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How I Had a Socially Distant Wedding during COVID-19

bridal dress

2020 has created some extraordinary tales. Following is the story of how the pandemic affected my wedding.

March 2020 was supposed to be the most important month of my life. It was the month where I’d get hitched with the man I love. The man that makes me whole.  

Daniel popped the question in the last week of January. Today, it seems like a memory from another world. The bar was buzzing with people, there were no social distancing protocols in place. People weren’t afraid to shake hands, hug and kiss one another. 

That day, Daniel drove me to a local bar in what I assumed would be a casual Wednesday night date. 

It was our favorite place in town that we regularly visited. This was also the bar where Daniel slipped me a napkin that said, “I like you”. We were friends who liked each other but never dared to express it. Daniel took the initiative in the only way he could. 

Five years later, he once again handed me a napkin. Only this time, the text read, “Will you marry me?”. It got awkward real quick. He jammed the ring in the wrong finger. Just as I was putting it right, our friend showed up to congratulate. I am sure someone spilled a drink too. 

The Wedding is delayed 

We had planned the wedding on 21st of March. Everything was going according to plan. I spent weeks picking what I think was the perfect wedding dress. The venue was booked. Invitations were sent out. All that was left to do was for us to walk down the aisle, exchange vows and begin our lives as a married couple. 

A week before all this, the pandemic caused the whole country to go in isolation. Businesses started closing and states issued stay-at-home orders. We knew our dream wedding couldn’t go on as planned and had to be postponed. 

As a couple, Daniel and I had seen our fair share of tough times. But never in a million year did we think a pandemic would come our way. The worst thing was not knowing when things will go back to normal and we would be able to wed in front of our loved ones. 

Unfortunately, things never went back to normal. At least not the normal we were expecting. 

Our Wedding in the “New Normal”

Knowing the pandemic will not be over anytime soon, Daniel and I decided to go ahead with the wedding. Fortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak in our state is under control and the government is allowing people to go on with their lives while advising some precautions. 

Keeping this in mind, we changed the venue of our wedding from a local church to a getaway house in the countryside. It was a large enough establishment to host a socially distant wedding. 

The pandemic didn’t adversely affect our financial situation. We had it better than most people. But still, we made a conscious decision to reduce the wedding expenses. Having an extravagant wedding while many others are struggling to make ends meet just didn’t sit right with us. 

It’s hard to have a wedding on a budget. However, I was able to find online guides that help me significantly reduce my wedding expenditure. Meanwhile, I also utilized websites such RetailMeNot and EMUCoupon to find discounts on everything from decorations to the drinks that were to be served. 

We also made sure to keep everyone safe. The list of guests was cut down to only our immediate families. Our friends watched via live stream. There were sanitizers on every table and all guests were asked to wear masks. 

wedding decor

Some tables were left deliberately empty to remind people they needed to exercise precaution. Looking back, these empty tables did make the atmosphere a bit gloomy. 

wedding decoration

Our revised wedding venue has hosted several marriage ceremonies. It came with extraordinary wedding decorations that added a taste of royalty in the ceremony. 

wedding decor

The guests were served cupcakes baked by the groom’s mother. Suffice to say, there were more than enough for everyone.

bridal decor

We chipped in with some of our decorations as well. 

wedding dress

It’s not easy to be the bride when you’re trying to interact with as little people as possible. Since I’m not that skilled with a makeup brush, I had to take my chances with a stylist. She did a swell job though.

wedding gown

Being all dressed up for my big day, all I wanted was to be surrounded by my best friends. Unfortunately, the bridesmaids were not there physically but joined in via Zoom.

wedding hair

A bride is not a bride without some pearl in her hair. This is the same accessory my mom wore at her wedding. I think I have started a nice little family tradition here.

bridal dress

Finally, the bride and the groom, bridal dress. Despite everything that has transpired in the last few months, I have held onto my sanity thanks to my now-husband. He has been my rock through every up and down. Even though the wedding wasn’t as big as we planned —what matters is that it happened and now, I am one with my true love.

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[2024] How To Prepare a Gay Wedding [The Ultimate Checklist]

How To Prepare a Gay Wedding [The Ultimate Checklist]

Thanks to the Australian legislation to make same-sex marriage a legitimate affair. This true liberalization on the exchange of love came into the process since 9th December 2017, through the Marriage Amendment Act 2017. It has also received royal acceptance on the same day from the governor-general. The antiquity of the same-sex wedding has suffered a great vetoing by the Howard government in the year 2004. But thanks to the legislation, for making the gay wedding a legal affair after a long fight, it has been finally approved in the year 2017.

Continue reading [2024] How To Prepare a Gay Wedding [The Ultimate Checklist]
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Top 10 Wedding Dress Styles Every Bride Will Like

The Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Body Types And How it Relates to Wedding Dress Selection

While a lot of brides have dreamed of their wedding day, wedding dress and even wedding hairstyles long before the actual day. It is common knowledge that finding the right dress for the occasion is not an easy task. With all the wedding dress styles available, a few wedding dress tips could be helpful in finding the right dress for this most special occasion.

If you find yourself unsure of where to start, how about checking out our list of top wedding dress styles to make the choice easier. No matter your budget, dress size or body shape, there is the perfect dress just waiting for you to try it on. From different necklines, silhouettes, sleeves and dress lengths, it could feel a bit overwhelming to find the perfect dress for your body. However, a quick look through these options might be just what you need to understand the styles better and how they fit with your needs.

Whether you decide to shop online or from bridal boutiques, it is a good idea to try on a few different styles before you make a decision. Even if you have a picture of the dress you dream of in mind, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find. Allow the following top wedding dress types to inspire you.

Top 10 Wedding Dress Styles Every Bride Will Like

Sheath Wedding Dresses

Also known as column dresses, the sheath dress is fit and follows the natural shape of the body, draping straight from the top to the bottom of the dress. It gives a casual and minimalistic bridal look and is great for a tall bride, or a petite one who prefers not to drown in the layers of other styles.

The simplicity of this style makes it a great match for a number of wedding updos that add beauty and elegance to any minimalist look. The sheath dress goes a long way in proving that sometimes simplicity has the most impact. With a modern feel that flatters your natural curves without going over the top, many brides will be happy in this outstanding and not so traditional dress type.

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Boho Wedding Dresses

Boho wedding dresses continue to increase in popularity, with relaxed and laid back styles that make the dresses perfect for the free-spirited bride. The go-to wedding dress style for quite a number of weddings overseas or summer weddings at home, these types of wedding dresses help enhance the effortless bridal look.

Usually covered in lace, bohemian wedding dress ideas create an elegant and yet free and easy style. White dresses that are easy to wear, and still flattering, with just a hint of bridal. The ideal bohemian dress is boho-chic with a touch of high fashion. A stylish look that even after the wedding, you would be tempted to wear again.

Tinted Dresses

Gone are the days when classic wedding dresses were only white ones. Colored wedding dresses, particularly black colored dresses, are proving much more popular than they used to be. Every bride has her dream dress, but it is natural that not every dream would consist of that dress in white. If your dream is in midnight blue, champagne, red or even blush, then you are in luck, because these dresses are the trend today.

A great way to express your individuality is in color, so why not do that on your wedding day and with your dream dress. A most refreshing change from the traditional white, happy is the bride who can choose a dress in her favorite color. Walk down the aisle with every bit of sass, and even better you get to wear your dress time and time again after.

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Feathered Gowns

If you are looking for texture, then a feathered gown might be just the thing for you. This type of dress adds opulence to traditional wedding gown styles. From strapless wedding dresses to midi, tea-length or even full length, the soft embellishment of feathers adds a touch of class to the dress.

The feathered gown is on the scale of high-end fashion and is becoming more versatile by the day, even to accommodate asymmetric or fishtail dresses.  Allow yourself float down the aisle in a feathered fantasy; enhance that fairy tale look for a dreamy wedding. Enjoy the soft and subtle textures of the feathered gown and remember that there can never be too many feathers to make you happy on your big day.

Victorian style gowns

One of the best for brides seeking modest wedding dresses would be the Victorian style gown. Their high necklines and low hemlines make them the best wedding dresses for a modern, yet classy look. There are numerous styles and options in the Victorian style, from flowing skirts to long, fitted sleeves, stylishly ruffled Victorian-era necklines and even sheer, figure-hugging dresses. With combinations of lace and chiffon, a modest dress has never looked so sexy.

Various labels and designers, from Katya Katya, to Zuhair Murad, Phuong My and Eisen Stein have added numerous styles of Victorian gowns to their collection. The high neck and floor length of the dress avails designers a lot of options for styling and designing with flattering fabric to come up with options for brides that are modest, but still romantically sexy and beautiful to behold.

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Mini Wedding Dresses

As a bride, it is important that you love your dress, and if short is the way to go for you, then it is out with tradition and convention and in with your personality. The mini wedding dress is growing in popularity and is great for the bride who is looking for something easy and completely different from the norm.

The ideal mini dress should fall above the knee, and can be styled in a myriad of ways. The mini dress is much different from the tea length and is rather more daring. These short dresses can be just as classy and glamorous as any other wedding dress and are even more pretty when they have feathers. A bride trying to work with a throwback theme or laid-back wedding will love the short length that comes with the mini dress. It is also a lovely way to show off great legs and just have an all-around fantastic time on your wedding day, as the mini dress creates the picture that you are ready to have some fun.

Lace Wedding Dresses

Lace is the way to spell romance in a wedding dress. No matter the neckline, length or overall style of most wedding dresses, they look their absolute best in the right type of wedding day lace. Quite a number of top wedding dresses come in lace; from layered dresses to sheer sleeve dresses, flute or full skirts, lace will give you a sophisticated look in any chosen style.

If you are looking for effortless elegance, then do it in a lace wedding dress. With options like polker dotted lace, to spotty lace, Chantilly, Venetian or even metallic beaded lace. Add a romantic edge to your overall wedding look with a lace wedding dress.

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Tailored Trousers

If you are looking for unconventional, then the tailored trouser might be the trendy choice for you on your wedding day. Who created the rules that say a woman must marry in a dress. Step away from tradition for a moment and explore all of the magnificent options available in the tailored trouser look. This is top in our list of options for wedding dress shapes and styles.

Gorgeous trousers in numerous flattering designs. From billowing pants, you can float down the aisle in, like the Braxton Pants from Cathleen Jia, or even a jumpsuit like the one by Carolina Herrera. You could choose a pair of trouser set in beautiful lace or even pretty pink. You could also create a delicate bridal look  with the tailored trouser option from Lela Rose Bridal. What a lovely way to stand out on your special day.

Layering

If you are looking for the ultimate dreamy look, then perhaps endless layers of tulle can go a long way in making your dreams come true. With the numerous wedding dress styles out there, this is one that can give a bride a truly elegant and fabulous look. The texture is perfect for a maximalist bride, especially in spring. Whether styled on ballgown skirts, fishtail or A-line tiers, the result is usually heavenly.

Give yourself that mermaid look on your wedding day with layers of sheer perfection. The many ruffles of the layered dress look great on a sexy, figure-hugging bodice, and also on a fabulously full skirt. A number of bridal masterpieces owe their fabulosity to the layered style.

Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

Ball gown wedding dresses are the quintessential wedding dresses that are never out of style. The natural go-to style for bridal wear, this is the most traditional of all wedding dress styles. It is difficult to go wrong with a ball gown wedding dress. For brides with an athletic frame or straight body shape, the full skirt of the ball gown creates the illusion of wider hips and gives that ultimate classic look for a wedding.

If you are looking to make an unforgettable entrance, then perhaps choose the tight bodice, full skirt and overall bell shape of the ball gown wedding dress. This is the ultimate style for a bride who dreams of a fairy tale wedding. The timeless classic that is the ball gown, exudes the opulence and dazzling luxury every bride hopes for in a wedding dress and on her wedding day.

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It can be difficult, knowing where to start when looking for the perfect wedding dress. However, with details on the top wedding dress styles of today, you might be in a better position to make the right choices. Your body shape, desired fabric, height, and budget, are all factors to consider when choosing a wedding dress, however, the styles of these dresses are what catches our eye and help us make the final decision most of the time.

A look at some of the trends on the bridal catwalk and best styles to fit our body type can help provide just the right amount of inspiration to get the job done. Prepare to be dazzled with styles and length of hemlines, necklines, sleeves and varying fabric when looking for that perfect dress. With the right information, however, even the most style-conscious bride would be sure to find the dress that is perfect for her. Choose the right look for your big day at Best for Bride.

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17 Unique Gift Ideas for Your Bridesmaids That Everyone Will Love

17 Unique Gift Ideas for Your Bridesmaids That Everyone Will Love

Do you feel that every responsibility has fallen on your shoulders as the wedding day approaches? On the one hand, you have an opportunity to arrange a wedding from your dreams, all according to your preferences and desires. 

On the other hand, every last detail counts – especially when it comes to a group of friends that have accepted a bridesmaid’s responsibility. Each of them deserves a token of gratitude, but your head is buzzing from all the wedding information you need to keep on your mind twenty-four-seven before you dash for that altar. 

Have no fear! Here are some neat gift ideas for your bridesmaids to get your imagination going!

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