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Bridal Clutches

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Congratulations! Your wedding day is coming up and your figuring out all of the final touches. You have your dress, your shoes, and your accessories. You know what you’re doing with your hair and have your makeup all figured out. But, where will you keep all of those little extras? You know, your phone, your lipstick, some eyeliner just in case you cry a little too much? You could have your bridesmaids hold on to it for you. If you have pockets in your dress (what a luxury that would be), you could keep all those little extras in there. Or, you could just bring your own handbag.  

Now, it’s your wedding day, so you don’t need that purse filled with everything but the kitchen sink. A little clutch is really all you need. Here are some of our favorite clutches, and really all you’ll need to keep inside! 

Lipstick, because that’s sure to wipe off with your first kiss as bride and groom and all that champagne you’ll be sure to drink. It will help to have that close by for any touchups you might need. 

Blotting papers can help to get rid of the shine without adding extra makeup that can get all over your dress. They’ll get rid of that shine on your face and keep you looking fresh all night long. Keep them in this cute little clutch.  

Tissues! You’ll need these and your husband to be might need these too. Tears will be shed, and having a little pack of tissues in your clutch will be sure to help. They’ll fit great in this little clutch. 

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure your phone will fit in there. You’ll be taking selfies with everyone all night long, so you’ll want to keep it close. With phones getting bigger and bigger as the years go by, it might be tough to find a clutch it will fit into, but here are a few options that might work for you on your big day.  

You’ll be sure to be the only one with this bag because you are the only one saying “I do!” Keep all of your little extras in here or in any of the other clutches available at Aleana’s Bridal. 

Accessorizing your Wedding Dress

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So, you want to choose the perfect accessories for your wedding dress. You definitely don’t want the accessories to take away from the dress, but rather compliment it. After all, it is one of the most important parts of your day. It all comes down to your personal choice and what the dress is like. Does your dress already have a lot of embellishments, or is it on the simpler side? Is it low cut, or does it have a higher neckline? Is it ivory, white, or more of a champagne color? Will you be wearing your hair up or down? The answers to these questions can help you determine what accessories may be right for you on your wedding day.  

Matchy Matchy 

There are some general rules to follow when it comes to choosing a color for your accessories. While you should always choose what makes you feel the most beautiful, it’s always good to think of what matches your dress the best. Ivory and gold pair very well together. The gold brings out the ivory tone. If your dress is pure white, try out some silver accessories. These tones mesh better together and gold tends to clash. If your dress is embellished, choose your accessories based on what pairs best with it. Again, it’s your day. So, if you feel that gold washes you out and silver looks best with your ivory gown, go for it! You are the star of the show, after all.  

Keep it Simple 

A lot of the time, less is more when it comes to your wedding day. If your dress is covered head to toe in embellishments, you might consider forgoing the heavy jewelry. A simple pair of earrings and your smile might be all you need. A pair of drop earrings compliments your gown much more than any necklace could, especially if your dress has a detailed neckline. If your gown is on the simpler side, a necklace might be for you. Test out different options and choose what feels right.  

Sash it Up 

Jewelry and a lot of bling may not be your style, but what about a sash or a belt? A beautiful sash or belt can say a lot on a dress. You can work with your salon to create a custom one, tailored to your style. You could also choose a simple, colored sash to add something extra to your gown.  

At the end of the day, it’s your wedding, your dress, and your day. If you love a lot of bling, go for it! Work with your salon and try on all of the accessories you want. Your bridal consultants will be more than happy to help you choose the accessories that work best for you and your gown.

 

Celebrity Wedding Venues

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When you want your wedding to seem like a star-studded event, without the stars (most likely), then dressing like one and selecting a venue like one might be the next best thing. Celebrities have a knack for finding the most beautiful and elegant venues you could imagine. Of course, it helps that they have quite the budget, but that doesn’t mean you should let that get you down. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and you shouldn’t let price or location stop you from having your dream wedding. 

If The Notebook is your thing (and how could it not be?), then this is the venue for your wedding day. This is Allie’s summer house in the classic romance movie and the wedding venue of the one and only Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Yeah, it doesn’t really get much better than that. The plantation is simply beautiful, and the driveway is lined with oaks and Spanish moss, which make for some stunning photos. 

Jessica Simpson and husband Eric Johnson were married on this not so subtle ranch in California. With what seems like a never-ending garden, this ranch is what outdoor wedding dreams are made of. Just look at those flowers and the greenery stretching all the way to the mountains.  

A wedding in Italy is nothing short of a dream come true. Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake got to live out every girl’s dream at the Borgo Egnazia Resort in Italy.

Planning your dream wedding is exciting and you deserve a day to feel like a celebrity! Check out Martha Stewart Weddings for more fabulous celebrity venues! 

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

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. 

Wedding Day Shoes

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Your shoes are a big part of your wedding day. Although they might not be completely visible underneath your dress, they are certainly something you put a lot of thought into. You’ll be taking that classic shoe photo and showing them off any chance you get. But you’ll also be standing in them, walking in them, dancing in them, and probably kicking them off at the end of the night. So, you want to make sure they are beautiful, comfortable, and special enough to create fabulous memories in the whole day through.  

Flats 

Maybe you didn’t consider it, but flats are a great option for a tall bride or one that just wants to be comfortable all day long. You can choose a simple pair that you feel comfortable in, or go with a pair that is bright and blingy.  

Small Rhinestone Heels 

Lady Couture

Lady Couture

The heels on these shoes are short enough that your feet won’t be screaming by the end of the night. They also have a little bling on them to make you shine throughout the night. They are super comfortable and will make for the nicest photos.  

High Statement Heels 

Lady Couture

For added height and heels that are sure to make you stand out, these are a great option. Again, they are comfortable and won’t have you aching all day, but are still a statement-making shoe for your big day.  

Wedges 

Lady Couture

A wedge heel is a great way to add height with an extra bit of comfort. These are also a great option for an outdoor wedding, where you won’t have to worry about your heel getting stuck in the sand or grass. Go small or go big, but either way, you’ll be comfortable and fashionable. 

Sneakers 

For that added comfort or even a pair to switch to later on in the night, a pair of bridal sneakers is what you’ll need. These are always fun because sneakers are easy to customize. A custom pair of Toms on your wedding day with your favorite characters or quotes will be a fun addition to your wedding day and something you’ll remember forever.  

 

 

 

Creative Wedding Cake Toppers

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Wedding cake toppers used to be simple: a little bride and groom to symbolize your marriage. Nowadays, cake toppers are much more personal. They can symbolize the bride and the groom with animals, silhouettes, fun characters, or just something the bride and groom both love.  

If you and your groom prefer to keep things simple, a monogram is a nice way to add a personalized touch to your cake.  

It’s your best day ever, so why not celebrate that with the best day ever cake topper? It’s simple, elegant, and says it all. 

For those that love to have fun, and share a love of a particular movie or show, why not put that on your cake? It will show off your personalities, without taking over the entire wedding. People will be snapping photos of your cake all night long. You’ll also have a statement piece in your home for the rest of your lives to commemorate your wedding day.  

If animals are your thing, then top your cake with them! You can go cute, like these little birds and foxes, or fun and whimsical, like the fox and giraffe.  

On your wedding day, choose what matches you and your groom’s personalities best. A simple cake topper may not stand out, but if you love it, then it’s meant to be.  

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

 

 

Pink Wedding Dresses

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It may not be your first idea, but sometimes, a blush or pink colored wedding gown can really make you stand out. In a light blush, the color could almost pass for a vintage or ivory. A pink or blush underlay can also help make lace really stand out from the rest of your dress. The color also compliments skin tones better than a stark white or ivory. In order to convince you, here are some celebrities looking like fabulous, beautiful brides in pink dresses. 

This Rebecca Ingram dress is perfect. It offers soft tulle and lace with a touch of blush that’s not too pink. 

 

Reese’s Monique Lhullier gown was a soft pink, a-line gown. You could clearly see that the dress was pink, which worked perfectly on Reese, but may not be for everyone.  

A very pale blush makes the ivory lace more prominent on this Rebecca Ingram dress. If Reese’s bold, blush dress is too much for you, this might be the way to go. 

For a subtle take on the pink, try this Rebecca Ingram gown. It’s an ivory lace gown over a soft blush. The blush is so soft no one will be able to tell you’re straying from the traditional.  

Anne Hathaway’s custom Valentino gown featured an ombre pink effect. The tulle started off almost white ivory and gradually turned a light pink. This baby pink Allure gown adds a soft touch of color that’s not overwhelming, just like Anne’s gown.  

All these styles available at Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ

Royal Wedding Dresses

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Since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement just a few days ago, it’s all anyone can talk about. We’ve already seen the ring and we know where the wedding will be, but what will the dress be like? We’re expecting nothing short of fabulous for the famous actress turned future princess. She’s living every girl’s dream. So, in honor of the future royal wedding, we’re sharing some of our favorite dresses from past royal weddings and some fabulous dresses you can wear to feel like a princess on your wedding day, too!  

Marie Chantal’s custom Valentino gown is a dress made for a princess, literally. The silk gown was encrusted with pearls and featured gorgeous Chantilly lace along the train. Although the wedding was over 20 years ago, the dress would still make statements today with the long lace sleeves and high neckline.  

Princess Madeleine wed her prince in an off the shoulder cap sleeved Valentino gown. If you still want some coverage, but not too much, a capped sleeve is a great option. If you still feel it’s too much, a lower neckline could take a gown like this to the next level.  

The sleeves are a bit longer, but this top is pretty similar to Princess Madeleine’s. The neckline is also a bit lower, showing a bit more shoulder than the Princess, but still just as stunning.  

To feel like a princess, you’ve got to dress like one. That doesn’t mean a big ball gown, either. It means whichever dress you feel like the greatest in. It could have sleeves and be a big ball gown, or it could be strapless and form-fitting. Whatever you decide, you’re sure to be a princess on your wedding day. 

All of these dresses, and so much more, are available at Aleana’s Bridal!  

Bouquets for Every Season

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The flowers you choose for your bridal bouquet make quite the statement, especially up against your dress. Think about your theme, your venue, and the season. The season likely determines the types of flowers available for your bouquet. Every season brings new flowers, with gorgeous colors to create the most beautiful bouquet.  

Winter 

The Winter season brings us a lot of beautiful colors. Deep reds, bold purples, and dark blues can help you stand out. If you are looking for something a bit subtler, try out some icy hues. Light blues, pinks, and white can help you get more of a winter wonderland feel. If you are looking for a Christmas themed bouquet, go for some bold reds and green to get that jolly holiday feel.

 

Spring 

Spring is the season for flowers. Everything is growing back, trees are getting their leaves back, and everything is covered in beautiful, bright flowers. This is probably the best season for bouquets because nearly everything is in bloom. You’ll have your pick of the crop when choosing your bouquet. You could go soft and pastel or bold and bright. The options are endless in the Spring.

Summer 

Summer is bright and fun and, much like Spring, you have your pick of almost any flower you could imagine. Pick your theme and colors and choose some fun, Summer florals to walk you down the aisle.  

Fall  

Even though Fall is typically the season when plants are starting to disappear, there are a lot of beautiful Fall florals that are perfect for your bouquet. And let’s not forget those beautiful fall colors. Reds, oranges, and yellows will be sure to make your bouquet stand out. There are also a lot of flowers that come into bloom in the fall that will make a gorgeous bouquet for your walk down the aisle.  

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

 

Chocolate Wedding Favors

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If there’s one thing your wedding guests are looking forward to, aside from the dress, vows, food, and party, it’s the wedding favors! Who doesn’t love to bring home a little piece of the magic they witnessed on your special day? There are so many different ideas out there for wedding favors it can be difficult to choose what you want to send your guests home with. You could create a cute party favor with your names and wedding date on it. But what would they do with that? Most likely display it with the other party favors they have collected over the years. Or, you could send them home with something they’ll really enjoy: chocolate. Chocolate is romantic, decadent, and delicious. What better favor to send your guests home with? 

There are a lot of different ways to send chocolate home with your wedding guests. A chocolate bar might be a good way to start. Pick some of your favorite chocolates and separate them into vases and jars. Choose colors that match your theme. Color coordinate the entire table. Add some little gift bags with your names and wedding date on them, and let your guests create their own goody bags. Not only is it a lower cost option, but your guests will be sure to love it.  

Go bold and create something custom! Monogram your chocolate boxes. Get your names engraved on chocolate bars. It’s your wedding! The world of chocolate is yours. Create custom M&Ms with your names and wedding date stamped on. Put them into cute little baggies and send them home. Who doesn’t love M&Ms? 

If you’re feeling really crafty, creating these DIY smores wedding favors. Find a cute pot, bag, or basket, and throw in some marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Your guests will love making smores at home in your honor.  

If you want to make it really personal, put some cute pictures on your chocolate! Make it fun or classy, it’s really up to you. Either way, your guests will be sure to love eating your faces on some delicious chocolates.  

Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ

 

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