What Colour Is Appropriate For A Hawaiian Beach Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

Question from Celeste:

We are going to Maui to renew our 30th wedding anniversary vows and are going to be on the beach with my sister and her fiance who will then get married after us (not their first marriage).  It will only be the four of us and we would like to know if any color of dress would be appropriate to wear.  We want this to be fun and very, very informal.

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Celeste, and congratulations on your upcoming anniversary.  Maui is great!  How wonderful that your sister will be getting married at the same time!  You will have a great fun, I am sure.

As for what to wear, well, with an informal occasion like you are describing, anything goes.  But I am sure you want to create some sense of occasion with your attire.  For an anniversary dress, I suggest you look through the bridesmaid dresses for a beautiful t-length (cocktail) dress.  Any colour will work for an anniversary.  You could ‘go native’ and pick up a Hawaiian sundress once you are there—accented with a great hat and flowers.

As for your sister, who is getting married, I am sure she would like the perfect destination wedding dress.  But forget the usual, stuffy dresses!  Go for something simple in lace to give it some presence.  Many bridesmaid dresses come in white (as well a variety of other beautiful colours) and they make a perfect informal wedding dress at a great price.  It is more and more common that brides (even first time brides) are choosing a wedding dress in a variety of colours from pale green to full coloured blue or red gowns.  Anything goes when it comes to colour, especially at an informal wedding.  There are also great bridal flip-flops that are quite elegant and perfect for the beach.

Encore weddings (where the bride is getting married again) usually sees the bride in a couture suit, cocktail dress, or simple wedding gown.  An encore bride usually wears a hat, hair ornaments or fresh flowers in their hair instead of a veil.

If you check out the links, it will lead you to literally thousands of dresses, some in over 50 colours.  Enjoy shopping!

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

What Style of Wedding Dress Should I Look For? – Ask The Expert Answer

Question from Miriam:

I’ve read the wonderful newspaper The Secret of Dressing Your Body Type and it helped me a lot.  I’ve defined my body type which is pear because my bust is small and my hips are bigger but not very much because I’m bit skinny, but compared to my weight my hips are ok because of my pear shape.  But I’m not sure about the choices of the wedding dressed that you advised for the pear shape because I’m not annoyed with my hips that I would hide them with an empire gown for example because this is the only part that has some good meat in my body.  By the way my weight is 53 and hight is 166 cm.  i’ve always liked the full skirt gowns because they look like princesses gowns, I don’t know if they will suit my body or not??
Please give me advice which would suit me and show me shorter and fatter

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Miriam.  Although you might be slightly  “pear shaped”, from your description you have a more balanced hour-glass shape.  The descriptions are for those with pronounced shapes.  For a moment, forget everything you read about body shapes.  As stated at the end of the document, the goal you are after is for your body to look balanced in the dress or gown you are wearing.  To know whether a dress will work with you or not can only be “analysed” so much—-you need to try on dresses.  If you have a large skirt without the height, your top half might look “lost” in the dress.  A lot depends upon the cut of the dress, so you need to try them on. 

Look for dresses that make your upper and lower torso look balanced.  When you try on the right wedding dress, you will know!

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Wedding Expert

What Can I Wear Instead Of A Wedding Gown? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

Question from Lynne:

Hello,  I hope you can give me some ideas as I will be getting married next year to a lovely man.  This is the second time around for us both.  I’m divorced and Paul is a widow. I am a plus size in clothing ( size 28) but I’d like something special for this day. Not a gown though. Can you suggest something.

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Lynne, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  There are many beautiful dresses that you could wear instead of a wedding gown.  Take a look through the many bridesmaids dresses—they come in all shapes and sizes.  You might find the perfect dress there. 

If you didn’t want to go with a dress, you could go with an upscale pant suit.  Stores like Penningtons, Additionelle, Lane Bryant, etc. all have one or two beautiful classy outfits each season that is aimed at the bridal market.  Check them out online or in person.

Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to email again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

What Wedding Gown I Right For Me? – The Wedding Expert Answer

Question from Liz:

I am 5’5″ and 110 lbs. What kind of dress is right for me? I would like something strapless. I was thinking of a princess or a ball gown type dress.

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Liz, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  It is difficult to advise you without knowing your body shape.  The key element you should be looking for when choosing your wedding dress is that you should look symetrical.  Your upper and lower torso should look balanced.  Without knowing your body shape, or seeing you, I cannot advise you further.  Use your judgement when picking your gown, and if you don’t trust yourself, ask a friend or relative whose fashion sense you admire to come along with you.

If I can answer any other questions, feel free to email again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Is A Mermaid Wedding Dress The Right Choice? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

Question from Christina:

Hi.  I am like five one and half feet tall and i wear a size 7 in jeans so I have curvy hips but everything else is pretty small I have a small bust and thin legs so I guess u can say I have kinda a pear shaped body    I tried on a mermaid halter dress.     I really liked it and so did everyone else.  Do you think that it’s a good choice?

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Christina, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  It is difficult to say without seeing you in the dress.  My question to you:  does your body look proportional?  Is your upper and lower half LOOK proportional?  If yes, you have the right dress.  If your upper and lower look unbalanced, then it’s not the best dress for you.

No every pear shape is the same.  Not every hourglass is the same.  I’m sure that your family and friends would not steer you wrong in your wedding dress choice.  Use your judgement, but the goal of looking well put together in ANY outfit, is a nice balanced upper and lower half of the body.  You can get more height with nice comfortable wedding shoes.

Good luck, and if you have any other questions, feel free to email again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

What Colours To Choose For A Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

Question from Geofrey:

Please I request the wedding expert to suggest to me a colour I can use for my wedding.  We are both black in complexion.  Thank you.

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Geofrey, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  There are a lot of things to take into consideration when choosing your wedding colours.  If you are having a formal wedding, then you will have black and white.  If you are having an informal or contemporary wedding, you have a greater choice of colour. 

What colours do you like?  What colours look good on you?  Look at your reception site.  What colours are there?  What colour table linens do they have available? 

In a formal wedding, the bride and groom usually are in black and white, but the bridal party can have other colours.  If you are having a contemporary wedding, there are many beautiful wedding gowns in a large selection of colours.  The cumberbund and tie can be in a matching colour to the bride’s gown if you are choosing colours. 

I hope this gives you some ideas.  If you have more details, I could give you a more detailed answer.  Feel free to add comments below, and I will respond.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Planning Weddings Take Time, So Give Yourself Plenty Of Time

Question from Pam:

The wedding date for my daughter is 9/9/2009. Send any and all advice you want and can to start to prepare. Thank you.

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Pam.  Since you have only 7 months left before the wedding, the most important things to be done first are to book the ceremony and reception sites, clergy, caterer, florist, music, photographer, and videographer.  These places and people get booked up quickly, so this need to be done immediately.  Usually this is done 9 to 12 months, or earlier before a wedding.  Check out these wedding planning books.

The tasks that are usually completed 6 to 9 months before the wedding are to order the wedding gown and accessories (bridal shoes, headpiece, wedding night lingerie, wedding handbags, etc.), order bridesmaids dresses, and men’s attire.  The wedding colour scheme and decor should be decided so planning of decorations can start.  The guest list should be finalized, invitations ordered, and save-the-date cards sent to out-of-town guests.  The bride should register at the bridal registries by the sixth month.

Anything not confirmed with the caterers, musicians, ceremony or reception sites, rental of tables, chairs, tents, fountains, arches, etc., should be completed by the sixth month.  A system to track guest invitation responses, gifts received, and thank you notes sent is needed.  The bride should help the mother of the bride and groom choose their dresses so it fits the decor/wedding colours chosen.

Some other things to be done by the sixth month are for the engaged couple to start dance lessons if needed, and start beauty treatments like teeth whitening, facials, brow shaping, etc.

The more complex and larger the wedding, the longer the details take to plan.  If you are planning a smaller wedding, it will be easier.  I have received many a sad story from brides who did not get their wedding gown in time for the wedding, or have things not turn out the way they wanted because everything took so much longer than they thought it would.  I suggest that the planning process steadily move forward every week, or there will be more stress before the wedding.  Many a bride and groom have shared how exhausted they were by time the wedding came that they barely remember it.  Good planning will alleviate this problem.

All the bridal magazines have a wedding planning checklist, and there are many on-line that are available to you if you “google” it.  If you have any other questions, feel free to email me again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Wedding Dress Designer Maggie Sottero Is A Hit

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When it comes to wedding dress designers, Maggie Sottero is highly valued for her elegant designs.  Maggie Sottero Couture Bridal originated in Australia more than 30 years ago. Maggis Sottero Gowns features dresses in beautiful styles, fabrics and colours.  The gowns all have the rich stunning detailing through the use of beading, embroidery and fabric that brides love. 

The wedding gown, “Patience” is a one-piece, strapless, A-line gown.  You have a choice of a lace-up or zipper over inner lace-up closure.  The criss-cross, ruched Rhapsody Taffeta bodice is highlighted at the center waistline with a lovely beaded embellishment.  The A-line skirt presents a vintage appeal with embellished Venise Lace. This gown comes with various length options, and is offered up to 3 inches shorter in front or up or 2 inches longer in front.

This Maggie Sottero wedding dress has a bodice that is strapless with a sweet-heart neckline.  This dress has applique detailing with lace and beading.  The skirt is an A line style with floor length, tiered layers with a train.  It comes in white, ivory and diamond white.  It is available in size 0 to size 18. 

Maggie Sottero wedding dresses are very popular, and there are many choices in this line of bridal gowns

Informal Wedding Dresses Are Rich In Style

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When it comes to informal wedding dresses, you don’t have to give up style.  Designer Aflred Angelo has designed this beautiful informal wedding dress created for the true romantic. 

With net-over-satin with Schiffli lace, crystal beading and pearls, this floor-length wedding gown is stunning.  It features a scooped neckline with spaghettie straps, and a sheer back yoke trimmed with lace and covered with buttons.  This wedding gown is in a princess line style with a slim fit, flared skirt, and a scalloped lace hemline.

This beautiful wedding gown comes in white and ivory colours, and ranges from size 2 to size 28W.  This classic princess line style is perfect for all body types, and the two colours of white and ivory will suit any skin colour and tone. 

Your wedding may be informal, but you have a lot of gorgeous choices in informal wedding dresses.  Informal weddings are full of warmth, family and friends enjoying a special moment in your life.

The Perfect Destination Wedding Dress

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You are planning a destination wedding, and want the perfect destination wedding dress.  Your wedding plan allows you the beach wedding you always dreamed of AND the beautiful wedding dress that you have always envisioned.  With all the details of your wedding plans, finalizing the wedding dress is first and foremost in your mind–and this dress is the perfect solution.

This dazzling wedding dress is for the true romantic, and is part of the Alfred Angelo bridal colleciton.  This classic princess silhouette of re-embroidered lace over net creates a beautiful strapless gown.  The detail is dazzling with it’s pearl and crystal beading throughout the dress.  The dropped waist and high-low hemline is perfect for your beach wedding and lets you show off your perfect bridal shoes

This lace wedding gown comes in size 2 thru to size 28W, in both white and ivory, and comes with a removable satin skirt.  Imagine yourself on the beach in this classic dress, marrying the man of your dreams.