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5 questions to ask yourself when planning an outdoor wedding

There is an unmatched thrill associated with an outdoor wedding. Unlike indoor weddings which are mostly predictable, an outdoor wedding keeps the excitement alive as there are many options to make it unique. Nevertheless, it is also equally challenging to plan a successful outdoor wedding, as you have to account for many extra factors when your wedding is to take place in a natural background.

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Before you decide that you want an outdoor wedding, here are the questions you should ask yourself to help you understand whether you can pull it off.

Do you have a Plan B?

As romantic as getting married under a cloudless blue sky may sound, remember that Mother Nature may decide to throw up a challenge when you least expect it. You never know when the weather can give you a nasty surprise, and should be prepared for sudden showers in spring, snow in winter and temperatures that soar up or fall. As wedding planner Hariette Rose Kuz mentions on the Huffington Post, always have a backup plan, should this occur. You would have an alternate indoor venue in mind, should you have to move at the last minute.

Have you considered access to the location?

If the location is up a hill or in the middle of a huge open field, consider how your guests can get there. This is even more relevant if there are elderly guests who may find it difficult to walk the long route or drive so far. Consider whether you can arrange alternate transportation to make their commute to the site and back easier. If it is impossible, you may be better off looking elsewhere.

Will you be extra stressed thinking of unexpected weather?

Not all brides are cut out to take what comes with a smile. Are you the type of girl who feels disturbed when plans fail due to unforeseen circumstances? Or do you just take whatever happens in your stride? If you are the latter, an outdoor wedding shouldn’t be too stressful. But, if you are the anxious type, you do not want to spend the days leading up to the wedding poring over weather forecasts and worrying whether you will have to ditch your plans at the last minute.

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Have you considered the additional costs?

An outdoor wedding means extra charges for tents, transportation and outdoor toilet rentals. This may add extra thousands to your wedding budget. You should also consider the charges for air-conditioning or fans in tents to keep your guests cool and the flowers from wilting. There may also be extra charges for using the site or permits to be taken. Add all these to the wedding budget when accounting for the cost of venue.

Did you know that not all wedding dresses are good for the outdoors?

Yes, an outdoor wedding isn’t really suitable for a wedding gown with a long train. In fact, you will have to consider light breezy fabrics and shorter hemlines, to be comfortable and for the dress to remain clean. This doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style, as there are plenty of options out there. But, if you always dreamed of wearing an elaborate gown with a heavily layered skirt, you may have to drop the idea of an outdoor wedding.

To find out the dress that will be perfect for your wedding day, visit our online gallery at Best for Bride.

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Winter wedding cake trends

Each season has its distinct personality, and incorporating the natural elements of the season adds more interest to a wedding. With winter upon us, and the cold weather dictating everything for the rest of the year, we think it is a good idea to take a look at some winter wedding cake trends.

Come along, as we find out more about the happening trends in delicious and delightful wedding cakes, this winter. And, don’t forget to tell us which of these trends you will be incorporating into your winter wedding.

Generous with ruffles

This video on the Vancouver Sun, mentions that decorating cakes with ruffles is one of the most popular trends in winter cakes this year.  The design for the cake is usually inspired by the bridal dress, or by the ruffles that are part of the wedding décor and bridesmaids outfits. Ruffles may be featured on just one tier, or even extended to include all the tiers of the cake. The design feature has a fresh and airy feel, and the cake doesn’t require any additional element, as this in itself gives it a signature touch.

 Vividly white wedding cakes

Winter and white are almost synonymous. White wedding cakes are a tribute to the season, and they are always tasteful and classic. Couples now choose to go with stark white tiered wedding cakes, decorated with white embellishments that keep the look monochromatic and exquisite. Details like petals, pearls, silver embellishments and piped embroidery are the top choices in cake decorations.

Image Credit: Dion Gillard [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Naked wedding cakes

Here, the wedding cake is not covered by layers of frosting or fondant. Instead, it is kept original, with the crumb showing through. The seasonal elements are added between the layers, for taste and texture. Winter favorites are fruits available during the season, such as appleas, pears and perssimons. Although the cake may look rough and exposed, it is a welcome change that is easy on the palette and the stomach. Perfect for a rich, warm dessert, the natural colors of the layers make it attractive.

Naked Cake
Image Credits: Camila Aguiar, [CC BY 2.0], via Flickr

Memorably metallic masterpieces

The sheen of metal best suits the wintry landscape and is a reflection of the cool winter ambiance. Taking inspiration from the tinsel trends highlighted every holiday season, wedding cakes with metallic accents in gold, silver and copper are a favorite. There are also cakes that are entirely covered with a metallic finish, that dazzle, shine and scintillate as works of art. With metal, less is more, and the cake finish is usually simple and straight.

Wedding Themed Card box/Towel Cake combo
Image Credits: Sherlene, via Flick

Don’t you love these winter wedding cake trends? We believe that at least some of them are here to stay. Visit our wedding cake gallery at Best for Bride, for more interesting ideas to base your wedding cake design on.

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5 Steps to Selecting a Wedding Dress at Your Local Bridal Shop

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Selecting a wedding dress may seem simple, but when you are in a store filled with dresses that all have different styles, it can be a little bit overwhelming. With your maid of honor and a close family member at your side, usually your mother or sister, a wedding dress shop may not be as intimidating, and by following these five easy steps, we are confident you will find the perfect dress for your wedding day in a your local bridal shop.

Step One – Research Wedding Dresses You May Want to Try On

Looking online or through some bridal magazines will give you an idea of the kind of wedding dresses you may want to try on. If you want a specific designer, make sure to write down their name or save the photo to your phone. Doing a little bit of research online before going dress shopping will ease the feeling of being overwhelmed when you get to the shop.

Step Two – Research Prices for Dresses You Like

Price is an important factor, and this can vary from store to store. In order to get prices on dresses, it is always easiest to go to the designers website and see if the price is on there. This will help you stay within your budget so you aren’t trying on dresses you will never be able to afford. It is important to stick to your budget, especially when it comes to the dress.

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Step Three – Research Shops in Your Area

Most shops will have social pages that provide reviews from other people who have shopped there. You can also see photos of the shop, or visit before making an appointment to make sure that this is the shop for you. Pay attention to reviews that talk about the service and reliability of the people who take care of hemming and taking in dresses as you may need to have something on the dress altered. A dress boutique with high ratings and happy clientele is definitely the place you want to shop.

Step Four – Make an Appointment at the Shop You Want to Buy From

With every bridal shop, you must make an appointment. Make sure to tell whomever you are bringing with you the date, time and location if you will not all be traveling together. Appointments are important to keep as some bridal shops take bookings weeks in advance, depending on how popular the store is.

When you are making the phone call, you can also tell the person booking the appointment if you have any specific dresses you would like to try on. This will give them time before your appointment to pull the dresses so you are not stuck waiting around for them to find them. Plan to arrive about fifteen minutes before your appointment and browse around a bit while you wait; you may find a dress to try on that you hadn’t considered before.


Step Five – Take Advice from the Salesperson but Listen to Your Heart

The salespeople at bridal boutiques usually aren’t that pushy about sales, however if you do not like a gown you are trying on, you have to be honest. The salesperson is there to help you find the dress that is right for you but it is always alright to accept some advice. They may even find a dress you love that you wouldn’t have looked at before. Make sure you absolutely love your dress before confirming that this is ‘the one’ because you will be looking at the photos for years to come!

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Bridal Fashion through the decades

Like everything in the world of fashion, bridal outfits have also changed drastically with each passing decade. Over the century, bridal dresses have changed in length, silhouette, neckline patterns, sleeves, colors, fabric and styles.

Here we bring you the typical bridal fashion choices associated with each era. So, find all the wedding dress inspiration that you need to carve your unique wedding look around it.

1920’s and 30’s Gatsby Style

The Great Gatsby wedding inspired long flowing lace dresses, embellished with beading. Although the style later changed from dropped waist wedding dresses to those that once again featured the waistline, the overall effect was one of women embracing their sensuality and letting it shine through. The 30’s and 40’s were years marked by war, and the Great Depression had brides turning to practical and sensible options for wedding dresses. Many brides even chose to just wear their Sunday best for their big celebration.

Featured here is a magnificent gown from the Jasmine Couture ’14 collection. The beautiful play of lace on a simple fit and flare silhouette works perfectly for a 1920’s inspired wedding theme.

Stylish 1950’s and 60’s

This era introduced us to the sweetheart neckline and shorter hemlines. Tiered wedding dresses were a huge hit, with elaborate lace details being the trend. The illusion neckline made its debut, although in a very modest form, with the sweetheart neckline being barely visible under high collared lace necklines. The 60’s popularized empire waistlines and metallic embellishments.

This Mori Lee wedding dress 6749 from the 2014 Voyage Collection is just perfect for a 1950’s or 60’s theme wedding, with its lace illusion neckline and short hemline.

1980’s fairytale princess gowns

Princess Diana set the trend for princess style fairy tale gowns in the 1980’s. Wedding dresses featuring elaborate trains, flowing skirts, full sleeves and gathered or basque waists were the new trend in wedding fashion.

Featured here is a princess-style gown from the Mori Lee Spring 2015 collection. It is missing the statement enormous puff sleeves, or it would look the exact part of a 1980’s wedding gown.

Contemporary 1990’s style

As women of the 1990’s explored fashion, the wedding dress too took many shapes and forms. Lace was still popular, and elaborate ball gowns were still the rage. Illusion necklines and off-the-shoulder necklines were also growing in popularity, as women dared to bare more skin. Most women preferred puffed sleeves or shorter sleeves, in place of the full-sleeve gowns of the previous decade. The famous wedding movies like Father of the Bride and Four Weddings and a Funeral portrayed the common fashion styles of the time.

Our pick is this pretty ball gown with lace on the bodice from the Mori Lee 2015 collection.

The dynamic 2000’s and 2010’s

As we step into the 21st century, the strapless style makes its appearance. Simpler silhouettes such as the sheath and minimalist wedding dresses were growing in importance. In the 2010’s, a new wedding dress style was the mermaid-inspired or fit and flare gown. This continues to be a favorite with the slim modern woman.

This strapless mermaid gown belongs to the Mori Lee 2014 wedding collection. It is a common pattern we see brides of our generation sporting.

That wraps it up. To take a closer look at any of these gowns, and to find more choices, visit our bridal collection at Best for Bride today.