Tag: silk

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Why are wedding gowns expensive?

Your wedding dress is one of the most expensive dresses that you will ever shop for in your lifetime. The Wall Street Journal estimates that most brides spend at least $1500 on their wedding dress.

So, what is it that makes wedding dresses so pricey? And, what can you do to reduce the price, when you go shopping for your wedding dress? Let us find out.

Cost of material

Wedding dresses usually involve many more yards of fabric than any other gown. Also, the materials that are used in wedding dress designs belong to the higher end of the price spectrum. Silk is a common choice, with the price falling anywhere between $15 and $35. Layers of lace raise the price level significantly. Although less expensive material may be used in the interior layers of these gowns, the bulk of fabric still adds up to the cost. For dresses that come in bigger sizes, it is only logical to assume that they use up more fabric, and are priced accordingly.

Labor costs

Wedding dresses are not machine-made garments. There is a reason these dresses look spectacular. Many details on the dress are done by hand and this translates to increased labor cost. It is impossible for a machine to churn out fine details at the right places and create the same impact as it is when done by hand. The more embellishments a gown has, and finer the detailing, higher is the overall cost of the dress.

Alterations and fittings

A wedding dress that you pick off-the-rack will most likely not fit you perfectly. So, you will have to use the services of a professional seamstress to alter it. Some shops offer a bulk discount on alteration charges, while others charge you for each change. If you want to customize your wedding dress by adding sleeves, changing the actual design or adding extras, you will have to spend more. The best way to save on alteration charges is to buy a dress that is closest to your actual measurements.

Fortunately, it is possible to find the perfect wedding dress if you take care of a few factors. Here is what you should consider when choosing your wedding dress, so it doesn’t go over budget

  • Choose a dress that is relatively simple. Keep the embellishments minimum and you will not have to spend extra on it.
  • If there is a dress that you like but is very expensive, ask your bridal consultant to help you find one that looks similar, but isn’t so costly. It is possible that you will find a similar design in a different fabric that isn’t as expensive, and find it just as attractive.
  • If you start your search early, you may be able to buy your wedding dress on sale. Or you can look for a second hand dress you love, for a fraction of the original cost. You could also take a look at stores that rent wedding dresses. After all, you will be wearing this dress just once, so why not rent it?

At Best for Bride, we have wedding dresses in all price ranges and also offer dresses on rent. Call us to book your appointment today, to find the dress that will translate you into the most beautiful bride ever.

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From Silk to Satin: The Essential Guide to Understanding and Choosing Wedding Fabrics!

Every wedding dress starts with the fabric it is created from. The possibilities in wedding fabrics are endless, from opulent silks and satins to rustling taffeta and flowing chiffon.

Did you know that by simply varying the fabric of a wedding gown, the entire effect and feel of the dress is altered?

This is because there are many factors that the fabric of your gown determines—how the dress drapes, it’s pattern, and cut and whether it is suitable for the venue and weather on your wedding day. So, the textile you choose has a huge bearing on how you will look on your big day, and a basic knowledge of the different fabrics will help you choose your gown better.

Let us take a quick look at the various fabrics used in constructing wedding gowns and the features that characterize each of them.

To make it easier for you to understand, we have divided them into two categories: Soft flowing and Structured.

Soft Flowing

Chiffon: Made from silk or silk blends with manmade fibres, chiffon is sheer and soft. It drapes well, is transparent and is a good choice for warm weather.

Georgette: Made from polyester or silk, it resembles crepe but is very lightweight. The material is not entirely transparent, and it’s a good choice for summer.

Tulle: This fabric resembles a very fine net; it is stiffer than chiffon and adds volume to a gown. Tulle is crisp and see-through; it is the choice for wedding veils and is often mixed with other fabrics.

Structured

Silk: Synonymous with luxury, silk adds an elegant and formal touch to any wedding gown. Available in different forms, from smooth mikado to charmeuse, silk wedding gowns are the epitome of style and sophistication. While raw silk is the textured type, other forms of silk are characterized by their sheen.

Satin: Plain, lustrous and shiny, satin is luxurious and has a heavy structure. Duchess Satin and Larissa Satin are the two types used in wedding gowns, and it is an ideal choice for a formal wedding. However, the heavy structure would make it inappropriate for an outdoor wedding, but it is an ideal choice for cooler weather.

Crepe: Lightweight and crinkly, crepe is a soft fabric that is created by blending silk and man-made fibres. It flows elegantly and softly hugs your body. It emphasizes your curves, as it has an excellent drape.

Taffeta: Characterized by the rustle it creates with movement, taffeta is made from silk or a silk blend. The fabric has a glassy sheen and a definite structure. It is often used in ballgown skirts and gowns that need to hold their structure and look poufy rather than fall gently.

Organza/Organdy: Two fabrics that sound similar but are different for the fact that while organza is made of silk, organdy is cotton. Both are crisp and sheer. Organza is popularly used in overlays and embellishments and is stiff and can give structure to a gown. It resembles tulle but is softer.

This isn’t a comprehensive list as the fabric choices in wedding gowns continue to evolve and improve. Nevertheless, with this list in hand, you will be equipped to know whether you want a soft, flowing, dreamy wedding dress or a structured and poufy bridal gown and the fabrics that will work in this direction.

For more wedding dress tips and advice, visit us on Best for Bride.

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Wedding dresses with features that Wow!

To look amazing on your wedding day, all you need is a spectacular wedding dress!

Although there is a universe of wedding dresses, not all of them are alike. A wedding dress that doesn’t flatter your build will not help you, however fantastic its features may be. So, keep in mind that your choice should be a dress that enhances your best features. Give due importance to your comfort and fit, and then look at the factors that can make a gown stand out against the rest.

While many wedding dresses qualify as “just another dress”, there are certain features that make a statement. So, how do you find one that will have your guests spell-struck? Let us look at the features in a wedding dress that are worth a “WOW!”

Stunning illusion necklines

Illusion necklines are the rage this season. Choose a dress that has stunning details in lace or with embellishments in crystal or metal beading and it will impress! It is not only the neckline, but the details on the back also, that play a crucial role in transforming a dress from good to Fantastic!

Take a look at this stunning Mori Lee tulle ball gown with a decadent illusion neckline.

via Best for Bride

The stunning display of embellishments on sheer fabric, starts at the neck and continues down the bodice. The effect is amazing. The dress also features a beautiful illusion back that is perfect from every angle.

Oversized motif that grabs attention

A striking motif which is executed with perfection is hard to miss, and it enhances the overall effect of a dress. It could even be a detachable accessory that adds to the visual interest and transforms an average-looking wedding gown into an exquisite one.

In this elegant Mori Lee 2724 Chantilly lace gown from the Spring 2015 collection, the embellished heart-shaped applique at the bust is the one factor that makes the dress one stand out.

via Best for Bride

Drama of a signature element

Who can resist the allure of a stunning signature element that adds oodles of glamour to a wedding gown? Choose a dress with a uniquely attractive feature that pops out, and nobody will be able to take their eyes off you.

Notice the impressive waterfall of laser cut organza ruffles in this 2685 bridal gown from the Mori Lee 2014 Fall Collection. A stunning skirt like this is dramatic and will forever be remembered as a phenomenal wedding gown.

via Best for Bride

Opulence of silk

Silk is considered the epitome of luxury, and it is hard to beat the richness and royalty of a dress that shines with a silky flourish. Dresses in Larissa Satin or Duchess satin look elegant and classic, and when these are embellished with further details, the effect is mesmerizing.

This Mori Lee 2722 bridal gown in Larissa Satin not only features the glossy shine of silk, but its beauty is further enhanced by the pleated details in the bodice, the scintillating waistband and the cascading layers in the skirt.

via Best for Bride

For more details on these wedding dresses that Wow, as well as for simpler choices, visit our collection at Best for Bride, and be prepared to be amazed!