Attire Advice

by Lisa Beth Miller Brides meticulously select the style, color, and length of their wedding veil, but nobody really tells you exactly when to take it off. We are here for you, and ready to tackle this major conundrum! Love the look of your veil and feel totally comfortable wearing it? It is totally ok to just leave it on for your entire reception. This is especially true if your whole hairstyle is centered around the veil, or if it is a high-impact statement piece that enhances the look you want to achieve. For example, a quirky birdcage veil might look amazing with a retro tea-length dress; why remove it? If you do decide that you want your veil to go bye-bye, there are a few appropriate times to take it off. The first idea is right after the ceremony. …

Tips and Inspiration for Your Littlest Wedding Party Member By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Brides & Weddings Signup for Bridal Buzz newsletter  The role of the ring bearer is an important part of any wedding ceremony. This special little guy is responsible for carrying the rings down the aisle, so it’s essential to make sure he looks the part. If you’re looking for some ring bearer ideas, we’ve got you covered with some tips and inspiration. Ring Bearer Outfits When it comes to ring bearer outfits, there are plenty of options to choose from, depending on the style of your wedding. Here are some ideas: Traditional Suit A classic suit is a timeless option for a formal wedding. A black or navy suit paired with a white dress shirt and tie or bow tie is a stylish and sophisticated look. …

Provided by Tangs Bridal Tangs has announced the inclusion of a new dress line at the Bridal Studio: Pronovias of Barcelona. Since 1922, Pronovias has been the premiere face of bridal gowns across Europe, beginning their international expansion in 1977. Tangs is pleased to include themselves on a short list of North American retailers proudly carrying this luxury staple of European fashion. Tangs has added 12 dresses to their current collection, each one capitalizing on the hottest trends or the greatest classics. If you would like to catch these beautiful gowns and more, schedule an appointment with Tangs today. Call 703-393-8458. The Pickford A 1920s-inpired évassée style in handmade lace is gently fitted over the back and derriere and features a gorgeous chapel train in butter soft tulle. Accessorized with an overskirt, it takes on extra volume for a grand …

by Lisa Beth Miller Ready to start searching for your dream dress? Of course, you are. You may notice some bridal salons advertising “designer trunk shows.” These mysterious in-store events may sound like a confusing concept, but a trunk show could be the key to you finding the perfect wedding gown! So how does a trunk show work? A designer may decide that some unique designs are not getting quite enough attention. The dresses may be cutting-edge styles that bridal boutiques were afraid to purchase, dresses in alternative colors, or dresses at a different price point than typically featured in a shop. Sometimes trunk show dresses are brand new designs that literally no brides have seen yet! The designer ships the collection to a bridal shop for a limited time (usually in boxes, rather than in a trunk, but you …

by Lisa Beth Miller If you are addicted to the show Say Yes To The Dress like I am, you may have noticed a shopping trend. Many brides seem to find it necessary to gather a large posse of friends and family members to join in the fun of wedding gown shopping. But is it really wise to bring so many different people along for this momentous shopping occasion? My answer is no. Here is why: Save the surprise! Your wedding gown is special and unique. It will have much more of an impact on your guests if they see it for the first time as you walk down the aisle. Isn’t this fashion moment the real reason why the bride walks slowly and deliberately down the aisle? Not everyone knows fashion. Let’s be realistic here. Uncle Phil and cousin Carlton are …

by Lisa Beth Miller Ok…so you have finally found your dream wedding gown. Your sales consultant at the bridal boutique is all ready to measure you and order the fabulous frock you have selected. You are expertly measured and ready to order. Everything seems to be going smoothly until she whips out the designer’s size chart and informs you which size should be ordered. Many brides are shocked to learn that the wedding gown size recommended is a bit larger than the size they would normally purchase when shopping at the mall. This humbling experience is very commonplace. As your official wedding diva, I am going to give you the real scoop on this scenario. Bridal designers are not using the same “vanity” size charts as your favorite department store and mall shop designers! Wedding gown designers are traditionalists in …

by Lisa Beth Miller This week, I was approached with a question that I thought was important enough to be addressed: What exactly should a dad wear to the wedding of his son or daughter? Seems simple enough to tell dads to dress up, but should they match the actual wedding party? No! Dads are not to be dressed exactly like the groomsmen, as they are not technically members of the wedding party. The key here is to dress dads in keeping with the appropriate level of formality for the event. So if the groomsmen are in black tuxedos with green accessories, dads should wear tuxedos, but not the same one and not with the exact same accessories as the groomsmen. The dads are also not required to match each other. So using the previous scenario (black tuxes and green vests and ties for the groomsmen), perhaps the …

by Lisa Beth Miller Buying a wedding gown can be a very intimidating process. While it is often best to shop in a reputable bridal boutique that employs well-educated bridal consultants, sometimes a bride should do a little homework first! Before shopping, be sure that you have a clear vision about where and what time of year your wedding will be held. It is important that you have some concept of what fabric weight will be appropriate for your event. As you shop for your perfect gown, it is very likely that your sales consultant will be referring to some of the following fabrics: Any season Silk: The most common, cherished, and priciest wedding gown fabric, silk is a smooth and soft natural fiber. Satin: Very common in wedding gowns, satin is a densely woven silk with a lustrous sheen on one …

by Lisa Beth Miller Nowadays, the role of the mother of the bride is changing. She is a fashionable woman who not only wants to express her personal style at her daughter’s wedding, she wants to make a fashion statement, feel comfortable, and shine like the star that she is on this special day. Mothers (of the bride OR groom) are cherished guests of honor and often hosts of a wedding. They are NOT required to wear dresses to match or coordinate exactly with the bridesmaids! They should also never be pressured to wear beige or to “blend into the background.” Mothers deserve to look their absolute best on this very important day. Here are a few guidelines for dress shopping for mothers: The mother of the bride no longer has to wear a gown that sweeps the ground. Now, more than ever before, the mother of the bride is …

by Lisa Beth Miller The adorable little flower girl! Who could possibly be cuter? This special little girl plays an important role in the wedding day and deserves to be dressed like the princess that she really is! How does the bride go about deciding how to dress the flower girl? Well, there are two schools of thought on this issue. One trend suggests that the flower girl should be dressed in a child-sized (and child appropriate) version of the bridesmaids’ dress. The bride can either ask if the bridesmaid dress designer also makes a child’s version, or simply obtain color swatches of the bridesmaids’ dress and shop with a designer who makes children’s dresses exclusively. The second possibility is to take the approach of dressing the flower girl as a mini-bride, in a white or ivory dress that coordinates more …

by Lisa Beth Miller Once you have picked your wedding colors and the groomsmen for your wedding party, it is time to select tuxedos. Finding tuxedos for your wedding party is an easy item to check off your to-do list, and gives your groom a pivotal role in the wedding planning process. Most tuxedo shops work with out of town wedding members; don’t let that be an excuse for tardy measurements. Here’s a crash course in Tuxedos 101 to ensure you pick the right look for your wedding party. For starters, have all of your men measured as soon as you pick out the tuxedos (the ring bearer should wait until one month out to ensure his growing body fits his tuxedo). Lesson 1: Tuxedo Jackets When selecting a tuxedo jacket pay close attention to the number of buttons and the lapel. Basic styles will have between one and three buttons. Two-button styles are most common, …