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Handling the First Appointment at the Bridal Dress Boutique

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:49:00-0500

Trying wedding gowns for selecting the one that you want can be an exhilarating as well as a tiring experience. But if you handle it properly you will actually enjoy shopping for your wedding gown. This also provides you with an opportunity for knowing how you will look at your wedding. Actually there are two ways of how you can go about shopping for your wedding gown. You either visit more than one bridal boutique or do a bit of research at home and choose a boutique from where you think you can select one from what it has to offer. Most bridal boutiques have an online presence and you can check out their designs on their websites. You may also want to check some bridal magazines where most boutiques sponsor pages to display their designs. On the basis of your research and regardless of whether you are visiting one or more boutiques make sure that you fix an appointment before your visit. Remember that you will be spending quite some time for trying wedding gowns so allow yourself adequate time for the visit. Your wedding dress is also of enormous emotional value to you. At the end of the day you would not want to feel that you have been cheated. Knowing what to expect on your first appointment will help a lot and leave pleasant memories for a long time to come. Choose week days instead of weekends as most boutiques are relatively free on week days and will be in a position to give to the attention you expect. Even if you have a budget make sure that you do not reveal it. This way the salesperson will show you more designs. The flip side is that you might get carried away and end up spending more than what you had planned. Always keep your budget in mind. If the price of the dress you want is marginally high use your bargaining skills and you may get a special discount. If you can, then take some one along. Make sure she is a trusted companion who has similar tastes, will give a frank opinion and with whom you can share things like your budget. While your companion will extend valuable help the salesperson who attends you is also of primary importance. You can never be sure whether the boutique has all wedding dresses on display. While trying a gown try to create a rapport with the salesperson. Discuss what you have in mind and she will be able to bring out some designs stashed in storerooms. A good boutique will be able to show you a fair number of gowns and you will be trying quite a few of them. Do not reject the ones that you do not like even at first sight. Ask the salesperson to keep some aside for you to evaluate later. This way you will keep the salesperson interested and will give you much more options to choose from. Bridal dress boutiques are known for removing price tags of some dresses and quote on the basis of what the salesperson thinks the customer will pay. Do not get excited if you see a design that you are sure you will buy. Your negligence in this regard can cost you a couple of hundred dollars more than the expected price. Even after you have made up your mind do not close the deal immediately but enquire the designers name and code of the dress. This will help if you want to do some comparison shopping for a better deal. Your rapport with the boutique owner or salesperson is important because even after you have selected a wedding dress you will be required to visit the boutique for fitting etc before the wedding dress is ready to be delivered.

Choosing The Right Fabric For Your Perfect Wedding Dress

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:00:00-0500

If you want to choose the perfect dress for your wedding you are not alone. Every bride wants a perfect wedding dress and spends hours looking for one. Before you start visiting bridal shops or start flipping through magazines to find the right one, remember that there is more to choosing a perfect wedding gown than just the design of the dress or finding the right person to make it. For example, your choice of fabric plays a key role. A dress style that looks gorgeous in chiffon may not fall well if made in satin or silk. There are various factors that you need to keep in mind while choosing a fabric. The look and tactile feel of the fabric are not the only criteria that you should consider. Even though some fabrics may look good and may even fit within your budget, they may not be the perfect choice. Choose the right fabric for yourself based on the following factors and enhance the wedding dress experience by a leap - Weddings can be tiring. Choose from fabrics that are comfortable and those that do not wrinkle, crumple or crease easily. Crunchy light weight fabrics suit summer weddings but tend to get crumpled very easily.
- The type of weather you expect on wedding day should also be considered. You are not likely to enjoy your wedding day if you are sweating profusely or are feeling uncomfortably cold. Go for light weighted and breathable fabrics for a summer wedding and choose heavy fabrics like silk or satin if you are tying the knot in winter.
Besides these two, the other aspects that you need to keep in mind include:
- The fabric that you choose determines the way the gown will fall and the type of beadwork, embroidery or lacework that can be done on it.
- Each fabric has a distinctive and stylish elegance and it is important that you don't change the fabric once you have selected a fabric based on a particular style.
- Light weighted fabrics give a look of fullness as they are crispy and stand away from the body. However, some light weight fabrics like polyester cling to the body. Although these may allow you to flaunt your figure they may be uncomfortable in extreme hot conditions.
With these things in mind you can now make an intelligent choice with regard to the type of fabric that you want. Here is a short list of fibers and fabrics that are commonly used for wedding gowns.
- Polyester - Relatively low in price, polyester fiber is used to make pure polyester fabric. It can be blended with other various natural fibers to produce fabric that is easy to manage.
- Rayon ? A synthetic silk-like fabric that is more elastic and is easily affordable.
- Batiste - A thin plain-weave cotton or linen fabric.
- Chiffon - A sheer fabric made from silk or rayon.
- Crepe - Lightweight fabric that has a wrinkled surface and may be made from man-made fibers or pure silk.
- Organza - Made of silk or a silk-like fabric and resembles organdy and tulle.
- Organdy - A semi-sheer muslin stiff fabric.
- Tulle - A fine starched netting similar to organza but stiffer and coarser.
- Damask - Medium weight fabric having a woven pattern.
- Peau de Soie - Medium to heavy closely-woven silk fabric, faced with satin on both sides.
- Silk: The most popular fabric for wedding gowns, soft and lustrous.
- Satin - A smooth fabric of silk or rayon that has a glossy face and a dull back. Silk Duchesse satin is light weighted as compared to pure satin. Satins may be pure silk or polyester.
- Dupioni - Thick and heavy 100% silk fabric and gives a perfect fall. There is a wide variety to choose from and some of them may not have found mention in the above list. If you are choosing a blended fabric try to learn the percentage of fibers that has been used to produce it. The properties of the final fabric depend largely upon the properties of the major component. For example, if polyeste

Factors To Consider While Buying Your Wedding Dress

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:23:00-0500

Every woman pictures herself as a beautiful bride on her wedding day ? beaming with energy and ecstatic about the life ahead. And believe it or not, one of the key essential elements in that fantasy is the wedding dress that every would-be bride imagines since the day she is a little girl. But to be honest, the right wedding dress is not about having the most expensive dress that sits on the perfect figure. It is a matter of making the right choice that suits you the best. One of the first things that you need to do is to shrug off fantasies and stop imagining yourself as one of the models walking the ramp in the best wedding dress ever. Models that you see in fashion magazines have perfect figures because they are paid to look the way they do. Your priority should to be to choose a wedding dress that looks best on you. Setting the right expectations is the first step in actually getting a wedding dress that is perfect for you. Once you have the expectations right, start your research. This can be done from bridal magazines, local boutiques, dress designers, friends and the Internet. You don't have to opt for something that you see as it has been displayed. Borrow the ideas from different sources and mix and match using your own creativity to make something that you like the most. Consider specific features like your size, your complexion and your personality to make the best choice. Most women end up exceeding their budgets when they finalize their wedding dress. While a certain amount of stretch is sometimes necessary, be practical when you are deciding on the various aspects of the wedding dress. Don't get carried away with every small item. If you choose a wedding gown that is slightly higher than what you had planned for, opt for making your own wedding gown veil. Or create your own bouquet. If you plan in advance you can pick up a great dress on sale at a local boutique and get it fitted to your size. You can also wear a family heirloom or rent a dress. Ideally the wedding dress should not be more than 10% of the total amount that you are planning to spend on the wedding. This amount includes the cost of the wedding gown, veil, bouquet, tiara, shoes and jewelry. Consider the kind of wedding ceremony that you are planning to also decide on the kind of wedding dress that you choose. A traditional church ceremony with rituals and dance and dinner to follow necessitates a traditional white gown with a princess veil. However, if you wear a traditional white sweeping gown on a beach wedding theme ceremony, you are sure to look out of place. At a beach wedding, a shorter, pale colored dress is likely to look more graceful. You may even decide to go barefoot! The type of fabric you choose determines not only the cost but also the manner in which the dress will fall. Polyester and rayon are less expensive but the fall may be less than desirable. Silk, the preferred fabric for wedding gowns is expensive but full of sheen and is never out of fashion. Lace is a traditional fabric and fabrics like chiffon, organza and tulle are fast becoming popular with brides. Chiffons are considered to be one of the most romantic fabrics available. So consider your size, personality, theme of the wedding, budget and the overall cost of the wedding and then make the choice of your perfect wedding dress.

Create Your Own Wedding Gown Veil

Tue, 12 May 2009 10:54:00-0500

Budgeting for a wedding gown is probably something that you should do. However, if you have ever helped a friend or relative shop for a wedding gown you would know how easy it is to cross the budget that you have set for yourself in such cases. Sometimes it makes sense to go ahead and purchase the wedding gown that you like and yet stay within your budget. You can do so by creating your own veil for the wedding dress. While the price of a wedding gown still seems to be worth the amount, the accessories are the ones that seem extremely expensive. The price of the wedding gown veil, wedding bouquet and other necessary items can almost shock you. Not only does creating a wedding gown veil help you in the overall budget, it is something that you can do to add that personal touch to your special day. You don't need to be an expert designer to create a wedding dress veil. All you need to do is to take the help of some dress design computer software. Sometimes you can get ideas for a wedding gown veil that goers well with the wedding gown you have chosen just by surfing the wedding dress magazines or looking through some designs on the Internet. To actually start the process of making the wedding gown veil, you need to first decide on a pattern. If you have ordered your wedding gown, you need to make sure that you decide the pattern keeping the wedding gown in mind. You can always look at the wedding gown veil intended along with the wedding gown that you are buying and decide to make something similar. You will need the following material to create you own wedding veil. - Tulle - It is important to match the tulle to the wedding gown. Even if you are opting for a traditional while wedding gown, you will be surprised to see that there are many shades of even white. Expensive tulle is softer and less starchy.
- Cord edging (plain, pencil or satin)
- Embroidered appliqués
- Rhinestones, bugle beads, sequins, crystals or pearls Here are some tips that will help you get going.
- Decide the length of the veil that you want to create. Veil lengths vary from shoulder length (blusher) to those that touch the floor (cathedral). If you want the veil to touch the floor keep it short so that it just spreads behind you at the altar. Be practical and avoid long trailed veils like the ones that you see in movies like The Sound of Music.
- A veil can be attached to a headband or a comb. Both these are easily available at bridal stores or even stores that sell sewing and dressmaking materials.
- Depending upon the length of the veil you will need adequate working space so that the material can be laid out flat. Choose a clean space for working to ensure that you do not need to get the wedding gown veil dry cleaned before the wedding.
- Cut the tulle according to the pattern. Even if you are not using a pattern, all you need to so is to fold the tulle over lengthwise, pin it so that it does not move around and cut the bottom end and round off the corners.
- Gather the tulle with the gathering stitch on the straight edge of the fabric and attach to a comb.
- Decorate the body of the veil by sewing or gluing small pearls, rhinestones or crystals.
- You can also add rhinestone trim, pearl buttons or silk flowers along the neckline. So go ahead and make your own wedding veil. But keep in mind that the veil is not so attractive so as to take attention away from the wedding dress, tiara or jewelry. A heavily decorated veil can easily overshadow a dainty tiara or even the ornamentations of the wedding gown.

Accessorizing Wisely For Your Wedding

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:41:00-0500

You will find a lot of advice in magazines and on websites as to how to plan your wedding. However, the ground reality is that weddings come together in a very different way than these people would have you believe. You naturally want your special day to be a memorable one but that does not necessarily mean that you end up spending a fortune for it. The worst thing that you can do is to get carried away by fancy ads and start buying wedding accessories that you do not really want. The better course is to sit down and discuss with your partner what you actually want and what you can do without. Discuss individual ideas and find a middle way to come up with a plan that both love. Once a list has been finalized start finding out what these things will cost. Start with those things first that you must have and assess how to fit them in the budget. You can then compromise or even omit some of the less important items if your budget is stretched. There is a vast range of wedding accessories available in stores and online. Remember that all promotional material is meant to lure you to buy. Everything looks good in pictures. It is only you and your partner who know what you can afford and really want. The name of the game is to pause and ponder for a moment before actually ordering ? do you really want it. If you are working within a budget, nine times out of ten the answer is likely to be in the negative. At the same time stick to the list you have made. Ask around, call people and check out on online stores to compare the cost of the accessories you want. Do you really need that expensive guest album when you have settled for a short guest list? If you have decided on wedding favors, is it necessary to choose the expensive ones. You can also show your love and respect for your guests with well thought of favors that cost less. While you may not be able to wish away certain wedding essentials and accessories but you can definitely plan in a way that you spend according to a carefully prepared budget. If you have set your mind on expensive wedding accessories and favors, you can try to cut down on the cost of venue by hosting the reception at home. You could also consider serving home cooked food and rope in some friends or relatives who may be eager to help. Another factor that has a major effect on cost is the wedding season. Consider getting married during the off season to avail of discounts on venues and accessories. All that you need to plan your wedding is to apply your mind. Go ahead and do whatever you want to but always keep an eye on the budget because wedding expenses can overshoot budgets by leaps and bounds if you are not careful.

Budgeting For Wedding Decorations

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:51:00-0500

Planning a wedding is as exciting as the though of getting married. You are of course excited at the thought of getting married. At the same time, you also want your wedding to be a memorable event for you and your friends to remember for a long time. A lot of time and money is involved in planning a wedding. There are so many things to take care of that you are likely to overlook some aspects. The best way to go about planning your wedding is to prepare a list of things to do and keep on updating it as and when something new comes to your mind. For example, you may have initially overlooked wedding decorations in all the excitement going around. Wedding decorations cost a packet but you need not be discouraged. There are lots of ideas for wedding decorations that do not cost much provided you can innovate. It requires a little bit of creativity and imagination and you can cut down on cost of wedding decorations. Here are five excellent ideas that you can use for wedding decorations. If you have time, you can plant seasonal bulbs and plants in your own property. Use those that will grow fast and be ready in time and transfer them to flower pots. If you cannot grow them at your own property then go to a nursery and buy perennial plants and separate them to plant individually in small containers or pots. Cheap flower pots are available at dollar stores, nurseries and florists. Most florists throw away used flower pots as trash. You can ask for them and get them very cheap. Spray paint the pots and use them in groups or individually. Group small pots and put in the middle of a table as a centerpiece. Bigger pots can be used to place at the bridal or parents' table. Using artificial flowers is another idea. Choose any color that will match the theme you have in mind. Candles are a symbol of romance and love. They are also currently the favorite in budget wedding decorations. Candles are not only inexpensive but also available in myriads of shapes and designs. Decorate the candles with ribbon or lace. Use them much in the same manner as flowers. For an extra-glamorous affect place candles on a mirror or encase them is a painted glass shade. Balloons make an excellent decoration on weddings and become very popular in recent times. You have a wide variety to choose from ? huge and clear helium filled to small metallic air filled heart shaped balloons. Fabrics are another material that you can use for decorations. From ribbons to fine nets to silk, you can use any type of fabric and build a theme around it. You can also mix and match with flowers, balloons and candles to create an excellent decoration idea for your indoor or outdoor wedding ceremony as well as reception. Do not let wedding decorations put you down thinking that you cannot afford it. Remember that decorations do not have necessarily to be expensive to look good. The name of the game is imagination and the sky is the limit as far as ideas are concerned. If you know the basics you do not have to spend a fortune on wedding decorations.

Planning For the Inexpensive Yet Graceful Wedding

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:01:00-0500

Wedding events carry a price tag that is often nightmarish. While weddings are expected to be special and once-in-a-lifetime event, taking a loan for your wedding should be avoided at all cost. There are other ways that you can opt for to ensure that the wedding is a memorable, graceful and classy event. Some of these things include doing things yourself, seeking help from friends and family, taking a part time job before the wedding to pay for some of your desires for the wedding and more. The first thing that you need to do is to plan. If you know in advance what you want for your wedding, you can save a lot of money by implementing it methodically. Estimate every expense that you are likely to incur and then add another 10 to 15 percent as buffer. This will allow you to come close to what you will actually spend. The groundwork will be well worth the effort. Wedding expenses can be easily categorized into six main headings - reception, music, photography, flowers, bridal dresses and miscellaneous. The wedding reception amounts to almost 50% of the total expenditure. Note down ideas, names, addresses, prices, menus and whatever that comes to your mind regarding the event. As you go along keep track of whatever you spend and staple the receipts for future reference. If you have enough time at hand, keep track of discount or going-out-of-business sales. Shop around for things you will need for the wedding in advance so as to get the best deals. You will be surprised at the amount of money you save by shopping around and by ensuring that you check out various options like buying on the Internet and more. You can get some bridal magazines for free at the bridal registry desks of bridal and floral shops and some department stores. The good ones among these contain advice on practically every aspect. You can even look for ideas for bouquets and brides' maid dresses. While shopping for dresses, avoid flowery, hand-done beaded gowns. These are more expensive than simple styles that can look equally graceful. Or better still, use pictures in magazines to design your wedding gown by mixing and matching ideas. Check out if you can hold the reception at an acceptable place that costs less. Your church's fellowship hall is one. You could also look up parks, gazebos, river cruise boats, women's club or even a library meeting room. The options are unlimited. Getting married on a pier overlooking a river at sunset followed by dinner in your backyard is an excellent idea. Ask a friend to help you in the arrangements. Choose a simple theme that goes with the season. Make sure that where you put the wedding cake has a good backdrop for pictures. See if a friend or family member can help in baking a cake for the wedding if you supply the ingredients. A wedding should highlight the bride and the bridegroom and not a DJ or a band. Get some music of your own choice recorded and ask a youngster to operate the music system. Your basic desire is to hold a graceful wedding that is cherished for a long period. Money does play a role in the manner in which things turn out but that does not mean that memorable weddings need oodles of cash. If you do some research you can find opportunities for saving money and still have a graceful wedding. Your efforts will be valued much more than the money you spend on your wedding. Click Here To View Our Complete Slection of Wedding Invitations

Planning a Wedding Judiciously When the Economy Is Bad

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:45:00-0500

A wedding is an expensive affair. Planning a wedding is a tedious job especially when you are on a tight budget. More so, in these times when the economy is bad and you need to save every cent for rainy days. Even in today's scene of high inflation if you spend judiciously, you can have a memorable wedding and also save money. It is natural for you to want to celebrate but you can do that only if you save on certain purchases that are necessary, wedding gown, wedding dresses for your maids and wedding suit for example. Finding discount wedding gowns and wedding dresses seems to be a problem at first but all it takes is a little dedication and effort to find one that you like and deserve. Once you are able to locate them you will find that they are as good as any brand new designer gowns. In your enthusiasm on getting married and seeing gorgeous dresses you may forget certain things necessary to get a gown that is comfortable as well as stylish. To avoid a bad purchase, note certain essentials like the length, color, sleeve length and cleavage style and keep it handy. Look through some bride's magazines online to get an idea of what the latest trend is. Also keep in mind the weather. Long gowns with long sleeves and high neckline would obviously be very uncomfortable in an outdoor wedding in summers. When sorting through discount wedding gowns and dresses, be careful to look for stains or a tear that may be hidden between the folds. Invite your guests on telephone but you can also shop for invitation cards online and can get pretty good bargains too. It is no use spending good money on fancy looking cards that cost the earth. Choose simple pre-printed cards and write the date, venue and name of the invitee by hand. It will not only look very personal but also tell your friends/family that you care. A wedding reception is the biggest single expense and can disturb any wedding's budget. Try to limit your guest list. Be practical and leave out family members that you haven't met for years. A wedding dinner will cost you more than $200/head. Instead of a three course meal, plan for a hot and cold buffet that you can even cater yourself. Another way of saving on wedding reception is to opt for a tea reception. If you can limit your guest list to very close friends and family, you can even consider celebrating at home instead of renting an expensive hotel suite. The proverbial rainy day does not announce itself before it is coming. And these are already hard times. After marriage your needs are going to increase with every passing day and you need to save for that. Your wedding day is special for you and it is your future needs that are going to matter the most. Use these ideas to save money. Remember that money saved is money earned. Click Here To View Our Complete Slection of Wedding Invitations

WEDDING THEMES

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:28:00-0500

A wedding is a splendid affair. But, while most couples know that they want a particular kind of wedding, they don't really know where to start, or how to incorporate that theme into their wedding! We understand how difficult and stressful it can be to figure how to keep your theme going and making it work out on your very special day. Here are a few wedding themes and how you can go about making them a reality: 1. Sophisticated/Casual Weddings: If what you're looking for is a sophisticated and formal wedding, then you should definitely keep a few handy tips in mind. The groom should be dressed in a designer suit instead of the regular tuxedo while the bride must definitely have a couture wedding dress. Flower arrangements and bouquets should be made of only one kind of flower such as orchids or lilies. Register for modern art or for contemporary home furnishings as gifts. Have sushi, middle-eastern or raw bar stations with each chef making custom delicacies. Make sure that you have the most simplistic but deliciously elegant cocktails. You can also have an after-wedding party at a hip downtown bar. For those wanting a more casual affair, wear whatever you're comfortable in. While the groom can wear jeans or khakis with a casual shirt and a simple sports coat, the bride can wear a white sundress. You can have your wedding anywhere, including your parents' backyard, a local park or even the community center. Another thing that works is handwritten invitations on handmade paper. Instead of elaborate floral arrangements, have pots of simple bulbs such as tulips or hyacinths. You could have a barbeque or picnic fare as the menu. Make sure you register for useful but inexpensive gifts. 2. Valentine's Day Weddings: If you are getting married on Valentine's Day, then let your wedding reflect a lot of romance. Consider an old-fashioned look like a classic style dress and tuxedo, which is more romantic. Make sure you book your location early, as Valentine's Day is a very popular day to get married. Tie the knot at a place that will allow you to light lots of candles to really set the mood for a late evening ceremony. You can even ask married couples to stand during your wedding and reaffirm their love for each other. If you want to have a DJ, create a song list full of love songs. Use almost any flowers in abundance. Include some aphrodisiacs in the menu like an oyster bar, asparagus, almonds, chicken with mole sauce, and chocolate covered strawberries. Your invitations and favors can also reflect the romantic theme of your wedding. 3. Whimsical Weddings: If you are a creative couple, make your wedding day a spectacular event that celebrates your love for anything ? like a particular TV show, book, era, collectible or even have a kitschy theme. For instance, you could get married in Las Vegas or Disneyland. Or install a photo booth at your wedding. Have singing waiters or have your reception at a cabaret style restaurant. You could have a costume wedding or hire a 1963 Corvette to drive away in after you take your vows. You could also have a fifties band performing for you. Or how about an over-the-top carhop wedding?! 4. Sports Weddings: If it was your common love of sports that attracted you to each other, then you can incorporate your passion into your wedding day. You can dress up in the colors of your favorite team. Instead of regular decorations like table numbers, use your favorite players or the names of stadiums. Serve your favorite sports junk food like hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and cola. Consider a local stadium as a place to take your vows or an open space where your guests will be able to have a game of football. You can also think about giving out personalized sports favors to your guests. Click Here To View Our Complete Slection of Wedding Invitations

THE BEST WEDDING CAKE

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:55:00-0500

Your dream dress has been found, the invitations are being printed, and the florist has been instructed to order up the perfect blooms. Now your attention has turned towards the ultimate confection - your wedding cake! The wedding cake is a big and absolute favorite part of a wedding, and it is something everyone remembers. Over time, many things have changed with weddings, but one thing that has stayed the same is the beautiful cake. Many couples see the wedding cake as one highlight of the festivities that can be as fun and whimsical or as upscale and traditional as they might desire. Deciding on the ideal cake should be a team effort that is fun. So, when you finally settle on which cake is right for your perfect day, there are many factors to take into consideration. How many guests are you going to have? What is your budget for a cake? How many tiers or what design would you like? What colors and decorations should be included? What will you be using as a cake top? Will the cake be the main dessert or will it be part of a sweet table? Once you've got the answers to all these questions, then you can go further. So let's consider the most important decisions to be made: 1. Pick a bakery: If you haven't picked a bakery yet, then do so. Once you decide on a bakery, it's easy to get them to give you samples of cakes they excel in making. They might even have a specialty or two you haven't considered yet. And most bakeries even offer samples to help a couple decide. If a friend or relative is making the cake to save a little money, find out what their specialties happen to be if you don't already know. 2. Size of the cake: Firstly, it is important to know how many the cake will serve. Anyone making the cake ? whether a professional baker or a friend who is a whiz at whipping up classy creations ? will need to know how many people will be eating this cake. Secondly, wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes. Traditional cakes that have several tiers are normally a great choice, and one your guests will remember. 3. Date and location of the wedding: The date and location of your wedding is crucial when choosing the cake. For example, if you plan on having your wedding in the summer at a hot location, things like mousse, or even an ice cream cake might be out of the question. In such cases, ask your baker what types of cake are in 'season'. 4. Settle on a Budget: Is there a price limit to your dream cake? Wedding cakes can be a lot more expensive than some people might think. With some cakes costing as much as $6 or more a serving, setting a budget is a smart thing to do. 5. Flavor and appearance: If the two of you have different favorite flavors, consider a tiered cake that has different flavors on each pillar. This provides a taste of something everyone will enjoy. And if you're having trouble deciding on the appearance ? you want a traditional tiered cake with satin white frosting, but your fiancé wants something a little more fun, you can always compromise! Click Here To View Our Complete Slection of Wedding Invitations

BRIDAL SHOWERS ? INVITATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:04:00-0500

Bridal showers are an essential part of a wedding process. Earlier on, they helped the bride get the gifts she would need to start her new life as a wife - essentially gifts she would need around the house. These days, bridal showers are typically structured around a theme. But whatever the goal of the shower, the invitation is the most important part. Starting from finalizing the guest list to selecting wedding shower invitations to getting back the RSVPs and having a confirmed guest list ? the job is difficult to say the least! Here are a few points you can keep in mind when making a bridal shower invitation: 1. Settle on a Theme: The first thing you will need to do is decide on a theme for the shower. The invitations reflect what the theme of the party is. For example, if you're organizing a traditional bridal shower, then your invitation wording could say, "Please join us for a bridal shower in honor of the bride-to-be, ABC," and follow with the details of the shower. But if it is casual, with a lingerie theme, then that could read, "ABC is about to walk down the aisle; let's shower her with silk and lace that will make the groom smile." Once you know what your theme is, you can start looking for the right invitations. And if you are a creative person, you could just make your own. Because formal or not, at the end of the day you want the invitations to be fun but practical. 2. Decide on a Design: When you get ready to send out invitations, the first thing you must consider is design. First, you could check out the wedding invitations the bride and groom are going to send out. This would give you a chance to send out similar invitations and stick with the overall theme of the wedding. If, however, your wedding shower has a theme of its own, you can choose an invitation that reflects that theme. For example, if you are having a kitchen shower, you could create an invitation that mimics a recipe card. Or, if you are having a beach party shower, you could create invitations that look like little beach towels. The sky is the limit to creativity here! 3. Things to Remember: Once you have decided what type of invitations you are going to send, you need to finalize the things that need to be mentioned in the invitations. First of all, mention the bride's name, then the venue of the wedding shower party and finally the time of the party. You will need to list the person who will be handling the RSVPs and their phone number. In case the road to the wedding shower venue is complicated, it is advisable to include a map illustrating the directions. Once the guests receive the invitations, ask them to confirm whether or not they will be coming to the shower. In case the couple has gotten themselves a gift registry, make sure to mention it to the guests, which will make them pick appropriate gifts for the couple. Similarly, bridal announcements cards are simply to tell people that you have wed, or that you will be wed. The wordings are very important, which is why you should keep them simple. Something such as, "Ms. ABC and Mr. XYZ were married on/ will be married on June 30, 2008" would be appropriate. Click Here To View Our Complete Slection of Wedding Invitations

HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:39:00-0500

When you're planning a wedding, one of the most important things you have to keep in mind is the choice of a photographer. You may be tempted to let one of your relatives shoot the big day with his compact camera. Or have your friends handle single-use cameras to take pictures. But, while both these options are inexpensive, you don't have a guarantee that they will produce decent pictures. Which is why, it is best to hire a professional for your wedding and have many beautiful photographs to show for it later. But the tough part is finding the right wedding photographer with the personality and the photographic style that suits you. Ensuring images in the latest styles, the perfect album presentation and a lot more in a budget that suits you are some important factors that you can keep in mind while hiring a wedding photographer. Here are a few more pointers: 1. Be Thorough in Your Research: You will need to spend time on research, on meeting photographers, and on reviewing portfolios. While you will come across several listings of wedding photographers in the Yellow Pages, finding an experienced one who has expertise with weddings is the key. Besides this, you can look up advertisements in your region. You can also do a web search to find web sites of local studios. These will provide information about their qualifications and allow you to view some of their past work. You can even visit bridal shows to familiarize yourself with photographic styles that you might prefer. In such a case, get a business card from photographers whose work seems appropriate. 2. Get Referrals: You should ask friends for feedback on their wedding photographers. If you get favorable comments, you should ask to see their wedding albums. This will give you a good idea about the photographer's work and style of functioning. You can also get recommendations from catering or wedding coordinators about reliable photographers. 3. Know Your Photographer: After you research has given you a good number of leads, narrow the field by reviewing brochures and web sites. Then book a consultation meeting with several photographers to determine what they can offer and if they suit your budget. You also need to meet the photographers to find out if you're compatible. There can be many stressful situations on a wedding day. You will want a photographer who can help calm your nerves and not add to the stress. 4. Style of Photography: As you review portfolios, you'll find three basic styles ?traditional, contemporary and photojournalistic. Each has merit, but which is right for you? Well, the answer to that is simple ? select the style of photography that appeals to you emotionally. 5. The Final Decision: After you decide on the photographer, sign a contract that is beneficial to you as well as him. Make sure the contract includes a date for delivery of the proofs as well as the final album with enlargements. Along with your deposit or retainer, you have now successfully hired a photographer for the big day! Click Here To View Our Complete Slection of Wedding Invitations

HOW TO HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:06:00-0500

Planning a wedding involves so many details - choosing locations for the ceremony and reception, handling caterers and menus, finding the perfect flowers, getting the wedding cake made and hiring a photographer. You may find that you need help. The solution - hiring a professional! A good wedding consultant or planner will not only take care of the details, she will bring you in under budget and also help you have a stress-free and enjoyable wedding. Since your wedding planner will be helping you make important decisions regarding the most significant day of your life, it's essential you find one who you feel comfortable working with and who listens and understands your needs perfectly. But first, you need to realize that a wedding planner is hired to serve 'you' and will be receptive to your ideas as long as you communicate them clearly. So, here are some steps to hire a wedding planner to coordinate your wedding. 1. Get References: You can ask friends or relatives who have recently been married for referrals, or even check on the internet for a wedding planner. Contact a professional association of wedding or bridal consultants and ask for local referrals, this will ease any doubts in your mind about the planner's background. 2. Explore Your Options: It is always better to explore the market. Make appointments with two, three or four wedding planners. Most of them offer a free initial consultation. And this enables you to pick one who suits your needs the most. 3. Verify Credentials: Ask to see the wedding planner's business license, certificate of membership in a professional organization, or some other indication that she is in business and not just a hobbyist. Always ask to see letters of reference. Also ask about the planner's additional experience, including education, other work experience and special talents. 4. Checkout Previous Assignments: You must always make sure that you ask to see pictures of weddings that a wedding planner has coordinated or assisted in previously. Ask as many questions as you can. A pro should be able to answer these questions easily and with confidence. 5. Communicate Your Needs: Tell the wedding planner what type of wedding you want and what your budget is. She will tell you how much of your dream wedding she can produce on that budget. Also, check about payment. The consultant may charge a percentage of the wedding budget, a flat fee or an hourly rate. Consultants who work for hotels, restaurants and DJ services may be paid by their organizations. 6. Make It Formal: Always sign a written contract stating when and how much you will pay for the services you require, and what the arrangement will be if the wedding is called off. Get everything in writing with a letter of agreement signed by both of you that clearly states what each of you will do. This ensures that each party holds up its end of the deal. You can also keep a couple of tips in mind - like consider hiring a novice. Not only will she be eager to learn, but also eager to please. And always treat your wedding planner with consideration to ensure good service and a great wedding. You can even indicate your willingness to give a reference if you were satisfied after the wedding. Click Here To View Our Complete Slection of Wedding Invitations

HANDLING STRESS DURING THE WEDDING PLANNING PHASE

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:05:00-0500

Planning a wedding is one of the most wonderful of life's experiences. It is also one of the most stressful. You need to understand that you can't really have perfection, what you can expect is to have a terrific day. Don't lose sight of the main goal ? that is to get married. Brides and grooms need to respect each other. And if you find 'just' that is not enough then consider the following tips to avoid stress while planning your wedding. 1. Have Reasonable Expectations: One of the greatest challenges facing brides and grooms is their feelings of wanting to satisfy everyone ? family, friends and relatives. And that is why setting appropriate expectations is very important. Reasonable expectations will make a big and positive difference. Listen to each other, communicate and respect each other. Sometimes, the challenges and issues facing couples preparing for their wedding, also prepare them for marriage. It is a very wonderful and valuable time. 2. Be Organized: It really pays to be organized. Stress comes from unexpected happenings, and if you are unorganized you will attract frequent disasters. You and your to-be spouse need to get a good organizer, day planner or calendar to set up timetables and dates, and who is responsible for what. It needs to be checked daily, with extensive notes to indicate the status for various portions of the wedding plan. It will keep you from getting confused. 3. Delegate Tasks: Managing stress involves knowing what you're capable of handling. List out all the tasks you have on your plate ? including your daily responsibilities and all the wedding planning to-dos. From there, decide what you can and cannot handle. Then, call on your family and friends to help take over some of your wedding-related tasks. One of the best things you can do is hire a wedding planner. You'll be surprised how much stress you manage to avoid and how much more you'll enjoy the planning process when someone else is there to work through and execute all the nitpicky details. 4. Plan on Money Issues: Money issues also frequently come up and create stressful situations. Brides are more emotional about wedding plans and all the other events leading up to the wedding. Grooms are more concerned or 'stressed out' about money. Money and financial issues are always stress inducing, and it doesn't necessarily matter how much money someone has. Which is why, it is better to stop, relax, listen, and communicate with each other rather than fight and get worked up. 5. Make Time for Each Other: One of the best ways to relieve stress is to be with your future spouse. Spend time together with the restriction that you will not discuss the wedding plans for a while. Go to a movie, have a nice quiet dinner, go swimming or walking ? just spend some time alone. Put the responsibilities that have been consuming all your time on the back burner for a while. This will definitely give you the release you need. 6. Eat Right: Consuming the right foods can aid in lowering stress. Eat stress-busting foods like whole grains and any red, green, or orange vegetables. Keep the jitters at bay by limiting coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Stay away from fried foods too. In fact, try to relax with a mug full of chamomile tea ? a time-tested herbal stress reliever.

AN INFORMAL WEDDING DRESS ? THE LATEST TRENDS

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:34:00-0500

Simplicity seems to be the name of the game these days. An increasing number of brides are looking to skip out on all the fuss of a usual big wedding and just keep things simple. Which is why, many of them are opting for low-key weddings where comfort is the magic word and an informal wedding gown the dress code! Now many of you might think that informal wedding dresses are only worn by brides on a budget. Well think again! Informal wedding dresses these days have become the rage... not only are they smart and uncomplicated, they offer comfort along with sophisticated elegance all in one. Now doesn't that sound like a dress you would definitely want to wear on your wedding day? We thought so... And now that you are certain you want to wear an informal wedding dress on your big day, lets see what you can wear for different kinds of weddings. 1. A Beach Wedding: If you are having your wedding at an exotic location or on a beach, then you are going to want an informal beach wedding dress to wear. Beach weddings are mostly informal, which means no full formal skirts and headpieces are necessary. The one thing that you need to keep in mind is to be as casual and comfortable as possible, and still look classy and elegant. Now, there are a lot of different informal beach wedding dress styles that you can choose from - halters, strapless dresses, and even ones with sleeves for brides who don't want to show too much skin. Some of you, who have the sexy curves to show off, can go in for an easy sheath in light materials. This is possibly the most excellent choice for a beach wedding dress. And try one with an empire design ? they look hot! Add some fresh flowers to you hair and you can be sure you will sizzle on your very special day. 2. A Winter Wedding: Whenever we think of wedding dresses, we automatically think of a beautiful white dress on a warm summer's day. But, there is a growing trend towards winter weddings these days. And that's why informal winter wedding dresses may not be pure white or cream. Trends in dresses this year include deep red, plum and even black. Another great idea is to include a fur collar, or long fake fur coat to add a touch of classy elegance to you wedding dress. 3. A Summer Wedding: There's a new twist to informal summer wedding dresses this year. And that's color. Many wedding dresses are now using a lot of colored fabric to add a classic touch to an otherwise traditional white or cream dress. Popular, seasonal colors for informal wedding dresses include lilac, pink, blue and yellow. Often, brides will choose a half-color theme where the bodice is colored or the skirt is colored, but the other half of the dress is kept in a plain cream or white. 4. A Theme Wedding: Today, no bride wants to look the same as another. Which is why, the concept of theme weddings has become very popular. And even though many of the weddings are low-key affairs, they are still classy and elegant. Just like a bride's wedding dress. Individually designed informal wedding dresses are definitely the flavor of the season. By getting a made-to-order dress, you can make sure that it fits perfectly, is exactly what you want and above all, is unique.