Funky Bridal Shoes

Are you a rebel determined to go against the wedded masses? Looking for a way to add some 'uniquely you' personality to your wedding attire? How about ditching the traditional ivory footwear for something a bit more funky. Lately, brides have been taking the non traditional bridal shoe route and instead strutting up the aisle in footwear that are sure to turn heads (more than once). So if you want to add fun to your bridal outfit and get some standout pictures, check out some of these ideas to help get you started:

Accented Shoes
If your aim is to create a bold contrast with your bridal gown, go with bold and vivid colors that are sure to pop out. Who says you can't go with your beloved red pumps or lime green sandals? There's nothing wrong with having a splash of color peeping out from under that gorgeous gown of yours.

Weddings Place

KMI Photography

GlovenShoes.com

 
Sneak It In
You were never the type to wear heels; you always were more of a Chuck Taylor Converses or Vans kind of girl. So why subject your feet to discomfort and begrudgingly put on some pumps for others...it IS your wedding after all. No one even needs to know if you have them on - it's up to you. And if you do show them off, they are sure to make for some fun pics.

Katy Regnier

Furious Photographers

Comfort is Key
We have seen many beach weddings where the bridal footwear of choice are flip-flops. It's no secret that brides everywhere have been substituting their shoes for flip-flops halfway through the wedding affair - standing in those gorgeously painful shoes all day is unreasonable. Recently, brides are choosing to rock flip-flops right off the bat. So if the weather is right and you're the queen of comfort, this trend is definitely the way to go!

Lady and the Blog

Remember, the most important part of picking out the perfect wedding shoe is that the it represents you!

Wedding Dress: Hang It Up in Style

When it comes to making your wedding day uniquely yours, it's all about the personal touches, right down to the very last detail.

Now we all know the importance of the bride's wedding dress. So instead of hanging up the dress you chose with such care on some drab hanger from the bridal shop, why not try something different. One of the latest trends flying off the racks are personalized wedding hangers. They range anywhere from monogrammed hangers to funky color schemes. The customizing possibilities are limitless!

And with so many brides having professional pictures taken of their wedding dress hanging on a rack, personalized hangers make for great props as opposed to the ones you get from the dry cleaners. Why not add a little character to your wedding dress pictures....invest in some fabulous personalized hangers.

For some inspiration, check out these Great personalized hangers we found:

(credit: Esty Seller: Aressa)

Be Insured & Assured on Your Big Day

When everyone dreams of their wedding, they envision the Perfect Day, where everything runs smoothly and then they drive off into the sunset. Not to abruptly bring you down to reality, but so many things can go wrong and at times they do. Now, we know you don't want to hear this...at all, but disaster can strike on your big day. Isn't it better to be insured for what you hope may never happen, then not be prepared at all?

Wedding Insurance?

What if the day before your wedding, the wedding site burns down? What if a sudden storm prevents all your guests from making it to your wedding? What if your dream dress gets damaged or before your wedding dress is completed the bridal boutique closes down? What if your groom gets a stomach virus after the rehearsal dinner? What if? What if? What if?

The purpose of wedding insurance is to financially protect engaged couples from unforeseen circumstances that they have no control over. In order words, it's your "What If" protection. Wedding insurance policies typically cover cancellation costs from unforeseen issues like a missing officiant, weather, missing vendors, sickness or injury, and damages to your wedding site. Policies usually range from around $125 to around $400, depending on the amount of coverage you need. And with the rising cost of weddings, getting wedding insurance is quite inexpensive in comparison, especially with the peace of mind it provides.

Do I Really Need It?

Having wedding insurance is a lot like having car insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but if an accident happens you are protected and the burden of recouping your losses is not solely on you. Let's continue with the car analogy. You can be the best driver in the world, taking all possible precautions, but there are other variables that are beyond your control: other drivers, the weather, roads in need of repair, etc. Same thing goes for weddings. A lot of other people are involved, from vendors to your wedding party. With your wedding day success dependent on so many things, the likelihood of something going wrong is a big possibility. Wouldn't you rather have something in place, just in case something goes wrong?

No one wants to think about disaster striking their wedding day. That's understandable. And though it's unlikely that the worst case scenario will occur, wedding insurance is worth considering, if only for peace of mind.

Village Bridal Showcase: A Great Night Out!!!!

On Monday, August 16th, Your Big Day hosted the first Village Bridal Showcase!! Dozens of quality vendors where in full force to showcase their products/services and assist brides- and grooms-to-be through their wedding planning process. Guests were serenaded by the beautiful sounds of the Eboni Strings violin duo in the awe-inspiring cocktail room where they had their pick of scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. The atmosphere in there was akin to a funky and modern lounge. For those in need of pampering, Mary Kay made over brides in the make-up lounge, while guests where de-stressed with some great massages.

In the Grandball room, guests where given much appreciated, individualized attention from the wide variety of vendors in attendance. The eclectic music mixes from the DJ along with the energetic band had everyone feeling that this event was more than just a showcase but a great big party, too!

What's a bridal showcase without a fashion show? The much anticipated fashion show definitely did not disappoint! Guests got to see the latest in bridal and wedding fashion attire on the runway. If that wasn't enough, attendees won some great prizes and giveaways and left with fabulous gift bags!

This great evening also benefited a great cause: Wish Upon A Wedding, a charity that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness.

Be sure to check out this great article on the Village Bridal Showcase from the South Orange Patch!

Brides Browse, Make-up, and Mingle at Orange Lawn Tennis Club

More pictures to come........

The next Village Bridal Showcase will take place on March 10, 2010. Please stay tuned for more details.

Be a Rebel: Trash the Dress!!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. What comes to mind when you look at these two?

We can imagine some of these thoughts running through your mind: Why would they do such a thing? Did they have a mental breakdown? Man, that wedding must have gone so horribly wrong to make them go to great lengths to 'trash the dress'.

Given the pictures, these are some reasonable thoughts. But here's where we throw you for a loop. This is actually documenting a very very happy occasion and romantic one as well. Wait, what? Yes, we said it.

Trash the Dress is a new trend that has been taking the wedding photography world by storm. Although the name and the two pictures shown above sound and look extreme, most of the time it's not really destructive. Usually brides just take pictures in the dirt, abandoned buildings, wading in the water, and any other unorthodox locations. But why 'trash the dress' that symbolizes one of the most special occasions in your life? Well, the idea behind it is that by trashing the dress you are showing everyone that you're in this marriage for the long haul and don't plan on wearing a wedding dress ever again. Awwwwww.....see we told you it was romantic. The focus of 'trash the dress' is not so much on the dress, but the bride expressing herself creatively and simply having fun. We even suggest you getting the groom involved, too.
Now we all know that the wedding involves a lot of catering to and entertaining your guests. 'Trash the dress' allows for the newly-wedded couple to simply focus on each other, relax, and let go of their inhibitions.

When you think about it, 'trash the dress' is not so much about destruction, but rather the creation of memories that last a lifetime. So instead of just storing your wedding dress in the closet, try something different. Not only will you enjoy it, but you'll get some great pictures out of it!

So what do you think about 'Trash the Dress'? Would you try it? We want to hear from you!

(Photo credits: unknown, IGO Photography, Karen Wade Photography, Chelsea Nicole)

Dress Styles for your Trendy Bridesmaids

Usually picking out dresses for your bridesmaids is seen as one of the smaller details to be dealt with throughout the wedding process (especially in comparison to the bride's wedding dress). When picking out one's wedding dress, a bride-to-be puts a lot of thought and time into figuring out what wedding dress is sure to both blow everyone away and bring awe to her groom. She may either go for the modern look, a vintage dress with a modern appeal, or something uniquely her.

While you brides-to-be are deciding on what to wear on your special day, don't leave your bridesmaids looking out dated. Long gone are the days of the cringe-worthy frumpy and puffy-sleeved bridesmaid attire. Now bridesmaids are walking up the aisle looking as fabulous and glamorous as they truly are. Here are some trends from the Spring 2011 Bridal Fashion Week that will inspire you to find great looks for your bridesmaids:

Same Color, Different Styles
This recent trend takes into account that your bridesmaids' bodies are as unique as they are. It's all about accentuating each bridesmaids' figure. Instead of sticking to the "one dress fits all" idea, this trend is going in the direction of bridesmaids wearing the same color or varying shades of one color, but dressed in different shapes and lengths that fit their unique styles and shapes. Having your bridesmaids styled differently but within the same hue allows for some uniformity while playing up individuality.


Jasmine, Twobirds, Jim Hjelm
(Photo Credit: Jasmine, Twobirds, Jim Hjelm)

Bows, bows, bows
The bow detail is still in vogue for next spring as can be seen on the runways. This detail is sure to make your bridesmaids ever present in your guests minds.


Alfred Angelo, Alfred Angelo, Melissa Sweet
(Photo Credit: Conde Nast Digital Studio, Melissa Sweet)

Corsage Detail
The new statement piece is just that: a statement. Corsage details were seen throughout the spring 2011 bridal fashion week- be it over-sized or subtle. For simple dresses, bigger is better. This detail can be seen placed anywhere from aside at the waist to attached at the shoulder.


Priscilla of Boston, Alfred Angelo, 57 Grand
(Photo Credit: Conde Nast Digital Studio, 57 Grand)

Asymmetry
Asymmetry is still in for Spring 2011. whether it is through one shoulder dresses or elaborate draping across the bodice of the dress. This trend is sure to catch the attention of your wedding guests. If you are looking for something fresh and stylish, this is something you should consider incorporating.


Priscilla of Boston Priscilla of Boston, Alfred Angelo, Thread

(Photo Credit: Conde Nast Digital Studio)

Flower Girl + Ring Bearer + Creativity: The New, Improved Formula

Two of the wedding faves that come close to stealing the show on the bride and groom's big day: the "super adorable" flower girl and the "smile infecting" ring bearer. They make a great addition to the wedding party and you are sure to hear ooohs and awws as they walk up and down the aisle.

(Photo Credit: Lennon Photo)

Now we have all seen the image before: the cute flower girls with baskets full of petals in hand, making the aisle their runway; the shy little ring bearer quickly making his way up the aisle as he holds up a satin ring pillow. It is a cute and timeless image......and soooo predictable. Don't you want to change it up a bit? Wouldn't you love to have a new take on tradition? Changes are being made to every aspect of the 21st century wedding, so how about we make some updates when it comes to flower girls and ring bearers.



Now before we get into discussing all the good stuff (accessories, cute attire, alternative ideas), let's get some important things out of the way. When it comes to the little ones in the wedding party, here are a few things to consider:

Comfort, comfort, comfort - Now this crucial. No matter how adorable and precious your flower girl and ring bearer look, if they are uncomfortable..they WILL show it, on their face and in their actions. So keep this in mind when choosing their attire and footwear. We suggest that you have them wear their outfits before your wedding day, so they can get accustomed to the feel and fit.

Nerves - Although your flower girl and ring bearer may be really excited about participating in your wedding, having lots of people staring at them can be overwhelming, not surprisingly. It is best that you have a talk with them about what to expect on the wedding day and answer any questions they may have regarding their roles. And remember, having them practice at the rehearsal will cut down the confusion on the day of.

Now let's get into the good stuff!

Flower Girls
Typically flower girls walk up the aisle, basket in hand, leaving behind a trail of petals. But if you don't want this part of your wedding to be just typical, here are some things you can do to make your flower girl stand out even more...and love you for it: Instead of the typical petals in a basket, if you are having a wedding by the beach, have her leave behind a trail of seashells from her wicker basket. For some flower basket alternatives, you can have her blow bubbles, wave a wand or ribbons from a stick, or pluck petals directly from their bouquet. And if you want to steer clear of the usual flower girl attire, u can have your flower girl dressed up as a fairy, ballerina, princess, or an angel (wings and all). Why not add some color to her dress, as well (not just a colored sash, either). Check out the flower girl attire inspiration we found:

Ring Bearer

Instead of carrying a satin pillow with the rings tied onto it, how about having him carry a floral ring pillow or better yet, for the younger ring bearer, a ring bear would maximize his awwwww-ability. You can even have him walk holding a candle (a kid friendly one, of course) with the rings attached. And for those with pets, you could have your ring bearer walk your furry and/or non furry friends up the aisle or even pull them in a wagon. If you don't mind mixing in a little casual with the dressy, how about having this little one stroll up in converses. And don't be afraid to add a little more color to his attire; maybe adorn him with a blazer that's not black. Look below to see how you can incorporate some of the suggested ideas:

So...What do you think? Have any unique ideas? We want to hear from you.
And Remember, have fun and be creative!