Wedding Layers

Bound and determined brides have a plethora of resources available to them when it comes to finding a dress of their dreams at a realistic price. And I’m not talking about simply going to a discount store. The Internet, your friends and family are all you allies when it comes to finding the perfect gown at the best possible price.

Check out these money saving tips!

1. Research And Buy Your Gown Online

Strange as this may sound, the Internet has made finding a top quality wedding gown and even bridesmaids dresses easier than ever. The web is home to a large number of discount bridal retailers. You’ll definitely want to include the following sites when conducting your search for a reasonably priced gown:

bridalonlinestore.com
lilywedding.com

both of these are well known for top quality value and service from brides who have actually purchased gowns from them. You can also find very reasonably priced gowns at department store web sites such as Macy’s.com and even Amazon has gotten into the mix.

eBay is also another place you may want to keep an eye on. They have both an auction and a “buy it now” format. Don’t be fooled into thinking you may just be looking at used – and potentially damaged – gowns on eBay. A large number of discount bridal shops have stores set up on eBay. But do use caution if you decide to buy a gown on eBay. Look carefully at the buyers feedback rating, look carefully at the provided photos and be sure to ask questions that you have before buying.

2. Borrow A Gown

While you may not want to wear someone Else’s dress, doing so can add a personal touch, especially if it’s from a family member. On top of that, you’ll be making the day of your mother, aunt or friend when you ask them to loan it to you.

3. Rent Your Gown

This can be a great option if you positively must have that dress from a high end designer, but can’t afford it. You can locate shops that rent gowns either in your local phone book or online. Some will not only rent gowns, but bridal party dresses as well. Depending on the type of gown you want, where you live and what time of year you are getting married, the cost can run around $100 for a dress that costs $300 to $500. You can expect to spend around $1,000 to rent a gown that costs $3,000 to $5,000. The rental price should definitely include the headpiece, veil, train, crinoline and other accessories outside of shoes and jewelry. Another benefit of renting is that you won’t have to worry about cleaning or storing your gown after your wedding.

4. Consider Buying A White, Cream or Ivory Bridesmaid Dress

Sure, it’s not a wedding gown, but a dress of this type could cost you less than $100! If you embellish the dress with a colorful wrap, sash, ribbons or sequins, it very well could be that no one is the wiser. Bridal shops have started catching on to this money saving tactic and are starting to keep plenty of white bridesmaid’s dresses in stock. But, a number of them are either charging an exorbitant fee or they are requiring you to purchase a minimum number because they know you won’t buy that many if you are planning on using it as a wedding gown. If you run into this, take your search online where you won’t run into this type of behavior.

5. Make Your Own Gown

Or, have someone you know make it for you if you aren’t into sewing. This can be a very affordable option if you are fortunate enough to have this skill or know someone who does. Most fabric shops carry wedding gown patterns. Even if you don’t know anyone, you could always hire a professional seamstress to make your dress. It’s likely that you’ll still save plenty going this route because many professional seamstresses can make designer looking dresses at a fraction of the cost of a bridal shop gown.

Becky has been writing about her wedding on a budget experiences ever since she went through the process back in 2002. It’s true – couples really can experience a first class wedding without having to pay for it the rest of their lives! Becky also maintains a number of web sites on a wide range of topics. You can check out her latest site here: Digital Scanners featuring the Hand Held Scanner

Author: Becky McLaurin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Pressure cooker

We are trying to figure out what color the bridesmaids bouquets should be for a Spring wedding. The bride’s bouquet will be red and white roses exclusively. She does not want the bridesmaids to have roses because of the cost. The bridesmaids dresses are Apple red. Does anyone have any suggestions on colors and/or types of flowers that compliment the bride’s rose bouquet? BTW, the decor for the reception is red and white with artificial flowers. Please help.

Planning a dream wedding could be an extremely stressful affair. As the bride, you have to make decisions about your wedding theme, the ceremony and reception decorations, the catering, your wedding dress and even the dresses of your bridesmaids.

You may be wondering why bridesmaid dresses are so important; after all, they’re not the ones getting married. Well, whether you like it or not, you have to invest quite some time figuring out how your bridesmaid dresses can fit in with your wedding’s overall theme.

A great bridesmaid dress should complement or provide a great contrast between your wedding dress, the invitations and even the flowers you’re using to decorate your chosen venue. In short, bridesmaid dresses should match or, at the very least, complement your wedding’s color scheme.

Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses

The following are some tips on how you can pick out your bridesmaid dresses:

Tip 1: Pick something simple that will make your bridesmaids look chic, feminine and sophisticated.

You’re the bride, so it’s only fitting that you be the center of attention on your big day, but it’s equally important that your bridesmaids look their best as well. Simple but elegant bridesmaid dresses will keep eyes on you without making your closest female friends and family members look like complete eyesores.

Tip 2: Choose bridesmaid dresses that flatter everyone’s figure.

Bridesmaids, just like bridesmaid dresses come in different shapes and sizes. Though you want uniformity, it is possible that your chosen bridesmaid dress design won’t flatter everyone. If you really want uniformity between the bridesmaid dresses, then choose universally flattering dress shapes and styles for your bridesmaid gowns.

Empire waists, princess skirts and A-Line dresses all flatter different figures; pick the style that will suit all the female members of your wedding entourage.

Tip 3: If you’re after diversity, then you can ask your bridesmaids for their desired dress styles and colors.

Some brides prefer a little variety when it comes to bridesmaid dresses. If you’re okay with having bridesmaids dressed in different colors or styles, then save yourself from the headache of having to choose dress designs for each of your bridesmaids. Ask your bridesmaids to pick out their preferred dress styles themselves.

Tip 4: Work with a budget.

Let’s face it: weddings are expensive affairs. Unless you have a massive bank account, you have to work with a wedding budget. It’s unfair for your bridesmaids to pick out extremely pricey designer bridesmaid dresses. If you have a budget to follow, inform your bridesmaids. You have to do what you can to make sure all the other aspects of your wedding are financially taken cared of.

Tip 5: Choose between one-piece dresses and separates.

Although traditionally, all bridesmaid dresses consists of one-piece gowns, choosing separates over gowns may make it easier for you to find a style that suits each of your bridesmaids.

Tip 6: Consider the season when picking out your bridesmaid dresses.

The weather and the time of the year are helpful factors when it comes to determining gown styles and fabrics. For summer or spring weddings, go for lighter fabrics, short hems and even strapless styles. For winter weddings, you may want to go for floor-length dresses, sleeved gowns and shawls for the bridesmaid dresses.

Tip 7: Keep things simple when it comes to accessorizing.

Less is more when it comes to bridesmaid jewelry. Since it’s customary for the bride to give her bridesmaids gifts, why not give your bridesmaids matching jewelry pieces to wear to your wedding?

A lovely pair of earrings, a necklace or a brooch is enough to make your bridesmaids appear chic, sleek and fashion-fabulous.

If you’re going for an ultra-formal look, then nice gloves and shawls are always great bridesmaid accessories.

Tip 8: Keep things comfortable when choosing footwear. To keep your bridesmaids looking and feeling their absolute best, keep their comfort in mind when you pick out their shoes. Think about it: they’ll be standing for long periods of time and will probably dance the night away during the reception; you wouldn’t want them tripping and feeling uncomfortable in impossibly high heels, right? Low-heeled, strappy sandals are always comfortable and stylish options for your bridesmaids’ footwear.

Another option is to ask your bridesmaids to provide their own shoes for the event. Simply specify your desired shoe color, and you’re good to go.

Keep your bridesmaid dress-hunt hassle-free by following these simple tips.

All women have been waiting for this memorable day, and to have the grandest wedding you need the best Wedding Tips To help you with this, please visit fancyweddingattire.com

Author: Dennis Paguio
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty

Preparing for your wedding is often an exhilarating task. You must decide on what type of flowers to use, wedding colors for the bridesmaids and ushers, and refreshments for the reception. You want everything to be perfect for that special day. But one detail that often gets put on the back burner is selecting a flower girl dress. Flower girl dresses are precious, frilly dresses worn by a little girl (usually between 3 and 8 years old) as she scatters flower petals down the aisle.

The flower girl is usually of some relation to the bride or groom, either a little sister, cousin, or niece. She gets all dressed up – like the grown-ups – and participates in the introduction to the bride using a basket full of flower petals. The key to finding a lovely flower girl dress is to consider the flower girl’s size and height, hair color, and also the actual wedding colors.

A Mini Bride’s Dress

Flower girl dresses are often miniature replicas of the bride’s wedding dress. A flower girl dress may also be a white dress with a sash that matches the colors of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Of course, it doesn’t have to be an exact match. The materials can be matched along with the decorative and design aspects of your wedding dress. For example, if your wedding dress has lace and white beads, find a flower girl dress that has the same. If your wedding dress comes with a bolero jacket, make sure the flower girl dress has a similar jacket. You can also closely match the sleeves, neckline, and style of the dress.

Colorful Flower Girl Dresses

Flower girl dresses can also be colorful to match the wedding colors. The key is to match the flower girl dress with the bridesmaids’ dresses and the flower petal colors, though the match doesn’t have to be exact. The flower girl dress may complement the other colors and look just as beautiful. If the wedding colors are lavender and white, for example, you might dress the flower girl in a lavender and white dress with lavender and white flower petals mixed in the basket. Or, use a lavender dress with a white basket and lavender flower petals. There are many combinations to choose from to create a lovely, captivating moment.

Consider the Flower Girl

Don’t get caught up in the moment and forget to consider who will be wearing the flower girl dress. Consider the little girl’s likes and how she feels about fancy dresses. You’ll want her to be comfortable and happy as she walks down the aisle, not frowning and complaining. The dress should complement her height and hair color. Also, have the dress sized for comfort and flexibility. It should be flexible and free flowing to make walking down the aisle as easy as possible. It should also be easy to move around in – for those emergency moments!

Where to Buy Flower Girl Dresses

You can have flower girl dresses custom made or buy them from the same shop where you’ll buy your wedding dress. You can even buy flower girl dresses online. On the Web, there are flower girl dress shops, children’s boutiques, and online stores for kids’ special occasion clothing. These offer a variety of styles and sizes to fit your needs and budget. They also usually sell other specialty items such as boys’ suits, girls’ communion dresses, or christening dresses.

Having just the right flower girl dress will bring plenty of “ahs” and “oohs” at your wedding. Use these ideas to create precious memories on your special day!

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Make PCB Assembly

You want the perfect wedding dress, so you have made it a major focus of your pre wedding planning. There are some things you need to find from the bridal shop, before you even look at your first gown. Do you need to make an appointment to visit the shop? Does the store carry dresses you can afford Can you browse the whole collection, or do you only get to see the dresses the sales person chooses for you? If this shop doesnt carry the dress you love, can it be ordered?

Once these questions have been answered and you find a dress or two that you like, there are still more questions you need to ask. Can a particular dress be ordered with different sleeves, or neckline? What alterations can be done and what will that cost? Can you get a written estimate on the alterations? If we order the bridesmaids dresses here, can we get a discount or free alterations? Do you have headpieces and or veils that will go with my dress? How much is the deposit and when is the balance due? What are the cancellation and refund policies? Can we get a Rush on this dress if necessary? These are the most important questions to ask, but you will probably have some of your own. Beware of any shop that wont give you straight answers or written estimates. When you think you have found just the right dress, ask if they can hold it for a day or two, then go home wait at least 34 hours and go back for another look. If you still love it, then go right ahead and buy it.

On the other hand, if your mother, maid of honor, sales clerk or friend thinks a dress is perfect and you are not sure, use the same strategy. Wait a day; go back for a second look before you reject it. If a dress just doesnt feel right or you just dont like it do not yield to pressure from the store staff, friends or even Mom. It is your dress, your day, you decide.

After you have chosen your wedding dress, the clerk or the shops seamstress will take measurements of your bust, waist and hips, and determine if the dress needs to be taken up. Just about every wedding dress needs some alterations. You will also need to go in for fittings, usually at least three times. Make sure, if your alterations are not free, that you get a written estimate. Find out if you will be able to borrow your dress for a portrait sitting, and return it for pressing afterwards. Pay with a credit card so that if anything goes wrong, you can dispute the payment.

You have another big decision to make. What about your headpiece and veil? The sales staff should be able to assist you in choosing a headpiece that goes with your dress. Veils come in several lengths and styles, and again the staff can help you decide which is best for you.

The veil you choose for your wedding depends on the dress you have chosen. If you are wearing a street length casual style dress you wouldnt choose a cathedral or chapel veil, both of which trail the floor. By the same token you wouldnt wear a flyaway veil, which barely brushes the shoulders, with a formal dress with a train.

Dont forget you need to get the right lingerie, shoes and jewelry, to go with your beautiful wedding dress.

Before we leave the bridal salon, there is one more detail to attend to, your bridesmaids dresses. When choosing these dresses, you need to take into consideration the ages, complexions, and body types of your attendants. Fortunately todays bridesmaids gowns are no longer the cookie cutter dresses all in the same color, that nobody would ever wear again.

Some options for bridesmaids dresses are to choose a color and fabric suitable for all of the women and let each of them pick a style that she is comfortable with. Or you can choose a simple a-line or empire waist dress that flatters all figures, and let the girls choose the from a color family, say purple, the options could be lilac, lavender, plum, mauve and orchid. If you do choose to have all attendants wear the same dress, they can personalize the look with small beaded purses, scarves, jewelry or shawls.

Also, be aware that the colors and your bridesmaids wear have to complement
The color scheme of your reception, you dont want a red plan for your reception in red if your maids are wearing green, unless you are going for a Christmas look.

The wedding is over, now you have to decide what to do with that beautiful, expensive dress. You can put it on a hangar in the back of your closet, where any stains will set and be very difficult to remove at a later time. You need to ask your bridal shop or wedding consultant in advance for the name of a gown preservationist. Many dry cleaners claim to clean wedding gowns, but most are not experts in preservation.

There are two cleaning methods used by preservationists. Some use the wet cleaning method, this entails washing the dress by hand with a mild cleanser, that removes visible and invisible stains (champagne and sugar) Other companies use the dry cleaning method, where stains are pre-treated and then put in a dry cleaning machine. Once the dress is cleaned, it is wrapped in white acid free tissue paper or unbleached muslin. Ordinary tissue paper has acids that can stain and eventually eat holes in your dress. Then the wrapped dress is in is placed in an acid free or paperboard box. Sometimes the box has a viewing window of acetate. Store the box in out of direct light to keep the dress from becoming yellow.

Having your gown cleaned and packaged by a reputable preservationist can cost between $200- $400 depending on where you live. Before sending your dress off to be done, ask if the work is done on site. Also find out if you have to sign a disclaimer and sometimes say that the company is not responsible for damage done during the preservation processes, You should seek out a preservationist who will guarantee her or his work.

To help preserve your dress never wrap it in plastic, dont hang it on an ordinary wood or wire hangar, because the dress could stretch and distort from its own weight. Dont try to clean stains, this could cause them to set.

If you are all tapped out after the wedding you can do things to prolong the life of the dress. Wrap the dress in unbleached muslin, or a white sheet, and store in a sturdy box under your bed. Then as soon as you possibly can take the gown to a professional preservationist. Some day your daughter may want to wear it on her wedding day.

Author: Martin Smith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Bumper guardian