REPOST: 9 Major Moments Of Prom Dress Inspiration From The Golden Globes

Going to prom this year? It’s never too early to plan. Find inspiration from these stunning, prom-perfect dresses from the 2014 Golden Globes, as compiled by Seventeen.  

Prom isn’t for months, but it’s never too early to start planning your look! Take some inspiration from these stylish stars on the 2014 Golden Globes red carpet. 

Image Source: www.seventeen.com

Taylor Swift's Pink and Black Gown

Taylor proves that hot pink doesn’t have to be crazy girly! The black bodice adds instant edge to an otherwise completely glamorous dress.

Image Source: www.seventeen.com

Emma Watson's T-Shirt Sleeves

You don’t have to go the strapless route to look super hot at prom! Emma’s coral dress has a classic, casual feel that’s totally cool, and the short sleeves show off toned arms without being too revealing. If you’re feeling daring, choose a style with a cool cutout back or high-low hemline and layer pants under your dress like Emma did for a fashion-y twist.

Image Source: www.seventeen.com

Zooey Deschanel's Crop Top and Skirt

Even though it’s winter, crop tops are still having a moment! Zooey’s ensemble demonstrates the perfect way to pull of the trend for prom: pair a boxier crop top with a skirt that’s high-waisted enough to completely cover your midsection, so you don’t have to worry about annoying dress code rules.

View the whole article here.

The Bridal Collection, Inc. is a leading bridal and formal wear boutique in Thousand Oaks, CA that offers a wide collection of prom dresses from top designers. Get more prom dress inspirations from this website.

REPOST: Beyond the pale: Color, texture popping up as 2014 wedding gown trends

The 2014 brides will be taking more risk as wedding dresses in color and bodices with vivid decorative elements are gaining more sales. Check out this year's trendy styles from this article from Wicked Local.  

Designer Carolina Herrera knows a thing or two about wedding fashion. When asked about one of her gowns, she remarked, “A wedding gown should make a woman feel feminine, elegant and alluring and allow the bride to express her individuality.”

No matter what her personal style is, a bride wants to stand out on her wedding day in a dress that’s suited to her personality, makes her feel comfortable yet beautiful, and makes her not only look great but feel terrific, too.

“Today’s brides run the gamut from those looking for traditional, timeless style to those who are more fashion-forward and want a more cutting-edge look,” said Michele Von Plato, David’s Bridal’s senior vice president of product development and design.

Image Source: www.wickedlocal.com

Color

While traditional is always in, this year’s brides are also taking more risks and stepping out in color, Von Plato said. White and its variations are top sellers, but sales of colored wedding dresses are at about 5 percent, said Von Plato, who is based at David’s Bridal’s corporate office in Conshohocken, Pa.

“Sales have doubled every year since 2010,” she said.

Brides are walking down the aisle in gowns in pinks from blush to shocking, smoke and silver, lilac, buttercup yellow, mint or seafoam green, baby blue and jewel tones.

Not willing to go all the way with color, other brides accent their look with a sash in a hue that coordinates with the bridesmaids’ dresses. One of the newest looks is a “multi-colored embroidery on organza with two-layers of embroidery on the skirt that adds a depth of color,” Von Plato said.

Lace

A huge trend for 2014, lace offers surprising diversity.

“There’s a lace for every customer — from modern to vintage to traditional to color,” Von Plato said. Bringing lace up to the minute are designers who use metallic finishes for an opulent, luxe look, Von Plato said.

Strapless, sweetheart necklines — “the meat and potatoes of necklines,” according to Von Plato -- are a conventional choice for a wedding gown, but the trend toward illusion necklines is surging. Sophisticated yet sexy, illusion necklines can be subtle or eye-catching statements with intricate lace, crystal and other embellishments.

Covering up has caught on since Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey in long sleeves with intricate lace appliques in 2011. The look “works for many brides of different religions and also those who want to cover up a little bit,” Von Plato said.

Designers have responded with sleeves in all lengths, from teeny caps to fitted points that brush the wrist or top of hand. Bodices with lovely, covered-up backs are also popular with many brides who chose decorative elements such as lace-ups and alluring lines of buttons to add visual interest.

Peplum

Wearable, flattering and en vogue on bridal and fashion runways, peplums provide a little extra tummy coverage for some and add curves for others, Von Plato said. Peplum done in a high-low that is shorter in front then gradually longer in the back is a fun, up-to-date look.

Jackets, which used to be for covering up and keeping warm, are often now wore as accessories, Von Plato said. Boleros, shrugs and wraps can be simple or ornate with beading, fur, sequins and floral embellishments. “It’s another way to make the dress unique,” she said.

No matter what a bride chooses, don’t forget the veil, Von Plato said. “It’s what makes you a bride.”

The Bridal Collection, Inc. in Thousand Oaks, California, sells wedding gowns and other formal wear at affordable prices. Follow this Twitter account to keep abreast of the latest in wedding fashion trends.

What to do with the wedding dress after happily ever after

The bride glowed, the guests have oohed and aahed, pictures had been taken and the vows have been said. After the wedding gown has served its purpose, brides are left with the dilemma of what to do with it. Tradition dictates that the dress be tucked away and preserved in hopes that a daughter or granddaughter will wear it someday. There are other options, however, that have begun to gain traction in the past years.

Image Source: www.bellableubridal.com

With the economy only starting to recover from the recession, some brides take the practical route and sell their used dress. FOXBusiness.com best describes this option: “Brides who paid full price for their gown can save money by selling it after their big day. Although there is a lot of nostalgia associated with preserving a dress in hopes of future generations walking down the aisle in it, selling it guarantees it won’t sit unopened in a box.” A similar option is to donate the dress and get a tax rebate.

Image Source: www.weddinggirl.ca

Some brides can’t bear to part with their wedding dress, however, but don’t want to keep it in storage either. Framing their wedding dress in a shadow box has been a creative option for these brides.

Image Source: www.shefinds.com

If a bride prefers to keep the dress in her regular rotation of clothes, one option is to redesign the dress or dye it. Altering the gown to a knee length dress will make it the perfect outfit for a formal event. Some brides go a step further and dye the dress a different color.

The Bridal Collection Inc., provides elegant yet affordable gowns for the everyday bride. More elegant yet affordable wedding ideas in this blog

REPOST: Styling woes to avoid on your wedding day

This article dishes out the common style blunders – from ill-fitting shoes to messy hair – which brides-to-be need to avoid on their big day.

A wedding day comes just once in a lifetime, meaning you have a lot of wedding planning to do to ensure they momentous occasion goes off without a hitch. While you might be worried about seeing your creative wedding ideas shine through, it's just as important to consider your look on the big day. You might think you have your hairstyle, beautiful wedding dresses and makeup all picked out, but there's no way to tell if all of these things will stand up on the wedding day. Luckily, a few been there, done that brides recently discussed what they would have changed on their day in terms of style, so you won't have to face the same challenges. 

Cute (uncomfortable) shoes
Sure, that pair of sky high stilettos might look fabulous with your gown, but if your feet start aching and throbbing within five minutes of wearing them - you need to put them back, one bride shared with Huffington Post. Even though you will likely slip into flats or flip flops at the reception, it's just as important to feel comfortable as you make your way down the aisle at the ceremony. Let's face it - you won't want your biggest memory of the event to be your sore feet.

According to It's a Bride's Life, there are a few styles you might want to look into as they tend to offer the most support. Sling backs are a great option as they leave little change of heel rubbing, while the strap could help keep you balanced throughout the long day. Picking up items like heel liners can also make wearing higher-than-normal heels more comfortable.

Image Source: www.perfectweddingguide.com

Heavy gowns
You might be crazy about that custom ball gown you tried on, but before saying yes to the dress, you might want to consider your wedding date and how well you tolerate being hot. For example, if you've been looking at garden wedding venues for spring or summer, it may not be the best idea to opt for a heavy gown as you'll likely start sweating in a flash. Instead, you could consider a lighter option, or look into getting two dresses - the one you're crazy about and a shorter reception gown - to have your cake and eat it too.

Hair in the face
Gorgeous soft curls are a common trend for bridal looks, but if you're the type of girl who likes to throw her hair up as soon as it gets hot, a fully down look might not be the way to go. Instead, you could decide to go for a half-up style that will keep your locks out of your face, or even a more dramatic updo to ring in your new life.

Bridal Collection Inc. makes shopping for your wedding dress fun and easy with its diverse collection of stylish and glamorous dresses offered at the best value. Browse through its catalogue of designer dresses on this website.

REPOST: And the bride wore... a white trouser suit

The New Zealand Fashion week features the latest in bridal gowns inspired by actress Sarah Jessica Parker's Sex and the City days.  Find out which of the designers' works took center stage in this article from the Independent Woman.

Transparent bridal trouser suits and headpieces that SATC's Carrie would be proud of took pride of place on the catwalk during New Zealand Fashion Week.

Designers at the Weddings Magazine Bridal Collection Show today sought inspiration from Sarah Jessica Parker's Sex and the City days with intricate headpieces and fashion-forward trouser suits.
 

Image Source: www.independent.ie

A delicate crochet trouser suit with chiffon ruffled sleeves stole the show among an assortment of flowing gowns.

The innovative design was by the 50 year-old New Zealand label Vinka Design. The fashion house strives to create gowns that move with the body and enhance the figure.

Robyn Cliffe’s piece echoed Carrie Bradshaw’s famous wedding look with a stunning rusty-pink headpiece. 

Her wedding gown floated down the catwalk with a detailed beaded waist and chandelier earrings.

The designer shares her love of lace and bead work, with accents of detail emphasizing the cut and style of her gowns.

John Zimmerman’s wedding look consisted of an off-white satin gown with belt that cinched in the waist. The look was completed with sprinkles of diamantes scattered across the dress.
 

Image Source: www.independent.ie

The fresh new designer has been called New Zealand's answer to Valentinoand is praised for his attention to detail in all his designs.

Another design showcased a detailed flower-lace design and billowing ruffles that elegantly swept the catwalk.

Korean designer Alma Wong’s bridal range is a clever mix of elements of past eras with contemporary styles to fit elegant modern brides.

Her design consisted of a powdery blue satin and silk gown with Grecian style draping.

Wong believes her secret weapon is fine detailing and embellishments and she executed this on the catwalk last night.

Sera Lilly’s model carried beautiful blossoms as she glided in a strapless silk gown. The minimalist dress was structured to emphasize the figure while still allowing the fabric to flow delicately.

Her design philosophy is a commitment to an excellent cut and feminine fabric.

With an extensive array of wedding gowns and prom dresses, Bridal Collection, Inc. has been the go-to place of brides-to-be and aspiring prom queens.  Find out why by checking out the company's website.

Not for keeps: Why some brides sell their wedding dress

Image Source: weddingbee.com

For most brides, preserving the dress for future generations is a no-brainer decision. But there are also those who have no qualms about parting with their wedding gowns for another bride to wear. It is not that these maverick brides don’t place any sentimental value on their dress. They just wanted other women to experience the same immense joy of wearing their fabulous gowns while walking down the aisle.

A survey by PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, a website dedicated to helping women sell their bridal gowns, shows that this is a strong sentiment among new brides. Of the 2,766 women who participated in the online survey, 87 percent said they would "definitely" or "maybe" sell their gown. From this group, 30 percent explained they would do so because they want other brides to enjoy their dresses. The other reasons for selling their gowns cited by the respondents are:

• They want/need the money (26 percent); 
• They have no good reason to keep the dress (19 percent); and 
• The gown takes up too much space to justify keeping it (11 percent). 

Image Source: huffingtonpost.com

While selling a wedding dress was certainly unheard of (and considered bad luck) in the past, the results of the survey by PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com just shows that a growing number of women think nothing of the small fortune and massive efforts at searching as soon as the ceremonies are done. Whether prompted by financial incentive or the influence of celebrities, some brides are just practical enough to give up forever on the dress.

Image Source: brokecreative.blogspot.com

Brides may have a harder time parting with the exquisite gowns from The Bridal Collection, Inc. Visit the shop’s official website to view its assortment of designer gowns.

Why "Bridesmaids" should not be taken seriously

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Bridesmaids (2011) may be one of the more popular wedding films of recent years, but there’s reason to stash it just for laughs and keep it away from brides-to-be. The movie is actually a heartwarming nod to friendship, but it is an argument against having bridesmaids take over the wedding preparations. Not that the comedic extreme of the movie is any advice to take.

The bridal entourage is one of the most important teams in a wedding party. Each member, handpicked by the bride, should be a source of strength and guidance during wedding preparations. Later on, they also take on meatier roles in the couple’s marital life, such as godmothers to future children. In weddings, they are important backstage actors who make the event memorable.


Image source: fanpop.com

Bridesmaids is true enough in the sense that the bride’s relationship with the members of her entourage is fraught with tension. This could be big or small, with concerns ranging from gown fittings to friendships. The movie focused on the potential disasters this segment of the wedding party could rack up --- and while it all comes down nicely in the end, those mishaps are costly in terms of friendship and money.

No bride envisions that wild scenario, while real-life bridesmaids should not be remiss in their duties in the assumption that things could be worse. Bridesmaids are a real force in the wedding, and not maximizing their roles could be too costly for the couple.

Any member of the bridal entourage worth her salt would rise to the occasion and avoid dragging her issues into the wedding preps. Meanwhile, the bride’s only task is to know who her real friends are.


Video source: youtube.com/ClevverMovies

That disastrous gown-fitting scene in the movie is translated to a comfortable reality at Bridal Collection Inc., which supplies ready-to-wear gowns for brides and their entourage. For more bridesmaid adventures, see this Facebook page.