{Back 2 Wedding Basics} Hot Wedding Fashion Trends

The Association of Bridal Consultants holds monthly, annual and national conferences for local planners and vendors. These meetings bring together HOT new ideas and fabulous vendors that my brides love choosing over and over again.

Wedding Gowns

Top priority-always looking amazing in your wedding dress. Pam Hardy, co-owner of Almond Tree Wedding Boutique commented that one strap sleeves "golden age of Hollywood" are filtering their way into bride's hearts. Brides are wanting to keep it simple. Keeping it classic on your wedding day may be a look you are aiming for. Many brides are veering away from the strapless look and adding sleeves or a partial jacket. The hardest part when shopping is finding your size if you're larger than size 12. Do your research on the type of dress you like and call the boutique prior to your visit to check for larger sizes.

Bridemaid Dresses

Keeping it short is how many bridesmaids are wearing their dresses. Sticking with the eco-friendly notion in shopping, girls are still looking for bridesmaid dresses that can be worn again. Not necessarily for the next friends wedding but out-on-the-town. Gorgeous silk fabrics like those found at Twirl Boutique keep many bridesmaids very happy. This includes dressing up the waist area with special belts and broaches.  

                                             

To Veil or Not To Veil

Do you have your something borrowed or something old? Consider a vintage feather hair piece in lieu of a veil if you are looking for a classic look. In some cases, see if you mom or sister (in-law's) have a veil to borrow for your day. The nice part about finding your wedding dress so early (7 months or earlier) is many shops include your veil for free. Check out the deals you can but don't settle on anything that doesn't leave you with a glowing feeling. Try on your hair accessory and dress together with your shoes.

Take it all in. This look will mark the beginning of your new life.

Twirl’s “Serial Bridesmaid” Contest

Ever see the movie 27 Dresses? I guess that is a silly question.

Well, it just so happens that the owners of Twirl Boutique of both Arizona and Kentucky have been bridesmaids themselves a combined 27 times.

That is a little bit ironic.

Twirl has come up with its own way of finding the QUEEN of “serial bridesmaids” with the opportunity to win great prizes.

All you have to do is submit your personal stories of being a bridesmaid and explain why you think you are the ultimate serial bridesmaid.

Some topics to consider in writing your story include: What sets you apart other than being a bridesmaid so many times? What money have you spent? What wild and wacky dresses have you had to wear? What hair styles did you have to submit yourself to? Where have you traveled? How have you helped to put out fires at weddings? What showers have you thrown?

Twirl is looking for honest, heartfelt and humorous stories. There are many unique instances that could set you apart from every other serial bridesmaid.

To submit your stories to be considered in Arizona (if you live here or will be traveling here), email: angela@twirlboutique.com.

The prizes are as follows:

• 1st Place: Up to $250.00 to spend on a dress at Twirl Scottsdale
• 2nd Place: 10% off wedding services for the entire bridal party at Dolce Salon & Spa
• 3rd Place: "Whateverz" spa set personalized with "serial bridesmaid"

The contest ends at midnight on July 31st. Winners will be announced the week of August 16th along with the stories on the Twirl blog.

Tips To Know || Bridal Dress Fittings

Do you know what to bring to your dress fitting? Whether you’re the bride or bridesmaids, it’s important to come armed with all your wedding day tools and accessories. Choosing the best time to pick your dress is ideal because the time you actually try on your dress will set the wedding 'wow' factor.


Accessories

Be sure to pack your earrings and necklace that you want to wear during your final fitting. This is the best time to match up the bling you bought for your day. For many bridesmaids, the best gift you receive may be the jewelry from your blushing bride. Don’t forget to bring the bra and underwear you want to wear. Too many times I see very sheer dresses with peek-a-boo undies that should stay in the dresser drawer. Choose nude color full or thong underwear. This includes your bra, which may be strapless, stick –on or build it into your dress. (check with your seamstress)

Last but not least, bring your veil and shoes to your fitting. Find an area with great lighting to match up the coloring of your mother’s veil (if you decide on this for ‘something old’) which varies over the years. Fitting your shoes will also give you some experience bending and walking with your wedding shoes. Plan to wear them at least nine hours from start to finish. Be sure to find shoes that coordinate your dress and your comfort!

Best Time

Order your dress at least 6 months before your wedding to have the bridal dress selection of your choice. Keep tabs on your order as bridal shops have many orders coming and going. Double-check the style and color for all of your dresses including your wedding dress. Be proactive not abusive to your wedding powers. Then, arrange your fitting two to three weeks before your wedding to test out the length, fit, and make adjustments as needed.

An Audience for You!

Bringing a group of friends and family can be overwhelming if you are bringing your entire bridal party. Try to schedule your bridal dress fitting outside of the bridesmaids and mother dress fittings. This will alleviate much of your stress and you can take in all the excitement of your wedding.

Expectations are Everything!

Don’t be surprised if you see your dress and forgot what gorgeous gown you picked. You can expect to do two to three fittings until you get the perfect fit. Know that whatever dress you love, your new hubby will be amazed the moment he sees you walking down the aisle in your new gorgeous gown.

Tips to Know || Maid of Honor Duties

Just like the best man planning the bachelor party, the maid of honor is responsible for hosting the bachelorette party, in addition to assisting with or even hosting the bridal shower. These parties can range in their design and creativity…that of which I will be blogging about in the future. But for now, let me share with you my thoughts on what a maid of honor should do, at the very least.


Pre-Wedding:
Sometimes, the maid of honor accompanies the bride to be in going to a registering with different places for her wedding gifts, and even attend bridal expos with the bride to be as well. But one of the biggest things a bride most likely will want to share with her maid of honor is the dress shopping and fitting.

Just before the wedding day is the rehearsal. The maid of honor should assist the coordinator in gathering the other bridesmaids to walk through the rehearsal. After the rehearsal, the maid of honor is of course expected to attend the rehearsal dinner.

The Wedding Day:
Come the wedding day, the maid of honor really steps up to the plate and helps with a lot of things, including:

• Helping the bride get dressed
• Assist the florist in distributing the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages to the wedding party
• Keep all bridesmaids on track and ensure that come the time of the ceremony, they’re ready to go
• The best man holds the rings, the maid of honor holds the bride's bouquet during the ceremony
• Signing the marriage license along with the best man
• Bustles the bride's wedding dress for the reception
• Help the bride in the washroom
• Just like the best man, the maid of honor delivers a toast

These are just some of the more important things a maid of honor is to do come the wedding day. But of course, the maid of honor should be prepared to do anything the bride asks of her to make her day that much easier and that much more enjoyable.

Bride Appreciation
There are a lot of helpful sites out there so that the maid of honor is well prepared. So get on that computer and Google away.

Whatever the maid of honor can lend to the bride in terms of support will of course be much appreciated by the bride and show her why she chose you for the honor.

Love Love || Pamper You!

Making you look beautiful on your wedding day should be top priority. As females, we pride ourselves on looking our best and especially on our wedding day. Everyone has their plain Jane days in beauty but there are places to go and be seen. I like to think of salons and spa’s as the world’s perfect haven. Invite your closest friends and family for a day of beautification. Mud baths, exfoliation, waxing may seem like just the thing you need for your wedding week.

Check out Arizona Spa Girls to find the newest trimming and slimming treat for your day. The key is not to do anything that will leave you red and irritated the day of your wedding. That’s never easy to correct for pictures if your eyebrows are red and swollen from a fresh wax job. There are plenty of salons and spa’s that make house calls to your bridal party location. Extra fees do apply but the convenience is worth it.

Some things to try:

1. Bronzing – Give your skin a subtle, warm glow that makes a great contrast to a white gown.

2. Waxing – Make your bikini area beautiful for your fabulous beach honeymoon planned.

3. Hair Treatments – Add some moisture to your dry and unruly hair before your big day.

 
** Hurry and get your entries in for the Blissful Blueprint Contest by 2/12/10. 3 Lucky Brides will win a Day-of-Wedding Coordinator on Valentine's Day weekend. Visit www.blueprintaffairs.com for those 2 big questions to answer.

Love Love || Bridesmaid Heaven

All bridesmaids out there are singing in joy about the newest styles hitting their local bridal shops. There is nothing more flattering than hearing a bridesmaid rave about her dress and saying how much she can’t wait to wear it again. I think of the movie 27 Dresses and picture Katherine Heigl doing her fashion show of some horrendous dresses for her friends to see. If you haven’t seen it, you need to catch up on your girl flicks with some of your close friends. This will also help you find out what they think about your fashion sense and get some ideas. The biggest trend flocking to shops like Brides by Demetrios is the pocket trend. Every girl wants to be there for her bride and now she can. Tuck away touch-up extras like waterproof mascara and tissues in your hidden side pockets for your lovely bride-to-be. What a novel idea!

If you love Breafast at Tiffany's style or the Tiffany's jewelry colors, you will love the newer dresses coming out. Each style flatters and the dress length is near the knee. Check out some styles from Dessy Group.

Brides, start thinking about peacocks, purples, and bright golds for your wedding colors. These are the upcoming color trends for Spring 2010 says Alyda at Brides by Demetrios. The great part is that the typical price ranges for bridesmaid dresses are $180-$330. The newest styles are fit to look good on everyone and the style cuts are made to fit. Every girl will love love this!

Extra tips:

• Order bridesmaid dresses 3-4 months before wedding.

• Schedule a fitting to get your accurate measurements.

• Make sure each bridesmaid orders her dress from the same location. (Beware color variations from different “dip” dates.)