Tag: Wedding Dress

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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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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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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!