Pick of the Week: Bari Jay 640

Looking for a dress with a great unexpected detail? The front of this gown is very simple and elegant, with a little brooch that keeps it from being blah. But then in back, a cascade of narrow ruffles adds flair and fabulosity. I love it because it’s simple and classic, but the back detail makes it really fun to wear and special without being over the top.

Check it out on Bari Jay's site: http://barijay.com/style.php?coll=barijay&showid=663.

Finding Your Style

Your wedding is all about expressing who you are as a couple. Here is a quiz I thought was kind of cool. To take the quiz you have to go down on the page a little bit. Have fun!



http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/findyourstyle/landing/

Under Where?

Many brides I work with have questions about undergarments- what kind to wear, where to get them, do they need a slip… I’ll try to address the most common ones I get, and then if you have others feel free to put them in a comment and I’ll do my best!

Q: What kind of bra should I wear?

A: If you can go without it, then go without! Many gowns have enough boning in the bodice that you will not need additional support. If you don’t quite fill out the top or need a little “oomph”, your seamstress can sew in cups. If you’re on the opposite side and wearing something with thin material/ very little structure, if you can go with a cup sewn in that’s best as well, or those stick on cups can work. Basically, less is more. If you do need the extra support, make sure that wherever the boning ends works with the lines of your gown- usually you'll want it to be a traditional strapless that ends under the bust line, or something that goes all the way down to whever the waistline of your gown is and possibly below.

Q: What kind of slip/crinoline should I wear?

A: This is one I get a lot, and really the answer is: one that makes the skirt as full as you want it. Skirt fullness is a personal preference- some people want the fullest, most princess-like pouf they can get, and others just want a little extra fluff. Most gown skirts come with some crinoline in them, so unless you want a fuller look you won’t need to wear a slip. To check out the slips netbride carries, go to: http://netbride.com/wedding-slips-crinolines/index.php. Also, we can order from a company called undercover if these options don’t seem quite right. Here is their site. http://www.undercoverbridal.com/

I also sometimes get questions about strapless bras and spanx, but we don’t carry anything in that line so I’m not an expert. Bras are something you really need to try on most of the time, but you can order things online. There are also tons of variations of spanx: less expensive versions, more expensive versions, you name it. The main thing you want to do (and sorry if I'm captain obvious here, but not everyone thinks of these things) is get everything far enough in advance so you can make sure it’ll work and take it to your fittings.

Choosing Your Colors

I was going to write something about how you might go about selecting your wedding colors, and in researching I found this article, which is pretty fabulous. It has a lot of great ideas to help you think through what you really want. I hope this is helpful!

http://www.favorideas.com/learn-about/wedding-planning/choosing-your-wedding-colors/

Check it Out!: Bari Jay Style 641

Looking for a flowing style with a fun detail? Check out this one shoulder gown from Bari Jay. The shoulder strap is optional, but I think it makes the dress. It is also available in maternity sizing (this costs extra, the fee is on the size chart for this designer on our website).

For more views/info on the dress: http://barijay.com/style.php?coll=barijay&showid=666

For a price quote: http://netbride.com/bridal-price-quote.htm

Want to Customize? Accesorize!

Want to have each bridesmaid look a little different without the hassle of finding different dress styles that coordinate? Choose a very simple gown and have each girl do a different chunky necklace. Keep their flowers on the simple side as well if you do this- the necklace is the focal point. There are several ways you could go about it : have each girl find her own unique piece that’s in keeping with the overall look, find several different types of necklace that layer well and then combine them in different ways for each girl to keep them similar, shop together, have the necklace be a surprise… However you work it out, it’s a great look that will leave your bridesmaids with an accessory they’ll love.

A cute style that could work for this look is Bill L evkoff 384- you could do a longer style as well, but this one is short with a really fun shape and great texture. The link is below:

http://www.billlevkoff.com/#/9/bill-levkoff-bridesmaid-dresses/bridesmaid-dress-style-384/1202/

It’s not just what you wear, it’s how you wear it.

I love looking at photos in magazines where you cancompare two celebrities wearing the same dress or outfit and see the poll results for who looked better. Sometimes it’s just about popularity, but I don’t think the exercise is totally frivolous. Usually both women are beautiful, fabulous bodies, highly styled, the whole nine yards. But the way each person wears it makes a difference, and I’m not just talking accessories. Here are some things to think about so that once you’ve got that gorgeous gown you make the most of it.

1) Posture: No need to be stiff and starchy, but try to stand up straight and hold your head up, keeping the shoulders back but relaxed. Think of keeping your torso open- you’ll look confident and also more welcoming to your guests. You’ll also look thinner if you have good posture, which we all want.

2) Alterations: I feel like I harp on this sometimes, but it is SO crucial. Make sure that gown is perfectly fitted, and you will look well put together with minimal effort in other areas. A poorly fitted gown, and you might as well put your hair in pigtails and thow on a hoodie over it- the effect is ruined.

3) Attitude: Everyone looks better when they smile. Even if you feel like pulling your hair out, or running and hiding from all the attention, try to keep a sense of humor and not sweat it. Reality TV is all very well, but in reality, no one wants to see an out of sorts bride. Do you want to be remembered as that bride who looked so stressed out, or that bride who looked so lovely and had a smile for everyone?

4) Focus on what matters: Once you are ready, do not look in a mirror again if you can avoid it. Do not fidget with your hair or your dress. Have a few people you really trust promise to let you know when you need to touch up, and then forget about how you look. Enjoy the day, be confident that you are looking good, and you absolutely will be.

5) Be yourself. This day is all about you and your sweetie, so don’t worry about what you should do or say or what’s expected. It’s your day, so just enjoy it!