Five Fun Bridal Shower Games

March 30, 2014 Leave a Comment
Bridal showers are the perfect time to be silly and have fun, while still celebrating the bride to be. You want the bride to relax and enjoy some girl time with the special women in her life. Games are always a great way to break the ice and get everyone to interact and have fun together. These are just some game ideas to use, but remember that you can always improvise or make your own! Be creative and don’t be afraid to look funny. Remember that the goal is to be silly, and have it be a memorable occasion for the bride to be.
1. GROOM FAVORITES: It is always funny to see how well couples really do know each other; especially as their wedding day fast approaches! Prior to the bridal shower, ask the groom what his favorites are – favorite food, color, hobby, etc. You can change it up by adding in what his most embarrassing moment was, what superhero he thinks he is, what word he would describe his fiance as, or what animal he compares his fiance to be and why. Asking random questions will get funny responses from both the bride and the groom. Comparing the two answers is destined to get some good laughs out of the bride and everyone at the shower. You can also change it up by asking both the bride and groom things beforehand, and then have all of the girls fill out a worksheet on their own as to what they think the bride and groom have answered.
2. ADVICE: Pick a wedding related word, such as ‘wedding, matrimony, marriage, husband,’ etc, but make sure it is long enough. Type it up on a piece of paper as if it were an acronym (one letter per line, and then a long blank line following the letter). Hand out the worksheet to everyone, and ask them to fill in a piece of advice, based on the first letter of that word. It is funny to see people’s choice of advice when their options are limited to a pre chosen letter. The older women in the group always add to the funny responses as well. Have some people share what they wrote down, and then collect all of the papers and give to the bride for her to read on her own afterwards. Some advice will be practical, some will be funny, and some… well, you’ll just have to play the game to see!
3. DON’T SAY IT: Before the bridal shower, write out certain words such as ‘wedding, bride, honeymoon, grooms name’ etc on pretty cardstock, and place them around the room. Buy a bunch of beads, and hand one or two out to everyone. Announce that there are certain words that you cannot say, or else you will lose your beads to the person who heard you say it. At the end of the shower, whoever has the most beads will get a prize!
4. WORD SCRAMBLE: Look up a bunch of wedding related words (difficult ones that aren’t heard of as much) and scramble them on a piece of paper. Hand out a worksheet with about 20 words on it, and set a time limit for people to unscramble them. Whoever unscrambles the most words in 3-5 minutes wins!
5. DRESSMAKING: We all know that the classic wedding game is to make your own version of a wedding dress out of toilet paper. Why not switch things up and use other arts and crafts? Go to an arts and crafts store and buy pipe cleaners, fake flowers, some extra fabric, tulle, or other fun and random objects. Divide the group into teams, give them certain items, and set a time limit. Whoever has the most creative outfit at the end will also receive a prize!
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Top Three Winter Bridal Gown Trends

January 5, 2014 Leave a Comment

Bridal trends fluctuate over the years, but there are still certain styles that are classic to certain times of the year. Winter weddings are especially very classic and magical, as a lot of them can take place in a snowy winter wonderland. Even if you aren’t getting married in a place that snows, you can always visualize a winter wedding with cold, snowflakes, and shimmery things of the sort. Of course any wedding dress style can be worn at any time during the year, but the following three styles are the perfect dresses for the winter time.

1. BEADS: Beads, bling, glitter and sparkle. Anything with a heavily beaded belt or bodice is a perfect complement to a plain ball gown, which is the ideal snow queen look. Beading will also reflect nicely off of the sun and will glisten along with the snow if you are taking pictures in a snowy location. A plain ball gown is big and fluffy, and fits well for a wintery setting. The important thing is to keep the ball gown plain, and choose one made of either tulle or satin to keep a soft look. Adding a bit of bling will make the plain dress glisten, and will make the dress the perfect prop for the naturally gorgeous backdrop.

2. LACE: Lace is timeless and always a crowd pleaser, but for the winter time, Chantilly lace is the best way to go. It is very soft, yet exquisite in its design compared to other types of lace. Its’ soft appearance reflects the delicateness of snowfall and is just mesmerizing. Because Chantilly lace is so soft, it falls nicely on the body, and lies gently on the train behind for the audience to see. Also, a Chantilly lace dress with hints of bling will add a nice shimmery touch.

3. ROSETTES: Organza is a soft and fabric that flows nicely and that works well on a classic fitted dress. The perfect fit and flare gown for the winter time though, will have medium sized organza rosettes on the skirt. These rosettes will give the dress a light and airy feel that will liven up any chilly wintery wedding day. They give the dress life and pizazz while still being soft and gentle and elegant. Truly, the key to any wintery trend is to keep the dress looking soft.

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Five Tips on Who to Bring to the Bridal Appointment

December 1, 2013 Leave a Comment

Selecting your bridal gown is one of the key elements in your whole wedding. In fact, most decorations and themes are centered around the wedding gown itself! So it is important to choose the right one. This decision is so important, that people often want to bring their whole family to help them select one. But with these five tips, you’ll be better equipped to choose the select few to witness your gown selection process.

1. Yourself: This tip of bringing yourself may sound redundant, but it has a point. Remember that your gown choice is ultimately your own and not everyone else’s. Even though you would like to please everyone, it will be impossible to do so. With that being said, bring pictures of gowns you like to the appointment to ensure that you get to try on what you want to try on. Bring an open mind, and resolve in yourself to stand your ground if you end up finding a gown that doesn’t meet everyone’s approval. Bring yourself, your opinion, your likes, and your voice. Remember that you are the most important one on this special day, so don’t let anyone deter you from your vision.

2. Mom: For most girls, it is important for them to bring their mothers along when they try on dresses. It is a very special bonding moment, and you want to be able to share that with her. If you are unable to bring your mom, then bring the closest person to her; the motherly figure that you have in your life. She will greatly appreciate you wanting her to be a part of the occasion, and it will strengthen your relationship.

3. The Buyer: Often times, a good family friend, great aunt, or someone else will offer to purchase the dress for you or to contribute to the overall cost. It is courteous to invite the person who is going to pay for your gown along to your bridal appointment. It will help them to feel a part of the process, and feel more confident in contributing financially.

4. Friend: Shopping in general is always a lot of fun with your girlfriends, and trying on wedding dresses should be the most fun of all. Bring your best friend to the appointment, as she will be honest with you while still having your best interests at heart. Often times your best friend is your maid of honor, so you are still incorporating someone from the bridal party.

5. Limits: Trying on dresses is one of the things that most girls look forward to, and they want to make sure that they enjoy that experience. The bridal appointment can be really fun, as a long as you set limits. Do not feel obligated to invite your whole bridal party, or all of your cousins. Trying on dresses should be an intimate occasion with you and the few people that matter most. Less people will allow for less overwhelming opinions, and the focus will be on you and not on pleasing everyone. You want to walk down the aisle and surprise everyone in attendance, so don’t give too many people the full sneak peek.

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Top Three Tips for Shopping for a Bridesmaid Dress

October 18, 2013 1 Comment

After you’ve bought your bridal gown, the very next step is to look for the bridesmaid dresses to complete your bridal party look. Following these three tips will help make your shopping experience easier for you and all of your bridesmaids.

1. STYLE: When you go into a bridal boutique, ask what the popular dress styles are. Consultants can help you find a dress that flatters a range of body types since bridesmaids always vary in sizes. Chiffon is usually the ideal fabric for a bridesmaid dress, as it flows nicely and gives a soft look. You also want the dress to compliment your gown in minute details. If you have a strapless sweetheart top, then match their dresses with the same neckline. If your gown has lace on it, then pick their dresses with a sheer lace top, or one that has subtle lace appliqués. These little details and tie-ins will make the look flow smoothly together.

2. COLOR: Color options for dresses were originally limited to the bridesmaids. Nowadays, brides too can wear different color gowns such as white, ivory, blush, light gold, alabaster, and so on. With that being said, the color choices for bridesmaids can be difficult. Wait to pick your colors after you’ve bought your dress, so that you can match them accordingly. Also keep in mind that every manufacturer has their own names and shades for their colors. When looking at dresses, ask your consultant for the appropriate color swatches, and ask if they apply to all of the sample dresses. Certain manufacturers only make a few dresses in a certain color or fabric, so it is good to be aware. They will usually change the fabric for an additional fee, so be sure to ask your consultant what your options are so that there aren’t any surprises at checkout.

3. TIME: Believe it or not, bridesmaids dresses may take as long to come in (and sometimes longer) than your wedding dress. Most manufacturers take three to four months to get dresses sent out, but they will also accommodate quick weddings for additional rush fees. It is important to start looking at bridesmaid dresses right after you buy your gown to insure everything will come in on time. You want to avoid rush fees if possible, and you want to allow ample time for your girls to receive alterations if needed. Keep in mind too that most bridal salons won’t place your order until all of your bridesmaids have paid and gotten measured. Be sure that all of your girls are aware of the stores policies to avoid fees or additional stressors.

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Five Tips for a Successful Bridal Shopping Experience

September 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

Searching for your dream dress should be one of the most enjoyable times of your whole wedding experience. Sometimes though, the experience may seem to be a little overwhelming. These five tips will help to alleviate any stress you may encounter, and make the event more memorable and pleasurable for you and everyone else involved.

1. Research: It is always beneficial to do some research prior to going to your bridal appointment. Search on different designer websites or Pinterest in order to familiarize yourself with the different styles that are available. Then, narrow down your style choices to a select few and bring supporting pictures to your appointment. This gives your consultant a better idea as to what style you are looking for, and will enable them to suggest similar styles for you.

2. Time: Be sure to give yourself enough time to look for a wedding gown; and by time, I mean months! There are a few manufacturers that can accommodate quick weddings, but most designers need at least 3-6 months. If you do any custom or length changes, you can expect your gown to take even longer. You will also need to plan ahead for having alterations and steaming done on your gown – all which take a few weeks or more depending on the store. You want to be sure to get a dress that you love, so give yourself enough time to find the perfect dress for you.

3. Company: The more people you bring to an appointment, the more opinions you will have to deal with. As a consultant, I suggest that you bring 2-3 people at the most with you. Dress shopping is an exciting experience, but it can take a detour when you try to include everyone and have their approval. It isn’t possible to please every single person, so do not try to do so. It is best to surprise everyone on the day of your wedding. When you are walking down that aisle, people won’t be wondering what your other dress options were. Instead, they will be focused on you and how happy you look. They will see how your dress compliments you, your personality, and your theme. I’ve noticed that most brides are able to express their likes and dislikes better when they bring a few people to their appointment.

4. Shopping: Visiting a few different stores allows brides to see what types of gowns are available to them. With that being said, you want to stay balanced and not try to go to every store possible. Going to numerous dress stores in a short period of time will make you feel overwhelmed and confused. Designers are constantly coming out with new gowns and designs, so you could essentially look for a dress forever. Visit a few different stores to formulate what it is that you like and then narrow those choices down. It would be best to space out your appointments instead of visiting three different shops in one day. Doing so can overwhelm you as a bride and prevent you from wanting to make a decision.

5. Open-Minded: Even though I recommend doing some personal research, I highly recommend that you keep an open-mind at your appointment. I have found that the majority of brides leave our store with a gown that was the complete opposite of what they had originally envisioned. Bridal consultants know the dresses in their store and know what looks good on certain body types. Just be open to suggestions and be willing to try something on that you normally would not have picked yourself. If your consultant suggests a gown, at least try it on. You may be surprised! It is always a fun experience when the consultant ends up choosing the bride’s gown. You are still entitled to your opinion though, so it is fine if you do not like their pick. Your experience will flow a lot better as long as you are open to suggestions. Consultants love their job, and they want to ensure that you look your absolute best on the most important day of your life!

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Five Tips on Accessorizing Your Bridal Gown

August 10, 2013 Leave a Comment

1. The Look: Weddings are all about picking a theme and going all out with it. So first of all, think about the feel and the look that you are going for. Do you want a 1920’s vintage feel? Then try incorporating a bird cage veil, or a feathery headpiece with a lace applique. Are you looking for a Spanish feel? Then try a big flower headpiece, or a Mantilla veil that will drape beyond the edge of your train. Or are you going for classic elegance? Then try and keep your accessories to a minimum. Pick your accessories and gown that go with the feeling that you are going for, and that feeling will be conveyed to your friends and family.

2. Match: It is also important to match accessories to your gown in order to bring out its’ beauty in the right light. For example, if your gown has a belt that has some pearls and beads on it, then find earrings or a veil that has both of those items. It is best to keep the accessories in unison to have them flow right into your dress. If your gown has chunky beads on it, don’t accessorize with pearl earrings. Try and match the items as closely as possible.

Veil & Belt

3. Compliment: Take a good look at your gown and see if it is simple or busy on its own, as they both have their pros and cons. Simple dresses allow for more accessories and chunky jewelry or statement pieces. Try on beaded belts, big earrings, or thick bracelets. Sometimes a simple belt can dress up the gown to a whole other level, and give it a unique look. If your dress is very busy with lace or bling, refrain from using thick laced veils or chunky jewelry. Less is more with these gowns, and simple accessories add to its beauty without detracting any attention from it. Otherwise your audience will be too busy trying to figure out where to look instead of looking at you. Also, if you are wearing a bracelet, be sure to wear it on the opposite hand as your engagement ring. It will compliment and even out your bridal look.

4. Try On: It is really hard to match accessories without having your gown around, or without even having it on! So be sure to try on different veils, head pieces, and jewelry while you have the gown on your body. A good time to do that is usually once the dress comes in and you go in for your try on appointment. It can be a bit overwhelming to try and pick everything on the same day as you picked your gown, so wait until your dress comes in to do so.

Earrings & Belt

5. Ask: Be sure to ask your consultant for any accessory suggestions. They have a pretty good eye in finding the appropriate accessories since they are around the gowns constantly and know what goes well with what. Be open to their suggestions and have fun with it! They will enjoy dressing you up until your look is completed to perfection.

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Five Must Have Accessories for Your Wedding Day

June 24, 2013 Leave a Comment

Accessories add the perfect finishing touches to every outfit, and what better day to dress up your outfit than on your wedding day? The smallest details always enhance your look, and with the right ones, your look will be utter perfection. With these five accessories, you will be sure to look your best!

1. A VEIL: The best veil to use with any dress is the invisible veil – a simple tulle veil, with no edge, no trim, no anything. The best length to get is where it extends to about your ankles, and that way it subtly fades away into your dress, giving it that invisible look. The invisible veil is the best because it does not take away from your dress, it doesn’t cut you off, but it still gives you that sheer illusion and bridal touch. Wearing a veil completes the bridal look and will make you feel like a real bride. If you’re not fond of wearing a veil, then try a small bird cage, but definitely try the invisible one just in case!

2. EARRINGS: Jewelry has to be matched properly with the details on your dress, but you can never go wrong with a pair of earrings. If your dress is heavily embellished, it’s best to go with diamond stud earrings to compliment the decor. On the other hand, pearl or diamond teardrop earrings enhance the beauty of a simple gown. Necklaces and bracelets are tricky to match, but you always want your ears appropriately adorned.

3. SHOES: Your shoes are a way to show your uniqueness, your quirkiness, and your style. Wearing bright colored shoes that match your bridal party are a fun way to jazz up your look. If your bridal party is wearing all black, I would still recommend wearing your favorite color shoes, or another color that is used in your decorations. The pop of color brought out by your shoes adds for great pictures, and also shows a statement as you walk down the aisle and your shoes peep through the bottom of the gown. A pop of color always enhances the mood! Another option would be just to wear a shade of blue shoes for your ‘something blue.’

4. A HEADPIECE: When it is time to party at the reception, you want to subtly change up your style with a signature headpiece. Veils are primarily worn for the ceremony, but occasionally some brides will choose to wear it for the whole night. It is always nice though to replace the veil with a headpiece to accessorize your hair for the remainder of the evening. A cute organza flower with silver beads or thin feathers are feminine and elegant while still adding a feeling of fun. It is a subtle change but it can give your look a totally different feel.

5. Your SMILE: Your smile is the best accessory that you as a bride can wear. It is your day to shine, and your pictures will last forever. So be sure to just enjoy the day, and smile constantly throughout the day!

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