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The Guide to Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress

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Your wedding day is a momentous occasion, filled with love, joy, and the promise of forever. At the heart of this unforgettable day lies the iconic symbol of your love story: the wedding dress. Finding the perfect gown is a journey as unique as the love you share, and it deserves careful consideration and thoughtful planning. To help you embark on this enchanting quest, we present “The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress.”

  1. Start with Inspiration: Begin your dress journey by gathering inspiration. Browse bridal magazines, Pinterest boards, and wedding websites to discover styles, silhouettes, and details that resonate with your vision. Take note of elements you love, whether it’s the neckline of one gown, the train of another, or the intricate lace of a third.
  2. Know Your Body: Understanding your body shape is key to finding a dress that flatters your figure and makes you feel confident and beautiful. Whether you’re petite, curvy, pear-shaped, or tall, different silhouettes will accentuate your best features. Consult with bridal experts or utilize online guides to determine which styles suit your body type best.
  3. Set a Budget: Before you fall head over heels for a gown, establish a realistic budget for your wedding dress. Consider not only the cost of the gown itself but also alterations, accessories, and any additional fees. Stick to your budget to ensure a stress-free shopping experience and prevent any financial strain down the aisle.
  4. Research Bridal Salons: Research bridal salons in your area or online boutiques that align with your style, budget, and shopping preferences. Read reviews, explore their collections, and schedule appointments with reputable establishments to begin your dress-shopping journey.
  5. Book Appointments Wisely: When scheduling dress appointments, aim for weekdays or early mornings when bridal salons are less crowded, allowing for a more personalized experience. Limit your appointments to no more than two per day to avoid overwhelm and ensure each visit receives the attention it deserves.
  6. Trust Your Instincts: While it’s essential to consider others’ opinions, trust your instincts when choosing your wedding dress. Select a gown that makes you feel radiant, confident, and true to yourself. Your dress should reflect your personality and style, not just conform to trends or outside expectations.
  7. Embrace the Experience: Dress shopping is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so embrace every moment of it. Celebrate each gown you try on, cherish the memories made with loved ones, and savor the anticipation of finding “the one.” Remember, the journey is just as magical as the destination.
  8.  Consider Customization: If you’ve fallen in love with aspects of multiple gowns or have a specific vision in mind, consider customization options. Many bridal designers offer customization services, allowing you to create a bespoke gown that perfectly embodies your style and vision.
  9.  Trust the Process: Finally, trust the process and enjoy every step of the journey. Whether you find your dream dress on the first try or after months of searching, know that the perfect gown is worth the wait. When you walk down the aisle on your wedding day, adorned in the dress of your dreams, you’ll radiate beauty, confidence, and the purest expression of love.

Halloween Charm: Adding Spooky Flair to Your Wedding

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Just because Halloween has come and gone doesn’t mean the fun has to end—especially for those who revel in the magic of this bewitching holiday. For couples who adore the autumnal allure or simply can’t resist the thrill of Halloween, infusing your wedding day with spooky touches is the perfect way to celebrate without sending your guests running for the hills!

While it’s a wedding, not a children’s Halloween bash, there’s still plenty of room to play with some cool, dark elements that add an enchanting twist to your special day. Think gothic themes with an edge of elegance. And if black happens to be your signature color, why not embrace it wholeheartedly? Channel your inner Haunted Mansion aficionado by incorporating ghoulish Disney accents for an extra dash of whimsy.

One subtle yet fun way to infuse Halloween vibes into your celebration is through signature cocktails. Get creative with the names—think “Pick Your Poison” or “Witches’ Brew”—and watch as guests delight in the playful spirit of the occasion.

When it comes to your wedding cake, consider giving it a nod to the season with a Fall-inspired theme or go all out by paying homage to your favorite Halloween movies. Fans of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will swoon over cakes inspired by the film’s whimsical aesthetic, adding a touch of cinematic magic to your dessert table.

For a more understated yet meaningful touch, consider incorporating Halloween-themed décor into your celebration. From elegant candle holders adorned with spooky quotes to subtle nods to the season’s colors and motifs, these tasteful touches add depth and personality to your wedding ambiance without overwhelming the senses.

And remember, Halloween isn’t just about being scary—it’s about having fun and embracing the things you love. So, go ahead and show off your Halloween spirit in all its glory, ensuring that your wedding day is a celebration to remember for all the right reasons.

At Aleana’s Bridal in Paramus, NJ, we understand the allure of infusing your wedding day with personality and flair. Visit us to discover the perfect gown and accessories to complement your Halloween-themed celebration, ensuring that your walk down the aisle is every bit as magical as the holiday itself.

Tips for an “Apple/ Tri-angled” or “Hourglass” Shaped Body

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If you’re “Apple/ Tri-angled” Shaped

Women with the “Apple Shapes” can fit into two categories: round body types or wide at the top and then taper down to a slimmer bottom.  The rounder “apples” may carry extra weight in their stomach area.  If you are this type of “apple,” and are a bit fuller in the waist, stick to wedding dresses that will give the illusion of a smaller waist-line.  These include:

*Textured bodices:  this will camouflage imperfections around the waist so that your stomach area doesn’t catch the eye of others

* Embellished designs:  Embroidery such as strategic beading will make your waist appear smaller.

The other type of “apple” shaped women tends to have broader shoulders, larger busts, and a wide waist.  Because these types have narrow hips in relation to their shoulder size, a dress that cinches in at the smallest point of the waistline should complement their body types.  If this description fits you:

*Opt for a textured bodice (ruche or lace detailing) that will fit snugly to your waistline.  This creates a “corset” like effect on your waist.

*Avoid trumpet styled dresses.  These call attention to the widest area of your body and flare out to the lower body (legs and knees), where you are most slender.

 #1 TIP:  Both of the “Apples” will benefit from…

*A deep V-neckline dress.  This creates a vertical line, drawing eyes towards the slender, vertical line of your body, not the horizontal

*A dress with an “A” line  or empire waist that gently falls away from the body.

“Hourglass” Shaped Body tips

If you are the woman who has the most desired body type among the rest, possessing a curvaceous body.  You are characterized as the lady with large shoulders and bust, narrow waist, wide hips, buttocks and thighs, but in proper proportion to your shoulders.  You have the body with most balance.  Curvy figures with a balanced bust and hips and defined waist line will do best in finding a dress that accentuates the small waist, making the most of the feminine points of your body (your curves!).

 Choose styles such as:

*Mermaid fit gowns

*Corset styled dresses

*Fuller skirts (trumpet styled gowns) that fit the body and flare out below hips

*Sweetheart or scoop necklines

*Strapless gowns (with fitted waists)

*Two piece dresses (with fitted bodice)

     #1 TIP: Stick with styles that accentuate the waist, and those with fuller skirts.

This article is brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County.

Wedding Dresses Trends 2020

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Trend: Peplums

 

Peplum; noun: “a short section attached to the waistline of a blouse, jacket, or dress.”

 Fun, flirty, and stylish…Just think of the cute bubble skirts…aren’t they just an adorable way to sex up your look?

 A peplum, or short overskirt, has made its’ way from the ready-to-wear runways to wedding dresses.  This flattering trend is a unique detail that can add a sexy, modern touch to any gown using both structured and softly draped shapes.

High-fashioned and vividly appealing, peplums picking up this season is a sure way to impress any bride-to-be gown shopping with this popular silhouette in the selection of many stores and boutiques.

 

Feathered or flustered?…or ruffled?

…any unique detail to a waist-defined peplum gown will be high-fashion!

 

50 shades of…Ivory?

 Trend: Color

 Great news if white just isn’t your color…because this season, brides have more of an opportunity to find a color that’s more flattering to their skin tone and body.

 Designers painted their dresses in splashes of bold strokes this season.  Smokey reds, sky blues, and bridal blushes.  So wearing white isn’t the norm anymore, as this season’s rebellious offset to white in the use of colors and ivory invites itself in!  Yes, IVORY!  Ivory gives brides a bigger selection to play dress-up with!

 

Color me …Boldly…but Softly

Keep it “bridal approved” by sticking to one color theme:  one significant color of choice that pops.  A bold pop of color will give your dress the new age look your going for, while expressing your individuality and “color personality”.  Choose your color wisely…first impressions speak loudly…and boldly!

 

Don’t get any ideas of rainbow inspired dresses, either.  Let’s pass on the tacky considerations.

Separate the white, or ivory, with color: Khloe Kardashian’s Vera Wang wedding gown had a subtle pop of the color around her waist.  A thin or thick colored sash makes way for perfection as it can incorporate color into your gown in a classic way.

If you want to accessorize, add flowers to or around your hair.  The middle of the flower could be a complimentary color to the shade in your gown.  With an ivory gown, this look could be quite classic and vintage.

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop. A bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ.

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.

 

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

 

Naked Cakes for Your Wedding Day

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Your wedding cake is one of the centerpieces of your day. You might want something extravagant. You might want your cake to perfectly encompass your theme with colors and flowers or perfectly crafted figures. While you are deciding what beautiful cake to display on your wedding day, you might consider a naked cake. It may not sound too good right now, but stay with me. They are actually really beautiful. Sure, there’s not a ton of fondant covering up the icing holding the cake together, but there is so much beauty in that icing popping out of the sides. It becomes a piece of art, especially when surrounded by gorgeous flowers or delicate toppings. The best part about a naked cake though? It is so much fresher than a regular wedding cake covered in fondant because it takes a lot less time to put together. That means that you and your guests get to eat a delicious, fresh wedding cake on your wedding day. Doesn’t that sound delicious? 

If you’re still not convinced, take a look at some of these beautifully crafted naked wedding cakes. I promise you’ll fall in love with the simplicity of it all. It will truly add something to your wedding you’ve probably never seen before. You won’t be able to stop staring at it.

Here are some absolutely amazing naked wedding cakes to convince you that it might be the way to go for your special day.  

This naked chocolate cake with caramel dripping down the side is so simple, but stands out. It also looks like it would taste amazing.  

If that chocolate cake didn’t convince you, maybe Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s wedding cake will. The cake was as simple as it gets, with lovely flowers standing out against the white of the cake. It was the perfect addition to their Italian wedding.  

If that cake was still too simple or bland for your taste, consider adding fruit in between layers for some color. The cake is simple, but the strawberries add a pop of color and compliment the flowers so well.  

Who says funfetti is only appropriate at a kid’s birthday party? If you’re a big fan of this cake at home, why not have it at your wedding? It’s your day, after all! Consider adding miniature funfetti cakes to your reception tables like this one, or go all out and get a full-sized one because you can. 

A naked wedding cake isn’t for everyone, but it can be a nice way to add a different touch to your wedding, and it might also save you some money. Consider it when looking for the perfect wedding cake for your day.

Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ

8 Ways to Color your Wedding Venue

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Your color scheme for the wedding has the power to set the vibe! The colors you choose can seriously affect the overall tone and mood of your wedding, so think about what kind of celebration you want! Always remember to pick up your favorite shade, and the type of style you will use on your wedding invitations. This will give your family and friends a clue about your wedding style (and what they should wear). Here are a few color combinations you could go for:

1. Cream & Gold 

Consider a cream and gold wedding. These wedding colors could work for any time of the year. This romantic décor can work for a stunning indoor venue or a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. Its versatility allows it to be a bit rustic, and perfectly refined. Also, gold will always complement the neutral color scheme and isn’t forced to fight for attention aside in bold colors.

2. Brown and Arctic Blue 

Blue for your wedding color will create a relaxing and peaceful mood for your wedding in which everyone will feel contented and happy. Navy blue can look great with ivory, champagne, and white. Adding brown can make it a gorgeous combo. For this theme, go with white tulips, lilies and maybe hydrangea in blue or white. Adding a handful of peacock feathers will definitely look charming, providing a splash of color to kick off a fabulous day.

3. Rustic Rainbow 

A colorful wedding is a beautiful wedding. Choosing all the colors of a rainbow to include in your wedding is bold, attention-grabbing and a bit overwhelming. The most important thing to remember when having a colorful wedding is to make sure every color is represented equally. If your wedding is in the spring, choose pastels. If your wedding is in the summer, choose bright and vibrant colors. If your wedding is in the fall, choose dulled shades that are deeper. If your wedding is in the winter, choose cool palettes for all of your colors.

4. Cherry Red

Red is probably the boldest color you can choose for your wedding. It creates a warm and stimulating mood at your wedding with high energy. The attention-seeking color will have all eyes on a bride who wears a red wedding gown, on a reception venue decorated with red flowers and bridesmaids channeling vibrant red dresses. There are many shades of red to choose from, such as coral, burgundy, ruby, crimson, vermilion or maroon, and endless types of flowers like roses, tulips, poppies, peonies, and dahlias, just to name a few. This bold color (perfect for the brave & romantic ones) can tint every element of your wedding, from heart-shaped table decorations to a spectacular red velvet wedding cake and red rose bouquets for you and your bridesmaids.

5. Purple & Green

Purple is most often associated with royalty. This is because Roman Emperors were often seen wearing purple. Adding a beautiful splash of purple and green to your wedding will create a calming and restful mood. Use lilacs, known for their lovely fragrance which is part of why many brides choose these for their purple pop. While lilacs can also be white, pink, and red, purple lilacs symbolize purity and first love.

6. Turquoise & Lime Green

This bold and bright color combo is pretty chameleonic, and here is why. Depending on the accessories and decorations you choose to display in this sweet yet euphoric mix, your big day can acquire different touches: for a vintage wedding choose powder green, fainted turquoise, and all things antique, for an exotic feel choose a stand-out aqua shade and lots of marine elements, while for a garden-party vibe scatter endless quantities of green hydrangea everywhere and wrap turquoise ribbons around everything. Turquoise will create a refreshing, friendly and happy mood at your wedding.

7.  Kelly Green

There are dozens of ways that green can be a beautiful color for a wedding. Whether as an accent or a dominant shade, this gentle color evokes a sense of peace and nature perfect for a romantic celebration. There are many ways to incorporate more green into the floral arrangements, such as: choosing all-green arrangements with green blooms using more ivy, ferns, and other greenery in decorations or wrapping bouquets in green ribbon. The wedding cake is undoubtedly the star of the wedding menu, and adding green accents can make this scrumptious dessert a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Consider green options such as: decorating the cake with greenery rather than flowers or adding faux emeralds or other green jewels to the cake.

8. White & Blue

A sea-and-sky color theme helps create a crisp, modern wedding. Get inspired by a monochromatic palette of chic sea-glass blues. Print and texture mixing is encouraged, along with a signature sip and dessert bar that perpetuates the color scheme.

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

Wedding Photo Booth

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Wedding Photo Booth – Make this the main focal point of your wedding reception.

There are so many ways for you to capture amazing memories of your wedding day. Putting up a photo booth does not only capture great shots but also keeps your guests entertained. This photo booth is going to capture moments that may not be captured otherwise. People are also very relaxed in the privacy of a photo booth and you are sure to get some really hilarious images of people acting in ways that they might otherwise not. And since they provide photos instantly, these are going to be the very first photos that the bride and groom see after their wedding.

You could hire an attendant that will make sure everything runs smoothly and will explain what to do to your guests. But on the other hand if you do not want to hire one, you could just put up a large sign with instructions for your guests.

Make it fun! Decorate the photo booth according to the theme of your wedding. Encourage group shots! The more the merrier! This is not only a great way to get memorable wedding day photos, but also fun, casual and impromptu photographs! To make the photo booth even more fun and all its pictures even more memorable, place a bunch of cool accessories and props by the photo booth and let the guests go crazy! Anything and everything is allowed – glasses, wigs, hats, feathers, shawls, clown noses, play swords, butterfly wings, signs with funny sayings, bow-ties and more.

Hire the booth for the whole day so that you can capture all of the action. The best time to capture great photos is after dinner when your guests are most relaxed and have got to know one another better. Make sure to get a photo booth that prints both black and white and glossy style color prints as different guests would prefer different styles.

You can save these in a DVD or even create a photo album.

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, New Jersey

Wedding Cakes

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The whole point of a wedding cake is, of course, to eat it and enjoy the sugary sweetness. But these colorful cakes are so gorgeous, that it seems like a crime to cut into them. You could look online at wedding cakes or look in old family photos for cake ideas, especially if you want to carry on a tradition.

White and pastels are no longer the only colors used to celebrate a new marriage. Bold, bright colors are increasingly being chosen over more traditional color palettes, and the aesthetic is transferring over to bold, colorful wedding cakes. Add pretty blooms to make them the perfect accessory for your wedding cake. Starting either at the top or near the top of the cake, the flowers cascade down the sides in a smooth curve or spiral.

You can also add a bit of a boho feel to your wedding cake at your bohemian themed wedding. Get a colorful cake with maybe gold piping, quilting, fondant embellishments, and beautiful flowers. Fresh raspberries and roses add a hint of jewel-toned color to the soft color palette, accented with overflowing floral arrangements in delicate pink and blush. Summer roses, ruffled peonies, and bright tulips also add a lovely texture to the tone on tone arrangements at your wedding.

If you’re envisioning a country style wedding, not a fan of colors and are looking for a greater impact, bet on a naked design. Just delicious! Rustic wedding cakes can add a chic touch to your wedding giving it a natural charm. Your wedding cake can also be rustic by adding some color; some fresh flowers in complementary colors (always harmonious with the style of your wedding) can be ideal.

Tip: 

  • Adding fresh berries and fruit to a cake can turn it into both an art and a dessert. Sponge cakes make this easy and can keep down the costs for you.
  • Plan well in advance. Tell the baker how many people the cake has to serve. The more guests, the larger the cake needed.

This article brought to you by Aleanas Bridal, Paramus, New Jersey