Category Archives: Dress

Wedding guest style

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It’s an unwritten rule that the bride’s wedding dress is the focus of attention on her wedding day. It’s a big no-no for a wedding guest to turn up in something that’s going to get more attention than her, so follow these excellent top tips about what to wear.

Think understated ball gown. Strapless dresses give an aura of confidence without showing too much flesh as they highlight the subtle lines of the shoulders. Keep the look girly by opting for silk or chiffon.

Knee length dresses or longer are best and suitably more formal. If you prefer a longer length Grecian inspired maxi dresses can also look stunning. Team with a twisted or plaited rope belt to complete your wedding guest style.

No girl’s wedding guest style outfit is complete without a fabulous corsage or fascinator and sparkling jewellery – just choose carefully!

Satin dresses are a nice day-to-night option. By opting for one with pleated detailing and a cinched waist you can disguise bumps that other dresses would cling to.

Lace panels and net detailing also add a classic, feminine edge to any dress. Look for built in net petticoats to create a chic 50s prom dress silhouette or update a shift dress with a lace clutch bag and fascinator.

Classic v-neck dresses are a safe staple for any wedding and make the most of the décolletage area.

If you are opting for shimmer, tone down the rest of your look. Embellishment is about creating a focus area – so look for a dress where the embellishment is in an area you don’t mind attention being drawn to!

For boho-chic, maxi dresses are the perfect wedding occasion dress. Go for a maxi with a bright floral or digital print, or statement tribal design.

Long necklaces or bangles can often complete this look so why not try it on with some jewellery – just stick to one accent colour.

Checklist:

  • Avoid bright white if possible.
  • Remember: less is more when it comes to make-up, hair styling and accessories.
  • Opt for nude nail varnish. It matches any outfit and is less noticeable when chipped.
  • Take a shrug, structured blazer or pashmina so you can party on into the evening when the temperature drops.
  • Don’t show too much skin: legs or chest, not both.
  • Most important of all, don’t upstage the blushing bride!

What To Ask Your Bridal Boutique

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What happens after you’ve chosen your dress and paid your deposit? Read this expert wedding dress shopping guide to ensure you have the best bridal experience possible!

  1. Will you be the only bride in the boutique?

Do you want an exclusive, special experience or would you prefer a slightly more ‘high street’ approach? If there is more than one bride-to-be trying dresses, will you get to see the entire range?

The experience that you have will be quite different from shop to shop. Some boutiques are small and only have one bride at a time out of necessity, others have ample space but to offer the entire boutique exclusively to just one bride at a time. Then there are others that can have two or more brides-to-be in at the same time choosing a wedding dress. Consider the kind of experience that you want.

  1. What is the boutique and its location like?

Is the location private and exclusive for you to try on dresses without being disturbed by prying eyes or passers by looking in? Like a lot of brides, you’ll want to keep your chosen dress a secret until the big day!

What kind of mirror do they have, will you be able to see yourself from all angles? With such pretty backs on some dresses, are you going to be able to see the detail when you are trying them on? Always consider the size, facilities and location of your chosen boutique.

  1. What are the online reviews like?

Don’t just look at the ‘star’ rating invest time and have a read of what the real brides say. If a boutique gives a really exceptional experience their brides will go out of their way to let others know and that boutique will have a lot of favourable reviews. You will spend quite a few hours with your dress shop, choosing and then having your dress fitted, so devote a little time to reading the reviews.

It’s probably the only truly impartial view that you will get from a cross-section of brides that have been through every step of the journey. It should give you a realistic idea of what you can expect and it will help you choose the boutiques that you would like to visit.

  1. Is there a large and varied range?

What’s your budget? Does the boutique stock a range of dresses from designers that are within your budget?

What’s your style? From boho bride to city chic and pretty princess, does your chosen boutique have dresses that match your style?

  1. Is there parking available?

If you choose a busy city centre boutique leave enough time and take enough change for parking. Also think about when the time comes to pick up your dress, will you be able to get parked nearby? What if it is raining and you need to dash to the car with your wedding dress?

  1. Can in-house alterations be done at the boutique?

Does the boutique offer a seamstress service in house or do you have to take your dress elsewhere? What does the seamstress charge, ask to see a price list? Even with a made-to-measure dress it’s likely some alterations will be needed, even if it’s just a bustle to enable you to tuck your train up so you can dance the night away! Where are the alterations done? In the boutique? In front of the main mirror? In the main dressing room? Will the bridal consultant who sold you the dress be involved in your fittings to ensure continuity? Does the boutique add a % onto the seamstress’s costs or do they charge the seamstress to work with them?

  1. Does the boutique offer to store your dress for you?

What happens when your dress arrives? Imagine taking it home and your groom stumbling across it! With most brides shopping for their dress well in advance of their big day there can be months of

storage needed. Does the boutique offer this service and if so do they charge for it?

  1. Does the boutique charge for any extras?

Will you be given a dress bag and a sturdy hanger when you pick up your dress? Does the boutique charge for steaming your dress? It’s wise to check these things so there are no surprise charges for you.

  1. Can accessories and bridesmaids dresses be bought at the boutique too?

Does the boutique stock a wide range of accessories such as veils, hair accessories, shoes and earrings? They all go together to build up your complete look for your big day and it’s helpful to be able to try various options with your dress and experiment a little.

Think about your girls too, will you be able to get bridesmaids dresses and flower girl dresses from your chosen shop. This can make fittings easier for you all, and also a lot of fun!

  1. Does the boutique get paid for recommending other suppliers?

Word of mouth is really important in the wedding industry and lots of brides will ask for recommendations. It might be a good idea to ask if suppliers are recommending other suppliers because they think they are really brilliant at their job, or whether it’s because they are getting paid a fee on every booking.

 

Planning a wedding when pregnant

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Life has an excellent little habit of throwing lots of stuff at you at once and getting hitched when you’re pregnant to some women may be totally daunting. Often you don’t plan a wedding around a pregnancy and vice versa, however, it is possible to plan and have the best wedding ever when you’re a pregnant bride. Here’s how!

The dress

Some advice to all brides, pregnant or not, is to choose a wedding dress that makes you feel fabulous and is comfortable. Comfort is often treated as the second cousin, when it comes to wedding attire, which is a shame because a big factor in looking good is feeling good. If you can’t breathe, sit down or dance without wincing, if you have to wear three spanx to suck it all in, then maybe that’s not the dress for you. If you’re looking for maternity dress inspiration, then there is a plethora of celebrity pregnant brides to check out, very few of which, hid the bump. Whatever dress you choose make sure you have a good chat to your seamstress about how alterable the outfit is as it can be hard to predict how your body is going to be changing.

Shoes

This is one that’s often forgotten but pregnancy can cause swelling in lots of different places, one in particular…your fingers! Be mindful of your wedding and engagement ring size. If you have a wedding ring fitted while you are pregnant, it may need resizing later on. Another option is to use a substitute ring on the day, get something cheaper and save the real ring for later when you finger return to ‘normal’.

The party

It’s a big day… emotions are heightened, endorphins are flowing, make sure you look after yourself and listen to your body. If you need a rest. Have a rest. If you want to dance your behind off, then by all means, have a great time!

Planning

Be strategic in your planning. Work in ways to sit when you can, schedule in little down time moments and use other people to help you. YES, you are superwoman…we all are but you will be surrounded by many helper bees that want to assist you on the day and in the lead up to your wedding. Accept help, drink lots of water, have snacks at the ready and make sure you have easy bathroom access!

 

Wonderful wedding accessories

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From the bride’s bouquet to the groom’s boutonnière, the couple can enjoy wonderful embellishments on their wedding day. A lot of couples strive to have matching designs or colours across their accessories too, which makes for a wonderful harmonized look. So here are some of our favourite traditional wedding jewellery and accessories for him and her.

Headwear

Traditionally, the bride tends to have far more choice concerning headwear. Wedding veils seem to be the norm, for they come in a range of lengths and styles depending on fashion and culture. Similar to the veil is a decorative net or art deco style bonnet, which also come in an array of designs. But many brides also opt for headpieces such as tiaras, headbands, hair clips and combs. For the groom, there does not tend to be any jewellery headwear pieces available, so the groom and his groomsmen typically wear hats.

Arms, Wrists, and Hands

On his wrists, the groom traditionally wears cufflinks, and such a small and simple accessory works wonders to add style and decoration. Available in a range of styles and materials, from plain silver or gold to intricate engraved, bejewelled or rhinestone studded options. The groom might also wear a wristwatch as a finishing touch, but the more traditional wedding watch option for a groom is a classic pocket watch.

The bride often wears a bracelet, and these too come in numerous styles. You may want a simple band, or a chain with pretty dangling charms. A growing trend is to wear a corsage as well.

The most important wedding accessory of them all: wedding rings!

But the most important wedding accessories for the bride and the groom are the wedding rings! The giving of rings is a traditional part of the wedding ceremony! No doubt a lot of thought and consideration has gone into choosing your engagement rings and your wedding rings from deciding on the optimum metals, gems, engravings, etc. Steeped in tradition, the practice of giving rings can be traced back centuries.

Face and Neck

For the face and neck, the groom is well-known in western culture to wear a classic necktie or bowtie, and no other jewellery. Ties, coming in all manner of colours and materials, will fit any wedding. In other cultures there is also the option of wearing a cravat.

Often the bride completes her look with a pretty set of earrings and a necklace the chosen wedding theme (and personal taste) goes a long way in helping the bride decide on the style—some pieces of jewellery are rather discreet, and others are far more overt. Some brides even wear a garland around their neck.

Torso

On the torso, grooms can wear pocket squares and handkerchiefs. Depending on personal choice, these can be purely decorative or intended for use. Pocket squares and handkerchiefs are available in a variety of colours, designs and patterns and are an ideal way to inject personality and personalisation into groom’s wear.

For more of a traditional look, the bride may opt for a brooch. Brooches come in all shapes and sizes, and can fit any theme or colour scheme. They can be used for anything, be it accessorising a jacket, the wedding dress, or the wedding bouquet. Also, some couples dress in bright, rich fabrics covered in gems and sequins, which makes for a truly striking wedding look.

 

Wedding Shoes

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Whilst the wedding dress is usually the most exciting part of your bridal look, your wedding shoes are just as important. Here are some wedding shoe tips to ensure your shoes are comfortable and perfectly complement your wedding dress and personal style!

  1. Wear your Wedding shoes in.

We recommend breaking them in before your big day. Wear them around the house, to help soften them up and practice that all important walk!

If your wedding shoes are particularly slippy it may also be worth gently sanding the soles with sand

  1. Shoe Accessories

Make sure you have these must have shoe accessories for your wedding day!

  • Heel grips – if your feet keep slipping out the back
  • Gel insoles – to reduce the pain you get on the balls of your feet from standing up or dancing, for a long period of time.
  • Shoe protector spray – to protect your shoes from watermarks and stains.
  • Clean heels – to stop you sinking in the grass!
  1. Do they compliment your wedding dress?

There are a couple of reasons to try on your wedding shoes with your dress. Firstly you want to ensure that the colour and style suit the style of your bridal gown. If you have already been wedding dress shopping you will have come to realise that wedding dresses don’t just come in ivory or white.

Obviously carrying your dress around with you whilst you shoe shop isn’t exactly convenient, so try and get hold of a swatch of the fabric that matches your dress. Either ask the bridal shop where you purchased your dress, to send you one or see if there is something small from the dress you can take such as a sash or removable strap.

Secondly it is important that you try your shoes on with your dress to check if the hem needs altering. Ideally you want the hem to sit just off the ground to ensure you don’t trip. Bare in mind that when you are walking down the aisle, you are going to have a bouquet in one hand and the person that is giving you away in the other. You won’t have hands free to hold up the front of your dress too.

  1. You get what you pay for.

Brides to be usually feel it’s a waste to spend money on something that won’t really be seen under a long dress and that you will only wear once. However, you are going to be on your feet all day so we recommend investing in a good quality, comfortable pair of shoes, which won’t ruin your day with sore feet. Good quality wedding shoes don’t have to break the bank.

  1. Wearing the right shoe size

Do you go up or down a size? We’d always recommend going up. Your feet will swell as the day goes on, which means they will begin to pinch if you opted for the smaller shoe. Shoes that are slightly too big can easily be amended with insoles and heel grips and can be removed later in the day when your feet swell to fit.

  1. A comfier pair for the evening.

If you just can’t resist those sky scraping heels, get yourself a second pair of lower, more comfortable shoes for the evening. From pretty pumps, to flip flops and customised Converse, there are styles to suit everyone. Bare in mind however, that if you choose to lower your heel for the evening and you are wearing a full length dress, it will drag on the floor, so be careful not to trip!

Bridesmaid dress shopping

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When you’re looking for bridesmaid dresses, take all your bridesmaids along. Brides often opt to allow the bridesmaids to pick their own style from a selection, but keep slight restrictions of colour, length or fabrication to keep some uniformity. Telling the girls to choose a style that they feel most comfortable in means that they are more likely to jump at the next chance to wear it again.

Choose a colour that is more of a neutral one, or a colour that is on-trend for the season. Popular choices at the moment are soft pinks, nudes, navy and black in the perfect neutral colour, palomino – there’s no doubt your girls would love to wear these again.

Plain dresses can easily be dressed up for the wedding and after the wedding, but in different ways. How about adding a sash, brooch or a bling necklace? Simple wedding accessories will make the dress wearable on so many occasions, and it won’t even look like you’ve worn it before!

Don’t pick something that is outdated, or will go out-of-date quickly. Go for something timeless, or a trend you know will stick around for time to come because that way, the dress is much easier to wear again. The maxi just never seems to go out of trend, no matter what season. Team with a fab pair of shoes and some glitzy wedding accessories for a formal do, or just pop on a pair of sandals for a holiday look. You might even want one yourself for your honeymoon!

If you find your bridesmaids just won’t agree on one dress, consider different styles for each of them. It’s important to bear in mind that not all colours suit all skin-tones, so be flexible. And hey, mismatched bridesmaids is a top trend set for 2018 anyway.

Short dresses can be seen as more practical when thinking about reusing bridesmaid dresses; whether a formal occasion like another wedding where you’re not the bridesmaid, or a more casual one like a Saturday night out. But long, chiffon dresses do make great evening wear provided there is little to bling!

Bridesmaid dress shopping can sometimes be a bit of a nightmare with your girls not agreeing, or being grumpy about what you’ve chosen, but we know the ways to keep them happy to make wedding shopping a breeze!

 

Avoiding family feuding

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It’s so easy to forget that there’s an entire family unit (equally important as your own) that may be completely oblivious to the upcoming wedding plans; and although many in-laws are perfectly happy with this scenario for others, it can lead to feelings of rejection and sometimes even resentment if they don’t feel the same level of involvement.

The date has been confirmed, and almost instantaneously, your neatly arrange personal wedding planner is bunged with wedding dress appointments, wedding fair flyers and Wedding cakes sampling sessions. Yet in the midst of all this creative carnage, there may be a few VIPs left feeling a tad isolated… the in-laws.

Out of nowhere tensions rise and emotions flare as you’re left wondering why you’ve been lumbered with such a treacherous display of family feuding. Is this a tiny glimpse of what to expect during married life? A moody mother-in-law offloading her dismay to anyone who’ll listen? Or worse still, comparing you to her other daughter-in-law who is seen as the definition of perfection.

As we all know, when planning a wedding it isn’t just about the Wedding Dress and elaborate selfies. It’s a time when two families become one, so make them feel that way before the big day.

Organising fun family get-togethers can be a great way of helping everyone bond, relax and feel included. It’s always a good idea to start off with a neutral environment such as trying out a new restaurant together. If all goes well, keep up the momentum with joint barbeques, birthdays and regular catch-ups.

Inviting both mums along to help you pick a wedding dress is a great way of making everyone feel extra special, particularly if your mother-in-law has no little girls of her own to coo over. However, if this seems a little too invasive then why not ask for her help with choosing the bridesmaids dress or accessories? It will really help in making her feel a big part of the leading ladies.

Seeing as many grooms enjoy mulling over the manly aspects of wedding planning such as choosing wedding cars, then why not encourage your future hubby to invite his dad along for the day? The two men can spend an entire afternoon bonding over some vintage vehicles, maybe grab some grub and have a good old father-son catch up.

If your groom’s dad is a whizz in the kitchen or his mum’s an expert in arts and crafts, you have the perfect opportunity to include their input for the important finishing touches such as making little edible favours or creating artistic centrepieces for the guest tables. You’ll be amazing at how thrilled they’ll be to show off their creative skills!

Why not start out with a chirpy text message or email? At least they’ll know you’re thinking about them and aren’t as likely to feel completely left out of the loop.

Being able to build and maintain healthy relationships is something we all struggle with at the best of times, however regular communication can help avoid many unwanted feelings of exclusion. As they say, prevention is better than a cure.

 

A Wedding Under £1,000

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With wedding dresses alone averaging out at over £1000, is it really possible to plan the perfect wedding under £1,000?!

Given that the average UK wage is just under £28,000 per annum, it’s clear that getting married is an expensive pursuit. Not only that, it’s one that puts many couples in a huge amount of debt, and at a time when life should be a carefree bed of roses.

It may not surprise you that it’s possible to get married without breaking the bank, and it is, in fact, possible to have a perfect wedding day for less than £1000. Being savvy in your choices and concentrating on what really matters can mean you still have the day of your dreams, as well as enjoying a debt-free marriage! Start married life wedding debt-free with a guide to wedding planning for less than £1,000!

1. Do it yourself

You can delegate almost every job to a wedding planner, other than saying ‘I do’ and spending the rest of your life in marital bliss. Save the cost and do it yourself.

2. The Guest List

The idea of a lavish crowd might excite you, but keep it to close friends and family and you’ll be saving thousands of pounds. Aim for a list of 40 for starters and do your best to stick to it.

3. Use the talents of your guests

Do you have a keen photographer, DJ or cake baker amongst your friends and family? Then use them. Although professionals will tell you differently, there’s not an awful lot to baking three wedding cakes and stacking them on top of each other.

4. The Venue

Have a budget, shop around and source your own venue – village halls are a good starting point – then decorate it with the help of friends and family. Go local and save time and money on a wedding car – delegate a friend to drive and glam it up yourself.

5. Food & Drink

Many wedding venues will allow external catering, and buffet food is cheaper. Marry later to avoid serving two meals. And does anyone really want vol-au-vents and finger food, when a massive plate of serve-your-own hot dogs will fill the hungry.

6. The Outfits

Purchase or hire suits from the high street, ask the best man to wear his own and colour co-ordinate with matching ties. High street brands are all jumping on the wedding attire band wagon and offering affordable ranges of wedding and bridesmaid dresses for under £100, and for some of them, no one will be able to tell the difference.

7. The Honeymoon

You’ll be exhausted following your big day, and may just want to sleep and indulge in whatever else newlyweds get up to. Save money on a massive holiday abroad for a time when you can afford it after the wedding.

Essential Costs

  • Detailing essential costs will let you know how much you have left to ‘splash out’ on non-essentials, be these hair, jewellery, flowers, decorations etc.

  • Marriage License & Fees: approx. £150

  • Venue: Village hall hire from £20 per hour x 7 hrs = £140

  • Food & Drink: 40 person self-service buffet catering from £5 per head; buy your own booze for £250 (average 50 bottles of wine or 30 crates of beer)

  • Outfits: Men’s suit from £49; wedding dress from £69

  • Rings: Matching titanium bands from £35

  • Total Essential Costs: £893

  • Budget left for non-essentials: £107

3 tips for buying your dream dress!

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Here are some top tips to share about the secrets for selecting a sensational wedding  dress! Here is a small snippet of all the great tips when choosing your dream wedding dress.

When you visit a bridal boutique to start trying on a selection of dress, make sure you bring a pair of heels with you. They don’t need to be the exact pair you plan on wearing on the big day, just a similar height. The height of your heel changes not only the length of your dress but how it also fits your body with how you stand.

Whether bridal underwear means Spanx or lacy lingerie it’s important you try your wear them when trying on your dresses. The shaping of your underwear will mould your body making your gown fit differently.

Know your weight expectation from the start of wedding dress shopping. Many brides want to lose a few pounds before their day and if you choose a dress that fits you at the time before you’ve changed weight it may look very different when you do! Remember that different shaped dresses suit different body shapes so where possible get to your ideal weight before shopping!

So there you have it, but all in all don’t rush the experience, take some trusted friends with you to give you an honest opinion and relax.  If you feel like it’s just not going right for finding the perfect dress, just make another appointment for another day. Your dream dress will turn up and you will feel a million dollars.

 

Bridesmaid Dress ideas

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The rules for dressing your bridesmaids have changed. They no longer expect to be asked to all wear the same bridesmaids dress, in the same style, in the same colour.

We think that’s a real step ahead. At the end of the day, you want your maids to look happy and smiley in the wedding photographs, not awkward and pulling down their skirt to cover their knees or pulling up the strapless frock they’re having trouble keeping in place.

Mix it up!

Keeping girls over ten happy when it comes to picking the best bridesmaid dresses can be tricky. They don’t want to look ‘girly’ but grown up styles are not right for teenage figures. Involve them in your decision-making and they’ll love you for it! Choose a matching or coordinating fabric that will sit well with the flowergirls’ dresses.”

When planning a wedding there’s no rule any longer that says bridesmaids have to wear exactly the same shade. We love it when brides mix it up a bit. It’s telling that the promotional poster for the comedy film ‘Bridesmaids’ showed all the girls awkwardly dressed in one size fits all hot pink taffeta, with ruffles.

There’s no one style suits all you can see that different styles of neckline feature – strapless and one shouldered. If one of your girls has a small bust she might feel uncomfortable wearing a strapless dress and a sweetheart neckline would be more suitable (actually a sweetheart neckline suits all busts). Or if one of your maids is better endowed then choose a dress with straps.

The same goes for lengths. Some of your girls might be happy with the shape of their legs, others would rather wear something below the knee. It’s always best to talk your ideas through with them and give them some options.