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 

Don't just stand there, get moving!

One of the best pieces of advice you will hear from us when shopping for your wedding gown is "Don't just stand there, bust a move!".

You may have heard that trying on wedding gowns can be monotonous -- get in the dress, stand on the pedestal, suck it in, stand up straight, shoulders back, take a few pictures, turn around and so on. We're here to tell you it doesn't have to be!

Follow these steps and pick that dress! Take a step down, walk around the shop like it's the aisle, sit down, stand up, and do the "Dougie"! Bust that move, feel the joy of finding the perfect dress.

The dress you choose for your big day will reflect your personality and the fun and freedom you want to have all day long. Now get out there with your shoes and accessories in hand and get moving.  Your gown awaits you!

Before You Buy A Wedding Gown Online, Read This!

Some time ago a bride--we’ll call her Laura-- walked into our store in a frenzy--the wedding gown she bought online six months before had arrived, and the moment she put the gown on she knew she hated it. She said the dress looked as advertised, but she didn’t like it now that she’d seen it in person--she didn’t think the gown was as flattering on her as it had been on the model in the picture. Laura had managed to get most of her money back from the company she’d bought the gown from, and now was in the market for a new dress. With only a few weeks left until her wedding day her choices were limited, but within the hour she found a gown that she loved. As I prepared the gown for her to take home, Laura said something that stuck with me--she was surprised that she found a great gown she could afford at a bridal boutique, as she had been told that most boutiques only carried expensive, high end gowns. If she had known that bridal stores carried gowns in her price range, she would have tried shopping there before purchasing her wedding gown online.

In the not so distant past, a bride like Laura would have started her search for a wedding gown at actual bridal shops and boutiques-it was the norm, and buying a gown online would have been considered unnecessarily risky and odd . Nowadays, however, the convenience and lower prices of online shopping have attracted more and more brides to turn to the internet to find their wedding gown. With a single search a bride can browse through hundreds of gown styles and designers without having to go through the trouble of spending weekends at bridal salons searching for the perfect dress. Online scams are always a risk, especially with bridal gowns, but today’s brides are wise to the ways of scammers and do all they can to avoid becoming a scam victim. The internet has changed the way brides shop, and it has changed the way brides view bridal shops and boutiques--they think boutiques like ours don’t have as much variety in styles, that our prices can’t compete with prices on the internet and that there are few benefits to actually shopping in store. This isn’t true! Below, I’ve listed a few reasons why brides should consider buying their gowns from bridal stores rather than online.

Bridal stores have more styles available than you would think.

Many brides are attracted to shopping for their wedding gown online because they think the number of styles available on the web far exceeds the variety you could find in a bridal store--guess again! Bridal stores know that brides have a number of different styles and tastes, and so their stock reflects a variety of different designers and cuts. They want both the off-beat bohemian bride and the bride who wants to look like Cinderella on her wedding day to be able to visit the store and find a number of styles that would be perfect for her big day--she just has to be willing to go in and look!

You can actually see and try on the gowns before purchasing one.

Finding the perfect wedding gown takes time, and it is difficult for a bride to do without actually seeing how the gown will look on her body. Going to a bridal boutique or store allows a bride to actually look at the details of the lace and beading on the gowns, and feel the softness of the fabrics. She can visit a store with close family and friends to try on a variety of styles and looks until she finds the perfect one. The process is both fun and exciting, and nothing beats that moment when a bride turns to see herself in the mirror and realizes that she’s found the gown. Brides who purchase their gowns online often miss out on this experience, and see the gown for the first time after they’ve paid for it and waited several months for it to arrive. If a bride decides she doesn’t like how the gown looks on her or if it doesn’t look as she envisioned it, a bride has less money and time to shop around for a new gown.

You have a trained bridal consultant helping you find the perfect dress.

Shopping for a wedding gown can be difficult--there are a number of styles, cuts and options to sift through and brides often have a difficult time finding ‘the dress’ on their own. A bride might enlist the help of family and friends when buying a wedding gown online, but bridal consultants are trained to help you find your dream dress. They’ve seen most of the gowns in the store on brides of all shapes and sizes, and can tell you exactly how you can expect the gown to look once it’s altered to your size. There might be a gown you didn’t even consider that they know you’ll love once you try it on, and they can answer all your questions about what alterations can and can’t be done to each gown. Having a bridal consultant there to help you find the gown is like having a fairy godmother making your wishes come true, and you’ll be very glad you had their help when choosing a gown!

Just because a bride can’t find a specific gown she loves at a local store doesn’t mean the only place she can buy it is online.

Brides often have a very particular gown or a vision of what they want their wedding gown to look like, and become disheartened when they cannot find the perfect gown in a local boutique or store. Once this happens they turn to the internet to find the gown of their dreams. Rather than purchase their gown online, however, they should use the internet as a tool. If a bride can find a picture of a gown she loves online, she can determine the designer of the gown and find the designer’s webpage, where she’ll typically find a list of retailers. Some of these retailers might be able to order the gown she's looking for and have it shipped to her. She could also print the picture and take it along with her to bridal boutiques in the area, to ask if they have similar designs. Another alternative would be talking to a local boutique about creating a custom gown, or ordering from a designer that offers custom changes to a gown that has some similarities to the dress she wants. These alternatives definitely require more thought and work than clicking that ‘add to cart’ button on some website, but they are worth it to ensure that a bride is really getting her dream dress.

Bridal store prices aren’t necessarily more expensive than prices you’ll find online.

One of the biggest reasons why brides today are shopping online is that it allows them to price shop--they want a great designer gown, but they often have a strict budget or just don’t want to pay thousands of dollars for a gown they’ll only wear once. Having a small budget is no reason to not actually visit a boutique! Most bridal shops know that not every bride has an unlimited budget, and so they carry designs at different price points. Most stores also have sample sales on discontinued styles and specials--sometimes gowns get marked down from $1,000 to $100! Bridal consignments shops and boutiques are also becoming increasingly popular, and are a great way for a bride to go if she’s planning a wedding on a budget.

If something is wrong with the gown when it arrives, the bridal store will help fix the problem.

While most of the time the gown arrives exactly as you wanted it to, things can happen. If there's a problem with a gown purchased online, you have to spend hours on the phone calling customer service, and it might be difficult to contact anyone who can help you return the dress and fix the problem. If this happens when you purchase your gown from a bridal boutique, however, you have people who are going to take care of the problem for you. Both the bridal consultants and the designers will be working around the clock to make sure you get your dream wedding in time for your big day.

Wedding gown designer Carolina Herrera once said, “a wedding dress is both an [sic] intimate and personal- it must reflect the personality and style of the bride.” For most brides, finding the perfect wedding gown isn’t like shopping for any other piece of clothing--brides want to choose a gown that not only accentuates their own beauty, but will also let their individual personality shine through. While buying a wedding gown online might seem faster and simpler, brides should remember that what they wear on their wedding day is going to be very special and remembered for years to come. Buying a gown from a bridal boutique is the best way to ensure that the gown you’re getting will look and feel exactly as you imagined. It is definitely worth the time to visit bridal boutiques, to take in the beauty of the gowns in person and make shopping for a wedding gown a memorable experience that you can share with your loved ones!

It’s All About the Shape: Wedding Dress Silhouettes 101

You’re engaged!  You’ve made the announcement, stared at the new beauty on your finger multiple times a day, and can’t stop calling your significant other fiancé/fiancée at every given chance.  And the butterflies and fun don’t stop there!  After you’ve decided on some of the major details - date, location, time of day, formality - there’s no reason why the good times can’t keep rolling.  So, what comes next?  The dress.

It can be incredibly helpful to you and your consultant to brush up on a few wedding dress basics before literally diving into your first one. In this post we will focus on silhouettes.  Here’s a breakdown of wedding dress shapes and how to rock your look from the boutique all the way to the altar!  

A-Line

This shape is ideal for any body type!  An A-line dress is fitted through the waist and gently flows out resembling the outline of the letter 'A'.  

Mermaid

This style is best for an hourglass shape.  The mermaid dress hugs curves through the bust, waist, and hips before dramatically flaring below the knee.  Embrace your curves!

Empire

This style looks great on small busted or petite brides.  It features a high waistline that elongates the body and flows over natural curves.

Ball Gown

A great silhouette for average to tall brides and those looking to show off their waist. The ball gown nips at the narrowest part of the waist and flares into a full voluminous skirt.  

Trumpet

The trumpet compliments and balances a curvy figure. This shape is similar to the mermaid but flares at the mid-thigh instead of below the knee.

Sheath

This style is great for slim or toned brides as it often clings to the body and has less structure.  The sheath’s straight skirt provides an overall lean look.

Tea-Length

This style works for many body types.  The skirt falls between the knee to the ankle.  If you’re looking to rock an amazing pair of shoes then this may be your silhouette!

Starting your search with this information in mind will make dress shopping more relaxed and focused.  Keep in mind that most of us know what flatters our figures, but don’t be afraid to try on different silhouettes!  Your consultant will happily pull different shapes for you to try and point you in the right direction.  Now go out and embrace your shape and be confident that you will find the perfect dress!

*Looking for tips on how to prepare for dress shopping?  Check out our previous post about what to bring with you to your appointment and tips on making it one of the best shopping days of your life!

What do I bring to my appointment?