The Ideal Wedding Gown

Getting Started...

What's your personal style?

There are two rules of thumb:

-You want to look like yourself on your wedding day, so don't pick an over-the-top gown and a sweeping updo if you're usually a minimalist when it comes to clothing, hair, and makeup. You do, after all, want the groom to recognize the person walking down the aisle.

-Choose a gown that will actually look good on you. You may love the idea of strapless but hate your upper arms, so now is a good time to rein in your expectations about how dreamy your “dream dress” will be when it’s on. (You’ll also want to give some consideration to body types when it comes to bridesmaids’ dresses.)

Where are you getting married?

When you’re headed down the aisle, your surroundings can shape your wardrobe.

Four considerations:

The mood: If you’re getting hitched at city hall, you may want to rethink that seven-foot cathedral train. Similarly, a simple slip dress may not be the most appropriate choice if you’re having a black-tie fete at reception hall.

The religious affiliation of the location: Are there rules with regard to modesty? The guidelines vary between faiths and even same-denomination congregations – so don’t assume that all Catholic churches in Davao are OK with exposed arms and legs. (In general, sects of most religions in a very conservative Davao frown on showing a lot of skin.)

The lay of the land: Are you going to have your reception in an area complete with dust, dirt, and sand flooring? Then steer clear of floor-sweeping lace, which will act as a magnet for those brown bits. And a garden wedding can turn a long train from white to grass green before the photos have even been taken.

The temperature: In Davao, the temperature averages in the 30's and the humidity is high, you’ll want to wear a fabric like cotton eyelet that won’t wilt in the humidity. Meanwhile, if you know that you'll be protected with air conditioned environment then you'll want a wedding dress with a little heft to it, perhaps in satin or silk.

How much money are you willing to spend?

Be realistic. Don’t try on dresses that are way out of your budget. You certainly don’t want to fall head over heels for a dress that’s simply not an option.

If you are at the high end of the market: You can pick every element of your dress (a strapless bodice, an A-line skirt) with a couturier and a one-of-a-kind pattern will be created based on your exact measurements. Or you may want to purchase an existing style from a well-known designer label. The dresses in this pricey category are characterized by luxurious fabrics and a high level of handiwork, like perfectly finished seams and hundreds of delicate buttons.

If you are on a budget: There have never been better off-the-rack options. Hit the stores armed with your own “look book”, containing magazine tear-outs, photos from friends’ weddings, fabric swatches – anything that helps you communicate your taste to the sales staff. The more detailed, the better: “I like the neckline of this gown and the skirt of this one.” Be completely candid about your budget from the get-go. That way, you won’t waste a single moment trying on dresses that you’ll never end up buying.

YOUR BODY, YOUR DRESS

Brides comes in all shapes and sizes - and so should their dresses. Here's how to make sense of all the different styles and determine which gown will fit and flatter you most.

If you're pear-shaped

look for: A skirt that gradually flares out in an “A” formation from the natural waist to the floor, highlighting the narrowness of the midsection and floating away from the hips and thighs. (Sturdier fabrics, such as duchesse satin and taffeta, are especially effective, since they won’t cling.) A spaghetti strap bodice or a V-neckline will also showcase a more slender upper body.

keep in mind: A classic A-line silhouette lends itself to formal weddings, but it can also be dressed down when made from a more casual fabric, like eyelet lace or raw-silk shantung.

If you’re busty

look for: A dress with a scooped-neckline. It will open up your face and display your neckline without showing too much cleavage. If you love the look of strapless gowns, choose one that has a slight dip along the neckline rather than a style that goes straight across ( which will make your bust appear even larger and more shelflike.)

keep in mind: Fabric on the bodice that has sheen to it (such as organza, satin, or silk) will add volume and call attention to your chest. Material that is pleated or gathered will have the same effect.

If you’re plus-sized

look for: An Empire dress with a skirt that begins just under the bust and flows into a gradual floor-length A-line. Make sure the Empire seam does not start on the chest and that there is no pleating of the fabric, which is reminiscent of maternity wear. The dress should play up your shape, if it’s too loose, it will add pounds.

keep in mind: Find fabrics like satin that provide structure, rather than anything too flowy. If you love the romantic look of airier fabrics, choose a gown with a stiffer base, then add an embroidered tulle overlay.

If you’re apple-shaped

look for: A dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waistline, then flares out into a gradual A-shape. Opt for a bodice with a lot of texture to it – think ruche or lace detailing – that will camouflage and fit snugly, creating a corset-like effect. The most slenderizing neckline for you is one with a deep V, which will draw eyes toward the vertical, not the horizontal.

keep in mind: Avoid trumpet dress styles, which emphasize the area where your body is widest and flare out at the legs and the knees, where you are most slender.

If you’re tall

look for: A simple silhouette. The strategy is to emphasize your natural shape, so every aspect of the dress – the lower waistline, a floor-sweeping hem – needs to reflect your longer proportions. If you’re wearing long sleeves, they should go past the wrist. You don’t want to look as if you’ve borrowed a gown from someone shorter than you.

keep in mind: Because you are statuesque, you’ll want to err on the side of simplicity when it comes to embellishments. Too many bells and whistles, like ruffles and rosettes, can come off as cutesy, particularly on a tall person.

If you’re straight-lined

look for: A dress that will create curves where you don’t have them. Try a sheath dress that’s cut on the bias. Or look for a ball gown that cinches in at your natural waist and descends into a full, flowing floor-length skirt: It will capitalize in your slenderness and camouflage a lack of hips.

keep in mind: If you have a small bust, look for a bodice with some pleating to create volume.

If you’re small-chested

look for: A pleated bodice. Extra fabric up top will help fill out your upper body and create the illusion of curves. Lightly padded halter styles will also do the trick.

keep in mind: The right bra will always provide a nice boost, but as many wedding dresses are strapless or backless, your undergarment may be fairly limited. Instead, try self-adhesive silicone bra cups.

DRESS UPGRADES

You’re never fully dressed without a few carefully selected accessories. Here’s how to put the finishing touches on your wedding day look.

WRAP

why choose it: You’re looking for extra coverage for a strapless gown or you just want an insurance policy against a chill.

what to consider: Options range from the simple (a white pashmina or a cashmere cardigan) to the ornate ( a beaded wrap).

You may want to wrap a satin gown in a panel made from the same fabric. Ask your dressmaker to order extra material from the same dye lot as your dress, as colors can vary slightly. Standard silk, chiffon, and lace wraps are sure bets too and with any luck, you’ll have an accessory you’ll actually wear again.

Headpiece

why choose it: Many women don’t feel fully bridal without a veil, a tiara, or some other adornment.

what to consider: If you go the veil route, try on a variety of lengths and shapes with your gown to see what complements it best. In general, longer veils are considered more formal and shorter ones have a slightly retro feel. Tiaras, silk flowers, vintage combs, or pearl and crystal hairpins can also add a special touch.

Jewelry

why choose it: To complement your neckline or simply to add sparkle to your Big Day.

what to consider: You don’t want jewelry that steals the show. The pieces you purchase or borrow should enhance your gown, not compete with it. So if you’re wearing a dress with an elaborately beaded neckline, a necklace of any kind could be distracting. Diamond studs, pearl earrings or a delicate diamond bracelet would work well instead. On the other hand, a wide-set portrait neckline begs to be completed with a pendant or a pair of chandelier danglers.

Shoes

why choose them: Unless your ceremony involves sand, you can’t exactly go barefoot.

what to consider: Heel height. Ballet flats or kitten heels are the safest call, but higher heels can also be comfortable if you choose a platform heel. Dyeing shoes the same color as your gown is the easiest way to guarantee a match but you can also try buying a metallic pair. Ivory dresses tend to go well with gold shades; truer white work better with silver tones.

Wedding Stationery 101

By Michelle Ann Lee Custodio

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear of the term wedding stationery? Or are you any familiar with this very important component of a wedding?

Nowadays, a wedding, whether simple or grand, requires wedding stationery. It is an umbrella term that covers all the printed materials that you will need for your wedding. Having a wedding stationery harmonizes your wedding to a single theme. It provides ease and aesthetic to your special day since having a format or template for almost all of your needs would definitely look lovely and would further inspire your guests.

It normally starts with your invitation. Deciding on the design and the most minute detail of your invitation could help you define how the rest of the printed materials would look like.

For instance, if your motif is lavender then you might want to have small lavender flowers to accentuate your wedding stationery. It may not over decorate your stationery by filling it with such flowers but you may decide to contain these designs on the sides or even corner of your other printed materials.

You can also use the stationery for thank you cards, programs, place cards, maps or even part of the souvenir or the tag where you get to put the name of the couple and the date of the wedding.

Having a wedding stationery puts your wedding in order. It reminds you to prepare the wedding program and other printed materials that is more often overlooked when you are in the process of arranging for your wedding. You should make sure that you have printed enough copies so that your guests would not be lost in the middle of the program and ensure that they would participate lively and actively.

Remember, a wedding stationery need not to be grand and elaborate. It should not be even as pricey as you conceive it to be. It can be as simple as a piece of paper ornamented with a small design and the couple's name.

We all know that the times are really hard nowadays and that putting up a wedding really requires as much money on both parties and sometimes you would even consider if you really need a wedding stationery.

But, if you were to ask us, an invitation is a must for every wedding. The small price that you will be paying for it could help transform your simple wedding in a classy and sophisticated one. Surely, these stationery could make your wedding worth remembering.

2011 Wedding Gown Trends

By Bridget Mora

2011 might seem like a long way off, but bridal gown designers are already hard at work creating the beautiful styles which brides next year will all be coveting. Set to debut in a few months, the first crop of 2011 gowns are embellished with many dimensional details, lots of handstitched crystals, and large floral appliques. Take a sneak peek into the romantic style of the latest wedding gown trends.

For the last few seasons, ruffles have been one of the biggest ways that designers have chosen to add volume and visual interest to their gowns. The bridal gowns which are set to debut soon move away from the ruffle trend, but not from the idea of using embellishments to add volume and femininity. Instead of ruffles, look for gowns with hundreds of tiny three dimensional flowers stitched all over them. Soft petals are another favorite decoration for the romantic gowns for 2011. Oversized clusters of flower "corsages" are another big trend, and they are primarily being used as accents on waistlines or shoulders.

One thing you will not be seeing is a lot of plain dresses or those with simple lines. Asymmetry is still in, both in the form of the one shoulder gown and wedding dresses with asymmetrical draping on the bodice. Very low waistlines are in abundance, and most bodices have ruched, gathered, or draped bodices which hug the figure (the wrapped fabric does a nice job of smoothing over any figure flaws in these tight bodices). Certainly strapless bridal gowns are still a staple, and the one shoulder style is still in style. A new addition to the necklines for 2011 wedding gowns is the tip of the shoulder design which is very slim at the top and just barely grazes the edge of the bride's shoulder. It is a very flattering neckline for many women, and a nice alternative to the more typical strapless wedding dress.

With all the romanticism evident in the upcoming gowns for 2011, don't worry that all the petals and flowers mean less sparkle. You will be seeing Swarovski crystals stitched into the center of tiny floral appliques, as well as larger crystals used to embellish the entire gown, from neck to hem. The difference is in the way the sparkly details are being used: more organically and in clear crystal, rather than the icy silver of mirror backed crystals or rhinestones used to create a defined pattern. This will tie in beautifully with the Swarovski crystal bracelets which are one of the top trends for both 2010 and 2011 brides. Stacks of mismatched Swarovski crystal and pearl bracelets are a modern finishing touch for the romantic gown designs.

It seems as though all of the bridal designers will be crazy for texture in 2011. Not only will gowns soon be gliding down the runway embellished with floral appliques and oversized crystals, but designers are using even more interesting accents to create gowns with dimension. Look for multiple sizes of paillettes being used to create a shimmery, faceted appearance on gowns. (Paillettes are essentially larger and nicer versions of sequins, and they are often drilled at the top instead of the center so they can dangle and move.) Even feathers are making a statement as a trendy bridal gown embellishment. These fantastical details are being added to very soft and romantic fabrics like net, lace, and organza to create gowns which are like something out of a fairy tale. Lucky brides!