Week 37 – Bridesmaids, Bridesmaids, Bridesmaids

Bonjour from Project Wedding HQ

Readers apologies for not blogging earlier as like all Brides, my job has consumed me and therefore the wedding plans have been brushed aside.

However, on the weekend my Bridal Party and I went to our first official Wedding Expo together and I had my first Bridal fitting and the girls tried on Bridesmaids dresses.  However, as a complusive purchase at the Wedding Expo I bought a Wedding Gown that was on sale and was beautiful for $350.  As I am time poor with my work I made this decision because I really don’t have to much time to be running around to fittings everywhere.

We then went to the Bridal fitting at Hills in Hollywood and we were there getting in and out of dresses for 2 hours, OMG!!, but I absoutley fell in love with 2 Wedding Gowns, therefore I am now selling the other one and now have another tough decision to make.  I have asked the opinion of a couple of people, not just my bridal party, as we know how critical they can be sometimes LOL and now I am totally confused.

We did come to one decision however, we have all agreed to be in the one colour Bride, Bridesmaids & Groomsmen which looks rather elegant.  The girls making a decision on a dress however was a nightmare.  Although very critical my girls were very supportive, so today’s tip is choosing the right bridesmaids.

TODAY’S TIP –  Bridesmaids 101:

Emotional Support – The ladies should be the perfect choice that you turn to when you are stressed and going out of your mind.  A confidant, someone to lean on.

Assorted Tasks – These can be the most menial of tasks, from bustling your dress, to make bonbonniere, just assisting you in easing the load.

Understanding there may be a financial obligations – As times have changed it is not now uncommon for the bridesmaids to have to pay for their dress & hair & makeup, therefore they need to be made aware of this upfront.  At the end of day the Bride does not want you to be financially strained, however you as the bridesmaid need to be upfront with the Bride about these outlays.

Being Upfront & Honest – Don’t just tell the Bride what she wants to hear.  Give your opinion, but in the end let her make the decision, after all it is her day.

Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party – The good old tradition is for the Bridal Party to host the Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party.  A bridesmaid doesn’t have to go over board, however these events should made special for the Bride-to-Be.

Remember Brides try not to get upset with your bridesmaids, you selected them. These ladies are your favourite people, they could turn around and sabotage your wedding (just kidding).  So when discussing issues remain calm.

Until next time.

Au Revoir, The Savvy Bride

 

 

Week 38 – Drowning in Fabric & Decisions – Selecting a Wedding Gown

Bonjour from Project Wedding HQ

Well as you can see I have gone to weekly posts starting to get busy again with work and many weddings to do, however that does not mean that my planning has stopped.  With the Bridal Party selected it is time to get out there and start shopping for my Bridal Gown.  I guess like every other Bride I have no idea where to start.  I know what types of dresses I like, but will they suit me, will I look like a meringue, will I look like I am drowning in fabric, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  The style of your dress is the single most important factor in creating your overall look on your wedding day.

I am very excited to be going to my first Bridal Appointment this Saturday with my bridesmaids Ciara & Rebecca, however I really do not know where to start and I have to consider my budget as well.  So we are off to my friends at Hills in Hollywood (http://www.hillsinhollywood.com/).

OMG the options are endless.  In between choosing colour, style, fabrics, embellishments, lengths and more as fun as it is choosing my wedding gown I know it is going to become very confusing and will become a hard decision in the end.There are so many dresses to choose from.  So how up to date are with you with all of the wedding dress jargon.  Well here are some helpful tips for you next time you go wedding dress shopping.

TODAY’S TIP – Wedding Dress Terminology:

Wedding Dress Styles …

• A-line  A fitted bodice that has a modest flair in the skirt, A-line designs are among the most popular sold today. This is a universal classic that suits almost any body type.
• Ball gown This is the fairytale princess dress style you remember from Lady Diana’s wedding and Grace Kelly’s ceremony a few decades before. It has a long, flowing skirt and a fitted bodice. It has lots of fullness, created with petticoats or hoops.
• Blouson Blouson designs are, as the name implies, blousy. They’re gathered at the waist or an inch or two below.
• Drop waist Sporting either a loose or fitted bodice, drop-waist gowns add styling that accentuates the area just below the waistline or the waist itself.
• Asymmetrical Dresses with features like one shoulder strap or layering that creates an uneven, spatial arrangement or silhouette.
• Empire Distinguished by a high waist, hitting just below the bust. The empire styling elongates the body, minimizes pear-shaped figures and can conceal a disproportionately large or small bust.
• Mermaid Also called a trumpet or fishtail design, the mermaid dress hugs the body and begins to flair, usually at the knee. The flare can be modest or exaggerated. This design accentuates a woman’s figure and shows particularly well on tall, athletic women.
• Mini A gown with a hemline that falls at or above the knee.
• Princess Created from unbroken vertical panels, this style can take a classic A-line shape or have a more exaggerated flare. It’s considered a slimming design that will suit most body types.
• Sheath Unconstructed, long and slim, the sheath is body-hugging and doesn’t have a fitted waist.

Bodice and Neckline …

• Boat neck This style rests along the shoulder points, revealing the collar bone. It’s also known as a bateau.
• Cowl neck Loosely draped fabric, styled either high or low at the neck and bust characterize this component
• Drop shoulder A look consisting of bands or sleeves that start below the curve of the upper arm
• Halter The top is angled at a diagonal along the outer bust and neck to fasten behind the neck
• Jewel A neckline that follows the curve at the base of the neck and does not include a collar
• Portrait collar This drop-shouldered look consists of a folded, sometimes exaggerated collar
• Sabrina This style is characterized by a straight neckline beginning well inside the curve of the shoulder
• Scoop neck This neckline can be daring or modest with this component but ends in a curve instead of a point.
• Spaghetti straps  A neckline characterized by very slender, supportive straps at the shoulder
• Square neck  This neckline has a horizontal line across the front of the bodice terminating in sheer vertical straps or shaping on either side. Viewed from the front, it looks like a cutout in the shape of a square or rectangle.
• Strapless As the name implies, this look leaves the shoulders bare. This style is supported by the structure of the bodice.
• Sweetheart A component characterized by a curve over each breast to dip into a shallow or deep V like the top of a Valentine’s heart.
• V-neck This neckline is defined by the shape of a plunging or shallow letter V.

Hem Length …

• Ballerina At or just above the ankle
• Floor Brushing the floor or slightly above
• Hi-lo Also called an intermission hem, it hits at mid-calf in front and is floor length in back
• Mini Above the knee
• Street  Just covering the knee
• Tea Terminating a few inches above the ankle

Sleeves …

• Bell Snug to the elbow and then flaring to the wrist
• Capped Very short, closely fitted and slightly rounded
• Dolman Joined to the bodice above the elbow and tapering to the wrist. Also called a bat sleeve
• Kimono Sleeves extending into the main column of the dress and lengthening deep and wide to the wrist
• Puff  Gathered or pleated at the shoulder. Depending on the amount of volume involved, can include: Juliet, bishop, leg-of-mutton, balloon, poet and pouf
• Three-quarter length Terminating between the elbow and wrist
• Tulip Overlapping fabric that creates a series of petal shapes

Fabric …

• Batiste A fine, sheer and delicate cotton or cotton/linen blend
• Brocade A heavy, woven fabric with a raised or sculpted design, typically only worn during cool seasons
• Chantilly A fine, mesh lace that often features floral designs outlined with silk threads
• Chiffon Sheer, mesh fabric that can be made from silk, cotton or polyester
• Crepe Lightweight, soft fabric that appears slightly crimped or crinkled
• Crepe de Chine A thinner variety of the crepe fabric described above
• Crinoline A stiff foundation fabric that’s used as an underskirt with a ball gown style wedding dress
• Organza A sheer, fine, translucent and textured fabric made from silk, polyester or nylon
• Satin Shiny fabric that’s usually very smooth and densely woven. It’s available in many different weights and color.
• Shantung Rough-textured woven silk or synthetic fabric that crushes easily
• Taffeta A high-end, woven fabric with a slight sheen that’s often reserved for fine garments. It’s available in two varieties: Piece-dyed taffeta, which is soft and often used as a lining material, and heavier, stiffer yarn-dyed taffeta used in evening gowns and wedding dresses.
• Tulle Sheer, stiff mesh made from rayon, cotton, silk or nylon
• Velvet A fabric with a distinctive pile, velvet can be made with silk, cotton or a number of blends. It’s typically a cool-weather choice.
• Voile Very lightweight, semi-transparent fabric woven from cotton, linen, synthetics and cotton blends

Good luck with your choices. Until next time.

Au Revoir, The Savvy Bride