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Enchanted Elegance: Fairy Tale Wedding Dresses with a Modern, Pouf-Free Twist!

Many brides come wedding shopping with their mothers. And, it is surprising how many of these mothers want their daughters to choose a traditional wedding dress with lots of pouf, so their daughters look like fairy tale princesses on their wedding day.

It is when the bride doesn’t want this that the shopping session becomes unpleasant. It is only natural that a bride wants her mother to approve of her wedding dress choice but doesn’t want to compromise on her style preferences either.

We have witnessed many debates between moms who want elaborate ball gowns, and brides who want their moms to like their dress without having to choose a heavy gown. Hence, we thought it would be a good idea to feature these fantastic wedding dresses that give you a fairy-tale look sans the pouf. Sound interesting? Then read on!

Mori Lee 2771 Fall 2015 Collection

This is a ball gown with a difference. The dropped waist elongates the torso, and the layered skirt is balanced. The skirt is pleated, which gives it a more defined structure. The delicate beading begins at the sweetheart neckline and continues all the way to the waistline. The back dips into a classic V-neckline. Also available with this dress is an optional shoulder coverlet created in lace. This makes it all the more versatile, so it is suitable for both a traditional ceremony and a semi-formal reception.

Jasmine T172010 Couture Spring 2015

How elegant is this ravishing lace ball gown? A welcome variation to the heavy ball gown, the silhouette is ideally crafted to follow your natural curves closely, and it has just the right amount of bounce in the skirt. The contrast waistband defines your slender waist, and the intricate floral lace motifs make it fit for a princess. The flower clusters thin out towards the skirt in a fascinating design.

Sophia Tolli Y11567 Mon Cheri Spring 2015 Collection

Pouf with a personality, that is what we think this gown is all about. The tiered trumpet skirt is made of layers with jut the right scattering of details along the edges. The sweetheart neckline has an eyelash lace trim, and the dropped waist beautifully enhances the slender figure of the bride. At the back is the traditional corset, that snugly fits your natural curves. Mom will agree that this is a fairy tale dress, even sans the ball gown.

Now, here are a few tips on how you can choose a dramatic wedding gown that is anything but bulky and boring.

  • Look at fit and flare gowns with a thick skirt. This way, you will have enough layers to create an impact, without it cascading from your waist.
  • Choose fabrics that are light and airy, and not crisp and sheer. This makes it look elegant.
  • Dropped and draped waists are slimming and allow you to look fantastic even in a ball gown skirt.
  • Dresses with vertical embellishments or those with cap sleeves are pretty, without overly spilling out.

To check out more dresses that fit your vision, come visit our bridal gallery on Best for Bride and we can help you choose the dress that mom approves and you would love to be married in.

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Why are wedding gowns expensive?

Your wedding dress is one of the most expensive dresses that you will ever shop for in your lifetime. The Wall Street Journal estimates that most brides spend at least $1500 on their wedding dress.

So, what is it that makes wedding dresses so pricey? And, what can you do to reduce the price, when you go shopping for your wedding dress? Let us find out.

Cost of material

Wedding dresses usually involve many more yards of fabric than any other gown. Also, the materials that are used in wedding dress designs belong to the higher end of the price spectrum. Silk is a common choice, with the price falling anywhere between $15 and $35. Layers of lace raise the price level significantly. Although less expensive material may be used in the interior layers of these gowns, the bulk of fabric still adds up to the cost. For dresses that come in bigger sizes, it is only logical to assume that they use up more fabric, and are priced accordingly.

Labor costs

Wedding dresses are not machine-made garments. There is a reason these dresses look spectacular. Many details on the dress are done by hand and this translates to increased labor cost. It is impossible for a machine to churn out fine details at the right places and create the same impact as it is when done by hand. The more embellishments a gown has, and finer the detailing, higher is the overall cost of the dress.

Alterations and fittings

A wedding dress that you pick off-the-rack will most likely not fit you perfectly. So, you will have to use the services of a professional seamstress to alter it. Some shops offer a bulk discount on alteration charges, while others charge you for each change. If you want to customize your wedding dress by adding sleeves, changing the actual design or adding extras, you will have to spend more. The best way to save on alteration charges is to buy a dress that is closest to your actual measurements.

Fortunately, it is possible to find the perfect wedding dress if you take care of a few factors. Here is what you should consider when choosing your wedding dress, so it doesn’t go over budget

  • Choose a dress that is relatively simple. Keep the embellishments minimum and you will not have to spend extra on it.
  • If there is a dress that you like but is very expensive, ask your bridal consultant to help you find one that looks similar, but isn’t so costly. It is possible that you will find a similar design in a different fabric that isn’t as expensive, and find it just as attractive.
  • If you start your search early, you may be able to buy your wedding dress on sale. Or you can look for a second hand dress you love, for a fraction of the original cost. You could also take a look at stores that rent wedding dresses. After all, you will be wearing this dress just once, so why not rent it?

At Best for Bride, we have wedding dresses in all price ranges and also offer dresses on rent. Call us to book your appointment today, to find the dress that will translate you into the most beautiful bride ever.

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Petite Perfection: Tips for Selecting a Flower Girl Dress That’s Both Adorable and Practical!

 

via Best for Bride

Flower girls are like little angels at your wedding; these dear little girls who belong to the family of either the bride or groom, make a cute addition to the wedding party.

When choosing a flower girl’s dress, there are some factors to consider. The most important is the little girl’s age. Since a flower girl is usually aged between 4 and 8 years, it is necessary to choose a fabric and length that she will be comfortable in. The other relevant factors include pattern, budget and quality. Let us take a closer look at each of these factors now.

Length of the gown

The flower girl usually walks down the aisle before or after the bride, and everyone notices her as she appears. You should ideally choose a short dress for her, so that she doesn’t risk tripping and falling. A knee-length dress or at the most calf-length is the best choice. This should allow her to move around easily.

Fabric and pattern

Your flower girl’s dress may resemble the bridal gown, or it may be such that it goes well with the rest of the wedding décor. Rather than choosing a dress that is entirely white, it would be nice to add a colorful element to keep it interesting. The other option is to choose a dress in the same color as the bridesmaid’s dresses, or tie it with the wedding color palette using a colored sash or bow. Choose a fabric that is appropriate for the venue and the formality of the ceremony. If you are having a traditional church wedding, a fancy layered frock would look good, but if it is a garden or beach wedding opt for light, airy fabrics that will not weigh her down. Also consider the weather when choosing the fabric. Don’t drown your flowergirl in heavy layers or long sleeves if it is warm, and avoid a thin or short dress if it is windy or cold.

Navy Blue Lace Ivory Satin Organza

Quality of the fabric

At her age, it is unlikely that your flower girl will sit still for too long. So, it is unlikely that her dress will remain fresh throughout the ceremony, unless it is of suitable quality.

If she is restless (as is expected at her age) you do not want to feel disappointed to see her pretty dress full of creases and wrinkles. A good idea is to choose a good quality fabric. Fabrics that maintain their shape will ensure your flower girl looks fresh throughout the ceremony.

Ivory lace Tulle Spaghetti straps
Ivory lace Tulle Spaghetti straps

Accessorize well

A sensible pair of shoes are a must for your flower girl. See to that she breaks her shoes in before the wedding. Keep her hairstyle simple, and add accessories that she will like but not distract her. You do not want her fiddling with it at the time of the ceremony.

To choose a pretty flower girl dress that will be just right for your wedding, check out the flower girl dress collection at Best for Bride.  For more wedding advice and to find everything you need for your wedding day, visit us today.