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How to enjoy bridal gown shopping (Part 2)

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Read 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 maintain your manners: Proper wedding etiquette (Part 2)

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

Read Part 1 first

* If you choose to bring a guest along, make sure it is an appropriate choice.  Leave the wallflower and sulky date at home who will hinder your spirit as you shine on the dance floor…or the guy with an unpredictable behavioral pattern who tends to have a flared temper after too many shots of whiskey.  Leave him at home.  Better yet, what are you doing even being involved with these types of people to begin with?!?  Go alone and be free of the burden of entertaining a date all night.  You will have a much better time and be able to engage the people you truly care about as well as having a better opportunity for catching up with the ones you have been looking forward to seeing.

And if you weren’t invited with a guest, do NOT show up with one nor ask the bride or groom to make an exception just for you to bring somebody along. This puts them in an awkward position.  Once again, their day, not yours!

“No bringing uninvited guests” rule can imply children.  Respect an adult-only wedding if that’s what the married couple wishes.  And if children are invited, please take responsibility that they remain on their best behavior.  Example: crying during vows.  Solution: Remove yourself and bring them away from the scene…FAR AWAY…!!!

* Send a gift when you are unable to attend the wedding, (and be sure to RSVP by the correct date so the bride and groom are aware!).  Proper etiquette dictates that if you were invited, you owe the couple a gift, despite your actual presence at the wedding or not.

Let the registry be your first shopping source to purchase a gift from.  If not, make sure your gift is thoughtful and personable specifically for the couple.

* Don’t just show up for the reception and skip out on the ceremony.  The ceremony is the most significant part of all.   It’s in poor taste to be seen downing drinks at the open bar without first making all efforts to attend the main event.

 

* Don’t be late!  Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at the ceremony on time.

 

Traffic jam…when you’re already late?  Then watch from afar.  Stand in the back or slip quietly in a back row if the ceremony has already begun by the time you arrive.

Continue with Part 3

 

How to maintain your manners: Proper wedding etiquette (Part 1)

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

By Jaclyn Ianetti

 

Mi scusi…your manners.  Excuse yourself from making excuses to any bad manners at a wedding party.  There are no excuses on a day like this.  Everybody should be on their best behavior and adapt the proper social smarts at any formal gathering pertaining to a wedding: Engagement parties, Rehearsal dinners, and cocktail and dinner hours at the actual wedding day and reception.

 

You don’t need to have a royal bloodline or take etiquette classes to embody common courtesy.

But for those of you who can be quite facetious at times, and/or whose manners slip, this ones for you!

 

* Let’s start off with addressing our most beloved device we have become so attached to…our cell phones.   Ditch your addiction to technology…at least just for this very evening.  Nothing can be more rude than constantly checking your inbox or replying to your text messages during wedding vow’s.  Just turn them off!!!  Somebody trying to reach you will get sent right to your voicemail, instead of the embarrassment you will face when your obnoxious techno ringtone goes off blaring through the airwaves in the room during the maid of honor or best man’s speech.

 

Nowadays, people love updating their status to give some kind of validation as to what they are doing in the moment (an insecure habit of delineating a fun outer life, rather than living a rich inner one, if you ask me).  You are a guest, and you should BE at the wedding…not reporting on it.  Be present, and really focus on true communication with the other guests to get the most out of the evening.

*Sit at your assigned table.  This is a well-thought out plan made by the bride and groom, who best understand the dynamics of the various relationships their guests have to one another.  They designed their very own “compatibility chart” as the seating chart. Respect them, and don’t mess with the seating arrangements.  If you’ve never made the acquaintance of some of the people at your table, start off the evening by making introductions.  Personally speaking, I went to a wedding where I knew nobody at my table (besides an old flame, go figure), and I wound up meeting wonderful people and having a ball with them.

Have good manners at your dinner table: saying please and thank you, no interrupting, no taking over the conversations, never talking with your mouth full, etc.

Read Part 2 and Part 3

 

How to Sabotage your Marriage… …Before it Begins (Part 2)

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Read Part 1 first

 Arguing can stem from many roots to your own habitual patterns…one being having to be perpetually right all the time and coming out as the final winner.  If you want to be right just to be right, you’re going to create problems and pain in your marriage so pick and choose your battles wisely, or you’ll find yourself permanently on the battlefield.  And if something is really bothering you, ask yourself how important it really is.  Are there rational reasons why it’s so crucial?

If you know you must hash out an issue, bring it up as soon as possible to avoid built-up resentment.  And learn how to fight fairly.  Arguing to solve an issue isn’t necessarily the bad habit, as differences are bound to surface at any given moment, but the way you settle those differences can be destructive.  If you wonder why you’re unsuccessful in solving your problems, it could be because you’re not going about it with good intentions.  If and when you have a disagreement, once again, don’t try to be right…focus instead on trying to solve the problem and consider your partner’s point of view.  Don’t ever use power struggle tactics like guilt, threats, and emotional blackmail.  Get it through it together as peaceful warriors…calm, yet assertive.

Are you criticizing and nagging endlessly?  You might think you’re offering gentle reminders or simply being justifiably critical as you fault-find your way to your ideal of perfection, but the more you nag, the more he’ll tune you out.  And that just makes you angrier.  On the opposing side of the spectrum, by allowing oneself to be subject to constant criticism from a spouse, your well-being and confidence will suffer.  Once again, stop sweating the small stuff and losing sight of what’s truly important…in life…and in love.

Continue reading …. Part 3

 

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

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). 

 

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 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.

BRIDAL SHOP near CRESSKILL BERGEN COUNTY NJ

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Aleana’s Bridal is your bridal shop near Cresskill, Bergen County, NJ.

 

Choosing the perfect wedding gown is almost as important as choosing the right partner.  Aleana’s Bridal understands that and offers a great personal service to guide its’ clients step by step to choose the most wonderful bridal gown for the perfect wedding day.

Bridal gown is a symbol of your unique self; a symbol of self-expression that makes a powerful statement in the physical world about your inner nature. Aleana’s Bridal invites you to choose a wedding dress or create your custom bridal gown at our exclusive bridal shop located in the heart of Paramus, Bergen county, NJ.

Our exclusive bridal gowns are created for the woman who is not afraid to cross boundaries and who enjoys experiencing the triumph of individual style. We use only high quality silk fabrications, novelty French laces, hand embroideries and other unique embellishments.

Aleana’s Bridal offers all Cresskill customers a more than convenient production time frame, which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees!

We also invite the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom to visit our store. We exhibit an exclusive dress selection as well as offer our customers a custom made gowns in any fabric and color. Remember than you are the second most important woman at the wedding. We want you to look stunning during that special day.

Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

We also exhibit a wide selection of European lingerie,  lounge wear and hand made accessories that can only be found at our boutique.

Please call us at 201-444-1500 or book your appointment on line at www.aleanasbridal.com.

 

BRIDAL SHOP near NYACK, NEW YORK

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Aleana’s Bridal is your Bridal Shop near Nyack, NY.

You found the man of your dreams…now it’s a time to find the wedding dress of your dreams… that perfect bridal gown that is a symbol of unique self.

 Aleana’s Bridal understands that and invites you to guide step by step to select from a our exclusive bridal collection or to create a most beautiful custom bridal gown.

We are proud to offer our Nyack clients personalized one-on-one service, “Made in America” bridal dresses, wide selection of novelty silk fabrics, stunning French laces, unique embellishments, and exclusive handmade embroideries.

Cannot find shoes? Bring us any plain shoes for a custom embellishment to match your dress.

We invite the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom to visit our store as well to choose a dress from our exclusive dress collection or make one of the kind dress in any fabric and more than 70 available colors. With all of the different styles and silhouettes it seems as though you’ll never find the exact dress you want. Don’t fret. Rather than spending what seems like centuries browsing racks and trying on yet typical Mother of the Bride dress, consider custom made. The beauty of custom made gowns is simple; it’s made just for you. It is a one of a kind. As the second most important woman at the wedding, our 100% silk fabrications and one of a kind designs will make you feel like royalty.

Aleana’s Bridal offers a more than convenient production time frame,which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees! Personal customer service is readily available and even possible during the wedding day.

Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

Please book your appointment today at  www.aleanasbridal.com or call  201-444-1500.