UPDATE!

I Just Saw My Bridesmaids’ Dresses!

The bridesmaids dresses are in! I was really worried about the colour but I really like them! They match the colours of all the other items at the wedding, and the wedding flowers too!

Here’s a sneaky peek at three of the dresses. The colour isn’t quite right because of the lighting at the shop, but it’s close enough.

I hope my bridesmaids like them. Lilac isn’t to everyone’s taste, but they did choose the style of dress.

As I said in a previous post, I chose two styles of dresses and gave my bridesmaids the option of choosing two different dresses but the all chose the same, which was fine too.

I really do hope they like them. I’m really pleased with how they turned out. I was really worried they would look almost white but they were very strongly lilac. I just hope they’re not too pale for my bridesmaids.

Anyway, sooooo exciting! I text h2b to tell him I loved the dresses and he said, ‘everything is falling into place’ and it is! Yay!

Who Needs to Kiss the Bride?

Technology in Weddings

I found this hilarious picture retweeted on Twitter by tweetmywedding. I found it very fitting for this day and age.

As a Facebook addict myself, I was thinking of updating my Facebook status and changing my name on Facebook and Twitter in the car on the way to the venue! Maybe posting a blog post about how it all went. Of course, I might be busy, swept up by the moment, but then again, my internet addiction may win out! 

I have read a number of tweets, not from brides or grooms but from guests, that detail weddings and wedding rehearsals. Congratulations to brides and grooms the second they sign the register, photos posted live to Facebook and Twitter, even videos of the vows streamed live.

Technology is entering into weddings more and more. The technology involved in the Royal wedding transported images of the happy couple around the world. Fans were tweeting all through the wedding, Facebook statuses were being updated, millions of blogs followed the wedding. The video of the Royal wedding was streamed live through the internet.

Couples in America and Japan are being married by robots!

Technophile couples are arranging for a robot minister to say their vows and over see signing of the register.

While this doesn’t appeal to all brides and grooms, it does add a very unique and space age touch to your special day.

A lot of couples are opting for live streaming of their wedding to the internet!

If your elderly grandma can’t travel, or your pregnant best friend lives abroad but still wants to be involved, live streaming does involve more people in your special day. Personally, I have a lot of family abroad and this sounds like a viable option, but does it take a little of the sparkle out of your day?

 

I think an important question is, does technology add to or detract from the sparkle of your wedding day?

Obviously, the photographs are one of the biggest parts of the day. You might choose to have a videographer to capture all the best moments. However, would you like your guests to be tweeting through your ceremony? When will you update your facebook status, if at all?

My chief bridesmaid has put her foot down and forbidden me to carry my iPhone on my wedding day, which solves that problem! I can see her point. It is important to be in the moment and focus on your day. I’ve been told it zooms by so fast.

Whatever you decide for your wedding, I hope you have the most amazing day!

Bridesmaid Dresses

I Have Found The One!

I just hope my bridesmaids like it as much as I do!

This dress is an Alfred Angelo. I was thinking of choosing 7016 but when the lady in the shop showed us this one (despite it being a touch more expensive) I just fell in love with it!

I hope my bridesmaids do too!

The sample dress is in blue but I’ll be going with it in purple. Each dress company has their own idea of purple, so check with a swatch that your purple is the right one.

I love this little detail of diamantes and flowers. I think it adds something special to the dress, plus there is a lot of sparkle on my dress so it almost matches.

The dress is very soft and flowing, and gives the impression of floating, somewhat.

This dress also has a junior version so that my little niece who is going to be a bridesmaid will be able to have a matching dress.

The only thing is, I want my bridesmaids to feel comfortable in what they’re wearing, so if the consensus is that they don’t like this dress, the hunt will continue.

I tried to choose the dress as something I’d like to wear if I get to be a bridesmaid again.

I do like this fantastic blue colour but I think I’ll stick with the colours of the wedding.

Any opinions welcome!

Who Pays?

Who Pays?

Last weekend we took my h2b’s best man to be measured for his suit. He looked really amazing in the suit and I got quite emotional imaging him standing next to my h2b as I walk down the aisle.

However, as the best man was getting changed out of his suit, his wife asked the suit man how much the suits would cost. When I said that we were paying, she objected because she’s very nice. However, I insisted, we’re paying.

So this raises an interesting question: Who pays?

In The Olden Days

Traditionally, the bridal party pay for their outfits, the bridesmaids paying for their dresses and the ushers paying for their suits. However, more recently the bride and groom pay for their clothes. There are a few reasons for this but I feel the most important reason would be that brides these days are choosing what the bridesmaids are wearing.

Personally, I do feel it’s a bit unfair for the bridesmaids to have to pay for their outfits. My feelings are that if I’m telling them what to wear, I should buy it. The dresses I choose may not be to their taste, and with dresses costing upwards of £100, I don’t think it’s fair to as the bridesmaids to buy them. And if we’re paying for the girls, it’s only fair to pay for the boys.

I noticed on Bridezillas, the American version, that the bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. Each culture has their own traditions, but I do think it’s nice to pay for your bridal party. It’s a perk of having to listen to your friends going on and on and on about their wedding. (True for our bridal party anyway!)

I’d be interested to hear the traditions on who pays from people in other countries so please leave a  message!

KT Bridal

I Went to…. KT Bridal

I cannot recommend KT Bridal enough! The level of service we received was outstanding and the lady who helped us was fantastic! 

They have a lovely range of dresses and a range of bridesmaid dresses and the people who work there are fantastic.

There are no hidden costs. They are happy to store your dress for you until the day before your wedding free of charge. Any alterations are extra but there are no surprise costs. The price you pay is the whole and complete price.

The show rooms are luxurious and comfortable with a thick red carpet and a beautiful room to get changed in.

This bridal shop was by far my favourite however the dress I liked the most isn’t the one for me. However, it is worth asking a favourite bridal shop if they can order the dress you do like so  that you can buy it from them. It can’t hurt to ask.

I had a fantastic time at KT Bridal. They also own Balloon Expressions who offer chair covers and balloons for weddings, who are fantastic as well! KT Bridal and Balloon Expressions are featuring at a wedding fayre at Buckatree Hall Hotel, The Wrekin, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire. TF6 5AL on Wednesday, 4th May, 6pm until 9pm - Free Entry to the Fayre.

I would strongly suggest visiting KT Bridal to feel like a princess while trying on dresses!

Wedding Shoes

Wedding Shoes

This week I have been breaking in my wedding shoes in preparation for the big day. My big day is still 11 months, 23 days away but I believe in being prepared. 

I bought my wedding shoes about four years ago. My friend was getting married in China and I saw a fantastic opportunity to save a few pounds by buying my shoes at the same place. They were custom made to the design I chose. They measured my feet to ensure my shoes were a comfortable as they could possibly be. I have kept them in their box ever since.

Wedding shoes can be a touchy subject. Some girls out there just want comfort for their big day while other fashion conscious ladies want something stylish and beautiful. I’m going to admit that I sway more towards comfort because you will need to stand up in these shoes for almost the entire day.

Here’s some tips on pleasing both types of shoe shopper:

• Make sure the shoe is comfy in the shop!
  If you can’t stand five minutes in these shoes you’re never going to last the whole day. Walk around the shop in the shoes. If you’re buying your wedding shoes at your wedding dress shop, try them on with your dress. Look for problems areas where the shoes may start to rub if you’re in them for the whole day.
  
• Shoe colour…
  More and more frequently, brides are buying shoes that match the colour scheme and stand out particularly under a white dress. This can be a very striking look and really stands out.
  Alternatively, if you would like your shoes to match your dress you can ask for a swatch of the fabric to look for shoes to ensure you get a close match.
  Then again, your shoes are going to be hidden under a long dress, does it really matter what you wear? You could even sneak some trainers under there if no one is going to look. I don’t think wedding guests pay too much attention to the tiny details so if the colour of your shoes is slightly different to the colour of your dress, will anyone notice? 
  
• Heel size
  Often, more petite brides choose a tall heel but remember you are going to be stuck in these shoes for the entire day.
  A few things I’d recommend for heels:
• Make sure your heels don’t make you taller than your groom, unless that kind of thing doesn’t bother you, then have the heel size that suits your figure the best.
• Also, have some flat shoes on hand hear by. You may be able to leave some with your venue or ask your bridesmaids to carry some in their bag.
• The best fold up shoes by far, in my opinion, are Red Foot. I have a pair of Red Foot fold up shoes and on a night out they have saved my life! I take them with me every time I wear my going out sandals! They fold up small enough to fit in your handbag so if your feet do start to hurt during the night, you can quietly slip into some fold up shoes and be in complete comfort.
  
• Outside wedding?
  If your wedding is outside, where will you be standing? If it’s on grass it might be better to go with a wedge heel.
  Alternatively, there is a new invention out there: The Soul Mates. They work by clipping onto the bottom of your heal and act as a wedge for the bottom of the heel. It will mean an end to sinking into the grass or slipping on gravel.
  I went to a National Trust house last weekend, in heels, and I think I brought back half the lawn with me! If I’d used these soul mates it would have been a lot easier. Also useful for garden parties!
  
• Check the refund or return policy
  Just in case anything happens or you change your mind, check the return policy. Obviously, you can’t return anything you’ve worn outside, but if a bridesmaid drops out or anything else happens, you want to make sure you can return the shoes.
  
• Party Feet
  The best invention for shoe comfort in the world! There are cheaper alternatives but I swear by my Party Feet!
  They have full sole gel inserts, sling back strips, heel cushions, sore spots, heel shields, gel pads for under the ball of your foot, blister plasters, ultra thin pads, and much much more. I swear by them. I bought some that are glittery!
  
  I think the blister plasters are the best because you can stick them to your foot in your problem areas. Fantastic!
  
• Can I see your toes?
  While I do think that the small details aren’t so important, I would suggest a pedicure if you’re wearing open toed shoes or sandals.  It just looks nicer and gives an over all polished look to your wedding.
  
• Should the bridesmaids wear the same shoe?
  Not necessarily. If your bridesmaids are wearing short dresses then it does look better if they are all in the same shoe, or at least the same colour of shoe.
  If your bridesmaids are wearing long dresses, your guests will not be trying to see their feet. It would be sensible to ask them to wear the same colour shoe however you want your bridesmaids to be comfortable for the day.

Whatever your shoe decision for your wedding, make sure you really love your shoes. I love mine and I’m really glad I bought them when I did because now they remind me of my friend’s wedding – plus they can be my something old-ish!