Dress Hunting

For many brides the most exciting part of being engaged is the process of finding “the perfect dress.”  At one time it was a process shrouded in mystery.  Now thanks to many TV shows devoted to gown selection, brides have some ideas about how to go about this wonderful experience.  Some principles have stood brides in good stead for decades.  Here are some areas for today’s brides to consider before they begin to look for that gown.

Many brides have a good sense of their own fashion preferences.  They know what looks good on them.  Think about what you wear and why it looks good.  What are your fashion preferences?  Are tailored, frilly, feminine, or casual?  Do you want a gown that reflects those looks or is your wedding gown going to be a complete departure?  Think about the “look” you want for your wedding.  Look at magazines, check out websites and make notes of the styles that catch your eye.  When you go into a wedding salon, one of the questions you will be asked is “Do you have any styles in mind?”  The wedding consultant who will be assisting you in your selection process will prefer to start with gowns that reflect your personal tastes.

Be honest with yourself about your body shape.  If you are tall, you’re lucky.  Lots of gowns are made for tall brides.  If you are short, you’re lucky.  Many designers see the petite bride as their specialty.  If you are heavier in the bust, or in the hips, or thighs or shoulders – be honest with yourself and let the wedding consultant work with you to find the perfect dress to accent or camouflage certain areas.

Think about color:  Gowns are shown in bridal white, soft creamy ivory, silver, gold and all shades in between.  What are your most flattering shades?

When you go into a store to try on gowns, go prepared.  Wear good underwear – especially a bra and any foundation garment you think you may wish to wear under your gown.  If something special is needed for the gown you ultimately choose, your wedding consultant can help with that.  You should wear a shoe with the approximate heel height you’ll wear for the ceremony.

Don’t focus on your dress size.  I watched a TV show in which the bride refused to consider a dress that looked fabulous on her because it wasn’t a size 2.  She stated that she only wore a size 2.  Well forget about the number.  Every designer has his/her version of sizing.  That’s why you are working with a wedding consultant.  She knows her merchandise, the designers she has selected for her store and she will find you the perfect dress with the perfect fit.  Don’t worry about the size and don’t order a smaller dress “planning to fit into it.”  Be guided by the consultant.

Give yourself plenty of time to order the gown, be prepared to make a deposit on your order and think carefully before taking a group with you.  One person whose taste you respect is truly enough – two tops!  It is a special time for you to pick out the gown that means the most to you – not to cousins, godmothers and sorority friends you’ve gathered to participate in this event.

We’ve had years of experience in helping brides find the dress of their dreams.  Contact Accent on Events to assist you.

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Setting the Date

He asked and you said “yes”.  Congratulations to you both.  Your engagement signals the beginning of a wonderful and exciting time in your lives.  Where to start?  Setting the date!

As you consider various dates, times and places for your wedding, here are some points to think about.

Think about your budget.  It is true that some months are more expensive than others.  (Think about the Law of Supply and Demand you learned in Econ 101).  In popular months (usually May through September) some reception locations, photographers, florists, and bands may charge more for their services.  If you can wait for a less crowded month, you may be able to stage the same wedding for less money.

Think about the season.  If you have been dreaming of a Christmas wedding your whole life, then go for it.  But think about the time needed for preparations and plan accordingly.  If you want a certain church, certain reception site and a certain gown and flowers, you may have to adjust time frames.  Your answer is to book early and be prepared to be flexible on dates and/or times.

If you are on a fast track at work or have a job that requires huge blocks of your time, be sure to engage the services of a professional wedding consultant.  He/she will end up saving you both time and sanity (and maybe even money).

Consider scheduling your wedding around a holiday.  That can give you both a theme for your wedding and time for your out of town guests to attend.

If your plans include a destination wedding, you will need to be more flexible in your dates and times.  Decide which is most important – the date of the wedding or the place of the wedding.   Once that decision is made, you can proceed.

We are used to working with schedules and helping busy brides create a schedule for your event and follow through with all the details necessary to create a day to remember for you and your guests.

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Bridesmaids

The history of bridesmaids is time and culture dependent.  However, their main charge seems to have been to “protect” the bride, “intervene” on her behalf and/or help outsmart the evil spirits who gathered as a group at weddings or other happy events.

Today’s bridesmaids still fulfill some of those roles, even if the evil spirit happens to be a former boyfriend with too much champagne and too little class, or a college roommate who thinks it would be fun to “steal” the bride between the ceremony and reception.  Bridesmaids can often be the voice of reason when they hear “Let’s ________, it’ll be funny.  You’ll see.”  They can put a stop to the nonsense early.

Bridesmaids give up time and money in return for the honor of being witnesses to the bride’s very special day.  We urge our bridesmaids to remember the important role they play in her wedding and to pay attention to thanking them for their help and caring.

Here are some tips we have gathered over the years.

Selecting bridesmaids’ dresses does not have to be an occasion of conflict.  Cost, style, color and accessories can be issues only if you let them.  If you can help financially, by all means do so.  If your wedding party represents a wide collection of shapes and sizes, work closely with a skilled and experienced wedding consultant who knows the best vendors to choose to work with your wedding.  An experienced retailer will work hard to make sure that the shopping experience is rewarding for all, and will insure that what you have ordered is what you’ll receive.  If the bridal retailer is a member of National Bridal Service, you can relax and know that all will be well.

Make sure that your bridesmaids are getting enough attention from you.  Keep them in the loop about events and plans.  Accept help if it is offered.

Make sure they have a clear idea of what to do and what you expect.  Your maid of honor can take on the responsibility of keeping all maids in the loop.  Don’t be too demanding.  Just because your wedding is consuming your every waking moment, bridesmaids do have lives beyond the wedding.

Be sure to assemble a survival kit for the wedding.  Work with your personal attendant to make sure all necessary items are in the kit and trust her to bring it to the dressing area of the ceremony locations, and to reclaim it after the ceremony.  A good wedding planner will always take care of this.

Make sure to thank bridesmaids often.  Thoughtful gifts are appreciated.

Take time to ask questions, share concerns and plan ways to make bridesmaids feel truly a part of this very special day.

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