This soft chiffon gown features a sweetheart surplice neckline that is slimming & flattering on several body types. Beaded lace applique adorns the front of the lightly draped bodice. Side draped floor length tiered skirt. Fully lined. Invisible back zip. Imported polyester. Spot clean only. Wedding Dresses, Bridal Gowns, Bridal Dresses, Wedding Gowns. In Ivory or White. Retail Price: $499.00. Your price: $249.99

David’s Bridal Wedding Dress: Chiffon Gown with Beaded Lace Applique Style 230M14920

Check for availability of this dress and browse the entire David’s Bridal Wedding Dress assortment

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Kate Middleton’s Royal Wedding Dress

Kate Middleton’s absolutely stunning ivory white wedding dress as a lace workers’ dream.  French Chantilly lace was combined with English Cluny lace and hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition. The wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton of fashion design house Alexander McQueen.

Wedding Dress

Design & Craftsmanship

The lace appliqué was actually hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. 

They worked with the Alexander McQueen wedding dress team in accurately cutting out the delicate motifs from the lace fabrics and positioning the lace motifs with precision into the new design.  The lace motifs were pinned, ‘framed up’ and applied with stab stitching about every 1/10 of an inch around each lace motif.

The lace design was hand-appliquéd using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. 

This gorgeous handmade needlework was used mainly for the train and skirt of the Bride’s dress, the bodice and sleeves, the underskirt trim, the veil and even the Bridal shoes. These hand-cut & hand-appliquéd flowers onto ivory silk tulle created a unique, organic design.

As the laces came from different sources, it is important to make sure that each flower was the same color. The whole process was managed by Ms Burton.

This hand-cut English and French Chantilly lace handwork included the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock ~ royal flowers.

Wedding Dress Form

The flower motif was continued in the actual dress form.  The wedding dress skirt resembled an opening flower, and its train was 2.7 m (about 3 yards long) complemented the skirt shape.

The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs.  The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops.  The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace.

In short, a wedding dress with amazing shapes, forms and exquisite details.

Bridal Veil and Jewelry

The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.  The veil is held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen. 

Tiara, something ‘borrowed’

The ‘halo’ tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King.  The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

Earrings

The Bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre.  Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves.  The earrings were made to echo the tiara.  The earrings were a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.

Jewelry for others in the Bridal Party

Robinson Pelham have also designed and made a pair of diamond earrings for Miss Philippa Middleton.  These earrings are more floral in nature to compliment the headpiece worn by Miss Philippa Middleton during the Service.

A tourmaline and diamond pendant and matching earrings have been designed and made for Mrs. Carole Middleton.  Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head and the other with an oak leaf, are also worn respectively by the Father of the Bride, Mr. Michael Middleton, and the Bride’s brother, Mr. James Middleton.

Also see: Kate Middleton’s royal wedding bouquet

source: Royal site of Prince William and Kate’s wedding, officialroyalwedding2011.org

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

The wedding gown is not just a mere dress that is worn by the bride. It is the substantial emblem of purity, love, and happiness that awaits the bride in her future with her groom. That is why finding the right wedding gown is as important as preparing the wedding celebration itself.

Therefore, for people who do not know how to choose the perfect wedding gown, here are some pointers that could help you out.

1. Use all the resources available in choosing ideas and design on your wedding gown.

Before, wedding magazines are the only resources where the bride-to-be can get some useful ideas on her wedding gown. However, with the advent of the Internet, she can now browse for more ideas and concepts of wedding gowns online.

There are web sites that will provide you with full details regarding a particular wedding gown, complete with prices, different styles, and fashion sense.

2. Make a budget and strictly conform to it.

Budget will never be absent in any wedding plans. However, the most common problem that arises concerning budgeting is the fact that people do not stick to it.

Hence, if you have a budget for your wedding gown, it would be better to stick to it and not be enticed with all the promotions of whoever will make your wedding gown. Otherwise, you will fall short on the other aspects of your wedding plans.

3. Be sure to have your wedding gown looking good in all angles.

Usually, the most neglected part of the wedding gown is the back. So, when ordering a wedding gown, be sure that you will also look good from behind. Most of the time, the guests will have a look at your back so you definitely have to look good from behind.

4. Be practical with the designs that you want to use.

Like any traditional wedding gowns, large skirts and long gowns are the typical styles of yesteryears. But in today’s modern world, there are cases wherein wedding gowns like these are not at all practical especially if the venue is just small.

Moreover, it can be burdensome for the bride to carry such a heavy dress throughout the wedding celebration. What matters most is to make the bride comfortable to what she is wearing.

5. Take into account the environmental condition of the venue of the wedding.

When choosing a wedding gown, it is best to consider the weather and the venue. This will have a great effect on the kind of material that should be worn by the bride.

For example, if the wedding will take place during summer, then, it is best to choose the materials for the wedding gown that will not make the bride sweat and perspire throughout the celebration.

Indeed, deliberating on the details of the wedding gown can be a daunting task. That is why it is important to provide a hefty amount of time in preparing, designing, and ordering the wedding gown. In this manner, there will be plenty of time for any changes and modifications without the tendency to come up with a rushed work.

More importantly, the bride should always consider her comfort when choosing a wedding gown. Looks and designs will only be put to waste if the bride is not comfortable wearing it.

As the old cliché goes, you are what you wear. Therefore, it would be better to wear a wedding gown that would reflect the happiness and love that is within the bride. In turn, the wedding gown will appear before the audience as the most beautiful centerpiece of the ceremony.

Mark Flavin is the creator of the popular wedding website http://markflavin.com/wedding

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Well, consider a TOILET PAPER WEDDING DRESS!

Before you burst out laughing about getting yourself an artsy, alternative wedding dress, really, check out the link here. Wow wow wow.

I can barely believe this is made with toilet paper. It is simply gorgeous! What an inspiration and a great dress to see for perspective on how large that wedding dress budget really must be….

Another confirmation that ‘Haute Couture’ is all about excellent design…, and yes, you can create great design with toilet paper, obviously!

I am so tempted to give you a picture of it here, but I want you to see the front AND back of the wedding dress, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TREND.

Let us know what you think!

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Have a fairy-tale wedding in a Disney dress
You’d think any bride-to-be would not want to be accused of staging a Mickey Mouse wedding, but apparently Disney disagrees, as the family entertainment giant has unveiled a line of cartoon-character inspired bridal gowns . The fashion line …

The Bride Show draws in exclusive names
Ronicka Kandhari and Vickrant Mahajan’s beautiful photographic services will only be launched at The Bride Show Dubai. The husband and wife team will be available exclusively to talk to visitors at the four day bridal and fashion event. Among them …

Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions

20 Expert Wedding Planning Tips
When planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know, like that trumpet skirts are all the rage or nosegays are making a comeback. Then, there are things you need to know — advice so essential that any bride who’s lucky enough to hear …

When to splurge and when to save on your wedding
NEW YORK – Khris Cochran splurged for her wedding seven years ago. The ceremony was in a rose garden overlooking San Francisco Bay. The cake was made by a star baker featured on the Food Network. The honeymoon was in French Polynesia. Then came the …

The right food and wine make for a memorable reception …
Your reception will most likely be the most expensive part of your wedding, especially if you opt for a sit-down dinner and an open bar. But there are other alternatives. Here are some tips to help you get the most bang for your buck. …

Groom Care

Inside the Groom’s Mind
We’re not selling grooms short: There are a lot of guys who count “expressing my feelings” as a forte, and who are engaged in the drama of a seating chart. Communication is a cornerstone of any good relationship, but the high tension, strange customs …

Wedding Showers for Men Rain Tools on the Groom
When Jonathan Morris’ daughter was planning her wedding, he thought the groom was getting overlooked. So he planned a guys-only “man shower” to welcome Brian Wigand into the family. The party included manly snacks, games and gifts. “It seemed like …

Wedding Trends: What’s Hot Now

I Do, I Hue
Blame Martha Stewart, bridezillas or whoever it was who begot the idea of The Perfect Wedding. Choosing a color scheme for the big day has become a very big deal. A bride is now invited to contemplate the question of color coordination across a wide …

8 Hot Summer Wedding Trends
Summer is a popular time for weddings, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick with the summer wedding tradition standbys. Read on for eight new ideas for your summer celebration. Trend: Dynamic Colors Bright hues are popular for summer weddings. But …

With Gay Marriage Could Come the Trophy Spouse
“Gay celebrities are probably just as likely to follow that trend — or not — as their straight counterparts,” said David Hauslaib, editorial director of the Web site Queerty.com. “I don’t find it unique to the gay community that people who are …

Big Spender story gallery – Los Angeles
Money can’t buy love, but it can buy a really, really extravagant wedding. Say goodbye to the one-night shindig that has guests leaving before midnight after a champagne toast and a few spins across the dance floor. The trend today? Weddings with …

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Whether on the runway or on the red carpet, designer Narciso Rodriguez is in demand. He began is designer career in 1985 as a design assistant for fashion legend Anne Klein.

Narciso has a gift for fitting a dress so that it is flattering to the shape of the woman’s body. “It’s so fantastic,” Narciso says, “to create a frame for a woman’s personality and her true beauty.”

While working at Calvin Klein Narciso and Carolyn Bessette [later to become Carolyn Kennedy] became best friends. It was Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s wedding dress design that brought Narciso front and center stage in the design world.

Narciso’s wedding dress design for Carolyn was the buzz around the world. On September 21, 1996, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy stepped out of church on the arm of John F. Kennedy Jr. Women went gaga, literally drooling over Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s wedding dress.

Carolyn’s wedding dress was made from pure white silk. This simple dress was combined dress elegance, classiness, and sexiness into one knockout package. Woman began to realize a wedding dress could in fact look sexy.

This was a whole new concept, never heard of before. For years most women had landed up looking like an overstuffed pilsbury dough boy on their wedding day. Narciso had accomplished in Carolyn’s wedding gown what women thought to be impossible.

She had been transformed into this bewitching sexy princess. That look was created by one of her best friends, Narciso Rodriguez. It was Carolyn’s wedding dress that made Narciso’s a household name.

Once word got out who had designed the dress, Narciso was in demand by every major designer in the world. A dream came true when Narciso joined the house of LMVH. The draw back to this career move was that Narciso spent his life living out of a suitcase with very little time to spend with family and friends which he valued and missed dearly.

Narciso pressed on encouraged by the idea that he had finally “made it.” However, working for a large company can often stifle ones own independent design ideas, and it wasn’t long before Narciso discovered he no longer loved his work.

The turning point in his life was when Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was was killed in a plane accident. Narciso had lost one of his dearest and best friends and for him this was a reality check and a wake up call..

Life without friends, family and the love of his work didn’t seem like such a great opportunity anymore. Narciso left LVMH and came home realizing what he needed was the freedom of his own design collection.

Narciso was able to focus on his own line of clothing creating the perfect look for woman. Rather than designing dresses for matchsticks, Narciso’s designs accentuated the curves and bustline of the woman, creating what was called a real woman design.

Narciso Latin background came through in his designs with each having a hint of Latin flare. Narciso said Latino women had figures and were proud of that fact so they were perfect for where he wanted to go with his designs.

Narciso talents as a designer were so good, he was even able to make the petite woman look voluptuous. Sarah Jessica Parker, Sheryl Crow and Salma Hayek all wore exquisite gowns designed by Narciso. Not one of these celebs was 6 feet tall, yet the fit of these gowns was to die for.

In the spring of 1998 Narciso debuted his ready to wear signature collection in Milan. It made it into virtually every major fashion magazine. Rodriguez’s American experience and Latin roots, combined with his flair for European tradition of fine design, are all part of his great success.

In 1997 Narciso won Best New Designer from the VH1 Fashion Awards, and was awarded Hispanic Designer of the Year. In 1998 he won the CFDA Perry Ellis Award,

In the past these honors have gone to designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. In the past two years Rodriguez has been with the CFDA Awards: In both 2002 and 2003 he won the Womenswear Designer of the Year.

In a more recent issue of O Magazine Oprah Winfrey stands proudly wearing a golden dress designed by non other than Narciso. Now believe it or not this dress just isn’t gold in color, it is made of gold metal that has been pressed to make a dress fabric. The dress can be seein in O Magazine as well as at oprah.com.

Narciso is like a breath of fresh air when it comes to woman’s fashion. He designs for real woman. If you are interested in Narciso Rodrigues and his designs visit his web page at http://www.narcisorodriguez.com/narciso

By Sher Matsen

Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. Please visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

You might think that your goal of looking like a princess on your wedding day is not going to happen because you are a larger, curvier woman and think you cannot find a great dress in your size. You are wrong. You can have the dress that makes you look like and feel like a princess in one great place. This store has an entire line of plus size wedding dresses, dresses plus size for the bridal party and even plus size maternity dresses.

If you are looking to purchase a plus size wedding dress, then you need to know a few things. The first is that you absolutely must make an appointment for most bridal boutiques. It will save you a ton of hassle and you will be able to schedule a set time to have your bridal party meet with you so you can see how their bridesmaid dresses will look on them.

The second thing you should know is where to shop for some of the best deals on plus size dresses. David’s Bridal is an excellent source of dresses plus size and any other size you may need. They often run promotions where they will outfit your entire party should you enter their contest and win. It is certainly worth the time to fill out and submit the form. You will also have the opportunity to check out their entire coordinating lines for everyone in the bridal party from the groom to the mother of the bride. It may be the only place you need to shop, especially since they also offer tailoring, shoes and jewelry.

That special day is going to require some sheer lingerie, so you may want to consider hitting a store that specializes in sexy plus size lingerie. You may not be able to find what you are looking for at Victoria’s Secret but if you go online to Hips and Curves, www.hipsandcurves.com, then you may find some great deals on wedding lingerie for that special night.

Find your plus size wedding dress and feel like a princess on the day of your wedding. This is your special day and you deserve to be the center of attention. All eyes will be on you as you walk down the aisle towards your future mate. When the stress of the wedding starts to get to you just pull out your brand new dress and you will remember that it is all worth the effort.

Want to read more about plus size wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses then check out our great article archive at Mybridesmaiddress

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Our homes generally set the trend for forthcoming wedding colour schemes along with the seasonal catwalk trends in current fashion styles.

And so the question on every bride & wedding planner’s lips is, ‘What will be the hot wedding colour trends for 2009?’

2007 and 2008 have seen our brides showcasing the following colour trends; Soft Greens with White, Lilac with Purple tones, Chocolate Brown and anything in Monochrome Black & White. These colours have been so popular and may still continue into 2009 weddings & events, though an explosion in fresher, brighter colours is more likely.

In contrast to the softer more subtle shades of last year, the forthcoming trends for 2009 will be far more exotic, brightly coloured and – believe it or not – almost luminous! Now before you start to panic, you do not need to go for anything too ghastly or too dominating. However, any bride who wishes to strut her stuff in style in 2009 needs to make a bold splash of colour if she wishes to remain in-line with other fashionistas!

So, how do you get a subtle colour splash into your big day without going overboard? Well, the key is to keep the main areas understated and classic. In other words, keep the bridal gown classical and elegant; choose carefully co-ordinated bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen outfits. You can then go for broke with table accessories, place settings, floral arrangements, venue decor and the trimmings on your wedding cake.

Look out for big tropical colour schemes focusing around Turquoise and Bright Yellow Shades. Mix these colours in with a tropical wedding theme. Bold favour boxes trimmed with yellow and blue ribbons and co-ordinating place settings will give guests the illusion of the heady climes of the tropics! Ask your florist about introducing a splash of these colours into floral centrepieces and co-ordinate with wedding cake trims.

Making a comeback this year will also be Bright Orange colour schemes. These will work really well when coupled with softer peach tones and the occasional shocking orange splash. You could dot bright orange cameras and bright orange petals about your reception tables for maximum effect. Tie peach favour boxes with bright orange ribbon and introduce Orange Gerberas or Tiger Lilies into bridal bouquets and floral centrepieces.

Pinks are always in fashion when it comes to wedding style, but as 2009 is all about making a statement, strong, luminous pinks are the shades to go for. As before, keep dresses and bridal party outfits classical and think about introducing the pink tones into reception decor. A great way to get bright luminous pink into your event is by having a cup-cake wedding cake. Each mini-cake can be tiered to give the effect of an all-encompassing wedding cake, yet a retro luminous pink icing and a fancy motif topping will give each cake a trendy feel. Mini cakes are also a massive hit with younger guests and some wedding cake specialists are able to make individual cakes to cater for various food intolerances which are worth knowing. Floral arrangements can be kept white and interspersed with bright pink feathers and co-ordinating ribbon.

So, whether you are having a tantalisingly tropical event, an outrageous orange occasion or a pretty pink affair, anyone who’s anyone in 2009, will definitely be hosting a bright, bold, beautiful and full-of-colour wedding!

This article is brought to you by Emily Tanner at World of Wedding Favours – offering brides and party planners high quality wedding favours, for those very special occasions. A large range of personalised items are also available with very competitive prices, quick turn-around and unrivalled customer service.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Ever wonder how to find the perfect dress for your wedding? Hopefully some of my tips will help you out in finding that perfect dress for your perfect day. These are some tips are learned from choosing my own wedding dress

Every girl dreams about her wedding dress to be beautiful, elegant and perfect. While purchasing your dress there are things to remember:

1. Start your search six to nine months ahead. Some of the orders might even take longer.

2. Choose appropriate style and try on one of each basic shape, to find out which one flatters you the most.

Check if you can walk, sit and bend comfortably because you will be wearing the dress whole day.

3. Take no more than two people with you because you will then avoid many different opinions.

4. If you are on a budget, go for a tied back dress, this way you don’t have to worry about your weight and you will not need to alter it around your bust.

5. Make sure you ask about sample sales, many bridal store have sample sales once a year. Also, post an inquiry on internet, you will get lots of valuable comments from recent brides.

6. Budget for alterations, which can run $400 or more. Also, ask for recommendations for cleaning and storing the dress.

7. Pay with credit card so if anything goes wrong you will be able to dispute the payment.

About the Author

For a unique set of wedding favors please visit us at Unique Wedding Favors – Unique set of wedding favors and invitations.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

1. the Pale-pink aka ‘blush’ wedding dress. A very wearable color, feminine and romantic.
2. the wedding gown with an emphasized waist, mostly brought about by beaded accents.
3. the wedding dress with loads of texture overtaking the prior all-over beaded patterns. Look for lace overlays, cut-out / appliqued accent flowers, etc.
These trends are confirmed by many others in the industry.

Let’s have a look around the world, and you can see the trends being clearly aligned with the European Spring and Fall bridal fashion for 2008. The Brides.com ‘s European trend report for 2008 includes:
1. 1920s elegance
2. Length extremes, with mini-fronts, and floor-sweeping trains
3. Rich on Flowers, either colored embroidered flowers at the center torso, or within the hair
4. 1950s a la Audrey Hepburn: simple lines, ballet-length skirts with accented, tight waists

For wedding dress design style photographs, there are several sites I’d recommend.
For styles by designer, look at http://www.brides.com/fashion/runwayshows

If you want to see ‘where we’ve been in terms of wedding style fashion, take a look at previous spring bridal fashions at WeddingChannel.com’s TV section for Spring 2007 Bridal Fashion Week coverage. Featured designers include Vera Wang, Henry Roth and Carolina Herrera!

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.