The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/103825
D-4 Happily Ever After 2013 Pike Publishing Organization tips Find a gown they all will Close friends and family members are an important component of a couple's wedding day. Individuals who are especially close to the bride and groom are often asked to become members of the wedding party, which means a bride-tobe will be asking one or more women to play an integral role in the celebration. To set these ladies apart from other guests at the wedding, they are often asked to wear coordinating bridesmaid gowns. Selecting a style and color that is fitting to the unique people of the bridal party can be challenging, but it's not impossible. As if choosing your maid of honor wasn't tricky enough, you now must make a host of other decisions as well, all while playing stylist to the wedding party. Fashion sense is as unique as a fingerprint, and it is unlikely the bridesmaids will be able to agree on every aspect of the gowns they will be asked to wear. However, there are ways to narrow down the choices and be as accommodating as possible to their needs. Size matters: The body shapes and sizes of the women in your bridal party will be different, and this should be kept in mind when selecting a gown style and cut. There are certain dress shapes that are universally flattering, such as A-line. Try to avoid gowns that are extremely form-fitting, as only a few of the bridesmaids may be able to pull off this look successfully. The re- Once you've decided on the basic elements, consider the following suggestions to find a gown that the bridal party will enjoy. Take YOUR bridesmaids with you. Try to select ones with opposite body types so you can see how the gown looks on a woman who is thin and one who may be more full-figured. Think about choosing separates. The bridesmaids can mix and match tops and bottoms to find a fit that works. This may enable a woman with a larger bust size to select a top with supportive straps while another bridesmaid can opt for strapless. Many stores have increased their inventory of separates because of their growing popularity. tHe ttIC Full Service BaBy Shop & conSignment Boutique Rita & Gary Harness 426 N. Market St. • Mt. CarMel, IllINoIS HourS: MoN–Sat 9 aM–5 PM •85 Tuxedo Styles •300 Accessory Options love Flattering Color: As a bride you may have a colorscape in your mind for the wedding. But what looks good in table linens and flowers is not always the right choice for clothing. Take the skin tones and hair colors of your bridesmaids into consideration before choosing a dress. Green- and yellow-hued dresses may not look nice on women with olive skin tones, while very pale colors may wash out women with fair skin. Those with dark skin may need a brighter-colored dress. Write things down. Whether you write things down the old-fashioned way in a notebook or jot down notes in a tablet, write down your plans as you go. Write down important phone numbers, vendor information and all the other details to which you want instant access. It's important that such notes are taken in something that's portable, allowing you to jot down notes immediately as opposed to forcing you to remember until you arrive home. Price Tag: It is an honor to be asked to be part of a bridal party, but that honor can be very expensive. The bridesmaids are expected to pay for their wardrobe, hair styling, and makeup, as well as parties and gifts for the happy couple. As a courtesy to the women who already will be investing a considerable amount to be a part of your wedding, make every effort to select a gown that is affordable. There are plenty of retailers offering stylish options that may not be as expensive as some specialty stores. Choose one color. Then let the bridesmaids choose the style they like the best for themselves. The look will still be cohesive, but it won't be boring with one type of gown. Also, each bridesmaid will be comfortable with a gown that flatters her shape. Go with a tea-length gown. These gowns have become quite trendy and are less formal and cumbersome than full-length gowns. Plus, there is a greater likelihood that the gown can be used again at a later date. Purchase at one store. Purchase the bridesmaid gowns at the same store where you will be purchasing your wedding gown. Most shops will offer a courtesy discount if the bridesmaid gowns are purchased at the same store. Custom made cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pies, seasonal items and candy. 24 N. 5th Street, Vincennes (812) 255-CAKE (2253) pattycakesv@hotmail.com facebook.com/pages/Patty-Cakes corner APPAREL FOR MEN AND WOMEN Everyone who attends the RMC Bridal Fair (Jan. 18 & 19) receives a FREE WEDDING PLANNER Create a to-do list. A to-do list is another great way to stay organized when planning your wedding. As you make certain decisions, simply strike those tasks from the list. This way you will know which tasks you've polished off and on which ones you still need to work. Create a wedding calendar. Keep a calendar devoted specifically to the wedding. Include appointments with vendors and information regarding payment schedules and other deadlines on this calendar. If you set any deadlines for yourself, such as when you prefer to choose a band for the reception, jot these deadlines down on the wedding calendar as well. Take a digital camera along to shop. Many couples want to explore their options before making any decisions with regard to attire, floral bouquets and other aspects of the wedding. But it can be difficult to remember all of the things you might have seen throughout the process. Bring a digital camera along when shopping so you won't have to rely strictly on memory when making your final decisions. As you take pictures, upload them to your computer so when the time comes to make a decision, those photos are easily accessible. Delegate certain tasks. Even couples that consider themselves taskmasters can benefit from delegating some tasks when planning a wedding. This can save you some time and make it easier to keep track of everything. When delegating, ask friends or family to handle those tasks that don't require a personal touch. For example, ask a best man or maid of honor to arrange for guest transportation to and from the airport. It's not too much responsibility, but it's one less thing for busy couples to worry about. Illusions Bridal 701 Main St. • Vincennes myillusionsbridal.com (812) 882-4201 Lisa McClure, Owner Hours: Mon., Tues. & Fri. 10-5 Wed & Thur. 10-7 • Sat. 10-4 • Sun 1-4 ■■ Bridal Attire ■■ Formal Attire ■■ Tuxedos ■■ Party Rental ■■ Special Event Planning For Your Special Occasion From small to large events: • Weddings • Showers • Reunions • andmore We cater quality meals at a price that is sure to please! 335 N. Market, Mt. Carmel Register for 3 FREE TUXEDO RENTALS Couples planning a wedding quickly realize just how challenging a task that planning can be. From paring down the guest list to arranging the music to choosing a menu for the reception, couples must make several decisions when planning their big days. Staying organized when planning a wedding is no small task, as the planning can be spread out over several months or even more than a year, making it difficult to keep track of what has and hasn't been done. The following are a few organization tips that should help couples keep on track when planning a wedding. tyle S Mon. - Fri. 9 AM - 5 PM Saturday 9 AM - 4 PM a wedding mainder could be left feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable. Plus, form-fitting clothing will be restrictive and can be difficult to move around in -- particularly considering the gown will be worn for an entire day. ArrIVE IN The 618-262-5500 for couples planning MuensterMan Motor S 10301 S. 150 E., Haubstadt Phone: 812-768-5071 www.muens t ermanmot or s.com L aura's Catering Inc. (812) 867-9749 Mike and Laura Richter