7 Quick Tips for Bridal Gown Shopping

Careful planning is essential for your wedding preparations to go smoothly. Headaches and stress does not exactly make a blushing, beaming bride. You may have heard of rumors about otherwise placid females morphing into bridezillas, especially when it comes to picking a wedding gown. If you are keen NOT to be one of them, then review these tips:

1. Envision yourself on your big day. What do you see yourself wearing? Take into account the circumstances, your style. Are you going to have a beach wedding or a garden wedding? Or are you going to have a traditional church wedding? Consider the season; a wrap, strapless, skinny straps, or sleeves.

2. Decide on your budget. Formulate a general price range so you can be flexible enough in choosing from the wide variety of designs.

3. Do some homework. Browse the internet, books, magazines -- leaf through them and figure out which styles flatter you and which ones don't, which style you would be comfortable in. Narrow down your options and find the designs which suit your personality best, but do keep an open mind.

4. Research bridal salon locations, customer reviews, recommendations and price range -- these are the vital issues you have to deal with. Do some research on the internet. You might be tempted to order a dress from Ebay on the cheap, or from some shop across the country, but why take a chance on such an important decision. Look for shops near your area. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations.

5. Call the shops you've selected. Find out more about the store and the kind of goods it offers. It's best to make an appointment so you'll have time to browse and try on gowns. Learn about their staff through these phone conversations, as well.

6. Be practical. You may want to look like a princess on your wedding day, but surely you don't want to go broke doing so. Set a budget, set a design and find a dress that fits into both. Keep your options open as you do not need to stick to one bridal shop. Look for special sales, trunk shows, sample sales and end of season discounts. Go explore until you find the perfect one.

7. Keep open minded. Good full service bridal salon consultants and owners know their gowns, prices, and styles. They might suggest a designer or style you have not considered, that although may not look like much on the hanger, may look beautiful on you. Be flexible and give it a try!

Above all, have fun shopping for your gown. Know that it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so make the most of it. Know what you want, go for what you want. It is your wedding after all.

C is for...Cake & Confections

What's a wedding without delicious wedding cake! Many brides and grooms are expressing their style in theme and color on wedding cakes, even the old traditional stacked cake has taken on a new twist. It's called "personality!"
Dessert buffets can feature cupcakes with a variety of flavors. Provide a cute cake box so they are easy for guests to take home at the end of the night.

Holiday Giving!

It's that time of year and I'm sure you don't have to be reminded of those who are having problems making it during this holiday season. We always have a soft spot for children and this year we would like to remind you to consider giving a toy for tots! Between now and December 15th, two area wedding professionals are collecting Toys for Tots. Please feel free to drop your toys at:
Bancroft Bridals
225 Springfield Street, Agawam, MA
or
Durocher Florist
184 Union Street, West Springfield, MA

You would be helping make a child's holiday brighter!
Thank you!

November Excitement!

Who said November had to be boring...especially if you're planning a wedding. The Western New England Fall Bridal Show takes place on Sunday, November 23rd at the MassMutual Center. No only will you find everything you need for your wedding in one location, but you might just find the wedding dress of your dreams at the gown sale that opens at 10:30am. All gowns just $199. Talk about saving money in your budget...you have to see to believe the beautiful gowns available at this sale. Bring your bridesmaids, your groom, your friends...and have a terrific day planning your special day at this event!

Annual Food Drive Blowout Sale!

This year will be very tight for some families and what a easy way to help others while taking advantage of a great sale! For 3 Days ONLY, Bridal Heirlooms will have their Blowout Sale. Friday, November 14th through Sunday, November 16th, all Clearance Bridal Gowns are just $99 with your donation of 5 non-perishable food items. These gowns were originally $500-$2000!
Also, donate 5 non-perishable food times and get Clearance Formals and Flowergirl Dresses for just $29! Bridal Heirlooms is located at the Village Commons, 17 College Street, South Hadley, MA. www.bridalheirlooms.net. What a great way to get some terrific savings and spread some goodness this holiday season!!

Winter Accents

Well, the holidays are just around the corner. Who couldn't use a little bling and shine for a winter wedding. Here's some wonderful accents that can catch anyone's eye!

Designer Gown Sale

I'm passing on some saving information....there will be an amazing designer bridal gown sale at the Western New England Fall Bridal Show on Sunday, November 23rd at the MassMutual Center. All gowns just $199. These gowns were originally $800-$2000 with designs from Maggie Sottero, Casablanca, Mon Cheri, 2Be Bridal, Alfred Sung, Jasmine and much more...all brought in for this amazing sale at this bridal show. Visit the Western New England Bridal Show website for more information!

The Fifth Food Group

At the Day of Elegance Bridal Show, I discovered the fifth food group! Cookies!!

You may ask...why cookies? Why not?! And that's the name of the business...Why Cookies? Light, delicious little morsels that are perfect for weddings and showers. Susan, of Why Cookies, even makes party favor bags. Your guests will love them.

Bridal Event

Most brides and grooms taking the plunge attend a bridal show or two during their planning adventure. You can start out with an intimate affair this weekend called the Day of Elegance Bridal Show. This event is located at the Garden House at Look Park with wedding professionals, live music and a fashion show under the tent. All this planning and fun, with food samples and prizes...just $7.00 at the door!

ABC's of Weddings...B is for Boutonniere

Time to adorn your men...yes, B is for boutonniere, a flower worn on the lapel. Traditionally, a boutonnière was worn pushed through the buttonhole of a jacket, but now simply pinned onto a jacket lapel. I know men aren't usually big fans of "wearing a flower," but it's just one special day and the boutonniere usually compliments all the flowers in the wedding.



This is one of my favorites! (Thanks Suzanne!)

Website Fun

I'm addicted to this site and I'm sure once you've played with it, you'll find it just as habit forming. It's call Polyvore and it allows you to mix and match images from anywhere to create your own style. It's not only for weddings, but also for interior design and all kinds of clothing. It lets you click and drag and play with colors and style. It even tells you the designer and where to locate the items you're working with. I'm having fun. You will too...

Summer End

Well, the summer is over. I made my last venture to the shoreline for a while. Mystic, Stonington, and Misquamick. The sun shining, warm on our faces with a wonderful sea breeze. So calming.

Had to finish the day with seafood from...the Sea Swirl, located on Rt. 1 in Mystic. Certainly not fine dining, but traditional drive-in roadside seafood that can't be beat!

A Hidden Pearl

I've recently found a pearl...Pearl Bridal Boutique. It's a hidden gem located in Holyoke that carries a few exclusive designers not to easily found. Pearl carries bridal gowns, veils, and bridesmaids gowns. I especially like the Lynn Lugo bridesmaids designs. Silk shantung, charmeuse and silk dupioni, they are customizable with sashes, wraps and flat hem trims in beautiful complimenting colors to satisfy any size and style wedding.

Planning Fun with WeddingWire

The internet can be a bride's best friend. I thought I would share a new, growing internet address…WeddingWire. You can find it at http://www.weddingwire.com/. I've personally met the team at WeddingWire when I attended a recent conference. These guys exciting and smart! They know what brides want and need to plan their wedding. They have amazing tools that allow brides to manage their own wedding, blogs and an interactive community with all kinds of information. And…they've added Martha Stewart. Check it out!

The ABC's of Weddings...A is for...

A is for Apple Martini, a perfect signature drink for a fall wedding. Dress it up with an apple slice.

Green Apple Martini

2 oz. vodka

1 oz. apple Schnapps

Splash of midori

big ol’ squeeze of lime juice

thin granny smith slice for garnish

Sour Apple Martini

2 oz. vodka

1 oz. apple Schnapps

big ol’ squeeze of fresh lime juice

thin apple slice for garnish

Combine ingredients (except garnish) with cracked ice and shake it up till ice cold. Serve in a martini glass.

A Tasty Find

I had the pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine with dinner that I thought I would share. Hogue Late Harvest White Riesling from the eastern part of Washington State. It was delicious with a touch of fruity apricot pear with the right touch of sweetness. Perfect for any special occasion, rehearsal dinner or wedding. Visit www.hoguecellars.com for information.

New Take On Girls Night Out

We are always looking for something different for "Girls Night Out." Colorful Creations Bead Company invites you to bring your friends, wine and cheese and just relax, while you make your own bead designs. They'll even teach you how to put your design together. You can make just about anything, even complimenting jewelry to match your wedding. Hey, who can't use some new bling...

Welcome!

Welcome to the I Do & Beyond Blog. This is a place to find information about weddings...and beyond in western New England. We hope to share the many things that make getting married in this area so unique and wonderful. If you're working on the "beyond" part, as in setting up your lives together after the big day, I'm sure you'll find a few tidbits here too. Stop back often!