Don’t Make Your Bridal Attendants Cry

By MsOuiser

A woman’s shoes reflect her personal style or tell how she’s feeling about herself at the moment.  Her shoes tell you if she’s conservative, creative, classy, or casual.  They can tell you if she’s feeling playful or sporty.  However, bridal attendants’ shoes may tell you more about the bride’s style and not her bridal attendants’.   If you are a bride-to-be, consider these tips before selecting a shoe for your bridal attendants.

1.  Take your maid of honor or one or two of the bridesmaids with you when selecting a shoe.  Of course, if you don’t take all the attendants shopping, some may still be dissatisfied with your selection. Although it will be your wedding day, it’s thoughtful to consider their opinions.  Remember, they are the ones who will be wearing the shoes.    

2.  Try to select a shoe that can be worn again.  Although it’s nice to have a shoe that perfectly matches the bridesmaid’s dress, many of the fabric shoes that can be dyed to match the gowns lack practicality.  Consider finding a stylish shoe that the women can wear with other outfits.    Wearing a basic sandal pump is common with many of the strapless bridesmaid gowns available today.

3.  Don’t forget comfort.  These women will be standing roughly for over an hour.  You want them to shed joyful tears and not painful tears during the wedding ceremony.  Don’t make them wear something that will have their feet screaming through out the wedding ceremony, either.  Think stylish but comfortable.  You can have both.

Selecting shoes to match the gowns can really be done by your bridal attendants.  If you turn it over to them, they can work together to find the perfect shoe. Also, turning the responsibility over to them gives you one less item to worry about.  You can, also, let everyone choose her own shoe but give your bridesmaids the color and basic style you want them to wear on your wedding day.

August 17th, 2009 by Yolanda D. Young | Posted in Bridal Party, Wedding Gowns | Comments (0)

The Wedding Gown Search

Searching for the perfect wedding gown can be both exciting and daunting. When I began my search, I lived in Baltimore, Maryland. I wanted a dress designed with an African influence. I looked for my wedding gown in various boutiques in Maryland. I drove to Philadelphia and Virginia before deciding on a gown in Ohio, my hometown. I had flown in twice to try on this reasonably priced semi-traditional sleeveless white satin gown with tiny pearls on the bodice and an intricately designed train. I wanted to fly to New York to see a simple white satin gown with a very small African pattern around the waist I had seen in a catalogue; however, my mother put her foot down, and said I was getting the gown in Ohio.

My sister, on the other hand, was not even engaged when she stumbled upon her gown. While visiting a historical site in Ohio with summer campers, she walked into a tiny wedding boutique, saw her gown and knew it was the one for her. She went home and told our parents about the gown that she wanted to buy, and “Yes, I know I’m not even engaged, yet.” After some persuasion, the next day we headed to the little town to purchase my sister’s bargain-priced wedding gown.

You never know where and when you’ll find your wedding gown. It’s nice to have an image of your dream dress in mind and even some magazine clippings as a guide, but make sure you’re open to the surprises and unexpected treasures you may find while you search for your wedding gown.

July 2nd, 2009 by Yolanda D. Young | Posted in Tips, Wedding Gowns | Comments (2)

Saving Your Wedding Gown

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherrysrosecottage/

After perhaps months of searching for the perfect wedding gown, finding the one that made you feel and look like the most beautiful bride in the world, the wedding day has come and gone. Now you must decide what to do with your gown. If you are a sentimentalist, here are a few suggestions.

1. Save it. Some women dream of the day that their daughter will walk down the aisle wearing the same wedding gown that they wore. If this is your desire or even if you just want to save your dress, you need to store it properly. Don’t just throw it in a bag or leave it hanging in your closet. Both of these choices may cause damage to your precious wedding gown. Have your dress preserved properly.

Many dry cleaners offer bridal gown preservation. They will clean your dress and store it, using archival methods to prevent discoloration and deterioration. Some preservationists guarantee their work for 30 years.

2. Repurpose it. Using the fabric from sister’s wedding gown, my sister’s friend designed and sewed a dress for my niece. When my niece was dedicated at my church, she wore the dress made from her mother’s wedding gown. Another idea is to have a quilt for your first baby made from your wedding gown. When your baby snuggles up under the quilt, you’ll be reminded of two special days in your life.

Whatever you decide to do with your wedding gown, I know the memory of wearing your gown on your wedding day will be cherished in your heart forever.

June 30th, 2009 by Yolanda D. Young | Posted in Tips, Wedding Gowns | Comments (0)