Historically a wedding has been a perfect platform to display wealth; with an elaborate white wedding dress being the ultimate in extravagance, as an expensive item of clothing intended only for one use. Today, things have changed. While a traditional white wedding dress is still quite likely to be the most expensive item of clothing you ever buy, more and more brides are feeling the pressure to shop for their dream dress within a very tight budget.

The good news is that not only is this possible, it can also be a lot more fun than sticking to the so-called tradition of white or ivory (which, incidentally, dates only from Victorian times, before which wedding dresses came in a wide variety of colors).

Wedding dresses today can be exquisite creations, often made with amazing details and expensive materials and worth every penny of the massive price tag for those who are willing and able to pay it. But, for those who don’t have a bottomless bank account, there are other options equally worthwhile and beautiful, and a great deal more economical. Here we explore a few ways to make big savings while still looking fantastic on your big day.

Colored Wedding Dresses

Some brides are ignoring the relatively recent tradition of wearing pure white and adding a splash of color to their choice of dress.

While white and red, or ivory and black wedding dresses can also command a hefty price tag, there are also many options outside of specialist bridal collections that can draw the eye and make a big difference to the pocket. A red wedding dress, chosen from a prom or ballroom collection, or even from a more general retailer, can be incredibly beautiful and very striking. Green, blue and even black wedding dresses are also worth considering and if you are happy to shop around and keep and open mind the choice of colors become almost endless.

Secondhand Wedding Dresses

While is is less common these days for a mother to keep her own wedding dress to pass on to her daughter, as styles are changing all the time, a secondhand wedding dress is a viable option for those who are determined to stick with white and looking for a cheaper option. It need not have the feel of a hand-me-down either – the thought that your dress has history and that another bride has been happy and beautiful while wearing it can be a very cheering one.

How much you ultimately spend on your wedding dress, and where you buy it, is unimportant. Looking and feeling the best you can while you take that long walk down the aisle is. If you feel happy and confident in the choice you’ve made you can guarantee your guests and loved will share in your happiness.

If you are planning on a beach wedding this year then our key advice is to keep it simple and easy.  There are many different factors involved in a beach wedding including travelling abroad if you are doing it in a foreign country, and trying to organise wedding receptions with a far flung wedding planner, possibly in a different language.  There will also be the situation that the day could be very hot, so with that in mind try and keep the beach style wedding dress one of your easier and simpler decisions.

One of the more popular fabrics used in beach style wedding dresses is cotton.  Using cotton fabric means as a bride on the beach your skin can breathe a lot easier under the midday sun and heat.  Cotton beach style wedding dresses will mean you can relax and it’s also a very easy dress to chance out of – although in truth you will probably be able to party long into the balmy night wearing a cotton design.

Not only that, but think how easy it’s going to be transporting a cotton beach wedding dress abroad in your suitcase – a lot easier than an extravagant and heavy wedding dress I am sure you will agree!

In terms of the cut of a beach style wedding dress you will find that the options are a lot more casual than your standard home wedding with pomp and ceremony definitely taking a back seat to practicality and fun.  Nothing says this more than a themed beach wedding, for example somewhere in the Caribbean where bright floral and tropical colors are infinitely more preferable to the traditional white wedding dress so popular in Western culture.

Some of the better and more affordable beach style wedding dress designers on the bridal market are names such as Cymbeline USA and Ali Express.  You have probably already heard of Cymbeline who are a Paris bridal house with outlets globally.

Their 2011 collection contains two wedding dresses that are ideal for a beach wedding so if you do decide to look into them further then make sure you don’t miss out on the Hester, Essentia, and Elenore pieces this year.  All beautiful wedding gowns that are not in the traditional mould, made from lighter fabrics, and can be worn with no shoes making them ideal for a wedding on the beach.

If like many brides you are getting help from your bridesmaids in choosing a wedding dress, then you should also look at the Ali Express website if there are any other guests who need some inspiration.  They have a range of wedding guest dresses that are  also lightweight, casual, and affordable making them perfect for your dream beach wedding on the sand.

You thought picking your ivory wedding dress was hard… now you have to pick the perfect ivory wedding veil to complement it!

It’s a good idea to take as much time that you need in choosing the right ivory wedding veil.  It has to match your gown in both color and style, but not detract from both the detailing of the dress or from the star attraction… you! Your ivory wedding veil needs to transform your overall bridal look, so that when folks see you they say how amazing YOU look, not how wonderful your veil looks!

One thing you have to determine when selecting the most perfect ivory wedding veil is the length. There are some fundamental guidelines you ought to observe when picking out the length of the ivory wedding veil. You will find 3 lengths you can decide on, and all benefit different situations and brides.

1. An elbow length ivory wedding veil

photo credit: Xhanatos

This particular ivory wedding veil is 30 inches long, making it the perfect option for brides who are on the smaller side, as it won’t overpower you. On the other hand, it can help you seem bigger. They work perfectly when combined with a full-skirted gown that doesn’t incorporate a train. This kind of ivory wedding veil will intensify your waistline, and any detailing that’s on the dress at the waist level.

2. Fingertip length ivory wedding veil

This ivory wedding veil is thirty six inches long, and is ideal on tall wedding brides. If you are standing with your hands at your sides, this ivory wedding veil will fall just to the fingertips, and so the name. Any bridal dress style will work with a fingertip ivory wedding veil, and they’re very popular choices.

3. A Cathedral length ivory wedding veil

This is usually a very formal choice for an ivory wedding veil, so only decide on this length if you’ve got a dress that is a cathedral or semi-cathedral length. It is very dramatic! Since it sweeps the floor, it’s rather a difficulty to move around in without difficulty, so ensure that the flower girls are on hand to assist you maneuver the veil.

Once you’ve made a decision just how long (or not) you’d probably like the ivory wedding veil to be, ask yourself if you prefer a simple style, or something more traditional. A one tier ivory wedding veil is the perfect choice for brides to be who are looking for a contemporary, trendy look. They tend to be worn further back on your head, and highlight up-do hairstyles extremely well.

A two tier ivory wedding veil, however, incorporates a blusher. A blusher is the shorter layer of the ivory wedding veil that you wear masking your face while you walk down the aisle. A two tier ivory wedding veil will shape your face superbly, and will work for any hairstyle. Smaller brides might want to exercise caution with two tier ivory wedding veils, as they can overcome your small stature and make you seem to be shorter than you really are.

Now that you understand some basic guidelines, the enjoyable part comes along – actually picking your ivory wedding veil or cream wedding veil . Visit http://ivoryweddingveil.com to get more in depth details just before you begin.

One big concern with weddings is that things are too expensive, and when things are too expensive you sometimes cannot even afford cheap plus size wedding dresses. When you are unable to afford even a cheap dress, there may be something wrong with the overall look of the wedding you want. And if there is not anything wrong with the look of the wedding, then something is too expensive and should be rethought. Obviously in today’s world with the economy the way it is this can be neither here nor there when it comes to prices, because things are way too expensive in general. Finding a dress that is both inexpensive and that will give you an elegant look can be a difficult task if you’re not sure what you want.

For those who do not know what they want in a dress, finding a dress can be very hard to do. You may have a look in your head of a simple dress that is white and has a long train, like what you see in the movies. These looks do not always work for everyone and others styles need to be incorporated in order to fit your body type, as well as fit the style preferences of yourself.

In looking for a dress you find one that you like, but you’re unable to get the dress because it is not a right size. This happens all too often and a way around this is to either make your own dress, or to ask the store to create a custom tailored dress that has the same style and look as what you want, and will be in the right size. This can get a little bit expensive, because now they are taking a dress and re-creating it for you.

A wedding is something that does not happen very often and is a special day for the bride and groom. When you have found the type of dress you want like plus size wedding dresses with sleeves, you can ensure yourself that this is your day, and you will be happy with the outfit you’re wearing. In the end it should only matter that you’re getting married to your significant other, but most people want to look great for their wedding as well.

When thinking of wedding gowns, people will immediately envision white ones, maybe off-white gowns or shades of pink and lavender. Traditionally, at least in the Western world, wedding gowns have been whites or neutral soft colors in material or accents. Another color is becoming popular with many brides, the color red.

Red wedding dresses are a hot item for brides to be all over the world. Chinese brides wear red gowns as a symbol of good luck for their marriage. People believe the red will keep away evil spirits and ensure a harmonious life together. Chinese brides used to wear a red veil because brides would often see their husband for the first time on their first night together.

In India, red wedding saris are a popular wedding dress choice. To Indian brides, the color red represents good fortune and happiness for the newly married couple. Indian brides never wear white saris, as white is worn for honoring the dead. However attractive a white sari may appeal to a bride-to-be, tradition dictates the garment is used for mourning.

Vietnamese women wear a traditional dress called an ao dai. This red dress can be simple or elaborate. The red dress symbolizes good fortune and is an important dress in modern Vietnamese weddings. Even when the bride opts to wear a white gown for the ceremony, she often dons the ao dai for the custom of going from table to table to personally thank guests for attending her wedding.

American brides seeking an alternative dress color have discovered a historical connection to red gowns.

During the Revolutionary war, red became a symbol of protest of British rule and presence in the colonies. Although America was free of British rule, England influenced American fashion.

The reign of Queen Victoria influenced the change of red and bright colors into the traditional white of the wedding gown. Married in a beautiful white gown, the gown and color attracted the attention of fashion conscious women. Women adapted the Queen’s choice of color. On a practical note, women also reused these gowns by adding accessories or making changes for use in formal events.

Today women are attracted to red wedding gowns. The color red symbolizes passion, love, fertility and sensuality. Red wedding gowns are a bride’s statement of her love and commitment to her husband. Although some eyebrows may rise, red gowns are a popular bridal choice.

One of the best benefits of buying a red or coloured wedding dress is you can often find dresses in the “prom” or “ball” dress range, these can start at a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding dress and still make you feel like a million dollars.

Some of my favourite examples are pictured on the right. These three dresses are all from an evening ware range, but in my opinion are stunning wedding dresses.

For women, your wedding will probably be your most celebrated event of your life. You spend months, or even years, making wedding plans for the day you have always dreamed of when you were younger. You would like it to be as perfect as possible, of course. Among the many things that you will prepare would be your bridal gown. As much as possible, you would like to have them specially designed for you to put some personal touch on it.  Some like them to be stylish, some like them to be just simple.

But then, not everybody can afford to buy or have a designer wedding dress. If you are on a budget, the best option for you is to rent it. Some women, although they have the resources to have a specially designed bridal gown for their wedding still prefer to just rent for practicality. You won’t get married every day and therefore, bridal gown rental is a practical option.

Another advantage of a renting wedding dresses is that you don’t have to worry about maintenance after your wedding day. All you have to do is return it within the allotted days after your wedding and not worry about dry cleaning it or where to store it. Also, renting a bridal gown can save you a lot of time for your wedding preparations since you won’t have to spend extra time going to a designer, thinking of the design, selecting the materials to be used, and the time needed to do the dress. You can also take advantage of bridal gown rental for destination weddings so that you don’t have to worry about transporting the bridal gown to the wedding location.

photo credit: Oferico

Most bridal gown rental shops also offer rental of temple dresses and other dresses for different occasions. Some women prefer the use of temple dresses for their wedding. Temple dresses are the perfect example of simple yet elegant designs. As simple as they are, you can also design them any way you want. Bridal gown and temple dresses rental shops offer a good number of ready-made designs to choose from.

Renting a bridal gown is not a bad option at all. The best thing with renting is that you get it instantly and you don’t have to wait for a few weeks to get your bridal gown. No matter how you got your bridal gown, whether bought or rented, the most important thing that you should consider is that it fits you perfectly. You should make sure that you do not feel even a slight discomfort from your wedding dress for you to be able to fully enjoy the biggest event of your life.

Your bridal shoes are another critical decision that you will have to make. Not only do they have to look great and match your wedding dress, but they have to be comfortable enough to wear for at least 5 or 6 hours.

When choosing your wedding shoes don’t be pressured by the norm. You don’t have to have matching ivory wedding shoes that blend perfectly with your wedding dress, be bold and adventurous if you will, wear some beautiful, bright blue stilettos that are a talking point for your guests.

It can be very cute to have a pair of red kitten heels peeking out from under your big white wedding gown. Don’t be pressured into wearing “boring” white heels if that’s not your thing.

Of course there are still those of us who like the traditional matching colored bridal shoes, usually the easiest thing is to buy a pair of dyeable shoes which can then be matched perfectly with your dress. If you’re going to match your shoes to your dress then try and get as close to the colors as possible. Cream or ivory bridal shoes paired with a white dress will make the shoes look dirty in comparison to the crisp whiteness of the dress.

Once you’ve bought your wedding shoes you’ll need to wear them in. The best way to do this is just around the house.

Get a large pair of socks and put them over the shoes while you’re wearing them, this will ensure you don’t get scuff or dirt marks on your shoes so they still look nice and new on your wedding day.

You can find designer wedding shoes in any boutique store, or at your bridal salon. If you’re looking for cheap wedding shoes you can try E-Bay or even your regular shoe store. Buy your shoes during sale periods to get massive savings then put the shoes aside until your big day.

Choosing your Wedding Dress

Some might say the focal point of your entire wedding. You, wearing your wedding dress, is going to be the center of attention for much of the day (and night) so choosing the right wedding gown is an extremely important decision.

There are so many factors to consider when deciding on your wedding dress, but the most important things are:

Your wedding dress budget

There is no point falling in love with a Vera Wang orginal masterpiece if you only have a budget of $1000. So instead of putting yourself through the agony of lusting after designer wedding dresses which are totally unatainable, sort out how much you have to spend and only look at dresses in your price range. It will save so much heartache in the long run!

Your wedding theme

Depending on the theme and location of your wedding, some wedding dresses gowns are going to be more suitable than others. If you’re having a casual beach wedding then a gown with a 10 meter long cathedral train is not really practical, not saying you can’t have whatever dress you want, but imagine dragging all that fabric through the sand!

If you’re going for an elegant, modern wedding then a halter neck satin sheath gown might be a great idea. You must choose a wedding dress that suits your personality and fits in with your wedding theme.

Your body type

Unfortunately all wedding dresses are not created equally. There are about four main styles of wedding gowns, the empire, ballgown, sheath, mermaid. The empire and ballgown dresses are the most forgiving as your lower half is hidden in layers of fabric. However if you’ve got the figure to pull it off then sheath and mermaid gowns can look stunning!

The fabric

Traditionally a wedding dress is made from fabrics such as tulle, organza, satin and silk. There are so many variations to these fabrics and the same design bridal dresses can look completely different when made with each fabric, so always check with your dress maker or bridal shops what fabric is best for you.

Remember wedding dress shopping is supposed to be an enjoyable time and most of us only do it once so have fun!

If you don’t have a huge budget, you can find cheap wedding dresses online at sites such as Trade Me and E-Bay, in most cases the dresses are in brand new condition (since they have only been worn once!) and you can find amazing bargains on designer wedding dresses, sometimes at half the retail price!

Your Bridal Gown Style

Your bridal gown has a lot to live up to, as guests will be buzzing with excitement to see it. The perfect gown will accentuate your good points and minimize any flaws. It will also give you confidence, as well as being comfortable to wear and utterly gorgeous!

Petite and Slender

Empire-line dresses have a seam just below the bust and fall away to the floor. It’s a style that suits slim and smaller-busted women. A column dress with a high neck is a style that can be pulled off by those blessed with a slight figure. Steer clear of ball gowns, which can swamp a petite figure.

Untoned arms

If you feel self-conscious of your arms, don’t show them. Either opt for a bridal gown with full sleeves, or choose a sleeveless dress, but cover your arms with a pretty jacket, shrug or wrap for a hint of movie-star glamour.

Hourglass figure

Consider a halter-neck bridal gown, which gives the illusion of extending the shoulder line and balancing out the lower body. A two-piece works well if your bust is smaller than your hips. A bodice married with a ballerina-style skirt gives the figure a better proportion. Avoid straight or bias-cut designs, which magnify the hips and bottom.

Generous bust

A strapless bridal gown can look bewitching on a curvy figure, but you will need some extra support in the bust area. A V-shaped or scooped neckline (not too plunging) is also flattering. Avoid high necklines, which make breasts appear larger.

Womanly tummy

An A-line bridal gown if perfect. This style flares out from the waist and hides a multitude of sins! Many A-line dresses have vertical seams running from the top of the dress to the bottom, so there are no seams across the dress at the tummy area. Leave the beading to the upper part of your dress. Avoid bows or sashes around the waist, as they will only add bulk.

When walking down the aisle coincides with impending motherhood, it can be an overwhelming, yet doubly joyous time in a woman’s life. With the growing popularity (and belly) of the expectant bride, comes an increase in maternity wedding dress designer awareness that now is the time to step up the design and availability of quality, fabulously stunning maternity wedding dresses.

Thankfully, many gown creators have answered that call of action and are consistently designing jaw dropping maternity wedding gowns and dresses that are just as beautiful as their traditional non-maternity counterparts. No longer are pregnant brides forced to hide their pregnancies under piles of chiffon or yards of tacky tulle and lace. Finally, these wonder brides are given the opportunity to buy the dress of their dreams – the one they’ve imagined since childhood – but with a little extra fabric in the belly area. A maternity wedding dress that is cut just like a “regular” wedding dress but with a growing belly, breast and hip allowance that gives her the opportunity to show off her curves and her femininity instead of burying it under excessive amounts of material.

No more embarrassment and shame. No more trying to pretend that she may not have put the cart before the horse because these days are all about crossing the lines and celebrating exactly who she is. A bride. An expectant mother. A woman in love and a woman who is among a growing trend of brides who are bringing in 10% of the bridal industry’s revenue this year. Maternity wedding dress sales have soared since 1990 and the bridal industry is well aware of the demand.

Many of these women are career-minded individuals who are constantly on the go and they’re not the type of women who are going to succumb to societal pressures. They instead mold society to fit their needs and there’s no way they’ll hide who they are just to fit in with what’s expected. They’re expecting. And they’re expecting to look just as beautiful as every other bride when walking to the altar in a maternity wedding dress.

For the bride who is also a mother to be, there’s a vast selection of maternity wedding dresses from which to choose. Whether the budget includes enough for high end couture or if it leans more to off-the-rack maternity wedding dress designs, there are a mind-boggling amount of styles to fit every bride and every budget. Starting the search online is a great idea as it provides the most varied and largest selection available and quite often the very best prices as well.

If you need bridal jewelry and accessories that are elegant and yet affordable, like delicate little rhinestone bridal purses for the bride or bridesmaids, or beautiful tiaras and pins and headbands and other affordable bridal hair accessories under $30, then you need to shop online at the bridal boutiques that know what you need and have it all within your budget. Yes….where?

Easy Online Bridal Shopping

There are many shops that are excellent for different items, such as, Orange Blossom Tiaras who stock tiaras, headbands and really wonderful bridal hair accessories that are very affordable. If you need a variety of matching accessories and rhinestone bridal purses you will find really good buys at Anna Bellagio;  everything there is elegant and excellently crafted. It is also really nicely and easily presented online to make shopping and choosing what you need really fun and uncomplicated.

Cheap, Fun and Stress Free Buying

If you need accessories that range from garters to wedding veils to accent the bride and her party from head to toe with hair products to shoes, then you need to pay a visit to a couple other shops that specialize in weddings, such as Eliza Fig and Model Bride. Forget spending a fortune at exclusive shops that cater to brides who are excited and stay in control by shopping online without salesclerks. You need to be able to see the items you need without the stress of people telling you what you want – you have enough of that with helpful family members and friends. Relax and spend an hour browsing the gorgeous rhinestone bridal purses and bridesmaid bags, the delicate bridal veil selections and elegant hair accessories and tiaras and even choose a few little extras for yourself without anyone knowing you can afford to treat yourself to your very own “something blue” like a garter or some lingerie.

Stick to your Budget

If your budget is between $30 and $50 you will be able to get all you need in handbags and hair accessories and even jewelry if you shop at Model Bride, Anna Bellagio and Eliza Fig.