Theweddingcollection's Blog

Bridesmaids outshining the bride 2

theweddingcollection — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:39:34 +0000

I spoke lately about the bridesmaids and bridemaids dresses. I recently saw a multiway dress in The Gloss magazine 03/06/10. Gorgeous dress and about 15 different ways to style the top of the dress-great way to get the different looks for the girls. One down fall-it cost £399. Now don’t despair-it is only a matter of time before a company copies this and some bridesmaids manufacturers do this-but the high street will be on top of this in no time-so keep your eyes peeled-if you find any let me know!

Try to keep your bridesmaids dresses different to your own-a close copy in a different colour neutralises your distinct look-for example-if you ahve a one shoulder dress-give the girls different strap variations not a matching one shoulder-, also if there is a flower or detailing on your dress in a particular spot-don’t match this-again it makes your dress and style less special.

We recently advised a bride to mix the stlyes for her different shaped bridesmaids in chiffon dresses-drapy, comfortable and fabulous. Each dress has a slight embellishment and is individual to each girl-highlighting their best assets while complimenting the brides taste, theme and style

Grecian goddess style bridesmaid dress with floaty chiffon drape

Mystic chiffon bridesmaids dress

Stunning bridesmaid style with corset back

So when picking think of this little tip-if anyone in particular (or all) is calling all the shots- think to yourself-would she let me wear this dress/dictate to her, annoy everyone-for her own wedding?I DON’T THINK SO!

Honeymoon ideas

theweddingcollection — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:33:37 +0000

I saw this website and the pictures alone would make you stay on it and day dream forever-warning you will love it!

http://www.runawaybrideandgroom.com/

Bridesmaids outshining the bride??

theweddingcollection — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:18:36 +0000

Recently we have read a few articles on bridesmaids styles and tips for your wedding day. The main thing here is that bridesmaids, who should look stunning on the day do not out shine you the bride on your specail wedding day. The key here is to lay down certain rules when you are picking out the dresses. The main things to decide early on are length, colour and style. Once this is firmly in place the girls can go into fashion show mode and try on as much as they can to suit their figures and your theme. Straps can be varied on the dresses for differnet bust sizes and sashes can be worn in different places to bring out the best features on the girls. For example a sash just under the bust will give more length like an empire line dress, a low sash placed on the low hip is great to lengthen the body and a sash on the waist just below the ribs with accentuate a neat waist and draw the eye here.

Current budget of brides spending on their wedding dress

theweddingcollection — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:45:23 +0000

The average price of a dress has well and truly reduced in the last year. And we have certainly kept up with this trend offering wedding dresses from €350. But in case you don’t know any of this and are unsure what lies ahead when you start you wedding dress shopping

1. The average cost of a wedding dress to order in to your size and colour is €1000-€1500

2. For high end designer dresses expect to pay in exccess of €2500

3. Most off the rack dresses (bought off the rail in whatever size and colour is available ) average in price at €700

4. 1 tier wedding veils with Swarovski crystals average at €275 and 2 tier €375 when bought from a bridal store.

Good luck in the hunt for your Dream Wedding Dress!

NO to RSVP cards!

theweddingcollection — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:40:58 +0000

Is it worth it?

Again we try to work with you and your budget so here’s some interesting facts to bear in mind when ordering your wedding stationery!

1. Don’t send invitations to family and friends that know they are coming

2. 20% of your guest list will refuse to come

3. Less than 20% of rsvp’s sent out come back to you!! Even with stamps.

4. Out of 100 people invited and confirmed to go to your day only 80% will go to the church. Don’t forget when organising mass booklets!

RSVP’s are fast becoming the biggest waste of money for couples-would you agree?

New trend emerging from Brides ordering flowers

theweddingcollection — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:37:28 +0000

We have noticed that brides are looking to keep costs down with regards to things that they may well not be too fussed about-an example of this is wedding flowers. Most brides want a beautiful bouquet but after that church decoration is not high on the priority list. As you know we cater to every budget so what is happening with a lot of brides is 1 of 3 things.

They are ordering fresh wedding party flowers-bride bridesmiads groom groomsmen, and getting a spray for the altar.

They are ordering the above and hiring our 2 large candleabras for the altar in place of the traditional pedestal arrangements.

They are ordering fresh bridal party flowers and silk flowers for the church.

Now obviously NOT ALL brides are doing this but its an idea!

Dipping our toes in internet networking sites

theweddingcollection — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:33:11 +0000

We have just started properly using twitter-totally addictive!, facebook and the blog. I am posting everyday and keeping the tweets up to date so that brides can follow latest trends and anything we find relevant to you we will post online in one or all of these sites. If you have questions or comments don’t hesitate to contact me!

Losing Weight for the big wedding day!

theweddingcollection — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:11:21 +0000

Recently I have noticed at least 90% of the brides I am looking after are looking to lose weight. Having tried every diet under the sun over a number of years and going from a size 18 to a size 8 and back up again (currently a size 14) I have done my fair share of starvation/points counting/cabbage soup/lettuce and ryvita. Last year I put on an extra stone + a bit! through purely eating non stop whatever I liked whenever I liked. Mainly down to stress I really felt I deserved it as I was working every hour God sent.This included the usual crisps, chips, and more crisps. I am a savory over eater most of the time but do dip my toe into the odd chocolate binge. So the weight went on and the dress size went up.

I did try a few times to stop but found I really did’nt have the will power to keep the weight or the cravings at bay-after all I was working so hard I deserved it! Anyway no weight came off-surprise surprise!

One day my husband announced he was getting me a present and it was a dog.I got her in October 2009 and have found this to be the cheapest, most enjoyable present I have ever received and have found myself 1 stone lighter since she came. As she needs walking every day, and is a real little guilt tripper when she isn’t taken out (sitting looking at the door at 11 at night-waiting to be taken out!) I am taking her out and at the start she was running quite a bit as she was an energetic puppy.

To cut a long story short the walking turned into running and the running turned into a regular thing and now I am finding I am eating more healthily, doing more exercise BUT the cravings are still there. However I am buring off more calories but I am eating chips at least once a week.

Does anyone find this problem-THE HEALTHIER YOU EAT THE HUNGRIER YOU BECOME??

Buy and sell once worn wedding dress?

theweddingcollection — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:49:41 +0000

Once worn wedding dress

Just a quick note to let everyone know we are selling once worn gowns from our store.

Why? Due to constraints on budgets lately brides are looking for mega value, gorgeous dresses without the massive price tags! From looking online there is a world of dresses to be found but a lot are abroad-sometimes the pictures are not great and you don’t want to arrive to someones house only to find it was not the dress you thought which makes everything very awkward!

So….we have now got some dresses in stock to try on, and if they suit great if not no hassle! Ican’t believe how open brides are to this idea instore and the first 2 flew out the door within a day of going on display-with no qualms by the brides to be-they got the dress they dreamed of, at a price that was right..who would know anyway?

So for any bride out there that loved their dress but wants to get some money back on it-email me some photos, designer and style number and start turning that dress into cash today!

Wedding Jewellery for the Bride

theweddingcollection — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:27:36 +0000

For every bride that doesn’t have that piece of jewellery to complete their look here are some hints on how to co-ordinate to get the right look.

1. If your wedding dress is a simple sheath dress-empire line, floaty, drapy chiffon material your neckline will need a matching light and airy look. Go for a light chain and a drop pearl or diamond. If this is not working a floral piece on the neckline can look stunning and not too overdone. As your overall look is light elegance the piece must match. If nothing is looking great consider putting a floral hairpiece in instead-possibly to the side to give a natural look. I just picked up some in Dunnes Sores recently on sale for €8. They were fab with an organza rose and a hint of feather strand in light ivory.

2. If you are Wearing a traditional aline wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline or straight one, you accessories can be a bit more spectacular. If you like everyting to match and follow a theme, usually the bustier part of your dress will have some embellishments on it in the form of crystals, pearls and sequins. 9 out of 10 times these are done in a floral pattern. Many tiaras and headpieces are available to match the floral theme with neckpieces and earring to compliment. If you don not want to overdo it, a simple set from a jeweller will work well. For example if there is a lot of heavy detailing on the top of the dress it sometimes is best to have more understated neckpieces with simple detail on it instead. Something that mirrors the theme of the embellishments of the dress to pick up on it.

3. If you are wearing a lace/vintage look dress something with pearl it in can be fantastic and comlete the look brilliantly. Keep it modern though as if you are wearing too much pearl it can look a bit too mumsy/bree off desperate housewives. That is fine if that is your general look, but not great if you are going for a more stylish-sex in the city/carrie look. A great place to pick up vintage jewellery is Rhinestones 18 Andrews St, Dublin, 2, Ireland‎ – 01 4755031‎, and for some interesting twists on costume jewellery www.catrionahanly.com where I have found some cracking pieces in her interiors store in Newbridge Whitewater Center-in the Mall.