July 2009 Archives

Looking for new ways to connect with your wedding party? One Wed's Wedding Pre-Party service can hook you up in style.

 

Featuring a unique blend of social networking and wedding planning, Wedding Pre-Party allows brides and grooms to plan their wedding in a private online forum.

 

This social planning site allows wedding party members and guests to chat, post photos and share tips all before the big day.

 

From dresses to centerpieces, One Wed's spotlight is on having fun, getting inspired and pulling off a goof-proof wedding.

 

Best guest benefits

With Wedding Pre-Party you can:

--View photos and profiles of other wedding guests in advance. Great for married couples to catch up. Perfect for singles to meet new people before your wedding.

--Send the bride and groom customized messages.

--Engage in ongoing group discussion about your big day. Travel plans, shower ideas...Details gets fleshed out by family and friends.

--Facebook users can also authenticate into WeddingPreParty.com using their established Facebook account.

 

Bride and groom features

Wedding Pre-Party offers couples:

--Invite-only access to the bride and groom's private, personalized wedding planning site.

--A niche wedding planning social network to share tips and photos.

--"His & Her's" status updates to share wedding planning feedback.

--A personalized, interactive checklist to manage planning details.

--Access to the largest online directory of local and national wedding vendors.

--Photo albums of wedding pre-parties.

--Tools to build your public wedding website, including links to registries, honeymoon planning, updates on travel information and much more.

 

Visit http://weddingpreparty.social.onewed.com/wedding/101713/wall

 

 

 

 

 

Brides and bridesmaids have many new trends to choose from for a sophisticated summer wedding.

From sheath dresses to pale pastels and luminescent chiffons, elegant simplicity is the key to helping your bridesmaids to a head-turning walk down the aisle.

The A-line dress

A flattering option on many different body shapes, today's hottest A-line styles come in two-tone, two-piece dresses that feature a strapless bodice or spaghetti straps.

The column-style dress is another popular pick. Look for sleeveless, floor-length styles with halter tops and straps crossing over the back.

Ace accents

Sashes, thin belts and small bows at the waist and midriff are a huge new trend in bridesmaid dresses. The overall look is one of simple, streamlined elegance with a touch of flirty femininity.

Color story

Soft, feminine pastel shades in yellow, lavender, powder blue, soft pink and pale green are hot picks this summer. Sherbet colors such as coral, lime and tangerine, as well as electric blue and fuchsia also make strong style statements.

New fabrics

Blending easy comfort with all-out glam, today's best bridesmaid dress fabrics include iridescent organza and taffeta, silk, luminescent chiffon and European satin.

Combo couture

A popular new trend this season is to let each bridesmaid wear a different color of the same dress. Traditional rules are loosening up. Yet certain standards still apply. For example, don't select bridesmaid dresses in heavy materials for a summer wedding or outdoor ceremony.

 

 

Pink has always been a hot color pick for bridesmaid dresses. Over the last few years, however, this shade has also become a popular choice for bridal gowns.

 

Whether you want a delicate shade or something more vibrant wedding dresses comes in many hues of pink today. But there are a few tricks to keep in mind to truly look pretty in pink on your big day.

 

Pink overkill

A pink wedding dress makes a dramatic statement. But to avoid color overload make sure your bridesmaids do not wear the same shade. Instead, choose neutral shades for their dresses such as cream, brown or black. These classic color options will make the perfect compliment for any pink bridal gown.

 

In the pink...not

Many brides may want to carry the pink in their gown throughout their wedding décor. Don't. Again, avoid overkill. Go for complimentary décor and flower shades that accent your big entrance, not detract from it.

 

Shop slowly

Whatever shade of pink you choose, don't rush when you are shopping for your wedding dress. A fashion-forward choice like this requires real confidence to pull off. Take your time. No matter what color you finally choose find the shade of pink that really suits your tastes.

 

At first glance it may seem that your dress defines your wedding look. But that visual impression begins with your choice of bridal salon.

 

Full service: These two words sum up everything should be looking for in your salon of choice. With these tips you'll shop like a pro for the gown of your dreams.

 

Range rover

Always look for a salon that has a good range of well-known bridal gown designers.

 

Perfect fit

Once you meet your bridal consultant make sure they understand fit and know the right way to measure a bride for her gown.

 

Fabric matters

A bridal consultant has to have a good understanding of fabrics. For example, how will the fabric hang? How will it handle creasing? How will it sustain its crispness throughout your wedding day?

 

Under cover

Choose a bridal salon that offers solid advice about under-garments. Your consultant should also be an expert when it comes to appropriate bras or other special support items your particular dress will require.

 

Seamless perfection

Look for a bridal salon that has an experienced seamstress on hand. You will need a real pro to make any adjustments to your dress when it arrives.

 

Well heeled

Always have a gown fitted when you are wearing your bridal shoes or shoes with exactly the same heel height.

 

Veiled matters

Whatever your veil choice, your salon consultant should always take into account the hairstyle you will wear on your big day.

 

Perfect jewel

A full-service bridal salon should always offer great advice about the jewellery options that will work best with your dress.

 

Emily Parsons and Lupo Talamo were married June 27th, 2009 on Fishers Island, New York

Bmaids from Left to Right: Top row: Ellie MacColl, Morgan Mandeville, Becca Bartels, The Bride, Amy Sykes, Rebecca Lynch, Kate Helfet Bottom row: Rebecca Sullivan, Alexis Sheehan, Alexandra Malloy, Sayler Bardsley

Planning a walk down the aisle is an exciting, all-consuming task. But don't forget to give serious thought to your mother's attire for that special day.

 

It's your show. For that reason it's perfectly appropriate to let your mother and future mother-in-law in on the shape, fabric and level of ornamentation of your dress. The information will help them select outfits that are in keeping with your wedding theme and color palette.

 

Communication is they key. With these simple strategies you'll make everyone happy and keep the spotlight on you when you say "I do."

 

Color code

Ask your mom and mother-in-law-to choose dresses in varying shades of your wedding palette. Their final selections will look cohesive within your wedding party without appearing matchy-matchy.

Tip: Ban cream from their shopping list. Many moms and mother-in-laws may think its an acceptable choice. Newsflash ladies: It's not.

 

Tone down the drama

No matter what your mom or future mother-in-law wear the drama quotient of their dresses should fall below your wedding gown. For example, if you're wearing a clean, simple sheath seeing big, poufy ball gowns on these ladies will look odd by comparison.

 

Sexy...not!

Your mom and mother-in-law might be built like Greek goddesses. But dressing in a way that showcases sexiness above style is not appropriate. Ask these ladies to keep their hemlines at or below the knee. Also ask them to keep their necklines on the conservative side.

 

Choosing the perfect veil can be a complicated task for many brides. One-tier or two-tier? White or ivory? Tulle or lace? This bridal task becomes one you'll relish with these goof-proof tips.

 

Length tale

A veil's length can accentuate a wedding gown or throw its proportions off kilter if chosen improperly. The three most popular choices include:

Elbow length (30″ long)

Worn mostly for formal or semi-formal weddings, the elbow-length veil is used for gowns with no trains. Ending below a low back or above the start of a full skirt, it enhances the detailing around the waistline. A great choice for women 5' 4" or shorter.

Fingertip length (36″ long)

A wonderful accent to any full-length gown, this veil falls right at a bride's fingertips when her hands rest at her side. Ideal for formal semi-formal weddings, this style is a perfect pick for women 5' 7" or taller. It is not recommended for gowns with trains.   

Cathedral length (floor length)

This dramatic option works best with formal cathedral-length gowns. This statement veil extends onto the floor, falling six inches past the train.

 

Nail that veil

One-tier veils are a perfect compliment to streamlined gowns. Subtly elegant, the one-tier veil does not have a blusher. Yet it  accentuates any up-do hairstyle.

The fuller two-tier veil has a blusher. It's the perfect pick for a more dramatic gown.

 

Color story

Four shades dominate today's best veil picks. Bright white suits the classic white gown. Diamond white, or off-white, accents "antique white" dresses. Champagne shades compliment dark ivory gowns. Finally, ivory accentuates wedding dresses with subtle yellow undertones.

 

Modern brides always make a statement, even with the hair accessories they choose for their wedding day. Tiaras and veils, decorative pins and head bandos...No matter how you adorn your crowning glory today's hottest hair accessories are full of show-stopping bridal style.

 

Uptown tiaras

The tiara is the perfect accessory for brides who want to be "princess for a day." Clean and simple in design, today's best picks are elegantly embellished with crystals, pearls and precious stones. Try on several different styles and sizes to find the perfect fit. Once you decide bring it to your hairdresser. Together you can plan the best way to marry your tiara with your bridal hairstyle.

 

Bando chic

Celebrities like Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton have made the modern headband an accessory must-have for loose, Rapunzel-like tresses. Go simple and sophisticated. Try an ornate pick decorated with gems and pearls. Whatever you choose the modern bando can instantly infuse a simple hairstyle with bridal day drama.

 

Adorn with combs

Versatile and easy to wear, contemporary hair combs come in all sizes, styles and finishes. Simple, clean-lined designs work for any bride, whatever their hairstyle. More ornate options add that "Wow!" factor as you walk down the aisle.

 

Haute hair pins

Embellished with crystals, butterflies and rosebuds, hair pins can accentuate the flavor of any bridal look. Go vintage to accent a '20s-inspired gown, or sleek and simple for more contemporary wedding dresses. Whatever your choice this little hair detail adds loads of wedding day style.

 

The Dessy Twist dress can be wrapped in countless ways from a classic Grecian column to a sexy strapless style, just change the wrap to change the look. The Twist dress will provide your bridesmaids with endless wearable options, with a choice of cocktail length or full length in 12 popular colors. Your bridesmaid dresses can match or be as unique as each one of your bridesmaids, and they can easily change their style from the ceremony to the reception.

Designed in luxurious, hand washable matte jersey, this convertible dress packs well and is ideal for destination weddings, or even your honeymoon. The Twist wrap dress gives you a chance to design your own dress, for a different style every night of your trip.

Watch the Twist dress video to learn how to tie your wrap dress for any occasion.

 

Not every bride can pull off this season's gargantuan-sized wedding skirts. But if you can here's how to make the perfect entrance in these ultra-dramatic gowns.

 

Big skirt, less bling

When extreme-sized skirts are work, the best way to accent these spectacular wedding gowns is with less jewelry. For a truly classic look limit bling to less than one brilliant bauble, pair of earrings or simple hair accessory.

 

High style

A wedding gown with major heft to it should never be paired with flat heels. Go for the highest heels you can wear with comfort. The extra height will add to your grand entrance.

 

Heavy petals

Never pair a big, flounced wedding dress with a tiny, unassuming floral bouquet. Extreme gowns demand a substantial bridal bouquet made with dramatic eye-catchers such as plush roses, tulips, orchids or lilacs.

 

Barely-there hair

A gown with all-out grandeur needs to be accented with elegant, simple hair. Sleek, sophisticated chignons and buns worn with just one jeweled hairpin add impact without detracting from a voluminous wedding dress.

 

Souped-up size

Give a big, fairy tale-like gown even more drama with a bustled skirt. The added draping and detailing with give your wedding dress larger-than-life proportions.