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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Tips to help you Relax and De-stress before your wedding

woman-387510_1280Your engagement is an exciting time, but it can be very stressful too. Wedding planning can leave you feeling overwhelmed, tired and anxious. Before the stress wreaks havoc and turns you into a Bridezilla, stop and take control. Here are some simple tips to help you relieve yourself of wedding planning stress, and make the process easy and manageable.

Plan wisely

It may seem that there is no end to the tasks you have to handle ahead of your wedding, but it isn’t that bad. All you have to do is take it easy and come up with a good plan that can be executed within the available time. Think of the whole wedding planning as a series of small projects, and divide it into small tasks.

Spend some time sorting all that you have to do into lists, and determine the best time to work on each list. Allot the tasks in these lists to each day, week and month. Set reasonable time limits to complete each one. Also set aside some extra time with no designated tasks, so you can use this time for anything that you complete as per plan.

Enlist help

Don’t worry about doing everything yourself. If your parents, friends or relatives offer help, accept it graciously. Can you afford a wedding planner? If yes, enjoy the privilege. Else, consider delegating certain tasks to “part-time” planners, who can expertly handle these jobs. This may be drafting your wedding invitation, decorating the venue, or finding the right vendors to cater to your event. While they do charge a fee for their service, it is worth it. You can supervise the job, but step away from micromanaging as this will again cause unnecessary stress.

Plan your deadlines well-ahead of the big day

This particularly relates to getting your wedding dress, accessories, invitations and bookings done. Draw up the vendor contracts well-ahead of time, book your band or DJ as early as possible and get your honeymoon tickets quickly. While signing contracts, remember to check for what their back-up plan is in case of an emergency. Knowing that there is a Plan B will reduce your anxiety, especially if any aspect of the wedding worries you excessively.

Set aside time to relax and pamper yourself

Make sure that you enjoy this time before your wedding, and prioritize your well-being and health. Treat yourself to a facial or massage. Attend a regular workout or yoga class to get in shape.

A well-rested bride is a happy bride, so don’t skimp on sleep. Also, find time to get together with the people you love. Enjoy your wedding shopping, and don’t rush through things that are important to you. If you feel overwhelmed at any time, pour out your worries to your mother or friend. It’ll help you relax, and they’ll probably have suggestions that you never thought of.

In all the frenzy leading up to the wedding, don’t miss out on the excitement of being a couple in love. Make time for each other, and not let it be entirely about the wedding. Relish every moment, and tackle every situation with a clear head. Look forward to a wonderful wedding day, and it will be just what you dreamed it to be.

For more bridal advice, as well as for all your wedding shopping needs, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Stylish wedding dresses for classic wedding themes

When we think of a vintage wedding, it is the 1920’s or 1950’s that come to mind. These were indeed the eras of fashionable extravaganza. The various designs that were popular during those decades had signature style, and it continues to inspire designers to this day. Wedding dresses that feature the characteristic style elements of these time periods are perfect for a classic wedding theme.

Let us explore the various factors that will allow you to recreate the magic of the vintage fashion eras through your wedding day look, and still look modern and attractive. These features are available in the most modern wedding dresses, and will be perfect for your vintage-style wedding.

Join us as we look at some fabulous designs from the latest collections that will transform you into a modern bride, with a classic twist.

Glamor and sparkle with embellishments and dropped waists

The Jazz age or the1920’s were an era of sparkle and shine. Dresses that were complete with extensive embellished works were very popular. This style is once again back in fashion, with many designers bringing out dresses with beading, metallic embroidery, embellishments with rhine stones and crystals.

Another fashionable choice that was very popular was the dropped waist design, that elongates the torso and makes the bride look slimmer and taller.

Pair it with finger-waves hair and an elaborate hairband, and you are set to rock the stage.

via Best for Bride

This beautiful wedding dress from the Sophia Tolli 2015 collection features a dropped waist design with an embellished neckline and straps. The mermaid inspired silhouette adds a modern twist to an otherwise classic pattern; it is perfect for a beach wedding.

Sheath silhouettes and lace gowns

During this era, women bid adieu to tight corsets, and ball gowns. Instead, they embraced their natural beauty by flaunting sheath silhouettes. Lace dresses were also a huge hit, and lace is the perfect choice for a truly vintage look.

via Best for Bride

This fantastic lace slip dress from the Madison Spring 2015 collection features a sheath silhouette that defines your natural curves. The lace adds a classic touch to the design.

Tea Length wedding dresses for the original 1950’s look

After the classic show of natural beauty in the 1920’s, the 1950’s heralded an era of casual, fun and retro looks. The wedding scene wasn’t spared from this effect. To rock this theme at your wedding, the bridal gown should ideally fall just below the knee.

Elbow length gloves, and fashionable accessories like stoles and wraps were huge hits. So, you can add these to your wedding outfit, to fit the theme.

via Best for Bride

This bridal dress from the Mori Lee 2013 spring collection is feminine and fun. It is a good choice for a vintage wedding theme. For a modern twist on the 1950’s look, brides can choose short dresses with a colorful underskirt to update their look. Consider adding a red underskirt to the one we just looked at, it would give you a subtle contemporary touch that is just right.

Visit our online gallery of wedding dresses to find more spectacular dresses that fit the vintage wedding theme. You can also find the accessories to go with your wedding dress at our website. So, drop by and enjoy what you see.

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Tips to choose the right pair of wedding shoes

DesireAs much as your wedding is about looking fantastic, it is also essential to feel comfortable in what you wear on the day.

You will be spending hours on your feet, and a pair of ill-fitting shoes may ruin the entire experience. Although it may look great, you do not want to end up with blisters, sore ankles or pinched toes from wearing a pair of shoes that aren’t up to the task. Then again, you don’t want to compromise on the look either.

So, what do you look for when choosing the shoes you are to wear on your big day? Let us find out.

Comfort is king

Let this be the main determining factor when you start looking for your wedding shoes. Good shoes should be constructed with extra padding and cushioned soles that make it comfortable to wear for hours at a stretch. Consider the height and structure of the heel. Make sure you choose a comfortable height (3 inches at the most). If you aren’t used to wearing high heels but still want the added inches. Choose platform heels or kitten heels to feel comfortable. Choose ones that are open toed or round, so they don’t pinch.

Another factor to consider is the venue where your wedding will be held. For an outdoor wedding, choose wedges or flats, while flat heels are best for beach weddings. Break them in, by walking in them before your wedding day. This way, you’ll be more comfortable in them on your wedding day.

Budget sensibly

Your shoes  are on special duty on your wedding day, so set aside a higher budget than you would for regular shoe shopping. Put aside roughly 10-15% of your wedding dress cost for a suitable shoe.

To compliment your wedding dress, you would have to find one that matches the white of your wedding dress. Shoes, like gowns, come in various shades of white. The best way to find a matching shoe is to carry fabric swatches of your dress to find the shoe color that goes with it.

Choose the right size and design

Make sure that you go shoe shopping in the afternoon, when your feet swell the most. At the store, try on shoes in both greater and smaller sizes, apart from the one you think is right, to determine the best fit. Walk around in it, and see if it feels snug or slippery.

If you will be wearing a long wedding gown, or one with an embellished hem, make sure that your shoe doesn’t tug on the fabric and cause damage to it. It is a good idea to choose your shoes after you get your wedding dress, so you can choose one that will match perfectly and also be comfortable.

Make sure you take your shoes to your wedding dress fittings, so that your dressmaker can adjust the hem of your bridal gown to the right length by adjusting for the heel height.

Keep these points in mind and you are set to put the right foot forward, when you go shoe shopping!

Visit us at Best for Bride to browse through our shoe collection and all your wedding needs, shopping advice and more!

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Mixed and Matched Bridesmaids Dresses – Different dresses, but a cohesive look

Brides come in all shapes and sizes, so do their bridesmaids. While you definitely want a cohesive look for your bridal party, you should also allow your bridesmaids to show off their best features in dresses that make them feel great. Choosing the same bridesmaid dress for the entire party may not allow this, as each of your bridesmaids has different looks, personalities and preferences.

Fortunately, there is a solution. There is a huge range of bridesmaid dresses available today. This allows you to mix and match styles, fabrics and colors, bringing more fashion and excitement into your wedding. Nevertheless, you should still mix and match right so your party doesn’t look disjointed.

Let us look at how to make this possible.

Different designs but the same colour

One factor that can seamlessly unify the entire party is colour. You can grant your bridesmaids freedom to choose the design and pattern of their choice, as long as they stick to the exact color. Make sure that all the dresses match, as different shades of the same colour can look different depending on the pattern and fabric. This would defeat the purpose.

Different colours but the same design

Here, the common factor would be the design. While your maids can choose any of the colors available in a particular pattern, it is also recommended that you stick to a particular color family or pair complementary colors for the best results. Various tones of the same color that is used throughout your wedding decor would have your brides looking different yet the same. The same dress in a family of colours that matches the wedding palette will have an amazing overall effect.

Same hemline length for all

Even when the colors are the same, the bridesmaids can look disjointed when the hem lengths of each dress is different. So, it is best if you fix a uniform length and vary the other features instead. Your bridesmaids can choose between different necklines and colors, but keep the pattern or fabric similar and the hem length exactly the same.

Multiway dresses

Now, here is a brilliant option that is easy yet innovative. When you find yourself too confused and are unable to obtain a cohesive effect, reduce the chances of error by choosing multiway dresses. These dresses can be worn in various ways, allowing your bridesmaids to find the pattern that suits their body shape. The dresses can be worn in a wide-strap pattern, as the knot halter, draped over one shoulder, with draped sleeves or in the bandeau style. Whichever option they choose to carry, you can be certain that they will look stunning and more importantly, similar.

You do not appear too imposing by allowing your bridesmaids to choose their dress (as long as they stick to the unifying factor). Even so, you ensure that their looks are all tied together. So, not only are your bridesmaids happy, so are you.

At Best for Bride, we have an excellent collection of bridesmaid dresses. Check out our store for dresses that your bridesmaids will love to wear.