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Timeless Elegance: The Enduring Charm and Beauty of Lace Wedding Dresses!

Is there any fabric more romantic than lace? It’s no accident that so many wedding dresses have lace accents and overlay. Lace wedding dresses can have subtle accents of delicate lace, thick, textured lace, or a combination of lace varieties. Here are some tips for choosing a lace wedding dress.

Several designers are creating wedding gowns that are completely covered in lace as part of their latest collections. The dresses may have a simple, sheath silhouette, a gown with a flared skirt, or form-fitting dresses. Since lace wedding dresses come in the full array of available wedding dress styles, the bride may want to begin her selection by deciding which wedding dress styles would be most flattering for her body type. If she can choose whether she wants a sheath, mermaid, ball gown,  or A-line dress, she can focus her search for the perfect wedding dress.

Traditionally, lace is delicate and flowery. Bold lace makes a statement. Claire Pettibone designed such a dress. The Guipure lace sheath dress has thick lines and a large lace design that covers the entire dress. It’s a sophisticated mix of the striking lines and flowing fabric.

Sheath dresses are a common style for lace wedding gowns. Sheath dresses that have a full lace overlay have an outer layer of lace over the entire dress. The underlying fabric keeps the dress from being too transparent. The intricate design of the lace can be a nice balance with the simple silhouette of the sheath dress.

Mermaid wedding dresses fit snuggly at the top with a skirt that flares outward from thighs. Lace lends itself well for creating beautiful effects for both an overlay over the form-fitting top or as part of the flared, flowing skirt.

Most lace wedding gowns have a layer of lace over a more substantial fabric. This helps with durability as well as preventing the gown from being revealing. Some designers embrace the transparent nature of lace to create cutouts that show the skin through the lace.

Risqué wedding dresses might have designs where part of the gown is only lace. An example of this are the wedding dresses that have a bodice that resembles a bustier. A few modern bustier wedding dresses use lace as the primary fabric for the bodice.

With the DIY trend, some brides use lace appliqués to create their own cutouts. This commonly is done on the sleeves if the sleeves are plain. Brides should take care when adding appliqués to other portions of the dress. A misplaced cutout can render the gown too revealing. She may need to rush to find a seamstress who can fix her blunder or be uncomfortable during the big day.

The disadvantages of lace is it’s delicate nature. The lace can get snagged and tear. It’s an important consideration when choosing a dress that has a full layer of lace. The bride may want to restrict her bridal jewelry to earrings and necklaces and forego the bracelets that might catch on the fabric.

For more helpful information about choosing the perfect wedding dress, please visit the Best for Bride blog.

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Taking Your Time: 5 Unexpected Benefits of Opting for a Long Engagement!

This article on the Huff Post reveals that 40 percent of couples have a long engagement of anywhere between 13 to 18 months. We’ve witnessed very short engagements, very long ones and those just long enough to plan the perfect wedding day. A long engagement that lasts for a year, or slightly longer, is what we feel is the best choice. Here is why!

You have time to book your dream venue and book the best caterers

Since you aren’t pinched for time, it is easier to choose a date when your dream wedding venue is available. After all, getting married in the perfect place is a dream come true. Similarly, it is easier to work around vendor dates and get the best of everything from food to flowers. The bonus is that you have enough time first to do your research, shortlist the right vendors and finally book them after all the discussions are over.

You have time to get the perfect wedding dress

Let’s face it, wedding dress shopping is not a breeze. The thousands of attractive designs out there only make it more difficult to choose from. When you have plenty of time, you can scan through the options, consider what will look good and what will not, and finally choose a dress that is just right for you. If you begin at least six months before the big day, you will have plenty of time to get your dress altered to fit you like a glove, shop for the best accessories and bring your look together perfectly. And, the longer you are engaged, greater the chances for a sale coming up when you can bag your dream dress on a discount.

More time can mean less stress

This is because it allows you to chalk out and organize every wedding detail, with sufficient time to work on your plans. A short engagement will have you rushing from one vendor to the other, and trying to make sense of the hundreds of arrangements that you have to take care of. Unlike this, a longer engagement gives you time to ponder over decision and go with those that you love most.

You can nail the guest list

Just like you, your guests will also appreciate time to make their plans and confirm their attendance. You will have plenty of time to send out your wedding invitations, receive RSVPs, calculate the headcount and plan your wedding accordingly. There is less chance for last-minute cancellations when your guests have marked your wedding on their calendars well ahead of the actual day, and have time to adjust their schedules to fit it.

You can enjoy the engagement and plan your honeymoon at leisure

Let’s face it, your engagement will be a whirlwind of activities. Many couples realize that they have no time for each other, once wedding planning begins. You can escape from this stressful approach if you have a long engagement. There is plenty of time for date nights, honeymoon plans and time to be a couple in love, when you have a long engagement. It also gives you enough time to sort out your future plans and get started on the best foot.

What do you say, are you a fan of long engagements or do you prefer short and sweet ones?

To shop for your wedding dress, and for all your other wedding-related needs, come visit us at Best for Bride, and we will help you make your wedding a success.

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Honor your parents on your wedding day with these great ideas

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If you are like most couples, you are proud of your parents and would like to honor their love and support with a special gesture on your wedding day. It doesn’t take too much to show your appreciation for all that your parents have done for you, as you step into a new chapter of your life. Here are some ideas to include in your wedding, and show your parents how much you value them.

Add a family heirloom to your wedding

This can be your mother’s veil, a family ornament or even your mother’s wedding dress. You can use this as your “something old” and bring together tradition and something of sentimental value. If you do not want to use the same element as it is, consider upcycling it to fit your wedding theme and personal style. For example, you can take your mother’s wedding dress and restyle it to match your wedding dress vision. Or if the dress isn’t in perfect condition, you could pick some lace from it and add it to your bouquet or make a kerchief from it to carry with you on your wedding day.

Replicate something from your parents’ wedding at your own

Take a look at your parents wedding albums and find something that you would like to incorporate in your own. You could have your own bouquet designed in the same design as that of your mother’s, or choose a cake topper similar to the one on your parents’ wedding cake. You could also add precious family mementos into the wedding décor. If there is something that your parents have saved from their wedding, ask them if you could display it at your wedding and make sure you place it in a deserving spot.

Mention them in a special way during your wedding speech

On your big day, thank both sets of parents through a short speech. Spend some time to create a short and special note of thanks as a nice tribute to your parents. Rehearse it well, and surprise them with it on your wedding day. They will certainly appreciate the gesture.

Get them a meaningful token to cherish forever

Use this occasion to gift your parents a special wedding favor. Let it be one that they will greatly cherish and hold close to your heart. Photo charms with you and your parents can be added to your wedding bouquet, or you could wear it as a locket. Alternately, consider getting charms engraved with your names and gift it to them. You could also consider getting personalized favors for your parents based on their tastes and preferences. How about a personalized wine glass for the fathers and a bracelet or pendant in sterling silver for the mothers? Remember that it is not the cost, but the thought that counts. So, choose a gift that they will appreciate and hold close to their hearts. You could even do a handmade gift, as this will be the more heartfelt.

For more help with wedding favors and other gifts that will be perfect for your parents, visit our list of options on Best for Bride and find one that is just perfect for you.

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Why rain on your wedding day can be a good thing!

I do not have much experience to comment on whether it is good luck if it rains on your wedding day, but I can tell you that it certainly isn’t the end of the world if it does. Every bride who plans an outdoor ceremony during the summer worries whether nature will decide to wreak her plans and throw in a shower or two on her big day.

Our suggestion is not to worry, but plan how you can make the most of this unexpected twist in the situation. One bonus of a rainy wedding day is that you can take wedding pictures that are both romantic and one-of-a-kind. How about that?

Amy & Brendan
Image Credits: Tom 7, via Flickr,[CC BY 2.0] 

Take a look at this Buzzfeed post on couples who nailed their rainy weddings. Look at the happiness on their faces, and you will realize that rain is a good thing, no matter what!

With these tips you will be all set to have fun on your wedding day, even if it rains. In fact, once you begin planning for a rainy day wedding, you may stop wishing away rain, and may instead hope that it actually poured.

Make a Plan B and stick to it if it rains

Guests soaked to the bone, and shivering in their wet dresses throughout the wedding function, may not be a good idea. So, we suggest that you include a plan B, when you have an outdoor wedding. Set up tents, or book an adjacent indoor location, for “if it rains.” Even when the rain wreaks havoc in the backdrop, your wedding will have a fairy tale mood.

Get set with pretty umbrellas and wellies

If you have your heart set on an outdoor ceremony, stick to it. Just make sure you purchase umbrellas matching the wedding color palette, and you bring along stylish wellies for yourself and the rest of the bridal party. Don’t forget to click a few pictures in these accessories before you head indoors, it will be a fun one!

Choose water-resistant makeup to look fresh and avoid smudges

You do not want makeup to drip off you and ruin your wonderful white dress during your rendezvous in the rain. So, make sure you choose to use water resistant makeup. Go with light nude colors, so you look fresh and naturally beautiful. Stash the makeup in your emergency kit for a quick touch up before the reception, and you will look great throughout the day.

Find a good photographer

The best thing about rainy day weddings, is that your photos come out looking great due to the color saturation that the natural lighting on the day allows. Nevertheless, you must find a professional who can use this to your advantage, and capture the best possible pictures. Check with your photographer beforehand, to know whether he is comfortable shooting in rain.

Aren’t you convinced yet? Take a look at this picture, and now tell me if you still feel that a rainy wedding is a bad idea!
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Image Credit: Joe Martin, via Flickr, [CC BY 2.0]

For more wedding tips and advice, keep visiting us at Best for Bride.