Posted on 1 Comment

How To Choose The Perfect Plus-Size Wedding Dress

plus-size bridal gown

Your voluptuous curves will look truly beautiful when you use our tips and tricks to find perfect plus-size wedding dresses for your body. Having a selection of wonderful choices will give you more options as you plan your wedding ensemble.

We know that finding the white wedding dress you’ve always dreamed of wearing can involve lots of trial and error – if you follow our guidelines right at the start, you’ll streamline the whole process…it’s all about knowing exactly what to look for!

For today’s curvy women, finding lovely and flattering bridal gowns can be easier than ever before. Here are some simple tips you can use to look your very best:

A Deep “V” Neckline Is Classic And Flattering

wedding dress

If you’re looking for the most flattering option for your body type, and you are quite voluptuous up top, you should consider a simple, but luxurious bridal gown with a deep “V” neckline. This design element elongates your body, making it appear a little leaner and sleeker. Of course, this sort of neckline also offers a touch of feminine beauty and even a hint of sexiness.

Strapless gowns can be lovely, but try to stay open to the idea of a little more coverage. If you have your heart set on a strapless gown, there is a beautiful example of that style on this page.

However, if you’re looking for a different silhouette, a deep neckline is highly recommended.  One of the benefits of this style is that it also has sturdy straps that balance your shape and provide a little extra support. Overall, the deep “V” neckline is a tried-and-true way to look beautiful on your wedding day.

Go For Dramatic Details

wedding dress

Simplicity works well for some women – it really depends on your personality, your level of confidence in your own body, and just how formal your wedding will be. If you’re looking for more drama and high-fashion details when shopping for wedding dresses, opt for a strapless A-line bridal gown that flatters without being too conservative.

An A-Line gown will hug your body snugly until it hits the waist or the tops of the hips – then, it will flow past the lower hips and thighs. The classic A-line gown will always flatter the fuller figure – if you’re interested in a strapless design, you should go for this silhouette, rather than a mermaid or sheath shape.

Drama comes from the details – silk flowers, pleats, tulle overlays, crinolines, full skirts, crystals and beading…how far you go is entirely up to you.

The gown shown above is a wonderful balance of a classic, flattering shape and some gorgeous, designer finishing –  pleating and a detachable, asymmetrical strap add a touch of elegance that is so high-fashion!

Avoiding a voluminous veil may also be a good idea. Consider a simple tiara or headpiece in lieu of a long, filmy wedding veil – creating more volume will undermine the impact of a flattering silhouette. If you love veils, choose a very sheer fabric and keep your veil on the short side.

Lace-Up Backs Offer More Comfort And Flexibility

When you’re shopping at the bridal boutique, consider some styles that feature lace-up backs. If you’re buying online, this type of design will offer more flexibility because fit can be adjusted without actual tailoring.

Even if you’re buying your gown at a full-service shop with seamstresses on site, you’ll still enjoy knowing you can gain or lose a few pounds before the wedding and simply correct for the change in weight by tightening or loosening the laces. As a bonus, this sort of lace-up back has a pretty, corset-like appeal – it will look quite dramatic and romantic.

Accessories, Hair And Makeup For The Curvy Woman

Your hairstyle should be something that feels comfortable for you – if you never wear your hair up, your wedding day may not be the right time to start. Look for styles that are soft and not too severe – often, curvy ladies have rounder faces and a youthful look – play this up with half-up, half-down hairstyles, or soft up-dos that still feature soft tendrils around the face.

Your veil should be scaled to your body type – keep it sleek and shoulder length to reduce volume. If you’re wearing a tiara, or flowers in your hair, try to keep these elements elegant and sophisticated. As a rule of thumb, taller women can wear larger-scale bridal rings, pendants, tiaras, headpieces, etc. If you’re petite in height and full-figured, it’s best to keep your jewelry and accessories delicate and smaller in scale.

For makeup, a bolder lipcolor can be the perfect choice. If your face is full or wide, a brighter lip will draw the eye inward, accentuating the features. Look for your favorite lipstick and find an intensified version for your wedding – you can blot to reduce the impact a little. Then, use a soft gloss or balm with a little shimmer to add sparkle and shine to your lips. Without a gloss that mimics the sheen of silk or satin, you may look too subdued.

Focus a little on your eye makeup, too – a simple line of black eyeliner on the upper lashes, along with a coat of mascara (Lancome Definicils mascara is wonderful) can elongate and open the eyes. The rest of your makeup should just be your everyday base, powder, and blush. If your eyebrows are fair, darken them a little – you’ll look more “alive” in your wedding photos – brown eyeshadow or soft pencil can be lightly applied to get the right effect.

Posted on Leave a comment

Hot Bridal Trends For This Spring And Summer

wedding dresses

Fashion is about change…every year, new styles and details trickle down from the runways of Paris and New York, influencing and inspiring today’s most talented bridal designers. If you’re looking for cutting-edge style that is truly of the moment, you’ll love this guide to the hottest wedding gown trends for this spring and summer. When you choose a trendy design, you’ll capture the spirit of the times on your wedding day…

Most women can’t afford Paris couture…however, savvy bridal designers know how to use elements of high-fashion to add visual interest and charm to more affordable wedding dresses. You can enjoy these unique design features, fabrics, and embellishment,  while still staying on budget.

Accessories can also give you the couture effect…your bridal rings, veil, tiara, and wedding shoes will all contribute to the perfect, of-the-moment ensemble. Here are some trends to watch for as you browse our wedding boutique and decide exactly what will work with your body type, coloring, and personal style:

Strapless

wedding gowns

The strapless white wedding dress offers a classic silhouette to spring and summer brides-to-be. A tight bodice should be complemented by a frothy, voluminous skirt and lots of gorgeous embellishments, including crystals, silk flowers, and appliqués. With such a dramatic style, accessories should be minimal, but high-impact. Floral headpieces, choker necklaces, and sheer, lightweight veils offer the perfect balance to a princess-style, strapless wedding gown…

Mermaid

wedding dress

If you’re proud of your curves and you want to make the most of them on your wedding day, consider a striking fishtail bridal gown. These sorts of dresses follow the lines of the body, hugging your curves until mid-thigh, when they become more frothy and full.

A high-fashion mermaid wedding dress will offer a little more sexiness and pizazz than a typical princess-style bridal gown. This type of design can also features pretty details such as pleating, ruffles, and filmy overlays made of thin silk or tulle. If you’re interested in wearing a fishtail gown, consider skipping a traditional veil – the lines of your dress will stand out more if your hairstyle is simple and natural. A fashionable pendant (chokers are the hottest trend for 2011) may be all you need to accessorize your runway-inspired mermaid gown!

Lace

bridal gowns

Lace offers romance and pure femininity…classic and lovely, lacy, fashionable wedding dresses are truly one of the hottest styles for this spring and summer. Bridal week fashion shows featured lots of stunning gowns in creamy off-white, pearl, pale rose-beige, and snow-white.

Many of the dresses shown this year have vintage elements, inspired by classic brides, such as the Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson) and Grace Kelly. Look for a combination of delicate lacework, stiff taffeta, and satin or silk. This spring, gowns were elegant – never flashy or revealing…which makes them perfect choices for a more formal wedding.

To get the runway look, accessorize your lace bridal dress with a Great Gatsby-style cloche hat or dramatic veil – and then heighten this refined effect with elbow-length, white satin gloves.

Consider Your Own Body Type When Studying High-Fashion Trends

Every woman is different…no single trend will suit everyone. To choose the best trend for your body type, coloring, and personal style, consider the silhouettes you wear for special occasions. When you dress up, do you opt for a cinched waist, and a fuller skirt that bypasses the hips and thighs? Or do you prefer body-conscious styles that hug your curves and streamline your figure?

Knowing your preferred cut is the key to choosing the right trend for you. When you understand your body and its relationship to fabric, shape, and shimmer, you will be able to add the right trendy elements to your wedding outfit. Have fun with it, and you’ll get a runway effect that dazzles your friends and family…and your handsome groom-to-be!

If you’re a beautiful Canadian bride-to-be, browse the best bridal shops in Toronto for high-style choices that are designed to flatter and inspire!

 

 

 

 

Posted on 2 Comments

Whimsical Wonders: Romantic Wedding Accessories to Make Your Heart Flutter!

Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts. – William Shakespeare

It’s February 14th, and the spirit of Saint Valentine, who sacrificed so much to unite lovers, lives on in all of us! Today, candy, paper hearts and velvety red roses are used as tokens of affection, and enthusiastic brides-to-be become even more excited about their own upcoming wedding days!

To celebrate the beauty of romance and commitment, we’ve compiled an exciting list of the loveliest wedding accessories…these special touches will add polish, glamour, and style to your bridal gown.

To be the most romantic, stunning bride you can be, choose these ideal wedding “extras” and wear them with your own white wedding dress. You groom-to-be will be thrilled when you walk down the aisle, adorned in all the traditional wedding accessories of a truly gorgeous bride.

Tiaras

To feel like a princess as you marry, don a sparkling, shimmering wedding tiara worthy of royalty. Today’s affordable designs offer old-fashioned beauty and a reasonable price tag!

Luckily, rhinestones and cubic zirconium look like icy diamonds without the sticker shock! Indulge by placing a glamorous tiara upon your head – you will feel amazing! Your groom-to-be will have tears of joy in his eyes as you stand before him.

When you wear a tiara, you will still have many options for beautiful wedding hairstyles. Buy your tiara early on, and spend some time experimenting with different looks. Work with a stylist to find the perfect hairstyle for your white wedding dress and headpiece – you can go for a sleek, shiny blowout or an ornate updo – either style will compliment the twinkling gemstones on your special “crown”.

Shoes

The perfect wedding shoes offer comfort, sleek, satiny fabric, and total coordination with your gown, veil, tiara, bridal rings, and other wedding accessories. You’ll feel like Cinderella with her glass slipper as you find the perfect choice for your own outfit.

Today’s hottest designs offer fashion-conscious embellishments that add an extra shot of beauty to traditional slingback or sandal styles – crystals and pleating are popular details that make the prettiest wedding shoes stand out.

If you’re tall, or averse to wearing high heels, you can even enjoy a feminine ballet slipper in pure white!

Whatever you choose, make sure you go all out! When you’re at the bridal shop, make sure you remember that you will keep these precious shoes forever and treasure them for years to come! Some brides opt for a little shot of colour in their wedding shoes – pale pastels won’t stand out too much, so these shades are pretty appropriate with pure white wedding dresses. Silver and gold metallic styles also compliment any wedding gown – and Carrie from Sex And The City would definitely approve!

Capes And Jackets

Evoke old-world romance with a cute little fitted jacket or wedding cape. This soft, romantic style will add a sense of timeless beauty to your bridal gown. A cape or jacket is a beautiful way to add visual impact and originality to your outfit, and these designs can be affordable.

If you want to add individuality and romance to your wedding outfit, slip a cuddly yet sophisticated cape or jacket over your wedding dress. Faux fur makes these choices animal-friendly and reasonably priced. If you’re so inclined, slide on a pair of long satin gloves as well. For cool-weather weddings, this accessory can be practical as well as beloved. Your friends and family will smile when they see you all decked out like a queen on your special wedding day.

Treat Yourself To The Best Wedding Accessories…You Deserve Them!

Many women compromise on wedding accessories and then feel sad when their outfit doesn’t quite measure up. Don’t deprive yourself of the right accessories for your wedding – you deserve to make your dreams come true. Wedding dresses are major purchases, and they represent a significant investment – therefore, they must be balanced with the correct accessories.

Every bride wants fairytale romance – and every bride-to-be deserves to feel special on her big day. When you plan carefully and choose the headpiece, shoes, and other accessories of your dreams, you will be happier, more confident…and more beautiful! Your wedding photos will become treasured keepsakes that evoke the most romantic memories ever! Whether you love low-key elegance or wild, trendy styles, you will find something perfect at our bridal boutique!