When you first get engaged, the natural thing to do is for every newly-wed friend to hand over their collection of bridal magazines. On top of that, it’s pretty much impossible to pass by the grocery aisle without picking up The Knot, Get Married, Grace Ormond, Brides, Modern Bridal, and all the other mags filled with inspiration. Next you go home, sit on the sofa, and start flipping. You have your pink bridal book filled with magazine clippings under tabs like “Floral”, “Color”, “Bridesmaids”, and of course “Dresses.”
From there, you find your stopping point. The wedding world is filled with ideas, so many ideas you might feel lost on blogs, magazines, websites, and shows like “Say Yes to the Dress.”How do you discover what style you want on your wedding day in the sea of white?
Here are my insider tips as the Director of Solutions Bridal:
1. Stay true to your style. If you are a Banana Republic girl then look at wedding dresses by Watters Bridal. If you are the boutique girl, look into bridal gowns like Kenneth Pool and Rivini where you can customize the dress to have a one-of-a-kind look.
2. Shop with the Girls. Chances are your friends appreciate your style more than your mom does. Bring them with you. Not all of them or else your opinion will be pushed to the side lines.
3. Bring your favorite editorial clipping to your Bridal Appointment. Don’t be upset if you don’t end up loving the gown you drooled over in the magazine, it’s just an inspiration ice breaker.
4. Try on three different looks. One ballgown, one mermaid, one a-line. Once you know the fit, start looking at the detailing.
5. Trust your Stylist. At Solutions Bridal all the stylist are trained by professionals in the industry, tour wedding venues, talk daily to designers, attend Bridal Market and other events. They have seen every dress on every different body, if not they have tried it on themselves for examination. Chances are the first dress will be your gown, because they picked it to go first. Not everything is coincidence.
6. The accessories are where your vision comes together. Bridal gowns are like a blank canvas. Let’s say your theme is Vintage. Instead of wearing a gown from the 1920s that is falling apart, find a dress that fits your body. From there, add to your “white canvas” by applying a French net veil with a broach and a detachable belt with soft, feathery detailing. Chances are there is another bride out there somewhere wearing your gown, but it’s pretty much impossible for that bride to pick out the same accessories.
7. Don’t go on Bridal Beauty Overload. A classic mistake is overdoing the bridal hair and make-up. If you never wear your hair up, don’t wear it up. Your fiancé needs to know it’s you coming down the aisle. Don’t wear so much make-up that you look back in pictures and say “What was I thinking!”
8. Always remember this fashion world secret: Fashion is trendy, but style is timeless!
9. Take Risks. If you don’t try the crazy looking editorial hair piece, than you really don’t know if you don’t like it. By taking risks, you could be very pleasantly surprised and WOWED.
10. Be Confident. Once you decide on what look is for you, wear it! You will grow a deep love for your bridal style throughout your engagement as you find your hair stylist and pick complementary bridesmaid dresses. Can’t go wrong!
Behind the scenes editorial shoot from Central Florida Bride's Magazine. Courtesy of
Caroline Johnson. Check out Caroline's blog
here!
.JPG)
