May Special!

Bridal Bling

Looking for ways to add a touch of glitz and glam to your wedding day style? Then we're here to help! Read on to find out a few ways you can add some sparkle and shine to your look.

Blinging up the Dress

If you’re looking to add a little bit of sparkle to your wedding gown, try adding a bridal belt or sash!

Photos Courtesy of Augusta Jones

Belts and sashes can add a little something extra to the look of the dress, and placed correctly they will define the waist and accentuate your overall figure.

Photos Courtesy of Augusta Jones

Belts and sashes come in a variety of colors, designs and patterns, and can have details like lace, pearls, crystals and beading. Try on a few different styles and find one that complements your look best.

Photos Courtesy of Justin Alexander

Blinging up your Hair

Nowadays, there are tons of different hair accessories to bling up your hairstyle the day of the wedding. Below we cover a few of the options available.

Tiaras

A tiara on a bride is a classic image, and the amount of glitz a tiara can offer is perfect for brides who love to shine.

Photo Courtesy of Richard Designs

Photos Courtesy of Richard Designs

Headbands

If a tiara isn’t quite your style, don’t worry! Bridal headbands are a great alternative for brides who don’t want the princess feel of a tiara but still want a bit of glitz in their hair.

Left and Center Photos Courtesy of Laura Jayne; Right Photo Courtesy of Richard Designs

Hair Vines and Hair Ribbons

Hair vines and hair ribbons are increasing in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why!

Photo Courtesy of Ti Adoro Jewelry

While they look quite similar to a headband, these are attached to ribbon rather than metal, giving you more flexibility in where on your head they can be placed, making them extremely versatile!

Left Photo Courtesy of Ti Adoro Jewelry; Right Photo Courtesy of Laura Jayne

Many hair ribbons and vines can also double as a belt, like the hair ribbon pictured below!

Photos Courtesy of Laura Jayne

Hair Combs and Pins

If you’re looking to add only a small touch of bling, try a hair comb or hair pins! They’re a great accent to any hairstyle, especially up-dos!

Photos Courtesy of Laura Jayne

Photos Courtesy of Richard Designs

The Finishing Touches

Finally, don’t forget the easiest way to bling up your wedding day look--with jewelry!

Photos Courtesy of Ti Adoro Jewelry

Photos Courtesy of Ti Adoro Jewelry

Veils, Veils, Veils!

When the time for veil shopping comes around many brides don't know how to start--just like with wedding gowns, veils come in a variety of shapes and styles and it can be difficult to choose the right one. As always, we girls here at Sealed With A Kiss are more than happy to help! Below you'll find our veil guide-- read through it to find out about veil lengths, tiers and more!

Veil Lengths

You'll learn that veils can be made to any particular length you specify, but there are a few standard lengths that you'll likely come across while veil shopping. 

1. Birdcage Veils (also known as face veils)

Photo Courtesy of www.laurajayne.com

Birdcage veils are great for brides looking for a vintage feel on their wedding day. They typically only partially cover the face, and the netting can be adjusted to create the perfect shape around the face and hair. Many birdcage veils also have adornments, such as feathers and brooches, attached to the comb, adding a touch of dazzle to the look. 

2. Shoulder Length

Photo Courtesy of www.richard-designs.com

Shoulder length veils are typically around 36 inches long and fall somewhere around the shoulders. 

3. Elbow Length

           Photo Courtesy of www.laurajayne.com

Most elbow length veils are 54 inches long and fall somewhere near the elbows and waistline.

4. Fingertip Length

Photo Courtesy of www.laurajayne.com

Fingertip length veils come to around 72" long, and fall around where your fingertips would if you dropped your arms down at your sides. This is one of the most popular veil lengths.

5. Floor Length

Photo Courtesy of www.charliebrear.com

Floor length veils, also known was ballerina veils, are 102 inches long or so, and stop right at the floor, leaving the gown's train uncovered.

6. Chapel Length

Photo Courtesy of www.laurajayne.com

Chapel length veils are typically 126 inches long, and are just long enough to cover the train on most wedding gowns. 

7. Cathedral Length

Photo Courtesy of www.laurajayne.com

Cathedral length veils are usually longer than the train on most wedding gowns, and are 144 inches long.

Veil Blushers and Tiers

Wedding veils come in tiers, which are essentially layers, with the top tier being the shortest length and the bottom tier being the longest length. 

Left Photo: Courtesy of www.laurajaynebridal.com; Right Photo: Courtesy of www.richard-designs.com

The top tier of the veil is sometimes worn over the face during the wedding ceremony, and when this is the case it is called a blusher.

Photo Courtesy of www.richard-designs.com

The blusher usually has the same design, lace or beading as the rest of the veil, as in the picture above, but it can be also be a plain tier, without any sort of embellishment.

Veil Designs

Veils come in a variety of designs, and most of the embellishment is placed on the edge of the veil. The veils can come with a variety of edges, like the lace, beaded and ribbon ones below. 

Left Photo: Courtesy of www.richard-designs.com; Center and Right Photo: Courtesy of www.laurajayne.com

The veil can also have a straight edge cut, or a scalloped edge. 

Photo Courtesy of www.richard-designs.com

Photo Courtesy of www.richard-designs.com

Veil Colors

Just like wedding gowns, wedding veils come in a variety of colors. The more traditional white, ivory and champagne colored veils are most common, but most designers offer colors like antique, blush and silver. Talk to your consultant or designer about all the available color options to be sure you choose the one that complements your wedding gown best!

  

Veil Fabrics

Most veils will be made of tulle, but take the time to ask about your options! Designers sometimes have multiple tulle options, such as shimmer tulle, or a softer, more delicate mirage tulle, that will slightly change the look and fullness of the veil. You can also find veils made from chiffon and organza, which will alter the translucence of the veil. Try on a few and find out which you like best!

Finding the Perfect Veil

Research different types of veils online and see which styles catch your eye the most, but definitely make a point to visit a bridal salon to see the veils in person. The colors vary by designer, so be sure to bring a swatch of your gown (or the gown itself) to help you decide which color option is most complementary. Keep in mind that the design on the veil doesn't have to match your gown perfectly in order to look good, and try on different designs and styles until you find the right one. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the designs, and if there's something you don't like, feel free to ask about altering the design to your liking. Most importantly, have fun!

Color Me Bridal- 10 Wedding Gowns with Color

Brides today want their wedding gown to encapsulate their personal flair and personality, and often think that a traditional white or ivory dress just isn’t their style--they want to wear some color on their big day! Here are ten gorgeous gowns by the wonderful designers we carry that are perfect for the bride who wants to be fun and unique by adding a splash of color to her wedding gown:

1. Casablanca 2177

                                                                   Photo Courtesy of Casablanca Bridal

While it might be difficult to tell from the picture, this beautiful tulle ballgown is actually in a color called sorbet! It’s a subtle light pink, perfect for the bride who doesn’t want to stray too far from the more traditional white and ivory.

2. Justin Alexander 8596

                                                                                          Photo Courtesy of Justin Alexander

This is a gorgeous vintage trumpet gown with ivory lace over oyster colored lining. The color is flattering on most skin tones and the oyster lining really makes the design on the ivory lace pop.

3. Rembo Styling, "Angelique"

                                               Photo Courtesy of Rembo Stlying

No need to find an accessory to be the ‘something blue’ on your big day if your gown has a touch of blue already! The baby blue slip beneath the ivory vintage lace on this design really makes this gown stand out.

4. Casablanca 2165

                                                                                        Photo Courtesy of Casablanca Bridal

Don’t be fooled by the lightness of the picture! This Casablanca mermaid gown is actually in a light champagne color. It’s the perfect touch of color for a bride who wants something just a little different than the usual white or ivory gown.

5. Justin Alexander 8652

                                                                                           Photo Courtesy of Justin Alexander

This mermaid gown by Justin Alexander is a show-stopping silver and gold. It’s perfect for the bride who wants a touch of old Hollywood glam in her look!

6. Casablanca 2127

                                                                                        Photo Courtesy of Casablanca Bridal

This a-line Casablanca gown has a flattering princess sweetheart neckline and a scalloped lace hem. The fact that it’s in a lovely Capri Blue just makes it even more gorgeous!

7. Justin Alexander 8726

This Justin Alexander ball gown has gorgeous beading on the bodice and on the illusion neck and back. The coffee color of the gown really makes the champagne beading pop!

8. Casablanca 2140

                                                                                       Photo Courtesy of Casablanca Bridal

This mermaid gown is all about the details! It has colored beaded appliques and clusters of shells and crystal beads spread throughout the gown. It also comes in a champagne and ivory for those brides who would prefer a more subtle color of beading and detailing.

9. Rembo Styling, "Sandy"

Photo Courtesy of Rembo Stlying

This Rembo Styling gown is perfect for the bride who wants a flowy and romantic wedding day look. It has satin beige beneath the lace, making the gown a tad darker than the more traditional white or ivory.

10. Modern Trousseau, "Laurel"

For all you brides who love pink, this might be the perfect gown for you! This Modern Trousseau gown has an ombre pink full skirt and a pink flower at the waist. Light and flowy, this gown will definitely make any bride feel like a princess!

Designer Spotlight: Casablanca Bridal

Gowns by Casablanca Bridal

One of the most exciting things to do once you’re engaged is finding the nearest grocery or convenience store and picking up the latest bridal magazine.  We've all been there -- you run home and scour the pages of gorgeous gowns, folding down the corners to mark your favorites and you get giddy at the thought of trying on dresses in the coming weeks.  After picking up a few more magazines and reading them cover to cover you’re ready to schedule your first appointment.

It’s easy to focus on the silhouettes, fabric and details that you like, but you should also consider the designers when flipping through those pages.  What’s their price range?  What do they specialize in?  Where can you find them?  It’s best to find the designers’ authorized website to get all the details.  After perusing their website, you can use their store locator to find the nearest retailer to you.  Feel free to call the retailer and ask them questions you may have about a particular designer and then book your appointment!

Choosing designers is fun for us, too!  We do our research and pick those we know our brides will love.  I’d like to brag a bit on one of our all-time best designers -- Casablanca Bridal.  Casablanca has been with us from the early days and continues to be a true favorite for many of our brides over the years.  They have a great team behind them who work hard to produce incredible gowns. As a Casablanca bride myself, I may be a bit bias in saying that their gowns are the full package -- but seriously, they are.  The styles are nice blend of classic and fashion forward.  The fabrics are beautiful and of great quality and the structure and fit are superb.  What myself, other brides and SWAK consultants like most is the option to customize almost anything with the dress.  Brides have moments where they think they've found ‘the one’ IF ONLY they could...add straps, change the neckline, the fabric, the shape, etc. -- with Casablanca, you can do that!  

The possibilities are endless and we’re often surprised when we get ‘yes’ responses to enquiries that seemed difficult or impossible.  What’s even better is the fact that they can make your gown to your measurements.  Yes, I’m aware other designers offer this, but typically it’s at a pretty high price point and is mostly seen with couture gowns only.  It’s rare that our bodies are completely proportionate and fit perfectly into a standard sample size -- for you ladies who do, kudos to you!  The other 98% of us often need to have our gowns tailored to fit exactly how we want them.  Casablanca encourages consultants to get a series of measurements including bust, waist, and hip measurements as well as hem length to ensure that your gown is as close to fitting as possible when it arrives.

We all don’t choose the first gown we try on or have that moment when we break down in tears because we know we've found it.  Finding your gown is a process.  You want your gown to be a reflection of you, your personal style and how you want to appear and feel on your wedding day.  What better way to make it your own by customizing it to suit YOU.  

Best wishes and happy shopping!

XOXO,

Jessica

Want more details? Visit our website!

Bridal Expo Tips

Whether you’re newly engaged or you’re almost done planning the final details of your wedding, bridal expos are a great opportunity to meet local vendors, learn about tools to ease the wedding planning process and get great ideas to incorporate into your big day. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your bridal expo experience!

1. If you haven’t already, create an email address for all things wedding related. Nowadays, email is the primary method of communication used between brides and their vendors, and at bridal expos you will be asked again and again to write your email and contact information on mailing lists and entry forms. Most vendors you meet at the expo will then be emailing you to follow up with things you might have discussed during the expo, to provide more information about their services, or to offer you special deals or discounts. Rather than letting all these vendors clutter your personal email inbox, set up an email account for wedding related business only. Just remember to check it frequently and to reply to all the vendors whose services you’re interested in!

2. Have a plan.

Take the time to do a little research about the bridal expo you’ll be attending, so that you know what to expect. If the expo is large and there will be a lot of vendors, keep in mind that you might not have the opportunity to stop and speak to every one, so concentrate on finding the vendors whose services you know you need. If there is a vendor you’re already interested in and you know that they’ll have a booth at the show, make visiting their table a priority. Also look for a schedule of events--such as fashion shows and raffles--so that you don’t miss out on those!

3. Prepare a few questions for your vendors.

You don’t want to just go to every booth, pick up a flyer or pamphlet and move on to the next table--vendors are there to answer all your questions, so you should have some questions to ask! Take a couple of minutes to write out a few things you want to find out more about--whether it be about their rates, availability, or you just want more details about their service. Vendors will be more than happy to answer your questions, and you’ll get all the information you were hoping for.

4. Bring printed address labels with your contact information and wedding date.

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll be asked for your contact information a lot during bridal expos. Rather than having to spend a couple of minutes at every booth writing out your information, come prepared with a few sheets of printed address labels with your name, address, phone number, email and wedding date, so that all you have to do is peel and stick that label onto all those sign up sheets. It’ll save you time and it’ll save you from writer’s cramp!

5. Bring your parents, groom and/or a friend.

Walking and talking to vendors all day can be hard work, and you shouldn’t have to do it on your own! If your parents, groom or a friend are taking part of the wedding planning process with you and you know you’ll want their opinions, bring them along to the expo. They can help you find vendors, remind you to ask questions you might have forgotten, and overall be a big help as you make your way through the expo.

6. Bring a bag to keep all the brochures, pamphlets and any freebies you’ll be given.

Vendors will be handing you all sorts of things throughout the expo and you’ll need a place to put it all-- so bring a bag! Often when you arrive at the expo you’ll be given a canvas or plastic bag to carry everything in, but don’t assume that they’ll be available and be prepared with your own, just in case!

7. Bring your calendar or appointment book.

You’ll likely meet a few a great vendors during your time at the expo, and rather than waiting a few days to email back and forth and schedule a time to meet, book your appointment with them while you’re there at the expo! Vendors come ready to schedule meetings and appointments, and often offer specials or discounts for booking during the show. Take advantage of this, and bring your calendar so that you can schedule an appointment or book your vendor then and there!

8. Wear comfortable shoes.

Expos are often half a day long, and you’ll be spending all that time on your feet, walking around and speaking to vendors. Come prepared with a good pair of shoes that you know won’t leave you with aching feet!

  9. Have fun!

The whole wedding planning process should be enjoyable, so bridal expos should be too! Sign up for raffles and win prizes, head to where the caterers and bakers are and try out a few samples, and take the time to check out any fashion shows or activities going on. You’ll learn a lot and have a good time too!

Top 3 Tips to Make Bridesmaid Dress Shopping a Success

1.  Brides, choose your dress first

     Let the style of your dress pave the way for the look of the bridesmaids dresses. Consider the fabric, silhouette, and overall vibe of your gown.  If you're wearing a flowy, ethereal gown outdoors, your maids may look out of place in stiff satin gowns.  They don't have to match to the 'T' and each bridesmaid doesn't have to wear the same style or color.  Just make sure there is some cohesion in the looks. It's okay to put yourself first - you're the bride!  Choosing your dress first will also help you decide on other style related factors during wedding planning.

2.  Shop early

     We typically recommend bridesmaids order their dresses six to seven months before the wedding date.  Making the dress and shipping it can take longer than most expect.  Shipping delays can occur during certain parts of the year, so ordering early guarantees the dress will arrive with extra time to spare.  Once the dress arrives it may need alterations.  Booking your alterations appointment 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding will allow ample time for alterations and fittings.

3. Have your bridesmaids professionally measured
    While it may seem easier to measure yourself or have a friend measure you, taking the time to visit a local bridal shop or seamstress can make all the difference.  Consultants and seamstresses take measurements on a day-to-day basis and know the fit of the designers they carry.  Don't forget that sizing can vary between designers.  If you're purchasing your dress by a designer that the shop carries, you will usually be advised to try on a few styles/sizes to determine the best size choice.  If you're getting measured elsewhere and can't try on the dress before ordering, call the shop who you're ordering from and get their opinion on sizing.  Don't forget to inquire about extra length if you're tall!

Visit our website to learn more!  www.sealedwithakissbridal.com
Photo by Aaron Watson Photography