Vera Wang Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang wedding dresses are notably worn by the ’stars’. From Jennifer Lopez to Uma Thurman, Sharon Stone to Mariah Carey - Vera Wang wedding dresses are the ultimate in opulent and stylish wedding wear, and because of the variety of styles, colors and materials available; Vera Wang represents exactly what most women want on their wedding day, so has become one of the uppermost in our thoughts when we are asked who our favorite wedding dress designers are. After a number of positions at prestigious magazines such as Vogue and Ralph Lauren where she made her name as the youngest fashion editor ever - just aged 23, Vera Wang started her first bridal line in 1990. With the aim of providing a line of dresses which were traditional, yet sophisticated; Vera established her line of wedding gowns unsure quite what to expect from the public. In 1994 her big break came when she designed a simple white outfit for ice-skater Nancy Kerrigan rendering her a household name practically overnight. Vera had skated competitively before joining the fashion design world, so designing the outfit came naturally. Vera’s affinity and love for fashion obviously originated from when she was much younger and her mother would regularly take her to the Sorbonne fashion shows in Paris; this has resulted in opulent, chic creations made from only the finest silks and other rich fabrics which are the dreams of most women when looking for their ultimate wedding dress. The A-line style cut, tulle and other ruche fabrics are particularly ‘In fashion’ at the moment and Vera’s fall/autumn collection makes this blindingly obvious, with concentration to how a wedding gown can look spectacularly simple given the amount of work that goes into one of her creations. Initially concentrating on a more traditional dress, Vera’s emergence into the Wedding gown world was seamless and hitch-free. Immediately consumers saw her flair for fashion and began to look to her dresses for ideas and a lot of weddings have been planned around her gowns. Another famous dress by Vera Wang, is the one Jessica Simpson wore for her wedding to now ex-husband Nick Lachey in 2002 which beat the Christian Dior’s haute couture gown that Melania Knauss wore at her marriage to Donald Trump, hands down in the ‘In Touch’ magazines’ Top Ten Most Glamorous Wedding Gown list. Vera is renowned for her creativity, plucking the most amazing ideas for new creations seemingly from fresh-air. www.rs2guru.com

Wedding Dresses Trends You Need To Know

Wedding is a beautiful occasion and perhaps the happiest moment in a woman’s life. The bride indeed wants to dress up and look her best on this significant day. The spirited bride needs a dress that reflects her thoughts and her emotions. Flowery dresses with frills and laces make the occasion absolutely unique and make the bride look so pretty that the moment might stay together with the couple and the audience for long after. The average cost of a wedding dress is more than $850.

Talking of wedding dresses, the first color that strikes us is perhaps white. Yet, it is surprising that the touch of white to the wedding attire is a relatively new idea and came only when Queen Victoria wanted to dress herself in the purity of white. Before that, silver wedding gowns were the trademark attire for the royal ladies. A simple rhyme conveys in a lighter vein what the various colors of the wedding dress signify – white, according to this rhyme, indicates correctness in choice; a notable point is that green dresses associated the bride with loose morals and hence were always avoided.

Days back, wedding gowns were the best attire in a woman’s closet. Now though things have changed, you always want to be unique and specially dressed for your occasion. For this you can tailor your dress or rent one for the party. Asking a seamstress to design a dress for you or designing it yourself, or looking in to magazines can cost you a lot lesser than a similar dress made by a highly branded boutique. If you are in for low funds, renting or borrowing a dress for the day can also be an alternative. You should also check with various boutiques before you actually invest in your wedding gown. Looking up newspaper classifieds can also help. There are often huge sales during the wedding season and you can exploit the opportunity. Negotiating with bridal salons to minimize alterations in size and designs can also reduce your cost effectively. Searching for the price of dresses online is not a bad option either.

While purchasing a wedding gown, you should always keep in mind that you have to shop before it is too late. However, if you find that you have not gotten the dress ready five months prior to the wedding day, do not panic as ready-made dresses are always available. The stores can make them fit you pretty well. The only problem you might face is the restriction to the flexibility of choice. Before you go for the purchase, you should educate yourself a bit in the jargon and have a precise idea of what you want. Many bridal salons do not just allow you to go through their collection without knowing your specifications. Also, keep a budget in mind so that you do not go overboard following your temptation. So, dress up well and enjoy your day!

from: www.rs2guru.com

Western culture

Weddings performed during and immediately following the medieval era were often more than just a union between two people. They could be a union between two families, two businesses or even two countries. Many weddings were more a matter of politics than love, particularly among the nobility and the higher social classes. Brides were therefore expected to dress in a manner that cast their families in the most favorable light, for they weren't representing only themselves during the ceremony. Brides of an elevated social standing often wore rich colors and expensive fabrics. It was common to see such brides wearing bold colors and layers of furs, velvet and silk. Brides of a lower social standing often copied the elegant styles of wealthier brides as best they could.

Over the centuries, brides continued to dress in a manner befitting their social status---always in the height of fashion, with the richest, boldest materials money could buy. The poorest of brides wore their best church dress on their wedding day. The amount of material a wedding dress contained also was a reflection of the bride's social standing and indicated the extent of the family's wealth to wedding guests.

Wedding dresses have traditionally been based on the popular styles of the day. For example, in the 1920's wedding dresses were typically short in the front with a longer train in the back and were worn with cloche-style wedding veils. This tendency to follow current fashions continued until the late 1940's, when it became popular to revert to long, full-skirted designs reminiscent of the Victorian era. The trend has continued until today.

Today, western wedding dresses are usually white, though 'wedding white' includes creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory. One of the first women to wear white at her wedding was Mary Queen of Scots, when she married François II of France. However, white was not then a tradition but rather a choice and one considered inauspicious, since white was the official colour of mourning in France at the time.

White dresses did not become a popular option until 1840, after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria had worn a white gown for the event so as to incorporate some lace she owned. The official wedding portrait photograph was widely published, and many other brides opted for a similar dress in honor of the Queen's choice. The tradition continues today in the form of a white wedding, though prior to the Victorian era a bride was married in any color except black (the color of mourning) or red (which was connected with prostitutes). Later, many people assumed that the color white was intended to symbolize virginity, though this had not been the original intention. (It was the color blue that was connected to purity.) Today, the white dress is understood merely as the most traditional and popular choice for weddings, not necessarily a statement of virginity. http://en.wikipedia.org

101 Bridal Gowns

101 Bridal Gowns is the complete bride directory for brides and the mother of the bride to find wedding items: bridal gowns, dresses, bridal attire, bridesmaid dresses, bridal accessories, bridal registration, bridal stores, bridal boutiques, bridal coordinators, formal wear, wedding invitations, flowergirl apparel, Wedding Dresses, veils, tiaras, shoes, jewelry, bridal headpieces, and even tuxedos on the Internet!

Of all special days in your life this is THE ONE all little girls dream of and sigh over endlessly. It's taken a lifetime of hopes and dreams and tears to reach the day of your wedding. No wonder you (and your Mother) want it to be PERFECT! Yet, this day of joy takes a lot of plain old fashioned labor and planning, to say the least.

Fortunately, the resources of the Internet can truly help you save time and money! 101 Bridal Gowns strives to be a perfectly indispensable resource to brides, mothers of the bride, wedding coordinators, bridesmaids, and flowergirls. We are also a fantasy playground for young ladies still dreaming and planning for their future.

And, of course, in these pages you will also find formal wear boutiques and stores to dress you for all OTHER special occasions such as Proms, Graduations, Quinceaneras, Sweet Sixteen, Bat Mitzvah, and Debutante Balls! www.101bridalgowns.com

Various Silhouttes of wedding dresses

A-Line
A-line silhouette wedding dresses will flair out from your waist and look like the letter “A”. This is a popular bridal gown shape because it is forgiving and flatters most body types. It will help a shorter bride appear taller and full-figured brides appear less so.

Many A-line wedding gowns have an empire waist. This creates a high waistline that stems from the bust and falls to a slender skirt. Empire waisted wedding dresses are very forgiving and work well with many shapes. An A-line gown with a dropped waist can especially help brides with a thicker waist and hip area.

Ball Gown/Full Skirt
This is what many brides think of when they think of a wedding dress. Ball gowns are the princess look of wedding dresses. This type of dress has a tightly fitted bodice and a very full skirt. If you want to go with a classic look on your wedding day, this is a great choice. This type of wedding dress is an ideal choice for slightly taller brides or for the bride who may wish to hide full hips. For petite or smaller framed brides, full skirt wedding gowns can be a bit overwhelming. This type of gown is Great for a New Year’s Eve wedding.

Sheath
Sheath style wedding dresses follow every curve of the bride’s figure. Generally, the sheath bridal dress has no waist and seems to come straight down from the shoulders. This silhouette works very well for destination wedding gowns because many of the sheath gowns have a short or detachable train. This works well for brides who want to show off their figure in their wedding dress.

Mermaid
Wedding dresses in this silhouette are very similar to the sheath silhouette but different in that the bottom flares out. This style like the sheath is good for brides wanting to emphasize their figure. The mermaid silhouette will flair out at the bottom of the skirt by the knees.

Trumpet
Trumpet silhouette wedding dresses are very similar to that of the mermaid silhouette, but a trumpet skirt will flair out higher on the skirt. This silhouette is also referred to as a fit-and-flare skirt. A very slimming silhouette that will really lengthen the body.

Browse BridePower.com now to see our extensive collection of cheap wedding dresses and bridal gowns. Our wedding gowns are from the best designers in the industry, and our discount wedding dress prices are some of the best in the wedding gown business.

ALESHA DIXON - DIXON PUTS WEDDING DRESS ON EBAY

British singer ALESHA DIXON has put her failed marriage to cheating husband MICHAEL JUNIOR HARVEY behind her - she has put her wedding dress on auction site eBay. The former MIS-TEEQ star yesterday (06FEB07) posted the red and white dress on the site with a reserve price of GBP2,000 ($3,900) and will donate the proceeds to charity. In a statement on her website she says, "I've decided to sell this beautiful one-off dress which I designed myself. It would be a shame for it to go to waste." Ex-SO SOLID CREW rapper Harvey was caught having an affair with Dixon's pal and fellow pop star JAVINE HYLTON late last year (NOV06).

from: www.contactmusic.com

Black And White Wedding Dress

Planning Weddings with Themes

Planning a wedding with a theme can be a fun way to incorporate a specific interest that the couple shares into the wedding. Themes are a fun way for the couple to express themselves and share a little bit of their personalities with the guests. The theme of the wedding can be incorporated into just about every aspect of the wedding. From the couple’s attire, to the decorations, music, favors and even wording of the vows the couple can ensure that every aspect of the wedding reflects their chosen theme. While incorporating a theme into a wedding can be a lot of fun, it’s important to not go too overboard with the theme because the results could be extremely tacky. Below are just a few examples of wedding themes and how they can be incorporated tastefully into your ceremony or reception.

A medieval theme is a popular choice for couples who pine for the romance and tradition of earlier times. You could incorporate this theme by making your reception a costume party and suggesting that your guests dress accordingly. The couple could choose their attire to reflect the theme by wearing outfits that are indicative of the chosen time period. They can do this by either renting costumes or searching far and wide for attire that suits their needs. This theme can also be carried over into the food and entertainment choices. A couple may opt to have a multi-course meal that includes traditional medieval fare. They may also wish to provide entertainment such as musicians and troubadours to perform between each of the courses. Using medieval language during the ceremony and in the vows is another way to incorporate a medieval theme.

A fairly tale wedding is another popular theme for many couples. As many young girls are first exposed to the idea of a wedding in common fairy tales, it is understandable that many brides dream about a fairy tale wedding. This simple theme translates well to wedding preparations and can be incorporated into the wedding in a variety of ways. The couple’s attire is one of the easiest ways to incorporate a fairy tale theme. A form fitting bodice with a tulle skirt is very reminiscent of fairy tale weddings. Furthermore this style of dress is readily available in many bridal shops. In many cases it is even referred to as a “Cinderella Gown”. Simply letting the bridal shop attendants know that you are planning a fairy tale themed wedding will result in them producing a multitude of dresses for you to try on that will be very fitting for the theme. The groom may wish to opt for attire reminiscent of Prince Charming such as a white tuxedo with tails. The theme can be carried forward and included in the transportation that the couple chooses. Arriving in a horse drawn carriage is a very elegant way to include the fairy tale theme. The couple may also choose to perform their first dance together as husband and wife to a traditional ballroom medley. A careful choreographed ballroom dance will look elegant and further convey the fairy tale theme.

An under the sea theme is another common wedding theme. A couple choosing this type of theme may want to consider holding their ceremony and reception on a beach. As always the attire can be incorporated into the theme. If the wedding is held on a beach, the bride may choose to adorn herself in a simple white dress and may opt to be married without shoes. The groom could choose a casual linen suit and may even consider shorts with a lightweight sports jacket. He too could choose to not wear shoes. The decoration possibilities are limitless with this theme. One very popular and appropriate centerpiece idea is to fill glass bowls with sand and seashells. This simple centerpiece is an excellent way to incorporate the theme into the decorations. The couple could also cover the tables in a blue table cloth that is similar to the color of the ocean and layer fishing net over the table. A simple favor idea is to present each guest with a collection of seashell shaped soaps. These are relatively inexpensive and readily available.

While it is not required for a wedding to have a theme, choosing one can be an excellent way to tie the different elements of the wedding together. The attire, entertainment, decorations, favors and food are all elements that can be used to reflect the theme. Subtle hints at your theme are nice touches but it is possible to go overboard with a theme and the results are often tacky.
from: www.weddingdressadvisor.com

Italian Wedding Dresses

How to choose fabrics and decorations for your Wedding

You want to have the right everything for your special wedding day. You want to make sure that you are getting what you want and the perfect look that you want and need for your dress. Other factors will help you make the right decision for the material and the decorations that you will use.

A wedding dress can be crafted from many different fabrics. You will find that there are varieties of looks that you will find fascinating. There is chiffon, crepe, satin, silk and heavier materials if you so choose. You will want to take into consideration the time of the year when you are getting married. You will not want to have a heavy material in the summer time and in the winter you will want to have something that will help you stay cool and collected on your big and important day.

You may also want to have a wearable fabric for your special look. You want something that will not wrinkle up when you are sitting down and you will want to make sure that you have a dress that is made from something that will make you look your best at all times. Remember on your wedding day, you will be sitting and standing a lot and you will not want to be wrinkled or bunched up for your special day especially when they are taking lots of different pictures all day long.

If you are trying to choose the right wedding dress, you will want to pay close attention to the different materials that will make your day shine. You can feel the materials and then see what you want to have on your body that day. The materials will also have different looks to them. You should think about if you want to have silky and shinny or another kind of material that you will feel good in wearing.

There are decorations that you will want to choose from also. Think about what you want for your dress and what you will feel better in wearing for your wedding. Think about how you want to look in your wedding dress and the different beads and lace that you will want on your dress. You will have so many different things to choose from and this is some of the fun. If you are getting a dress made, you can pick out the special things that you want as it is being made.

from: www.weddingdressadvisor.com

Pink Wedding Dress

Wedding Favors Add That Special Touch

A wedding is first and foremost about the celebration of two people uniting for eternity. It's always been this way and will continue to be this way. Guests are invited to share in the joyous occasion but also to bear witness to the union. There is something about standing before all those who are special to you and making lifelong commitments for others to hear. And that is really what transforms two people into a married couple.

Wedding favors are used as a way for the bride and groom to show that they appreciate each of their guests; the time they have taken out of their busy schedules, the help they have given, the thoughtfulness in their gift-giving, the distances the guests have traveled, whatever it is the guest did that helped make this day even more special for the couple.

Wedding favors traditionally are given to all of the guests that have been invited to the wedding reception. They're typically inexpensive gifts, averaging in the $1 - $2 price range per piece. Of course, more expensive wedding favors are available and there are many weddings for which these higher-priced wedding favors are appropriate. Countless wedding favors are available in just about every category one could imagine, from sterling silver picture frames, to personalized edible chocolates, and even fragrant bath soaps.

Selecting wedding favors isn't all that difficult, nor is it necessary to purchase these well in advance of the wedding date. Most are readily available at online and retail outlets that specialize in this type of wedding accessory. You don't want to wait until the last minute however, as that is a particularly hectic time, and you will need to allow ample time for personalization, or if you select an item that requires special ordering, for example, an unusually large quantity, or an exclusive item. To be on the safe side, two to three months prior to the wedding date is a good time to make your wedding favor selections. Once you have them in your possession, the only other thing you need to worry about is getting them to the reception before the guests arrive.

One way to easily shop for wedding favors is to go online. Type 'wedding favors' into your search engine and you'll get pages of web sites offering every type of wedding favor you could ever want. So where do you begin? It's definitely a good idea to consult your budget worksheet first so you know the price range to focus on. From there, think about what makes you and your partner unique. Do you both love golf? Are you wine connoisseurs? What about a theme? If your wedding has one, there's sure to be a favor to complement that theme. Do you want the favor to be the place holder? If so, select one that allows you to write the person's name and table number. Creating your own wedding favors is another option and can end up being the most unique wedding favor of all and one that your guests are sure to treasure!
from: www.weddingdressadvisor.com

Tips for selecting the wedding dress that is right for you

Your wedding dress makes a statement, as does your entire wedding reflecting your personality. Are you chic? Sophisticated? Classic? Sexy? Traditional? Avant garde?

Enlisting the aid of a professional can eliminate hours of hassles and headaches and help you achieve the ideal dress. They are trained to find what works. A good consultant can take one look at you and lead you to the right style, the right designer.

Certain manufacturers cut larger or smaller so some work for petites, others for full figures. You might want to bring clippings from a bridal magazine or that you have printed from the Internet to give the consultant a clearer idea of the styles you prefer.

Many gown manufactures now offer champagne, ivory and blush in addition to traditional white. These softer hues may be more flattering to your complexion. You should try on no fewer than three gowns so feel free to try on as many as you want until you find the perfect gown. A dress that might look rather plain on the hanger might transform your figure. Even when you think you have found the right dress, try on a couple more just to be sure.

Choosing the right gown starts with proportion. A dress may look gorgeous on the model in the photo, but it will never look good on you if the lines are wrong for your proportions. Think of your silhouette and begin with your best features, then ease into the ones that are less than perfect. Do you have a tiny waist that would look fantastic in a clingy sheath gown? Do you have great cleavage ideal for being set off by an open neckline? Wonderful shoulders or a lovely swan neck perfect for a strapless or off the shoulder gown.

Don't worry many styles also can camouflage your less than perfect features. Large hips can be hidden with an A-line gown. It will give height and reduce width making you look taller and slimmer. Another option would be a hollow waist which begins an inch and a half below your natural waist, camouflaging your heaviest part.

A thick waist can be minimized by a princess waist, just make sure the fullness of the dress starts below your thick part. Heavy thighs are easy to conceal beneath a full skirt, but stay away from any style that is straight or narrow. The same advice applies if you have a full derriere. Remember to draw attention away from your flaws and concentrate on a beautiful neckline instead.

Historical reproduction and original vintage wedding gowns
Original vintage gowns may require expensive and expert repairs for them to be wearable. Old fabric, if not properly stored, can become damaged causing it to tear easily or disintegrate. Alterations can usually be made to make the dress smaller, but making the dress larger is very difficult as it is impossible to match the fabric with the original and care must be taken to hide the gussets and new stitching. Look for a reputable vintage shop and find a seamstress with experience fitting and restoring vintage couture.

Reproductions are another way to have a gown from times gone by whether it is 1892 or 1492. These are new gowns made to replicate the fashions of centuries past. These are often created from vintage sewing patterns either by cutting apart an old gown to copy the design or creating an entirely new gown from a vintage photograph or painting.

from: www.101bridalgowns.com

Designer Wedding Dresses at a Discount

BridePower.com specializes in high-end designer bridal gowns sold at a discount. We have most of the famous name high-end wedding dress designers from Vera Wang and Amsale to Melissa Sweet and Reem Acra. All of our wedding dresses come with a money back guarantee. Please browse our entire wedding gown catalog. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us or call our 1-866-THE-GOWN

Trends in wedding dresses

Pickup skirts, Alencon lace and splashes of color either in the form of a sash or a colored panel. Wedding Dresses in simple, elegant styles and luxurious fabrics are always in fashion.

Destination wedding Gowns

Many brides are choosing to get married in far away places. Perhaps on a mountain top or by the ocean or on an exotic island. This is called a “destination” wedding. For these types of weddings it is impractical to wear a traditional wedding dress. Many traditional wedding gowns have elaborate trains and are very full. For the destination bride this can be too much. They are looking to purchase a simpler wedding dress, perhaps one with no train or limited beading. BridePower has a section devoted to these brides. Searching by Sheath , Aline, or Mermaid silhouette will help you locate these bridal gowns.

Wedding Gowns by body type or Silhouette

The wedding dress "silhouette" refers to the shape of the dress. This is one of the key elements of a wedding gown that will help determine the type of gown that you like and is the most flattering to your body type.

Bridal gowns are no different than other types of clothing. Certain silhouettes and styles of dresses will look better on certain types of bodies. This is of course very subjective and each bride has to decide whether she will follow these guidelines when buying a wedding dress.

Various Silhouttes of wedding dresses

A-Line
A-line silhouette wedding dresses will flair out from your waist and look like the letter “A”. This is a popular bridal gown shape because it is forgiving and flatters most body types. It will help a shorter bride appear taller and full-figured brides appear less so.

Many A-line wedding gowns have an empire waist. This creates a high waistline that stems from the bust and falls to a slender skirt. Empire waisted wedding dresses are very forgiving and work well with many shapes. An A-line gown with a dropped waist can especially help brides with a thicker waist and hip area.

Ball Gown/Full Skirt
This is what many brides think of when they think of a wedding dress. Ball gowns are the princess look of wedding dresses. This type of dress has a tightly fitted bodice and a very full skirt. If you want to go with a classic look on your wedding day, this is a great choice. This type of wedding dress is an ideal choice for slightly taller brides or for the bride who may wish to hide full hips. For petite or smaller framed brides, full skirt wedding gowns can be a bit overwhelming. This type of gown is Great for a New Year’s Eve wedding.

Sheath
Sheath style wedding dresses follow every curve of the bride’s figure. Generally, the sheath bridal dress has no waist and seems to come straight down from the shoulders. This silhouette works very well for destination wedding gowns because many of the sheath gowns have a short or detachable train. This works well for brides who want to show off their figure in their wedding dress.

Mermaid
Wedding dresses in this silhouette are very similar to the sheath silhouette but different in that the bottom flares out. This style like the sheath is good for brides wanting to emphasize their figure. The mermaid silhouette will flair out at the bottom of the skirt by the knees.

Trumpet
Trumpet silhouette wedding dresses are very similar to that of the mermaid silhouette, but a trumpet skirt will flair out higher on the skirt. This silhouette is also referred to as a fit-and-flare skirt. A very slimming silhouette that will really lengthen the body.

Browse BridePower.com now to see our extensive collection of cheap wedding dresses and bridal gowns. Our wedding gowns are from the best designers in the industry, and our discount wedding dress prices are some of the best in the wedding gown business.

from: http://www.bridepower.com