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Plus Size Wedding Gowns

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With most bridal salons you might come across carrying only sample size dresses to try on, it can be a bit difficult to imagine what a dress your size might look on you. Unless you are a sample size, the dresses just aren’t going to look perfect on you. This can make it hard for you to get that amazing “I found my dress” feeling. It can be stressful to not be able to even get the dress on if the salon doesn’t carry any plus sizes. You could feel discouraged and like you’ll never find your dress. It is certainly not a great way to feel.  

Of course, if you go to a great salon, like Aleana’s Bridal, with consultants and tons of dresses for every shape and size, then you will be sure to find something. There are also plenty of tips and tricks that your bridal consultant can do to make sure you can get the best visual. Their job is to make sure your wedding dress shopping is as fun, easy, and exciting as it should be. 

Here are some styles that work best for fuller, curvier bodies.

A-line dresses are great for the plus size bride if you want more coverage. The silhouette flares out after the bust. Instead of hugging your curves, the dress flows and is a bit more classic. 

Now, you might think that a princess ball gown is too much, but it’s actually a great silhouette for a curvier bride. It hugs your waist in just the right place. If it has a corset, it also helps to really accentuate your curves. Much like the a-line gown, the ball gown flares out for a silhouette that is flattering on nearly everyone.

Rebecca Ingram

Want to show off your gorgeous curves? These mermaid styles are perfect for your curvy body. They will accentuate your hips and hug you in all of the right places. Don’t be afraid to show off your sexy side.  

Sottero and Midgely

Remember, the dress won’t fit exactly, perfectly right when you’re trying it on. It’s probably not your size, and it is definitely not tailored to your body. That will all happen after you purchase your dress, it arrives, and your seamstress makes it the perfect dress for you! 

Aleana’s Bridal carries all of these styles and so much more in comfortable sample sizes, so you can get the perfect visual when you come pick out your dress! 

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. 

Rebecca Ingram

 

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.  

Rebecca Ingram

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.

 

Celebrity Wedding Dress Inspiration

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Celebrities are always the most fabulously dressed people around. They get the greatest designers to create custom gowns for them. On their wedding day, they look like queens. Well, just because you’re not a famous celebrity doesn’t mean you can’t find a dress that makes you feel like one. Read on for some of our favorite celebrity wedding dresses and some similar looks you can try on for yourself. 

Idina Menzel married her Rent co-star this past September. She stunned in a Carolina Herrera gown with all over lace and off the shoulder details. She was a real-life Disney princess and it was perfect.  

These gorgeous lace gowns may not be what Idina wore on her wedding day, but they can certainly help you channel your inner Queen Elsa.  

Ronda Rousey celebrated her wedding day in August 2017. Her gorgeous Galia Lahav dress was perfect for her Hawaiian beach wedding ceremony. Her fitted gown featured a gorgeous back and plunging neckline, with beaded scalloped detailing.  

If you’re getting married on the beach or in a tropical location just like Ronda, you may not want anything too over the top. A fitted dress with delicate details is a match for Ronda’s gown.  

Sottero and Midgely

Sottero and Midgley

Emmy Rossum was married in a custom Carolina Herrera gown earlier this year. The elegant dress was modeled after the Guggenheim. It was classic and modern at the same time, with detailed off-the-shoulder design and a classic silhouette with a long train.   

If a custom gown is what you’re looking for, Aleana’s Bridal can work with you to create the best gown for you, just like Emmy did. If not, here are some styles similar to her fabulous gown. 

Allure

Sottero and Midgely

Chrissy Teigen opted for a Vera Wang ball gown for her wedding day to John Legend. The dress had all the princess vibes, with a lot of tulle and an outstanding strapless bodice. It was one of three gowns she wore on her wedding day, but it was certainly the most stunning. 

If your goal is to be a princess just like Chrissy on your wedding day, don’t be afraid to go for the big, princess tulle. 

Pronovias

Pronovias

To feel like a star on your wedding day, you need to think like one. These dresses will make you shine like the star that you are on your special day. 

All of these styles, and so much more, are available at Aleana’s Bridal.  

 

How to shop for a wedding dress (Part 2)

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Read Part 1 first

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

*Bring some friends along with you… but a small group of 2-3 people to avoid an overwhelming number of differing opinions.  Plus, some bridal stores may not even have the room capacity to fit your whole posse…so keep it small to keep it comfortable for everybody.  Your bridesmaids would be best for some moral support.  If not, just bring your favorite female family member…mom, grandma, godmother, aunt, etc.  It’s important to pick a person, or people, whose advice you appreciate and style you admire most.  You want somebody who truly supports, knows, and loves you, so their honest opinion of what you look best in is what you will trust most.

– TIP! : Make first time ventures to the bridal stores fun & free from expectations by bring a really great girlfriend with you.  If you take the pressure off, you can enjoy it as an adventure as you begin to see what is out there.  The “real” visits should be saved with your mom or whoever you plan to involve in the final decision making process.  Do the groundwork, narrow down your preferences, and then proceed with a more defined idea of what you’re looking for…with giving yourself plenty of time to explore.

*Bring your flexibility along…your highest form of open-mindedness!  Listen to your loved ones’ advice and be open to the possibilities that the store offers you.  Most people who work in bridal shops are experts on their stock and what styles suit which body types, so stay open to what they have to offer you!

 

You may a have a certain style in mind…like a sultry fish tail gown, but maybe that silk & simple princess cut dress that the sales assistant suggests looks ten times better on you.  Maybe you’re trying to find a dress to “conceal” certain parts of your body, but you find a gown that celebrates your curves instead of downplaying them.  The best looking gown will be one that accentuates your best assets.

Continue with Part 3 and Part 4