WEDDING NOTES™ - Tying It All Together

Dreams, time, energy and fittings have gone into selecting THE GOWN for your wedding day.  Nothing can compete with it.  What remains is to enhance its beauty by selecting the perfect accessories and gown enhancers.

You've gotten the call - your gown has arrived.  It is time to make sure that all of the items that will be worn that day are perfect as well.

• *Undergarments - These are critical to insure that your gown fits beautifully.  Be sure to purchase the right bra, the right slip, and if your gown is a mermaid style, a trusty pair of Spanx.  Bring all items to the salon when you have your first fitting.  If something isn't right, you'll have time to replace it.

• *Shoes - It doesn't matter what style you've chosen, just make sure you've worn them at home on carpeting to insure comfort and that they are with you at that first fitting of your gown.  You must wear them when the hem of your gown is being pinned.  Heel height determines hem length.  Once hemmed you can't change your mind.

• *Veil or Headpiece - If you didn't make its selection when you chose your gown, now is the time.  Decide on length, style and gown compatibility.  Make sure it is comfortable by working with its placement.  Does it work with your plans for your wedding day hair style?

• *Wrap - Rarely needed in warm weather, but essential in northern climates, the wrap you choose absolutely must compliment your gown.  Don't settle for a style that competes with the dress or looks like an afterthought.  If you can't find exactly what you want, ask the seamstress who is doing your fitting to help create the perfect accessory.

• *Bustle - If your gown has a sweeping train that you will want bustled for the reception/dance, be sure to bring along a friend to your fitting.  She should take notes during the fitting about how to bustle your gown.  Some directions will be simple - two ribbons tied together, but some may be more complicated.  Waiting to have your bustle "installed" while the band plays on without you isn't good.  Have a few practice runs before the final pressing.

• *Jewelry -Bring the pieces you are considering to that first fitting to make sure they still work.  IF the gown is heavily beaded, you may wish to consider little or no jewelry.  If the gown is plain and elegant - the minimalist look, you can consider impact jewelry.  Just make sure the jewelry chosen compliments the gown, not competes with it.

WEDDING NOTES™ - Looking Good

Most women would agree that there is something special about a man in a tux.  They just look good.

But they could look even better if they took time to insure that the tuxedos they wear - fit.  There are some tips for insuring that tuxedos (or for that matter any suit) fits properly.  Most menswear specialists would offer these guidelines.

*Buttons - For men's jackets on tuxedos or suits, the simplest rule is to follow the "always-sometimes-never" rule.  For all occasions, always button the top button, sometimes the middle button and never the bottom button.

*Sleeves - Most rental suits don't pay attention to sleeve length and that is a mistake.  Granted a rental suit won't fit like a tailored or custom fit jacket, but always pay attention to the sleeve length.  It always looks best if about 1/4 " of the shirt cuff peeks out below the sleeve when the arms are at his side and relaxed.  More than that or an "ocean" of cuff peeking out looks bad.

*Jackets - The best possible jacket length is when arms are relaxed at the man's side the bottom of the jacket hits about an inch above his knuckles.  The shoulder seam should hit exactly where his shoulder ends.  More than that and the jacket looks funny with the seam sliding down the arm.  Less than that and the man looks like his jacket is a size too small.

*Trousers - Hem length on trousers can be hotly debated and individual men have their own preferences, but what you want to avoid at your wedding are pants that are too short or too long.  The best rule of thumb is hem the pants so that there is a slight break (if any) and the hem should just touch the shoelaces.

If the men in your wedding party order their tuxes from a reputable dealer and give the shop plenty of time to get merchandise in, you have a better chance of having suits that fit well.  If the men get into the store early when the tuxes arrive, there is still time to make any size adjustments that may be required.

WEDDING NOTES™ - Bridesmaids don’t have to Match

The days of 6 young women dressed identically, with matching shoes, matching hairdos, gloves, earrings and flowers preceding the bride down the aisle are disappearing.  Today's bridesmaids have the luxury of picking out their own best look (that might actually be worn again) in various lengths, color families, fabrics and styles.  As one bride put it, "It's too difficult to take a group of girls and put them all in the same color and style.  Everyone has her own personal style.  An eclectic mix looks more special."  (Lauren Conrad of Paper Crown Bridesmaids).

Here are some elegant options to consider.

• ·         Pick two complimentary shades (peach and taupe, gold and bronze etc.) and let the bridesmaids pick the color scheme and gown style they wish.  You can specify length (knee or floor if you wish) and neckline (strapless or not) but the color choice is up to the bridesmaid.

• ·         Are sparkles your thing?  Outfit your maids in gowns with bling - sequins, beads, studs can work for maids as long as the shine is uniform.

• ·         Maybe your bridesmaids will  all wear street length dresses but the maid of honor is in floor length but all in the same color family.

• ·         If you want them to look "together" select several different styles that you like in a color you want, but let your maids each pick the dress they want from your selection.

• ·         Choose separates.  A number of bridesmaid manufacturers have created lines that offer skirts of varying length with 3-6 options for tops.  You pick the color and  let your maids pick their style combos.

• ·         Pick a color and let maids choose the fabric and style.

• ·         Don't forget prints.  Once a color group has been chosen, consider putting the maids in prints and the MOH in solid color - or reverse it MOH in print and maids in solids.

Individual tastes and preferences can be considered when choosing attendant gowns.  Just look for a uniting factor - color, length, fabric or silhouette - so the result isn't haphazard.