5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

The owner of The White Dress Boutique, Debbie Abbott, also owns and operates a wedding and event planning business with her sister, Judy Allbritton, called Creative Event Planning. For over 30 years, they've helped make people's dream weddings and events a reality. Planning and implementing so many events, they've picked up on a few things that brides tend to forget on their big day. Here are five tips for you busy brides to remember as you are planning your wedding:

1. Lunch for the Bridal Party

You have to remember to eat! Most brides get so busy and excited the day of their wedding, they simply forget to do the most basic of things. Be sure to have some snacks and drinks on hand if you and your party are meeting at the ceremony venue and are ready to go, in case any of you need a pick me up during photos. If you are all primping and getting ready at the venue, be sure to have sandwiches or a simple lunch there for you and your bridal party.

2. Beauty Appointments for Everyone

While some of your bridesmaids may choose to do their own hair and makeup, and you, as the bride, are by no means required to pick up the tab, you should give them the opportunity to have their hair and makeup done, ideally at the same time and location you are having yours done. This is especially crucial if you are hosting a destination wedding. Make sure it is an optional thing for your girlfriends, but it's the bride's obligation to make sure their girls are aware that it is available to them.

3. A Break with Your New Hubby

After an emotionally charged ceremony followed by photography sessions, it's important to take time with your new husband and just enjoy the moment together. Before your grand entrance is a good time to take to freshen up a little bit and spend a minute alone together to just take it all in.

4. A Game Plan for Wedding Toasts 

Have you ever been at a wedding where the toasts just seem to go on and on? Guests can often misinterpret a "toast" to be a "speech" and they talk forever. The best way to make sure you don't lose valuable dance and party time, is to pre-plan the toasts with your wedding planner or MC. That will ensure the microphone is controlled and not just anyone can get up and prattle on. Also, its a good way of avoiding "roasts" by guests who may have had one too many. 

5. Alone Time

Too many brides plan to have a group of friends and family with them from the moment they open their eyes until they say "I do". While it is important to celebrate and be with the people you love, it can be emotionally overwhelming and perhaps even add more stress to your day. Make sure you have somewhere you can go to escape - even for just a moment - to collect your thoughts and take time for yourself. 

Hopefully, these tips will help your special day go a little more smoothly. Remember, it is ultimately about you and your partner having fun and joining your lives together, the rest is just details. 

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DRESS - NECKLINE

Last time, we talked about the different silhouettes of wedding gowns. Now, we are going to focus on the neckline. This is a key element of your dress because it frames your your upper body and your face. When you are getting ready to walk down that aisle, everyone will be looking at your lovely face, so you want it framed beautifully, just as you would a work of art. (Which is what you are, ladies!) So, here is what you need to know about those "frames":

Sweetheart

Sweetheart necklines are probably the most popular and flattering of all the necklines. This strapless style dips in the middles with a curved top, similar to a heart shape. This style suits almost every body type.

Straight

These dresses have a neckline that goes straight across the chest, with no curves and no straps. If you have a smaller bust or wider shoulders, this may be a good choice for you.

Square

Dresses with a square neckline have a straight, horizontal bodice that meet with straps at a 90 degree angle. This neckline is flattering on most body types, but especially on those with a larger bust or narrow shoulders.

V-Neck

This style of dress has sleeves or straps and then dips down in a V shape on the bodice. This neckline helps to elongate the body and is especially flattering to those with broad shoulders or short necks. 

One-Shoulder

Dresses with one shoulder have a strap across one shoulder and a bodice that sits at a slight diagonal across the chest. Women with narrow shoulders and thin arms look especially great in this neckline. It also can help disguise a long, thin neck.

Scoop

Scoop neck dresses do exactly what their name says, they scoop down from straps into a u shape. Wider scoops tend to flatter women with narrow shoulders or an athletic body. A smaller scoop will flatter those with broader shoulders or a large bust. 

Queen Anne

You may recognize this neckline from a certain royal wedding that happened a few years ago. These dresses have a high rising collar at the back of the neckline that sculpts low across the chest. Usually, the collar and sleeves of this style are made of lace. 

High Neck

These dresses feature high necks, similar to a crew neck t-shirt or a mock turtle neck. Grace Kelly wore this style when she married Prince Ranier of Monaco. If you have a longer face or neck, this style helps to offset those features. 

Halter

Halter dresses have straps that wrap around the back of the neck. Because they attract attention to the center of the body, halters are perfect for women with tall and/or broad shoulders and a small to average size bust.

Off the Shoulder

This neckline has sleeves that sit below the shoulders and highlights the collar bone and shoulders. This style flatters almost every body type and size, especially women with a larger bust or a pear shaped body type.

Bateau

Bateau or Boatneck dresses have a high neckline that follows the curve of the collarbone to the very tip of the shoulders. This style works well for average to small busted women and those with narrow shoulders or a long neck. Those with broad shoulders will find this style not as flattering as some others.

Whether you take the plunge or cover up, V-neck, bateau, halter, or strapless, necklines have the ability to remove pounds, lengthen, broaden, or narrow, as well as to give an air of sophistication and lend comfort - or do the opposite. Be sure to remember to factor in your bust size, neck length, height, and even face shape when looking at wedding gowns to find the right neckline for you. But, also remember, the most important thing is that you feel beautiful and special! 

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DRESS - SILHOUETTE

Ladies, let's admit it. Most of us have done it since we were little girls. Some of us have the proverbial Pinterest board. We've dreamed about and imagined our perfect wedding day: the perfect setting, the perfect guy, and of course, the perfect dress. Obviously, as we grow older, our tastes change and realities set in, but the dream is still there in the back of our heads: the beautiful bride in her gorgeous wedding gown.

As you begin looking for your perfect dress, you may have some ideas of what you are wanting, or you may have none whatsoever. These next several posts will help you know what you are going to be seeing and trying on as you are shopping for your wedding dress. Hopefully, going in with a basic knowledge will help your shopping experience be a fun and exciting one.

 The silhouette refers to the shape of the dress. There are many different dress silhouettes when it comes to wedding gowns, but the following are the most popular, and ones you are most likely to see while shopping.

A-Line

A-Line gowns resemble the letter A, with a fitted bodice, and a skirt that widens out from the waist as it reaches the floor. The shape of the skirt can vary from slimmer to full. This is the most popular silhouette and is flattering on almost every figure and body shape.

Ball Gown

Ball gowns have a fitted bodice, usually with a natural or dropped waist line, with dramatically full skirt.

Column or Sheath

A slim gown that hugs the body with straight shape from top to bottom. This silhouette is form fitting without being skin tight.

Fit-to-Flare or Modified A-Line

This shape is fitted in the bodice and hips and to the upper thighs, then gently flares out at the bottom. It is more closely fitted than an A-line, but flares out more gently than a mermaid or trumpet.

Mermaid

Mermaids are fitted, curve-hugging gowns with a seam above the knee that flares out with a very full bottom, similar to a fin.

Tea Length

Tea length dresses are shorter, with the hemline hitting around the mid to lower calf. Most tea length dresses have a natural waist line and full skirt, and have a vintage feel. 

Trumpet

Trumpet gowns are similar to mermaid gowns, but gently flare out from the mid-thigh. Think of trumpets as a cross between fit-to-flare and mermaid gowns.

So, now you hopefully have all the silhouette information you will need for your trip to the bridal shop. We at The White Dress Boutique recommend being open to trying more than one silhouette to see what works best for your figure. You never know until you try!

Next time we will look at the different necklines that gowns can have. Check back with us soon.

WEDDING TREND TUESDAY - METALLICS

One of the biggest trends this year is metallics. They are everywhere - cakes, decorations, flowers, accessories, bridesmaids dresses, even wedding gowns. Adding touches of gold, silver, copper, bronze, rose gold, even metallic black or navy, can add a luxurious and special look to your wedding.

 

For their Fall 2015 line of bridesmaids dress, Sorella Vita has introduced the Modern Metallic Designer Series of matte sequin bridesmaids dresses. This new collection features six different styles available in five metallic colors: gold, rose gold, platinum, sapphire, and onyx. 

    

Come visit us today to see these sophisticated, fashion-forward dresses and let your wedding party sparkle!

All images via Pinterest.