Is Your Flowergirl a Wild Child?

I'm a fan of flowergirls of all personalities: sweet and shy, sweet and not so shy, girly princess types, and of course, the wild ones.
What do I mean by "wild"? I mean the kid who marches to the beat of her own drum, isn't going to go for what you'd expect, and has a personality that stands out from the crowd. (I do not mean badly behaved. One can be a wild child and still vey well mannered!)

There are a couple of different ways you can tackle what can be a challenging task- agreeing on a dress you'll both love.

Way #1: Find a really simple dress, and pick out accessories together that let her express her personality. Let her have choices about a bunch of smaller details.

Way #2: Put her in a color that coordinates but contrasts with the bridesmaids. Traditionally flowergirls are in white or ivory, but I think color is always a great option (and slightly less stressful to try to keep spotless). Then she can feel special in her own color that isn't the same as anyone else's.

Just a couple of ideas! Another really helpful thing can be to look at pictures together before you do any actual shopping, so that you can get a feel for what she is interested in and will enjoy wearing. Ultimately, you're the bride and you're the boss, but a happy flowergirl on your wedding day may be worth a few compromises. Or there's always bribery.... :)

Pounds do not equal Inches

Maybe it's the time of year, but everyone seems to have weight loss on the brain. I've been in a wedding or two, so I understand all about wanting to tone up, and the thought of all those pictures you'll be in is a powerful motivation for anyone!

So, what do you do if you're like most people, and need to order a dress now to get in time for the wedding, but you know you'll be thinner then? Unfortunately, there's no formula anywhere that says something like: "If you lose 10lbs, you will be one inch smaller in measurement X." Not only is there no way to know how many inches those pounds you lose will bring you down, there is no way to know for sure just where they are coming off.

So, the best way to proceed, even though it's kind of a bummer, is to order the size you are at right now. You should be planning on altering your dress no matter what, and it's not going to make a big difference if you are taking the dress in an extra inch or two. Plus, think how fabulous you'll feel when the dress does come in and feels nice and loose, versus how terrible you'd feel if you did order down a size, but the way you lost the weight (or didn't quite manage to lose it!) doesn't put your measurements down to where they'd need to be that smaller size. You'll feel terrible, and no one needs that kind of stress! Plus, in the long run, you are looking at the potential for far greater expense if you get a dress that's too small and have to try to add in fabric, etc. Taking in is a breeze compared to that!

So remember, however many pounds you have as your goal to lose, be calm, cool, and practical, and just order for where you are right now. Sleeping at night is also very important to help you look as gorgeous as possible : )

Colorful Creations

Don't forget to check out the shoe line we carry- Colorful Creations. They have some great stuff, and some of their shoes are dyeable.

http://colorfulcreations.com/

Chiffon: The Fabric of 2011?

Chiffon, like most fabrics, has been around since forever. A really new fabric doesn't come along very often. New variants, yes.
And for a while, chiffon was not very popular. It has its downsides- if you snag it, there's not a lot you can do, and because it has a matte finish certain colors just don't work very well. If you're looking for really deep, saturated color, chiffon tends to be softer and lighter most of the time.

But, that said, there are more reasons why it's become so popular. As wedding gowns with ruffles and soft textured details have become all the rage, chiffon has grown in popularity because it's such a great complement to this type of gown as well as many others. Soft, romantic, and with just some simple draping you can have an elegant bridesmaids dress that is simple but not plain. Also, it's light and often more comfortable to wear than a stiff satin or taffeta. It's not the "typical bridesmaids" fabric.

So, for Spring 2011 there will be other fabrics and styles out there of course, but chiffon styles will dominate. For now...

Bridesmaids Questionnaire

After the wedding gown, bridesmaids are the most important clothing choice you'll make for your big day. I suggest taking some time to think things over before you go out shopping, and if you have a large party don't take everyone shopping the first time out. Take one or two bridesmaids with different body types to help you explore the options. Here are some things to ask yourself before and during shopping:

1)Do you prefer to have all your bridesmaids in the same style, or do you prefer the look of different dresses? This is one of the first things you'll want to decide as it will dramatically impact your shopping process. If you want different styles, you'll need to find a line that has a variety of styles that you like in the same color and fabric.

2)How much are you and your maids willing to spend on the dresses? Discuss price range before you start shopping, so that if there are any issues you know and can work out a plan (Example: One bridesmaid can't afford the full price of a dress until she gets her Xmas bonus, you agree to cover the difference for now and she'll pay you back later.)

3)What colors would work well with both the look of your wedding and the various skin tones in your wedding party? Having a color or colors in mind is a good idea, but having a very specific color in mind could drastically limit your choices. Color availability varies by designer, and by fabric within designer, so some dresses will have a lot of options, and other will be more limited.

4) How will the dresses look next to your dress? Do you want them to have a similar look and style, or do you want them to contrast with your dress?

5) What are the things you care most about having in a bridesmaids dress, and what are you flexible on? Make a list of what the top priorities are, and stick to it. It will help you narrow down your options, and make the whole process go more smoothly.

6) Who is the bride? This isn't a trick question- it's one I often want to ask when I hear outspoken friends, mothers, sisters, etc trying to tell brides what they should do or what would be best. At the end of the day, you are the bride, and while you should consider the thoughts and feelings of your bridesmaids, you have the final say.

Non- traditional Bouquet Ideas

Flowers are gorgeous, and there are so many ways to make a unique arrangement that is beautiful and expresses your style.

But what if you are not a bouquet, or a flower person? What if carrying flowers just isn't for you?

Here are a few ideas that I think make great alternatives to a floral bouquet.

1) Carry a special book. It could be a small prayer book that's been in your family, or your favorite poet, or the novel that you and your fiance discussed on your first date. Find something with a beautiful old binding, or have it covered to compliment the look of your wedding.

2) Make a "bouquet" out of something besides flowers. It may still look like flowers, but it will be a unique piece of art. I've seen really beatuful ones made from fabric, and GORGEOUS ones made out of brooches and other old jewelry.

3) Carry a beautiful or funky accessory: a parasol, a clutch or handbag, even a fan. There are so many great vintage treasures out there just waiting to be found and incorporated into your special day. Or you can go sleek and modern too. The options are endless.

4) Carry just a copy of your vows, folded and tied with a ribbon.

5) Carry nothing. You are both offering yourselves, and that is the most important thing.

Whatever it is you decide to do, it's a great idea to either make a note in the program about what you are carrying and why, or if it fits into the ceremony and your story, have the officiant say a few words about it. That way your guests will "get it" and you'll be able to share your uniqueness and creativity with everyone.

The look of silk for the price of... not silk?

I am a silk lover. Dupioni. Shantung. Even silk satin, although I prefer something textured. However, I do not love how much silk costs. It makes me very sad, and somewhat cranky.

However, I have found three great designers that make alternatives to silk that look very much like the real deal. If you know fabric, you will of course know the difference, but what these alternatives offer is an overall look that is similar. A couple of differences: The synthetics tend to be a little stiffer (which can be good if you like a fabric with more body), and don't have the same sheen as the silk. Color options are going to vary of course, in general (like with any more unique fabric) they will be a little more limited than say, a straight up satin.

Here are my faves:
Wtoo Shantung: It's a poly shantung, and there are some very cute short styles ( as well as long) that i like.

Alfred Sung Dupioni: One nice feature of this line, is that pretty much every dress that is available in Peau de Soie is also made in Dupioni (and vice versa) for the same price. They have some great options if you wanted to mix styles.

Jim Hjelm Dupioni: I love Jim Hjelm's color palette, and the dresses tend to be a little more high style.