Bridal Gown Spotlight (Part 2)

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

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WHITE GOWNS

If you like the idea of the traditional, plain white dress, you can always add in some color to the details.  There is nothing wrong with replacing some of your dress’ accents with color.

* If your dress has large white flowers, get them replaced with colorful posies.

 * Add a colorful sash.  You could coordinate this with the colors of your bridesmaid dresses.

 

* Get the bottom of your dress dyed: If your dress is not too ornate, it might really spice things up if the bottom of it is a light blue or pale pink.  Hire a professional to do this for you, as attempts of doing it yourself can lead to a dress disaster.

 FUN DETAILS

If you like the idea of a plain wedding dress but would like to add a little more detail, then consider covered buttons or ribbon lacing to the back. Many dress designers offer a choice of closure to their dresses so you can change a plain zipper to pretty covered buttons or sexy corset style lacing. Adding covered buttons is also something you can do yourself very easily and they can turn a plain dress into something unique and very classic looking.

 

*Shorten your dress. Everyone will expect you to wear a long dress, so there is no harm in turning heads in a short little number!

*Beading is always an easy way to make a plain dress look fabulous. Coordinate the beads on your dress with those in your other wedding accessories, so if your hair accessories include pearls and crystals then use those on your dress.  A simple option is to slip stitch beads around the neckline of your dress, but if you want to do something more fancy, then plan your design on a piece of graph paper first and place the beads on your dress without sewing them so you can see how they will look.  Once you are happy you can proceed to attach them yourself or have a professional do it for you.  
*Lace : Adding a touch of lace goes a long way to creating that bridal look. A nice touch is to add a band of lace to the hem of your skirt which will just peep out on the tops of your toes.  Another idea is to wear a lace edged petticoat underneath, which is slightly longer.  This works nicely for full skirted dresses and when you sit down, it will peep out from under your skirt for a very pretty bridal look.

Tip: If your dress has ribbon lacing ask for different colored ribbons or change them yourself.  Or use colored versions of the ideas listed above such as colored beads or appliqués.  A colored lace petticoat is a great way of adding interest to your dress without it being too obvious.
*Dainty Detailing: These can be beaded, sequined, lace or combination and are very easy to sew onto your dress.  You can find them in various sizes and matching colors, including full bodice pieces, sleeve appliqués and larger versions to apply to trains.

Look around sewing shops and online for bridal boutiques where you can make a special request to place your unique order. 

– – Hire a costume designer to “build on” your dress.  A professional can look at a piece and know exactly what to do to make it unique.  Adding an accented line down your dress, or delicately placing jewels in designated places can all add a unique feel to your dress.

 SHOES

* Instead of plain white pumps, wear colorful & funky shoes.  OR have a little sparkle or color sticking out the bottom of your dress.

*Customize simple satin pumps with shoe jewelry such as rhinestone ribbons. 

Continue with Part 3

Wedding “Wow“ Him (Part 3)

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Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

* CULINARY CREATIONS

Since food is the way to a mans heart, why not include some of his favorite munchies at the wedding?  If he’s a guy who loves his snacks, and hamburgers & hotdogs are his type of thing, add them in for cocktail hour.  If you have foods like this during cocktail hour, be sure your reception menu is a bit more “upscale.”  If he’s a big breakfast guy, have a midnight lounge and serve breakfast specialties such as mini pancakes and waffles with decorative fruit on top.  If sweets are what makes your man’s eyes light up, do add a dessert with all of his favorite treats…donuts, pastries, etc.

Take a bridal BOW to the WOW you created.

Not only are all the previous ideas, or any of which you creatively come up with on your own, adorable… but he’ll never expect it which is bonus points!

Seating charts, guest favors, and cake flavors are always on a bride’s radar…but these romantic and personal surprises will leave your groom smiling just that much more and kindly remind him that this day is about the two of you, and not those crazy rants about wedding planning or bridezilla moments over which trendy hue you should pick.

 RECAP:  besides your outer, newer bridal beauty glow, be sure to let your inner bridal beauty shine and surprise him with something sweet.  Glowing from the inside will have you in an everlasting glow on the outside.  All of which makes you simply adorable, and it will remind him how you have truly stolen his heart right from the start…which led to your shared happily ever after…

and now you can be a WOW kind of WIFE.  One who keeps the glow, memories, and emotions of the wedding day alive with the two of you.

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

Wedding “Wow“ Him (Part 2)

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Read first Part 1

* EMOTIVE MUSIC

Walk down the aisle to a song (with a slow tempo) that tells the story of your relationship.  One that was meaningful when you were dating, or one of your songs that you both share a love for.

* SURPRISE SPEECH 

I know, I know…I previously said men aren’t as much into words as they are into actions.  But this is a collaboration of both, putting words into the action of public speaking, addressing nobody but him at your wedding.  A sentimental speech he never would expect?  Def. a WOW factor!

 * SNEAK-A-WAY 

You’re a loyal woman, but allow yourself a free pass to be a sneak…and steal your man and whisk him into a secret hide-a-way….

After the vows, you can maybe plan on surprising him with going somewhere alone, just the two of you.  Depending upon the location of course, you can be creative and have the venue set up something accordingly.  A secret garden spot outdoors…or if it’s a Destination Wedding (let’s say in Italy), a boat ride for two.

The guests will be lingering with conversation during the cocktail hour and it’s the perfect time to sneak a romantic, magical moment.

* GIFTS

You can send a surprise gift to his house the morning of the wedding…or melt his heart with all the ways he had melted yours from day one…

If you saved all the mush scattered around the house from past birthdays, special occasions, holidays, anniversaries, etc. or tucked them into a safe place out of a sight, bring it back into the open and use it as a gift to give to him in this way: Every love note (letter, card, etc.) can be published into a leather-bound journal with love letters written in a script & fairytale font.  This can be from anything you once gave to him, or those sentiments of which he gave to you, or incorporate both!  You can present this as a gift to him on the wedding day, placing the book on the head table of where you two will be seated.  It doesn’t cost a lot, but the sentiment is priceless.

He put a ring on yours, so put a ring back on his!   Engrave the inside of his wedding band with something completely full of mush, a verse, your wedding dates or something that is sure to make him laugh.  Instead of just presenting the ring itself, an engraved one will give it a personalized touch.  A ring is an empty circle, but an engraved one is a ring much more filled with meaning.

Continue reading Part 3

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

Wedding “Wow“ Him (Part 1)

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By Jaclyn Ianetti

How to “wow” your man on your wedding day.

 

Apart from being the most beautiful he has ever possibly seen you before, there are actions you can do to WOW him.  And you want to WOW him, because you want this day to be just as memorable for him as it will be for you.

So if you’re wondering how you can sweeten the day of your wedding the way he sweetens yours everyday, keep on reading…

 Captive Changes

Nothing says “WOW” more than a surprise. When people are caught off guard with something they weren‘t expecting, and it’s something on a more positive note that rise above normal assumptions, that’s what really sends those “wow” signals shocking through their systems.

 Create a Captive Audience.   The most important member of the audience?  Him.  So, you will want to focus on him, and to intrigue him by sending his emotional system into a shockwave rush of spiked endorphins.

Remember, men are more so into actions than words and are very visual creatures.

Here are a few tips to try:

 *EXPLORE A DIFFERENT SIDE TO YOU. 

Instead of sticking to the same hairstyle you wear everyday, do something different on your wedding day.

 Change is good.   And a good change is even better. 

It doesn’t necessarily mean go drastic or dramatic (unless that’s what you want).  Just a simple change in your looks will do the trick.  This rule applies for hair, makeup, accessories etc.  Play around with your personality and incorporate styles into your wedding day look that you may have always wanted to wear or a look that you always wanted to try, but just simply couldn’t or wouldn’t work for a typical day.

Read Part 2 and Part 3

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

 

 

 

Best Couple Activities (Part 4)

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

Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 first

 

MISCELLANEOUS MUSINGS

* Go to the beach and build a sand castle.  Bring a spade, shovel, & pale for the sand.

* Locate volunteer work you can do together and just go do it.  You both will be rewarded with an inner peace afterwards.

* Return together at the site of where you first met or where you spent time together early in your relationship.  Talk about your memories and then repeat something you did then.

* Do some research and compile your family trees.  Share with each other what you found, what it was like to compile, and how you feel.  Tell about any new information you learned about your family.

* Take a class, workshop, lecture… about something neither knows anything about.  You can even pretend you don’t know each other during the class, gradually getting acquainted through out the length of the class.  Go out on dates after class and make what you learned the your topic of discussion.

* Make a fire in an outdoor fire pit somewhere and make s’mores and roast some marshmallows.

Poetic Souls…Buy a book of poetry and read to each other every day at breakfast.  Buy a novel you both want to read and take turns reading it aloud at night before bed.

*Hooked on each other?…play hooky.  Every so often, tell your boss you have a doctor’s appointment, and have your husband do the same.  Share a lazy day in together or go out and do whatever you both feel like doing.  Put choices in a hat and take a pick…the winner calls the shot on what you have in mind and what you will be doing for the rest of the evening.

 Mark the moment.  Special occasions and spontaneous activities are sometimes a rare event.  Expand on the idea with a game: Every time you have a married “first”…file a joint tax return, country traveled to, paint the bathroom…celebrate by doing something fun together that you both love.  This two-time activity deal will keep you racking up more and more activities throughout your union, soon you’ll really feel like newlyweds for life.

Aleana’s bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call at 201-444-1500.

Best Couple Activities (Part 3)

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

Read Part 1 and Part 2 first.

COMEDY CLUB Laughter is the best medicine

 

If you don’t have a whole weekend to spare, you can surprise your partner with tickets to a comedy club.  There is nothing better than a night of laughs at a comedy show for couples.  Be spontaneous on a week-night to break up the mundane feel of the work-week when your lover least expects it and go see some standup.

This is a great way for couples to share time watching a more interactive type of entertainment than a movie or the theater.  Make sure to get seats in the front row for the interaction to unfold, because the comedians are sure to include you in at least some part of their act.  This creates fun memories to laugh about for years.

MASSAGE

Treat yourselves & go to spa & get a couples massage.  Or, if you’re short on funds, you can be still massage each other in the comfort of your own home for free.  Rather than watching the same old show on television after the same routine at work, mix it up with your partner and show him your romantic side by offering an oil rubdown.

This sensual gesture will not only put your partner in a state of relaxation, it’s also a great way to express your love.  You do not have to go out and buy any overpriced oils and lotions.  A wonderful, and much healthier, alternative is grape seed oil, or coconut oil, which is also a great moisturizer for the skin. 

To add a little spice to the massage, throw some rose petals on the bed before your partner is home and have the room lit with only candles.  A surprise massage can heighten many levels of your relationship and doesn’t have to cost you a penny.  A massage is a creative, sensual, and sure way of maintaining closeness, that can result in not only relaxation, but a keener sense of intimacy.

Take turns giving each other a face massage, as well… with each person receiving by lying down on the bed or floor.

 

 CRAYOLA, CRAYONS, PAINT-PARTY…

Draw up your dreams. 

Color & draw together your dream mansion, book cover, music album cover, etc.

Trace Together…Get some large paper and crayons…take turns drawing around each others hands and feet on the paper.

Close “no clothes” Coloring…Buy body paint and take your clothes off to paint each other’s bodies.  Or just face paint.   

 Continue with Part 4

Aleana’s bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call at 201-444-1500.

Best Couple Activities (Part 2)

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

Read Part 1 first.

DANCE PARTY !!!

 

What could be better cardio than dancing?  Turn off the lights and glow in the dark…pump up DJ Tiësto & have your own duo dance party with glow sticks guiding your way.

…Sweaty is sexy.

MUSICAL MUSES

 

Festival obsessed?  …from small local band shows, to seeing your favorite old-school rock band performance in NYC, to actually hopping a flight headed for Coachella in California, the ultimate concert and annual explosion of music and style…grab your golden tickets to your show of choice.

 

Aint’ got the mula for scoring those tix to huge venues?  Then just make music together in the comfort of your own home, or even rent out a studio for the day/night.  Invite others to come along if you wish (musically inclined friends who actually play instruments, if you & hubby don‘t) & delegate roles of whose starring as songwriter, musician, etc.

 Simplicity of Songs…

A simple & musical exercise: find and play for each other the music that you listened to in high school.  Describe to each other what you were like then and what you were thinking and feeling.  What did you wear and how was your hair?  What was a low point and a high point of those years?

 Silly Songs

Get paper and crayons, play some music, and draw to the music.  Exchange your drawings and reveal them to each other after the song ends.  Go ahead and laugh…

WANDERLUST…AN ADVENTURE!

Whenever you get that gut feeling that says you both need a spur-of-the-moment mini adventure, go for it.  Following your instincts could be what brings the spark back to your relationship, or brings it to new, exciting levels.  Spontaneous activities shared by couples are special, unannounced moments in time when the adrenaline is pumping and memories are made, especially because you’re living in the present moment…and when you do this, you’re truly living.

ROMANTIC RETREAT

Surprising your other half with a romantic weekend a few hours from home can really spice things up.  Try this on for size: The night before, pack both of your bags to be ready to go the following morning.  In the morning, place a note under his pillow that reads something as enticing and intriguing as you wish.  Finish it off with saying “be ready in an hour.”  This is spontaneous and exciting for your partner and can make for a romantic weekend.

 HIDEAWAY

Turn off your cell phones so that only the two of you exist.  Go anywhere you dream of…the mountains, a quiet beach, the place you first met, a spot on the map where the two of you share a high interest of traveling to…somewhere where you’ve never been before.  Experiencing it first hand together, for the first time for both of you, will make it even more so a special memory.

Continue with Part 3 and Part 4

Aleana’s bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call at 201-444-1500.

Best Couple Activities (Part 1)

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

By Jaclyn Ianetti

Couple Chemistry

Cook up the chem between the two of you and keep your electric energy as a power couple pulsing.

Men connect with women when they are physically active in doing something together.  And besides the thing you’re thinking right now (get your mind out of the gutter), there are soo many more ways to bond by keeping busy and active.  Men love activities, and will instinctively feel more connected with you when engaged in an activity together. 

Keep things alive and exciting by mixing it up and breaking out of your molds into experiencing diversity in doing things you may never have even tried before. 

Speaking of cooking up some chemistry…As you flip through your latest Cosmo, (or for the health-conscious girl, Yoga Journal and/or Natural Health Magazine) on the couch at night…cut out some recipes or jot down some recipe-savvy ideas so that you and him could create a new dish together.  Cooking is an extra-sensory experience where all of your five senses are simultaneously engaged. 

 COOKING CREATIONS

 

Put baskets on your bicycles and do your grocery shopping by cycling together to the food store of your choice.  Refer to the recipes you wish to make and stock up on all ingredients needed.

Cooking can take you many places…

*Get fresh ingredients and make smoothies and juices you can make in the morning together.  Better yet, plant your own organic fruit & veggie garden together and pick your daily dose of nutrient-rich foods whenever you feel like it. 

*Make lunch and head out for a picnic for two. 

*Candlelit dinner at home…yogi-bohemian style on the floor next to a fireplace, or fancy with 5-course meal on the dining room table. 

EXERCISE

Join a gym, do-at-home exercises, or go mountain-climbing.  A trail through a beautiful reservation in an upscale town.  Whether you’re walking, running, hiking, cycling…you’ll be connecting as a couple through nature and its’ scenery of wonder.

Eat some suggestive snacks.  Munch on aphrodisiacs during your drive home post-workout.  Portable foods reputed to get you in the mood include almonds, peaches, and ginger (if you don’t like raw ginger, try it candied).

Read Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4

 Aleana’s bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call at 201-444-1500.

Fall/Winter Bridal Fashion Trends (Part 2)

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Read first Part 1

Sleeves, especially ¾

  • A beautiful way sleeves have made their mark on the runway this season is with lace. Fitted bodices and lace sleeves offer a stunning, classic look.
  • This sleeve movement is most likely inspired by the amazing gown worn by Kate Middleton. Since then, designers have found plenty of ways to incorporate sleeves into gowns to relieve the industry of the same necklines we’ve seen for years.
  • In addition to sleeves, traditional necklines are being outshined by off the shoulder styles.

Off the Shoulderv  Off the shoulder dresses bring a lot of attention to your neck, creating a very sexy and romantic effect.

  • This style is good for those who wish to conceal their arms, but don’t want long sleeves. The sleeves fall just under the shoulder hiding the perfect amount of arm.
  • The openness of the neck and chest may frighten some, but don’t fret, this is a very appropriate, classy style.

Lace

 

  • Lace has been a bridal staple for decades. It instantly adds glamour and elegance to any garment this is why brides tend to love it.
  • There are many different types of laces with the most popular being Guipure, Alencon, and Chantilly. (Please read our article to get familiar with different types of laces)
  • These laces all have beautiful designs that complement all dress types. The lace can be placed anywhere throughout the dress and will still look stunning.
  • Some dresses this season are made up completely of lace. This seems to be an emerging trend that hopefully will stick around for a while. All-lace gowns are stunning in an A-line or Trumpet silhouette.

Fall/Winter 2013, is a season for reinventing the past in a flirty and romantic way. The 80’s were all about off the shoulder gowns and long slender sleeves. Designers have removed the obvious mistakes in those gowns and have made bridal for this season one of the best so far.

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, Bergen County, NJ. Bridal shop that will help you design the dress of your dreams. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call us at 201-444-1500

 

Fall/Winter Bridal Fashion Trends (Part 1)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal, your bridal shop in Paramus Bergen County NJ.

Never listen to someone who says all bridal gowns are the same. Yes, silhouettes may be the same, but all gowns have unique qualities and differences and those with embellishments are even more special. Throughout the seasons, the silhouettes remain the same for the most part. What does change is everything else involved in the gown construction and embellishment. Ball gown, mermaid, trumpet, and A-line bridal dresses styles are constantly being reinvented to compliment current fashion trends and of course the weather for each season.

Here are some highlights of Fall/Winter Bridal Collections from the most recent runway. The beautiful fashionable details seem to be adaptable to all silhouettes making these trends perfect for the fashion savvy bride with any body shape and bridal gown silhouette preference.

 

Popular trends in this season are:

Illusion mesh

  •  Illusion mesh is basically a very thin netted fabric, mostly in a nude color, meant to satisfy some more risky styles.
  • Illusion mesh has been used to create the open back look that remains just as popular as it was last season.
  • The great part about illusion mesh is that it deceives the eye. For example, when used on the back, the dress appears to be open back, yet there is a fabric holding the dress together.
  • This mesh is then ornamented with delicate embroideries making it look as if the designs are place directly on your back. The appearance is magnificent.
  • This mesh has also been featured on the runway as a way to keep strapless and more summery styles alive while being winter appropriate.
  • Long sleeves made of illusion mesh give you that extra layer to keep you warm, without compromising style.

Open Back

 

  • Open back anything has been popular for the past few seasons. In bridal, open back is highly requested by brides.
  • Not many brides are comfortable showing off their busts. After all, most ceremonies are in front of a religious leader.
  • Open back is the perfect way to achieve that sexy yet appropriate style all brides crave. Open back comes in many different ways.
  • The general idea is to obviously show off the back which can be done by having a deep “V”, a cowl neck back, a deep scoop back and, for those still wanting to keep covered, an illusion mesh back.
Continue reading Part 2 .

Please schedule your appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call us at 201-444-1500.