Trend Alert: Say Hello to Sleeves!

Brides this season are trading in the ever-popular strapless dress for one with sleeves. Non-strapless dresses allow some experimentation in bridal style. And brides can dance the night away without constantly pulling their dress up. With these perks, don’t expect this trend to disappear any time soon!

Photo from StyleMePretty.com

Go with a lace sleeve to add a romantic or vintage look to your wedding.
Kate Middleton went with lace for the royal wedding!

Photo from lover.ly

Try thick transparent sleeves for an elegant look. 

The plus side of straps is that they provide more support!

Photo from weddingdressbee.net

Wear a one-shoulder dress to have the best of both worlds! 

It draws attention to the collarbone and shoulders.

Photo from sortrature.com

Wow the crowd with a textured dress. 

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box!

Photo from southernpiphi.tumblr.com

An added bonus of a dress with sleeves is the beauty of a unique back design.

Photo from raihan-wed.com

An illusion neckline can give the appearance of a strapless gown with all of the benefits of straps.

 Hop on board this hot trend and try on a dress with sleeves or straps during your wedding dress shopping adventure!

Morgan Impeartrice contributed to this article.

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What To Do With The Dress After The Big Day

You searched and searched for your dream dress, and now your big day has come and gone. You are almost as in love with your new husband as you are with your wedding gown. (Okay, maybe it's the other way around.) While you plan to keep him on display for years to come, what will you do with that perfect dress?

For most brides, the decision is easy. They have their dress cleaned, preserved, and pack it away; perhaps in hopes that someday their own daughter might say “I do” in that very dress. But there are many other ideas to showcase that ever important dress.

For brides who have a bit less sentimental attachment to their dress, a great option is to sell the dress or even donate it. Brides Against Breast Cancer accepts gown donations that they then sell to raise money to support breast cancer patients. Passing on your dress to another bride not only helps bring their wedding dreams to life, but also contributes to a good cause.

For the daring bride, a trash the dress photo session can be a fun way to have a last hurrah with your dress.

Photo by Daniel Szysz

From Dress Safari

 You can showcase your dress in other meaningful ways after wedding day. Do you hope that one day your daughter will walk down the aisle in your gown, but your dress happens to be a little more bold than timeless?

Dress your daughter up in your wedding gown while she is still young for a beautiful photo. You'll always have the cherished memory of her wearing your gown and it will be an amazing display on her own wedding day.

Your gown can also become a family heirloom. Have a baptismal dress made from the fabric of your dress. Or use the fabric as a covering on your wedding album.

What will you do with your dress after the Big Day? Tell us below....

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Don't Be Blue about your "Something Blue"

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Everyone knows this old saying and many brides still try to abide by it on wedding day. But when you're wearing all white, the puzzling part can be where exactly to incorporate that "something blue" into your wedding day fashion.

Not sure what to have as your something blue? Here are some of our favorite ways to include it in your day-of look:

For a classic bride, blue pearls attached to the ends of bobby pins in your hair is an elegant touch.

But there's no need to be subtle with your something blue. If your style is a little bit funky, you could paint your nails a light shade of blue or wear blue tights under your dress. For something a bit more noticeable, wear a blue petticoat under your dress or blue shoes.

Your something blue can be your little secret, hidden from view.  Why not embroider your wedding date in blue on the under-skirts of the dress? Or wear blue undies or a blue garter. Perhaps it could be fun to make your groom search for that something blue after the festivities are over!

Your something blue can also pay tribute to a loved one. Remember a grandfather who couldn’t be with you by stitching a piece of his old shirt or scarf onto your dress.

 There are so many ways to include your something blue in your wedding day, so be creative!

What will you use for your something blue? Tell us below…

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Quick Tip: The Importance of a Decorative Hanger

One of the classic shots that I see nearly every wedding photographer take is the photo of the wedding dress hanging by itself on a door or in a window with the light shining on it.  You can help the photographer to create a beautiful photo by avoiding an unsightly wire or plastic hanger.  I recommend to all of my brides to prepare for this shot by being sure to put the dress on a decorative hanger before wedding day.

I like these ones available on Etsy.

By LynnClaire

By Jannyfay

Happy Planning!

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Royal Wedding Recap

Being in the wedding industry, I couldn't resist getting up at 4 a.m. to watch the Royal Wedding live.  You certainly don't need me to give you low down on the designer of Kate's dress or the tiara that the Queen chose to lend her.  Those details are all over the web right now.  But here are some of the highlights of the big event for me:

Hats, hats, hats: Nearly all of the ladies in attendance at the ceremony wore spectacular hats.

Interestingly, the prime minister's wife, Samantha Cameron, did not wear a hat.  And the prime minister himself who claimed he was going to wear a lounge suit (a regular suit in American terms), in the end, opted for the more traditional morning suit (tails in American terms).

The dress:  No, not Kate's dress.  Pippa's dress was what struck me.  The maid of honor's dress was by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, but the real news is that it was white! Usually, it's a no-no for anyone at the wedding to wear white besides the bride.  But, there certainly was no upstaging this bride, and I think white was the right choice for the maid of honor.  First, her dress was a completely different silhouette than the bride's gown.  And, because Pippa was responsible for carrying the bride's train, if she had worn color, she might have stood out more and broken up the flow of the train. In this case, white worked!

The bouquet:  Kate looked gorgeous in her Sarah Burton gown with long lace sleeves and full skirt.  But what I found interesting was the size of her bouquet.  The bouquet was small and simple created by Shane Connolly.  It contained a sprig of myrtle in accordance with royal tradition, along with sweet william, hyacinth, and lily-of-the-valley.  At first glance, it seemed plain for such an elaborate affair, but it grew on me. And, ultimately, I liked the simplicity.  It allowed the dress and Kate to really shine.

The decor:  I loved that actual trees lined Westminster Abbey.  It definitely created a wow effect, and they will apparently be planted at the Prince of Wales's Highgrove estate as a reminder of the big day.

The royal wedding can hardly be deemed simple.  But if you took away the throngs of people, the royalty, the media, and the spectacular venue, you'd have classic simplicity.  The flowers, the decor, the bridesmaid dress, and the gown were all elegant yet simple -- something that has to be admired for a couple that could have it all.

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Dress Designer Spotlight: Liz Fields

Many brides dream of having a custom wedding gown made especially for their big day.  But custom wedding gowns used to be the purview of wealthy brides willing to spend a fortune.  Wedding gown designer Liz Fields puts unique, customized dresses in the reach of the masses.

Relatively new on the scene, Fields is now offering her third collection of wedding dresses in her Spring 2011 line. "It's not a cookie cutter dress," said Dawn Wolsfelt, whose bridal shop, Wolsfelt's Victorian Bridals in Aurora, Illinois, carries Liz Fields' designs. "They're traditional with a little flair."

from lizfields.com

Fields is no stranger to the wedding industry.  Her father created a database system for the special occasion industry used by such famed designers as Lefkov and Watters.  "He was always in those offices, and I was always coming and hanging out with the designers." Fields told me.

But in college she was set to take a different path, studying premed at George Washington University.  Everything changed in her junior year of college when she was offered the opportunity to work on the film, The Nomad.  After spending six months in Kazakhstan working on the film, Fields re-evaluated her career path. "Do I want to head into the office every day or do I want to travel and meet new people constantly and delve into my creativity?" Fields said. "That was a turning point."

Once back home, Fields left George Washington University and headed to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, where she studied to become a costume designer.  After school, she worked at a bridesmaids company with her dad before launching her own line of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses in 2009.

"Bridal is the next best thing to costume design," Fields said.  "You don't have to be limited to realistic outfits that people wear to work.  You can play with so many more fabrics and details."

When looking for inspiration, Fields hits the books.  Rather than drawing just from fashion magazines, she looks through history books, art books, and paintings. 

"I'm a little bit of an old soul," Fields said. "I like the elegance and charm of vintage."

from lizfields.com

What really sets Fields' dresses apart is the ease of which they can be customized for individual brides. Fields offers sleeve packages, for example, where a strapless gown can be modified to have cap sleeves or a jacket.

"Today's bride always wants to switch it up," Wolsfelt said. "[Fields] will do custom changes."

Fields saw the need for custom offerings and wanted to accommodate it.  "We really can do a lot of these things without making it a huge production," Fields said.  The result is that the brides "feel like they are getting a one of a kind dress."  Thirty to Forty percent of her orders take advantage of the custom options.

One could say that Fields just has a different way of doing things.  She works on a lower markup, so her prices are affordable, yet she offers things that are normally only found in high-end couture gowns.  Her gowns include an inner elastic corset, which Fields says used to only be found in Amsale and Christos gowns.  She doesn't charge extra for plus sized bridesmaid dresses, understanding that a girl would feel uncomfortable getting charged more for a bigger size.  Her overall sizing is closer to streetwear.  She has maternity styling, petite lengths, and extra length available.  Customers can play around with colors on her web site to see in advance what a dress would look like in a different color. And if you e-mail her or post on her facebook page, you are likely to get a response from Fields herself!

"I love how brides react when they actually get a response back," Fields said.

Fields simply doesn't play it safe.  Her designs include dresses with prints, pleats, and detachable skirts.  "Every season I'm trying to offer something new -- a new print or a new fabric texture," Fields said.  

from lizfields.com

Her unique style and methods landed her a spot in NOLCHA fashion week in 2010.  Fields was the first and only bridal designer in the NOLCHA runway show.

While the runway shows are an "extremely amazing experience," Fields said her first proud moment was seeing her first bride wearing her designs and getting to attend the wedding.

"Seeing it on the models doesn't come close to seeing it on an actual bride," she said.

The best news for brides on the hunt for a unique gown is that a Liz Fields dress does not cost a fortune.  Wedding gowns cost between $650 and $1200, and bridesmaid dresses run $150 to $200.

To view the Spring 2011 collection, go to www.lizfields.com.  To contact the designer, visit her facebook page at www.facebook.com/bylizfields.


This article is copyrighted.  You may not publish the content of this article either online or in print without permission.  If you'd like to use this content, please contact cvweddings@yahoo.com.

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Quick Tip: Getting Outdoor Wedding Photos Without Staining Your Dress

On your wedding day, you'll most likely want to take photos wherever you can to get a great shot with a beautiful background.  You may be traipsing through grass, gardens, fields, or even vineyards in your gorgeous white dress.  Here's a great tip for getting those fantastic photos without staining the bottom of your wedding gown or its train. If you're taking a photo outside or in an area that could stain your dress, simply spread a white sheet out on the ground.  Stand on the sheet (or cut a hole in the sheet where you'll stand) and arrange your dress and train so that the sheet is hidden underneath.  In the picture, the sheet will be invisible while the bottom of your dress is protected.  Now you can just smile and say cheese!

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Quick Tip: Dress Fittings

Once you find your wedding dress, you'll most likely need a few dress fittings. Be sure to bring your actual wedding shoes and undergarments to each appointment to ensure that you get an accurate fit and dress length.

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Wedding Fashion Through the Ages

When you're planning a wedding, there are so many places from which to draw inspiration.  That's why I love the exhibit currently showing at the Chicago History Museum -- I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot.  This exhibit reminds us that we can get ideas for today's weddings from history!

The exhibit showcases 45 dresses from the past 150 years while presenting informational tidbits about the women who wore the dresses and wedding traditions from years gone by.  To add to the ambiance, as you walk through the exhibit, standard wedding tunes fill the air varying from "At Last" to "Hava Nagila" to a Lady Gaga hit.

You may envision something akin to a bridal salon with poofy white ball gowns lining the walls.  But to my surprise, upon entering, you are welcomed to the site of pink, green, and even black wedding dresses.  When I was engaged and searching for my wedding dress, I kidded with my now-husband that my dress was green whenever he would search for hints of what the dress looked like.  I never would have guessed that green wedding dresses existed at one time! 

The exhibit explained that Queen Victoria popularized the white wedding dress in 1840 when she wore white for her wedding.  Prior to that, brides wore dresses of any color for their weddings.  Often their wedding attire consisted of the nicest dress that they already owned, or they would select a new dress with the intention of continuing to wear it in the future.  Today's modern bride can learn from these ladies by spicing up their bridal style with some color.  Add a colorful sash or shoes.  Or if you're really daring, choose a pale pink or yellow dress.  It may seem avant-garde, but, in fact, you're following in the footsteps of brides from long ago!

The exhibit also displayed the cutest little outfit for a young boy, reminding me of a wedding role we don't often see today -- page boys.  Traditionally, page boys would carry the bride's train as she walked down the aisle.  If you have (well-behaved) children to include in the wedding, take a cue from historical weddings and consider adding a page boy to your wedding party. 

Chicagoans may be proud to learn that in 1924 Marshall Field's became the first store to offer a wedding registry.  Today, Marshall Field's is a Macy's, which has a convenient and easy-to-use wedding registry, allowing brides and guests to utilize the registry completely online. 

If you've watched Steel Magnolias or Father of the Bride, you may recall that in those movies, after the wedding, the bride changed out of her gown into a more comfortable outfit for her big sendoff.  This second outfit was called the setting out ensemble.  Changing clothes for the grand exit continued to be popular into the 1960s, according to the exhibit. How can you make this tradition modern?  Instead of changing out of your gown for the sendoff, just add a pretty faux fur stole or a lace shrug.  If you like the idea of completely changing into another outfit, try something a little more casual than the suits of yesteryear.  A white sundress captures the wedding feel while still allowing comfort and movement.

I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot is on exhibit at the Chicago History Museum through January 3, 2011.  The museum is free on Mondays.  If you're in the Chicago area, definitely check it out for some wedding inspiration. 

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Preparing to Find the One

You've already found the love of your life.  Your next big mission will be to find The Dress.  You'll want to leave plenty of time for your search. Keep in mind that most wedding gown shops only keep samples of dresses, so when you find The One, you'll have to place an order.  Even the dress manufacturer doesn't keep every dress size in stock.  It's most cost-effective for manufacturers to cut the fabric for many orders all at once, which means it could take up to four months just to get your dress in after you've ordered it.  And remember, once the dress arrives, there's still more to do!  You'll most likely need some alterations, so plan on about three dress fittings. With such a lengthy process, it's a good idea to start your hunt for the perfect dress at least six to eight months before the Big Day.

Before setting up appointments, do your homework!  You'll need to know if your venue or officiant have any restrictions regarding what you can wear.  For example, some churches and synagogues may require that your shoulders be covered during the ceremony.  Need inspiration?  You may have noticed that most bridal magazines consist primarily of advertisements for dresses.  Browsing through these magazines can give you a sense of the styles you like.  If you see styles or even a particular dress that you're attracted to, go to the designer's web site.  Designers often put photos of their entire collections on their web sites.  From there, you can search for the stores in your area that carry those dresses.  Then, call those stores to inquire whether they carry the specific dress you're looking for.

Be prepared for your appointments.  Bring any pictures of dresses that you like to the bridal shop.  Some shops allow customers to browse through all of the dresses in stock on their own.  Others will ask the style of dresses that you like and your budget, and consultants will use their own judgment to pull dresses for you to try on. If a consultant is pulling dresses for you, be careful!  There are gorgeous, unique dresses for $1,000 to 3,000.  If a consultant is only pulling dresses that are the top of your price range, ask to also see dresses that match your style in a lower price range.  If you want to play it safe, you can start out by lowballing your budget.   And don't forget when determining your dress budget to factor in the cost of alterations, which can range from $100 to $500.

Be open-minded and try on a variety of styles.  Even if you're set on finding a slinky satin sheath, try on at least one ball gown and A-line gown.  A dress that you thought wasn't your style, may end up being the one dress that makes you feel like a beautiful bride.

Also, be forewarned that a lot of bridal salons have a "no photos" policy.  Believe me, I know how frustrating this is!  When I was planning my own wedding, I lived in a different state from my mom and had to do some of my dress shopping on my own.  But of course, the one opinion that I really wanted on my dress was my mom's! I admit that I snuck a few photos of potential dresses to send to her.  I say, when in doubt whether a store has the "no photo" policy, shoot first and ask questions later!  But if you can't take a photo of the dress, just take note of the designer and the name of the dress, and you can track down a photo of the dress on the Internet.  

Once you've decided on The Dress, start asking questions.  You'll want to know how long it takes to get the dress in after it's ordered.  Ask if the shop does alterations on site.  Ask how much the alterations will cost and how long the alterations typically take.

You may want to go ahead and look at the shop's selection of veils.  Be aware that even veils can take about two to three months to come in, as they are sometimes cut to your specified length.

Once you've settled on The Dress, stop your search!  You don't want to end up second guessing yourself as you see other possibilities.  To avoid this, simply don't commit to a dress until you've exhausted your search and are sure that you have finally found The One.  You may end up going back to that first dress that you tried on, but you'll know that you've made the right decision.

Happy Hunting!

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