Ever since I was a little girl, I loved wedding dresses. I used to sneak into my mom’s closet to look at her wedding dress when she wasn’t home. She had no problem with showing it to me, but if she had known how many hours I spent practically drooling over it, she probably would have freaked out a bit. I had pretty childish tastes back then – unsurprising because I was a child. I loved wedding gowns because they looked so soft and fluffy. They were like cakes, and they made whoever wore them look halfway between a princess and a pastry. I could not get enough.

Back when I was buying discount wedding dresses at thrift stores and wearing them to the school with various punk rock modifications to shock my teachers, I never dreamed that one day I would be a wedding designer. You see, as much as I loved wedding dresses, I wasn’t particularly enamored of weddings. I was very independent, and I couldn’t imagine spending my entire life with one boy, raising kids, and living in a boring suburban corner of the world like my parents did. I wanted action and adventure. I wanted to be a mountain climber or a park ranger, or perhaps a professional photographer. One thing I didn’t want to be was a bride.

Nonetheless, I was still impressed with bridal fashion. I loved when I got to see outdoor weddings at the local park. We lived by a gorgeous state park complete with the rivers, lakes, and beautiful rolling hills. There was a small wedding chapel there, and they would frequently rent it out. My boyfriend at the time must have thought I was giving him messages! I made him sit there with me all afternoon, watching the wedding party. Perhaps he thought I had dreams of long-term romance, but such thoughts were furthest from my mind. I was interested in it purely from a fashion perspective.

Now that I am getting ready for my own wedding, I am struck by how different the experience is from that of helping other people get ready for there big day. Looking for wedding gown ideas. Although there are vintage designs, modern designs, classic designs, and many other variations, it doesn’t amount to all that much variety. There are only a few things to keep track of, and if you appreciate the clothes it is easy. Picking out one for yourself, however, is another matter. It is probably the hardest part is getting married.

Mothers of the bride and groom outfits

How could we forget about the mothers of the bride and groom?, after all these very important member of a very glamorous female cast are also center stage for the big day. Whilst there are not many rules regarding what the mothers  can and cannot wear, there are some general guidelines.

The most well known and obvious is that the mothers must not wear white and should really only chance wearing cream when the bride has opted for a more unconventional wedding attire or color.

Loose fitting trouser suits with side slits are the preferred option over the more restrictive trouser type suit worn for work or interviews.

If you opt for a high collared jacket do not then opt for a hat with a heavy brim as this tends to give the impression that the face is pushed down towards the shoulders and dissappearing into the neck.

If you decide on a large hat then youwill most likely need a low neckline, large hats go well withlong dresses or three quarter length jackets.

Do not wear a large hat with boxy style short jackets.

Feathered or netted head-dresses go better with floaty, summery style fabrics.

Watch out for make up.

Neutral tones eye shadow is easier for blending and gives the impression of opening up the eyes.

If you are worried about fine lines do not use shimmering eye shadow as this only more clearly defines those fine lines.

Dark toned eye shadow gives the impression in photos of reducing the eye size.

Of course the major nighmare for the mothers of the bride and groom is that both should turn up in similar outfits or even worse, the same outfit.

Neither party wants this so make sure your that you find out what the other party is wearing, nobody need be offended, it literally suits everyone.

Everyone has their own wedding ideas and ensuring that as many people as possible are happy with the whole wedding planning process can take some doing.

Wedding Flowers - The Basics

Organising a wedding is an immense undertaking. Anybody who has arranged one knows that already. Regrettably, one matter that oftentimes does not draw enough attention is the issue of wedding flowers. With all the tasks to discharge, to arrange the venue, clothing, music, catering and dozens more, sometimes the flowers just take a back seat. Later in the whole wedding planning process, the bride and her helpers will some of the times just announce in frustration: “Oh, just get those!”

Only it does not have to be like that.

Dealing with the task of picking out wedding flowers early in the process helps. Determine early on whether or not to have your wedding planner (if you have one) choose for you. It is always good to let the ‘deputies’ do the time-consuming legwork, then make the final determination yourself.

Think about the season. Just as there are some types of food that is not available easily all year round, neither are all flower species. Also, you need your flowers to fit in with your general theme. If you are planning a winter wedding - and particularly if you plan to feature a theme that reflects that - you do not require summer roses, for example.

Look at your theme again. Otrher than season aspect, you will need a certain look for the tables, for the ceremony, for the reception and all other facets of the wedding. The flowers you pick out play a prominent role there.

For an out-of-door ceremony, you could want something a bit more ‘wildflower’ looking. A assortment of everything from Tansies and Yarrow and Lavender to Roses or Irises could bring about a look that the flowers all just ‘happened’ to be present. For an indoor ceremony, you could prefer to go with something more conventional looking, like Gardenias or Tulips.

You ought consider whether you would like to go with a somewhat uniform species or family for all the elements - tables, pews, chair backs and more. A single family - say Lilies or Orchids - can be used in multiple settings.

Then again, you are able to select a very distinct flower for each venue. Bird of Paradise form distinguished reception table centerpieces. But that does not curtail you from using, say, Roses for the bouquet and Asters for the backs of chairs and Narcissus for the flower girl.

You will need a vendor. But final choice of the supplier ought wait until you have determined what you require and ascertained what each has to offer. Not all vendors carry the same flower species. They do not all have the equivalent record of smooth delivery. Many will have room in their schedule for you, other vendors will behave like they are doing you a favor. Ignore those that treat you like that.They plainly do not all have the equivalent prices. Practice the same standards as you’d use  for the caterer and you won’t go wrong. You don’t need the extra hassle of snooty or unreliable vendors. Getting your wedding flowers sorted should not become a real pain and with a little research you should not be short of wedding flowers ideas.