Let’s face it, there are an overwhelming variety of styles to choose from, and when is the last time you ever worn anything even similar to a bridal gown in your life? It’s not like you dress up like Cinderella in a white ball gown every Saturday night! And the stress of purchasing the most expensive item of clothing you ever worn before adds to the all-around confusion. That’s why I suggest simply starting with the vision board to use as your guide and for inspiration.
Princess styles, sleek silhouettes, mermaid fishtail gowns, lace and layers of tulle and taffeta reminiscent of a true fairytale gown, and vintage styles that channel a modern simplicity are all themes of styles you will find in a multitude of creations to choose from in your pile of tear-outs to add to your vision board. You will start to see some stand out and tell tale signs of similarities that delineate your authentic style.
DESIGNER diva
Designers often have a trademark style that distinguishes them apart from others. So once you have your epiphany of a certain style, you might also be able to see that one or few particular designers have stood out in your gown choices. Identify your most favorite ones to keep an overwhelming confusion to a minimum level. Even if you find that their creations are out of your budget, don’t despair…any bridal shop should be able to point you in the direction of similar styles that they carry themselves.
Boutiques & BUDGETS
Next up, where to shop?
Finding a boutique can be tricky, but go with your gut feeling and the place that resonates with your overall energy. No second stops at any place with pushy sales assistants, snooty staff or rushed appointments! You can find better…and deserve to.
Make an appointment at a store that catches your eye and heart when you’re ready to try gowns on. While there’s nothing wrong with popping into a bridal shop, you will have a better opportunity (and experience!) for trying anything on when people are available to assist you through an appointment time. Bridal shops can get extremely busy on weekends, so if you are able to visit or make an appointment for a weekday then you may well be given more time and better service.
And the drumroll for the dreaded word….da da da….BUDGET. Your budget is your budget and it’s entirely up to you on where you draw the boundary line for going over or under…but do come up with an estimated amount and make sure your consultant/assistant is aware of your range before she shows you options…and before you fall head over heels for your dream dress to later find out its’ triple than the price you plan on paying! Some bridal stores will offer the option of installment paying. So do remember to ask if they offer this service.
Also, keep alternation costs in mind. The standard size you order will be bigger than you expect…and then altered to fit you perfectly.
Adapt the perspective that this is the one single day in your life that is worth spending for, whether you choose to spend a fortune on your gown or not. Spending a considerable amount on a dress that you fall in love with is fine…don’t compromise your dreams and wishes… and do this while maintaining a healthy balance between budget ranges in mind.
MONITOR your Mood
To best do this, make sure you are healthy in your mind, body, and spirit. The quickest way to balance and/or boost your mood, is through nutrition…the foods you eat. This is so significant…and is definitely not the time to be starving your self on a way-too-strict diet.
And don’t skip meals on the days you go to fittings because you think that will make it easier for you to squeeze into that teeny tiny sample size. You need to try dresses on at the size you actually are!
This is not the time for fainting from malnutrition or dehydration, so bring some snacks and water along with you while you shop. You will be on your feet for long periods of time in sometimes hot and stuffy environments…so you will need your energy, patience, and cooperation. Dress shopping can be exhausting…and you don’t want to get grumpy from being hungry or fatigued from not being properly hydrated– this is not the best mood to be in when you’re searching for your dream dress.
See the next article “How to shop for a dress” on what, and who, to bring along with you while you shop to enrich your experience even further.
* Wedding Day Wardrobe: Dress as the style of the invitation suggests. Casual or formal? Well, if it’s an invite with flip-flops and seashells, it’s most likely a casual affair and it’s most likely not expected of you to wear a long silk dress. On the flipside, if the invite is scripted and gives off a formal vibe, it’s probably not a smart idea to sport your casual cotton sundress. Ask around to be sure of the dress code, perhaps a member of the bride’s family. The bride herself is the last resort for this kind of questioning. She has her own dress to worry about.
Never wear white! Only a bride wears white on this special day. So don’t compete with her or anybody else. If you’re the type who is dying to show off your better-than-ever bod, save it. A wedding is just not the time. If you tend to have a more revealing or risqué personal style, tone it down a bit…especially for ceremonies held inside a conservative church.
*Freeze your Frame. Put a hold on the uploading of photos, especially to social media sites. Brides can be very sensitive about their image and may wish to first look through photos first before anything is publicly shared online.
Taking pictures at the wedding reception is fine and encouraged…the more the merrier…but do less of the snapping during the ceremony. The photographer is hard at work during this crucial hour, and you don’t want to get in their way and risk them taking faulty pictures when trying to capture these sentimental moments.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So what makes the best manners?MINDFULNESS. The best manners come from the mindful person who is very aware of themselves and their surroundings, other people and the environment.
Etiquette stems from common courtesy, sense, and social graces, such as: When entering or leaving the room, going into or out of bathrooms, etc., hold the door open for the next person. Be conscious of staying silent during speeches and announcements and be aware of the alcohol you are consuming and always practice sophisticated self-control.
The most important rule of etiquette in attending a wedding event is to enjoy the day in a classy manner and bringing your most lofty, positive energy. The bride and groom planned this special day in celebration of a jovial affair and took their guests’ comfort and entertainment into heavy consideration. Be respectful, be polite and be on your way to being a stellar guest…one who contributes to the memories being made, and to the pages in the storybook that makes the bride’s dreams complete.
And don’t forget to bring the most important thing along with you, wrapped up in your own aura and expanded into those of others around you:
L O V E.
https://aleanasbridal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/T212005-1-1.jpg18001200Svetlana Zakharinahttps://aleanasbridal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo-300x138.pngSvetlana Zakharina2013-12-06 16:23:502020-08-01 15:23:14How to maintain your manners: Proper wedding etiquette (Part 3)
How to enjoy bridal gown shopping (Part 2)
/in Articles /by Svetlana ZakharinaRead Part 1 first
STYLE YOUR SELF : Signature Style
Let’s face it, there are an overwhelming variety of styles to choose from, and when is the last time you ever worn anything even similar to a bridal gown in your life? It’s not like you dress up like Cinderella in a white ball gown every Saturday night! And the stress of purchasing the most expensive item of clothing you ever worn before adds to the all-around confusion. That’s why I suggest simply starting with the vision board to use as your guide and for inspiration.
Princess styles, sleek silhouettes, mermaid fishtail gowns, lace and layers of tulle and taffeta reminiscent of a true fairytale gown, and vintage styles that channel a modern simplicity are all themes of styles you will find in a multitude of creations to choose from in your pile of tear-outs to add to your vision board. You will start to see some stand out and tell tale signs of similarities that delineate your authentic style.
DESIGNER diva
Designers often have a trademark style that distinguishes them apart from others. So once you have your epiphany of a certain style, you might also be able to see that one or few particular designers have stood out in your gown choices. Identify your most favorite ones to keep an overwhelming confusion to a minimum level. Even if you find that their creations are out of your budget, don’t despair…any bridal shop should be able to point you in the direction of similar styles that they carry themselves.
Boutiques & BUDGETS
Next up, where to shop?
Finding a boutique can be tricky, but go with your gut feeling and the place that resonates with your overall energy. No second stops at any place with pushy sales assistants, snooty staff or rushed appointments! You can find better…and deserve to.
Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ
Read Part 3 next
How to enjoy bridal gown shopping (Part 3)
/in Articles /by Svetlana ZakharinaRead Part 1 and Part 2 first
Make an appointment at a store that catches your eye and heart when you’re ready to try gowns on. While there’s nothing wrong with popping into a bridal shop, you will have a better opportunity (and experience!) for trying anything on when people are available to assist you through an appointment time. Bridal shops can get extremely busy on weekends, so if you are able to visit or make an appointment for a weekday then you may well be given more time and better service.
And the drumroll for the dreaded word….da da da….BUDGET. Your budget is your budget and it’s entirely up to you on where you draw the boundary line for going over or under…but do come up with an estimated amount and make sure your consultant/assistant is aware of your range before she shows you options…and before you fall head over heels for your dream dress to later find out its’ triple than the price you plan on paying! Some bridal stores will offer the option of installment paying. So do remember to ask if they offer this service.
Also, keep alternation costs in mind. The standard size you order will be bigger than you expect…and then altered to fit you perfectly.
Adapt the perspective that this is the one single day in your life that is worth spending for, whether you choose to spend a fortune on your gown or not. Spending a considerable amount on a dress that you fall in love with is fine…don’t compromise your dreams and wishes… and do this while maintaining a healthy balance between budget ranges in mind.
MONITOR your Mood
To best do this, make sure you are healthy in your mind, body, and spirit. The quickest way to balance and/or boost your mood, is through nutrition…the foods you eat. This is so significant…and is definitely not the time to be starving your self on a way-too-strict diet.
And don’t skip meals on the days you go to fittings because you think that will make it easier for you to squeeze into that teeny tiny sample size. You need to try dresses on at the size you actually are!
This is not the time for fainting from malnutrition or dehydration, so bring some snacks and water along with you while you shop. You will be on your feet for long periods of time in sometimes hot and stuffy environments…so you will need your energy, patience, and cooperation. Dress shopping can be exhausting…and you don’t want to get grumpy from being hungry or fatigued from not being properly hydrated– this is not the best mood to be in when you’re searching for your dream dress.
See the next article “How to shop for a dress” on what, and who, to bring along with you while you shop to enrich your experience even further.
How to maintain your manners: Proper wedding etiquette (Part 3)
/in Articles /by Svetlana ZakharinaRead Part 1 and Part 2 first
* Wedding Day Wardrobe: Dress as the style of the invitation suggests. Casual or formal? Well, if it’s an invite with flip-flops and seashells, it’s most likely a casual affair and it’s most likely not expected of you to wear a long silk dress. On the flipside, if the invite is scripted and gives off a formal vibe, it’s probably not a smart idea to sport your casual cotton sundress. Ask around to be sure of the dress code, perhaps a member of the bride’s family. The bride herself is the last resort for this kind of questioning. She has her own dress to worry about.
Never wear white! Only a bride wears white on this special day. So don’t compete with her or anybody else. If you’re the type who is dying to show off your better-than-ever bod, save it. A wedding is just not the time. If you tend to have a more revealing or risqué personal style, tone it down a bit…especially for ceremonies held inside a conservative church.
* Freeze your Frame. Put a hold on the uploading of photos, especially to social media sites. Brides can be very sensitive about their image and may wish to first look through photos first before anything is publicly shared online.
Taking pictures at the wedding reception is fine and encouraged…the more the merrier…but do less of the snapping during the ceremony. The photographer is hard at work during this crucial hour, and you don’t want to get in their way and risk them taking faulty pictures when trying to capture these sentimental moments.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So what makes the best manners? MINDFULNESS. The best manners come from the mindful person who is very aware of themselves and their surroundings, other people and the environment.
Etiquette stems from common courtesy, sense, and social graces, such as: When entering or leaving the room, going into or out of bathrooms, etc., hold the door open for the next person. Be conscious of staying silent during speeches and announcements and be aware of the alcohol you are consuming and always practice sophisticated self-control.
The most important rule of etiquette in attending a wedding event is to enjoy the day in a classy manner and bringing your most lofty, positive energy. The bride and groom planned this special day in celebration of a jovial affair and took their guests’ comfort and entertainment into heavy consideration. Be respectful, be polite and be on your way to being a stellar guest…one who contributes to the memories being made, and to the pages in the storybook that makes the bride’s dreams complete.
And don’t forget to bring the most important thing along with you, wrapped up in your own aura and expanded into those of others around you:
L O V E.