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Happy Bridesmaids, Happy BRIDE!

Don’t worry!  All you have to do is shorten it, and you can wear it again!

If you have ever been asked to be a bridesmaid, your first thought might not be of gratitude or excitement, but of the dreadful possibilities of Bridesmaids Dresses that you may be required to wear!  Not long ago, it was common for the bride to select the same gown for all of her bridesmaids, with the unspoken belief that the Bridal Party was never to outshine the bride on her wedding day.  Nowadays, times have changed!

Mori Lee Bridesmaid Dresses

Make it an Event to Remember for your Bridesmaids as well!

With recent weddings becoming more and more sophisticated and stylish, today’s brides are often pursuing a more fashionable and affordable approach to the dressing of their Bridal Party.  By simply first choosing the color and fabric, many brides are allowing their attendants to choose their individual Bridesmaids Dresses based on these simplified guidelines.  Gone are the days where each bridesmaid is expected to dress exactly alike, regardless of body shapes and sizes.  By focusing on your bridesmaids’ enjoyment and excitement of feeling pretty as well, you may save yourself a great deal of unnecessary stress and worry in the process!

Jasmine Bridesmaid Dress

Remember Why You Asked These Wonderful Women in the First Place!

As your wedding day draws ever closer, your nervousness may increase, your frustrations may rise, and your stress levels may soar!  But through it all, your girlfriends are going to take care of you, helping you through the wedding preparation, from the sending of the invitations to the planning of your final exit from the reception!  Don’t forget to repay that friendship by choosing to dress the Bridal Party in the most flattering and affordable manner!

Bridesmaid gown from Alfred Angelo

Get Them Dressed and Keep Them Happy!

Here are some simple tips to keep this sometimes arduous process stress free:

  1. Plan in advance and provide ample opportunity for your Bridal Party to prepare for the event by scheduling fittings a minimum of four to six months before the ceremony.  Bring your Bridesmaids along to shop with you, perhaps having some fun along the way by trying on different styles of Bridesmaids Dresses, both elegant and silly!
  2. First begin by deciding on color and length.  Depending on the season or time of day for the ceremony, the degree of formality may vary.  For an evening wedding, perhaps a floor length silk sheath is appropriate.  For a summer event, perhaps a tea-length sheer design would be more suitable for a sunny afternoon. Tradition dictates, however, that when the bride is wearing a longer gown, the attendants should not wear shorter Bridesmaids Dresses.
  3. Remember to choose a style and fit that will enhance the figures of all of your Bridal Party.  A fuller-figured bridesmaid may not feel comfortable in a strapless cocktail dress, for example.  Be compassionate.
  4. Be considerate of your Bridal Party’s budget.  Bridesmaids usually pay for their own Bridesmaids Dresses.  So, a recommended cost might be below $200.  Less money is even better, since your girlfriends will also be spending money on Bridal Showers, Bachelorette Parties, and wedding gifts.
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Before You Shop For Your Wedding Dress

Shopping for a wedding dress is an exciting time in any woman’s life. It is your chance to be the center of attention and choose something that makes you feel amazing on your special day. But sometimes the stress and anxiety of the day tends to rain on the bride-to-be’s parade. To ensure that you get the most out of the time, there are several things that you can do to plan ahead. When things go smoothly, you have a better time and feel more comfortable with the experience.

wedding dress from Mori Lee

Look at Pictures to Get Some Ideas

Bridal magazines are everywhere, so take advantage of all the photos provided. Which dresses stand out to you? Are there some that you absolutely love and others that you are not interested in at all? Before you try on one dress, you have the opportunity to see what is out there and get some idea of what type of wedding dress you like.

Some brides choose to tear pages out from their favorite magazines to bring along with them while trying on dresses. This can help the stylist at the boutique narrow down the dresses that she brings to the bride. Others will share the photos with friends to try to get everyone looking for similar dresses.

Come Up with a Budget

When you walk into a boutique, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the number of dresses available. The prices range from inexpensive to downright outrageous and you need to know where you stand as far as the budget goes. How much money are you going to spend on your dress? Does the amount include the shoes, the veil, the accessories and the undergarments? You don’t need to have an exact figure in mind, but you may want to come up with a range. If you are determined to stick to the budget, only try on dresses that you know are priced right for you.

Bridal Gown by Alfred Angelo Disney

Gather Up a Group of Friends and Family You Trust

It helps to bring along a couple of friends or family members to enjoy the experience along with you. However, make sure that you are surrounding yourself with people that will make the time enjoyable for you. You want friends that will allow you to make your own decisions and not sway you one way or the other. You also want friends that will be honest with you when a wedding dress you try on is not flattering or just isn’t your style.

Make Several Appointments at Local Boutiques

Don’t assume that you can just show up at the local bridal boutiques and try on dresses. Most want brides to make an appointment. A specialist will work with the bride to choose dresses, try them on and talk about any adjustments that need to be made. Getting those dresses off and on can be a real challenge and it helps to have a professional around. This person will remind you to try on your dress with heels to make sure you have the right length and explain some of the bustling options.

Choose Suitable Clothing

Because you are going to be trying on multiple dresses at multiple locations, make sure that you dress in comfortable clothes that are still going to be appropriate for boutique shopping. You don’t want anything that takes a long time to take off or put back on. Many brides look for items from couturecandy.com. Wherever you shop, make sure they have a wide range of comfortable clothing that still has that designer look. The more comfortable and confident you are the day you begin to try on wedding dresses, the more enjoyable the experience will be.

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How To Make Your Bridesmaids Feel Appreciated

“My friends are my estate.”

Emily Dickinson

Without your loyal and lovely bridesmaids, your wedding would be less wonderful. These caring ladies are there to help you look as beautiful as can be on the big day…they also provide amazing moral support during the months leading up to your wedding.

If you’re given to a little Bridezilla behavior now and then (and aren’t we all?), you’ll have even more reason to value every bridesmaid in your wedding party… why not show these special girlfriends just how much they mean to you?

Avoid The Clichés – Give Your Bridesmaids Something Pretty To Wear At Your Wedding

The best way of showing you care is by helping your bridesmaids avoid the most dreaded cliché – the homely dress, designed to make the bride look so much prettier by comparison. It can be tempting to put your girls in ugly dresses, but it’s really a bad idea on many levels.

After all, you’re a modern, confident woman! You don’t want your bridesmaids dressed in tacky styles they’ll secretly despise. Your wedding will be more pleasant for everyone when you honor your bridesmaids – they don’t need couture pieces straight off of a Paris runway. However, even cheap bridesmaid dresses should offer the best quality, sophistication, and fabric possible.

A brainstorming session, where the bridesmaids come together and give you ideas about what they’d prefer to wear, would be a great “girl’s night” activity. Watch 27 Dresses or The Wedding Singer, have some snacks and drinks, and chat about bridesmaid gowns and fun wedding decor ideas!

Of course, it’s your wedding, not theirs – still, you should always be sensitive about their body issues and opinions. Treat them as you would want to be treated…even if you had to wear something terrible when they walked down the aisle!

Being a gracious, kind bride-to-be is just good karma! It will also ensure that your friends are happy and comfortable in their gowns.

Choose Wisely

If they’re paying for their own outfits, they will be so relieved when you choose modern, pretty dresses that can even be worn again for other occasions. Consider cocktail-length gowns for your bridesmaids – they can add pizazz to your wedding, and they are so classic!

A knee-length sheath is always a flattering choice for almost any woman! A-line skirts are wonderful for curvier bridesmaids – they balance their shapes beautifully. Pay attention to the unique physical characteristics of each woman. It’s possible to find different bridesmaids dresses for each lady, as long as you stay in the same color family. Have fun with it! Don’t be afraid to innovate!

You’ll Always Be The Star On Your Wedding Day…

You will be the focus at your wedding – you are the gorgeous star of the day! Your stunning, snowy white wedding dress, sparkling bridal rings, and glamorous hair and makeup will put the spotlight on you throughout the ceremony and reception.

Your bridesmaids will be there to provide the perfect backdrop – and backup – if they are feeling pretty and appreciated, it will show! Their positive energy will add a lot to your whole wedding experience – make the day special for them as well!

A Fun Gift Idea For Your Bridesmaids

Before or after your ceremony, consider giving each bridesmaid a special present that is fun, personal and even poignant. It’s not about money – it’s about friendship! Here is a lovely gift idea that can be work with almost any budget:

Bridesmaid Survival Kits

These popular kits often contain boring essentials, such as travel toothbrushes, sewing kits, extra stockings, Chap Stick, and mints. No one really wants everyday basics as a present! Make your own emergency kit – but fill it with fun and glamorous little mini-gifts.

A rhinestone-studded compact mirror or a scented lip plumper will be appreciated by almost any bridesmaid. Bath bombs that fizz and smell delicious are cheap, but they will always be enjoyed – and they’ll help each bridesmaid unwind before or after your wedding celebration. The goal is to give useful items with a little added charm!

Add any fun extras, such as glam nail polish or luxurious body lotion, that you happen to find on sale in the weeks before your ceremony. Wrap the whole kit up in a basket or shiny gift bag – add tissue paper or cellophane, and tie it with lots of colorful ribbons.

Your survival kit should be practical, but also something even Lady Gaga would appreciate! Put in a personal note as well, letting the bridesmaid know how much she means to you!

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Unleash Your Creativity: 10 Unique Wedding Favors

Unleash Your Creativity: 10 Unique Wedding Favors

Bored of getting the most common wedding favours? Now that it’s your turn to give out one, why not do away with the usual bride-and-groom figurines, key chains and small picture frames? It’s time to exercise your creative juices when choosing wedding favours for your beloved guests.

When selecting wedding favours, you have a very wide array of choices. The most important thing to remember is that the wedding favours you’ve chosen are within your budget. And, of course, these little keepsakes would be in line with the theme of your wedding.

Here are a few wedding favour suggestions with a flair for uniqueness and creativity.

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