Best Wedding Theme: May 2010

Finding Your Perfect Wedding DressBy Christina GarciaAt last, the moment you've been waiting for! The man of your dreams has asked you to be his bride. The date has been set. The church has been booked. The planning is in full force. Now you must find the perfect dress...one that will make his jaw drop (and still make his mother smile), one that flatters your figure (but is appropriate in a church), something original and stylish (but doesn't scream I got married in 2010 twenty years from now). Wow! This could be harder than you thought.You want your wedding dress to be a reflection of your personality and your sense of style. You want it to be uniquely you, because remember, that is who your fiance fell in love with! Look through bridal magazines or search online and mark dresses that immediately catch your eye. Perhaps you have already made an idea book over the years of your perfect wedding (you're not alone!). This is a great place to get inspiration. As you do your research, you will usually start to see a trend in the type of dresses that appeal to you.Once you have an idea of styles that you like, it is best to next consider your budget. Determine a price range that you and whoever is buying the dress feels comfortable with. By doing this ahead of time, it makes it easier to narrow down dresses that are out of the question before you fall in love.Now that you know your spending limit, it is best just to get out there and start trying dresses on. Bring a friend or family member whose opinion you trust (both taste and style). Try on different silhouettes- ball gowns, trumpets, mermaids, sheaths. Play with different necklines- sweetheart, strapless, portrait. Really get a feel for how they look on your body type. Are they flattering and tasteful? Are they pretty on you, or just on the hanger? Try a variety of colors from stark white to candlelight. What compliments your skin tone? What color coordinates best with the rest of your wedding color scheme?Consider what the overall theme of your wedding is, whether traditional or modern, casual or black tie, indoors or out. This can help you know what style of wedding dress will be most appropriate for your special day. Think about how you have to move in the dress. Will you be dancing in it or will you change into another dress before the reception? This is very helpful to consider before you try to show your moves on the dance floor in a dress you can hardly walk in!With so many things to consider, it can feel overwhelming. But breathe easy- you know that whatever dress you chose, as long as you're inside it, your groom will be happy.

Simple Wedding Dresses

Simple Wedding Dresses - Beautiful, Clean LinesBy Brenda RomanSimple wedding dresses have not only become very popular, but have become very stylish, as well. The choices of designs to wear, and where they are being worn has changed, too. They can be traditional or non-traditional.A simple beach wedding dress is an obvious choice. If you are having a beach wedding, the sand tends to dirty the bottom and catch hold of the details on the hem of a wedding gown.By choosing a simple and slightly raised hem line you won't need to worry about that. It will sway slightly above the sand and remain clean and dry. You could even go with a tea length dress to make sure it will stay clean.Destination weddings have been growing yearly. They provide a perfect opportunity to have a gorgeous location with a gorgeous and simple wedding dress.When you travel to your destination, you will need to pack your wedding gown. To minimize creasing, pack with tissue paper, pick a non creasing fabric and plan to have a service available at your destination for pressing your dress if needed. Most hotels, resorts or wedding planners will be happy to help you with this.A Hawaiian wedding dress offers many choices, as well. The traditional dress is a holoku, a long sleeved, yoked, loose fitting, floor length dress without a waistline. This is still used in Hawaii often. It is a beautiful and traditional option.There are also many updated versions for Hawaiian wedding gowns. Most are an easy to transport fabric, and carry a soft jacquard or printed pattern on them.You will also see many sarong wedding dresses, especially at the beach. You can do a colorful and printed option or choose a beautiful hand painted silk sarong. These will often be left white for the ceremony and then painted or dyed to wear when you get home.If cost is a factor, going with a simple design will decrease the price drastically. Using a less expensive fabric, purchasing on the internet and using less embellishments will all provide cost savings.You can search through some of your favorite department stores. You already love the designs, and usually in the summer, you can find many wonderful, simple choices for a wedding. You may find, not only a bridal dress, but the bridesmaids, too.Simple wedding dresses have become popular for a very good reason. They can be dressed up or down, they are generally less expensive, they tend to travel well, but most importantly they are incredibly beautiful. Look around, try some on and I think you will agree!

Short Wedding Dresses

Wedding Dresses - The Hottest Spring TrendsBy Lori DavisEach year brings new ideas and inspiration for wedding dresses. While many of the popular styles continue to carry over from 2009, the Spring 2010 dress trends have taken on a new twist in bridal fashion.Ruffles - Layers and layers of romantic and flirty ruffled skirts are very popular this season. By combining them with fitted bodices the look is romantic and modern. Vera Wang never fails to impress us with her ability to create unique and feminine gowns.Fresh - For the bride that simply can't see herself wearing a traditional strapless A-line gown, there are many fresh and unique gowns available to complement her unique sense of style. Details include heavily encrusted embroidered elements, feather details, and bows tied and placed in different ways.Illusion Necklines - As a fresh alternative to the strapless gown, many designers are incorporating illusion necklines into their collections this season. Also gaining popularity is the asymmetrical (one shoulder) neckline detail.Touches of Metallic - Brides who love the "bling" factor, will have many options as designers are adding touches of metallic in gold and silver. In addition to the metallic threads, the details include encrusting with crystals, beads and pearls. Metallic touches infuse opulence and elegance into wedding dresses.Short - Gaining popularity are short wedding dresses. They can be reminiscent of the 40's and 50's or very fun and modern with the option of having a detachable train.Lace - Lace continues to be popular as designers are now using this beautiful treatment in new and fresh ways. Designers are creating perfect combinations of style and coverage. Many of the gowns appear to be see through but are backed with nude linings which gives additional depth to the lace.About the AuthorLori Davis started Elle Couture Designs out of her passion to be a fashion designer-specializing in wedding dresses, evening gowns and special occasion clothing. Having over 30 years of design and dressmaking experience, she loves the creative process and endless possibilities of combining fabrics, laces and embellishments. With the use of couture sewing techniques, all her designs are created with inner construction that ensures not only will the dresses look beautiful on outside, they will feel amazing to wear.

Red Carpet Dresses

Oscar Red Carpet Fashion TrendsBy Kyra Demartinirom the stunning stars walking the red carpet to the hilarious hosts, the incredible array of movies honored to the thoughtful acceptance speeches, the Academy Awards this year was a night to remember. With Kathryn Bigelow's historic night as the first female to win the award for Best Director and the array of talented women honored in the Best Actress category, the ladies truly made a statement. Their amazing performances, directorial prowess, and all over impact were felt the entire night. However, as they arrived on the red carpet all eyes were tuned to what designers and trends would be worn. From Sandra Bullock's gorgeous metallic dress to Gabourey Sidebe's deep blue gown, one could see that the stars went all out for the evening and several hot trends became apparent.MetallicThe metallic trend was huge this year, seen on stars such as Cameron Diaz, Sandra Bullock, and Kate Winslet. Metallic dresses look great on the red carpet, as they ensure one will stand out and not get lost in the crowd. Both the gold and silver metallic look is stunning, with some designers even starting to blend gold and silver tones together. When wearing a statement metallic dress, it is important to keep the rest of your look simple. By wearing little to no jewelry with a simple hairdo, an elegant look is created. These actors got it just right!One ShoulderThe one shoulder dress was popular on the red carpet, and for good reason. It creates a beautiful neckline, drawing the attention upwards, and provides plenty of bust support. Sigourney Weaver looked stunning in her red asymmetrical gown while Kate Beckinsale rocked the one shoulder look (in a metallic!) at an after party. For a modern yet comfortable look, the one shoulder dress is a great way to go.Neutral/NudeShades of nude were seen throughout the evening as stars arrived, with each dress looking equally as stunning as the one before it. Anna Kendrick looked beautiful in her pale pink draped gown and Demi Moore was flawless in a nude strapless ruffled dress. Shades of nude, whether a cocoa color or a light pink, are fashionable and gorgeous! By choosing a dress with some draping or ruffles, a beautiful silhouette is created. To really showcase a nude dress, pair it with neutral colored accessories, such as black or brown, so that the dress becomes the focal point.SlitsWhether cut high or low, obvious or hidden, slit dresses were a popular trend at the Oscars. To showcase your legs in a sexy yet fashionable way, a slit dress is the way to go. From Meryl Streep's demure slit to Zoe Saldana's ruffled slit, a beautiful look is created. Slits are feminine and flirty and truly make a statement. If doing a high slit, make sure your dress does not have a low neckline. When showing more skin on the bottom you can be a bit more conservative on top, and vice versa.Deep BlueGorgeous shades of jewel toned and deep blue were seen on the red carpet, taking the place of the usual go-to black dress. Kristin Stewart wore a beautiful midnight blue while Gabourey Sidebe had a lighter but equally rich blue gown, adorned with stunning jewels. These rich shades of blue look great on all skin tones and make a strong statement. Easily paired with gold or silver accessories, a deep blue is a great change if you want to switch up the black.All of these trends are fun and pretty, and a great way to spice up your wardrobe. Even though the majority of us will not be walking the red carpet anytime soon, we can still wear these looks in our daily life. Whether it is a casual maternity maxi dress with a slit or a one shoulder strap cocktail dress (in a rich blue) there are many fun ways to apply these red carpet trends to your daily life.

Pink Prom Dresses

5 Movie Prom Dresses to RememberBy Victoria L WardOver the years the silver screen has seen its fair share of high school proms. Take a trip down memory lane and remember some of the very best and very worst prom gowns in cinema history.1. Drive Me Crazy: The Sophisticated Gown (1999)Nicole is gorgeous and popular. Everything is perfect (or so it seems) until her gorgeous boyfriend dumps her right before prom. In an effort to avoid social humiliation Nicole decides to makeover her rather grubby looking next-door neighbor and take him to prom instead. However she didn't anticipate just how well he'd scrub up and soon she's falling for him. The prom dresses: This deep blue dress was a sensation at the time with girls all over America desperately trying to find replicas.2. Ten Things I Hate About You: The Simple Gown (1999)Kat and Patrick are thrown together after Cameron needs Kat to come along on a double date with Kat's sister Bianca. Kat and Patrick start to fall for each other, but all is ruined when Kat finds out that Patrick had been bribed to take her to prom. Kat's not the type of girl to go to prom, but in the end she goes along to chaperon her little sister. Kat and Patrick make up and all's well that ends well. The prom dresses: Kat wears a blue liquid satin with a V-neck and spaghetti straps. Pretty understated as far as prom dresses go but that didn't stop girls all around the world from falling in love with it.3. Pretty in Pink: The Retro Gown (1986)Andie (Molly Ringwald) has attracted the attentions of Blane. But all is not well as Blane is a rich guy and Andie is from a poor family. Enter disapproving friends and soon the couple are being tugged in opposite directions. The couple finally reconcile when Blane chases Andie after she ditches prom early. The prom dresses: Not all pink prom dresses are made equal. While Andie's pink polka dot creation may draw gasps of horror now, but in the 80s it was drawing gasps of admiration. It's a lesson in just how badly prom dresses can date if you don't choose something classic!4. Grease: The Vintage Gown (1978)After summer loving Sandy and Danny aren't speaking by the time prom comes around. Danny brings along a fiery date but ends up doing the hand jive with Sandy. The prom dresses: Grease is set back when prom was still young and prom gowns were made at home. Sandy wears a 1950s style knee-length high-waisted dress in a pale lemon.5. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion: The All Out Crazy Gown (1997)Its been ten years since Romy and Michele's prom. Single and unsuccessful they are at first reluctant to return to school for their ten year reunion. However when they hear that Romy's old crush Billy will be there they change their minds. Intent on seeking revenge for Billy standing Romy up for Prom, they decide to go. Not wanting to look like they haven't 'made it' they spin a lie which involves claiming to have invented Post-it notes.The prom dresses: A short lame holographic baby pink prom dress with a marabou trim and a short metallic blue lame dress with the star trek symbol on the bust. Nice!

Good Wedding Dresses

Pink Dresses

Preppy 2010 Bridesmaid DressesBy Bridget Mora Your bridesmaid dresses are the biggest fashion element in your wedding, after the bridal gown itself (sorry groom, but no one is going to pay much attention to what you are wearing!). Because they are usually seen in a large number, the bridesmaid dresses have a big impact on the color palette and style of your ceremony. These are some great ideas for classic preppy bridesmaid dresses which will add a dash of timeless charm to your wedding.A big trend for 2010 is to dress the bridesmaids in a very light neutral color, or even white. If this appeals to you, a fantastic bridesmaid dress would be one of the white eyelet lace dresses from Lilly Pulitzer. Available in strapless styles and styles with straps, the look is one of classic romance, with a crisp preppy twist. A pearl tin cup necklace would be the ideal bridesmaid jewelry for white eyelet bridesmaid dresses. Continue the all white theme, or opt for a custom tin cup necklace made with pale pink pearls. Pink and white peony bouquets will be the perfect finishing detail for your beautiful bridesmaids.Seersucker is another favorite fabric of preppy brides, and there are some marvelous options available. The dress company thread does fantastic bridesmaid dresses in several colors of seersucker, which would be great for a wedding on a hot summer afternoon. There are both knee length and full length dresses, so you can decide on how formal you want to go with your attendants' attire. Your bridesmaids will love that these dresses do not scream "bridesmaid", which will make them easy to wear again summer after summer.For a beach wedding with a preppy flavor, check out the great dresses at Vineyard Vines. They do an adorable pink shift dress with a subtle shell pattern that would be perfect for an informal wedding on the sand. White lace trim adds elegance to the simple shape of the knee length shift dresses. Dressy flip flops will be cute and comfy for the sand. A cute detail would be to have your bridesmaids carry bouquets with seashells wired in amongst the flowers to tie in with the shell print on their dresses.If your style is more formal, there are some wonderful classic bridesmaid dresses that have a preppy flair to them. The cotton cady dresses at J Crew have a terrific crisp polished look, and are available in preppy favorites like azalea pink and clover green. They are mostly offered in knee length styles, and the nice thing is that bridesmaids can choose from several different necklines within the same fabric and color. That allows each woman to choose the dress which is most flattering to her figure, while still maintaining a unified appearance for the bridal party as a whole (because we all know that preppy gals like things to match!).Certainly, there are some great choices for floor length preppy bridesmaid dresses as well. Any gown with clean lines in colors like pink, green, or navy could work well. Consider adding custom details to make a plain dress more unique, such as a silk taffeta madras plaid sash over a simple pink shantung dress. Classic pearl wedding jewelry and pretty bouquets of roses, peonies, tulips, or hydrangeas will complete your preppy bridesmaid ensembles perfectly.

Dress Clothing

Clothing - Finding a Nice Stylish Prom DressBy Julie P. JonesTeen clothing these days tends to put moms a little on edge. If you're out looking for pants, whether jeans or capris, even in plus sizes, low cut seems to be the order of the day. Pair that with short shirts and shorter skirts and back to school shopping can up being a downright nightmare. I think it's important for young girls today to realize that clothes do not have to be revealing be be fashionable. Most women I know would prefer to be referred to as 'Classy' rather than hot or sexy. This goes double for the upcoming senior and junior prom season. This once in a lifetime special day should be a day for girls to dress up and reveal the sophisticated woman they want to become. Your little girl, like mine, might need a little help attaining to this ideal.Having seen quite a few of the prom dresses that are available in the marketplace these days I'm wondering whether or not I should reconsider the idea of sending my little girl to the dance. Bleeding edge formal wear for teenagers doesn't need to show a lot of bare skin. Numerous designers make available gorgeous modest prom garments which are absolutely delightful.When most teenagers imagine a modest prom dress, they cringe. Visions of a tousled old-fashioned gaudy gown instantly come to mind in many teens. On the other hand, modern modest prom dresses have got a contemporary look as well as fantastic styling. The one distinction is that they will offer a bit more coverage compared to many of the heavily marketed brand names in the marketplace.Me and my daughter had a tough time agreeing on the outfit for her special day. I certainly didn't approve of several of the dresses that she put on in the stores we visited. My little girl was not very excited about my idea of seeking and alternative, more modest dress for prom either. We continued to look around, however, we were obviously not looking at the same styles. I wouldn't even have considered most of what she liked and visa versa.We did eventually run across a great alternative in contemporary prom dress which we both liked. Ironically, she picked out one of the dresses on her own without realizing the fact that it was one of the more modest prom gowns available in stores these days. This particular dress is spectacular and it delivers all the things that the cool formal wear offers.Formal wear sure has come a ways in the past twenty years since I went to prom. No longer do we embrace the self-indulgent ribbons and flair and sequins are kept to a minimum on many dresses. This helps make deciding on moderate prom dresses a lot less difficult. Many of the popular styles are very current, fashionable, and seem to be as appropriate for a high school dance as they would be for a black tie affair.

Cheap Bridesmaid Dresses

Beach Wedding Dress

Beautiful Beach Wedding DressesBy Magus JillMany couples plan of a beach wedding. This is a romantic setting for the start of a new life and there is nothing better than the sand and the stars with the splashing waves to witness the wedding oaths. As with other things like the stage, the tables, carpet etc. even the bride's gown should match with the color of the sea, the sand and the palms lined along the beach. One can choose from a variety of wedding dress that suit the waters and the waves and add to the grace of the bride.Beach wedding dresses should be simple and elegant. They shouldn't be gaudy or too flamboyant. One can choose white, a color that is pure and goes with any setting. Other colors that could look good for beach wedding dresses include ivory, cream, peach, faint blue or faint pink colors which don't stare one in the eye and happily mingle with the color of the ocean and the sand. To add to the elegance the dress could have beautiful, sparkling stones or pearl set in the neck pieces. The trail should be detachable so the bride can enjoy a dance in the sand without worrying about tripping.Beach wedding dresses could be casual and simple like the open sleeved, low neck without any frills. They could also be the Victorian summer gothic style with a few curls tapering towards the feet. Some of them are non-traditional and sometimes are up to the knees, allowing the bride to look fashionable and part of the whole beach setting.The straps could be casual shoulder straps or the more trendy spaghetti straps depending upon the comfort of the bride. Some of the beach wedding dresses have a great flourishing end while some are more like gowns that just touch the feet without really trailing behind the bride. The sleeveless low necklines suit a hot summer day, and make the bride feel more comfortable under the sun. Some of the beach wedding dresses are strap less and suit the beach ambiance instead of giving the wedding a more formal touch.The beach wedding dresses are usually of satin or chiffon, depending once again on the comfort of the bride and the season of the wedding. Summers could be sultry and some brides might go for the casual, vintage beach wedding dresses of cotton that keep them cool and more comfortable.

Semi Formal Dresses

Explore the World of Semi-Formal FashionBy Jennie Gandhi The world of semi formal fashion is quite huge because it embraces the blend of fashion trends from both formal and casual world. The dresses that form the world of semi-formal fashion are not completely formal and are neither completely casual. These fall in between taking some goods from both the types. By definition, it can be defined as attire that reflects a perfect blend of modern, chic, and elegant look.There are many occasions where this type of clothing comes into demand. On wedding parties people wear formal dresses and in an informal gathering people wear casual dresses. What if there is some business meeting, a dinner party at a good restaurant, conference meeting, a birthday party, business luncheon, or a social gathering? On such occasions, semi-formal dresses are most appropriate. These are even considered to be the best option for a wedding party during the daytime and walk-in interviews.Both men and women have their own trends in semi-formal fashion dresses. Women have a wider option when compared to men. Any attire in polyester, silk, velvet, rayon, and brocade goes well under this category of dresses. Long skirts, short skirts, trousers, hem-length dresses, salwar kameez, and kurti churidar with the right combination of jewelry and shoes flatter woman's appearance in any semi-formal occasion. The only thing a woman has to consider and judge is what will suit her personality and make her stand out in a crowd.For men, semi-formal attire is mainly restricted to a stylish and elegant suit piece. The fabric of the suit can vary depending on the kind of event and personal choice. The choice can also be made in accordance to the time of the event. If the party is held during the night, an elegant black suit is most appropriate and if it is in a day time, then the best semi-formal dress is a trouser with a matching shirt accompanied by a stylish jacket. Stylish belts and branded shoes also add up to the semi-formal get up.Apart from these, there are wide options for semi-formal gatherings in the fashion world. Options are available in terms of style, colors, designs, and prints to suit different tastes of different individuals and simultaneously define a perfect semi-formal dress.

Red Prom Dresses

Are Orange Prom Dresses Right For You?By David FelthamDo you want to know whether an orange prom dress will suit your personality, skin type and body shape? If so, read on to find out exactly that.Why orange prom dresses?Prom dresses are classically found in black, white and silver, so if you are thinking of orange I hope you want to stand out from the crowd. To wear orange you will want to have a confident personality that is more than happy to show off your independent style. You will look dazzling and be sure to draw attention.Which orange?You will not be stuck for choice as there are many orange prom dresses available to choose from. The range includes varying shades of orange moving between the yellow and red color spectrums. Options move from peach, to tangerine, to fiery and copper shades.Who does orange suit?Orange dresses will not suit everyone. Consider your hair and skin color before braving this stand out choice. To pull off the look you will need to have very fair skin, such as creamy white or peach. It will also look best if you have straw colored or strawberry red hair with green or blue eyes. Alternatively girls with golden skin tones and red hair or brown eyed brunettes will also accentuate the look.StyleAs with all prom dresses there are thousands of styles available to you. These range from elegant ball gowns to short cocktail dresses. Two aspects of a dress that you will want to consider are:Sleeve style - options include sleeveless, strapless, spaghetti strap, halter and one shoulder. Sleeveless and strapless are the most popular although you will want to bear in mind how comfortable you are with your arms and shoulders before deciding.Dress length - options include above the knee, knee length, mid calf and full length. For prom dresses full length is the most common, but as you are the more adventurous type going for orange, a shorter style may suit you best or perhaps a full length combined with a thigh high split.To combine your bold orange color with a sexy style why not consider something with a plunging neckline, a low back or a deep feathered hem.The overriding important thing to consider when choosing your prom dress style is your body shape. You want to feel comfortable with the final look by selecting a flattering style.PriceA budget of $100-200 will ensure you have a wide range of prom dresses to choose from, although $500 will get you something that much more spectacular.AccessoriesAs well as your prom dress you will also need to decide which accessories you need. Orange accessories, such as opera length satin gloves, satin evening bags, and shawls/wraps can all be found. And why not get your date to sport a silk handkerchief in a matching color?For your make up, use soft peach and rusty browns that complement your dress. And splash out on shoes, jewelry and hair accessories that are overstated for simple dresses or understated for more extravagant designs.Buying tipsPlan ahead and buy early as the hottest styles often sell out by mid March. Your dress may also need some alternations, which will take some time to get organised, under way and checked. If you are buying online you should be able to find some heavily discounted dresses - consider prior year lines for great bargains.So if you want to be center of attention, go for it in an orange prom dress. Just make sure you have the right skin and hair color to pull it off. Choose a style to best suit your body shape and buy early to avoid any last minute panics.

Plus Size Prom Dresses

Petite Dresses

Choosing the Right Petite DressBy Rafael Jomis

The variety of dresses available for casual, office or evening wear is without a doubt huge. Getting the right kind that matches your body is where the trick lies. The first step is understanding what kind of body type you have. The classifications that can be made here are many, but the one of interest here in precision is the petite kind. If you are a petite woman, you need to get a petite dress. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as just going to a store and picking one out. There are some factors that you need to consider, especially in the kind of dress that you get.Starting with the length, you can go with a petite dress that falls at the knee length, or shorter. This kind of dress will flaunt your legs and make it seem that you are taller than you really are. This needs to be matched off with high heels for the illusion to be complete. Full length petite dress, one that goes straight to your ankles is also a wise choice. They are good in adding some visual height. However, calf length dresses do not derive the desired outcome, and you should avoid them, at least if you are trying to look taller.V-neck petite dresses create the illusion that you have a longer neck than you actually do. The end result is that you end up looking taller. Accessorizing is important in this case. A good necklace is really complementary. Ensure that you avoid large belts as they diffuse the look and make you look shorter. If you are going for a petite dress with patterns, make sure they are at least vertical patterns. Horizontal ones are simply a no-no since they make you look bigger or wider and not really taller.Color coordination is of the essence when it comes to picking out a perfect petite dress. If it's a two piece dress, ensure that the colors are uniform. Different color choices draw attention to your short stature and you don't want to bank on that. The petite dress has to be hugging your body. The better fitting the dress, the better the overall appearance will be and essentially the more flattering the look. You should take some time out looking for petite dresses as they are not as readily available as the others. But with a little dedicated effort, you can get something with all the aforementioned characteristics.

Best Wedding Theme

Wedding Photos Part 01

Dresses Clothing

Wedding Dress Designers