Wedding Layers

Buying your wedding dress can be a daunting experience at the best of times; after all, it’s not something you do everyday. Sometimes the sheer choice and number of styles can be something of a disadvantage, particularly if you are not entirely sure what you want?

Dress Types

Although it sometimes seems that there are thousands of individual dress styles and shapes there are, in fact, just five basic dress shapes which are then adapted and fashioned into unique designs. Knowing about these basic styles, and which will suit you best, will put you at a great advantage when searching for the perfect wedding gown.

A-Line Dress

As the name suggests, this dress shape is based upon the letter ‘A’ shape, falling from the shoulders and becoming gradually wider towards the hem. This shape of dress reduces the effect of body curves and will also make a petite bride appear taller. An A line dress will also give an illusion of a fuller figure for tall thin types. Ideal body shape: All

Column Dress

If you are blessed with a slender shape the Column dress shape will flatter your figure and accentuate your curves. Perhaps the most versatile of styles, the column dress comes in a variety of strapless and backless combination’s.
Ideal body shape: Petite, Slender, Athletic

Empire Line

The classic Empire dress is cut with a high waist band and has a characteristic flowing line, crating an illusion of length and flowing over curves rather than highlighting them. Ideal for petite brides, the high waist can help give you a boost in other areas too! Ideal body shape: Petite, Curvy

Princess Line

Similar in shape to the classic A-line but constructed with vertical panels which give an effect of a contoured shape. Perfect if you have a slim waist and want to add an appearance of a shapely figure. Ideal body shape: Petite, Small waist

Strapless

The classic ‘fairytale’ dress shape with a nipped in waist and flared skirt giving an hourglass figure.
Ideal body shape: All

Where to Buy your Wedding Dress

Once you have an idea of the basic style of dress and look you want to achieve you’ll need to start thinking about your options as to where to buy your dress?

This can be an entirely personal matter; for some brides the cost will be the most important factor, while for others, the opportunity to try a number of styles and receive the best advice will be more important.

Buying from the internet will often be the least expensive and most convenient option and buying from a specialist bridal shop is likely to be the most expensive; although advice and alterations may be included into the deal, making this a more attractive choice for many?

How Far in Advance to Buy Your Dress

Ideally you should buy your dress well in advance of the wedding day which will give you the necessary time to explore the options and ensure that everything will be right on the day. However, it’s a good idea to wait as long as possible before having any final fittings as your body shape will undoubtedly fluctuate as the big day approaches.

If buying your dress from a traditional store then you need to discuss the storage arrangements and particularly what would happen in the event of an accident or the shop going out of business?

If you are buying on the internet and storing the dress at home then make sure it is well protected and ensure that your household insurance is sufficient to cover any mishaps.

Your Dress on the Day

Obviously you’ll be ultra-careful to look after your dress on your wedding day but accidents do happen. Charge your chief bridesmaid with dress-care duties by ensuring she has a supply of thread close to hand and, should a spillage occur, to limit the damage by dabbing with absorbent towels. If the worst does occur then mitigate the damages as best you can and seek professional help afterward – don’t be tempted to try tricks like treating red wine stains with white wine – it doesn’t work and will do more damage than good. There are few disasters which can’t be fixed later on, so don’t panic.

What to do with your dress when the Wedding Day is Over

The big day has been and gone, now what do you do with the dress? Some brides will prefer to keep their dress as a reminder of the big day while others may want to let someone else have the opportunity of wearing it.

There are many very good services on the internet where you can advertise your dress for sale or alternatively, why not donate it to a good charity. Some major charity stores have their own bridal departments and will put the funds raised to a very good cause.

Whichever option you choose, make sure that you have plenty of photos taken of you and your dress. Even if the dress is no longer in your possession it’s always good to look back to your happiest day and you really can’t have too many photos of the bride in her dress.

Have a great wedding!

Buying the wedding dress and wedding wear should be a fun and enjoyable experience for a bride. Take your time to find the perfect dress and have a wonderful wedding day!

Author: Helen X Davies
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information

The flower girl is the bride’s ambassador! While petite in size, she has a significant role in the wedding, walking down the aisle, dropping petals, preparing the way for the entrance of the bride.

Tradition holds that a girl carrying flowers should bring extra good luck to the marriage. After the bride, the flower girl is the member of the bridal party most capable of stealing the hearts of all the guests. In choosing the flower girl dress, consider the style, colour, fabric and formality of the occasion. The flower girl should not outshine the bride, but complement her gown while blending with the bridesmaids’ outfits.

The Flower Girl Gown

Although bridal styles change from season to season, flower girl fashion has changed very little. The gown is always classically “little princess” in style but in keeping with the style of ceremony – church wedding, beach wedding or garden wedding.

A flower girl’s gown should complement the bride. It can be bridal white or ivory, the same colour as the bridesmaid’s gowns, or a contrasting colour that complements the outfits of the entire party. If white is chosen for the flowergirl’s gown, a colour sash may be used to tie it in with the colour of the bridesmaid’s gowns.

The age of the flower girl is a factor when choosing the length of her gown. A small child could trip over a long skirt, so ankle length is better for the “little ones”. A younger girl (say 5-6 years old) can wear an ankle length “princess” style dress, while an older girl (10-12 years) might prefer a more sophisticated silhouette with more length. While traditional formal weddings do tend towards floor-length gowns, practicality should be considered as well.

If you are having several flower girls of varying ages, you can co-ordinate their dress styles using colour, fabric and accessories such as flowers or jewellery.

Whatever the style you choose, avoid those that will make your flower girl look too sophisticated for their age. This is an occasion when you want to play up her little girl charms. When else can she have the joy of wearing rustling silk or satin gowns, full petticoats, tulle skirts and big bows?

Perhaps this is why flower girl fashion has remained constant over the years – little girls love dressing up!

Fabric Choice

Fabrics such as polyester and cheap lace can be very itchy. No matter how precious the flower girl looks, if her gown and shoes are uncomfortable, it will be reflected in her face and behaviour. Scratchy gowns and tight shoes can cause everything from fidgeting to temper tantrums, so take this issue seriously in order to not interrupt the ceremony itself.

If possible, invest in a better fabric, keeping in mind that the dress doesn’t have to be a “one-time” dress. It can be re-worn often, from a portrait sitting to a birthday. It can also be preserved and handed down as an heirloom once the child grows out of it.

Choose fabrics that aren’t wrinkle prone, such as silk, satin or velvet for the best results. Dupion silk does have a reputation for creasing, but it is actually a pronounced fold that the fabric develops in line with the vertical or horizontal threads, and as such does not appear crushed.

Fabrics and colours for flower girl gowns vary greatly depending on the time of year and the location. If the wedding is in autumn or winter, rich fabrics such as velvet, satin and silk are popular choices not just for their beauty, but because they will keep the chills away. For a spring or summer wedding, lighter fabrics such as dupion silk, delustered satin and tulle.

For the cooler months, a gown with sleeves may be considered, but as the ceremony is usually indoors at this time of year, perhaps a wrap or shawl would be a better choice, allowing clothing to be removed in layers as suits.

Colour will primarily be dependent on the bride’s choice for the wedding party.

Also, wait until the very last possible minute to dress your flower girl. Her dress will be free from wrinkles, and you won’t have to worry about any food or drink spills just before the ceremony. A nice comfortable robe for the child to wear prior to the final dressing is a good idea.

Shoes

Flower girl shoes can be a satin or silk “streetwear” style ballet shoe or similar flat shoe that is comfortable and complements the fabric and colour of her gown. If having a beach wedding, a flower girl may go barefoot with a petite silver or gold fine chain anklet or ankle bracelet.

A young child in uncomfortable shoes will fidget, so regardless of anything else ensure that the shoes for the flower girl fit well and are comfortable. If the shoes are stiff, tight, unworn or new it’s a good idea to slip them onto the child at the last minute.

Hair

A “fresh” look is perfect for a flowergirl. If the girl has natural curls let her hair flow naturally with a flower or a hairpin to finish it off. Floral or ribbon head wreaths, and lightly jewelled tiaras are also popular. if you prefer a bun, adorn it with flowers or hair jewellery matching the bride’s attire, always remembering a flower girl represents youth in the bridal party. An elegant silk tiara adorned with satin ribbons flowing gentle behind her hair would also be appropriate.

Flower Girl Jewellery

Flower girl jewellery should be be kept simple. A delicate necklace and bracelet is usually enough to compliment the gown, but tiaras, headpieces, chokers, earrings, and hairpins can also be worn. Simple silver or gold with pearls or coloured Swarovski crystal provides an inexpensive yet elegant finishing touch to the flowergirl ensemble.

Young children may be unused to wearing any jewellery at all and it may become a distraction to them. If this is the case then some pretty hair jewellery (small crystal clips and hair slides) and a simple bracelet would be the best choice.

A wide range of flower girl jewellery and junior bridesmaid jewellery is available online, however many of the pieces marketed in this way are just downsized bridal pieces which may be too flashy for a flower girl to wear, and run the risk of detracting from the bride. Look for formal jewellery specifically made in children’s sizes, of a style intended for a flower girl rather than a bride

On the practical side look for a sturdy lobster style clasp to reduce the possibility of loss, and be aware of “spiky bits” on the jewellery that a young child may inadvertently catch on the gown causing damage, or worse, cause injury to themselves with.

Makeup

The flower girl theme is “natural” and a minimum of makeup is a must. A little light lip gloss, some light foundation, and a touch of mascara to highlight her eyes. Don’t forget the sunscreen as majority of photos are taken outside – give some thought to using a foundation that has a 30+SPF factor.

Nails

Nail decoration is best kept to a minimum – simply filed to shape and a light clear coat applied. Many brides prefer their flower girls to either wear a light pastel or natural colour, or just a shiny clear lacquer. No bright reds or sparkly kiddy purples!!!

Flowers

A basket of flowers carried by the flowergirl is a tradition, regardless of the whether the flowergirl carries out her traditional role of sprinkling petals in the bride’s path as she walks down the aisle.

As a bridal fashion accessory, a small posy of flowers is also popular, and usually matching the floral adornments (bouquets, buttonholes, etc) of the rest of the bridal party.

Flowers worn in the hair are also a traditional touch, either as flowers woven into the hair style, floral headbands, or flowers attached to hair clips. Artificial silk or satin flowers can be used, as well as fresh flowers.

In all floral adornments and bouquets try to use miniature flowers. A flower girl is half (or less) the size of anyone else in the bridal party, and the size of the flowers should be scaled down accordingly.

Dress Care

Some simple storage and handling advice for your flower girl gown:

• Always dry-clean the gown
• Wash your hands before handling the gown.
• When packing the gown in a box or chest, pack with acid free tissue paper.
• Keep the box stored out of direct sunlight and away from moisture, and away from household fumes and pollutants.
• Store the box where vermin and insects can not get to it.
• Ensure there is adequate air circulation around the box to prevent mustiness.
• To hang the gown, use a material coated hanger and place the gown in a sealed garment bag.

Other Resources

• Flower Girl Dresses By Jennifer Catherine Design
• Flower Girl Jewellery By Silver Bells And Cockle Shells

Author: Christine Slapp
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cellphone news

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

Before you buy your dream wedding dress, you have to know the basic and most popular wedding dress styles around. Wedding dresses come in different shapes, colors, styles and designs. Without knowledge of the basic wedding dress styles, looking through each and every single wedding dress in a bridal boutique can prove to be a completely dizzying and overwhelming experience.To prevent wedding dress-related headaches, we’ve come up with a list of the basic wedding dress styles available.Some of the wedding dress elements you need to consider include the wedding dress neckline, sleeve style, bodice, and the wedding dress shape or silhouette.

The Wedding Dress Neckline

Your gown’s neckline is easily one of the most noticeable parts of your wedding dress [out]. During the wedding photo ops, close-up shots will showcase your wedding dress neckline. The following are some of the most popular wedding dress necklines available.

* Asymmetrical: The asymmetrical neckline has a diagonal neckline designed to show off a woman’s beautiful shoulders.

* Off-the-Shoulder or Off-Shoulder: This neckline sits below your shoulders. It’s the perfect neckline if you plan to show off your shoulders and your collarbones. This is a universally flattering design that can draw attention to the bride’s neck and shoulders.

* The bateau is a relatively straight neckline that sweeps gently across the curve of the collarbone to the shoulders. Bateau or Sabrina necklines are perfect for brides with small bosoms, as they enhance the chest area.

* Portrait: A lot like the off-the-shoulder style with a wide scoop neckline, the portrait neckline has fabric that covers the bride’s shoulders. It’s the perfect neckline to show off the neck and the collarbones while masking the bride’s upper arms.

* Jewel or T-Shirt: The jewel neckline resembles the cut of the T-shirt, in that the neckline is high and round, sitting at the base of the bride’s throat. Jewel necklines are perfect for brides looking to enhance the bust area.

* Sweetheart: The sweetheart neckline, as you can already tell from its name, is shaped like the top of the heart at the bust line. It is typically strapless, accentuating the bride’s cleavage.

* V-Neck: The V-neck wedding dress has a neckline that dips at the front of the gown, creating a “V” shape.

* Scoop: The scoop neckline is a classic, with its U-shaped neckline continuing at the back of the wedding dress

* Halter: The halter neckline has straps that wrap or tie behind the bride’s neck. Most halter wedding dresses feature backless styles, creating a subtle but incredibly sexy look.

* Strapless: Mostly cut straight across or with a slight curve, this sleeve-style is sleeveless and strap-less. This is probably the most popular wedding neckline preferred by millions of brides in the world.

Wedding Dress Sleeves:

Your wedding dress sleeves can directly affect your gown’s overall look. The following are some of the most popular wedding dress sleeve styles available.

* Spaghetti Straps: Skinny straps are designed to show off the bride’s arms and her shoulders. Its modern and subtly sexy style makes it an easy favorite of most modern brides.

* Capped Sleeves: Shorter than your average T-shirt, capped sleeves are gently rounded to delicately cling to the bride’s shoulders. Capped sleeves are the perfect choice for brides with toned or slender arms.

* Three-Fourths Sleeves: A classic, this sleeve style refers more to sleeve length than to the actual design of the sleeves. Consider the three-fourths sleeves the perfect option for brides who want a ladylike and classic look for their gown. It’s also an excellent option for women who wish to keep their arms covered. These sleeves end midway between your elbows and your wrists.

* Sleeveless: This style is sans sleeves. Choosing the right neckline for this sleeve style is essential for finding the right wedding dress style.

* T-Shirt Sleeves: With sleeves like your regular T-shirt, you’re bound to feel absolutely comfortable in this simple but elegant number. Its short sleeves also offer excellent upper arm coverage, making it the perfect choice for brides who are a bit reluctant to show off their arms.

Wedding Dress Bodice:

Your gown’s bodice pertains to the whole upper body of your gown, including the sleeves, neckline and your gown’s skirt.

* Empire: Empire wedding dresses are perfect for petite brides. The bodice style typically ends right under the bride’s bust, with the skirt flows softly underneath.

* Halter: More than just a neckline, the halter bodice is a sleeveless bodice that has straps that tie or wraps around the bride’s neck.

* Corset: The days of everyday corset-wearing women may be long gone, but corset-clad brides will tell you that this form-fitting bodice is the perfect choice if you’re looking to enhance and emphasize your body’s curves. The tight fit can help push up your breasts, adding size to your bust, while tightly containing the waist area to create the illusion of a smaller waistline.

* Drop Waist: Looking to lengthen your torso? The drop waist bodice enhances a small waist and lengthens the appearance of the torso by having the bodice end just above the hip region.

* Surplice: The surplice bodice has fabric that cross-wraps either in front or at the back of the wedding dress

* Tank: Sleeveless and short, this bodice style is perfect for any body type.

* Midriff: Tight fitting around the middle part of the ribcage, this bodice style accentuates a slim and small waist.

* Princess-Line: This bodice style is creates the princess silhouette. The sleek bodice has two parallel and vertical seams that go from the bust of the bodice to the hem. The seams create a slimming and lengthening effect.

Wedding Dress Shape:

The wedding dress shape, also known as the wedding dress silhouette refers to the basic shape or form of the dress.

* Princess or A-Line: The A-Line skirt of the princess dress creates the illusion of a perfect hourglass figure. The bodice is shaped like a “V” with a princess bodice and an A-Line skirt that flares gently from waist down.

* Ball Gown: Another dress shape fit for royalty, the ball gown has a fitted bodice with a poufy skirt usually made from layers and layers of tulle supported by a hoop under the skirt.

* Sheath: A slimming dress shape, the sheath lightly skims the bride’s figure, creating a lovely, fitted look.

* Mermaid: The mermaid dress shape has a form-fitting bodice with a sheath-like skirt that clings up to the knees, where the skirt then flares gently to create a mermaid silhouette.

* Empire: The empire-style wedding dress has a high waistline, usually directly under the bust, with a flowing but not necessarily form-fitting skirt that falls gracefully from the bodice.

* Bias Cut: The bias cut wedding dress style has a fabric with a diagonal cut that’s perfect for tall brides. It has a slimming effect that is perfect for brides with slim to medium-sized frames. It’s not recommended for pear-shaped brides and full-figured brides due to its form-fitting nature.

Author: Dennis Paguio
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Make PCB Assembly

For every season, for every motif, for every person and for every color symbolism, there will always be the right wedding dress. Choosing what to wear in your wedding is as critical as choosing the the man you will be spending your sunset days with.

Theres a multitude of wedding dress styles to choose from in some countries that have veered away from much of wedding rituals and traditions, dress styles number in the thousands. With this dizzying array, how do you choose yours? How do you make sure that your dress will be a reflection of the real YOU, not the fashion model on the glossy cover of magazines that grace bridal boutiques and corner stalls in the metropolis?

Buying a Wedding Dress: Style

The style of your wedding dress will depend on about four factors. There may be more but these are the most common ones we can think of:

Type of wedding

Your personality

Your budget

Your culture and that of your future husband

If you write down your thoughts about these four factors including any other detail you can think of, youd have a good starting point for discussions with the boutique consultant. By rattling off your preferences, she can already come up with a short list and show you the styles immediately. This will save you time from browsing through voluminous catalogues and the sometimes crowded store racks.

Type of wedding: are you going to be married in a church and will the reception be inside a hall, OR are you going to be married in the beach, garden or in some enchanted island where guests will be free to roam around and then gather in an outdoor tent to offer their best wishes and congratulations?

An outdoor wedding would narrow your choices. You will certainly want to consider not wearing a gown that would require you to wear high heels, unless you want to leave permanent marks on that beautifully manicured lawn. Wear a gown that looks right with a pair of sensible but stylish flats to keep you from boring holes on the ground. For practical reasons, you may want to seriously not wear a long, down to the ankles type of dress. This will spare you from having to deal with a muddy hem. Make sure the hem is heavy enough not to fly up at the first sign of a sudden gust of wind.

For the same reasons, a train is not ideal for an outdoor wedding. You will likely find it covered in mud and grass stains by the end of the reception. If your dress comes with a veil, keep it weighted to keep it from blowing around too much, unless again youd want your groom and pastor to chew on the lace by the end of the service, or risk the veil pin landing on someones cake.

Your personality: tell me what you wear to your wedding and Ill tell you what kind of person you are may ring true, but remember that you need not be forced into wearing anything because its tradition or your rich mother-in-law has done the cherry picking in some designers rack. Your dress is you, inside and outside. Let it bring out the message on this special day.

Also, youll have to take your body type into account. If you have a good figure, show it off within the limits of decency, of course, especially if youre getting married in church. Not that the pastors opinion should carry weight in the choice of your dress, but it is his church nevertheless, so be respectful of the place where your marriage will be solemnized.

A sleeve dress (one that clings to your body from neck to ankle) looks best on someone with a slim figure and curves to show off. If youve always been proud of your hips, look for a dress that flairs out a bit at the waist. If you want an overall slimming effect, do not invest in fluffed up sleeves and huge skirts, or you will look bigger than you really are. A skirt with lots of fabric so that it drapes and folds would be ideal. Do not add puff to the lower portion by adding a hoop or other fabric.

Your budget: who says you need a designer dress? One does get suffocated by the usual styles out there. You could spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress that will end up in an attic somewhere, only to be looked at when nostalgia strikes. Many brides think of their future daughters when they buy their wedding dress, but remember that your daughter could end up saying, how could you wear a thing like that to your wedding, mum?

If you have other wedding expenses and dont want your wedding dress to take up the lions share, you can ask a sister or close friend to help you design a wedding dress. We know of a few friends who asked a private seamstress to do their dress, and they charge considerably less than boutiques and designer outlets.

Culture: The factor of culture plays a dominant role in weddings and when one wears a wedding dress that is typical of ones culture, then the conversation gets livelier. For example, if youve been to a Scottish wedding, youll know that tartans and Highland kilts will be the dominant features of the wedding attire. Tartans are colorful fabrics that are also known as plaid. Scottish people also put accents to make the dress more attractive like a Celtic knot that stands out.

Or youve seen the traditional Chinese attire. Brides will usually wear a red Chinese dress because red symbolizes love. If youve been to a Greek wedding, youll notice that both bride and groom wear flowers on their head instead of a veil.

Buying a Wedding Dress – Color

The color white, traditional for wedding dresses, was originally used to signify the brides virginity to the gathered witnesses. This virginity was likewise attested to by the hanging of a blood-soaked sheet the next morning. Though the custom of the bridal sheet has died, the customary bridal color still seems to be alive and well for the most part. Widows or divorcees might choose an ivory color to keep from claiming the white, but if tradition prevails, brides stick with what is expected in this sense.

The color white is not mandatory though. A differently colored dress would make a wonderful splash on your wedding day. The color red, for example, means joy, love, and fertility and is traditional for brides in China. No rules exist saying brides cannot wear purple or sage; indeed, an outdoor wedding might look even lovelier with a deviation from strict tradition. Always check with your pastor to see if you and your entourage can wear different colors, and ask him which colors are strictly forbidden.

Buying a Wedding Dress – Stories for You

If youre feeling a tad overwhelmed by wedding preparations and agonizing over your wedding dress, you may want to take a break, sit and lounge on your favorite armchair, and curl up with a good book. Wed like to suggest My Wedding Dress: True-Life Tales of Lace, Laughter and Tulle published last month (January 2007) by Random House (ISBN: 978-0-676-97846-9; 0-676-97846-0). Its an anthology of thoughtful essays that cover the full range of bridal sentiments, before and after the wedding. One of the contributors said that the most important thing about the dress was that it wasnt white, it wasnt long and it had not a whisper of tradition clinging to it.

There are about 26 essays from different women who talked about their wedding dresses and some of them, already divorced, described how their dress felt all wrong or didnt fit or it just wasnt me.

By taking time off from wedding preparations, you can re-charge yourself by reading about weddings. Wedding stories never fail to bring a warm glow to heart or trigger your love for laughter. For example, we looked for a story about wedding dresses and we found a funny one online from the Canadian Press (May 2005). It tells the story about a couple, Christopher Cummings and Charity OBrien, both from Missouri, who got married on the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska. The title of the news story caught our attention: Weddings on Ice. Exchanging Vows on Alaskan Glaciers.

Guess what the bride wore to her glacier wedding?

The usual, white traditional complete with sequins. But what else did she wear with it? Weve chosen this paragraph and want to share it with you:

The bride wore a curvy, strapless white satin gown sprinkled with sequins. She also had on tights, sweat pants, rain pants and a pair of hefty hiking boots fitted with spikes.

The groom was charmed. That’s the way she is although the dress was a surprise.

Dont forget. YOU get to choose, not anyone else. Its personal, its special, and its an occasion that may happen only once in your life.

Author: David Beart
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital TV, HDTV, Satellite TV