1. NEVER ORDER A DRESS THAT IS A SIZE OR TWO TOO SMALL in the hopes that you will lose weight before the big day. To avoid having to undergo costly adjustments closer to your wedding, simply arrange for the final wedding dress fitting one month prior to the marriage instead. This will ensure that your dress is designed to be suitable for your current body shape, and also to give you the chance to lose as much weight as possible beforehand, gaining the perfect physique.

 

2. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE WEDDING TO WEAR YOUR DRESS WITH ALL THE ACCESSORIES. Having a bridal reveal with your bridesmaids can be a fun way to test out how your full outfit feels in a relaxing setting. This will also relieve most of the pressure that you may have felt on the big day by letting you see exactly how the dress looks and feels in low stress, comfortable surroundings. Of course, the groom doesn’t have to see, if you wish to follow tradition!

 

3. NEVER FOCUS SOLELY ON THE CHEAPEST OR MOST EXPENSIVE DRESSES AVAILABLE. Sometimes it is worth paying a bit extra for your dress when you are tempted to ”cheap out”. Consider that your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Similarly to when you are out choosing wedding ceremony decorations, floral bouquets and invitations, you should be willing to pay a bit more for a quality wedding dress. Of course, there are still plenty of great deals available out there, and you should be able to find a stunning dress that doesn’t cost you a fortune.  Inversely, just because you have a big wedding budget spending less than you thought you would on your bridal gown should be a bonus. Here, you have the luxury of having found that perfect gown and have money left for other things on your wedding shopping list.

 

4. DON’T PLAY “PLAY IT BY EAR” WHEN WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING. Schedule appointments, phone up multiple bridal shops and make sure that you note everything down. Planning a wedding can be a hectic time and it is important to arrange your dress fittings and the like from the word go. This will ensure that you have the perfect outfit for the big day without having to run around frantically in the weeks leading up to the wedding.

When shopping for a dress, it is typical to have a family member or someone in the bridal party come along. Make sure that you choose someone who will be honest and direct when giving their opinion. After all, it is better to be told that a particular style looks unattractive within the bridal shop than finding out later on at the wedding reception. Even more than wedding accessories, the dress that you wear will be a highly personal item, and it will help to get an unbiased opinion from a third party to ensure that it is more than suitable for the big occasion.

These are all valid and quite predictable challenges, but – HELLO! It’s 2010 and your choices are more varied than ever before. This is welcome news for brides who are tired of the “same, old” look and crave a more exciting unique look that is theirs alone. In 2010 you have the opportunity to think outside of the box, to make your wedding attire – and, indeed, your whole wedding event – one of a kind, perfect and personal.

Color variations have been creeping into dress designs for a few years now. A splash of your favorite color in beading, embroidery or a sash can be a beautiful addition, as long as it enhances rather than overpowers the integrity of the gown. Brides with Asian or Russian heritage may even be looking for traditional red gowns for their most important day. Why shouldn’t you have a color you love?

In addition to color considerations, there may be alternate touches that you want to incorporate, such as nautical or tropical highlights if your marriage will have a seaside ambiance. Think seashells, clam bakes, seafood buffets and unity sand ceremonies. Go barefoot if you marry on the sand and make sure everyone is cool and comfortable in causal attire and flip flop sandals. If you plan a destination wedding, take clues from the surroundings to complement your nuptials.

If you or your sweetie have rural roots, how about a country/western wedding in an updated barn or saloon atmosphere? Thematic touches on your gown will be fringe instead of lace, and a sweetheart or keyhole neckline. Guests and bridal party might wear denim, and of course, everyone wears boots! You’ll have a barn-dance reception, complete with barbequed steak or a pig roast, and then ride off into the sunset on your ribbon-adorned horses or a horse and buggy.

Theme weddings, such as a cowboy chic version are gaining in popularity because personalities can be celebrated. Redneck weddings will see touches of camouflage fabric, even on the bride, while “Celebrity” or “Movie Icon” celebrations will feature designer copies in the style of J-Lo or Madonna, Jackie O, “Gone with the Wind” or “Lord of the Rings”. Sequins and ostrich feathers, anyone?

Imagination and historical research come together for Vintage weddings. Styles from the “Roaring 20s”, the “Retro 50s” or any ‘Blast from the Past” will have you sighting not only Elvis, but also Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. (Replica Las Vegas casino venue?)

If it’s the Roman times that fascinate you, your dress will be an embellished toga, or if you prefer medieval touches, you may feast on grapes and rotisserie meat in a tight corset bodice. Wreaths, garlands and candles will be everywhere.

Victorian-inspired gowns will have long sleeves, high necklines, large bustles and perhaps a coordinating wedding bonnet. Gloves and parasols will be abundant at the tea party! Yes, even guests may be asked on the invitation to dress in period attire.

What about a Gothic themed wedding? Or Enchanted Forest? Or African Safari? If these ideas are too “over the top” for you, light up your wedding with a fairytale look. I see lots of tulle draping, baby’s breath, moss, and even fairy wings on the tiny flower girls. Your dress will have a princess silhouette and a billowing ball gown skirt. Maybe it even lights up with LED battery twinkle lights! Think Camelot, Cinderella, Arabian Nights or Romeo and Juliet.

Champagne and a chocolate fountain effortlessly highlight a romantic celebration of love, along with roses and candlelight. Your dress will be champagne or pink in color with floral and lace accents. Your bridesmaids will wear brown and pink or brown and aquamarine.

A classic wedding featuring black and white is sophisticated and modern. For this wedding you would select a sleek sheath or a strapless trumpet dress. Perhaps a silky scarf drapes one shoulder or seed pearls follow the neckline. Black and white balloons, floating candles, white orchids or tulips and classic roses of any color would complete the look.

If the date of your wedding coincides with or is close to a holiday, you can borrow the colors and symbols of the season or holiday to enhance your day: poinsettias and fur for December weddings, hearts and lace in February, dragons for Chinese New Year and “anything goes” for Mardi Gras.

Some say you must select a theme first, then select attire, food and décor to match. Others say the bride’s dress comes first, from which the theme flows. Whatever your particular tastes and preferences, make sure the theme, and especially the dress will suit the uniqueness in you. Listen to your heart. You are the star of the show and must look and feel confident, comfortable and radiant.

Now, for headpieces……

By Carol Gartrell
Bridal Seamstress
ggartrel@mts.net

This post was submitted by Carol Gartrell.