By Georgina Clatworthy

I bet I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that from the moment you got engaged you will have been thinking about your wedding dress! For many brides choosing their wedding dress overrides many other elements of their wedding day.

Your wedding dress and all the accessories will be the most important outfit you will ever buy, so it has to be perfect.  And whilst you will pour through the bridal magazines dreaming of all the beautiful dresses you see, when it comes down to finding ‘the one’ many brides find themselves struggling to see the wood for the trees!

With so many different styles, shapes, embellishments, colors and fabrics to choose from it is no wonder brides end up confused and overwhelmed.  But finding your dream dress really comes down to making a decision based on several important factors:

• Body Shape – it is unlikely that you will suit every style of wedding dress out there. We all have different body shapes so it is a question of finding the right dress style to suit your shape. The different shapes and coordinating dress styles merit an article of their own and is too lengthy to go into here, however, a bridal store assistant who knows her stuff will instantly be able to direct you to the right dress style for your shape.
• Wedding Style – although this isn’t a factor that should influence your final choice, it is worth considering especially if you are having a formal, traditional and religious wedding. This style of wedding usually calls for very demure gowns with trains, however, like I said it needn’t influence your final choice.
• Wedding Date – the time of year of your wedding will have an impact on the fabric of your wedding dress and the style. A wedding in the hot summer months calls for a dress made in light weight fabrics and which is not too tight fitting. A wedding later in the year in the cooler months would call for heavier weight fabrics.
• Wedding Location – this is really more important if you are having a destination wedding or a beach wedding. You will need to be able to pack your wedding dress yourself for a destination wedding and be safe in the knowledge that you will be able to remove any creases once you arrive. A big skirted wedding dress with a long train could be very difficult to wear on a beach.
• Color – we traditionally think of wedding dresses being in white or ivory, however, these days there are many colors to choose from, ranging from subtle variations on white or ivory through to more dramatic colors such as red or blue. Your color choice can really be decided by your hair and skin tone where some shades will suit darker tones whilst others will suit paler tones best. Again a good sales assistant will be able to guide you.
• Your Build – If you are petite then a dress with a big skirt could swamp you, whilst those who have a larger build may not be able to carry off a slim fitting gown. Choose a dress that is in proportion to your build.

Finally, don’t be tempted to buy any of your accessories before choosing your wedding dress.  Your choice of dress will dictate which accessories you choose as they will need to coordinate with the look and style of your chosen gown.  For instance buying a bra with straps and then choosing a strapless wedding dress is obviously not going to work!

 By Georgina Clatworthy

With all the attention going on what the bride wears & her bridesmaids it can be easy to forget poor mom in all the excitement!  Mother of the Bride outfits now command their own ranges from many of the top designers & most bridal stores will carry a good selection.

Rather than making your mom choose her outfit at the same time as your choose your wedding dress, arrange a separate trip out to the shops with her & make sure the focus is on her not you.  Not only will if give you a break from all the wedding planning but it will also bring about some quality mother-daughter time, something which maybe in rare supply after you are married. 

Don’t forget to look for shoes, hats, fascinators, scarves & handbags whilst you are shopping.  Here are my top six outfits for Mother of the Bride:

1. Style 29692 – Cameron Blake for Mon Cheri Bridals
2. Style 88102 – Forever Bridals
3. Style 89205 – Forever Bridals
4. Style 566033 – Intermezzo Formals for Venus Bridals
5. Style 7034 – Alfred Angelo
6. Style 29807 – Mon Cheri Bridals

 By Georgina Clatworthy

With the resurgence of the ballgown on the wedding catwalks, fairytale weddings have never been so popular.  So if the princess bride look is your wedding dream then take a look at our showcase of the best gowns available now: 

Hollywood Dreams

Raylia Designs

Demetrios

Alfred Sung

So what makes a wedding dress a Fairytale Wedding Dress?  Typically skirts will be full, very full, the archetypal ballgown.  Usually they are strapless with lace up backs & detailing will include embroidery, crystal beading & jewels.  Skirts will feature layers of tulle, pick-ups, bustles & overlays, with trains no longer than chapel length to add balance to the skirt width & to create a symmetrical silhouette.

Accessorize with opera length gloves, a crystal tiara & full length veil.  You can also add crystal chokers, bracelets & chandelier earrings for the full princess effect!

The typical fairytale gown will be pure white, but ivory, pale pink & even scarlet red are other popular choices.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

It can be a tempting thought to save some money where your wedding shoes are concerned & not give them as much attention as you have to your wedding dress.  But this would be a big mistake.  If anything what you wear on your feet will be more important than the dress you wear.  Consider that you will be on your feet for most of the day – standing at the altar, dancing, greeting your guests, walking around for your photographs & nothing will ruin your day more than sore, blistered feet!

Your wedding shoes are definitely case to spend more.  Cheap un-elegant shoes peeking out from underneath your beautiful silk wedding gown is certainly not the look you are aiming for, but on the other hand you don’t want to be pictured wincing with pain either!

This is why when it comes to wedding shoes, it is the combination of style & comfort that is most desired.  But finding both will mean spending more money.

The best advice for wedding shoes is to buy two pairs – an ultra stylish pair for the ceremony & a second pair which are more comfortable for dancing in at the evening reception.  The only stipulation is that both pairs of shoes have the same heel height as your dress length will be determined by the heel height of your shoes & if your second pair are too low your dress will drag on the ground & potentially make you trip.

Knowing your options will stand you in good stead when it comes to wedding shoes.  Knowing the difference between a ballet pump & a stiletto will help you make a more informed choice about the best style for you. 

Here is a quick guide to the styles of shoe available to you:

• Dyed shoes are usually brilliant white at first & then dyed to a color of your choice. A good option if your dress is not the standard white or ivory.
• Classic pumps are formal shoes with a closed toe & a heel.
• Sling-backs will have a closed toe with a strap that runs around the back of your heel.
• Peeptoe pumps have an open toe – don’t choose these though if you plan to wear hose, it is a big fashion faux pas!
• Sandals are usually high heeled with an open heel – again no hose!
• Mules can have an open or closed toe & have no back.
• Flats are the most comfortable choice, having no heel or a very low heel. Definitely the best choice with a full skirted gown.
• Slipper shoes are flat & soft with minimal support, again a good choice with a full skirted gown.
• Platform shoes have a thick sole & high heel, although comfortable, they tend to be very high.
• Boots are a great choice for a winter wedding or for a more daring look with a short dress!
• Decorated white sneakers will certainly give you the most comfort.

You also need to consider the length of your wedding dress when shopping for your shoes.  When you purchased your dress you should have been advised to bring along a pair of shoes with the approximate heel height you will choose for the day.  This is so the length of your dress can be accurately measured so that you don’t step on it or trip over.

Choosing shoes with intricate decoration can be a nice touch with a simple dress & they will look lovely peeping out from beneath your skirt.  Alternatively, if your skirt is intricately detailed choose plainer, understated shoes to set it off. 

You will need to be prepared to sacrifice some comfort when it comes to your wedding shoes, but there are a range of comfort solutions on the market to help.  Try buying your shoes a half size bigger & inserting a gel pad in them.  Also ask about having the soles abraded to help avoid slippage & to give you a little more traction.

By Georgina Clatworthy

“There is something about a wedding gown prettier than any other gown in the world.”

- Douglas Jerrod, 1859

Your wedding dress will say a lot about your personal style.  It is a statement about you, your tastes & your personality, so you need to get it right.  Throughout your wedding planning you will make choices about where to get married through to the type of wedding favors you hand out.  All of this decision making will create the backdrop to the two things that your guests will notice the most – you & your wedding dress.

Determining your wedding personality will help you make most of these decisions which can be difficult at the best of times.  For most brides, their wedding persona will be a close match to their everyday persona & their weddings will be likewise.  However, there are those who will seek to reinvent themselves just for their wedding & go for something completely different.  Well, it is your wedding day after all!

So to find your wedding personality read through the four descriptions below to find the one which best suits you:

The Romantic Bride:

The romantic bride has been dreaming of her wedding ever since she was a little girl & she has big fairy-tale sized aspirations.  You want a church filled with flowers or a beautiful garden setting; your dress will be typically feminine & full of pretty details.  Your chosen wedding color will most probably be pink!

The romantic bride can choose to make her wedding as formal & traditional or as laid back & casual as she likes, as long as it is oozing with romance.  Your choice of wedding dress will be traditional with lots of lace & ruffles & will probably have the ‘Cinderella’ look about it with a strapless bodice, long train & veil.

The romantic bride may also choose beautiful tulle dresses with delicate details or maybe lean towards an historical inspired gown from the Renaissance or Edwardian eras.

The Natural Bride:

For the natural bride a relaxed look is key.  The wedding will probably take place outdoors, a beach or parkland setting perhaps.  A natural bride will want to appear comfortable & her wedding dress will probably be simple & pure.

Natural brides will have a tendency to shy away from formal weddings; they make them nervous & instead will opt for a semi-formal affair.  Their wedding dress will be simple, lightweight & with minimal details. Because comfort is paramount they will also put their prospective gown through it’s paces before buying; considering how easy it is to walk, dance, hug & bend in, before placing a deposit!

The Classic Bride:

The classic bride will err on the side of caution; her wedding will be formal or semi-formal, conservative & full of tradition.  For her a wedding dress should be elegant, tasteful & timeless.  Her chosen color will probably be white & the dress will feature a fitted bodice, an a-line skirt with a chapel train & minimal detailing such as a subtle lace trim & some scattered pearls.

She will choose silk or satin over tulle & chiffon & is quite likely to be dusting off her mother’s or grandmothers dress for her big day!

The Drama Queen Bride:

The classic drama queen will see her wedding as a classy affair, probably held in the evening with top class catering in a five star hotel.  Her choice of dress will be contemporary, avant-garde & above all stylish – she has to be noticed!  Her wedding dress would be considered a risk by others but the drama queen has a closet full of risks & they normally pay off.

Because she is more daring than most her wedding dress will most likely be a strapless, backless design.  She will probably look at mermaid or trumpet gowns, with elaborate detailing such as lace, sequins & crystal beading.

 By Georgina Clatworthy 

2009 sees many couples having to compromise on their wedding budgets, largely due to the global recession.  However, having to cut back on cost has not meant having to cut back on style & this year sees the best weddings being the most glamorous.

Large weddings are out, mostly due to cost cutting, so smaller more intimate affairs are on trend.  This means that couples then have more cash to play with & are choosing glamorous details & finishing touches worthy of a millionaires wedding!

Wedding dresses this year are very much in the ballgown style with large skirts & an abundance of crystal accents.  This trend for crystal beading continues with bridal shoes & accessories with the return of crystal chokers, chandelier earrings & sparkling tiaras.

But whilst ballgowns may be the big news in wedding fashion, many designers have continued with last years hot look of mermaid & trumpet gowns, as well as some stunning modified A-line styles.  Crystal accents with a touch of vintage appeal abound & you could be hard pressed to find a dress that didn’t include them!

But whilst you may be thinking all this glamour will be costly, the industry has responded to the recession crisis & you will find many budget options available as the style hits the top across all price ranges. 

Crystal seems the keyword here, appearing not only on wedding attire, but in wedding favors, wedding cakes & bridal bouquets.  Colors are slightly more sedate with emerald green, latte, chocolate brown & shades of purple.  Metallic is also a hot color trend with schemes of purple & silver proving very popular.

All of this may sound a little over the top to most but this trend has the potential for producing some very stylish & elegant weddings.  Using each element in small doses is the key & adopting a less is more approach has become the buzz phrase of the year!

Consider an elegant scheme of latte, cream & chocolate.  Add brushed silver or gold in the form of charger plates, center piece containers & in your wedding favors & wedding cake. Scatter some table crystals across the table & hang chandeliers from the ceiling. 

As guest lists get smaller then the various elements of the wedding become more glamorous.  Menu’s feature sumptuous dishes, reception venues are more luxurious & the finer details more beautiful.  It could even be said that the credit crisis has been good for the wedding industry, making couples spend more on the little details with smaller retailers rather than spending big dollars with larger vendors.

So go on & plan yourself a luxury wedding with all the glamorous details & trimmings.  It is your special day & you deserve to have a wedding that looks a million dollars even if it didn’t cost it!

By Georgina Clatworthy

For some brides to be the idea of a traditional white wedding dress is somewhat less appealing than it is to others.  Some may choose a traditional styled gown but choose it in a color which is at the opposite end of the scale, for instance scarlet red, forest green or midnight blue.  But for others even that is unappealing & they want to look for an outfit which is unique to them & less bridal.

If you want to consider wearing a non-bridal wedding dress then here are some suggestions as alternatives:

Bridesmaids Dresses: It may sound obvious but bridesmaid’s dresses can provide the ideal alternative to a wedding dress.  In recent years bridesmaids dresses have undergone a style makeover.  Gone are the frilly apricot monstrosities of the 1980’s & in their place are stylish, elegant & beautiful dresses suitable not only for bridesmaid duties but also for any formal function.

My favorites are those by Lazaro & Jim Hjelm.  Their designs combine chic elegance with a hint of sex appeal!  You will also have a good choice of colors with bridesmaid’s dresses & a range of hem options including length.

As well as dresses many designers also have a range of stylish separates to choose from allowing you to create your own outfit according to your personal style.

Evening Wear: Check out the evening wear ranges at your local department store or dress boutique.  Evening wear can provide stylish alternatives to traditional wedding dresses.  Boutiques can offer the chance to buy one off couture gowns as well which won’t cost you as much as their wedding dress counterparts!

Occasion Wear: These are formal dresses for occasions such as daytime functions, day at the races & the type of dress your female guests may wear.  Many high street boutiques will have a line in occasion wear but you do run the risk of wearing the same dress as one of your guests at your own wedding!

Styles will vary from tea length dresses to smart two piece suits & trouser suits.  Occasion wear ranges often offer up a range of separates allowing you to coordinate your own outfit.

Costume Hire: If you are looking for something to coordinate with a wedding theme then costume hire shops could offer you the best solution.  Whilst there are many wedding dresses available in various styles from throughout history, costume shops can offer you truly authentic outfits, right down to the underwear!

Avoid hiring from a fancy dress shop where the quality of the costumes may not be as good as hiring from a costumiers or a business specializing in costumes for stage & theatre.

That said, there are fancy dress costumes available for $200 + which are very well made & could offer a good alternative for those on a budget.  Check out what is available through costume websites & compare prices with those on the high street.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Many couples will probably be looking at ways to reduce their wedding budget at the moment, but it seems that many of them are refusing to compromise when it comes to planning their dream wedding.  After all, this is supposed to be the most special day of your lives, why shouldn’t you have it all?

But if your budget is not saying dream wedding, then don’t panic, a big bank balance is not the only way to achieve your perfect wedding day.  If you are looking for a fairytale wedding without the price tag then follow these top tips to find out how to achieve it.

The Fairytale Venue

Your choice of venue will help to coordinate your wedding style & will dictate the overall look of your wedding day.  A dream venue often comes at a price, but you can get as much as 50% of the booking price by having your wedding during a less popular time of year & during a weekday.

Another tip is to look at places that may not advertise themselves as wedding venues but which would be more than happy to accommodate you.  Look at museums, restaurants, inns & parks.

The Fairytale Wedding Dress

Your dress will be the most important outfit you will ever purchase, so it has to be perfect.  Couture gowns will cost you thousands, but there are other designers out there offering similar designs at much lower prices.

Another option is to look out for designer sample sales where you can snap up a stunning dress for a bargain price.  Check out websites like EBay or your local classifieds for new, nearly new or worn once gowns as well.  With both of these options you will probably have to pay for dry cleaning & maybe alterations too, but you will still come in well under the cost of a brand new dress from a designer boutique.

The Finishing Touches

It is the small finishing touches which add to the uniqueness of your wedding.  All those things such as wedding favors, decorations & your wedding cake are what go to making your wedding personal to you both.  But all of these combined can cost a serious chunk of your budget.

Get creative & make your own decorations, table centerpieces & wedding favors.  It isn’t hard to do & you will plenty of inspiration online & in craft stores.  If you have someone in the family or amongst your friends who can bake then ask them to make your wedding cake.  They don’t have to ice it, you can employ a professional then to apply the decorative touches.

Making your own stationery is not difficult either.  You can buy kits from craft stores or if you are familiar with card making you will know you can buy everything you need separately.  There are also websites with printable designs to download & print out at home.

The Fairytale Wedding Reception

Your wedding reception & evening party will be a big expense, mainly because this will be the biggest party you will ever throw.  Save money by having a buffet instead of a sit down formal meal or go for a traditional afternoon tea or canapé reception with cocktails.

Put together your own buffet with the help of family & friends, you may be surprised by the quality of the food you can put together at a fraction of the cost of professional caterers.

Save on hiring a professional disco by using an MP3 player instead, just make sure your venue has an adequate sound system for you to use & delegate someone to be in charge of keeping the music going.  You can load it with a variety of songs to suit all ages & tastes.  A good tip is to ask your guests to nominate their favorite songs on their RSVP cards.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Wedding planning is an extensive process & one which will see you creating a hundred lists or more!  Aside from booking venues & suppliers, you will also be doing a far amount of shopping, be it on the high street or online or both.

So I have decided to produce a series of handy shopping lists to help you plan your retail excursions & hopefully to ensure nothing is left out!  This first list will focus everything you need to complete your wedding day outfit.

1. Wedding Dress – You may have something in mind already, but if you are not sure where to start then take a look through some bridal magazines to begin with.  Clip together images of those dresses you like the best & take them with you when you visit the bridal salon.
2. Bridal Shoes - Make sure you step out in style with the perfect shoes.  Choose shoes based not only on looks, but also comfort & practicality.  Consider heel sizes & whether or not you will be able to dance in them later, many brides will purchase two pairs – one for the day time & one for the evening party.
3. Tiara - Possibly the most popular choice of bridal headwear, tiara’s come in a range of styles & colors.  Your bridal salon may have a selection to choose from, but you will find more extensive ranges online, along with customizable designs.
4. Veil - If you want to wear a veil then try to purchase one from the same store as your wedding dress so you can try the two on together.  There is a range of styles & lengths to choose from & the store assistant will be able to advise you on the best choice for you.
5. Lingerie - What you wear under your wedding dress is vitally important.  Good lingerie will not only provide support, but will also help with whole look of your wedding dress & provide the perfect silhouette.  Again it would be preferable to try on your lingerie with your wedding dress but this is not always practical!  Take a look at our article How to Choose your Wedding Lingerie for tips on selecting the right style of lingerie to suit the style of your wedding dress.
6. Hair Accessories - Aside from tiaras & crowns there is a wealth of other options for accessorizing you hair do.  Pretty combs, slides & pins are all popular choices, others include alice bands, silk flowers or real flowers attached to combs or made into wreaths.  As with tiaras, you will find great choice online as well as customizable options.  It is a good idea to know what your wedding hairstyle will be before purchasing any hair accessories.
7. Handbag - You will need something to keep all those little essentials in that you may need during the day.  Items like tissues, make-up & your bridal emergency kit will all need to be stashed somewhere.  Choose a bag the coordinates with the style of your dress, for instance a dolly bag would be nice with a less formal gown, perhaps for a beach wedding, whilst a box bag would suit a more formal style.
8. Garter - Many brides go in for the tradition of wearing a garter & tossing it at the reception. 
9. Jewelry - You may already have an idea of your wedding jewelry; many brides like to wear something that is sentimental to them or maybe jewelry given to them by their parents or parents-in-law.  If you are going to buy jewelry specifically for your wedding think about what will suit your wedding dress, the style or theme of your wedding & cost! There are some beautiful costume jewelry pieces available on the high street which won’t break the budget or go online to Ebay & look for inexpensive vintage pieces.
10. Shawls, Wraps & Bolero’s - Many designers have a range of these available as separates to their dress designs.  Usually made from lace, chiffon or tulle they can make a nice accessory to your wedding outfit, especially for a spring or fall wedding when temperatures can be a little on the cool side.  For a winter wedding consider a faux fur wrap or even a velvet cloak.
11. Other Items - Gloves can be a nice accessory to a wedding dress, especially to a winter wedding or maybe a fairytale theme (think opera length gloves with a tulle skirted ballgown).  Petticoats maybe required for the style of dress you want.  They may just be simple net crinoline style petticoats or larger hoped skirts for a full skirted gown.  Make sure you know how to put them on & in the case of a hooped petticoat – how to put it together!  Sashes or belts are available for some styles of wedding dress & can be customize with colors, beading or embroidery.  Even if your dress doesn’t include one, you may want to add one to help coordinate your wedding colors with the other members of the wedding party.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

There are many accessories to compliment your wedding dress & knowing which ones to choose can be something of an art form!  Those accessories which are essential to your wedding outfit are your shoes, your lingerie & your handbag, all of which should be chosen with comfort, practicality & style in mind. 

Here are some top tips to help you decide on the essential bridal accessories you should buy.

Shoes – It is common practice today to purchase two pairs of shoes – one for the ceremony & reception & a second pair for the evening party.  This is because the majority of bridal shoes are built more for style than comfort & unless you have spent a lot of time breaking them in at home, you could find that after a couple of hours your feet begin to ache or become sore.  Comfort aside there is also a practicality issue, with many brides choosing a second pair of shoes simply because they would be easier to dance in!  Remember that you will be in your first pair of shoes for a long time; you could be standing around for long periods, particularly when you have your photographs done & you could be walking about a fair bit too.

Another consideration is the heel height.  With many bridal shoes sporting 3″ heels & upwards, you will need to consider your own height relative to that of your groom.  You don’t want to be towering over him on the day!

You will find a wide choice of styles when it comes to bridal shoes, but the best advice is to stick to a style that you know & that you wear everyday.  Slingbacks or mules can be difficult to become accustomed to if you are not used to wearing them.

Lingerie – Your bridal lingerie is vitally important.  It will help make the most of your shape & the way your wedding dress fits.  The right lingerie will help to tone & lift you in the right places & as a result create the perfect silhouette.  Aswell as bras & chemises, you will also find corsets, basques & bustiers in many bridal ranges.  However, your lingerie needs to be comfortable & shouldn’t suffocate you!  Some brides have fallen in to the trap of choosing a corset which looks fabulous when they are standing but prevents them from sitting comfortably & in some cases even restricts the amount they can eat!

If at all possible try your lingerie on with your wedding dress to find the perfect style for you.  A good idea would be a lingerie party for your bridal shower at home.  You can have great fun choosing your lingerie not only for your wedding day but also for your honeymoon!

Handbags – If you are the type of girl who is known to be never without her handbag then you will definitely have one on your shopping list.  Even if you don’t usually carry one, you should make an exception for your wedding day.  A bridal handbag is a must to carry all the little things that you may need during the day – make-up, tissues & your bridal emergency kit (or part of it at least).

Many of the bridal shoe designers have a range of matching or coordinating handbags alongside their ranges.  You will find many styles to choose from including handheld, box style & dolly bags.  Make sure you get one big enough for your needs but not so big it overwhelms your look.  You don’t need to carry it during the ceremony & it is usual to entrust it to your mother during this time.