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Ask Bridalwave!, Gowns, Wedding Planning

Ask Bridalwave – designer wedding dress sales

By admin on February 16th, 2007

" I am trying to find a wedding dress but they are so expensive! Do you happen to know if there is going to be another Designer Wedding Dress Sale soon? Thanks!" Marina

You’re right about dresses being expensive but there’s always a deal to be had! Vera Wang are having a brilliant sample sale for two days only on 24th and 25th February with dresses up to 75% off and all under £995! (The Wedding Shop, 96-98 Waterford Road, London, SW6 Reserve your ticket here) Also in London on the 25th and 26th of February is the designer sample sale with up to 50% off designers including Cymbeline, Pronovias, Suzanne Neville, Sassi Holford and Stephanie Allin. (Blackburn Bridal Couture, 28 Blackheath Village, SE3 Appointments only 020 8297 1188). Pronuptia are also running a buy one wedding dress, get one bridesmaid dress free for a limited time.

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Ask Bridalwave!, Cheap vs Chic, Gowns

Cheap vs Chic – Monique Lhuillier lace dress

By admin on January 5th, 2007

2 comments

‘Has anyone been able to find a less expensive version of the Hjelm(JH 8663) or ML all-over lace dress?’ Hollis

You’re in luck because, yes, I have found a much, much less expensive version of the Monique Lhullier and Jim Hjelm lace dresses. The Monique version is on the left (click here for a similar Jim Hjelm style) but on the right, I’ve found a Bari Jay lace halter neck dress with scalloped neck line and satin sash tied at the waist. And the price – $178 from Nordstrom!

Related: Wedding gowns

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Ask Bridalwave!, Flowers/Decoration, Wedding Planning

Orchid wedding flower centrepieces

By admin on November 28th, 2006

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"I enjoy reading your blog every day and find it really useful. I’m getting married on the 16^th June next year and have pretty much everything sorted apart from the flowers. I know I want Orchids and I’ve chosen my bouquet but really don’t know what sort of table centre pieces I would like. Do you know where I could find examples of good centre pieces on the internet?" Geraldine

You know I love a challenge and I’ve scoured the net high and low for some orchid inspired table centrepieces. Some of the first sites I searched were the websites of wedding magazines (you’ll find a selection of both UK and USA sites on the right if you scroll down this page). They feature so many ideas, often with online pictures and links to suppliers.

It isn’t hard to figure why orchids can be found in the top ten list of wedding flowers – they are sophisticated, timeless blooms and are sturdy enough to withstand the summer heat. If you’re going to use orchids for the wedding you can choose to have either potted or cut styles and there’s plenty of varieties for colour. The advantage of the former is that you can give them away to guests after the reception if you like.

Orchids are very versatile, you can go subtle and elegant or you can add some real drama to the centrepieces with a tall arrangement like this cymbidium orchid and carnation vase which I found at Wedding Flowers Guide.

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Ask Bridalwave!, Bridesmaids & Attendants, Gowns, Wedding Planning

Ask Bridalwave – Silver Bridesmaid Dresses

By admin on September 12th, 2006

3 comments

"Please help. It’s six weeks to go until my wedding and I still don’t have anything for my bridesmaids to wear! I have 2 adult bridesmaids, one of them gave birth less than a month ago and as she is breastfeeding she is, very "top heavy", making dress buying very difficult. I would like the dresses to be long and silver if possible as the theme is Red and Silver. If not then white, or black. The style of full skirts to mid calf suit neither girl.
If we could find something on the high street so could be tried on would be ideal. Any ideas? Time is running out." Ruth
"ps – I love Bridalwave – frock horror really makes my week !"

Flattery gets you everywhere, Ruth, it even gets you a selection of hard-to-find silver dresses!

My first find is this gorgeous bandeau dress which is perfect for party girls. As your bridesmaids don’t suit long skirts, the skirt falls just to the knee but is quite high waisted so suitable if your new Mum bridesmaids is still feeling a bit self conscious about her figure. I’m not sure how low cut the back os but I suspect she’ll be able to get a bra under there comfortably too. It’s £75, sizes 6-16 at Warehouse.

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Ask Bridalwave!, Shoes

Ask Bridalwave – Wedding Shoes

By admin on August 10th, 2006

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"My dress is all vintage lace with varying shades of off- white, cream (some yellow tones as well) and made in a very 1920′s style. My future hubby is about 5’8 and im 5’7 so I dont want to tower over him. I’m looking for a retro but NOT clunky shoe with no more than a 2" heel. Does such a thing exist? I’m willing to go gold or another color that you think would fit the dress I described, I’m not too conservative so I’m willing to have fun with my footwear (but sexy is always best) Thank you so much in advance for taking the time!" Rena

Such a thing does exist and shoes with low heels aren’t just for taller brides but also for women who want to be able to stand up all day without feeling the burn. This ivory silk and kid leather pair – ‘Paget’ by Benjamin Adams – would look great with most styles of dress and can be found at Paradox London.

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Ask Bridalwave!, Gowns, Wedding Planning

Ask Bridalwave – DIY dresses

By admin on August 2nd, 2006

2 comments

Hurrah! I’ve spent about an hour basking in the glory that my advice is apparently worth having (I love the emails folks, keep them coming) and now I’m ready to do your bidding. Cheryl emails, ‘I’ll be married this December and I’ve been shopping around for a dress on a shoestring budget. I’ve bought a very pretty lace corset top from Coast (£80), and I’m actually thinking of making a ‘ball gown skirt’ on my own to match it.

I’ve seen some material (silk, tulle) in John Lewis and searched for references online but not having much luck with the latter. I wonder if any bride-to-be on your site has actually considered this, and came out successful with it?"

My first thought was you must be ever so slightly bonkers (sorry). I may be wrong, but you haven’t mentioned any sewing skills, so if you don’t have any – don’t try it! A wedding outfit is the last thing you should experiment on. If you’ve found the perfect material…

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Accessories - Bags, Tiaras, etc, Ask Bridalwave!, Bridesmaids & Attendants, Shoes

Ask Bridalwave – Flip Flops

By admin on July 18th, 2006

2 comments

"I’m getting married next year and want to do something special for the ladies at the reception. I’d love to have a basket of flip flops outside the reception so that women can pick them up on their way in. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never made it through a wedding reception with my shoes on; this way your feet don’t get completely nasty. Anyway, I’m looking for the cheap ones they give when you get a pedicure (styrofoam, I think) but I can’t find them anywhere at all. Could you help?Thanks!!" Ariana

Have I mentioned I love a challenge? I’ve had a little look around for some disposable flip flops and here’s what I’ve come up with. This pair are $5.99 at The Knot wedding Shop

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Posted in Accessories - Bags, Tiaras, etc, Ask Bridalwave!, Bridesmaids & Attendants, Shoes | 2 Comments »

Ask Bridalwave!, Bridesmaids & Attendants, Get the Look, Wedding Planning

Chocolatey delicious bridesmaid dresses

By admin on June 15th, 2006

7 comments

"I’m in London and my bridesmaid is in Edinburgh and we’re really struggling
with finding her an outfit. The basic issue is trying to find a simple and elegant, chocolate brown,
full-length evening dress on the high street/off the peg that would be
suitable for a bridesmaid. She is a UK 14/16 and is quite busty, so something with a little support
would be good. Do you have any suggestions?"

I love a challenge (and the opportunity to browse shops online and call it work) so I went in search of some great dresses that will suit your bridesmaid. I hope she realises how lucky she is to have a friend who won’t dress her up in some nasty upholstery cast-off! It did prove to be quite a challenge because even though the dress is big this year, being able to find one that matched all your requirements was tough so I’ve found a variety of different shades and cuts…

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Ask Bridalwave!, Shoes

Ask Bridalwave! – D’Orsay inspired wedding shoes

By admin on May 10th, 2006

3 comments

"I’m in desperate need for shoes for my wedding in July. I am looking for D’Orsay style (I think) and about a 3"-4" heel. The problem is, that my dress is a sort of nude/cafe latte/oyster colour and all the bridal shoes seem to be white or cream or too gold." Donna

If you’re planning on wearing a dress that isn’t white, don’t limit yourself to looking at purely bridal shoe ranges. There are more than enough fancy shoes out there that can easily be transposed to weddings. The pair above are an ankle strap courts from Schuh. With etched leather uppers and a heel height of 4 inches they cost £49.99 at Viva La Diva

If you have any shoe or wedding related dilemmas do email me and I’ll do my best to answer your questions. In the mean time, lets see what else I found…

More bridal footwear here.

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