Category Archives: Dress

African Wedding

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There is something special about African weddings with celebrations from jumping the broom to tasting four elements. To make it memorable and happy, here are some traditions that you can include in your wedding to personalize it so that it pleases everyone with unique experiences.

Jumping the Broom

This tradition reaches all the way back to slavery times. Today, this game consists of the bride and the groom jumping over a beautifully decorated handmade broom to publicly signify their commitment to one another. The newlyweds can hang the broom in their home as a reminder of their wedding day and commitment to one another.

Libation Ceremony

As a way to honour the elders in your families and to honour your ancestors, this ceremony has lots of meaning. To perform the Libation ceremony, use holy water or alcohol to pour on the ground in east, west, north and south respectively. Someone should be designated to learn and recite the prayers to say during the ceremony.

Kola Nuts

The Kola nut is given to the couple during an African wedding. With the nut symbolizing the happy couple and extended family, it means the couple is willing to help heal together as one. The Kola nut should be shared between the newlyweds and their parents.

Tying the Knot

With this ceremony, the bride and groom are tied around the wrists with a cloth or grass that has been braided for the ceremony. The braided grass symbolizes the unity of marriage. The ceremony is conducted while the wrists are tied.

Crossing Sticks

Use two tall wood sticks that represent life force among the trees and the couple will cross the sticks to represent the unity of their love and start their marriage on the right foot.

Knocking the Door

In this ceremony, the groom will knock on the door of his future in-laws and bring them gifts and requests permission to marry. This ceremony brings the families closer together.

Purple and Gold

Choosing these colours for your wedding colours not only adds fabulous and modern feeling, but it is also an African American wedding tradition because they represent royalty in many African cultures.

Feeding the Family

After the four elements tasting, it’s time to sit down and share a meal with the family. Joining the families is important in the African wedding ceremonies.

Ditching the Diamond

Because many diamonds have been mined in Africa, some brides choose to use a different stone as a symbol of their marriage instead. Ditching the diamond is becoming more popular today.

Kente Cloth

All brides want to have the Kente cloth as part of their wedding. This bright fabric is gold, green, and red in color and is made in Ghana. The groom’s vest can be made from this material or you may see it in the bridesmaid dresses.

 

Japanese weddings

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Shinto is the ethnic religion in Japan and it has a huge impact on the country’s culture and ceremonial traditions. Even today, more than 79% of Japanese people still belong to Shinto temples. Still, a large majority of people in and even outside of Japan are not very familiar with how the religion influences different ceremonies and events in Japan. The same is the case with Japanese wedding traditions that may come as a surprise to many.

The Betrothal/ Engagement

Called the yuino in Japanese, the betrothal ceremony is an exchange of symbolic gifts between the bride’s and groom’s families. The most popular gifts are a seaweed called konbu, which refers to “childbearing woman”; a long piece of hemp in white that represents the wish that both husband and wife will grow old together; and a folding fan that spreads and indicates future growth and wealth. The most common gifts also include a hakama for the groom and an obi for the bride. One of the main gifts in this ceremony is money, which can be £5,000 or more – the money is offered in a shugi-bukuro, a special envelope with gold and silver strings. Ornate rice-paper envelopes are also used to give other gifts.

The Venues

Since most Japanese weddings take place in Shinto temples, the wedding venues are always quite attractive. These locations also feature religious iconography that give the whole function a special feel. Some of the most common are water pavilions, stone dogs, and tall red gates that symbolise the division between the corporeal and spiritual worlds.

San-San-Kudo

This sake sharing ceremony is common for Buddhists as well as Shinto Japanese weddings. It is among the most interesting Japanese wedding traditions for outsiders. There will be three stacked cups of sake and both bride and groom have to drink taking three sips. “Three, three, nine times” – just as the name San-San-Kudo suggests. Ku or 9 means good luck in Japanese culture. So, some believe that the three sips each time represent love, wisdom, and happiness, while others believe they represent earth, heaven, and mankind. Some believe they represent the three couples – the bride and groom, the groom’s parents, and the bride’s parents. However, some believe they represent the biggest human flaws, which are passion, hatred, and ignorance, which the couple will overcome together in life.

Wedding Wardrobe

Something that will always fascinate you in a Japanese wedding is the wedding wardrobe. It is all in white – at least most of the time. The country’s national colors are red and white, and you will notice these same colours in Japanese weddings. While a bride’s gown may be of delicate silk or some other material, the colour is usually white. Sleek evening gowns may come as a surprise to you, but they are quite common. Grooms usually opt for black – they may wear a suit or kimono. At some Japanese weddings, brides wear a white silk material over the bun in their hair – that silk headdress is called a wataboshi and is one of the oldest Japanese wedding traditions.

Speeches

Wedding speeches hold a great place of importance in Japanese wedding ceremonies. Family, friends, teachers, colleagues, and other relatives stand in line and wait for their turn to wish the couple well. These speeches can be moralistic tales about marriage, but they can also be heartfelt messages of love from family and friends.

Gifts for Parents

As you may have gathered, Japanese wedding traditions are often about exchanging gifts. There will be loads of presents for the parents of both the bride and groom. The most common gifts are a toast for the parents, bouquets of flowers, and a personal letter of thanks and love. These simple gestures make Japanese weddings very intimate and special.

Gifts for the Guests

Japanese weddings have a lot available for the guests as well. Brides usually spend up to £50 or even more on favours for their guests. These favours might be a lace bag of sweet almonds and much more.

 

Traditions for weddings

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Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue… You’ve probably had this old wedding rhyme quoted to you ever since you got engaged.

It’s a superstition that you need to have all of the above included on your big day, so you can have a long and happy marriage. And while we don’t think anything’s going to happen to your marriage if you don’t follow these rules, it is a fun way of building some items into your wedding look.

People are definitely going to ask you what items you’ve got on that are old, new, borrowed and blue, so you might as well have something to tell them!

With the trend for vintage looking like it’s not going to go away anytime soon, there are quite a few ‘old’ items that you can incorporate into your wedding look.

We love the idea of wearing your mother’s or grandmother’s jewellery on the big day. It might be a brooch, garter, neckline or a pair of earrings. Maybe you had a christening bracelet you want to wear on your wedding day. Something old doesn’t have to mean clothing or accessories, either. If you’ve an old family cake topper you could use that.

If there’s an old family veil that your mother, aunts or older sisters wore on their big days, ask to borrow that. Wedding veils don’t date too much, so this could be a money-saving item for you, too.

Your something new is most likely to be your wedding dress or your new husband! If you’re recycling a family wedding dress or borrowing one, then what else would be good that’s new? Kate Middleton wore a new pair of diamond earrings on her wedding day to Prince William, her parents had them commissioned especially for her, lucky girl.

In fact, many generous grooms buy their brides-to-be a gift that is presented to them on the morning of their wedding, which might be something like a pearl bracelet, earrings or a necklace.

Alternatively, if you’re not into possessions you could treat yourself to something new that’s going to give you a different look. You could have a brand new look by having a teeth whitening session or have laser eye surgery. Or you could even just buy a new lipstick or makeup if your budget is tight. Just make sure your something new is something practical that you’re going to enjoy in the long term.

Kate Middleton had the ultimate borrowed accessory on her wedding day when the Queen lent her a sparkling vintage diamond tiara. While your new in-laws may not have something quite as valuable to lend you, your mother-in-law may be delighted to lend you a vintage accessory or brooch to decorate your bridal bouquet.

We think wedding accessories are a great thing to borrow if you can. It will make the lender feel that bit closer to you on your big day.

We see a lot of brides-to-be add a bit of blue to their garter as their something blue, but you could choose a more visible blue accessory.

Light blue wedding shoes can look amazing with a traditional wedding dress. You could even opt for a coloured wedding dress it doesn’t have to be in a dramatic shade but pale blues and pinks are right on trend now for wedding gowns.

 

Wedding guest dress tips

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As a guest, choosing what to wear to a wedding can be a tricky task. Here’s how to avoid any fashion faux pas and rock the aisle in style…

Check your invitation

Has the bride specified a strict dress code for what to wear to the wedding? Will it be a black tie affair? Are there hats involved? Firstly, check your invitation. This will give you a good indication of where to start.

Don’t wear white

Female wedding guests should avoid wearing anything white or ivory – these shades are strictly reserved for the bride. Men should avoid wearing a morning suit, you don’t want to turn up looking like a member of the wedding party when you’re actually not.

Mum’s the word!

Try to find out what colour the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom are wearing and, as a guest, try to avoid these colours. It’s a big day for the mums as well and they want to stand out in the photos as much as the bride.

Don’t over or under – dress

This is the bride’s special day and this is a formal occasion, so you need to dress appropriately. Let the bride and groom know that you’ve made a special effort for their day. Don’t over dress with huge, eye-catching details that will take the emphasis of the bride. Equally, don’t under dress and give the vicar an eye full! For the guys, a well-fitting suit, shirt and shiny shoes is all you need. During the day, make sure you wear a tie – this can be discarded in the evening once the party becomes more casual.

 

Wedding dresses for the curvier girl

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Gone are the days where larger sizes weren’t even manufactured, let alone stocked – these days’ bridal designers are wising up to the fact that not every bride is a size 8, and are creating beautiful, flattering dresses for sizes 18 and over. Some of the very favourite names in the bridal industry have increased their range of sizes so that larger ladies can rock their stunning designs: Alfred Angelo, Maggie Sottero and True Bride all cater for plus-size brides, with UK sizes going up to 30, 32 and 36 respectively!

We think it’s only fair that all brides get to find the wedding dress of their dreams, no matter their shape or size!

Finding your dream plus size wedding dress should be one of the most exciting moments of any girl’s life, and thanks to forward-thinking designers and boutiques, curvy brides have more choice than ever before!

Choose your fabric wisely. Chiffons will skim over lumps and bumps, while heavier satins and taffetas can be ruched for a flattering effect.

Use what you’ve got! The brilliant structuring of dedicated plus-size gowns means you can really work that hourglass shape – don’t be scared of curve-hugging silhouettes like the mermaid!

Think about clever accessories. A well-positioned sash and brooch will draw the eye to the smallest part of your body, and will help to balance out your top and bottom halves.

Don’t be afraid to end the appointment if you feel that you’re not being treated well – you deserve to feel fantastic during your wedding dress shopping!       

 

Choose the right colour scheme

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When planning a wedding, for some reason the need to get a colour scheme sorted presents itself. Do you pick red because of the season? Why do we feel the need to focus on one or two colours, though?

Every bride seems to have a colour scheme or wedding theme in mind but are they really important? And, if so, how do you choose one that’s right for you?

Having a summer wedding? Go with a pretty floral look with your stationery then you can pick and choose accents from it to match your theme as a whole. Doing things this way will save you hours of time and money searching for that ‘one’ colour of bridesmaid dress or exact shade of flower.

Close your eyes and think of a feeling rather than searching with your eyes, conjure up hazy summer days, beautiful autumnal sunsets or a springtime landscape and dream up your colour scheme that way!

The most important piece of advice would be to always be yourself – if you have a perfect colour that is ‘you’ and that’s all you need – go for it! If you don’t, there is no rule for you to stick with one or two colours.  Remember… your wedding, your way! Enjoy every minute of planning your perfect wedding day.

 

Wedding Dress History

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While contemporary weddings are often a symbol of love and commitment between the bride and the groom, for most of history, weddings were more like a business deal in which two families joined forces for a beneficial arrangement or alliance. Wedding dresses, then, were chosen to present the bride’s family in the best light, especially in terms of wealth and social status.

For most of history, brides rarely purchased a dress specifically for their wedding day. The bride would typically wear her finest dress to the ceremony, even if it was a dark color. In fact, many brides wore black during this time.

Only a few colours were avoided, such as green, which was then considered unlucky. Blue was a popular choice as it represented purity, piety and a connection to the Virgin Mary, plus the dark colour easily hid stains and imperfections and could be worn again.

Though examples of brides wearing white can be traced back as early as 1406, the 1840 marriage of England’s Queen Victoria to her cousin Prince Albert is considered the seminal white-wearing occasion.

Since white was a hard colour to obtain and preserve, only wealthier women could afford such a dress. Still, white dresses worn during the 1800s were a far cry from eggshell, as at that time people lacked the necessary means to bleach fabrics.

The white-dress trend grew scarce during the Great Depression, when times were hard and it was difficult for most people to spend money on a gown they would never wear again.

Instead, brides returned to the tradition of wearing their best outfit, which was usually a darker colour instead of white. Following an economic boom in the second half of the 20th century, white became a popular colour once more, as evidenced by the weddings of Grace Kelly, Princess Diana and other iconic women who married during this time.

These days, brides can choose from millions of colours, styles and fabrics for their walk down the aisle. While shape and style vary drastically from bride to bride, traditional white and light-coloured dresses are still most popular, as many today view white not so much as a symbol of wealth but rather one of purity and virtue.

Unlike the many trends and traditions tied to wedding dresses, for most of history, the groom’s only requirement has been to dress in a way that matches the bride’s dress.

 

Wedding guest style

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It’s an unwritten rule that the bride’s wedding dress is the focus of attention on her wedding day. It’s a big no-no for a wedding guest to turn up in something that’s going to get more attention than her, so follow these excellent top tips about what to wear.

Think understated ball gown. Strapless dresses give an aura of confidence without showing too much flesh as they highlight the subtle lines of the shoulders. Keep the look girly by opting for silk or chiffon.

Knee length dresses or longer are best and suitably more formal. If you prefer a longer length Grecian inspired maxi dresses can also look stunning. Team with a twisted or plaited rope belt to complete your wedding guest style.

No girl’s wedding guest style outfit is complete without a fabulous corsage or fascinator and sparkling jewellery – just choose carefully!

Satin dresses are a nice day-to-night option. By opting for one with pleated detailing and a cinched waist you can disguise bumps that other dresses would cling to.

Lace panels and net detailing also add a classic, feminine edge to any dress. Look for built in net petticoats to create a chic 50s prom dress silhouette or update a shift dress with a lace clutch bag and fascinator.

Classic v-neck dresses are a safe staple for any wedding and make the most of the décolletage area.

If you are opting for shimmer, tone down the rest of your look. Embellishment is about creating a focus area – so look for a dress where the embellishment is in an area you don’t mind attention being drawn to!

For boho-chic, maxi dresses are the perfect wedding occasion dress. Go for a maxi with a bright floral or digital print, or statement tribal design.

Long necklaces or bangles can often complete this look so why not try it on with some jewellery – just stick to one accent colour.

Checklist:

  • Avoid bright white if possible.
  • Remember: less is more when it comes to make-up, hair styling and accessories.
  • Opt for nude nail varnish. It matches any outfit and is less noticeable when chipped.
  • Take a shrug, structured blazer or pashmina so you can party on into the evening when the temperature drops.
  • Don’t show too much skin: legs or chest, not both.
  • Most important of all, don’t upstage the blushing bride!

What To Ask Your Bridal Boutique

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What happens after you’ve chosen your dress and paid your deposit? Read this expert wedding dress shopping guide to ensure you have the best bridal experience possible!

  1. Will you be the only bride in the boutique?

Do you want an exclusive, special experience or would you prefer a slightly more ‘high street’ approach? If there is more than one bride-to-be trying dresses, will you get to see the entire range?

The experience that you have will be quite different from shop to shop. Some boutiques are small and only have one bride at a time out of necessity, others have ample space but to offer the entire boutique exclusively to just one bride at a time. Then there are others that can have two or more brides-to-be in at the same time choosing a wedding dress. Consider the kind of experience that you want.

  1. What is the boutique and its location like?

Is the location private and exclusive for you to try on dresses without being disturbed by prying eyes or passers by looking in? Like a lot of brides, you’ll want to keep your chosen dress a secret until the big day!

What kind of mirror do they have, will you be able to see yourself from all angles? With such pretty backs on some dresses, are you going to be able to see the detail when you are trying them on? Always consider the size, facilities and location of your chosen boutique.

  1. What are the online reviews like?

Don’t just look at the ‘star’ rating invest time and have a read of what the real brides say. If a boutique gives a really exceptional experience their brides will go out of their way to let others know and that boutique will have a lot of favourable reviews. You will spend quite a few hours with your dress shop, choosing and then having your dress fitted, so devote a little time to reading the reviews.

It’s probably the only truly impartial view that you will get from a cross-section of brides that have been through every step of the journey. It should give you a realistic idea of what you can expect and it will help you choose the boutiques that you would like to visit.

  1. Is there a large and varied range?

What’s your budget? Does the boutique stock a range of dresses from designers that are within your budget?

What’s your style? From boho bride to city chic and pretty princess, does your chosen boutique have dresses that match your style?

  1. Is there parking available?

If you choose a busy city centre boutique leave enough time and take enough change for parking. Also think about when the time comes to pick up your dress, will you be able to get parked nearby? What if it is raining and you need to dash to the car with your wedding dress?

  1. Can in-house alterations be done at the boutique?

Does the boutique offer a seamstress service in house or do you have to take your dress elsewhere? What does the seamstress charge, ask to see a price list? Even with a made-to-measure dress it’s likely some alterations will be needed, even if it’s just a bustle to enable you to tuck your train up so you can dance the night away! Where are the alterations done? In the boutique? In front of the main mirror? In the main dressing room? Will the bridal consultant who sold you the dress be involved in your fittings to ensure continuity? Does the boutique add a % onto the seamstress’s costs or do they charge the seamstress to work with them?

  1. Does the boutique offer to store your dress for you?

What happens when your dress arrives? Imagine taking it home and your groom stumbling across it! With most brides shopping for their dress well in advance of their big day there can be months of

storage needed. Does the boutique offer this service and if so do they charge for it?

  1. Does the boutique charge for any extras?

Will you be given a dress bag and a sturdy hanger when you pick up your dress? Does the boutique charge for steaming your dress? It’s wise to check these things so there are no surprise charges for you.

  1. Can accessories and bridesmaids dresses be bought at the boutique too?

Does the boutique stock a wide range of accessories such as veils, hair accessories, shoes and earrings? They all go together to build up your complete look for your big day and it’s helpful to be able to try various options with your dress and experiment a little.

Think about your girls too, will you be able to get bridesmaids dresses and flower girl dresses from your chosen shop. This can make fittings easier for you all, and also a lot of fun!

  1. Does the boutique get paid for recommending other suppliers?

Word of mouth is really important in the wedding industry and lots of brides will ask for recommendations. It might be a good idea to ask if suppliers are recommending other suppliers because they think they are really brilliant at their job, or whether it’s because they are getting paid a fee on every booking.

 

Planning a wedding when pregnant

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Life has an excellent little habit of throwing lots of stuff at you at once and getting hitched when you’re pregnant to some women may be totally daunting. Often you don’t plan a wedding around a pregnancy and vice versa, however, it is possible to plan and have the best wedding ever when you’re a pregnant bride. Here’s how!

The dress

Some advice to all brides, pregnant or not, is to choose a wedding dress that makes you feel fabulous and is comfortable. Comfort is often treated as the second cousin, when it comes to wedding attire, which is a shame because a big factor in looking good is feeling good. If you can’t breathe, sit down or dance without wincing, if you have to wear three spanx to suck it all in, then maybe that’s not the dress for you. If you’re looking for maternity dress inspiration, then there is a plethora of celebrity pregnant brides to check out, very few of which, hid the bump. Whatever dress you choose make sure you have a good chat to your seamstress about how alterable the outfit is as it can be hard to predict how your body is going to be changing.

Shoes

This is one that’s often forgotten but pregnancy can cause swelling in lots of different places, one in particular…your fingers! Be mindful of your wedding and engagement ring size. If you have a wedding ring fitted while you are pregnant, it may need resizing later on. Another option is to use a substitute ring on the day, get something cheaper and save the real ring for later when you finger return to ‘normal’.

The party

It’s a big day… emotions are heightened, endorphins are flowing, make sure you look after yourself and listen to your body. If you need a rest. Have a rest. If you want to dance your behind off, then by all means, have a great time!

Planning

Be strategic in your planning. Work in ways to sit when you can, schedule in little down time moments and use other people to help you. YES, you are superwoman…we all are but you will be surrounded by many helper bees that want to assist you on the day and in the lead up to your wedding. Accept help, drink lots of water, have snacks at the ready and make sure you have easy bathroom access!