World of Wedding

Looking for ways to personalize your wedding ceremony? Consider incorporating your own carefully chosen words into this momentous occasion, and build the foundation for a life-long relationship.


Writing your own vows is definitely an ambitious undertaking. Not only must you determine the perfect words to say, but those words must be rehearsed and recited in front of your closest family and friends on a day that will be one of the most important of your life. Follow these easy steps to pen and recite beautiful vows from the heart.

Step One - Before you put pen to paper, consider these factors:

Get approval -
Talk to your officiant to make sure personal vows are even allowed. Some religions object to non-secular expressions during the wedding ceremony. Even with the go-ahead, submit your personalized vows to your officiant for review before the big day; he or she may have specific objections or even helpful ideas.

Establish an estimated length -
Your audience will find it odd and even comical if one rambles for 5 minutes will the other says 10 words.

Be succinct -
Overly lengthy wedding vows may lose your audience and will only increase the potential for error. Review them in front of someone else. You can rehearse with each other, or if you'd rather keep them a surprise, read your vows to a trusted loved one.

Step Two - Decide What to Say:

Consult your past -
Time for a trip down memory lane. Start jotting down the details of special firsts in your relationship-first meeting, first date, first kiss, first "I love you," etc. What qualities made you fall in love in the first place? Are there special milestones in your relationship that that have helped bring you here today?

Envision the Future -
What challenges and achievements to you foresee in the future, and how do you expect to meet those things together?

Complete Me -
Sure, it's a line from a movie-but there's a reason for its now cliché status. What characteristics does he/she bring out in you? How does he/she make you a better person?

Use the right words -
Compile your notes, memories and reflections, and begin turning words into sentences. Consult your thesaurus for the perfect expressions to reflect your thoughts. Some words to get you started: love, trust, support, strength, encourage, respect, cherish, admire, value, commit, pledge and promise.

This article offers even more advice on what to include in your wedding vows

Step 3 - Say it With Heart:

Have a cheat sheet -
Even if you plan to memorize them, the nerves may kick in when the big moment arrives. To avoid a potentially awkward scene at the wedding ceremony - bring a cheat sheet just in case.

Although save-the-dates are not absolutely necessary, these cards have increased in popularity with the rise of destination weddings and modern guest lists spread throughout the country.

Since they are a relatively modern concept, no real rules apply - a fact which sometimes causes confusion for brides when planning their wedding stationery. I've sorted through the information that's out there to bring you the real ins and outs concerning save-the-dates…


Who Needs them?
If your guest list includes a number of out-of-towners, or if your wedding takes place during a holiday or other peak time, you are a prime candidate for save-the-dates. Since invitations don't go out until 6-8 weeks before the big day, save-the-dates are the perfect way to give wedding guests a preliminary heads up so they can begin making travel arrangements.

These days, however, more and more brides send these cards regardless of the time and location of their wedding. Why? Save-the-dates provide a fun opportunity to get the word out and foreshadow the style of your big event.

Rules & Etiquette
Again, few rules apply. The only information you must include is your names and wedding date, although I suggest including location information as well so wedding guests can begin their travel plans. Aim to send save-the-date cards soon after you secure your date and venue, or about 4-6 months prior to your wedding.

Remember, everyone who receives a save-the-date also receives an invitation, so have your guest list finalized prior to sending them. You can, however, always add guests later (there is no rule that says everyone must receive a save-the-date card). Although formal replies are not required, you can get preliminary attendance estimates through word-of-mouth.

Trends & Ideas
These cards will be the first impression of your wedding festivities, so take advantage of this opportunity to build excitement amongst your wedding guests. If you already know the colors and/or theme of your wedding, now's your chance to provide a sneak peak. Or try including a favorite love poem or quote that symbolizes your relationship. Here are some of my favorite ideas and trends:

• Use vibrant colors that will "pop" as soon as guests open the envelope.

• Incorporate graphics that correspond with the season and/or location of your event. If you are planning a fall wedding, try including colorful leaves, or include seashells for a wedding on the water.

• If the timing is right, turn your save-the-date cards into holiday greetings. Incorporate your engagement photo or another photo taken shortly after the proposal.

• Who says they have to be printed stationery? Set yours apart by turning them into scrolls, pens, stickers, magnets or a creative calendar-marker. You are only limited by your imagination!

Wording Samples
The content of your save-the-dates should be short, sweet, and to the point - providing a basic who, what, where and when. There is no standard wording; they may be as formal or as whimsical as you'd like. In any case, make sure to include "Formal invitation to follow" somewhere on the card.

Here is the basic layout for the save-the-date cards:

Save the Date: [bride & groom's name] are getting married on [wedding date] in [city, state]

Here are some wording samples you might want to consider:

• Traditional:
Please save the date:
May 12, 2010 for the wedding of
Bob & Mary in Charleston, South Carolina

• Fun & Cutesy:
We're Tying The Knot!
John popped the question, and Katie said yes.
Please join us on October 17, 2011
Orange County, California

• For a destination wedding:
Please join us in paradise on June 17, 2012
when Lisa & Jay say "I Do"
in Maui, Hawaii

Even low budget weddings can take a huge bite out of savings and often end in huge debt obligations.

Planning a wedding yourself not only saves money but, gives that personal touch that provides lasting family memories.


Personal touches like creating your own wedding favors and planning your own reception can be particularly satisfying.

You will take great pride in your accomplishments when planning a low budget wedding. Not only in your creations but in the huge savings you will boast about.

A low budget wedding will have much the same wedding costs as the higher counterparts, but you can save money in each area to stay within your budget.

The only way to avoid the costs is simply not to have a formal wedding. If you're footing the bill yourself and just can't see yourself starting your married life with a financial burden, you could always opt for a courthouse ceremony and intimate dinner.

A formal ceremony can then be planned well in advance. A re-taking of wedding vows is common practice today, and it's a very romantic anniversary date! Consider this if your funds are extremely limited and you will be financing most of the wedding budget.

However, if it breaks your heart to forego the formal ceremony, and you have limited funds, save as much money as possible using low budget wedding ideas. Here's a real wedding budget saver that can reduce the cost of the wedding reception greatly.

The Wedding Reception

The reception alone will bust your wedding budget if you're not careful. Of course, the most obvious way to save money on the reception is to keep it small.

Where you host this grand occasion could make or break you.

Your low budget wedding remedy? Find a reception location that's free or low cost.

A free location may include, your home, or a friend or family member's home. A low cost option might include the Church reception hall, the local fire department's reception room, and club hall rentals. Most will have a kitchen area for preparing and serving food.

Sometimes you will even find a local restaurant that specializes in low budget wedding receptions. These will likely offer a package for the reception which may include dinner and limited beverage with the rental of restaurant space or banquet rooms. Check hotels in your area for banquet rooms as well. Some may rent the banquet room alone and/or offer reception packages as an option.

Leave no stone unturned in your search! You may happen upon a gem of a deal that will save you a lot of money. Ask around. Get recommendations from friends and family. Do a local search on the internet. We have several plantations in our area who offer wedding reception packages. These are elegant locations and are usually competitively priced; including options for the low budget wedding.

Make a list or chart to record all your findings. Record not only price but services available, and packages available. Then you can compare where you will get the most for your money.

For instance, you may be able to rent a space for a really cheap rate and hire outside catering for the dinner. But, if you find a location that costs more but will offer you a package that includes the catering, it may be the better deal in the long run.

The one big exception to this scenario is if you opt for a potluck reception. Many guests may be pleased, if not relieved, to be given the choice to bring a reception dish in place of a wedding gift. You will find that low budget reception packages usually come with a low budget menu as well.

If you choose this option, you will save greatly on catering expenses. I am certain your guests will be more pleased with the menu selections. This would be your best low budget wedding option and will save the most money.

• Drinks At The Wedding

To have a free bar, or cash bar? Such a difficult question to answer. Of course, it would be fantastic to offer a free bar to all your guests, all day, but with limited funds, it’s not a realistic option for most people.

• Booze Budget Cost Saving Tip:

The ideal in this instance is to use a venue where you can bring your own booze. I was lucky enough to be able to do this at our wedding and managed to pop across to France and buy 180 bottles of wine and 240 beers, plus Pimms and cassis for under 1500$. We had stacks left and our guests were restricted to beer, wine or soft drinks, but no one seemed to mind.

Another option is to come to an arrangement with the hotel regarding corkage. A friend got married in a hotel, which charged 20$per bottle of wine. She arranged a flat fee of 1500 for all of her beer and wine opening. Although it seems like a lot, it meant that she could afford to supply beer and wine for her guests.

• Bridalwear

With most bridal dresses starting around 1300 and running into thousands of dollars, this is a huge expense.

• Bridalwear Cost Saving Tip:

You can still look fabulous for a fraction of the price and feel that you’re minimising the eco-footprint of your wedding by buying a ‘pre-loved’ wedding dress.

Many charity shops have specialist ‘bridalwear’ departments where you can purchase new and designer dresses that have been worn once. You can try the dresses on before buying and you’ll get a warm glow from doing something for ‘Charidee’.

If you’re a little braver, you can venture online, where there are some fantastic bargains to be had in the ‘pre-loved’ lines. Take a look at some of the ‘For Sale’ forums of the popular wedding websites and you’ll see bridal dresses, veils, tiaras and those Jimmy Choo shoes that you know you want for a fraction of the cost.

• The Wedding Photography

Many couples feel that photography is a major part of the day and are prepared to pay upwards of 4000$ for a beautifully presented wedding album. Photographers have confirmed that it isn’t the actual photography, which is the major part of this expense, but printing and preparation of the formal wedding albums.

• Wedding Photography Cost Savings Tip:

Many photographers are prepared to attend your wedding day and then provide you with a DVD of your photos for around 1000. With the DVD, you can then use some of the fantastic online services to prepare your own ‘Photo Book’ - costing much less. Or, as many guests will no doubt have digital cameras with them, combine place cards with little notes asking them to share their wedding photos on your online directory.

Another excellent tip for having a photo keepsake of your wedding is to use several Instant Photo Guest Books, which combine Polaroid Instant Photos and hand-written sentiments from your guests. These photo guest books are ready to enjoy the "instant" your wedding is over -- and creating them adds great fun to the wedding reception!

With the average wedding now costing 20000, many couples are now looking for ways to have a ‘celebrity’ stylish wedding, without the celebrity price tag. The first tip is simple – ask for a discount.



The worst that can happen is that they say ‘No’. You might be a bit embarrassed, but what have you lost? We’ve pulled together 5 other top tips to help you create your dream wedding on a shoestring budget.

• Choosing The Wedding Venue

Your venue is probably going to be the single biggest wedding expense that you’ll have to pay, with many of the more popular venues charging 2000 upwards. But you don’t need to spend this sort of money to have a fabulous venue.

• Wedding Venue Cost Saving Tip:

Many village halls, golf and rugby clubs have suitable rooms available for a fraction of the price. The trick is to see past the existing décor and imagine it sprinkled with hundreds of fairy lights or candles – think of Ross’s wedding on the hit show Friends that Rachel ruined!

If you’ve found the wedding venue of your dreams, but it looks as if it will be out of your budget, don’t despair. Many venues offer significant discounts for mid-week or ‘out of season’ weddings which can run into thousands of pounds.

• Food At The Wedding

Deciding what kind of menu you want to offer for your wedding can be difficult enough without having to see the price tag that goes along with it!

• Food Budget Cost Saving Tip:

There are lots of ways to cut back on your food budget, and still have a memorable day. Selecting a venue where you can bring in your own caterers is often a much better value than using the existing venue catering. You can even go as far as preparing all the food yourself, though be careful of taking too much.

If you don’t have a choice about which caterer you use, there are still ways that you can trim your spending costs. Try replacing the starter course with canapés, instead of having both. Or, replace dessert with your wedding cake – so often wedding cake gets forgotten about because guests have already had so much to eat.

A new idea that brides are buzzing about is the wedding ‘cheese’ cake. Literally, it is three slabs of cheese turned into a wedding cake for that special ‘cutting of the cake’ photograph and ceremony. Why not combine the two instead of having a separate cheese and cake course? Or serve this with crackers, chutney and pate for your evening guests?

• Shop Sales Racks:

This is a no-brainer. Retail stores will discount up to 70% of the original price of the mother of the bride dress, depending on how desperately they want to clear the racks of the current season's clothing to make way for the new season.



Spring/summer lines start showing up on the racks from January through April, while fall/winter dresses are introduced between June and September. Therefore, you will get bargains around these times as well for the last season's mother of the bride apparel.

• Shop Early:

The mother of the bride should start shopping for her mother of the bride outfit as soon as she knows the colors of the wedding. All too often she takes care of all the details that go into the wedding, while forgetting her own needs.

She should spend this time with the bride going over styles, fabrics, accents, accessories, etc. Late shopping only brings on more stress and possibly more money spent on things that were purchased in haste and then returned with "buyer's remorse".

Quite a few bridal shops do not take back returns or offer refunds once the mother of the bride walks out of the store with her dress.

• Shop Online Stores:

There are tons of reputable and traditional bridal boutiques out there that have an online store on the immense "world wide web" nowadays. The costs of running and up keeping a brick-and-mortar store are escalating and definitely cut into profits.

Any savvy shop owner knows full well that they will have to own a "web store" to fully maximize their sales and therefore, profits. Check their Better Business Bureau record or see if the site has a BBB online reliability logo, if you are still not comfortable shopping online. Once you start using your fingers to do the shopping, you will never stop!

• Shop Bridesmaid Dresses:

The "youthful" mother of the bride can opt for a bridesmaid dress which are normally priced less expensively than a mother of the bride gown. Seek the tailoring expertise of a bridal dress seamstress to add on beads, sequins, and other exotic trimmings to create a uniquely appealing look.

• Search for ' Discount' Dresses Online:

The mother of bride can open up more options for herself if she is computer literate and able to do a search using the keywords "discount" or "cheap". Example, search for discount mother of the bride dresses.

These words can conjure up an image of herself in a cheesy, polyester dress but you will be surprised what will show up online that are not quite cheesy despite being made of polyester. By the way, there are 40 blends of polyester and almost all synthetic fabrics for special occasion wear are made of some type of polyester.

• Shop Regular Evening Wear:

Add on a shawl or jacket or buy fabric to make a unique, one-of-a-kind jacket to cover the shoulders and arms for modesty or for providing warmth.

• Wear a Teal Length or Cocktail Dress:

These are priced less than the floor-length gowns and are more versatile, as you can surely wear them again at another special occasion.

Weddings performed during and immediately following the medieval era were often more than just a union between two people. They could be a union between two families, two businesses or even two countries.

Many weddings were more a matter of politics than love, particularly among the nobility and the higher social classes. Brides were therefore expected to dress in a manner that cast their families in the most favorable light, for they were not representing only themselves during the ceremony.

Brides of an elevated social standing often wore rich colors and expensive fabrics. It was common to see such brides wearing bold colors and layers of furs, velvet and silk. Brides of a lower social standing often copied the elegant styles of wealthier brides as best they could.

Over the centuries, brides continued to dress in a manner befitting their social status—always in the height of fashion, with the richest, boldest materials money could buy. The poorest of brides wore their best church dress on their wedding day. The amount of material a wedding dress contained also was a reflection of the bride's social standing and indicated the extent of the family's wealth to wedding guests.

Today, there are wedding dresses available in all price ranges, and Western traditions have loosened up to include a rainbow of colors and variety of lengths, which are now considered acceptable. Women may purchase ready-made gowns, wear a family heirloom, or they may choose to have a dressmaker create one for her. In addition, today many bridal salons have samples of wedding gowns in their stores where the bride selects a certain style and orders one to be made to fit.

Wedding dresses have traditionally been based on the popular styles of the day. For example, in the 1920s, wedding dresses were typically short in the front with a longer train in the back and were worn with cloche-style wedding veils. This tendency to follow current fashions continued until the late 1940s, when it became popular to revert to long, full-skirted designs reminiscent of the Victorian era.

Although there has always been a style that dominates the bridal market for a time, and then shifts with the changes in fashion, a growing number of modern brides are not choosing to follow these trends. This is due in large part to non-traditional and non-first-time weddings, and women who are marrying later in life.

Today, Western wedding dresses are usually white, though "wedding white" includes creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory. Philippa of England was actually the first documented princess in history to wear a white wedding gown during a royal wedding ceremony: she wore a tunic with a cloak in white silk bordered with grey squirrel and ermine).

White did not become a popular option until 1840, after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria had worn a white gown for the event so as to incorporate some lace she owned. The official wedding portrait photograph was widely published, and many other brides opted for a similar dress in honor of the Queen's choice.

The tradition continues today in the form of a white wedding, though prior to the Victorian era, a bride was married in any color except black (the color of mourning) or red (which was connected with prostitutes). However, in Finland during the 19th century, it was popular for brides to wear dark colors, especially black.

Later, many people assumed that the color white was intended to symbolize virginity, though this had not been the original intention. (It was the color blue that was connected to purity.) The white gown is in fact a symbolic Christening gown.

The are a variation of the white surplice worn in the Western Catholic tradition by members of the clergy, church choirs and servers and the gowns worn by girls making their first communion and at their confirmation and also by women making religious vows. Today, the white dress is normally understood merely as the most traditional and popular choice for weddings.

• Bring the entourage, but don't buy.

It's fun and useful to bring your mother, friends or sisters on the dress-shopping expedition. It gives you a buffer against an overbearing sales staff, and it's fun to see if your impressions of perfection are shared by your loved ones, not to mention how they'll love being part of such an important decision.


But no matter how enthusiastic everyone gets over a certain dress, don't buy in the heat of the moment. Give yourself time to reconsider and buy with a cool head later, alone. The vast majority of dresses are non-returnable, so when you've bought it, you've bought it.

• Don't buy too early unless you must.

Bridal gowns can take four to ten months to come from the manufacturer, but there's no reason to buy over a year ahead of time, unless your chosen style is going to be discontinued. Give yourself some time to sit on your decision. Once you pick a gown, you'll see a hundred others nearly like it. You'll become a walking encyclopedia on that style of gown. All the better if you still have room to choose.

• If you've bought "The One," stop shopping

Any more window-shopping at this point will only lead you down the road toward the dreary land of Two-Dress Brides. What you need to do instead is remember that blissful feeling of having tried on The One. Go get The One out of the closet, put it on and stand in front of the mirror. You'll remember exactly why it's The One.

• If you've bought "The One" and can't stop shopping, get a second opinion.

Show your first and second choices to other brides. Be honest -- tell them you've already remortgaged your condo for the first dress, but you think this second dress might be it. They'll be truthful, too -- the first one was better. You'll feel reassured.

• Don't tell yourself "I'll sell the old dress and choose a new one."

This old saw of the Two-Dress Bride just won't work. You'll never get more than a fraction of what you paid for your first dress if you bought it new.

• Don't be afraid to aim high -- no matter what your budget.

Some brides knew from the start they wanted a designer label, but life just didn't cooperate by making them heiresses. Yet all is not lost if you're willing to shop courageously. At any given moment, a better-heeled bride is selling her once-used St. Pucchi or Ulla-Maija on eBay. She paid thousands upon thousands, but you, smart shopper, will pay half that or less.

To take this road, you must shop earlier than other brides so you'll have a choice of gowns. Always pay with a credit card so you'll have recourse if the dress doesn't arrive in acceptable condition, and again, shop early so you can buy another if necessary. Shop courageously, but not recklessly.

• Shop online, but never send a check.

Bridal gown businesses sometimes have a way of disappearing overnight. No matter what the proprietor tells you, never make a purchase as large as a wedding gown without the chargeback protection of a credit card. If they say they can't take plastic, move on.

• Don't hold out forever for The One.

Some brides never find The One. What they do find is a few dresses they look beautiful in. If you're this bride, try starting your planning from the theme instead of the dress. You'll probably eventually get sick to death of dress shopping. When that happens, "good enough" really will be good enough. Concentrate on other aspects of the wedding that mean a lot to you, like the venue, the food, or the inevitable adoration of your soon-to-be husband.

Your daughter’s wedding is announced. She has butterflies in her stomach and one thousand and one things to do. Her "butterflies" becomes yours and your thoughts are racing just like hers.

You, as her mother, will help her plan her dream wedding, just like your mother planned yours. At the back of your mind……"What am I going to wear? Will I look just as beautiful as my daughter on her wedding day? So many people are going to be looking at me as well…."

Fret no more. Here are the RULES but like all rules, they may be broken or should I say improvised and revised to suit you. I say….whatever makes you and/or your daughter happy!

1. Confer with your daughter. She will come up with a color scheme for her wedding.

2. Ask her whether she wants the color of your dress to complement her wedding color/colors or almost match it. Examples of complementary colors to a red color theme is burgundy, wine, claret red, dark pink, and purple. As for a "match", it would certainly be difficult to have an exact match of the colors, as your dress will be of a different manufacturer, style, fabric, and dye. So, do not stress over this.

3. You, as the mother of the bride, will decide on a color or colors, after consulting your daughter. Suggest to her to be flexible on the choice of colors—perhaps two or three choices would be great. Mother of the bride dresses are not made like bridesmaid dresses, the latter being preordered and tailored months ahead of time for the occasion. Shopping for a mother of the bride dress can be a headache and nightmare rolled into one, especially for the plus size woman or if you live in a rural city.

4. Do not forget to involve the mother of the groom. After you have an idea of what color you would or should be wearing, inform her. She will definitely appreciate that as she will be in a panic mode as well, going through the same motions as you will soon be, looking for that perfect "mother’s" dress.

5. Shop as soon as you can. Finding YOUR dress is important too. Understand that you are shopping for a specific style that you like and look great in, a specific color, and then a specific size.

Then, you will need to allow sufficient time for professional tailoring of the dress, to get it to fit just right! Also, what about the accessories like shoes and jewelry.

6. Shop bridal or department stores first. You can get a first hand look at the styles out there and the type and quality of fabrics. Do not ignore online formal wear stores. Visiting an online store is easy and stress free as they are sources of good ideas of what you would like to wear on that special day.

7. Take care of yourself in these nerve-wrecking times of preparation. Remember, you need to look good as well, although it is your daughter’s wedding.

8. Now, sit back and relax. You have found your most perfect mother of the bride dress and have a few more weeks to spare. Give yourself a big pat on the back!

Casual settings for wedding are gaining ground due to many reasons today.

As per tradition, formal weddings were definitely the order of the day but today, a lot of new ideas are being incorporated to make the entire process of planning a wedding an easy task.



Brides-to-be no longer wish to have long trails of cloth behind them; many young girls wish to bend the rules towards finding something more wearable!

Most couples prefer elegant casual weddings for many reasons. With hectic schedules and increasing work pressures, one hardly has any time to plan elaborate traditional weddings. Besides, with inflation, planning for a lavish or stylish affair often remains a dream for many.

Well, couples today have smartened up and have realized there is no point lamenting over this issue and have found an alternative solution, which is an equally fun affair!

So, how does a would-be bride fulfill her desire to be the most stunning woman on her wedding day? A set budget may not really be flexible enough to accommodate those gorgeous and elaborate wedding gowns!

Thanks to the efforts of many creative geniuses, women need not fret about not having the best of gowns. With casual wedding dresses gaining prominence, these have opened up a whole new world of trendy, stylish and beautiful gowns and dresses that are dazzling yet do not deflate the pocket!

From the traditional venues to the beautiful beaches or backyards, wedding venues have changed and so have dressing styles. You need not cringe with the thought of casual wedding dresses simply because there are many reasons you can be happy about opting for the same.

If you take a peek into your local store, you can definitely find a plethora of options from the sunny yellows to the sultry reds in a variety of styles.

Although ivory white is the most preferred color, a beach wedding for example, can allow you the option of trying something new. It need not be elaborate, you can choose something stylish and casual; an ensemble you can even wear later for any special occasion.

In order to get the best results, it is wise to select your bridesmaids’ dresses at least five months before the wedding ceremony.

In general, the bridesmaids' dresses are ordered through a bridal salon. There are also some brides who like to have them made by a professional tailor.

You will find lots of them at a department store. These dresses will meet your requirements and your bridesmaids will in all probability wear them again to another formal party or wedding.


If you order from a bridal shop your bridesmaids may have to leave a down payment to order the dress. All deals should be made in writing to avoid any complication in the future.

For a bridesmaid who is out of town, ask her to call her local bridal shops to see if they carry the same dress to try on it on there for size. Or, she can tell you her measurements by phone or email. It makes a lot of sense to order all of the dresses together because it will help reduce the chances of slight differences of color.

While selecting bridesmaids’ dresses, make sure that they complement your gown and fit in with the type, decor and color and wedding theme. Irrespective of their figures, all your bridesmaids should look flattering in simple, elegant designs.

Dress length

You should also pay attention to dress length, as the bridesmaids’ dresses for formal or semiformal weddings should be floor-length to tea-length. For an informal daytime wedding, it hardly matters if the dress is short or long. It is, however, a convention that the bridesmaids should not wear short dresses if the bride wears a floor-length dress.

The bridesmaids should also bring the same shoes or heel height as the bride on the wedding day. It is never a bad idea to talk to a few attendants before making the final choice.

It is possible that you would like to let your bridesmaids choose their own dresses. In such a scenario, it is better if the bridesmaids choose the same colors and similar styles even if the dresses are different. Alternatively, each bridesmaid can pick her own favorite color keeping the style uniform.

Otherwise, the bride can choose a particular color and let her bridesmaids choose the shade of that color they would like to wear. If you want to set the maid of honor apart from the other bridesmaids, choose for her a different color, dress or headpiece or just give her a larger bouquet.

1. Bring the entourage, but don't buy. It's fun and useful to bring your mother, friends or sisters on the dress-shopping expedition. It gives you a buffer against an overbearing sales staff, and it's fun to see if your impressions of perfection are shared by your loved ones, not to mention how they'll love being part of such an important decision.


But no matter how enthusiastic everyone gets over a certain dress, don't buy in the heat of the moment. Give yourself time to reconsider and buy with a cool head later, alone. The vast majority of dresses are non-returnable, so when you've bought it, you've bought it.

2. Don't buy too early unless you must. Bridal gowns can take four to ten months to come from the manufacturer, but there's no reason to buy over a year ahead of time, unless your chosen style is going to be discontinued. Give yourself some time to sit on your decision. Once you pick a gown, you'll see a hundred others nearly like it. You'll become a walking encyclopedia on that style of gown. All the better if you still have room to choose.

3. If you've bought "The One," stop shopping. Any more window-shopping at this point will only lead you down the road toward the dreary land of Two-Dress Brides. What you need to do instead is remember that blissful feeling of having tried on The One. Go get The One out of the closet, put it on and stand in front of the mirror. You'll remember exactly why it's The One.

4. If you've bought "The One" and can't stop shopping, get a second opinion. Show your first and second choices to other brides. Be honest -- tell them you've already remortgaged your condo for the first dress, but you think this second dress might be it. They'll be truthful, too -- the first one was better. You'll feel reassured.

5. Don't tell yourself "I'll sell the old dress and choose a new one." This old saw of the Two-Dress Bride just won't work. You'll never get more than a fraction of what you paid for your first dress if you bought it new.

6. Don't be afraid to aim high -- no matter what your budget. Some brides knew from the start they wanted a designer label, but life just didn't cooperate by making them heiresses. Yet all is not lost if you're willing to shop courageously. At any given moment, a better-heeled bride is selling her once-used St. Pucchi or Ulla-Maija on eBay.

She paid thousands upon thousands, but you, smart shopper, will pay half that or less. To take this road, you must shop earlier than other brides so you'll have a choice of gowns. Always pay with a credit card so you'll have recourse if the dress doesn't arrive in acceptable condition, and again, shop early so you can buy another if necessary. Shop courageously, but not recklessly.

7. Shop online, but never send a check. Bridal gown businesses sometimes have a way of disappearing overnight. No matter what the proprietor tells you, never make a purchase as large as a wedding gown without the chargeback protection of a credit card. If they say they can't take plastic, move on.

8. Don't hold out forever for The One. Some brides never find The One. What they do find is a few dresses they look beautiful in. If you're this bride, try starting your planning from the theme instead of the dress.

You'll probably eventually get sick to death of dress shopping. When that happens, "good enough" really will be good enough. Concentrate on other aspects of the wedding that mean a lot to you, like the venue, the food, or the inevitable adoration of your soon-to-be husband.

When little girls spend their math classes daydreaming of weddings (instead of winning the World Series -- not to say you can't do both), what do they dream of first?

The perfect wedding dress, of course: a gown in white satin with a bustle and sweeping train, the perfect embellishments, and the perfect shoes.

There are few occasions in our modern world where a woman finds herself in a position to wear a no-holds-barred ball gown, much less a crystal tiara, and all too many where she's called on to wear to a neutral suit or uninspiring "biz-caz" combo. No wonder that with so many brides, their wedding plans start with the dress.

Many of these brides are lucky. They may search high and low, braving chilly department stores and pushy bridal shops, but eventually they come face-to-face with The One. They know this is The One because they start crying, or their mother or friends all start crying at once. Suddenly the rest of the planning ... the theme, the tone, the right kind of venues ... it all springs to life.

Other brides aren't as fortunate. They've searched just as hard, working their way through shops across three or four states, but they haven't found The One. Instead, they've found three or four Contenders, all of which are serviceable and nice, but not earth-shattering enough to tell them that now is definitely time to stop the searching and get on with the planning. These brides have it harder.

Even if you're the first kind of bride, buying the dress is such a momentous decision that you run a risk of falling into that wallet-skinning category known as the Two-Dress Bride.

How does this dress look on me? Should I get the ivory or the white wedding dress? Or – worst of all – does this dress make me look fat? Every man worth his salt already knows the answer to that question and can whip it out without a moment’s thought. But when I was told (read: forced) to help find a modest wedding dress, I was a little confused and completely lost.


Not knowing where to begin, and refusing to actually go into a wedding boutique, my search for a modest wedding dress naturally began on the Internet. Unfortunately, I only have Internet access at work, and few things are as embarrassing and awkward as getting caught shopping for a wedding dress online. (What? No, sir. No, I was not looking at wedding dresses just now. I was looking at…um… err… trucks. Big trucks. Monster trucks. And hammers. Lots of hammers.)

Picking out a modest wedding dress is something that a guy should never be expected to do. At least, he shouldn’t be expected to do it well. We all know he’s never going to get it right. There are just too many variables, options, and other things we just don’t understand. Still… I gave it a try.

Even when you limit your search to modest wedding dresses, there’s still a huge variety to deal with. First, pick a sleeve. There are short sleeve wedding dresses, long sleeve wedding dresses, and if that’s not good enough you can split the difference and go for a ¾ sleeve. There’s even something called Tulle. (Toolie? What the heck is a toolie?)

And don’t forget the color. If, like me, you thought all wedding dresses were white, then like me, you would be wrong. There’s white, there’s ivory, there’s silver on white, silver on champagne, silver on ivory, and even white on white. (Isn’t that just more white?) Granted, all the silver on white was usually on a reception dress… wait. Reception dress? There’s more than one type of modest wedding dress?

Oh, and lest we forget all the accessories. Because lets face it, even the most classy, expensive, hand stitched modest wedding dress still needs a couple sparklies just to finish out the look. Even I know that. Well… I know that now. Up until now I just assumed that there was only one piece of very important jewelry that made a difference on a wedding day. Apparently you have to worry about necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras, too.

As it turns out there is more to a veil than a piece of cloth tied delicately around the bride’s head. Obviously it has to match your modest wedding dress, but once you start talking about two tier fingertip, or single tier elbow… now I begin to get scared. But after a little research and contemplation, I can now discuss embroidery, lace, and beading with the best of ‘em.

And that means that I’ve gotten in touch with my fashionable, feminine side enough for one day. In fact, I spent so long secretly looking at someone in a modest wedding dress, bridesmaid dress, or other formal number, that I had to go home and immediately spit, hammer up some drywall (with my brand new hammer), a punch a pedestrian in the throat. He seemed a little upset, even after I explained to him all about finding the perfect modest wedding dress.

Your wedding gown is arguably the most important garment purchase in your lifetime. No other dress comes with more anticipation – and will be more photographed - than this one. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend like royalty to look like a princess on your wedding day. With these smart dress savomg strategies, you can still walk down the aisle feeling like a million bucks (without having to spend just that).


Something Borrowed
Today, anything retro screams chic. So consider donning your mother’s wedding gown. You’ll not only honor a family legacy, you’ll save a pretty penny too! With vintage lace overlays and crystal embellishments making a comeback, you won’t have to worry about looking dated. With a few simple (and inexpensive) alterations, you can make it your own.

Avoid Added Adornments
Beading, pleating, stitching, embroidering…all of these trimmings add up and are going to cost you extra. Consider a wedding dress that is simply embellished, yet still elegant.

Shop Savvy
Be on the lookout for sample sales, trunk shows, and outlet bargains. Bridal shops are trying to rid their racks of the previous season’s gown styles to make room for new ones in the late-summer/winter months. Get ready to brave the crowds for super savings.

Don't Name Drop
Sure, designer duds are nice – but if you’re on a budget – you may want to skip the sought-after label. The good news is that you won’t have to sacrifice on style. If you find a look you like from a high-end wedding dress designer, you can almost always find something similar by another name in your price range.

Be Honest
Just because your wedding dress budget doesn’t match your elaborate vision doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the look you want. Approach this shopping decision with an open mind. When stepping into a bridal boutique, tell them exactly what you can realistically spend, and let them take care of the rest. They are the experts, and you might be surprised to see what they can come up with—the perfect wedding gown exists at every price point.

Think Outside Traditional Tulle and Lace
There’s no written rule that says your wedding day attire has to be an official bridal gown. The look you are going for is often available through another avenue. For instance, many bridesmaids’ dresses come in white or ivory, offering a less expensive, less fussy alternative to the traditional wedding dress.

When you choose your wedding dress, it is essential that you choose something that suits you rather than eyeing something you fancy. It is a huge misconception that only women with hour-glass figures can look perfect on their wedding day.

The key is to opt for a dress that complements your best features and hides your flaws. You don’t have to reconcile to anything less than your dream dress; you should customize your choice to a dress that suits you the best.


Designer wear

Every dress designer’s claim to fame is the exclusivity they offer. They apply their individualistic style to each wedding dress and help you shine as a unique and radiant bride. Apply your own ideas; get inspired from different sources such as bridal magazines, fashion magazines for the cut or color, designer boutiques or even the neighborhood dress maker.

Be wary of getting carried away by the latest trends in bridal wear or the current style in vogue, for it may not necessarily suit your body type, complexion or personality. If you like something that you see, cut out the picture and show it to your dress stylist as it’s much easier for the stylist to understand what you have in mind.

Customize a style or cut you like to suit your personality and body type. Try it out to check on the fittings to ensure that it flatters your figure and brings out the best features of your body. Make it a point to research and evaluate various options before you zero in on the final look.

Adaptive approach

Before you start shopping for your wedding dress, it is vital to understand your body type. Choose the fabric and style that best complements your personality. Fabrics like chiffon, georgette and silk blend with the body.

• Full figured ladies can opt for a V-neck or scoop neckline as it narrows down an otherwise broad frame by drawing attention vertically.
• Women with a heavy bosom may wear an A-line style gown that creates an overall balance for heavier brides and conceals hips and a tummy.
• Very thin and petite women should stay away from off-the-shoulder dresses as they tend to bring attention to the lack of curves.
• Pear-shaped women, those with wider hips and narrow shoulders can carry off an A-line silhouette very well as it camouflages big hips.

If you decide to buy something from a store or boutique, always make it a point to try it on. Dresses in a coat hanger or your hand look very different from when they are on your body. It makes perfect sense to try it on before you make a purchase.

Show your happiness through vibrant colors

Wearing a white dress on your wedding day is passé. If you are very particular about having a conventional wedding, experiment with different colors and bring life to your momentous day. Choose a shade that brings out the color in your eyes and enhances your complexion; it could be anything from ivory to champagne.

If you are getting married on Valentine’s Day, you can wear red, the color of love. As commonly known, different colors signify different emotions. Red is the color of love and fiery passion. In fact, the Chinese consider red as the traditional color of good luck.

A complete look
As you scout for the perfect wedding dress, do not forget that the right accessories complete the look. Accessories like shoes and jewelry are equally important and need to be coordinated with the dress and occasion. Pearls and diamonds go with almost any color and add a touch of elegance to the entire look.

You can opt for stilettos if you are used to wearing high heels on a daily basis. If not, go for shoes with a wide heel so that it is easy to balance. You do not want to prepare so much in advance and finally fall on your wedding day. Wedges are also in vogue and to a certain extent, easy to balance. High heeled shoes are very stylish except that it can get uncomfortable for long hours.

Choose the perfect wedding dress and stand apart on your special day. Your lovely face will glow with the confidence, happiness and the marital bliss you look forward to.

Finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the most difficult decisions the bride to be must make. You may fall head over heels for a dress in one of the many bridal magazines. But, please take into consideration every woman’s body is different and the possibility of the dress looking exactly as it does on you is very slim.


Get Experienced Advice
My number one piece of advice is to make an appointment with a bridal boutique near you to get help from women who tend to hundreds of other brides to be. They will choose dresses that accent your unique curves.

Styles Abound
Most bridal boutiques carry a large variety of styles and brands to allow for different budgets and types of weddings. Most of the dresses that are advertised tend to be very pricey so you can usually find a similar dress that isn’t a brand name, but half the cost or less.
As for choosing the right type of dress I do have a bit of insight from my experience dress shopping. While every woman is different, these tips are pretty much universal.

Consider Lace-ups
Something that I discovered as I was trying on countless dresses was that lace-up back dresses are AMAZING! They not only hold you in which eliminates the need for a bra, but also take at least two dress sizes off of your figure. Quite the confidence boost!

Upfront and Personal
For large busts or small busts most dresses are a pain. The cups are either too big or too small. If it is too small you can try gel cups but that doesn’t always help. Your best bet is to try a lace up back because they shape to your figure for the most part and can help hold you in with large or small breasts.

Disguise Chicken Arms
If you have sagging arms that you would like to hide without getting a complete long-sleeved dress they have a solution. There are little half sleeve covers to hide your upper back and arms. You can also wear long gloves if you strictly want to cover your arms.

Its All About Illusion
Dresses with an A style flare are wonderful for those with a pear shape. The top of the dress can accent your tiny waist and the bottom can hide a large rear and legs. Some of us aren’t blessed with super model legs and these dresses area great fix.

Veils Add Mystery
When it comes to veils you can spend a fortune for double layer or triple but single layered veils work just the same. The only downfall is you don’t have a layer to wear over your face. However, most women don’t do that because it gets in the way of photographing their face.

Tweak For the Perfect Fit
All in all the wedding dress is quite a project to find and get altered. Your best bet in staying within your budget is choosing a dress that needs the least amount of alterations. I feel strongly about lace up backs because they tend to require less work and fit more figures which save you money.

Keep Trying
Make sure you try at least three on before making a decision and make an appointment with a professional. This will take the stress off of you and make the process go much more smoothly.

Weddings are all about personal style. Reflecting the overall trend of breaking away from tradition and steadfast rules, modern brides are choosing wedding gowns that reflect their personality rather than that of their grandmother's.

The only rule for wedding dress style these days is to choose one that suits you, whether that means a gold gown, trouser suit or sundress.

And even if you are more traditional and inclined towards the fairy princess in a white satin ballgown, you need not worry about being perceived as old fashioned or "not with the times." The modern "rule" for wedding dress style is to choose something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful on your most special day.

The 21st Century Bride -

That said, although certain traditional dress styles are always popular, bridal fashion does follow mainstream fashion to some extent. So if you are looking for something a little more contemporary or "now," consider turning to the catwalks for inspiration.

The currently popular 20s–and floral–style dresses can be easily incorporated into a wedding dress. Accessories, such as belts and chandelier earrings, can also transfer from the catwalks to comprise your wedding look. Try to avoid fashion that will date quickly, however, as you will want to display your wedding photographs for a long time. As a general rule, keep your wedding ensemble fashionably forward, not overly trendy.

Today's Hot Wedding Dress Trends:

Add Some Color -
Using a wedding dress to bring out a colorful personality, modern brides are not afraid to add a splash of color to the traditional white gown. Whether that means adding a colored ribbon or piece of jewelry or foregoing the white wedding dress all together, today's brides find inventive ways to incorporate color into their wedding attire. Particularly popular shades are blue, pink, cappuccino and champagne. Believe it or not, black accents recently dazzled the runways.

Lace Up -
Lace has made a recent comeback, exuding a look of vintage romance that is feminine, yet not overdone. Many brides are enchanted by lace, envisioning a majestic day in a lush green garden.

Magnificent Embroidery -
For an ultra elegant, opulent feel, glamour girls savor wedding gowns adorned with intricate hand-embroidered details. This look warrants grand chandeliers, candlelight and an isle of red roses.

Ultra-Feminine -
As seen on the runway, feminine details are making a big impact. Ribbons, ruffles, flowers, bows and even dainty sleeves are finding their way back onto wedding dresses and taking femininity to a new level. Brides who envision themselves floating along the cobblestones of a historic mansion will love this look

There is no doubt that your wedding dress will be one of the most expensive items in your wedding. In fact, you can save a fortune if you are going to rent the wedding gown. Renting a gown is also considered environmental friendly.

However, renting a wedding gown is not the same as buying a new one because you have to return it after your wedding. In order to prevent unnecessary arguments with the or the wedding dress shop, you should bear the following points in mind.


Place your order as early as possible

Since it will certainly take some time for the alterations of the gown in order to make it fit your body, you should place your order to rent it at least half year before your big day. You may need to place the order even earlier if you are going to do that in the peak seasons.

Check the gown carefully when you pick it

You have to check the wedding dress with the greatest care when you pick it. You need to check if there are dirt and damages on the gown. You will then drop down everything about the dirt and damages on the contract before signing it.

This is very important if money saving is the main reason for you to rent the gown. You will certainly rent an older gown with a lower price. However, there will usually be more dirt and damages on such a gown (since it is an older one). If you do not check all the problems of it carefully and drop notes about that, it can be sure that you will just be arguing with the people from the bridal shop when you return the gown.

Pick the wedding dress yourself

You should not ask others to pick the gown for you. This is because they cannot try the wedding dress for you when they pick it. You should spend the time to pick it yourself. If you find that the gown does not fit when you are trying it, you can ask for alterations right the way. You may not have enough time to bring the gown to the shop again for alternations if you are having others to pick it for you.

Pick the gown a few days before your wedding

You should pick your wedding dress at least a few days before your wedding. If you really find that the wedding dress does not fit, you can still allow the shop a few days to alter the dress for you. Of course you should not pick it too early either since you may become fatter or slimmer (it should be slimmer, I bet) after you pick the gown.

Ask about the penalties if the gown is damaged

You will also need to ask about the penalties if you damage the gown. The penalties will certainly be different for different shops. Dropping down all the penalties may be involved if the gown is damaged will be a crucial step. Otherwise it will just render unnecessary arguments.

Finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the most difficult decisions the bride to be must make. You may fall head over heels for a dress in one of the many bridal magazines. But, please take into consideration every woman’s body is different and the possibility of the dress looking exactly as it does on you is very slim.


Get Experienced Advice
My number one piece of advice is to make an appointment with a bridal boutique near you to get help from women who tend to hundreds of other brides to be. They will choose dresses that accent your unique curves.

Styles Abound
Most bridal boutiques carry a large variety of styles and brands to allow for different budgets and types of weddings. Most of the dresses that are advertised tend to be very pricey so you can usually find a similar dress that isn’t a brand name, but half the cost or less.
As for choosing the right type of dress I do have a bit of insight from my experience dress shopping. While every woman is different, these tips are pretty much universal.

Consider Lace-ups
Something that I discovered as I was trying on countless dresses was that lace-up back dresses are AMAZING! They not only hold you in which eliminates the need for a bra, but also take at least two dress sizes off of your figure. Quite the confidence boost!

Upfront and Personal
For large busts or small busts most dresses are a pain. The cups are either too big or too small. If it is too small you can try gel cups but that doesn’t always help. Your best bet is to try a lace up back because they shape to your figure for the most part and can help hold you in with large or small breasts.

Disguise Chicken Arms
If you have sagging arms that you would like to hide without getting a complete long-sleeved dress they have a solution. There are little half sleeve covers to hide your upper back and arms. You can also wear long gloves if you strictly want to cover your arms.

Its All About Illusion
Dresses with an A style flare are wonderful for those with a pear shape. The top of the dress can accent your tiny waist and the bottom can hide a large rear and legs. Some of us aren’t blessed with super model legs and these dresses area great fix.

Veils Add Mystery
When it comes to veils you can spend a fortune for double layer or triple but single layered veils work just the same. The only downfall is you don’t have a layer to wear over your face. However, most women don’t do that because it gets in the way of photographing their face.

Tweak For the Perfect Fit
All in all the wedding dress is quite a project to find and get altered. Your best bet in staying within your budget is choosing a dress that needs the least amount of alterations. I feel strongly about lace up backs because they tend to require less work and fit more figures which save you money.

Keep Trying
Make sure you try at least three on before making a decision and make an appointment with a professional. This will take the stress off of you and make the process go much more smoothly.

Gothic fashion is all about being brazen and bending the regular norms of fashion ideas. Gothic fashion is very much in vogue today although it may not be incorporated in our daily lives. Fashion is an ever-changing phenomenon and many fashion gurus are on the lookout for adding new trends to the existing styles. This may also be the reason perhaps why Gothic fashion still rules for many!


Gothic fashion may be regarded to be bizarre by few but for the pure Goths, this was not only about freedom, it was also about sexual liberation. Gothic fashion was all about making an individual statement where the color black was used in major outfits seen in Gothic fashion. Gothic fashion has always been about flowing skirts, long sweeping dresses, tight jeans, nails painted in black and loads of chains and studs.

Apart from all these fashionable clothing seen in Gothic fashion, Gothic wedding dresses are still in demand today! Strange it would seem since Gothic fashion is considered to be slightly bizarre by many. Here’s a look at Gothic wedding dresses and why these are still preferred by many brides!

Gothic Wedding Dresses:

A Gothic wedding theme is quite popular and very much in vogue now-a-days. Gothic wedding dresses should be planned keeping the entire theme in mind. Many women love to go in for the medieval ages look since most medieval dresses are in white. Gothic wedding dresses are not about being nice and prim and proper, these are about being wicked and flaunting your style quotient. Therefore, you would need to think a couple of times before you go in for that perfect Gothic wedding dress.

Such dresses being exclusive, you may not perhaps find a store dedicated to Gothic fashion. In that case, only the Internet would prove to be useful where you can locate websites that deal with Gothic clothing so that you can have a custom made Gothic wedding dress for your wedding!

You need to remember that Gothic fashion is all about being dark and dramatic and apart from black, you can go in for deep colors such as red, a deep purple or even a dramatic blue. The right fabrics for the Gothic wedding dresses would be rich and heavy such as velvet or satin. You can combine these Gothic wedding dresses with some lace as well. If you are the kind who loves to flaunt her body then a corset can also be incorporated in the design as well.

Gothic wedding dresses should be long and flowing and you can also opt for a variety of necklines such as the Victorian neckline or any other plunging necklines which you would dare to wear! If you wish to avoid corsets or sleeveless wedding dresses then you can opt for flutter sleeves and long flowing sleeves. Use some delicate trims to add more style to your Gothic wedding dress.

Gothic fashion ideas need to be handled well so that you look beautiful with a touch of naughtiness as well! Therefore, select your elements carefully in order to avoid looking completely out of place! After all, it’s your wedding day; you need to look fashionable and stylish as well. Use the right accessories to add more dimensions to the Gothic wedding dress. Over the top bustiers and fishnet stockings are all a part of Gothic fashion. Team these up with satin gloves and stiletto heels. You can also add a touch of elegance with chandelier earrings.

Use these basics of Gothic fashion to find the ultimate Gothic wedding dress! This unique theme is bound to make your day feel even more special!