The neckline of your wedding dress has a vital role in determining how you look. But, of course, not every neckline looks good on a bride, only the ones that flatter her figure and facial features will create the best impact.
Here is a roundup of the various neckline types seen in our wedding gowns at Best for Bride. Read on to find out which of these will best suit you before you go shopping for your dream dress.
It is important to budget everything at your wedding. Only then will you stick to what you can afford. A common mistake is to not account for the overhead costs when booking a service or vendor. These aren’t usually stated upfront, and unless you ask, you may have a nasty surprise when you receive the final bill.
These are the usual areas where couples wrongly budget and it leads to costs they didn’t expect.
Shipping Costs for Invitations
Vendors usually do not mention charges inclusive of shipping when you place your order for your wedding invitations. Remember that the bulkier your card is, the more postage stamps or courier charges it will cost. Where hundred or more invitations are concerned, this can quickly add up, especially if many are to be sent overseas. When you receive an estimate for invitations, make sure you account for the postage charges as well. You may rethink your preferences when you figure it in.
Wedding dress fittings and alterations
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It is unlikely to find a dress that fits perfectly when choosing off-the-rack. Every bride requires minimum alterations. Alteration services depend on the extent and nature of the work involved. You may have to pay more if you want custom changes, such as changing the neckline or adding sleeves.
First, fix an amount and set aside roughly 20% of it for alterations. Inform your bridal consultant of your wedding dress budget and mention that it is inclusive of all the overheads, so she can direct you to suitable ones. Make sure that you choose a dress that doesn’t need too much work by choosing the right size and finding one that has most of the features you desire.
Taxes and extras on services
There are taxes on everything from venue booking to caterers, florists and other services. The actual rate may depend on the amount you spend. Find out the cost inclusive of taxes, so you know whether what you chose is an option you can afford.
Extra charges at the reception include costs for cutting and serving the cake and serving wine. Unless you take an all-inclusive package where the cake and drinks come with the venue, it is likely you will have to pay the staff who perform the service. Make sure you discuss the rates before committing to the deal.
Cleaning up
If you have chosen a full-service, cleaning up after the function is usually included. However, if you are only renting the place and arranging the caterers and decorations yourself, you have to arrange for clean-up following the function, or else pay for it. Even if you book a full-service venue, make sure you know about any extra charges you may have to pay for late-night cleanup, should your party extend beyond midnight.
Extra equipment and overtime charges
Unless you stick to your original wedding schedule, you have to compensate for any extra time your service providers spend at your wedding. This applies to the band, DJ, caterers, wedding photographers, wedding officiants and wedding makeup artists. Book with a realistic time schedule, and you shouldn’t have to pay too much extra. Any additional equipment such as speakers or microphones, that will be required at your venue, will come at an extra cost. So, check this outright in the beginning.
For more wedding tips and advice, visit us at Best for Bride.
Finding the right prom dress for your big social event is winning half the battle. But, once you finish that, the next task on your agenda should be locating the right accessories. A few minor details are all it takes to transform your look from good to Wow! And, here are some tips to get the details right so you look stunning on your prom night.
Play around with color till you get the mix just right
Don’t let the color of your prom dress dictate your choice of accessories. It is boring to find a pretty girl dressed in a single color from head to toe, however brilliant the color may be. It would be best to mix it with complementary or neutral-coloured accessories for a more exciting combination. An easy way to find the colours that go well together is to take a look at the color wheel and choose accessories in colors that lie opposite to the shade of your dress. If you aren’t comfortable mixing and matching colors, select jewelry and accessories in neutrals or silver and gold, and you cannot go wrong.
Get a cool-looking manicure
It is the little details like well-filed nails with beautiful polish that add finesse to your look. Don’t just go with the traditional French manicure or a single shade. Think of how you will deck up your fingers and find colors and designs that will go well with your prom dress. Take a look online to find the right color if you don’t have it; there are many sites online like Coteshop where you can get the perfect match for your dress. Make sure you wait till a day or two before prom to prepare your nails, so it stays fresh. You can either match your nail art to the designs on your dress or go for subtle sophistication with a hint of sparkle. Don’t forget to complete the effect with a statement ring.
Choose a stunning but practical clutch
Not only does a matching clutch refine your total look, but it is also a practical necessity. This is where you can stash your makeup, hairbrush and other essentials. Just make sure that it isn’t too bulky. A good accessory should work with your dress, not against it. Make sure that the texture and finish go well with the colors and fabric of your dress. If in doubt, choose a solid colored one or go with a neutral shade like black, silver or nude that will match any color.
Pull your look together
A lot is happening with the dress, hairstyle, accessories and makeup. To look great, make sure you balance it out by sticking to few dramatic elements and not overdoing it. If your dress has elaborate details, go easy with the accessories. Simple silver necklaces or a string of pearls will be sufficient. Avoid a necklace altogether if your dress has a halter neck. If your dress is relatively simple, dress it up with interesting and more prominent accessories.
You now know how to get the finer details of your prom look done. If you haven’t chosen your prom dress yet, visit us at Best for Bride today and make your pick.
Cocktail-length dresses are one of our favorite looks for mothers of the bride and groom. Not only is it chic and stylish, it is comfortable and practical too. This pattern of the dress hemline hitting just above the knee is versatile and can take you from morning to evening. Being a classic style, that has forever been fashionable, a cocktail-length dress will give you the elegance you need in your important role as the parent of the bride or groom.
Here are some styling tips to help you choose your dress for this memorable occasion, and how you can accessorize to look just perfect on the day.
Choose a dress that plays up your best features and hides ones that aren’t so attractive
Different patterns highlight different features of your body. If there is a feature that you are particularly proud of, choose a cocktail dress that will emphasize it. This could be your slim waist, shapely legs or tight bust. For example, this beautifully textured Mori Lee dress has small embellishments on the square neckline, that draw attention to the model’s upper half. The illusion sleeves also shift focus to slender arms that are just visible, beneath the fabric. If you want to show off your slender figure and shift attention away from your legs, this is the dress for you.
Choose the right length and waistline depending on how tall you want to look
A shorter hemline gives the impression of longer legs and can help you look taller. Not only is this style good for showing off well-toned legs, but you also look well-groomed. Similarly, positioning of the waistline can also make you look taller or shorter than you actually are. An empire waist, for example starts just below the bust and makes you look taller. But it is a pattern that can add more bulk to your frame. So choose it accordingly.
Choose the colors and prints wisely
Cocktail dresses are available in various colors and prints, but not every design is suitable for every frame. If you have on the bigger side, wear loud prints and patterns. If you are generally small to medium-built, it is better to choose solid colors and simple patterns that aren’t too overwhelming. Also, make sure that the color is one that complements your skin tone. Try it on and see how you look in natural lighting, to make sure that the color enhances your facial features and makes you look attractive.
Accessorize wisely
A general rule when choosing accessories for your dress is that it should go with the dress, and not work against it. Choose shoes that match or are of a neutral colour. If your dress is simple, feel free to wear statement jewelry and larger accessories. If your accessories are huge and your dress is also loud, your look can be too cluttered.
To find the perfect mother-of-the-bride dress, visit us on Best for Bride. Our collection features dresses of all designs and patterns. You will have no trouble finding one perfect for this important day.
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