5 ways to end your wedding with a bang

Get your minds out of the gutter, brides! Of course we're not talking about an actual bang, although that could be an article in itself considering many newlyweds don't actually "do it" on their wedding night. What we're referring to though is making sure the final minutes of your reception are out of this world, unforgettable.  Sweetheart Mermaid Sleeveless Court Train Wedding Dress

In other words, how do you go out with a big bang? From confetti cannons to wish lanterns, we've got a few ideas up our sleeve.

1. Rent confetti cannons
Obviously, you'll need to check with your venue first to see if they're even allowed. If so, this is such a fun idea, says wedding planner Ashley Smith, founder of Buzzworthy Events. She recommends getting metallic or all white confetti. For the boho bride and groom, opt for an explosion of color instead.

2. Set off fireworks
Because baby you're a firework! On a real note, what could be more magical than a professional firework show to wrap up the night? If it's in your budget and you've got the green light, blow your guests away by lighting up the sky all in the name of love. The pictures will be worth a thousand words, and we can almost guarantee you won't be the only couple feeling fireworks.

3. Play the same day edit of your wedding video
You'll definitely want to discuss this option with your videographer beforehand, but if they offer it and can add it to your package there's nothing guests love more. It's a sweet surprise for everyone, yourselves included, and gives those that weren't able to get ready with you a behind the scenes look into your entire day.

4. Make a wish
Kelly Heyn, lead planner and owner of SociaLife, suggests casting wish lanterns into the sky at the end of the night. Make sure there's enough for everyone, and have guests write their well wishes for the newlyweds on each lantern, as well as a cute little wish card (a great idea in lieu of a guest book!) that the couple can keep and read later.

5. Hire a gospel troop 
Yes, really! As Larry Scott, president of Lawrence Scott Events, points out, the end of the party should bring family and friends together to feel good and a 50 person gospel troop belting out classics like Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Seasons of Love will definitely do that. "If you can't afford the gospel singers, have your band play music that will make people stop and reminisce and feel the love for the last half hour or so."

3 wedding ideas we love right now

You'd never plan your wedding at work (cough, cough) — but your lunch break is a whole other story! For your weekly roundup, we picked gorgeous real weddings, pretty style details, and helpful tips from across the web.

Hosting a winter wedding has never been easier thanks to this roundup of gorgeous holiday-themed inspiration (that doesn't veer into tacky territory). The key to pulling off a classic holiday wedding lies in tying seasonal motifs into your big-day défor, like hanging vibrant wreaths with a simple red bow or using Christmas lights to create a cozy, romantic ceremony setting. —POPSUGAR

Colored engagement rings are getting all the attention lately — from Kate Middleton's sapphire ring to Iggy Azalea's canary yellow diamond. For brides sporting some colored bling, did you know there's a special meaning behind that sparkler? Lucky for you, we've done some research and uncovered what your ring says about you and your relationship. —Brides

This urban San Francisco wedding featured both elegant, historic architecture and natural, wispy details creating a beautiful collision of differing aesthetics that is an absolute joy to see come together (and guaranteed to give you butterflies). Click through this couple's sun-drenched, cliffside portraits and you'll see exactly what what we mean. —OnceWed

Beat the afternoon slump with these energizing snacks that are perfect for a mid-day treat. Incorporate delicious vitamin-packed foods like pumpkin pudding or a green tea mango smoothie (yum!) for a healthy and delicious way to boost that productivity at work during the late AM. —Well + Good

'Tis the season for holiday parties, and you know what means — holiday cocktails! Get creative and festive with your party drinks by following these easy recipes featuring gorgeous glasses, glittery antler stir sticks, and fresh garnishes to top it all off. —100 Layer Cake

QUESTIONS TO ASK A BRIDAL DRESSMAKER

Can I see a portfolio of wedding dresses?
Professional dressmakers will proudly present a wedding portfolio of their best and most recent wedding dress photos sometimes accompanied with a display of highly sought after fabrics. This will hopefully showcase a range of wedding styles and therefore the diverse capabilities of nothing less than an experienced wedding dressmaker.

Are you able to make a designer wedding dress?
If you’re looking to save some dollars you may consider a designer wedding dress made by a dressmaker for a fraction of the in-store price. Ask to see photos of designer wedding dresses and also take a bridal magazine tear-out of that stunning dress you’ve set your heart on to your first consult.

How many wedding dress fittings are expected?
Disgruntlements with your dressmaker typically revolve around the timing or amount of wedding dress fittings, or lack thereof. Make sure the number of fittings is specified on paper or your invoice / receipt and find out what additional costs are charged for additional fittings, if permitted.
Bear in mind, a wedding dress is usually fitted a week or two out from the wedding day for final adjustments.

Can you work with me as I plan to shed some kilos?
Competent bridal dressmakers can work around the changing weight and shape of the bride-to-be, though if considerable change is expected then this should be one talking point with your dressmaker.

Do you make bridesmaids dresses?
Dressmakers are usually capable of making bridesmaids dresses for all females of the bridal party, and not just the wedding gown alone. Again, it is advisable to look through the dressmakers portfolio of bridesmaids dresses.
The advantage of being able to theme styles by the same dressmaker outweighs going to a different provider for different and potentially unmatching bridesmaids dresses. As a bride-to-be you’re usually responsible for coordinating fittings, or at least delegating the co-ordination of, on a number of occasions with each bridesmaid and the dressmaker.

Can you make mother-of-brides dresses?
This is a great question to ask, as it can be quite time-saving to have your garments made by one dressmaker. You might also appreciate your mother’s company and feedback whilst trying on your own dress.


Can you make flower girl dresses?
In some cases excess material and accessories can be put towards a flower girl’s dress, so check with your dressmaker if this cost-saving’s approach work with them. Be wary that some dressmakers do not work on children’s wear at all.

How long will it take to make a wedding dress?
Obviously, the more complicated the detail in the dress, the longer it can take to complete, anywhere from 3 to 12 months. Additional fittings or special dress features such as embroidered bodices to hand-sewn lace additions or excessive hooks for back straps can elongate the wait.

What costs are involved?
Labour is the key cost, but it’s nice to find out what the total cost includes and excludes such as fabrics, accessories, additional fittings and so on.
Due to dressmakers close relationship with material stores, dressmakers can often attract trade discounts on fabric and associated accessories such as threads, beads, sequins, lace and more. It may be cheaper for you to source material through your dressmaker than directly via a fabric store.

4 people you will need to gift before your wedding

For the bride-to-be, every week may start to feel like Christmas, when gifts start arriving at your doorstep throughout the wedding adventure. You'll see the items fly off your registry, and you'll start to get paper cuts from the envelopes filled with delightful cards and generous gifts on your wedding day. But before you take inventory on the presents addressed to you and your fiancé, spend some time picking out the perfect gifts for a few key players helping you out with your wedding. Here are four people you'll want to wrap up something nice for. Customized wedding dresses 

1. Your Gals
When you select your bridesmaids, you'll want to ask them to take on that fabulous role with a fun, little gift and perhaps a sweet card too. On the day of the wedding, you can also surprise them with another — thank you for being here for me — gift. Whether it's a piece of jewelry they can wear with their bridesmaid dress or something more casual like a robe to get ready in — or a decorative tote bag to carry around — bridesmaids gifts are essential for the day.

2. Your Groom
Consider getting your groom a surprise gift to send over to him on the morning of the wedding. The gift can be something personal and meaningful between the two of you or something fun you think he'd like to wear on the wedding day— think funny socks or cufflinks.

3. Your Tag Team of Helpers
Maybe it's your mother and the mother of the groom — or a close family member or friend — that's been by your side through the planning process and helping you with all the decision-making. To say a giant thank you to them for their time and brainpower, you can get them a little gift — like a gift certificate to a spa or take them to get their nails done before the wedding.

4. Your Trusty Vendors
Most couples will tip their vendors on the day of the wedding, but if you don't want to give them cash, you can get them a small gift instead — especially if they've gone above and beyond for you and your wedding day.

Jen Glantz is a "Professional Bridesmaid" and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She's the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

How to plan for wedding-day troublemakers

Basic bride, you are not! You're the type of girl that aspires to start Pinterest trends, not follow them, and you'd rather die than have your wedding be called cookie-cutter (okay, not actually die, but you do desperately want it to be different than the five you've already attended this year!). So how do you go about achieving that one of a kind, infectious vibe? For a wedding that's so you (and your groom!), try these ideas on for size. Fashion wedding gown

Avoid booking a package deal
Take some time to really research and check out potential venue options in person, and find out if you're locked in to using a certain caterer, bar service, etc. if you sign on the dotted line. The more freedom you have to bring in vendors that align with your particular style and preferences, the more unique your wedding will naturally be. Why? Well because you're literally curating everything, from the chair rentals to the dinner menu.

Write your own vows
It's one of the most intimate and special ways couples can personalize their wedding, and you can guarantee that no other ceremony will be quite like yours. With that said though, reciting the traditional vows doesn't automatically doom you to having a "basic" big day. Just like mixing high and low in fashion, it's nice to mix the modern with the classic in weddings.

Think outside of the box when it comes to music
In other words, don't haphazardly pick popular hits like Ed Sheehan’s "Thinking Out Loud" for your first dance song just because it's such an easy choice. Opt for something upbeat and happy, as opposed to sweet and sappy, that truly speaks to you as a couple. Or search for a cute indie tune that sums up your relationship perfectly. Warning: this could take some time, but your efforts will totally pay off!

Get creative with food
Forget the standard steak, chicken and fish dishes, and excite your guests with wedding food that's as creative as you are. This could be in the form of small plates, chef stations, a family style meal or heck, you could even bring in a bunch of food trucks to feed everyone. Rather than the typical "sliders and fries" or tacos as a late night snack, LA-based wedding planner Lisa Vorce recommends passing snacks or treats that evoke a touch of home. "Grandma's famous peanut butter cookies anyone?"

Make your cocktail hour interactive
Your wedding guests will eat this idea right up! For example, you can create a specialized vintage wine bar(perhaps from the year you met?) and a cheese display comprised of all your favorites, suggests Vorce. "Then bring in a sommelier or a fromager to give a little history and education of the wine and cheese." No doubt your friends and family won't soon forget this experience.

Spoil your out of town guests with gifts they'll actually use
Instead of a handing out a single welcome bag full of goodies at the beginning of the wedding weekend, why not break up your gifts into mini amenities to be enjoyed throughout? "For instance, you can deliver donuts and coffee to each guest's hotel room the morning of the big day and have an evening sweet treat waiting on them when they get home from the reception," says Vorce. "Guests love being thought of and love being spoiled with surprises even more!"

What’s Hot in Bridalwear for 2016

We visited the Bridal Buyer show in Harrogate, which is where many of the bridal boutiques and stores will order their new range of dresses for 2016. There were so many new styles and designs on offer, we’ve created a snap shot overview of our favourite finds.

Full Gowns – Not quite ‘my big fat gypsy wedding,’ but the full skirted ball gown is well and truly back in fashion. This time the style is designed with structured pleats and layers of delicate tulle to provide a stunning look for the bride wanting that fairytale inspired dress.

Sparkle – Glitter, sequins and layers of sparkling material were a frequent sight sashaying down the isles of Harrogate, with many of the designers displaying plenty of glitz and glamour. If you’re a bride who loves all things that shimmer and shine then this bridal trend is perfect for you.

Embellishment – Downton Abbey inspired sequins and vintage lace were a very popular theme, teamed with figure hugging gowns and fishtail hem lines. The intricate detailing and hand sewn embellishment coupled with textured fabrics provide truly stunning dresses that will give you a perfectly unique wedding look.

Colour – As brides become more adventurous and steer away from the traditional white gowns, retailers are finding their confidence and opting to stock a variety of alternative colours.  A big trend we’ll see in 2016 is gowns in blush, oyster, light gold and muscado.

Trains – Whether it’s short and sweet or long and lacy, the train is definitely back on trend creating a dramatic look as you walk down the isle.

What should I do if I can not afford to buy a wedding gift ?

Between engagement parties and bridal showers on top of travel expenses, the cost of being a guest can add up quickly. If you can't afford to buy the happy couple the cook set of their dreams, there are plenty of alternative ways to give them a memorablewedding dress  gift.

Start by calculating what you can afford and then be proud of what you buy, even if it is small. We recommend choosing a singular, stand-alone item like a vase or bowl rather than pieces to a set, because the present will feel more complete and substantial. But if budget concerns are seriously strict, think outside the box to design an alternative — and oftentimes more personal — wedding gift.

A three-month commitment of homemade goodies like muffins or fresh bread is a lovely surprise, and chances are, you have the majority of ingredients in your kitchen already. Or, well before the wedding, give the bride and groom a thoughtful card telling them how much you value your relationship and offer your services in a last-minute task like picking up grandma from the airport and delivering her to the hotel, dog-sitting during the honeymoon, or spending the night before the wedding tying programs (trust us, this is truly invaluable, and every single bridesmaid would thank you).

Either way, remember that your presence is what should matter most — especially if the wedding requires travel — and the bride and groom will appreciate your attendance as the best gift of all.

Tips for you to modernize your mother's vintage wedding dress

Choosing to honor your mother by wearing her vintage wedding gown at your own nuptials is a beautiful way to incorporate your family into the big day. However, your wedding gown should reflect your personal style even if it was originally your mother's choice. Here are five designer–approved ways to modernize your mother's wedding attire for your own big day.

1. Customize the Color
Nothing says modern romanticism like a wedding gown in an alternative color. Designer Kathryn Conover is well versed in devising contemporary classics for her bridal clients, and favors adding pastels into her gowns for a dash of modernity. One of Conover's bridal clients asked the designer to update a gown worn by her grandmother in 1969, and by her mother in 1985. “Her 2015 version is a strapless gown with lace appliqués and a blush overlay,” explains Conover, as a pop of pink can mean the difference between staid and stylish.

2. Embrace Vintage Lace
If you want to pay homage to your mother's panache without overshadowing your own look, incorporate some of the gown's fabric into your ensemble. Beloved bridal designer Anne Barge suggests that vintage lace is the most suitable material for such a gesture, stating, “Lace can be taken from the vintage gown and applied to a mantilla style veil as well as be mixed with newer laces. The vintage lace can also be applied to the bride's gown, petticoat, handkerchief, prayer book, ring pillow or bride's book.”

3. Rethink the Sleeves
Wedding gown trends may come and go, but sleeve length and style often serves as an indicator of which decade a dress harkens back to. For example, the fashion industry embraced voluminous sleeves in the 1980s, Conover recalls. Removing these telltale details in favor of a streamlined strapless neckline or halter design can bring a gown into the 21st century, suggests the designer.

4. Say Yes to a Vintage Veil
Modernizing your mother's wedding attire may be as simple as gliding down the aisle in her vintage veil. Instead of attempting to update a complete gown, Barge recommends transforming a veil into an antiquity passed between generations of brides and customized by each one. “I love the idea of a family heirloom veil which is monogrammed at the hem with each bride's name and wedding date,” says Barge.

5. Adjust Your Neckline
Despite the fact that your grandmother may recall a time when brides wore fabric up to their chins and down to their toes, the fashion industry has embraced a host of new silhouettes for 2015. If you favor a modernized look, Conover recommends starting with a gown's neckline. Scrapping the mock neckline will take a gown out of the Victorian era and into modern day in one quick snip of the scissors, as will sculpting a sweetheart neckline or adding an asymmetric strap.

If you are getting married in the colder months ?

The great outdoors provides a wealth of inspiration for wedding décor, but not all weddings have the option of al fresco seating. When the temperature drops to freezing, the last thing wedding guests want is an outdoor ceremony amidst the icicles. So how can a bride who adores the outdoors incorporate natural elements into the wedding? Our etiquette experts weigh in on the issue. Here are beach wedding style

First, work with your florist to devise a décor scheme that incorporates rustic, naturalistic accents to your venue. Consider commissioning an arbor or chuppah out of intertwined branches and vines. Embrace organic accents such as crisp, vibrant leaves combined with full boughs to serve as wall adornments, and add abundant blooming touches to your table centerpieces. If you have sufficient room in your nuptial budget, you may even wish to place small, potted trees amongst your reception tables or line your aisle with lush greenery. If you are more entranced by flowers than branches or boughs, create a floral wall with your favorite blooms to serve as an aesthetic focal point for your celebration. You may also wish to incorporate nature into small details such as your place card table by inscribing each number and name on a wooden slab, and present the collection amidst plantings or moss. 

Furthermore, seek a wedding venue with resplendent views of the great outdoors to serve as a backdrop for your fete. Whether your preference is a hotel ballroom with a sweeping panorama of the surrounding foliage or a glass-enclosed greenhouse on an estate property, your location should embrace the outdoors in some small manner even before you add decorative flourishes.

elegance wedding style for you at bellasdress.com

Here’s a new concept for couples wanting an informal daytime wedding experience to really make the most of the Ibiza sun and sea. The Matinee Beach Wedding was created by the brilliant people at bellasdress Wedding Shop. It’s a chance to kick off your shoes and wedding gear after tying the knot and enjoy a bikini-clad beach day with all your closest friends and family.

How a Matinee Beach Wedding works

In Ibiza’s beautiful Sa Flama, after a morning to get ready, there is a glorious midday ceremony next to the beach. The reception is then held at the popular Sa Flama Beach venue set along the beautiful San Antonio Bay on the west coast of the island. Guests enjoy a charcoal grilled BBQ and chill DJ creating the relaxing beach house vibe for the afternoon. Candi at Ibiza Wedding Shop told me: “We find this is ideal for wedding parties with children as they are able to enjoy the day on the beach without feeling the need to worry about late nights and babysitters.”

Planning your beach wedding ceremony

Planning any overseas wedding is easier with a little help from an expert  based in the country who are there to help with every stage of your wedding planning. It is important to note that you can only be legally married in Ibiza if you are either resident there, or a non-resident couple where either one or both partners are Catholic.

Wedding reception at Sa Flama, Ibiza

If you have fallen in love with the idea of a matinee beach wedding in beautiful Ibiza then you can still hold your wedding ceremony and reception on the beach after having the legally binding marriage in your home country. If you want to include a spiritual element into your wedding, consider having a blessing in one of the island’s pretty white washed churches after your beach ceremony.

5 Budget Tips To Cut The Cost Of Your wedding Day

Want to have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank? There are plenty of ways to save. Here are five basic wedding budget tips to get you thinking.

1) Reception Time
The best way to help your wedding budget? Be mindful of your venue and the time. Pick a morning brunch, afternoon party or cocktail soiree instead. It’s likely that guests will consume less alcohol if the occasion is during the day. If you’re set on an evening event, try a buffet or family style meal where the cost per plate isn’t as high as a plated sit-down dinner.

2) Alternative Season
June through September is peak season for weddings in Canada, so consider a celebration in the off-season to save — just make sure it doesn’t conflict with holiday party season. Get inspiring ideas from our slideshow on weddings by month.

3) Package Deals
Find a venue that will do everything for you instead of hiring separate services that could add up with charges and tips. And ensure to watch out for extra fees at venues, all those little extras can make you go over your wedding budget.

4) Discount Dresses
If you’re not into buying used or vintage, keep your ear to the ground for sample sales and trunk shows where you can save up to 70 percent on fashion discount wedding gowns by subscribing to designer and boutique mailing lists.

5) Budget Priorities
The most important part about having a wedding budget is sticking to it! If there are things you must have then put those at the top of your priority list and save on other aspects.

Teach You How To Choose The Bridesmaid Dress

Married woman's life is the most important thing in the day looking and nervous bride, maid of honor will certainly be accompanied by side. This is every bride in planning a wedding, that they will choose their own for their bridesmaids, maid of honor wedding is an important and indispensable role. Because of the special significance of this role, the bride usually invite their closest sister to accompany yourself a good life in this most important ceremony. Bridesmaids easy to pick, but difficult to pick bridesmaid dresses , bridesmaid dress selection of colors and styles, the first will not cover up their thunder, The second maid of honor but also to show the style, then pick the bride bridesmaid dress how to do?

Elegant homecoming dresses even more against the background of pure write to clear out the elegant white, so that the bride is brighter, fresh, and let the bridesmaid’s clean, refined temperament get the best interpretation. Full of elegant details and delicate jacquard, embellished with a little black waist, to create a lively, pleasant feeling, to bring fresh and bright dresses. White dress with а skirt is suitable for such a warm pearl, shiny feel of jewelry.

Bridesmaid dresses with purple folds quiet dream, the whole dress flowing lines, fit body cut, asymmetric folds more natural, without а lot of mix of а simple pearl chain, but also a good bridesmaid graceful outline body. Bridesmaid in the hands of white rice plus a small Bag, also a good choice.

Unique focus bridesmaid dress fashion ladies front zip design, with local folding process, the use of silky satin material, with bright spots of sweet red rose, hair can be a little decoration, fluffy hair and white flowers decorated with a full noble spirit, to enhance the overall level of visual effects.

How to know you choose the right wedding dress ?

For some, finding their wedding dress is love at first sight, and for others, it's a whole lot of trying on duds to finally find the one. But no matter how long it takes to find the wedding gown of your dreams or how many places you have to go, you know you've made the right decision when everything on the below list rings true to you.

You can't stop Googling images of it. 
Or staring at photos of yourself trying it on at the salon (um, guilty as charged!). You get giddy all over again like you just saw it for the first time. It's simply too perfect, and it's definitely the one.

It's all you can do not to show everyone. 
It's that good! You wanted to keep your wedding dress a surprise, but you're practically bursting at the seams to show all your girlfriends how amazing it is. Okay, so maybe you've already shown a handful of them...that's cool, right?

Strangers are literally oohing and ahhing over you. 
If you're at your dress fitting and random people stop what they're doing to compliment you and your gorgeous gown, you know you've totally nailed it. Go ahead and give yourself a high five.

It feels like you belong on the red carpet every time you put it on. 
On your wedding day you should absolutely feel like a celebrity. After all, you are the star of the show! Any dress that instantly ups your confidence and makes you look, and most importantly feel, like a million bucks is a big winner in our eyes.

You can't help but think how hot your hubby-to-be is going to think you are.
Of course, you didn't choose the dress with only him in mind; you're just that sure of yourself in your own choice that you know there's no way he won't be into it. Imagining his reaction makes you smile from the inside out.

You're understandably annoyed at the thought of not being able to wear it again.
So you've already started to dream up potential scenarios in your head where rocking a wedding dress would make complete sense. Perhaps you can incorporate it into a future Halloween costume. That's not weird, is it?

You love your body in it (and that's no easy feat). 
In fact, you're pretty confident you could give the girl modeling it a run for her money. Your curves look that killer.

No other wedding dress even comes close in comparison. 
When you're browsing Pinterest and checking out real weddings online, you're all like, "Yeah, that dress is pretty and all, but mine is way better, ha!" Not to rub it in or anything...

It's actually within your budget.
Fist pump, happy dance, heck yes! If you can afford it, love it and never want to take it off (um, like ever), well then, you've definitely met your match.