you a romantic, soft appearance and be wonderful for your wedding photographs.

While you are in search of your perfect wedding dress, you ought to settle on if you would like a lot of lace or only a little, it can ultimately save you some time.(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_L._Schmidt)

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Design Your Own Wedding Dress

How to Design Your Own Wedding Dress - 10 Top Tips

1. Decide on a budget and stick to it.

2. Choose a time line, so your dress is ready in plenty of time before your wedding day.

3. Select the fabric you'd like to use. Some bridal gown fabrics include shantung, brocade, French satin, crepe, organza and silk duchess satin. It's a good idea to get some swatches so you can compare the look and feel of the various fabrics.

4. Choose the color. These can include stark white, ivory or champagne for a traditional color. Or how about a slightly non traditional shade such as pale pink or lavender?

5. Decide on the style. Do you want a fairytale princess look or a sleek modern image, or something in-between?

6. Visit bridal stores if you can't decide on the exact style you want. You may get inspired!

7. Make sure your measurements are correct so you don't need to do any last minute alterations if the gown doesn't fit.

8. Consider the rear view design of the gown. Your guests will be spending a lot of time looking at your back as the ceremony goes on. It should be as flattering as the front.

9. Consider comfort. You will be wearing the gown for at least eight hours, so it is important that you should feel comfortable in it. When trying it on, bend over, sit down, stand up, walk and dance to make sure that you can move with ease in your wedding gown. For example, boning in the bodice may not be comfortable after a few hours.

10. Now you've designed your own wedding dress, who is going to make it? A dressmaker, bridal store, family, friends or yourself?

Designing your own wedding dress is a wonderful way to imprint your personality on your wedding. Congratulations!(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Jones)

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Lace Wedding Dresses

Buying Lace Wedding Dresses

Lace wedding dresses have become very popular in the market as they look elegant and delicate while lending a romantic air to the brides. Lace is the special touch that you need in your wedding gown to make your special day wonderful.

If you are planning to buy a lace bridal gown, make sure to choose a style that is made with quality lace. Vintage lace should be the ideal choice as it is soft to touch and flows nicely with the gown. This classy fabric can still be found in good condition on a dress even it is worn for several decades. Bear in mind not to choose cheap lace which feels uncomfortable and can be a bit stiff.

Before buying your lace wedding gown, you need to think about whether to choose a designer dress or not. A branded bridal gown usually is sold at expensive prices and not every one can afford to buy it. So consider your budget before your budget. Another option is to select a vintage lace bridal gown. This type of dresses usually has high quality lace that still looks and feels great. What you need to do is to restore and clean it and you will get your own prized lace wedding dress.

However, a lace wedding gown may not be suitable for every bride although it is a perfect choice for you to show off your feminine side and look sexy and charming. Every woman wants to look perfect on her wedding ceremony, so it is very important for you to purchase a wedding dress that will flaunt your best assets and make you look gorgeous on your big day.(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Nyleve)

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Beach Wedding Invitations

Deciding on Your Beach Wedding Invitations

Your wedding gift is the very first peek into what your guests will be witnessing when they go to your beach wedding. So, I think it goes without saying that choosing the right kind of invitation is very important. You want to make sure that your invitation matches the theme of your wedding.

For example, let's say that you are planning a very traditional or customary wedding, you don't want to use bold colors in your invitations. You want to stick with colors that are more inherently elegant. Also, remember that many of your guests are going to keep the invitations as a keepsake, so you want to make sure you are picking out something properly.

You also have to remember your wedding budget, and how your invitations fit within that budget. You may not think that invitations are that expensive, but trust me the expenses will creep up on you. If you are not sure how much you can afford on your wedding invitations, then it's time to figure it out.

The truth is that wedding invitations can be quite pricey. It's not so much the individual invitations are expensive, so much as all the little parts that are involved with making and sending the invitations. Here are the basics of a wedding invitation. You need the invitation (obviously), response card, reception card, as well as the thank you notes. There are also some extras you might need to purchase like direction cards, place cards, magnets, etc.... After all of that, you can see where the costs would add up.

After that, it's time to consider the style of your respective beach wedding invitations. The wedding style should reflect the theme and atmosphere of your wedding day. Make sure not to make the wedding invitation too casual if that's not going to be the type of wedding you are going to be.

Figure out first if you are going to have a more modern, progressive kind of wedding, or is it going to be more traditional. Once you've got that figured out, you can tell what kind of invitations would match that style.

If you are going to have a traditional wedding, then obviously you want to have a more formal style of invitations. For example, the invitations should be on black print with a white background.

If you are going to have a more progressive kind of wedding, then you have a lot more flexibility in your colors and design. Modern wedding invitations can have graphics and pictures.

Now that you have some idea of what kind of invitation you want, now its time to figure out where you are going to shop for your invitations. You probably have a print shop nearby where you live. You can talk to the employees and the designers in the shop to get an idea of what would work best for you.

If you don't have a print shop where you live, just turn on your computer and go surfing online. You'll find hundreds of stationary stores, with thousands of different samples from which you can choose from.(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracy_L_Reeder)

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Wedding Invitation Cards

Tips to Choose Cheap Wedding Invitation Cards

The ongoing economic downturn has forced many people to cut their wedding costs and fix an affordable budget to make their wedding truly memorable. So, if you are looking for economical yet impressive ways to memorize your wedding day, choices are endless for you. Doing research beforehand and consulting experts can really save time and a lot of money as well.

Don't compromise the quality:
Just because, you want to save few bucks, you can not afford to compromise on the quality of your wedding arrangements. Obviously, it is your wedding day and you want to get the best of everything. To get the finest quality services, look through possible resources that keep you updated on ongoing fashion trends. For example, if you are about to choose a wedding card, think properly about your style, design and pattern.

Look for an appropriate theme:
People who prefer fashionable arrangements can find flipping through the pages of fashion magazines and books truly worthy. Get new ideas about designs, patterns, and styles and incorporate the styles given there in your own way. Create replica of the cards available there and get instant fame among your loved ones.

Find a wholesaler stationer:
Clubbing with a wholesale stationer helps in lowering the overhead costs of the wedding event. A wholesaler can give a wide range of choices so that you can get the best card as per your needs. You can choose DIY cards for your wedding. However, you need to ensure that you finish the work beforehand.

Give a personal touch:
Wedding invitation refers to the official invitation to people to come and solemn your wedding with their presence. Available in a variety of sizes, shapes, patterns and colors, wedding invitations can be customized and personal imprints have been given to make it truly memorable forever.( http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Qayam_Khan)

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Short Wedding Dress

Why You Should Choose a Short Wedding Dress

Short bridal gown are more and more seen on the wedding ceremony, many brides prefer them to floor length dresses for the convenience and varied style.

Famous designers now are launching short wedding dresses from Oscar de la Renta to Vera Wang. Although they are not as many as the long ones in their collections these dresses are still gaining huge attention as they are easy to move in and uniqueness.

One of the biggest reasons for choosing a short length bridal gown is that it can be worn both during and after the wedding ceremony. So many brides spend a fortune on an elaborate long gown with an equally long train for the church ceremony then realize it will be almost impossible to dance the night away in it at the post-wedding party. With a short wedding dress, it's easy!

The most apparent advantage choosing a short bridal gown is not only can it be as wedding dress on the wedding ceremony but also as a dress on evening party as well. The brides who spend much money on a long gown just for the church ceremony may find they can't be worn for dance in the party after wedding. It won't be a problem with a short wedding gown.

Brides no longer fear for tripping down in a short wedding dress and to be comfortable in walk in, dress in and reception.

Shorter bridal gowns are great for beach weddings or outdoor weddings in hot climates.

Picking a short colored wedding dress also enable you to wear it repeatedly after the big day.

Such colored dresses are easy to be found in the local prom dress stores so short wedding dresses is you best option if you want to get married in a short time.

Short wedding dress is stylish, fashionable and economic. It's getting accepted by more and more brides and their parents. Plus if you need uniqueness and want to attract attention then it a best wedding dress option for you.(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terman_Leung)

Find out the other guide on Beach Wedding Dresses.

Wedding Party Favors

Tips on Choosing the Perfect Wedding Party Favors

In a typical wedding setting the bride and groom usually give wedding party favors to parents, bible and ring bearers, the flower girls, candle lighters, bridesmaids and groomsmen, the best man and the maid of honor. These gifts are given during the pre wedding party or rehearsal dinner. Wedding party favors should not be limited to only the bridal party as there are guests who come from far just to attend your wedding. Sending them off with an appreciation gift is a token of respect.

Choosing unique wedding favors takes some time and planning. You should research some tips to guide you into an appropriate decision. The first thing to take into consideration is the amount of money you can spend on the wedding party favors. Sit down with your groom and come up with a budget that you can stick to. Keep in mind that wedding favors need not be extravagant, as with all gifts, it is the thought that counts.

In most cases a wedding favor is given to all the guests but the same gift does not have to be given to everyone. Explore gifts that are better suited to men and women separately. Remember that different people have different interests but keep to your chosen theme. Since most of the guests are people you know, consider their personal interests if possible. For example, if they like golfing or partying with friends you could consider things like golf gifts or beer mugs with a personalized message or your initials on it.

Wedding party favors can also send a message to the guests that you have taken time to note their interests and get something tailored to them personnally. The best wedding party favors should match the theme of your wedding. For example, if it is a Christmas wedding, get something that fits the Christmas theme.

Another tip to guide you is to decide if you would like to give edible gifts, those that can be stored or those for display as a memento. Picture frames are good display items while edible gifts can be chocolates for women or liquor chocolates for men. When it comes to presenting these unique wedding favors, you could distribute the ones for men during the bachelor party and for women during the bachelorette party or you could choose to distribute them at the wedding reception.

Decide whether you want your unique wedding favors to be personalized, homemade or the commercially available variety. You will find salespeople ready to help in offering personalizing services if desired. Of course there is a cost for this but you can have all the work done for you. If you are artistic you could set some time to work on some homemade gifts. You can check online for their products if you want a favor with a more professional look. These are just some of the tips and ideas you should consider when deciding on the perfect wedding party favor for your guests.(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_B_Hu)

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Vintage Wedding Dresses

When Shopping For Vintage Wedding Dresses

There is something good to be said about wearing vintage wedding dresses. They are exquisitely made and amazingly designed considering their age, not to mention that you can actually wear your "something old" and show it off!

Still, shopping for vintage wedding dresses can be easier said than done since you have to contend with various issues like stains, rust and missing parts. Not to worry though if you have your heart set on a vintage wedding dress with these tips.

Check Your Measurements
Vintage dresses are often sized differently than the more modern clothes you shop for. As such, you should be armed with a full set of body measurements, your measurements of course, from your arms to your shoulders.

Better yet, buy a corset or a girdle and put it on before fitting on the dresses. This is because most women for whom the dresses were made often wore corsets and girdles to achieve a sculpted look. Besides, it will look good to have curves on your wedding day!

Check for Stains
Some stains are harder to remove than others. If you think that a stain will not come off and it shows in a very visible area, then you probably should just walk away and look for other vintage wedding dresses.

Some tips to help you remove stubborn stains from your dream vintage wedding dresses, which is assuming that it can be removed without going to a dress restoration expert of course.

* Place your dress in a bathtub filled with either lukewarm or cold water mixed with a gentle liquid detergent. Be sure to remove metal and plastic accessories first as these can add to your restoration problems. Soak it for at least 24 hours to loosen stubborn stains and lessen yellowish discolorations.
* Remove stains with a sudsy spray solution and then gently brushing them with a toothbrush. Just don't apply a club soda solution as it will worsen the stains, even make them settle more into the dress.

Whatever you do, avoid rubbing vigorously on the fabric. It can be fragile that any drastic wringing, rubbing, pressing and cleaning performed on it can make it fall apart. And then where would you be? Perhaps, you will be saying goodbye to anything vintage, wedding dresses or not, and that would be a shame.

Check for Missing Parts
Some vintage dresses may be older than your grandmother so checking for missing parts - buttons, embroidery, ribbons, and other stuff - is a must. If you can find a store that sells vintage accessories, it will be better for your restorative efforts.

If you don't have any knowledge of such a store, try looking for possible replacements. Some stores may even carry reproductions of vintage accessories that you can use to cover up the missing parts.

If you have your bridal heart set on vintage wedding dresses but can't find one that meets your requirements in terms of it being able to withstand wear for more than 8 hours, then you can always ask to have it reproduced. There is no shame in that and you can even pass it to your daughter!(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarrah_Beaumont)

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