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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 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

 

How to shop for a wedding dress (Part 4)

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

Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 first

 

*Alternate options for you non-shoppers: If you really dread the idea of dress shopping from store to store, you can forgo it all together and either just work with a solo dressmaker or shop online.

–        “Matchmaker”: Working one-on-one with a dressmaker can be a very intimate, fulfilling experience if you two connect very well and her creations magically match your wishes.

–        Virtual dress realms:  If you do order online, make sure you do so in plenty of time in case it doesn’t look, or fit, as you expected it would when it arrives.  Also, be aware that if you are ordering from overseas you’ll often have to pay custom charges.

*Communication is key…ask questions and keep the flow of honest feelings into conversations going! To avoid any misunderstandings through lack of communication between you and the bridal shop you will be a client to, educate yourself beforehand as to what you’re allowed to do/bring, and be honest and just be yourself once you go to fittings to be as stress-free as possible.

I hope some of you brides-to-be find these tips valuable, and I hope it triggers even more thoughts to be conjured in your own mind as to what you can do as an addition to stress-free and smart, strategic planning.

CROWN YOUR GOWN

Remember to approach dress shopping as an absolute experience…not a result/destination.  By doing this, (ironically but beneficially), you will achieve the result you most desire, escaping the daunting and mundane experience of trying on gowns.

 

Most importantly, listen to your own head and heart…because nobody knows you better than you know yourself.  Wear your wisdom as the crown on top of your head…(and later, a veil).  You know the man you’re marrying is “The One,” and that same intuition and wisdom will guide you for when choosing the right dress.

This is how you will come out alive…and your real “crown” will be your most perfect gown.

How to shop for a wedding dress (Part 1)

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

By Jaclyn Ianetti

This is more so about being prepared for your bridal fittings and what to bring along with you…the tangible and the intangible…so your overall experience on the hunt for a dress is less stressful.

 

What to bring to bridal fittings:

*First of, you should wear something comfortable that you can easily slip in to and out of, so avoid outfits with obstinate details, buttons, or zips.   A stretchy maxi dress and ballet flats is an appropriate go-to outfit to wear to fittings.  No hoodies/sweatshirts…you’ll be hot pulling those on and off.  A light jacket with an easy zipper to swing off you is more like it.

*Wearing modest underwear is a must…seam free with a strapless bra.   Some of the dresses will look best with a strapless or no bra.  Think about what type of underwear you will be wearing under your dress the day of your wedding…maybe bringing a nude color or something similarly simple to really get the feel of the entire look as you explore your options.

 

*Your very own bridal glass slipper….SHOES!  Of course, it doesn’t have to be a “glass” slipper, but you’re going to want a new, special pair for the very special occasion.  Bridal shops will have shoes you can try on with the dresses just to get the feel for it, but if you don’t want to share shoes with the other brides roaming the aisles in the stores then bring your own pair along with you…to set the tone for your unique stroll down your very own aisle once the big day arrives.

– Color doesn’t necessarily matter for fittings, as most bridal stores will provide you with a basic white satin shoe if you do need to get an idea of how your dress will look with an appropriate heel.  You can always go without a heel, of course…it’s completely up to you and what your style is.  Once you decide on your dress, then you can go about thinking what shoe…style, color, and height…will best fit.

Continue with Part 2,  Part 3, and Part 4

10 Iconic Brides and Bridal Gowns (Part 1)

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

By Jaclyn Ianetti

The times may have changed, but classic dress trends do remain to exist.  The fashion world has seen some

incredible gowns on the runway in the past few decades and think they are as timeless as they get.

Lets take a look at some of the most iconic and memorable wedding dresses ever worn by shining the spotlight on some stars in their break-through bridal roles who are oh-so deserving of their classic, timeless, gush-worthy dresses.

 

Audrey Hepburn

 

She played a water sprite in a 1954 Broadway production of Ondine, then chose a decidedly elfin tea-length, chiffon-sleeved Balmain for her wedding to co-star Mel Ferrer later that year.  A wreath of fresh flowers is what really gave her wedding look an ethereal and magical effect.

Jackie O

(Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis )

 

The fashion icon and future first lady wore a voluminous ivory silk taffeta gown by the designer Ann Lowe when she married John F. Kennedy in 1953.  A portrait neckline and a wide, embellished skirt emphasized Jackie’s small waist…and an heirloom lace veil, which originally belonged to her grandmother, completed the super-romantic ensemble.

Caroline Kennedy 

It should come as no surprise that Caroline Kennedy’s 1986 wedding to Edwin Schlossberg was a stylish affair…her planner was none other than her mother, Jackie Kennedy Onassis.  In a white silk organza gown with a 25-foot train, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy tied the knot near Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

 

Elizabeth Taylor

In 1950, Liz Taylor took her first trip (of seven! …Lucky number seven?) down the aisle, marrying hotel heir Conrad “Nicky” Hilton in Hollywood (Paris and Nicky‘s great uncle).  Her 1950’s silk silhouette, basque-waisted gown cost a then-staggering $1,500 (almost $14,000 in today’s dollars) to make and was a gift from her studio, MGM.

Continue with Part 2

 

BRIDAL SHOP near MIDLAND PARK BERGEN COUNTY NJ

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Aleana’s Bridal is your Bridal Shop near Midland Park, Bergen County, NJ.

Honor, riches, marriage-blessing

Long continuance, and increasing,

Hourly joys be still upon you!”

– William Shakespeare

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  our exclusive bridal collection or to create a most beautiful custom bridal gown. We are proud to offer our Midland Park clients our “Made in America” collection that offers a variety of novelty silk fabrics, French laces, and handmade embroideries. Every garment in our great collection of bridal dresses and set can be modified to enhance a beauty of any body type.

We keep our clients up to date on the latest launches and trends. 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. After your wedding we will be happy to take your gown back for consignment or further customize it for a future event.

We have recently expanded our Mother of the Bride collection and proudly extend our custom made services to create the perfect gown for all shapes and sizes. With a library of fabrics and colors to choose from, the possibilities for our mother of the bride and special occasion gowns are endless. We can perfectly match the bridal party color scheme if you prefer or we can create something completely unique and different. 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.

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

At our store, it’s all about personalized service. Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

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

BRIDAL SHOP NEAR SADDLE RIVER BERGEN COUNTY NJ

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

Every woman lives to experience that special bridal moment once in her lifetime. 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.

Choosing the perfect gown is almost as important as choosing the right partner. Aleana’s Bridal invites you to create  choose a dress or your custom gown at our exclusive shop located in the heart of Paramus, Bergen county, NJ.

We offer a great personal service to guide our clients step by step to select from a wide collection or to create the most wonderful custom gown for that special day. Your bridal gown is a symbol of unique self; a symbol of self-expression that makes a powerful statement in the physical world about your inner nature. Choosing the perfect gown is almost as important as choosing the right partner. Our gowns are created for the woman who is not afraid to cross boundaries and who enjoys experiencing the triumph of individual style.

Aleana’s Bridal offers all Saddle River 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! Book your appointment today and we will guide you to select a dress that is the essence of you. 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 and lounge wear that can only be found at our boutique as well as custom gowns for the entire bridal party including Mother of the Bride.

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

 

BRIDAL SHOP NEAR PARAMUS BERGEN COUNTY, NJ

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Aleanas’s Bridal is your Bridal Shop Paramus, Bergen County, NJ.

Every woman lives to experience that special bridal moment once in her lifetime. 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.

Choosing the perfect gown is almost as important as choosing the right partner. Aleana’s Bridal invites you to create your custom gown or choose a dress at our exclusive shop located in the heart of Paramus.

We are proud to offer our Paramus clients our “Made in America” collection that offers a variety of novelty silk fabrics, French laces, and handmade embroideries. Every garment in our great collection of bridal dresses and set can be modified to enhance a beauty of any body type. Each garment is designed with an idea of feminine magnificence in mind. We keep our clients up to date on the latest launches and trends.

Aleana’s Bridal offers to Paramus 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! Personal customer service is readily available and even possible during the wedding day. After your wedding we will be happy to take your gown back for consignment or further customize it for a future event.

At our store, it’s all about personalized service. Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need. We also offer a full collection of intimate apparel, loungewear and freehand, painted scarves that are created for only our store’s special selection.

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