Do you know what style of wedding that you want to have? You may not have thought about this before though understanding your personal wedding style which support you in making better choices as you plan your wedding.
There are 4 standard ceremony styles, though keep in mind there is always room to make your wedding personal to you.
Traditional: traditional weddings are performed in a church, synagogue, or temple by the certified member of your church.
Contemporary: contemporary wedding ceremony will be in a beautiful location like a garden or beach, historical building, or private residence that has a lot of space. R Contemporary wedding are still performed by a religious leader just not in a church or other similar religious building.
Unique: unique wedding ceremonies are those that are completely different. For instance people have gotten married underwater, on mountains, or in a plane. The only thing that hinders a unique wedding is your imagination.
Private: private weddings are weddings with intimate number of people or a wedding performed at city hall. Often private weddings are chosen when people are farther away from their family and will host a wedding party at a later date.
Once you know your ceremony style, you can chose from different overall wedding styles.
Formal wedding: formal wedding is what you think of when you see a fairy take wedding in a movie. A formal wedding is the traditional wedding in a church, tons of flowers and decorations, wedding reception with the triple layered cake, dance to embarrass the family and so on. The attire is formal for the guests and the bridal party with your traditional wedding dresses and tuxedos for the men.
Casual wedding: a casual wedding typically has less people invited and the attire is more causal. Causal weddings are often in gardens, the beach, or some other intimate location. Typically the wedding party afterwords is in a lower key atmosphere like drinks on a dinner cruise.
Themed wedding: themed weddings are easier when the wedding is also causal and has fewer guests than your traditional wedding. There are many different possible themes and can be a challenge to get every guest in the appropriate theme.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Plan Wedding Online for Cheap
With today's economy people can not afford the weddings that they could just a few years ago. The national average cost of a wedding was $21,814 last year, down 24% compared with 2007, when a wedding averaged $28,704, according to data from The Wedding Report, a research company that tracks the industry. In 2009, the cost of the average wedding is expected to be down another 10%.
People who need to find a way to get married for less are finding the web as a valuable resource for finding a wedding of their dreams that still fits within their budget.
Sara Cotner used the Internet extensively while planning her wedding last year, a celebration that had a budget of $2,000 so that she and her husband could close on a new home shortly after getting married. Their planning process was chronicled on her blog, 2000 Dollar Wedding.
BridalOnlineStore.com supports weddings on a budget with high quality and modern styled wedding dresses that people can afford.
People who need to find a way to get married for less are finding the web as a valuable resource for finding a wedding of their dreams that still fits within their budget.
Sara Cotner used the Internet extensively while planning her wedding last year, a celebration that had a budget of $2,000 so that she and her husband could close on a new home shortly after getting married. Their planning process was chronicled on her blog, 2000 Dollar Wedding.
BridalOnlineStore.com supports weddings on a budget with high quality and modern styled wedding dresses that people can afford.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Etiquette for Second Time Brides
With encore weddings (where one member of the couple has been married before) representing approximately 40 percent of all weddings today, it is time we reconsider tired, old etiquette rules, because most just don't apply to the way we live today.
According to a popular online second wedding guide, aptly named I Do Take Two, the first consideration should be the children, if there are any, and their comfort level and concerns. If there are children involved, they should be informed before others about the wedding and considered in the planning process. Inviting children to play a part in the ceremony is not only appropriate, but can also be a bonding experience. After all, this ceremony joins two families. Lighting a family unity candle is a wonderful idea to emphasize this.
Appropriate Roles for Children
a. Pass out wedding programs
b. Guest book guardians
c. Escorts for the bride Bridesmaids and groomsmen (adult children)
d. Jr. Bridesmaids, ushers and candle lighters (ages 9-15)
e. Flower girls, ring bearers and pages (ages 4-8)
Note: Please discuss these roles privately with your children and allow them to decide if they want to be involved.
Note: One usher per fifty guests.
So, what are the rules? The number one rule for all couples is to plan together. Perhaps former weddings were based on other's ideas of the perfect wedding. Well, today it is all yours. Your wedding can be formal or informal, large or small, and include any element of a first wedding you wish.
The bride can wear any color and any style that suits her age and figure. Veils and trains are now appropriate if part of the gown - but, no blusher veils. The couple may include multiple attendants. (See note above) Showers are fine, but should be small and intimate. Don't expect gifts from guests who attended the first wedding, though they may want to bring a small gift. Do not host the event in the same location as the first. Do not wear rings from former relationships. No former spouses unless agreed upon definitely by both bride and groom. It is confusing and puts others in an uncomfortable position. Are gifts appropriate? Yes! Gifts are appropriate for encore couples, so it's perfectly acceptable to register. However, those who attended former weddings and showers are not obligated to give a gift. Gifts should never be mentioned on wedding invitations. Register for gifts in a variety of price ranges.
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Learn more about second weddings and vow renewals at http://www.idotaketwo.com
According to a popular online second wedding guide, aptly named I Do Take Two, the first consideration should be the children, if there are any, and their comfort level and concerns. If there are children involved, they should be informed before others about the wedding and considered in the planning process. Inviting children to play a part in the ceremony is not only appropriate, but can also be a bonding experience. After all, this ceremony joins two families. Lighting a family unity candle is a wonderful idea to emphasize this.
Appropriate Roles for Children
a. Pass out wedding programs
b. Guest book guardians
c. Escorts for the bride Bridesmaids and groomsmen (adult children)
d. Jr. Bridesmaids, ushers and candle lighters (ages 9-15)
e. Flower girls, ring bearers and pages (ages 4-8)
Note: Please discuss these roles privately with your children and allow them to decide if they want to be involved.
Note: One usher per fifty guests.
So, what are the rules? The number one rule for all couples is to plan together. Perhaps former weddings were based on other's ideas of the perfect wedding. Well, today it is all yours. Your wedding can be formal or informal, large or small, and include any element of a first wedding you wish.
The bride can wear any color and any style that suits her age and figure. Veils and trains are now appropriate if part of the gown - but, no blusher veils. The couple may include multiple attendants. (See note above) Showers are fine, but should be small and intimate. Don't expect gifts from guests who attended the first wedding, though they may want to bring a small gift. Do not host the event in the same location as the first. Do not wear rings from former relationships. No former spouses unless agreed upon definitely by both bride and groom. It is confusing and puts others in an uncomfortable position. Are gifts appropriate? Yes! Gifts are appropriate for encore couples, so it's perfectly acceptable to register. However, those who attended former weddings and showers are not obligated to give a gift. Gifts should never be mentioned on wedding invitations. Register for gifts in a variety of price ranges.
------------------------
Learn more about second weddings and vow renewals at http://www.idotaketwo.com
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Finding the Wedding Dresses Used in Bride Wars with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway
Bride Wars' costume designer chats about choosing the perfect wedding dresses for Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson.
Natalie Broulette, Jan 05, 2009
Finding a wedding gown can be the most challenging shopping experience of a woman's life, so just imagine choosing two gowns for two A-list actresses. Costume designer Karen Patch was faced with that difficult task on the set of Bride Wars. We chatted with Karen to learn more about choosing those bridal gowns, the look of Bride Wars and dressing Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway.
Natalie Broulette: Can you tell me about working with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway? How are their characters different, and does that come through in their wardrobes?
Karen Patch: When I began my research into Kate and Anne's characters, I kept in mind something the director Gary Winnick said to me: "Although both girls were lifelong best friends, they were really quite different from one another." I wanted Kate's character, Liv, to look tailored but with a feminine approach -- soft, pretty blouses; pencil skirts; suits that are body-conscious. She plays a young lawyer but she is not in a courtroom. Her look was professional and fashionable, not too serious -- someone who likes clothes. I think her character is confident, doesn't procrastinate and likes being in charge. Anne as Emma on the other hand likes color, patterns, florals and is a bit more experimental and creative. She puts pieces together in her own way and mixes old and new, inexpensive with expensive (gifts from Liv). She wears vintage slips at home with cardigans. There is a reversal over the course of time where Anne's character becomes more assertive and Kate's more vulnerable.
NB: What inspired your costume choices for Anne and Kate?
KP: It always begins with the research and character development. I looked at bridal magazines and spent time in bridal stores watching brides come in with their mothers and try on gowns. Conversations with the director, the actors, production designer, cinematographer regarding color -- all these elements factor into what shapes the final result. I put together inspiration boards and notebooks of color palettes, fabric swatches, sketches and any artwork or books that inspire.
NB: What designers and stores did you use?
KP: For Anne I chose Marc Jacobs, Lavendar Label Vera Wang, Theory, Coach, J.Crew, Prada, Calypso. Jewelry: Helen Ficalora, Wendy Culpepper and Ice. Kate wore Chanel, D&G, Hugo Boss, Tods, Marchesa, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Club Monaco. Jewelry: Tiffany. Many jean and t-shirt lines including Seven, Hudson, William Rast and Rag and Bone.
NB: What were some of the challenges you faced during filming?
KP: Before choosing the wedding gowns, I had to begin at the end. That is, what could I do to distress the gowns over and over? I needed many gowns for the stunts and we were faced with time constraints. Each gown takes weeks to make. They were being made and shipped right up until the last minute.
NB: Tell me about the bridal gowns used in the film. How were those chosen and what designers are they by?
KP: I wanted Kate's character to look like the bride on top of the wedding cake ... all confection, Vera Wang and Tiffany -- every little girl's dream wedding. I wanted Anne's character to be more nostalgic. Her dress was supposed to be her mother's and held sentimental value. Both dresses were made by Vera Wang. Kate's was based on a dress Vera had in the collection for 2009, but I asked for some changes and they were kind enough to accommodate -- different fabric and more layers of bobbinette. It was so big she could barely fit going down the aisle.
Natalie Broulette, Jan 05, 2009
Finding a wedding gown can be the most challenging shopping experience of a woman's life, so just imagine choosing two gowns for two A-list actresses. Costume designer Karen Patch was faced with that difficult task on the set of Bride Wars. We chatted with Karen to learn more about choosing those bridal gowns, the look of Bride Wars and dressing Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway.Natalie Broulette: Can you tell me about working with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway? How are their characters different, and does that come through in their wardrobes?
Karen Patch: When I began my research into Kate and Anne's characters, I kept in mind something the director Gary Winnick said to me: "Although both girls were lifelong best friends, they were really quite different from one another." I wanted Kate's character, Liv, to look tailored but with a feminine approach -- soft, pretty blouses; pencil skirts; suits that are body-conscious. She plays a young lawyer but she is not in a courtroom. Her look was professional and fashionable, not too serious -- someone who likes clothes. I think her character is confident, doesn't procrastinate and likes being in charge. Anne as Emma on the other hand likes color, patterns, florals and is a bit more experimental and creative. She puts pieces together in her own way and mixes old and new, inexpensive with expensive (gifts from Liv). She wears vintage slips at home with cardigans. There is a reversal over the course of time where Anne's character becomes more assertive and Kate's more vulnerable.
NB: What inspired your costume choices for Anne and Kate?
KP: It always begins with the research and character development. I looked at bridal magazines and spent time in bridal stores watching brides come in with their mothers and try on gowns. Conversations with the director, the actors, production designer, cinematographer regarding color -- all these elements factor into what shapes the final result. I put together inspiration boards and notebooks of color palettes, fabric swatches, sketches and any artwork or books that inspire.
NB: What designers and stores did you use?
KP: For Anne I chose Marc Jacobs, Lavendar Label Vera Wang, Theory, Coach, J.Crew, Prada, Calypso. Jewelry: Helen Ficalora, Wendy Culpepper and Ice. Kate wore Chanel, D&G, Hugo Boss, Tods, Marchesa, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Club Monaco. Jewelry: Tiffany. Many jean and t-shirt lines including Seven, Hudson, William Rast and Rag and Bone.
NB: What were some of the challenges you faced during filming?
KP: Before choosing the wedding gowns, I had to begin at the end. That is, what could I do to distress the gowns over and over? I needed many gowns for the stunts and we were faced with time constraints. Each gown takes weeks to make. They were being made and shipped right up until the last minute.
NB: Tell me about the bridal gowns used in the film. How were those chosen and what designers are they by?
KP: I wanted Kate's character to look like the bride on top of the wedding cake ... all confection, Vera Wang and Tiffany -- every little girl's dream wedding. I wanted Anne's character to be more nostalgic. Her dress was supposed to be her mother's and held sentimental value. Both dresses were made by Vera Wang. Kate's was based on a dress Vera had in the collection for 2009, but I asked for some changes and they were kind enough to accommodate -- different fabric and more layers of bobbinette. It was so big she could barely fit going down the aisle.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Picking the Right Wedding Gown
The wedding gown is usually one of the first purchases made for a wedding. Before choosing a gown though, you should decide the kind of a wedding you are having. You should also determine a budget. These things will affect the type of dress that you select.
The dress should complement the other decisions that have been made. In other words, if the wedding will be small and intimate with only a few guests, an elaborate gown with flowing train will be out of place. If you will be kneeling during your wedding ceremony, you may want to avoid a sheath gown, since the skirt may be too tight to allow you to bend your knees.
When you go shopping for the gown, take only one or two people with you and be sure to dress appropriately. You should wear or take along nylons, a strapless bra, and appropriate shoes. Be careful about wearing make-up, particularly lipstick or lip gloss, when trying on dresses, since they stain easily.
Most bridal shops carry each style of gown in only one size. Therefore, if you find a dress that you like, but it doesn't fit, it will need to be ordered, and that can take as long as 4 months. Also, be sure that the shop does alterations. The alterations should be done about two weeks before the wedding. Some shops charge for alterations, so be sure to ask. When attending an appointment for alterations, be sure to wear the shoes and the undergarments that you will wear with the gown so that it can be altered correctly.
It may be helpful to take a camera along when trying on gowns. You can take pictures of your favorite gowns at each shop, and then compare the pictures to help remember the details of each dress and decide which one is right for you. Some shops do not allow their gowns to be photographed, so you should ask before taking any pictures. You may have to assure them that you will not use the photo to have a seamstress make a similar gown.
If you have a tight budget, you might choose to rent rather than buy the gown, or purchase a used gown. Some bridal shops have an option to rent gowns. If you can find the right dress, this maybe a good way to go. You will, however, need to reserve the dress well in advance, particularly if it is a popular style.
A used gown may be a better choice than a rented one, especially if the rented dress has been worn numerous times and the used one worn only once. Former brides who broke their engagement often sale their dresses to resale shops and classified ads. You can find a new, never-worn dress for a fraction of the original price.
If your mother, grandmother, or a friend has a gown that you particularly like, you might ask to borrow it. If you enjoy antiques or old clothing, vintage gowns dating back as far as the Victorian era can be purchased in retro clothing shops and on the Internet. Also, if your family has close ties to its national origins, a gown from that culture can be very striking and unusual. Some brides choose to wear a traditional western-style gown for the ceremony, then change to a national dress for the reception. Likewise, some men choose to wear kilts or other ethnic dress for either the ceremony, the reception, or both.
The dress should complement the other decisions that have been made. In other words, if the wedding will be small and intimate with only a few guests, an elaborate gown with flowing train will be out of place. If you will be kneeling during your wedding ceremony, you may want to avoid a sheath gown, since the skirt may be too tight to allow you to bend your knees.
When you go shopping for the gown, take only one or two people with you and be sure to dress appropriately. You should wear or take along nylons, a strapless bra, and appropriate shoes. Be careful about wearing make-up, particularly lipstick or lip gloss, when trying on dresses, since they stain easily.
Most bridal shops carry each style of gown in only one size. Therefore, if you find a dress that you like, but it doesn't fit, it will need to be ordered, and that can take as long as 4 months. Also, be sure that the shop does alterations. The alterations should be done about two weeks before the wedding. Some shops charge for alterations, so be sure to ask. When attending an appointment for alterations, be sure to wear the shoes and the undergarments that you will wear with the gown so that it can be altered correctly.
It may be helpful to take a camera along when trying on gowns. You can take pictures of your favorite gowns at each shop, and then compare the pictures to help remember the details of each dress and decide which one is right for you. Some shops do not allow their gowns to be photographed, so you should ask before taking any pictures. You may have to assure them that you will not use the photo to have a seamstress make a similar gown.
If you have a tight budget, you might choose to rent rather than buy the gown, or purchase a used gown. Some bridal shops have an option to rent gowns. If you can find the right dress, this maybe a good way to go. You will, however, need to reserve the dress well in advance, particularly if it is a popular style.
A used gown may be a better choice than a rented one, especially if the rented dress has been worn numerous times and the used one worn only once. Former brides who broke their engagement often sale their dresses to resale shops and classified ads. You can find a new, never-worn dress for a fraction of the original price.
If your mother, grandmother, or a friend has a gown that you particularly like, you might ask to borrow it. If you enjoy antiques or old clothing, vintage gowns dating back as far as the Victorian era can be purchased in retro clothing shops and on the Internet. Also, if your family has close ties to its national origins, a gown from that culture can be very striking and unusual. Some brides choose to wear a traditional western-style gown for the ceremony, then change to a national dress for the reception. Likewise, some men choose to wear kilts or other ethnic dress for either the ceremony, the reception, or both.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Are Chinese Online Wedding Dress Stores a Good Idea
Have you found it a challenge to get the wedding dress of your dreams in today’s economy? Many women are finding it harder and harder to afford the wedding gown they really want. This has led them to looking at lower cost alternatives. Online shopping for wedding dresses has become more popular. With the rise of online bridal gown sales, the introductions of Chinese wedding dress sites have cropped up. If you read the reports during the Olympics about fraud ticket websites then you know that Chinese websites are riddled with fraud.
Top 6 Reasons why not to buy from Chinese wedding gown sites
The first reason is the shipping can take months. You have enough to worry about with planning your wedding then to worry if your dress is going to show up. Knowing your wedding gown is taken care of and safe and secure in hand is one less worry that you don’t need.
Many women have found that the dress they thought they were getting from the photo is not the dress when it arrives. You are now stuck with a dress you didn’t order and not the dress that you have been dreaming about. Many Chinese wedding dress sites steal their photos from legitimate online stores and have no professional photos of their own.
Returns on Chinese made wedding dresses can be a nightmare. If you can get them to take it back it all you will still need to pay the overseas shipping rates. You can almost buy a new dress for what it takes to ship back a wedding dress that had tears, missing items, or the wrong dress all together.
Your wedding dress is a symbol of your new life you are starting. Many wedding gowns made from websites in China are of poor quality. The last thing you want is for your precious gown to fall apart. The extra money it takes to fix up your dress makes it not the bargain you once thought it was.
I have heard real people complain that they never got their dress at all. This is the ultimate in betrayal and a real problem with Chinese wedding gown sites. No part in your dream of a wedding starts with no chance and makes going with Chinese dresses a real risk.
The final issue is the overall language barrier. If you have ever been frustrated by talking to a customer service person from India, imagine communicating the right size and alterations with someone that doesn’t speak anything like you do. The language barrier makes it #1 reason why it is so hard to get the exactly what you want from a Chinese bridal dress shop.
Chinese wedding dress stores online are risky. Your best bet if you need to find an affordable high quality dress in your price range is to chose and American based online wedding store.
Top 6 Reasons why not to buy from Chinese wedding gown sites
The first reason is the shipping can take months. You have enough to worry about with planning your wedding then to worry if your dress is going to show up. Knowing your wedding gown is taken care of and safe and secure in hand is one less worry that you don’t need.
Many women have found that the dress they thought they were getting from the photo is not the dress when it arrives. You are now stuck with a dress you didn’t order and not the dress that you have been dreaming about. Many Chinese wedding dress sites steal their photos from legitimate online stores and have no professional photos of their own.
Returns on Chinese made wedding dresses can be a nightmare. If you can get them to take it back it all you will still need to pay the overseas shipping rates. You can almost buy a new dress for what it takes to ship back a wedding dress that had tears, missing items, or the wrong dress all together.
Your wedding dress is a symbol of your new life you are starting. Many wedding gowns made from websites in China are of poor quality. The last thing you want is for your precious gown to fall apart. The extra money it takes to fix up your dress makes it not the bargain you once thought it was.
I have heard real people complain that they never got their dress at all. This is the ultimate in betrayal and a real problem with Chinese wedding gown sites. No part in your dream of a wedding starts with no chance and makes going with Chinese dresses a real risk.
The final issue is the overall language barrier. If you have ever been frustrated by talking to a customer service person from India, imagine communicating the right size and alterations with someone that doesn’t speak anything like you do. The language barrier makes it #1 reason why it is so hard to get the exactly what you want from a Chinese bridal dress shop.
Chinese wedding dress stores online are risky. Your best bet if you need to find an affordable high quality dress in your price range is to chose and American based online wedding store.
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