Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Dress

Many brides begin dreaming about the perfect wedding dress long before they are even engaged. Choosing the perfect wedding dress is critical because it is the one day that all eyes will be on you.

A dress that is beautiful without being too ostentatious and is also flattering to your figure will ensure that you are looking your best on your wedding day.

With so many style, color and fabric option s available, choosing the perfect wedding dress can be a difficult task but fortunately most brides simply know when they have found the perfect wedding dress. From the moment they put on the dress, their gut instinct tells them that this is the perfect wedding dress for them.

The most important piece of advice for shopping for the perfect wedding dress is to begin shopping for your dress at least six months before your wedding date. Finding the perfect dress can take quite a bit of time and once you find the dress, it may take up to four months for the dress to be ordered and shipped to the store.

Then once the dress arrives in the store you may require several fittings to ensure that the dress fits you perfectly. You will want to take your time and enjoy shopping for your wedding dress so it is important to begin the process early so that you avoid feeling rushed and overwhelmed.

Another worthwhile piece of advice for finding the perfect wedding dress is to try on many different styles of dresses. Even though you may be convinced that you want a particular style you may find that the style that looks so appealing in magazines does not suit your body type. You may also find that a style that you would have never chosen can be flattering to your figure.

For this reason it is important to try on a wide variety of styles before ruling out any particular style. The old saying, you won’t know unless you try it, holds true for wedding dresses. There have been countless brides who have found that their perfect wedding dress turned out to be significantly different from the one that they had pictured in their mind.

Although it may sound counter-intuitive, the color of the wedding dress is an important consideration in choosing the perfect wedding dress. Many people think that the only acceptable color for a wedding dress is a pure white but if you are open to other options, you may find yourself in a wedding dress that is far more flattering to your skin tone than a pure white dress.

Wedding dresses come in a multitude of colors including ivory, cream and even subtle beiges. If you are willing to consider these options it is important to try on dresses in these colors to see how they work with your complexion.

Choosing the perfect wedding dress sometimes requires reinforcements.

Having a few trusted friends or family members come dress shopping with you can help you find the dress of your dreams.

They can offer opinions on each dress that you try on and can also scour the countless racks of dresses available and choose dresses for you to try on. Many brides instantly know that they have chosen the perfect wedding dress the moment they put on the dress but having trusted friends and family members along can confirm this feeling.

The moment you step out of the dressing room and reveal the dress you are wearing you may see instant confirmation that this is the perfect dress. The reactions of your assistants will indicate that you have found the perfect dress.

The first impression is the best impression. We have written this article on wedding dress in such a way that the first impression you get will definitely make you want to read more about it!

When you have found the perfect wedding dress, you will know it so now is also the time to buy the dress.

Nothing is more important than your gut feeling and the reactions of your shopping partners so if you know you have the perfect dress in your hands, don’t risk losing the dress by opting to think about it for a few days before you make your purchase.

There is always the chance that the last available dress will be sold or that the company will discontinue the dress so do not allow yourself to miss out on buying the perfect wedding dress by not buying it the moment you realize it is the dress for you.

Choose Your Wedding Bouquet

Bouquets of flowers have always been one attraction at any wedding. Bouquets are already part of the wedding tradition on all races. A bouquet of flowers symbolizes a blossoming maiden and reflects her emotions.

Therefore, wedding bouquets should be carefully selected and planned the same way you plan for your wedding gown. Here are just a few tips in choosing your wedding bouquet:

1. It is recommended that you choose a flower that is on season to save money and time. This will not give you hard time trying to order the flower as well.

2. You can choose other alternatives like silk flowers especially if the flower you would like to use is not in season. Silk flowers are also suited in formal weddings; fresh picked flowers may not fit a very formal party.

3. Your bouquet should not drown you. Be sure that it will not cover your figure. If you are petite, the weight of the flower might be too heavy for your built and may affect your posture and how you carry your gown. Remember that your bouquet should not be too big so as not to cover your elegant gown and should be easy to carry.

4. The flowers you chose should last for the entire day. Make sure that your flowers still hold up even at the end of the day so that you will still look glamorous when taken pictures. Using a bouquet holder is suggested to keep the flowers fresh during the entire day. Also take the advice of your florist on which flowers easily wilt so that you can avoid choosing them.

5. Don't let your florist imagine the flower design you like. You may take a picture or a printed copy of the bouquet style you prefer. Also bring a sample fabric of the gowns so that the florist can choose the correct shade of flower that will match the color of the gowns. Some bouquets may be decorated with ribbons, lace and silk materials. You can advise the florist on what specific designs would you like to add for your flowers.

6. Why not choose a flower that has special meaning? That will not be difficult since most flowers have their meanings. Stephanotis stands for happiness in marriage, Rose means love and being true, and Tulips stand for perfect love and declaration of love.

7. One of the first things to consider when opting for a bouquet is the style. Choose the bouquet style that will suit you and your personality. Bouquets are more personal nowadays and reflect the brides' personalities. For Nosegays, where flowers are clustered in a round form, can vary in sophistication and will fit any personality. In Cascade bouquets, flowers are arranged in a descending form. These bouquets are voluptuous and can be the center of attention.

They are recommended for traditional weddings. There are flowers where stems are wrapped around in ribbons and they are called Hand-tied bouquets. These bouquets bring a casual aura and are recommended for garden weddings. There are also Contemporary bouquets where flowers are arranged in style but with no geometric form. These arrangements of flowers represent the individuality of a bride and are mostly used in sophisticated weddings.

8. The top wedding flowers are Rose, Lilly, Orchid, Hyacinth, Tulip, Stephanotis and Daisy. You may want to follow the trend and choose these flowers for your bouquet.

Prepare Your Year-Long Wedding Checklist

Your wedding should be coming up within the next 6 to 12 months. Do you know what to do and when exactly you need to do them? Here is a guided timeline that specifically gives you the approximate time tasks that should be completed within that time frame.

Use the following list as a guide to help you get the right things done, in the appropriate order. Print this guide out and “check off” all the items that you have completed to make things less stressful and more fun for you.


Six To Twelve (6 -12) Months Before The “Big Day”!

Announce your engagement

Decide on what kind of wedding and the time of day. Are you prepared to feed your guests dinner or do you want a simple ceremony with cake and punch only? The time of day that you choose will dictate the food choices.

Pick a date. Do this as soon as possible so that your bridal party and faraway family can begin making arrangements for hotels and scheduling time away from their workplace.

Choose a location. Remember to take into consideration what the weather could be like on your wedding day. So keep an open mind. Set a budget. This is so important. Discuss it carefully between the two of you and your respective families.

Start planning the reception. Secure a hall, hotel, lodge, or whatever suits you guys for your reception area.

Select the bridal party. It is important to do this as soon as possible so these special people can set aside some time away from work to fulfill their duties and roles in your wedding.

Secure the church and inquire about premarital counseling. Some churches require this for a marriage to be allowed.

Choose your colors. Your flowers, attire, linens, and cake will reflect your choice. Since you have to shop for these items fairly far in advance, it’s important that you are rock-solid on your color decision.

Choose and order the bridal gown, bridesmaids’ gowns and accessories. Choose wisely and stay within your budget.

Start planning the honeymoon. The groom often takes the lead on this, but it should be a spot you will both enjoy.

Begin your bridal registry. Visit your favorite stores and choose items that you will need to start your life together.

Select and order wedding invitations and announcements.

Select the caterer, photographer, florist, and musicians. Keep their phone numbers handy in case you need something.

Choose and order the wedding rings.


Three Months Before The “Big Day”!

Complete the guest list.

Plan to have both mothers select their dresses. The mother of the groom will often wait for the mother of the bride to select her dress.

Make reservations for the honeymoon. Remember to tell them that you will be newlyweds. You’ll be surprised at how many perks you will get!

Confirm the dates and times with the florist, caterer, photographer, musicians, and the church.

Discuss transportation to and from the wedding and reception sites.

Order the wedding cake.

Choose and order the tuxes

Schedule the bridesmaids’ dress fittings. It is also a good time to choose and dye the shoes if that is necessary.

Place engagement announcement in the local newspaper (optional).


Two Months Before The “Big Day”!

Prepare and mail the invitations.

Get the marriage license.

Finalize the honeymoon reservations.

Make transportation arrangements


One Month Before The “Big Day”!

Reserve accommodation for the guests.

Record gifts received and send thank-you letters to each person. Many couples think that they must wait to send those thank you notes. Get them done as soon as the gifts begin to arrive to avoid stressful times later on closer to your wedding.

Purchase the gifts for the bridal party. Brides often buy inexpensive earrings or necklaces that the bridesmaids can wear to the wedding. Popular choices for the groomsmen are money clips, key chains, or ball caps.

Schedule the final fittings for the bride and bridesmaids.

Get Wedding programs printed.

Schedule appointments at beauty saloons for attendants, if needed.

Host the bridesmaids luncheon.

Purchase a guest book and decide where it will go. Some couples place the book just inside the door of the church or wedding area. Some prefer to display it at their reception. In either case, have someone stand nearby to invite guests to sign the book.


Two Weeks Before The “Big Day”!

Arrange to have names changed on the driver’s license, social security, etc...

Finalize the number of guests with the caterer.


One Week Before The “Big Day”!

Start packing for the honeymoon. Be sure to choose clothing that you won’t need during this very big week for you.

Plan the seating arrangements for all guests.

Have a beautician practice fixing your hair. You may also want to practice your make-up or make an appointment at a department store so it can be done for you.

Make sure that the wedding rings are picked up and fit.


The “Big Day”!!!

Congratulations! You made it to your big day! The last thing to do is to just relax. You’ve earned it and should enjoy your entire day!