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Mother of the Bride Dress Shopping: The Ultimate Guide

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Your daughter is going to look drop dead gorgeous on her big day—that’s a given. Now let’s focus on you! Similar to your daughter you have dreamed of this day for a long time as well. In past years, “mother of the bride” has meant frumpy gowns and dress suits. With many modern moms keeping up with the latest fashion trends, this is no longer. There are loads of options for Mother of the Bride gowns at Aleana’s Bridal and we are about to show you a few of our best!

If you prefer a soft and sophisticated look this chic A-line gown is perfection! With lace cap sleeves and an intricate hand beaded bodice that cleverly disguises your waistline, with its beautifully ruched chiffon empire waist. This dress is one of our absolute favorites because it can be worn in any season.

Is your daughter having an outdoors spring or summer wedding? This gown is your best match with its light chiffon fabric, and wide lace shoulder straps. Not to mention its moveable draping style makes for a fabulous night of dancing. If you would like to highlight your arms and collar bone this dress is more than ideal.

Looking for that extra glam-look? This exquisite gown is made out of taffeta which is more structured. Featuring hand-beaded appliques with a matching embroidered bolero to cover your arms while still maintaining style. If the wedding is in the fall or winter this is flawless with its fantastic color and elegant draped skirt.

 Have you always pictured yourself at your daughter’s wedding looking absolutely stunning? If so, this is your dress. Being one of our best-selling dresses for the Mother-of-the-Bride at our store this chiffon A-line gown has never disappointed. With its hand beaded lace bodice featuring an asymmetrical waist and illusion keyhole back.

Are you searching for a more modest and elegant look? Ultimately this gown is made just for that! With its lace elbow-length sleeves along with its side gathered skirt and sweep train. A touch of hand-beaded motif on the dropped waistline gives this gown the perfect touch. Light chiffon fabric typically calls for a spring or summer wedding but this can also be versatile with a fall or winter wedding as well.

Embrace your curves! If you have a gorgeous hourglass figure highlight that asset with this softly draped gown. Elegant hand-beaded elbow-length sleeves, paired with a side draped skirt which softens the hips. Suitable for any fashion forward Mother of the Bride.

Don’t get discouraged if you are petite! That just means you have to explore what works the best for your body. We suggest a highwasited gown with lighter beading to highlight your smaller frame. This number is made with mainly lace and tulle, featuring a beautiful slight cap sleeve, and a crisscross sweetheart bodice.

Having difficulty finding a gown that suits your style or personality? If so, Custom-Made is always an option here at Aleana’s Bridal.

To schedule a consultation call us at: 201-444-1500.

Reference: Montage by Mon Cheri 

Wedding Shoe Ideas You’ll Love

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Still need to find your wedding shoes for your big day? Whether you plan to rock a pair of bedazzled stilettos or want to keep your look chic with fabulous flats, here you will be able to start getting inspired with some of our favorite styles!

1. Lace 

Feminine and flirty lace is the perfect finishing detail to a romantic bridal look. If you are looking for a more modernized shoe, try a pair of lace peep-toe heels or booties. Lace heels will go fantastic with any season your wedding happens to fall in.

2. Metallics 

Spice up your glam factor and sparkle with chic metallics. Gold and silver metallic heels are sleek and modern, while elevating your style. For the modern bride with a modern gown these shoes are more than ideal.

3. Something Different 

Play with unexpected color to show off your fun and vibrant side. Try bold mint or electric blue, this will make a statement and pop in your wedding photos! This shoe is perfect for an outdoor wedding preferably during the spring and summer.

4. Bedazzled 

 Looking for that extra wow factor? A little bit of bedazzle will go a long way. A pair of shimmering shoes polishes off an already glamorous gown. Bedazzled shoes will go best with that happily ever after castle venue where your wedding will be held.

5. Cutouts 

Forget glitter and lace- shoes with intricate cutouts, and textured designs will be sure to catch everyone’s eye! These shoes are excellent for a spring or summer wedding because of their breathable cutouts.

6. Fabulous Flats

You can still look gorgeous while wearing a pair of comfy flats. With a limitless selection from sleek, pointed toe, to crochet flats. Having amazing style does not have to come with pain. Finally, fabulous flats are amazing for the bride who is ready to dance the night away on her big day!

Reference:  Pictures credit to Paradox London

Shoes available for a purchase at Aleana’s Bridal. 

How to have a Winter Wedding (Part 1)

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

Walking in a winter wonder wedding

By Jaclyn Ianetti

Snow White…walking in a Winter Wonderland….with her Prince Charming, kissing under a mistletoe made of berries…(better berries than any poison apple!)

 

A winter wonderland scene paints a picture in my own imagination of snowmen created alongside down a hill, with children sleigh riding, and families or couples holding hands ice skating around a faraway frozen pond swaying, wearing mittens, scarves, sweaters, hats, and earmuffs…as snow flurries whirl in the wintery wind where icicles form on the white-coated forest trees.

 

Don’t you kind of love December?    

Start off by picking a theme so that you can send out invitations that correspond with your theme of choice.

Snowy fairy-tale castles…. whimsical winter wonderland…Christmas… snowflakes & pinecones…take a trip through the wardrobe into a blizzard backdrop of Narnia….If you’re a Disney bride, draw some inspiration from Snow White, Belle (From “Beauty & the Beast,” and have your theme as a book-filled library in the middle of a mansion, with a rooftop full of snow, stranded in the wintery woods), and also from Disney’s new movie “Frozen.”

Keep in mind that just because you’re having a wedding in the winter doesn’t mean you have to play the “Ice Queen” bride with an icy, cold theme that’s limited to the mood of just ice and snow.

 

GET CREATIVE with your wedding theme & color palette.  Go retro…and think back to your best memories…channel your childhood memories of winter to best capture the colors that come to mind.

Read Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 next

How to have a Winter Wedding (Part 4)

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

Dazzling Diamonds: Wear diamonds as your jewelry, or incorporate them into accessories and even the décor around the venue.  Diamonds conjure up magical visions of ice crystals…perfect for your winter wedding “personality”. 

Coats?…✓Check!:  Make sure your venue has a coat check, as nobody wants to lug around a bulky coat or even a wet one, from any wintery weather mix of snow, sleet, or icy rain.  Also, have a fancy coat and layering clothing pieces for over your wedding gown when shooting photos outside.

WINTER WHIMSY

Hot Kisses: How about renting a photo booth for the night dressed up in mistletoe?  Let the guests take pictures inside the booth with mistletoe backdrops on top of their heads as the custom set portrait to be taken in the booth…they will have no choice but to pose properly with sharing a kiss.

Dashing through the Snow: If you wished for snow on your wedding day and you got lucky with a full blanket of it (or a full on blizzard!), then your beautiful backdrop is set.  But if the snow just won’t come to you, rent a snow machine and create your own winter wonderland.  Let the décor of your reception speak the language of winter…maybe carved-out-of-ice designs and a martini luge can help in setting the wintery mood.

 Welcome to wonderland

If you’re a couple who are thinking of tying the knot as the snow starts to fall.. Create a scene of what winter means to you, and take those elements and draw from the inspiration to use for creating your own memorable, winter wonderland wedding.

Hot cocoa…a blazing fireplace that roars with warmth…cozy candelight nights & crisp air days… all add a touch of enchantment that peak wedding season just doesn’t offer.  Whether you have striking memories connected with the winter season, and want to associate your big day with it… or you just love the sparkle of the season…there’s a certain charm to a winter wedding that just can’t be denied, nor can be achieved in the spring or summer.

 

 Marrying on a snowy night in December (or any freezing night of winter!) proposes an esthetic landscape that will absorb you & your jolly guests into it, leading you well on your way to a sparkling, whimsical, wintery wedding of wonderful…This magic of the season simply lends to a different kind of wedding magic. 

“When we say goodbye December

Merry bells no longer chime

We’ll remember once upon a wintertime”…. And your guests will leave wonderstruck from exiting the pages of your fairytale storybook of your winter wedding to be remembered forever.

 

No matter how chilly it is outside, your wedding will be glowing and gleaming warm with love….

Why? Because…

“LOVE THAWS”- Disney’s Frozen.

“Only an act of true love

Can thaw a frozen heart.”

DISNEY’S FROZEN. 

 

How to Sabotage your Marriage… …Before it Begins (Part 1)

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By Jaclyn Ianetti

Once upon a time…and that was all.  Most people usually don’t get married planning to divorce soon after, but much research suggests so much of what people do before they wed sadly leads them to the destructive place of divorce.

 

How to avoid a miserable marriage before it begins?  Gee, what an uplifting topic huh?!  But it sure is realistic, and can happen to you if you don’t think things through and integrate the right attitude adjustments and mental/emotional shifts into your days leading up to your BIG one.

 

The timeframe before the wedding can be a crucial turning point, as the whole wedding planning process can be rather stressful.  Part of the reason might be that, as a culture, women are often more captivated and infatuated with the wedding than the actual marriage!  So this means an excess amount of energy, time, and resources get poured into a wedding, ensuring the best possible outcome for a Wedding Day.  Get with the program ladies…a magical day is something we all dream of…but let’s not overdo anything or overcompensate for something we’re not receiving in the relationship itself perhaps?  A magical relationship over an over-the-top wedding is much more preferable and soulful.

 

Instead of revving up your bank account and drowning resources out just to make funds for your elaborate wedding expenses, really think about what is most important and what you can do without.  You don’t want money problems resulting from an extravagant wedding to be the reason you‘re relationship is failing…and the resulting woes that come from it all can make a marriage miserable (especially if you’re one of those couples that places such value on finances and/or known to rack up credit card expenses!).   This can probably be the most disgraceful way to end a relationship based on these causes.  Know who you are, who you are marrying, and find a balance in between to avoid debt…and more importantly, disappointments.

Sweating the small stuff?  So he forgot to fix the broken faucet while you were at your bridal gown consultation….Big deal?!   It doesn’t mean anything more than what it does at face value…he forgot.  Cut him some slack.  Step back from your stressed out, overwhelmed state and think of the important things in life…love being # 1.  Do you really want to pick a fight over something so trivial…and not to mention, so mundane?

Continue reading …… Part 2 and Part 3

Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ

How to Sabotage your Marriage… …Before it Begins (Part 3)

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Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

 

Brides-to-be can have an unavoidable habit of playing the victim…the damsel in distress in-waiting for her dream day to come true.   An “All-About-Me” attitude can erupt, as you feel like the world revolves you for the time being.  Playing the victim is a control mechanism, and you use it when it suits you best…and may I add, what better timing to use this opportunity of becoming “the bride” to play this role?  You may be at a high-sensitivity and emotional peak, so pointing the finger at someone else is easier and makes you feel better about yourself.  But never being at fault just because you’re the bride-to-be can be tiresome to a fiancé who necessarily isn’t always to blame either.  Fess up to your role in the problems you’re facing, apologize and make the necessary changes when appropriate.  It’s difficult for anybody to take responsibility for bad behavior, but once you give up the victim mentality, you’ll find yourself less stressed, angry and resentful…and your soon-to-be husband will be happier, too.

 

Forgetting the smaller gestures can be a big problem.  Those everyday signs of affection are what keep intimacy and romance alive, yet many couples fail to remember to do them, especially in days leading up to wedding as you’re stressed and consumed with the planning.  No matter how big or small, spread as much sweetness around as possible.

Sooo….forget sweating the small stuff, and remember to spread the small stuff that matters!

 

And before you become a heartbroken bride-to-be, make sure not to make any of the mistakes mentioned above.  And the biggest one of all?  CLOSED COMMUNICATION!  Keep the lines of communicating clearly to each other WIDE OPEN…in an honest, non-judgmental space.

 

You want to communicate as a couple and make sure any unrealistic expectations are kept at bay to a restored balance and healthy dose of dreams, hopes, and aspirations.  We’re all human, imperfections and flaws and all that jazz.  The key lies in working through the inevitable hardships that you’ll encounter as a couple.  It’s in the continual sacrificing, listening and loving, that husbands and wives become soul mates on a more evolved, elevated level of existence.

Oh, of course,…and if he sees you in your wedding dress, your doomed.

Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ

 

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.

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!

Perfect Flower Girls

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

When it comes to looking for the perfect flower girl dress, the idea of the bride’s dress comes to mind. In essence, the flower girl is a little bride. This little girl will most likely remember this moment forever as she will feel like a princess. A quality dress whether custom made or selected from a collection, will enhance the wedding’s overall appearance. This is, after all, the idea behind picking the bridal gown and the dresses for the bridal party. She may be small, but the flower girl still deserves the best! A happy flower girl makes for a problem free entrance and perfect pictures. After all, no one wants a tantrum down the aisle or photos of a sad little girl!

The fabulous thing about these flower girl gowns is that they can be utilized again in the future. Many of the dresses are, for the most part, a basic silhouette. With slight modifications, or even just as they are, they can dually serve the purpose as a first communion gown, a pageant gown or even a holiday dress. This is definitely worth taking into consideration if you are a bit skeptical on the price, although they are quite reasonable considering the craftsmanship and quality. If a traditional silhouette isn’t a good fit for the theme of the wedding, going the custom made route is always an option. What a way to really make her feel special!

Aleana’s Bridal presenting a stunning collection by Joan Calabrese, one of the leading designers in flower girl/girl’s special occasion gowns. All of the dresses are designed with a bridal elegance state of mind. The dresses are very detailed and are of amazing quality. The dresses come in white and ivory and with all sorts of embellishments to perfectly match any bride’s gown. To visit our store please call at 201-444-1500.

 

Bridal Gown Spotlight (Part 3)

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

Read first Part 1 and Part 2

 

Gypsy Princess

To stand out as a bride, wear a tiara…or an exclusive, hand-made flower hippie headband to be placed upon your crown…bohemian beautiful.

  REVIEW

It’s all about adding & accessorizing withoutbeing tacky.

 Adding some color :  A wedding dress does not have to be one plain color.  Sometimes adding a splash of color can make your dress stand out of the crowd.  By adding color to your wedding dress, you are making your dress unique and giving it your own style.

Adding a ribbon on the waist can show off your curves and your individuality.  Use the colors of your bridesmaid’s dresses as a clue to the right color, and you will look wonderful together.  Your train could also include a little bit of this color.  Adding a color can be done anywhere including in your hair, with the bouquet, or many other options.  This option is a very modern idea and can translate into some very beautiful pictures. 

 Accessories: A bride’s wedding look is not just about the dress.  The dress is not complete without some accessories.  These can include your hairpiece, bouquet and shoes.  For your hair, you can choose to go with a simple veil, or try something like a crown.  Your shoes complete your look.  If your wedding is on the beach, do not be afraid to go barefoot or in sandals.  The best way to keep your look unique is to have fun and remember that this is your day and you make the rules.  If you want to add accessories to the dress itself, you can add bows, buttons, or other embellishments to the dress.

Unique add-ons to your dress will make the dress seem more like your own. Every bride should have a wedding dress that makes her feel beautiful, but also reflects her own style.  Add or subtract sleeves, add color, and do not forget some accessories and you will have a wedding day look that everyone will remember.

(Refer to article “Love your Body” Brides by body-type : what’s your aisle style? For a detailed dress guide & more gown inspiration). 

 

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