Dresses for Picky Bridesmaids
May 15, 2012
It can be difficult enough to decide on a style of bridesmaid dress that you like. When you’re dealing with four or more bridesmaids – each with a different body type and fashion sense – it is even more difficult. Here are some tips for dealing with picky bridesmaids and making sure that everyone in your wedding party feels comfortable.
Be Reasonable
The television show Bridezillas has given a voice to some of the most obnoxious brides on the planet. Don’t act like them. Yes, it is your wedding. Yes, you have the final say on all wedding details and yes, your bridesmaids should be willing to give a little in order to make sure that your vision comes to life. HOWEVER, that does not mean that you should force an overweight bridesmaid to wear a tight dress that she feels totally uncomfortable wearing. It also doesn’t mean that you should expect any of your bridesmaids to show off more skin than they want.
If someone doesn’t think they look good in yellow, that is a minor thing and the bridesmaid should be willing to bend. But you, as the bride, still have to be reasonable and considerate of your bridesmaid’s legitimate concerns.
Give Options
Some brides find that the best way to deal with picky bridesmaids is to choose a color and then allow each bridesmaid to choose a dress in that color. Many bridal shops will have an array of styles that you can order in the exact same color. This allows each bridesmaid to choose a dress that they feel comfortable wearing yet you will still maintain a uniform look in your wedding party.
Choose Your Battles
If you are not truly willing to drop a bridesmaid over the dress then don’t bother fighting over it. You need to choose your battles. That doesn’t mean that you should allow the bridesmaids to run the show, but every detail really isn’t worth an argument. Be willing to compromise.
While certainly an important detail, the bridesmaids dresses are not what every guest is going to be focused on during your wedding. Involve your bridesmaids in the selection process from the beginning rather than making a firm decision about the dresses and then not offering any choices.
You will find that this small act of consideration will go a long way in keeping peace within your wedding party which will make the entire planning process much easier and a lot more fun.
Thank Your Friends and Family with Wedding Favors
October 21, 2010
Wedding favors are a great way to thank friends and family for sharing your wedding day with you. Although favors are not a requirement, most couples do provide their guests with some sort of favor as a little token of appreciation. A lot of couples have an idea for their wedding favors in mind long before all other details are taken care of because favors can be a lot of fun!
Whether you decide to hand out edible wedding favors for guests to enjoy immediately, favors that you made yourself, or cheap wedding favors that you ordered online, your guests will appreciate the gesture. Besides, wedding favors can act as decoration for your reception either at each place setting or displayed on their own table.
Edible Wedding Favors
The days of small pouches of pastel Jordan almonds are over nearly any type of treat can be used as a wedding favor! Personalized M&M’s are now available online, and a lot of couples decide to order the candies in their wedding colors to hand out as wedding favors. Jelly beans are another colorful candy wedding favor suggestion, and Hershey’s kisses or mints are always safe choices. Small packages of gourmet cookies and personalized candy bars are other good ideas, and chocolate covered strawberries can add a touch of romance to the reception table.
Homemade Wedding Favors
Brides and their bridesmaids often get together a week or two before the ceremony to make wedding favors. Some simple arts and crafts projects can turn into some of the prettiest favors imaginable. Homemade soap and candles are popular wedding favors. If you’re not extremely crafty, you could also package store-bought scented soaps in cellophane bags decorated with curled ribbons the same color as your bridesmaid gowns. A sticker or label bearing the bride and groom’s names and wedding date would easily personalize the package. The same can be done with store-bought jar candles-a personalized label can be stuck onto the glass jar where a brand label would normally appear.
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Tie the Knot in Paradise with a Destination Wedding
October 2, 2010
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting married on a tropical island, a destination wedding is just what you need. As the name implies, destination weddings take place in a particular destination, as opposed to a wedding in the town where the bride and groom reside. Destination weddings are typically held in popular vacation locations or at inclusive resorts. The majority of the guests invited to a destination wedding must travel and make accommodations to stay for a few days.
Destination Weddings: Pros
Destination weddings give guests the opportunity to take a vacation and visit with friends and family they may not see very often, and they’re often less-expensive than traditional weddings. Even with the added cost of travel, total expenses are typically lower because most hotels and resorts offer wedding-planning services that take care of everything from flowers and decorations to the ceremony itself. Hotels and resorts have on-site reception areas and provide their own catering service, so the bride and groom and all of their guests can take it easy right up until the last minute!
Destination Weddings: Cons
It’s common destination wedding etiquette for guests to pay their own airfare, but the bride and groom are typically expected to pay for at least part of their guests’ lodging. Resorts which pride themselves as destination wedding locations often offer multiple-room discounts because such a large crowd will be staying due to the wedding. Group airfare rates may also be available, providing a discounted rate to those that are travelling with the group. Some couples fear that the travel involved in a destination wedding is too big of a burden to place on their friends and family, but the truth is nearly all weddings involve travel for some people.
Popular Locations for Destination Weddings
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Popular Wedding Locations for Your Special Day
August 13, 2010
Even though you’ve probably been to several different wedding locations while watching friends and relatives get married, choosing the perfect location for your own wedding might seem like a daunting task. Some couples knew exactly where they wanted to tie the knot as soon as the groom popped the question and the bride said yes, but other people need a bit of assistance when thinking of potential wedding locations.
Five Common Wedding Locations
Although the idea of running off to Las Vegas for a quickie wedding ceremony may have crossed your mind a time or two, the majority of engaged couples choose to get married close to home. No two weddings are alike, but below you will find a list of common wedding locations and a bit of information about each.
Places of worship.
Couples that wish to be married in a religious wedding ceremony often choose wedding locations such as churches, synagogues, temples or other houses of worship. These venues work out well because their natural beauty means little decorating will need to be done for the wedding. Some places of worship will only marry people that are members of the congregation, so be sure to check with the wedding locations you are considering for full details.
Hotels.
Hotel weddings can be appealing due to the lack of work involved! Hotel wedding planners are great at their job and typically take care of most of the details for you. Luxurious hotels make great wedding locations for quite a few different reasons – couples can hold their wedding ceremony and reception all in the same location and out-of-town wedding guests will have a convenient place to stay!
Beaches.
If you live near the water, you might want to consider a beach wedding. Getting married barefoot in the sand at sunset is a romantic idea that numerous couples decide to act upon. Your wedding photos will be stunning thanks to the natural beauty of the great outdoors, and you will have fond memories of choosing the beach as your wedding location from each day forward.
Gardens or Parks.
Outdoor weddings held in gardens or parks are fashionable ideas for spring and summer weddings thanks to the warm weather and attractiveness of blooming plants and flowers. You can be married under a gazebo or trellis or out in the open. Bridesmaids can carry bouquets consisting of the same flowers found in the garden, and fountains and park benches often found in such settings can act as decoration.
Home.
There’s nothing wrong with considering wedding locations based on cost, and plenty of budget-conscious couples decide to get married right at their own home. Whether the wedding is held outdoors or inside, the familiarity of the location will be comforting. Getting married at home is a perfect idea if you are planning an intimate wedding with few guests.
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Quick Guide to Wedding Dresses
August 11, 2010
Judging from the dozens of bridal fashion magazines available on the magazine rack at grocery stores and the popularity of TV shows like TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress, the hunt for the perfect wedding gown can be one of the most challenging aspects of planning a wedding – in the bride’s opinion, anyway!
Fashions and trends may come and go, but when you begin your quest for finding a wedding dress remind yourself that you’ll be photographed more in your wedding gown than any other piece of clothing you’ll ever own. That’s why it’s important to find a wedding dress that you absolutely love, and one that you’ll be comfortable wearing in front of a crowd. After all, all eyes will be on you on the big day – and don’t forget that your children and grandchildren will eventually see those wedding pictures!
When you begin flipping through bridal magazines or you visit a bridal boutique for the first time, you might feel slightly overwhelmed. That’s absolutely normal, and our quick guide to popular wedding dress styles will hopefully help aid some of your confusion.
A-Line Wedding Dresses
A-Line wedding dresses are narrow and fitted at the hips, but they gradually widen as they go down toward the hem. A-Line dresses were given their name because their shape resembles a capital letter “A.” They’re a popular style of wedding dress because they are very versatile – A-line dresses can be made of nearly any material. They can be strapless or have intricate necklines. The choice is yours!
Ball Gowns
Ball gowns are quite possibly the most formal type of wedding dress available today. They have existed since the days of Queen Victoria and they’re always in fashion when it comes to wedding attire. Ball gowns have small, fitted waists and ankle-length, full skirts that are puffed out with the help of petticoats. Ball gowns are a great choice if you’re planning on having a luxurious, formal wedding – a beautiful ball gown can easily make any bride feel like Cinderella!
Empire Waist
The waist of an empire wedding gown starts just below the bust. Its skirt is typically long and loose, which is why empire waist wedding dresses are often favored by brides wishing to emphasize their busts or hide their stomachs.
Mermaid / Trumpet Style
Mermaid wedding dresses are slim-fitting throughout the bodice, hips, and upper or lower calves. The skirt then flares out, similar to the appearance of a mermaid’s tail. They are occasionally referred to as trumpet style dresses because they also resemble the bell of a trumpet.
Sheath
A sheath is a wedding dress designed to tightly hug the body. Because it’s a snug-fitting style, it’s usually recommended for brides who aren’t afraid to show off their curves. It’s a great choice for tall slim women, but brides that have wide hips may not feel comfortable wearing a sheath wedding dress.
Short
There’s no rule that wedding gowns have to trail the ground! Short wedding dresses typically fall at or just below the knee, and they’re great for brides with athletic legs who love to show off their calves.
Good Luck Finding Your Perfect Wedding Dress!
Now that you have a few basic ideas about wedding dress styles, you should have some knowledge as to which type of dress will work well with your body type. Most bridal store associates are extremely helpful when you begin trying on wedding gowns, and it’s a good idea to have a friend take photographs in each dress that you model. The pictures may help you make your final decision.
Once you’ve found your perfect wedding dress, it’s time to begin choosing outfits for your bridesmaids! The work involved in planning a wedding may seem never-ending, but it’s all worth it in the end.
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