Fairy Tales Do Come True

The day has finally come…I’M ENGAGED!

As usual, I am going to be writing about weddings, but this time I’m talking about my own!  I was proposed to on December 22, 2011 at approximately 11:30PM.

It was pouring rain outside when Philip Kent took me to the park near our Hamilton, NJ home and got down on one knee.  Not caring about the rain, we both stood outside gazing into each other’s eyes.  As he told me how much he loved me and how I am truly his best friend, so many thoughts were running through my mind.  I couldn’t grasp the thought that I was actually going to be engaged and be given the chance to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams. 

When I heard the words, “Will You Marry Me”? I stood in the rain and realized that this was the moment I’ve waited for my entire life.  Of course I said YES!

I’ve been dreaming of getting married since I was a little girl.  Writing about weddings has allowed me to live the special day through others experiences and play pretend while researching the different ideas to create that perfect day. 

I finally have a reason to be obsessed with weddings because soon I will be planning my own! The assortment of bridal magazines and wedding shows that I am completely addicted to will now come to use as I plan my very own special day. 

I now know how it feels to be the luckiest girl in the world because I have finally found my true love. 

Being engaged to my best friend is truly a blessing and makes everything that much better because I can now say that I have found my Prince Charming for my Fairytale Wedding!

Fall Wedding Trends

Fall can be a tricky season to dress for. Although leggings, sweatshirts and a great pair of uggs are ideal for this type of weather, brides are having a bit of difficulty. 

Some fall wedding tips that are ideal for these crazy weather patterns are sleeves, lace, rich colors, and thicker fabrics.  To find the perfect fall wedding gown some hints are to include a sleeve of some sort and play with the idea of having an A-Line, Ball gown, or Trumpet type of style.  These silhouettes will go nicely with the fall theme and also allow for more fabric and underlay that will help with the brisk breeze.  Some fabrics that may be considered are dubioni, moire, lace, or velvets. Dubioni has a thicker, coarser fiber material while moiré is a heavy, silk taffeta.  Some may say that velvet is a winter fabric, but if done right, velvet can be incorporated into the gown in just the right amount and at just the right places.  When choosing the color of the gown some of the fall trends are leaning towards the champagnes or ivories to soften the gown and not have such a crisp whites which may give off more of a summer or winter feel. 

When shopping around for the perfect fall bouquet, some flowers to keep in mind are dahlias, roses, calla lilies, hydrangeas, hypericum berries, lotus pods, and aster.  These are a few of the popular fall flowers which all come in multiple rich, fall colors.  If you want to incorporate some other flowers that I have not listed, that is fine! Although these flowers may be a fall favorite, many other flowers can also be used for the season.  When choosing flowers, keep an eye out for rich colors such as; reds, oranges, yellows, greens, gold’s, browns, purples, and burgundies.  These are great fall colors that will bring color and life to any type of wedding!

As you can see, fall can be fun to dress for even if you are the bride!  There are so many possibilities when choosing fabrics, flowers, and colors.  Thinking too much into it can drive you crazy….sit back and just think about what fall is all about…COLOR, WARMTH, SPICE.  Pick warm, inviting fabrics while keeping the colors bright and playful, and then spice it all up with some great embellishments, overlays, and lace!  Your wedding can be as warm and inviting or hot and steamy as you want! Just make sure that you bring a jacket, shrug, or shawl for those brisk fall nights!

Saying "I DO" to the Shoe

 

Bridal shoes are actually just as important as the dress.  The wrong shoe could throw off the entire look of the dress and style.  When picking out shoes you need to think Comfort, Comfort, Comfort!

Sure you could buy a pair of 5”  stilettos, but you’ll probably end up sitting in the corner at your own wedding!

Bridal shoes come in many colors and styles.  With the variety of whites that shoes come in, you should be able to find a pair to match perfectly with your gown.  In order to find the right color you may want to bring the dress along or a swatch to compare the colors. 

Some suggestions for the bride-to-be is to break the shoes in a few weeks before the wedding day.  You can avoid the agony of stiff shoes and blisters by walking around the house in the shoes, so that your wedding day will be pain free. 

Also, try not to get a heel that makes you taller than your groom.  Choose heels that flatter both you and the groom so that your pictures will look fantastic and your man won’t feel insecure. 

Dress Shopping 101

Dress shopping is a day that many girls have dreamed of their entire lives.  It’s a time for loved ones to surround you and tell you how beautiful you are and help to pick out the perfect dress. 

It may seem overwhelming the first time you walk into the boutique, but trust me, this is a moment you’ll never forget.  Don’t be stressed out.  Take it all in and embrace this special time with open arms. 

To have the best experience of dress shopping, there are a few tips that every bride should keep in mind. 

First thing’s first, don’t bring everyone and their mother dress shopping.  Having a large party come along only brings drama and way too many opinions.  Brides will find themselves trying to please too many people and end up not pleasing herself. 

Keep it simple.  The best way to go is to bring your mother, mother-in-law, aunt, sister, or your maid of honor.  Two or three people will be able to state their opinions, but not sway you away from the dress of your dreams.  These few people in your life are the one’s you can most likely trust to give you constructive criticism.  More than four people often leads to hurt feelings and a very confused bride. 

Another tip is to leave plenty of time for the dress to ship and be altered.  A dress can take six to eight weeks to be delivered and that’s not including anything else.  Once the dress comes in, you still need to go through a few fittings and alterations which can also take weeks to accomplish.  To avoid the dress of not having the dress ready on time, purchase the dress around nine months before the wedding day. 

Some brides enjoy the shopping experience so much that they not only choose one beautiful gown, but they wind up with two!

Having two dresses allows the bride to have a more traditional or formal look for their ceremony and then can spice up their reception with a flirty, sexy dress.  It gives the guests that element of surprise and keeps things fun and interesting. 

The last tip for the bride on her shopping day would be to do her homework.  Brides need to research the types of gowns that they like and know the different styles and fabrics.  Knowing this information will allow the brides to work alongside the consultants and be taken seriously.  By knowing the facts people will respect you more and you’ll also be less likely to get ripped off when it comes down to the purchasing. 

Following these quick and easy steps will help the bride have the most success on her shopping spree and best of all, the stress will be left at home!

Matchmaker

 

So many people think “white” when they think wedding.  It used to be that way, but today,

anything goes.  Depending on theme, color scheme, and location, wedding dresses can reflect

anything that you want. 

If the wedding theme is gothic, you may consider a black gown or a white dress with black laced detailing.  If you’re doing a tropical destination wedding the dress may want to

reflect the mood by choosing an ivory, off white, or blush pink gown to get a golden or pink

shimmer while walking down the aisle. 

Whether you like the antique feel or the garden party atmosphere, the dress color can be that perfect statement for the final picture that you’ve been searching for.  The most common colors that dresses come in are white/off-white, ivory, antique white, antique gold, and blush pink.  These are the more traditional colorings, but today we see every color imaginable. 

Being able to match the dress to the overall feel of the wedding will distinguish the

difference between your average wedding to your outrageous, one-of-a-kind wedding

spectaculars!

Painting Your Canvas

Choosing a dress can be difficult for any shaped bride because sometimes our bodies can get in the way.  Being comfortable with your body is key!  If you’ve got it, flaunt it! No body is better or worse, it’s all about your attitude and sense of style. 

I like to play a little game called, “Get to Know Your Body.”  To play the game all you have to do is compare your body to a household object.  If you feel you’re a watermelon, say it, if you think you’re more of a bottle of wine, you have to own it!  The first step to loving your body is to understand that each body is beautiful and important just like our everyday house products. 

Now that you have an idea of what shape you’ve got, dressing it will be a piece of cake.  When describing body shapes we usually use four categories such as the pear, hourglass, ruler or apple.  Now the idea is for you to match your body to one of those categories. 

If you find yourself in the middle of two categories or confused, just choose the best that you can.  Knowing the shape of your body will make finding that perfect dress a walk in the park. 

Instead of dreading the dress shopping, now you’ll be able to tell the dress consultants what your shape is and they will lead you in the right direction.  Finding a dress is like painting a blank canvas.  Some colors look better than others, it’s all about trial and error and I promise that you WILL find the dress of your dreams

Re-Veil Yourself

Romantic, Formal, Flirty, or Fun, there’s a veil that fits all. 

For a romantic styled wedding a bride may want to steer towards a Blusher or Mantilla veil.  These two veils are very different, but both are extremely sexy.  The Blusher veil is a short veil that has a layer that drapes over the face.  Many brides love this style because it’s timeless and also romantic when the groom reveals his bride. 

 

The Mantilla veil is also very romantic.  It’s traditional, yet flirty.  The veil is outlined in lace which gives the bride elegance and sophistication.  Flowing down to the floor, this veil is definitely going to create drama!  If  the long veil isn’t quite your style, have no fear because this fabulous veil also comes in a shorter version making it a more playful bridal accessory. 

If you’re more of a formal-styled bride who’s having a black tie affair and insists on only the best, having a formal veil is exactly what you need.  Cathedral and Waterfall veils will scream royalty. 

The Waterfall veil is a short-styled veil that has rippling edges.  It starts by framing the face and then gets longer as it flows down the back.  Great for a formal/relaxed bride.  Cathedral veils are for brides that want to feel like a part of the royal family.  Flowing all the way down to  the floor, this veil is often seen in large churches or formal settings.  Usually 10 feet or longer, this veil looks stunning following behind the bride.

Now for the ultra-fun bride.  Allowing for a more care-free look, the Birdcage veil and Flyaway veil give off the free-spirited vibe.  Both short and playful, the bride is able to show off her attitude.  The Flyaway veil is short and layered that barely covers the shoulders.  What a great way to show off those stunning gowns. 

The Birdcage is styling back to the 1940’s.  Having a retro-feel the Birdcage veil is like a skullcap that covers either all of some of the face with fabric netting.  This type of veil is usually paired with a flower, feather or hat that will spunk up any bride. 

Behind The Seams

Bustles and trains are worn under the back of the dress to keep the dress from dragging on the floor.  Very popular in the 1800’s, the bustles were used to keep full dresses from getting dirty.

There are three types of bustles that every bride should be aware of.  The traditional bustle is the most like the 1800’s look.  The gathered train is attached to the backside of your gown which allows for a punched gathering. The pinched fabric allows for an easier flow for dancing and movement.  The

traditional bustle can be held up by straps, buttons, or any type of embellishments.  The traditional bride should definitely consider including the traditional bustle to their dress. 

The next type of bustle is commonly called the French bustle, but it can also be referred to as the inverted bustle.  These unique bustles hook underneath the skirt which makes the dress have a fuller look.  Having the bustles tucked under the dress will highlight the embellishments of the skirt.

The other option that brides may want to consider is the detachable train.  This gives the bride the ability to completely remove the train and be free to move around. 

Having a detachable train gives the bride the best of both worlds because she can have an elaborate train for the ceremony and then can remove it for the reception to make the gown look like an entirely different dress! This is a great purchase for the brides who want to have two dresses but are on a strict budget!

Star Struck

Have you ever wanted to be a celebrity for the day?

Well, your wedding is your chance!

Choosing styles that have drama and accentuate your body will send you to the red carpet in no time.  Think of your wedding as your personal fashion show with the aisle as your runway.  Strutting your stuff in a fabulous, jaw dropping gown will send guests home with lots to talk about!  Not only will you feel like a celebrity, but you’re gown will make a statement that will last a lifetime.  Top celebrities all have different bodies and whether they’re a size 2 or 16, the way they dress sheds the pounds.  Some of the fuller celebs such as Drew Barrymore and Tyra Banks know that with their curves they need to stay away from detailing around the waist. 

Bridal gowns that would compliment these women would have detailed tops and corset bodices, or an empire waist.  You would never see Tyra in a puffy gown because she knows all too well that more fabric equals more layers and pounds. 

Having a wider bottom may also seem impossible to dress, but Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce know better.  To dress a body like this, the gown should flare away from the body from an A-Line structure so that those voluptuous hips are secure.  Having a dramatic neckline such as a scooped or plunging V-neck will emphasize the upper body and draw all of the attention towards the face.  Having more embellishments near the face will balance your lower half. Although we all love losing the weight and having those beach bums, being tall and slender is sometimes very difficult to dress, ask Gwyneth Paltrow or Cameron Diaz.  Being thin isn’t everything, knowing what to wear is the real challenge.  Playing up the best parts of the body is key.  Focusing on necklines and back structure will leave it all up to the imagination.  Choosing gowns that have spaghetti straps and dropped waists will draw attention to the upper half yet also show off the curves that you do have.  The Mermaid Cut may also be ideal for this body type because it will give the appearance of a curvier figure.  Accenting the waist by adding belts or bows will create a great curvy shape. 

The hourglass shape is usually the most common.  Having some junk in the trunk but also some weight on top leaves many brides puzzled on how they will get any dress to fit.

 A lot of brides get discouraged when they have to go up a size just to fit their upper or lower half, but honey, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

 Jessica Simpson and Scarlett Johansson know the struggles us ladies face, but that doesn’t stop them from their red carpet appearances, and it definitely won’t stop you from having the wedding and dress of your dreams.  Some tips for styling this body type in bridal wear would be to flaunt your bust and waist.  Don’t try to hide your curves, let them out for the world to see.  Halter tops can be a great look for large chested women and give you the security you need.  If you’re feeling bold  then a scooped neckline or butterfly cut (creasing down the front or a long design) will not only give height, but show that you’re proud of what you’ve got!

"Let Them Eat Cake!"

When you think of a cake I’m sure that you picture a single layered, rectangular shape with vanilla or chocolate icing.  Not anymore, it’s 2011 baby!

Wedding cakes are more of a decoration piece or focal point for many themed weddings.  Depending on your style, you can do square, circle, triangular or multi-dimensional cakes to get that “wow” factor. 

A new trend that’s very popular is having cupcakes or tiny individual cakes for all of your guests.  Not only can your guests have a beautiful creation to themselves, but they can also have the option of bringing it home to enjoy at a later time.  By having cupcakes or individual cakes it allows for a variety of cake flavors so everyone walks away satisfied. 

The wedding cake lets the bride and groom show their personalities through an edible piece of art.  If you’re more on the traditional side you may want to stick with a three-tiered, circular, white cake with edible flowers along the trim.  If you’re a spunky, artistic couple you may find more excitement in a multi-dimensional cake with vibrant colors or a replication of your favorite places and objects. 

Deciding on the perfect cake isn’t easy.  Not only do you choose what the cake looks like, but you also decide how it’s going to taste!  Some popular flavors are vanilla, lemon/orange, chocolate, fruity, nuts, and coffee.  There are so many options these days that if you can’t find a flavor you love then there’s something wrong.  With so many options it’s always hard to only choose one.  That’s not a problem because cakes today range from one to seven tiers or more so you can have multiple flavors for each individual tier.  Always remember to choose flavors that your guests would like.  Although it’s your day, it’s nice to keep your guests in mind. 

Another popular trend is groom’s cakes.  Why should the bride get her way by having a girly, flowery cake?  Grooms today can now create their own personalized cakes that are typically smaller and represent something important in the groom’s life.  Groom’s cakes can also be a great gift from the bride to reveal as a surprise on that special day. 

The sky is the limit when designing cakes.  The cake can range in size, color, and creativity; it’s all up to you to decide what fits your dream wedding.