Find the Right Wedding Dress for Your Body Type

Most brides don’t have a clue when it comes to finding the perfect wedding dress and a style that works for their body type. The methods listed below are a way to help establish your type and suggestions for what dress silhouette will flatter you. The most important thing is to go out and try on a few dresses in different styles to see what you like best.
    
First you will need a tape measure. Your “bust” is the biggest measurement around your chest. Your “waist” is the smallest measurement and your “hips” are the thickest part, approximately 7-9” below your waist. Measure your bust, waist and hips and jot these numbers down.
 
Pear Shape Bodies - If your hips are larger than your bust then you have a pear shape. Most women brides fall into this category!  An a-line dress will be the most suitable because it is full in the skirt, hiding the bigger hips on the bottom. An a-line gives a balanced appearance of an hourglass and even works with an upside down pear, which is when your bust is larger than your hips.

 

 

 

Round or Square Body Type - If all your measurements are similar then you are a square or round body type. To add definition and the appearance of an hourglass shape you’ll want to choose dresses with gathers or other details on the hips and bust. This will emphasize those areas and give you a feminine shape. Normally an a-line dress will be the most flattering and have the most options for you.

 

 

 

Hourglass Body Type - If your bust and hips are just about the same measurement (within an inch or two) and your waist is smaller than either of these by at least a four inches (the more the better though) then you are an hourglass shape. This classic hollywood shape can wear any style of dress as most styles are flattering. The mermaid though will really highlight your curves and you’ll even be able to pull off a sheath.

 

 

 

Have fun dress shopping! I always recommend trying on wedding dresses in a few diverse silhouettes, even the ones you don’t think you’ll like. Sometimes this will just confirm that it isn’t right for you, but often you’ll be surprised that a shape you didn’t think would work will be the most flattering! It is always helpful to try on a assortment so you know what you are looking for and what you are not looking for. This will make the process easier if you go to other shops too. Happy hunting!

Dessert Only Wedding Reception Ideas

With the costs of weddings going up every year, couples are trying to find ways to plan a dream wedding and reception and staying within their budgets. To do this, a growing trend is for couples to try different themes for their wedding receptions in lieu of serving a large 4 course meal. You'll start to see some very unique ideas, especially this one - a dessert reception theme.  Let me elaborate a little:

Here are some of the more popular ideas for a dessert only wedding reception. Keep in mind, you can choose to serve only one of these ideas, or several for more assortments so that everyone gets their choice of favourite sweets.

1. Ice Cream Bar

Who doesn't like an ice cream sundae? This idea always works best when using a caterer since they have the equipment to keep everything chilled and cold throughout your reception. Start out with both vanilla or chocolate ice cream and then have bowls and a variety of cones set out of different things for your guests to add to their ice cream - things like chocolate sauce, sprinkles, nuts, cherries, whipped cream, chocolate chips, cookies, marshmallows and much more!

 

 

 

 

2.  Make a Cookie Table

Many bakeries, caterers, and local grocery stores can make up extra large platters of assorted cookies for your reception. You could use the platters they arrive in or you can create new ways of displaying them and have them arranged nicely on a buffet table. You can use some height to spread more on the long tables and even consider using round tables so that your guests can walk around to enjoy the display and selecting the ones they would like to munch on. An assortment of chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, macadamia nut, double chocolate, ginger or a special favourite of yours will be should be the signature cookie.

 

 

 

 

3. Wedding Cake

A wedding cake is a must at a dessert only wedding reception. Most guests will want to try a piece of your cake. You can have a different flavour for each tier, and you can even serve cheesecake instead of the traditional sponge cake. You can also have one of your dessert tables at your reception include the wedding cake, and have someone slice up your cake so that each guest can come by and have a piece of your beautiful wedding cake.

 

 

 

4. The Chocolate Fountain

Chocolate fountains are always popular at weddings these days, I'm sreu everyone has come across one by now. They are beautiful to look at and they smell wonderful, and make a great dessert. They rent pretty inexpensively, and they include your favourites in large bowls around the fountain for guests to drizzle with chocolate. Some favourites include pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries and other fruits, cookies and graham crackers.

 

 

 

 

5. Make a Candy Table

Having a candy bar at your wedding reception is another idea growing in popularity. This can be used for your guests consumption or you could set it up as wedding favor. Put out large bowls of your favourite kinds of candy on the table (make sure you purchase lots), along with little take home boxes and baggies and scoops in the candy for each guest to help themselves to their favourite and take home for later.

 

 

Try to remember that not not everyone will be able to handle a dessert reception with sugar filled snacks. Remember to include some sugar free cakes, snacks and candy for anyone with dietary needs (like diabetics).

When one wedding dress isn’t enough!

A growing trend today is for brides to select not one, but two wedding dresses. This may seem a bit excessive…maybe?  It’s a really fun way to indulge your every whim on the most wonderful day of your life?

Most brides don't shop for a wedding gown with the intention of purchasing two wedding dresses. What usually happens is that after trying on countless gowns, the bride realizes that she cannot select just one. The reason is that she will fall in love with a gown that is perfect for the wedding ceremony, but she cannot envision wearing it all night. Then she will try on a dress that would be perfect for dancing at the reception, but she just doesn't picture wearing it down the aisle. The solution - get both!

When a bride chooses to wear a different gown for the reception, usually is it a much lighter weight gown than the ceremony dress, but it should be white or ivory to make sure that the bride stands out from her guests. The reception gown should have some sass to it - you can select a more bold style than you wore for the service.

 

 

 

A sexy beaded sheath dress would be incredible on a sophisticated bride. Another alternative would be to choose one of the tea or knee length bridal gowns that designers now offer.

 

 

 

The best part of having two wedding gowns is the wow factor when your guests see the transformation, so be sure that you have planned for all the accessories to compliment gown number one and two.

The excitement doesn't have to end with the second bridal gown. It has long been customary for the couple to change into their going away outfits before exiting the reception, which means, a third dress for the bride! Your going away dress should be pretty, but less fancy than the wedding gowns.

 

 

 

Since you are only going to do it once, your wedding day is the perfect time to indulge all of your fashion fantasies.

 

Wedding Gifts from Bride to Groom

As you choose special wedding gifts for your maid of honor, bridesmaids, flower girl, and parents, don’t forget about that most important person on your list – the groom!

It is very common for the bride and groom to exchange gifts on their wedding day. The gifts are usually given prior to the actual ceremony, either at the rehearsal dinner or by way of a messenger on the wedding day. Some couples choose to give the gift after the wedding reception when they have some personal alone time.
 
Any gift of jewelery or something like cuff links or a handkerchief can become a part of your wedding day. Your groom can wear the cuff links or tuck the handkerchief in his tux.  Some handkerchiefs have a personal message on them and the cuff links can be engraved.  You can be sure that he will wear that special watch, necklace or any other piece of jewelery on the big day. Consider the message and sentiment you are hoping to achieve, and that, along with the cost, should guide your decision.

Here are some gift ideas for the groom.

On a Budget

 

• Bottle of his favorite wine or liquor with a love letter
• Customized calendar with photos of you both together
• Mixed CD of your favorite songs and a love note
• Money clip engraved
• Personalized handkerchief
• Photo album or scrapbook with many of your favorite photos
• Photo frame
• Poetry book

Traditional Gifts

• A necklace or bracelet
• A watch
• Cuff links
• Gift basket of all his favorite things (including this favorite cologne)
• New leather wallet, inscribed with a personal message
• Brand name sunglasses

Classy and Customized

• An engraved pocket watch
• Gift certificate for an adventure of a lifetime – scuba diving, skydiving, hot air balloon rides or something else up his alley
• Personalized golf balls or golf club

Technology at Its Best

• Digital camera
• Digital camcorder
• Flat-screen TV
• GPS system
• iPod or MP3 player
• A print, painting, or sculpture by one of his favorite artists
• A set of golf clubs, if he doesn’t already have them
• High-end fashion watch  

Some couples opt not to exchange gifts other than their wedding bands and the honeymoon they’ll share. If you decide not to give a gift, consider sending a sweet greeting card or a handwritten love note – something you both can cherish for a lifetime.

Wedding Day Hair Flowers

A popular trend among brides is wearing flowers in their hair on their wedding day instead of wearing a veil or tiara.  Here are some tips that you should be sure to follow in order to wear a flower as beautifully as possible.

One of the first things that come to mind is that it would be better for you to wear a fresh flower because it’s more natural. This is a common misunderstanding among brides who are interested in wearing flowers in their hair. The truth is that it is much better to wear a flower clip or barrette, than a fresh flower. Why you may ask? After a certain amount of time, the fresh flower will begin to look droopy as the day goes on, while a flower clip or barrette will last forever. There is nothing worse than a droopy flower in photos, so it is best to avoid using fresh flowers in your hair. Another option is to have a number of fresh flowers on hand to replace the flower that starts to droop.  It could be costly and make wrecks havoc on your expensive hair do.

 

 

 

Brides should also keep in mind that flowers worn in the hair do not seem to go with every hairstyle and face shape.  Most hair stylists find that flowers look best with medium length hair and round or square shape faces. This is not to say that people with short hair look terrible wearing flowers in their hair for a wedding. In fact, many people with shorter hair prefer wearing flower clips or some type of clip in order to “spruces up” their hair. Ultimately it comes down to what looks good on you.

 

 

 

One thing that you want to make sure when you do decide if you are wearing flowers in your hair for a wedding is that it matches your wedding day style.  Not only is it necessary for it to match your dress, but also it is also important that it goes along with the whole theme of the wedding.

Please be sure to keep all of these points in mind when deciding on wedding day hair flowers.

How to Throw a Wild, Glam and Sassy Bridal Shower!

   
How many times has this happened to you - you open the mail and there’s another wedding shower invitation and all you can think of is another boring, simple themed shower to go to. No fun, the same food, cake and silly games….

Now it’s your turn to have a wedding shower and you want it unlike anything anyone has been to before! Here’s how you do it:

Think pink this year - A glam and sassy all ladies party is easy to do and something that everyone will enjoy. The greatest part of this theme is that the more pink feather boas and sparkles the better!

For the invitation:  Nothing sets the tone for your party like the perfect invitation! You can choose from several different options for this theme: martini glasses, scrolls or bold hot pink block print.  Make it clear on the invitation if there is also a theme for gifts, such as sexy lingerie, fashion jewelery or stock the couples home bar and beverage center.

 

 

 

 

For the cocktails: You always need to have a fun "signature" drink at the party and name it after the bride-to-be. This doesn’t need to be complicated at all - make a batch of cosmos or even a champagne cocktail - just add an extra splash of fruit juice or liquor and presto, you have your "Lisa." Try garnishing glasses with pink sugar rims and lime wedges and make sure to add different patterned ribbons around the stems to serve as glass labels.

For the food: This type of event lends itself to the sweet tooth that everyone has inside all of us. Sweet tables adorned with candy, cupcakes, and petit fours are a great option. Don’t forget to offer at least one or two savory appetizers, such as a cheese platter or simple hors’ douveres.

 

    

 

For the décor:  Have the event space look bright, bold and fun!  Pair bright pink with animal prints or even black and white prints. Try to use lots of beads and feathers to give texture to your centerpieces.

 

 

 

This will be a party that all your friends and family will talk about for years to come!

Writing a Maid of Honor wedding speech

 

Writing a speech can be quite an ordeal, let alone the fact that you have to give it at a wedding in front of several hundred people. Eventually, after your friend asks you to be the maid of honor at her wedding, this anxiety will appear and the question will arise -  how do I write a good speech. What kind of speech should I prepare? What should or shouldn't I say? How long should it be?

The internet may provide you a good amount of resources that offer maid of honor speeches to the public, but don’t you really want something great, unique, different and even a little funny so you can make the couple happy that she chose you to give the speech (and not be embarrassed on the way back to your seat afterward).

 

 

Here are a few tips to consider when writing your speech:

 

• Try and be thoroughly prepared. Don't start writing your speech until the last minute. Make sure you start as soon as possible; don't leave it until the night before the wedding.

• Check with the bride to see what kind of speech she'd like – this would give you a great place to start.

• Know your crowd – you’re at a wedding and you don't want to embarrass the bride on her big day. Is there anything in the speech that is a little too private? It might seem funny to you, but to other people it could be the complete opposite. You may want to run your speech by a friend first to make sure that nothing seems inappropriate.

• Make sure it has some flavor and a personal touch. This can be the hardest thing to accomplish in writing, to customize your speech to suit the bride and the groom. Try and inject some jokes or a few funny lines that you feel as though would be good on their day.

• Try and hold off on the alcohol until after the speech; drinking may seem like a good idea when you’re nervous, but it can only get you in more trouble. If you’ve even seen anyone slur and stumble through a speech, well need I say more?

• Most of all make sure everything is done in good taste, as families will be attending on the day. If you’re not sure of something, it might be best to take it out instead of leaving it in.

If you’re still having trouble writing that speech, here is a website for speech writing that might be helpful.

Wedding Cake Trends for the 2010 Wedding Season

Planning a wedding is considered one of the most memorable occasions a couple with have in their lifetime. When you think of weddings you always think of the brides wedding gown and of course the wedding cake.

Wedding cakes are very important at a reception and represent more than just a delicious dessert - a wedding cake serves as a centrepiece at your wedding reception. It is extremely important to select the wedding cake carefully in order to match it with the right trend, the theme of the wedding, and your personal style. It should also reveal your style as a couple.

Every year brings with it a different trend and this year is no exception. This coming wedding season you will see both the traditional and modern styles of wedding cakes. Here are few of the top wedding cake trends for this wedding season:

Oversized and Tall Wedding Cakes

This year we are seeing a lot of gigantic wedding cakes. Last year the wedding cakes consisted of maximum one to three layers, this year it has increased to five to seven layers. So if you are planning a wedding this season, the best bet for you would be to go for five to seven layers of cake. If the cost is too expensive we suggest adding artificial tiers to make up the difference.

 

Butter Cream Cakes

Many wedding couples are opting for delicious butter cream for their icing. The bride, groom and their guests prefer butter cream because it’s a lot tastier. Fondant was largely used to give the cake a very attractive look as opposed to butter cream, which tends to melt fast and doesn’t give the required smoothness to the cake. Always remember, a layer of fondant over butter cream will give you both an elegant look and delicious taste. 




Bold Colors

Fashion runways have been showcasing dramatic colors this season for wedding dresses and décor.  Now we are seeing these colors show up on the wedding cakes.  We are seeing a lot of blues, plums, oranges and fuchsia colors for the icing and embellishments.   Some couples are very cautious when it comes to color so they usually stick to all white cakes and then add the bold colors through flowers, fruit and jewels. 

 


Monograms

Monograms are very classy, trendy and stylish at a wedding, plus it gives a nice signatory fashion to the wedding cake.  This look adds a classic feature like no other, and it’s timeless.   
 
 

 
Traditional Something Blue

Some couples struggle to find the traditional “something blue” to add to their wedding date. So why not have a blue wedding cake – metallic horizon blue, ice blue, aqua blue, and any understated hue of blue color, wedding cakes would be perfect for your 2010 nuptial.

2010 Bridesmaid Dress Trends

When you ask any single 30 something year old women to be in a wedding she will say “always the bridesmaid and never the bride”.  Nowadays women love to be asked to stand in as a bridesmaid at a wedding because the dresses have never been more stylish and sophisticated - and this year is no exception. (some people have been known to hit the bridal salons just to purchase the dress off the rack because they are so chic this year).

Here are some of the 2010 bridesmaid dress tends for this wedding season:

Neckline

Designers are now saying good-bye to the strapless bridesmaid dresses and introducing more diverse necklines to their collections. One of the biggest trends this year has to be the classic bateau neckline.

 

 

 

 

Gray

Gray is the new brown / black this year.  It will complement most skin tones and shades of gray will always look good no matter what the season is! Gray bridesmaids dresses are a wonderful choice because the color is timeless. Plus the look is very much the same as the typical little black dress.

 

 

 

Two-toned Colors

Two-toned dresses are very hot this wedding season, along with separates. Having two separate pieces allows all bridesmaids to feel comfortable on the wedding day no matter what size they are. Separates will compliment all body types and so will two toned colors.

 

 

 

Sleeves

Bridesmaids dresses always come in sleeveless styles, but now you may want to consider some really cool sleeves for the girls dresses especially for the ladies who like to cover up a bit more on the wedding day.  

 

 

 

Off White and Ivory Shades

Designers these days are including shades of soft vanilla, pale beige and even faint khaki colors for bridesmaid’s dresses.  When selecting a shade like this make sure you purchase it from the same store as the brides wedding dress.  You don’t want the shade to be too close to the brides dress and you don’t want to blend in.  

 

 

 

Wolfgang Pucks Wedding Catering Trends for 2010

World-renowned chef, Wolfgang Puck, in a recent interview reveals his wedding catering trends for 2010:

“The use of organic and sustainable ingredients are more popular than ever, and couples are more knowledgeable about food these days” says Chef Puck, “Caterer’s that shop at the farmers market and think about seasonality are important. Organic and sustainable products are appealing to a lot of wedding couples.”

 

 

 

In the current economy, comfort foods have become even more popular (think burgers, pizza, ribs, pot pie and risotto.)  Comfort doesn’t have to mean pedestrian. “At a wedding, you can serve hors d’oeurvres like Kobe beef burgers, wild mushroom risotto, smoked salmon pizzas, braised short-ribs or a single pot pie with lobster." His advice to dazzle your wedding guests – upgrade ingredients and prepare them with great expertise.

“One of the more popular trends now is to serve a small cheese course right before the wedding cake,” says the famed gastronome, “it’s very chic.”

Another popular trend is for your wedding guests to see the food being prepared.  “Having the chefs out in front cooking for the guests is the latest thing,” he says. “It’s fun for the guests to see real professional chefs at work making food that is cooked to order. This is especially good for hot appetizers and the main course.”

Personal touches are very important in what you should do. “Heart and love should inspire everything,” says Chef Puck. He likes to ask the bride and groom what they like to eat and then take it and add a twist to everything, giving them something better than what they are used to for their wedding reception.

These are the type of tips that I pass on to my wedding clients when they approach me and ask for something different for food options at their wedding reception. I always let them know all of their trends, however including one or two of these trends into their wedding meal is enough to take it from ordinary to extraordinary.