Wedding Dress of the Week (2/6/09)

Today's wedding gown of the week is a combination of delicate ruffles and beautiful tailored structuring that adds drama to an otherwise traditional look. This wedding gown is for the bride who wants to put forth a demure image without giving up her ability to flirt. The just-low-enough plunging V-neckline features a double ruffle of organza that is designed to stand up behind the neck, giving a definite designer touch of elegance. We think this wedding gown looks like it costs a whole lot more than it actually does for that very reason! Finally, the cross-over bodice ends at the natural waistline with a pleated sash and a handmade organza flower. The best part? The pockets! Because no bride should be without lip balm and a breath mint on her wedding day.

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Choosing a Wedding Dress

We've talked about choosing a wedding dress in the past, but it's definitely a topic that never gets old. Let's say you already have the wedding gown you'll wear as you walk down the aisle... congratulations! That doesn't mean, however, that you can't keep collecting wedding dress tips for your engaged girlfriends. There's always someone who needs help choosing a wedding gown, so we try never to be without a few helpful tips up our sleeves. For those brides-to-be who know absolutely nothing about choosing a gown, here are some basics:

• If you're going to be trying on wedding dresses, wear undergarments that are close to those you imagine you'll be wearing on your wedding day.

• Let bridal salon employees make suggestions -- they deal with brides of all shapes and sizes, and they usually have a good idea of what will look good on you.

• That said, don't let any salespeople (or loved ones) bully you into choosing a wedding gown you don't like. It's your dress, and you're the one who has to wear it!

• Explore colors other than white. There are lots of shades of this traditional matrimonial color, but colored wedding gowns are also popular right now.

• Read those bridal magazines. Even if you're just checking them out at the library, scanning the ads will give you an idea of what wedding gowns are in stores right now.

• Finally, if you don't buy your accessories at the bridal shop, take home a fabric swatch to match your accessories.

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Wedding Dress of the Week

Rum pink is a color that many brides find confusing as they search for the wedding gowns they will eventually wear down the aisle. Why? Because rum pink wedding gowns aren't exactly pink and don't really bring to mind anything resembling rum. Rum pink wedding gowns are pink... ish and sometimes more golden than not. What I'm trying to say is that if you're looking for a pink wedding gown, search for pink wedding gowns. Rum pink wedding gowns are a whole different animal.

Which brings me to the latest wedding dress of the week! We're loving this silky shantung rum pink wedding gown adorned with handmade roses in shantung and organza. The unique accent vines and leaves are created with hundreds of tiny glass beads, and the flowers and beading flow down the center front to the left side of the V-shaped dropped waist where the skirt is draped and pulled up to create a dramatic effect.

Drama is right! This is a wedding gown for the bride who isn't afraid to make a big impression!

Save Money On a Wedding Dress

When your wedding budget it tight, shopping for a wedding gown can be a less than pleasant experience. If the dresses you truly love are priced so as to be available to only the most well-to-do brides, you're going to feel disappointed and maybe even a little angry. After all, everything from wedding movies to wedding magazines has been telling you that you deserve the perfect fairy tale wedding dress.

The reality is, however, that real life often gets in the way of even the most well-established bridal fantasies. You, the bride-to-be, have to work within the realms of your wedding budget even when it comes to your wedding gown. Don't think that means that you have to give up your dream of looking like a princess or wear a shapeless sack! No way! Having a tight budget just means you have to be a little more clever than other brides.

When it comes time to shop for your wedding gown, don't forget to factor in the cost of your:

- Headpiece and/or veil
- Jewelry
- Shoes
- Lingerie
- Alterations
- Garter

Now, if you don't have a vision of the perfect wedding gown lurking in the back of your consciousness, you can start off by looking for wedding dresses that DON'T have lacework, hand beading, or very long trains, as these will almost always be more expensive. Plain sheaths, a-line gowns, and ball gowns will tend to be less expensive. Don't overlook the prom section of your local department store, as many carry beautiful white gowns or can order them if you request they do so.

Next, shop with an open mind. Shopping with an open mind involves trying everything in the salon. Do not eliminate any style. And even if you find a wedding gown that you detest on the hanger, you can try it on just so you can have a better idea of more unique styles and how they will look on you. Do not settle for the first wedding dress you see! Always try on many styles and when you find one you love, go home and sleep on it. If it's a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, ask a manager if he or she will set it aside for you.

Good luck!


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Autumn Wedding Gowns

What's the best way to go about choosing a wedding gown? When you are shopping for your dress, it is very important to keep an open mind! The styles and trends change yearly, and you may run across some very interesting wedding dresses. Making mental notes, or notes on paper before you shop is usually a good idea. Since you're already aware that there are quite a few dresses out there, knowing what you are looking for will help narrow it down.

Think that all wedding gowns have to be white? Think again! There are wedding gowns in every color of the rainbow out there, from purple to green to blue to black. If you're one of those unique brides-to-be who is shying away from white but you're not quite ready to consider a more brilliant hue, autumn wedding gowns may be for you.


This champagne wedding gown from Emerald Bridal is made of a new soft-crushed taffeta fabric. The net lace overlay of the sweetheart bodice is adorned with delicate beading and metallic embroidery, white hand-made flowers accent the full, gathered skirt and the semi-cathedral train. The color is perfect for a fall wedding that is paying homage to the season in a subtle but recognizable way.

Another autumn-appropriate wedding gown from Emerald Bridal, this taffeta ball gown featuring a sweetheart bodice of embroidered and beaded lace is perfect for cooler weather when paired with a pretty shawl. The full skirt is adorned with detachable flowers and an organza insert at the front, while the bodice has a pleated waist panel. The semi-cathedral train is unadorned.

Love these gowns? Stop before you run to the shop! Never buy a dress before you have looked at lots and lots of gowns. The worst mistake you can make is to try a dress on, fall in love with it, and then buying it right then and there. You may then find yourself in the mall the following week and wander into another bridal shop, where you see the gown that makes your heart beat faster and your eyes tear up. It's calling out for you, but you already bought a non-refundable dress in the heat of the moment. Eep. Always try a dress on at least twice -- once alone and once with a loved one. You'll know when you've found the one, and you'll be glad that you took your time. Trust us!

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Wedding Dress of the Week

Without further ado, here is this week's wedding dress of the week:

This gown from Emerald Bridal really sparkles! Beautiful beaded lace adorns the strapless bodice and ballgown skirt of this dazzling dress. You'll look elegant in white or ivory lace, but choosing black lace adds a touch of drama. Yes, it's an unusual choice, but the classic lines of this gown will ensure that no one has any reason to criticize.

For advice on choosing a wedding gown, follow the preceding link