by Leila Morris
Like a car, a wedding dress is a very emotional purchase. That’s why it’s so easy to get carried away with the cost. The key is to find a cheap wedding dress that looks far from cheap. Of course you want an affordable wedding dress that makes you look like the most beautiful bride who ever lived. But, what you will enjoy over the years are the photos of you in the wedding gown, not the dress itself. If you happen to save it, it will sit in your attic for years.
If you have a daughter, she’ll refuse to wear it because it is out of style by then. That is why you should consider renting a dress.
Here are some other ideas:
Buy an affordable wedding dress from an upscale second hand store that specializes in wedding dresses and evening gowns. Forget trying to find a one in your local thrift store unless you want to look like a poof ball in a 1980s gown or a flower child in a 1960s number.
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Borrow a wedding dressfrom a married friend or relative. As you walk down the aisle, nobody’s going to say, That’s the same dress Cousin Sue wore three years ago! Nobody’s going to remember. You can differentiate you look with a different style of veil.
·Going to the prom: Go to the prom or evening dress section of the store. You may find a beautiful white or off-white dress. Instead of going to a small bridal shop, go to one of the big warehouses like David’s Bridal. They have gowns in a range of prices.
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You may also find an inexpensive gown on Ebay, but there is always the risk that it will not look the same in person as it did in the picture. Another idea is Craigslist.org. Since is has separate sections for each city, you can go to the seller’s house and try it on. There are also many online bridal stores. Your local bridal shop may have a dress that has been damaged but can be repaired. They may also have a dress that was returned and already altered, which they can’t sell at retail.
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You can buy a kit at Michaels to make a veil or get a cheap tiara at Claire’s and attach some tulle.
Leila Morris is the editor of www.wedcheaper.com.
By Honey Wesley
Wedding dress designers are finally realizing that plus size brides want the same choices as all brides.
When choosing a plus size wedding dress, look for one that enhances your best features based in large part, your body shape.
Don't letting anyone talk you into choosing bows and ruffles to try to "hide" figure flaws. It usually has the opposite effect.
If you have lovely shoulders, show them off with strapless or halter type dresses. If you've got great legs., consider a tea length wedding dress or a floor length style with a slit on the side. Most of us get only one shot at the wedding of our dreams - be confident and daring in your choice of a plus size bridal gown.
A-line are especially attractive styles. They feature a fitted bodice and a skirt that flares out to the hem, If you have a plus size hourglass shape, a ballroom style may be a great choice, with its natural waistline and full skirt and a beautiful off the shoulder bodice. If you carry your weight mostly in your hips, try a Basque waist dress. With this style, the waistline that starts below your natural waist and forms a V shape.
As a plus size bride of long ago, I know the challenges of finding the perfect dress and I hope these tips will help make shopping for your plus size wedding dress a bit less stressful. For a site completely dedicated to plus size brides, visit http://www.curvybrides.com, where you'll find elegance in new, used and discounted plus size wedding dresses.
Gown by Disney?
You may have pictured a Disney bride with mouse years and a polka dot skirt, but Disney’s Enchanted gown by Kirstie Kelly is surprisingly sophisticated. For Disney fanatics, the whole line is at www.disneybridal.com.
Wedding Dresses for Pregnant Brides
For those who've gotten a jump on starting a family and don't need the Kama Sutra package, A Pea in the Pod is offering hand-beaded wedding gowns. www.apeainthepod.com
or call 1.877.apeapod.
