Walking in a Wedding Wonderland

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With Fall quickly coming to an end, winter is upon us. We say goodbye to those autumn reds, oranges, yellows, and greens, and bring in the winter whites, cool blue, and deep reds. Winter is the perfect season to bring out holiday colors, go bright and sparkly, wear some elegant sleeves, and top it all off with a gorgeous fur coat. 

Winter Dresses: Embracing Elegance and Warmth

Don’t let the chill of winter deter you from choosing the wedding dress of your dreams. While strapless gowns may be synonymous with summer weddings, there’s a world of enchanting options perfectly suited for a winter wonderland celebration. Winter weddings present a unique opportunity to embrace elegance and warmth with the addition of one simple detail: sleeves.

1. Embracing Sleeve Elegance: When the temperature drops, sleeves offer not only practical warmth but also a touch of timeless elegance that sleeveless designs can’t quite capture. Long sleeves exude sophistication and grace, enveloping the bride in a delicate embrace as she glides down the aisle. Whether adorned with intricate lace, delicate beading, or sheer fabrics, winter brides adorned in sleeved gowns emanate a regal aura that is simply enchanting.

2. The Allure of Off-the-Shoulder Styles: For brides who crave the best of both worlds – the allure of a strapless neckline coupled with the warmth of sleeves – off-the-shoulder dresses are the perfect choice. These romantic designs feature a flattering neckline that highlights the collarbones and shoulders while gracefully transitioning into sleeves, offering coverage without sacrificing style. The result? A captivating ensemble that exudes romance and sophistication, perfect for a winter wedding affair.

3. Versatility in Design: Winter dresses with sleeves come in a myriad of styles, allowing brides to express their individuality and personal taste. From classic ball gowns with full-length sleeves to modern sheath dresses with illusion sleeves, there’s a silhouette to suit every bride’s vision. Whether you envision a fairytale-inspired gown with billowing sleeves or a sleek and chic design with minimalist detailing, the options are endless when it comes to winter dress styles.

4. Embracing the Winter Wonderland Aesthetic: Winter weddings offer a unique opportunity to embrace the beauty of the season, and what better way to do so than with a gown that complements the snowy landscape? Opting for a dress with sleeves not only adds a practical element to your ensemble but also enhances the romantic ambiance of a winter wedding. Imagine exchanging vows amidst a blanket of snow, adorned in a gown that exudes warmth and enchantment – a truly magical moment to cherish for a lifetime.

5. Accessories for Added Warmth: To further enhance your winter bridal look, consider incorporating accessories that provide both style and warmth. A faux fur stole or capelet adds a luxurious touch while keeping you cozy during outdoor photo sessions or chilly evening receptions. Additionally, accessorizing with long gloves or a delicate bolero can provide an extra layer of warmth without compromising on style, allowing you to stay comfortable and chic throughout your winter wedding celebration.

In conclusion, winter dresses with sleeves offer brides the opportunity to embrace elegance, warmth, and romance on their special day. Whether you prefer classic sophistication, modern allure, or whimsical charm, there’s a winter dress style to suit every bride’s unique vision. By choosing a gown with sleeves, you’ll not only stay warm and comfortable but also radiate beauty and grace as you say “I do” in the midst of a winter wonderland.

This article was brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ.

 

 

Wedding Planning Made Easy

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Planning a wedding can be a lot of work. Depending on what you and your fiancé are looking for, there can be a lot to plan and decide on. From locations to venues to food and budget, it can get a bit stressful. Luckily, there are a lot of websites out there to ease your pain. These sites help you to plan and keep things organized. They make it easy to find venues and keep track of your budget. They also help to keep in contact with all your guests. You can send out RSVPs, keep track of food preferences, and even add your registry. Some include apps and the ability for your guests to add photos after the wedding. There are many wedding websites to choose from, some free, some with monthly payments, and some with upgrades available for a small cost.  

 

The Knot is one of the most popular wedding websites. It offers a lot at no cost to you unless you want to upgrade.  

  • Customize your website for free 
  • Upgrade to a custom domain for an added cost 
  • Add guests and collect contact information 
  • Add a registry 
  • Keep track of gifts received and “thank you” cards sent out 
  • Share your love story 
  • Countdown to the wedding date 
  • Collect RSVPs 
  • Use budget tool 
  • Wedding planning checklist 
  • Venue search 

 

Wedding Wire is another free website. The great part about Wedding Wire is the ability to search vendor’s pages. You can read reviews right on the site, and even book appointments if possible.  It’s your one-stop-shop for wedding planning. 

  • Customize your own site with over 400 designs 
  • Mobile and tablet friendly  
  • WedSocial app where friends and family can share photos
  • Widgets to help book travel  
  • Easy access to RSVPs and registry 
  • Social guestbook 
  • Vendor search and reviews 
  • Appointment booking 

 

Joy is almost like a Facebook event page, but way better. You can add your trusted friends and event planner as admins, so you don’t have to do all of the work. The site is free and fairly similar to The Knot and Wedding Wire, with a few select differences. 

  • App for iOS and Android 
  • Multiple admins 
  • Connect with Facebook and Instagram to control sharing 
  • Send guests email notifications 
  • Introduce yourselves and your wedding party 
  • Allow guests to connect with each other 
  • Share travel details 

These are just a select few of some great wedding websites to keep your planning organized. There are many others out there to choose from. Some require monthly or yearly fees, while others, like these, are free. Choose what works best for you. Either way, these will be sure to make your wedding planning a breeze.

Be sure to find Aleana’s Bridal on Wedding Wire!

Customize your Wedding Dress

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Here at Aleana’s Bridal, we have over 400 wedding dresses. We get new styles in every season, so you’ll always be sure to find something fashionable in stock. Some of our dresses are simple and perfect for your destination wedding. Some gowns go all out with sparkle and bling and others fall in between. From classic a-line to the biggest ball gown you can imagine, we’ve got it all.  

But, what if you still can’t find the one? What if you have found your perfect style, but nothing feels quite right? Well, you do have a few other options. One is that you could purchase a bridal dress and get it customized. You could add some extra bling or create your own belt. You could also get layers removed or added if the dress is too poofy or not poofy enough. If you wanted sleeves or straps but your dress doesn’t have any, you could get that customized as well. The options are pretty much endless.  

Still, after talking about customization on an already made bridal dress, what if you’re still not convinced? Then you might want to consider getting a completely custom dress made. This isn’t an option for everyone, but it may be perfect for you. For some, this might be a bit scary because you don’t quite know what the end product will be, but you shouldn’t be scared if you trust your designer. At Aleana’s Bridal, every custom dress we make is overseen step by step by Lana. You also oversee every step, so you can customize every step of the way and if something doesn’t feel quite right, you’re there to figure out what to do next! 

If creating a custom gown is what you’re looking for on your wedding day, stop by Aleana’s Bridal! We’re more than happy to help you make the dress of your dreams. 

How to plan your wedding day hair (Part 2)

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This Article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal store Bergen County NJ.

Read Part 1 first

Just like at your bridal gown appointments, you don’t want to bring a large group with you. Although opinions are great and rules at the hair salon are less strict, space is usually limited and you don’t need anyone’s negative opinions killing your mood. You can easily send pictures of yourself to all of your friends for their feedback. Your Maids Of Honor is enough, but if you need another opinion, bring your mama along. The most important, bring a picture of you in your wedding dress. Believe it or not, the style of your bridal gown plays a vital role in the way your hair should look the wedding day. Is your bridal dress backless or strapless, how high is the neckline, is it a ballgown or trumpet? All of those details will dictate your hair style.  Also, if you plan to put anything into your hair (veil, comb, tiara, headband, etc.) bring that along as well. This is very important as it has the potential to change the style completely.

Lastly, don’t forget to bring your voice and speak up! Some hair stylists get a little carried away and may go off in their own direction and change your style completely. If you don’t like it, don’t be afraid to say so. The last thing you want is to be miserable during your wedding day because your hair didn’t come out the way you wanted it to. You will have to look at these photos for the rest of your life. Don’t let your timid attitude be the reason you cringe every time you pass your wedding photo. Never forget that this is all about you and what you want. If you are not happy just book another appointment or change a stylist.

How to plan your wedding day hair (Part 1)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal store in Paramus, Northern New Jersey.

You’ve finally found your bridal gown. What a relief! Now it is time to complete a few more steps so that you can have an idea of what you will look like on your special day. A hair and makeup trial is strongly recommended. The last thing you want is to end up with a super hard, messy 90’s prom looking hair-do the day of your wedding. Unless you have a hair dresser you usually go to, scope out the salons in your area. Ask to see a portfolio of makeup and hair they’ve done in the past. This will help you decide where to have your trial.

Once you select a salon, schedule your trial. This should not be any longer than three months before the wedding. Too much time between your trial and your wedding might result in your changing your mind which would defeat the purpose of the trial. After your trial, you want to leave with the style you love to have for the big day. This is your day. By now you’ve probably browsed hundreds of magazines, websites, blogs and pictures for wedding inspiration. Hopefully you’ve been able to figure out what type of hair style you plan to go for. If you have an image, or even if it isn’t exactly what you want, bring the picture along so that your stylist can get the idea.

On the day of your trial, make sure that you have enough time to enjoy the experience; your actual hairdo could take hours. Some salons also offer make up trials at the same time. If you choose a salon that offers this, and you will be getting your make up done, perfect! If not, be sure to put on makeup and look your best. It is strongly recommended to plan a night out after your trial. Your wedding is going to be full of dancing, running around and will be quite long. The last thing you want is to end up with a hair style that taps out after the ceremony. Plan a night out with the girls and let loose. See if your hair can keep up.

 

Read Part 2 next

 

Your Bridal Fitting Room Experience

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal shop.

 

The fitting room can be a scary place for a lot of people. In stores, we go in with items we like and we are usually alone. Here we can pass judgment on whether if not we like something. Sometimes we will get the opinion of a friend, but for the most part, we let our own expertise on our bodies decide if we like something or not.

In the bridal industry, you are never alone in a fitting room. You will always be assisted by your bridal consultant. This can be uncomfortable for some people which is why it is always recommended to go to the appointment in undergarments you feel comfortable being seen in. Just remember, this is a judge free environment. Your consultant is there to help you look your best, not judge the way you look. Bridal dresses are made for all shapes and sizes and your consultant will help you to find the best dress for your body.

Have faith! Keep an open mind and most importantly, never verbally abuse yourself. There is nothing more frustrating to your consultant or the people you brought along than hearing you talk bad about yourself. They are all on your side and want to help you look perfect. If you don’t like something about your body and wish to hide it, let your consultant know. This can easily be accommodated. Stay positive; your dress is out there and you are going to look fabulous. Also, give feedback. There is no shame in letting the consultant know you don’t like something or the style isn’t for you, but remember to keep an open mind. What you might think would look awful on you could potentially end up being the dress.

Please visit Aleana’s Bridal Shop in Paramus NJ to make your bridal shopping experience pleasant!

Understand bridal silk fabrics (Part 2)

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Read first Part 1

Silk taffeta is a flat fabric and has a distinctive silken rustle. It barely wrinkles and had great recovery. Taffeta is similar to satin as it holds shape very well and it hugs the body nicely. However, taffeta is more lightweight. This fabric is not intended for gown where a flowing effect is desired due to its stiffness making it ideal for “poufy” gowns such as ball gown style. Taffeta has a natural shine and is great for embroidering which together, produces exceptional results.

 

 

One of the most elegant silk fabrics is silk charmeuse. The stunning shine in which it has is breathtaking. It has been said that “silk charmeuse fabric is the textile equivalent of dipping ones’ hand into a running river: smooth, sensual, and free-flowing.” The stunning flow is a result of the fabric being cut on a bias during production. Because charmeuse is very lightweight, it doesn’t hold shape. This along with its intense shine doesn’t make charmeuse the ideal fabric for anyone looking to mask bodily imperfections; the shine, in fact would highlight them. However, there is no denying the beauty in this silk. “If there were competitions among fabrics, silk charmeuse would win the gold medal in every event.”

 

Silk 4 ply woven crepe fabric is a premium silk. This type of silk is usually used along with a different contrasting fabric, such as lace, to make it pop. This silk has a smooth, flat surface yet is a bit textured.  As far as weight goes, 4ply silk crepe is in the middle. It isn’t exactly light and sheer like chiffon, but it isn’t as heavy as silk satin. This silk still retains drape and shine to an extent while giving garments a fuller look and holding shape. 4ply silk is ideal for “a” line gowns.

 

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County.

Wedding Last Minute To-Do Tips (Part 2)

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Read first Part 1

 

ONE WEEK BEFORE: First, you’ll want to have your RSVP list and call anyone who has not responded to confirm if they will be attending or not so that you can finalize the design for table arrangements and give a final count of your total guests to the caterer.

*DJ DUTIES!: Show your DJ (or band) the directions to your dance floor dreams…the end product of your music set-list that you want played at the reception.  Be specific as to what music you wish to include and what songs you most certainly will not stand to hear!

*Put together a wedding day schedule for the bridal party and all of your VIP’s.  This will ensure that all A-list attendants will be on the same page.

*Confirm rehearsal plans

*Organize a spot specific to all of your wedding day attire…a spot that is clean and free of any mishaps happening around it! (Water spills, animal accidents, etc.)  Make sure you have everything you need for the day of: products, makeup for touch ups, stain remover (something like the TIDE stick), sewing kit (threads, needles, buttons…for any wardrobe malfunctions…you never know), Kleenex tissues, q-tips, Tylenol/vitamins/medications, and a clutch or bag to hold all of this stuff together.  You’ll want to include anything else that will help solve a crisis if one does happen to occur.

*Do laundry, set clothes aside, and pack the majority of what you will need for your honeymoon.  Keep passports and all other documents secured nearby.

*Make appointment for manicures, pedicures, massage, waxing, etc. with your bridal party.

Read Part 3  and Part 4

Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County will help you design the dress of your dreams.

What you need to know about wedding gown fabric

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This article brought to you Aleana’s Bridal Shop Bergen County, NJ.

The bridal gown’s fabric affects both its beauty and price. The medium to low priced gown usually made from man-made, affordable fabrics such as polyester satin, polyester chiffon, and polyester organza.

When you are shopping for a wedding dress always ask the salesperson what is the fabric of the dress. The most popular bridal fabrics are: “satin”, “taffeta”, “chiffon”, “dupioni”, “brocade”, “Georgette”,  “jacquard”, “crepe”, “crepe de chine”, “Organza” and “charmeuse”. Don’t assume that those fabrics would be made from natural fibers. You always should ask, “What is the content of this fabric?” If the answer is “Silk”, you know you are buying the queen of textiles, the most luxurious fiber in the world.

Silk comes in many different thicknesses and textures; it can be soft and shiny, or shiny and rough. The weaving and knitting of silk fabric may contain minor variations and irregularities that should not be treated as defects. Silk fabrics are always slightly off white because silk is a natural fabric.

Silk is one of the best bridal fabrics that is perfect to wear in any season. It is warm in the cool season, yet cool enough when it’s hot. Silk fabrics are usually lighter, more comfortable and breathable than man-made fabrics. It would be your choice if you have a Sensitive Skin. Silk has natural thermostatic properties and contains many amino acids that help moisture penetrate the skin (aid in absorption) and aid in skin healing.

If it’s always been your dream to have a silk gown but thought they were too expensive come to Aleana’s Bridal in Paramus, NJ, where 80% of our gowns are made from silk fabrics at a very affordable price. We proud of our silk bridal collection and confident that you will be able to find your special dress.

Please schedule your first appointment at www.aleanasbridal.com.

 

Accentuate your assets during your wedding day

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This article brought to you Aleana’s Bridal Shop Bergen County, NJ.

Make your special day become everything you’ve wished for in finding your Dream Wedding Dress.  Choose a dress that will accentuate your unique assets, taking you down the aisle and onto your own red-carpet runway.  With a few of the simple guidelines mentioned, you can find a wedding dress that will maximize your best qualities and minimize your flaws.  While these general tips can help brides look for dress details that will flatter their figures, keep in mind that there is no “one size fits all” rule for dresses for different body types.  If you love a dress, don’t let the suggestions hold you back.  Go ahead and try it on.  To look your gorgeous best for your wedding day, just remember that the most impressive gown on you will be one that creates balance and puts your best traits forward.

MORE GUIDELINES

If you’re TALL:  Princess-line dresses, mermaid or trumpet dresses.

If you’re PETITE:  You want to elongate, so avoid too much fabric, mermaid dresses, and big ball gowns.

                                                                                                                                                 Fuller-busted: Bridal corsets.

Corset has been always important article of clothing that has helped shape and achieve the fashions of many centuries. Women used the corset as a mean to shape their bodies into the perfect shape, that achieved by reducing the thickness of the waist.

Modern corsets often feature boning and back lacing that generally mimic a historical style of corsets. Modern corsets also used to slim the body and make it conform to a fashionable silhouette.

Fuller-arms:  Off-the-shoulder straps, lace tops and sheer fabrics.

 …And when you find your perfect fit…A sweet sigh of relief takes over.

Ahhh…You found the other ONE.

Aleana’s bridal shop located in Paramus, Bergen County, NJ, where you dream comes true. Please schedule your first appointment at www.aleanasbridal.com.