Author: Olga Pomeransky

Olga is manager at Best for Bride since 2005. Currently Best for Bride operates 4 bridal stores in Canada (Toronto, Etobicoke, Hamilton and Barrie). Best for Bride sells wedding, bridesmaids, mob dresses and more. http://www.BestForBride.com
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Wedding Planning : The 3 things brides worry about the most and how to handle them

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You’re in love and just engaged – how romantic and dreamy everything looks and feels! But, not for long. Once wedding planning enters the picture, the excitement can quickly take on a new form called Stress!

Most brides will be planning a wedding for the first time. So, it isn’t unusual to feel overwhelmed. If you are a perfectionist, who wants everything to go exactly as you dreamed it to be, be prepared to watch your stress levels soar. All this can take all the fun out of your wedding.

Here, we shall look at three factors that drown most brides in worry. Fortunately, we also know what will help you with them, so let’s find out.

1. The wedding budget

Everything related to a wedding boils down to money. Every vendor and service you require for your wedding will have to be paid. Add to it the additional cost of planning your honeymoon and getting favors for your near and dear; get ready to say goodbye to your bank balance.

The way to handle this is to plan your wedding budget sensibly and realistically. Determine the maximum you can afford to spend, and divide it amongst the different factors. Remember that you can plan a wedding for any budget, big or small. So, fix your budget first and then shop around for what fits it.

Don’t forget to factor in the extras when you book a vendor or go shopping. This would include the alteration charges when buying a wedding dress, tips and taxes for vendors and similar charges which may or may not be included with the original rates.

2. Handling help

Announce your wedding, and you will find many people rushing to your aid to plan the perfect wedding. Their advice may be well-intended, but many brides often find their own ideas slipping through when an overbearing friend or relative steps in to help.

If you are faced with this situation, just remember this. Wedding planning has a dark side to it; you cannot have everything perfect, while pleasing everyone. If someone tries to force their ideas on you, tell them that you will think over it, but don’t commit unless you are convinced.

Delegate small tasks to those who are eager to help, but not any of the bigger responsibilities that you cannot take chances with. If your parents or in-laws are paying, you have to make allowances for their suggestions. Work to find a compromise that both of you can live with.

3. Getting it all done on time

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When you first make a list of things to do, you may be worried by how long it is. From shopping for your wedding dress, to buying accessories, setting up the guest list, planning the wedding theme and finding the venue, there are several more things to be handled.

Don’t worry, it’s all manageable if you plan everything systematically. Before you begin with anything, first split up the tasks and assign dates to each one of them. Divide it into those you will handle and those you can delegate. If you can afford it, book a wedding planner to do all or some of the work. Do your research before you begin anything, and you will be better equipped to handle all the details. Keep the big picture in mind. If what you worry about doesn’t matter too much, don’t lose sleep over it.

For more wedding related advice and tips, visit us at Best for Bride.

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How to Choose The Right Size And Shape For Your Bridal Bouquet [2024]

Your bridal bouquet is an integral accessory in completing your wedding day look. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of the bouquet is the color and flowers to go into it. But, it is worth remembering that the bouquet should also be in the right size and shape to create an impact. This is what we will focus on in this article.

There are different factors that you should consider when choosing the right shape and size of your floral bouquet to create a balanced overall look. This includes your build, wedding dress, venue and more. Let us look at all of them, one by one.

Height 

You are the bride carrying the bouquet, so it should match your shape and build, to look good. If you are petite or small, choose a medium to small-sized bouquet that will be suitable for your frame. Scale down the bouquet size to fit into your hands, and opt for a tear-shaped one or a composite with a single stem and individual petals wired to it, to resemble a single big flower.

If you are full-figured and tall, you can opt for round, bold bouquets. You can even go for the classic Biedermeier which has flowers bunched in concentric circles.

If you are full-figured, but not very tall, then you would be better off with a tear drop or cascade bouquet, to create a lean look.

Brides often reach out to FTD florists when they cannot find such a bouquet in their area. This also expands their options drastically.

Body-shape

Best for Bride
Best for Bride

For women with a full bust and hips, the tear drop or cascade will play down their curves, and help them appear slender. If your structure is a balanced hourglass, you are a lucky bride, and can look graceful with any bouquet.

A pear-shaped bride is thicker below the waist, and bouquets that are bigger on the top, like a long-stemmed one will look good. Apple-shaped brides are larger on the top, and will benefit from tear-shaped bouquets that are medium to large in size. For brides with an athletic/rectangular body shape, medium to large cascades as well as long-stemmed composites work well.

For slender brides, who have a similar size throughout, round bouquets should be the best option. They should avoid large bouquets and also cascades, as these designs will overpower their physique.

Dress type

Sheath style dresses and A-line gowns are uncomplicated and flow gently. Pair it with simple bunches of flowers with long stems, or pretty cascades of delicate blooms to add to your feminine charm.

Splendid ball gowns call for equally attention-grabbing bouquets. Go for round posies or lush teardrop bouquets with rich blossoms to balance your look.

If your dress is embellished with details such as metallic embroidery, rhinestones, crystal beading or even elaborate floral motifs in lace, tone down the bouquet size, so you do not go overboard with too many details. Choose a simple teardrop or cascade, so the focus remains on your wedding dress.

Now that you know what type of bouquet would suit you, all that you have to do is find the flowers to make it perfect. Visit our online gallery at Best for Bride to pick out the perfect bouquet for your big day.

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Wedding Photography : Which style is right for you?

Wedding photography is one factor which you can get right, or go terribly wrong with. The pictures taken on the day form a critical part of your wedding memories, and so it is important that they are captured in the way you wish to remember them.

Today, there are various styles of photography to choose from. You can choose to go with a particular style, or a blend of styles, depending on what appeals to you. So, let us first try to understand these styles.

Traditional/Documentary Style photography

This is the tried and tested style of wedding photography that we recognize in our mother’s or even grandmother’s wedding album. The photographer works on capturing the couple and the crowd in set poses which are known to have worked over the years. The group photos are quite similar, with the people in the photographs assigned specific poses and places. Every detail of the wedding is covered in order, from when the bride dresses for the wedding,to the arrival of the couple at the venue, the ceremony and beyond. It is quite formal in nature, and predictable too. Most of the pictures look perfectly timed, are well-lit and done in portrait style. The photographer can be creative with the location and angles from where he shoots, but the options are limited. If you aren’t too adventurous and want a minimum guarantee on what you will receive, this is the style to opt for.

Photojournalism

In this modern style, the photographer works in the background, does his work unobtrusively, and captures the moments as and when they occur. The pictures reveal a story, like you would see in a documentary or magazine. There is less posing, arranging, lighting or timing, and your pictures will look natural and candid. If the photographer is talented, he will be able to capture the actual fun, excitement and emotions at the wedding by getting the best shots at the right time. There is a risk you run with this style if your photographer doesn’t have the necessary expertise. You may end up with an album full of random pictures that do not gel together.

Fine art photography

This is perhaps the most dramatic style, where the photographer experiments with styles, lighting and posing to transform your pictures into pieces of art. One thing is certain, your wedding pictures will be unique. The personal style of the photographer seeps into every picture, the beauty of the background is wrapped into the frame and artistic composition is the ultimate aim. Like in photojournalism, the pictures convey a story, but the methods, medium and effects are entirely different.

A harmonious blend of Traditional and modern

The go-to choice for most couples today, this is a blend of portrait photography with photojournalism. Here, you get the best of both worlds. The photographer not only captures all the classic portraits, but also pays attention to the details of the day in his pictures. You may however, find that your album is pretty similar to the others in his portfolio. If predictability is what you prefer, this is the choice you need.

Hopefully, you now have a clear idea of what style suits your personality. For more wedding advice and tips on planning for your big day, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Universally flattering colors to satisfy all your bridesmaids

As the bride, you are in charge of deciding the color, style and design of your bridesmaids dresses. Although your main concern is to choose dresses that blend with the wedding palette, remember that these girls are your best friends. You want them to look and feel fantastic on your big day, and what they wear plays a huge role in this.

While it is impossible to make everyone happy when you choose a wedding dress, you can still aim for a choice that will not have any of your maids feeling miserable. When you choose a color like bright pink or orange, it is likely that one or more of your bridesmaids may be unhappy, since it makes her look sick or fat.

So, what is the solution? Choose different dresses for your bridesmaids, so each one of them is happy, or go with a universally flattering color that looks good on almost anyone. Let us look at what colors make this list.

Gun metal and pewter

via Best for Bride

While these colors will look good on any skin tone, these aren’t super fantastic either. The good thing is that you won’t catch any of your bridesmaids complaining about a ghastly color you chose. These will easily blend into any color palette, and so you needn’t worry about it matching your wedding theme.

Navy and black

via Best for Bride

Black works with any color theme, and navy with almost every one. The general rule is that the darker a color, the more likely will suit every skin tone. If you are worried about these colors being boring, you can step up the drama by pairing it with brightly colored accessories like belts or shoes, and obtain and entirely different effect.

Purple and burgundy

via Best for Bride

When you want colors that really stand out, your choices are purple and burgundy. However, don’t choose the lighter shades, as they may clash with certain skin tones. Go with the darkest shade you can find, and your bridesmaids will look ravishing. It may not be easy incorporating these colors into every wedding theme, so consider this factor before choosing them.

Teal and baby blue

via Best for Bride

Blue is a color that is vibrant, energizing and suitable for almost anyone. The blue palette has another advantage—the various shades work together to create a very cohesive look. Since there is a blue for everyone, you can have your bridesmaids dressed in various shades of the same color, and not worry about it coming together. And, not to forget that your wedding gown in white will pop against a background of blue. So, imagine how stunning your wedding photographs will be!

While we are talking about colors, let us also take a quick look at those that you should stay away from, if you want to dress all your girls in a single color.

Beware of pink and peach. Few women look good in these colors, and unless you choose individual shades for each woman, stay away from it. Pastels are another no-no, as they add the illusion of extra pounds and can make your girls look pale.

Check out the bridesmaids dress collections at Best for Bride, for inspiration and select the right dress to have your bridesmaids satisfied and feeling fantastic, at your wedding!