Finding the right wedding dress can be tricky for a number of reasons.  For one, you have probably never gone through the process of buying a wedding dress before.  And two, although you will only wear it once, your dress needs to make a life-long impression on everyone- but most importantly, on you.

So how do you find the dress of your dreams?  Well, like most things in life, preparation is the key.

Start shopping early.  In order to ensure enough time to have your dress delivered and tailored, you should aim to have it purchased at least 6 months before your big day.  With that in mind, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to shop around and make your decision. 

Before you start shopping, however, you need to have an idea of what you’re looking for.  Educate yourself a little bit.  The internet is a great resouce to use because it allows you to quickly browse through tons of different styles of dresses.  Also, brush up on your bridal gown vocab, so when you go to the bridal salon and they ask you what you are looking for, you can tell them!  Envision your perfect dress, but remember- you want your dress to fit your own personal style AND your wedding venue.

You should also have in your mind an idea of how much you want to spend on your dress.  This will help you decide where you want to shop.  Most wedding dresses range between $300 and $4000.  The average one costs around $800.

Happy shopping!!

Some people may think that one of the drawbacks of a winter wedding is that the strapless wedding gowns that have dominated the marital market for so many years can be a little drafty!  What they don’t realize is that there are many classy options one can choose from to keep that winter chill off their shoulders.

The Jacket- The wedding jacket can be made out of satin, lace, faux fur or anything that would best compliment the wedding dress.  It can really accentuate the look you are trying to achieve with your dress.

The Bolero- A bolero is a short jacket that basically covers the shoulder area.  Like a jacket, it can help give your dress that touch of style that will make your look uniquely you. 

The Shawl- Some people may think that a shawl will not keep you warm.  But in fact, a shawl can keep you very warm!  And, it can also add an element of grace and style to your wedding gown. 

The Faux Fur-Trimmed Cape- These capes are not only very glamorous- fake fur is a lot less expensive than real fur.  And, for those with a soft heart, it’s more ethical!

The Pashmina- Pashminas originated in Europe.  They can be worn many ways- as a shawl, a scarf, a sarong or a tube top!  Most brides who choose to wear one on their wedding day, however, simply drape it over their shoulders.

The Silk Tulle Veil Wrap- If you are not wearing a veil, you could choose to wrap yourself in tulle to keep warm.  You would probably only want to wear a silk tulle veil wrap, however, if you are wearing a tulle gown, as it can easily drown out a more delicate satin gown.

 A great place to find bridal jackets, boleros, shawls and capes is http://www.wed-shopping.com. 

To find pashminas or silk tulle veil wraps you might have to do a little more digging.  Sunrise Pashmina has a nice selection of pashminas.  Etsy has all kinds of bridal cover-ups, including silk tulle veil wraps.  Many of the designers on Etsy will also custom-make bridal cover-ups on request.

A wedding symoblizes the joining of a couple in holy matrimony… AND it symbolizes a union between two families.  For such occasions, many families have an heirloom that has been passed down through the generations whenever a son or daughter has gotten married. 

If you belong to one of those families, you may be wondering how you are going to wear your great-great-grandmother’s very antique necklace without ruining your modern-day style!

Well, the answer lies in the accessories.  You can mix your old family heirloom with a new element- swarovski crystals, for example- to incorporate an antique piece while keeping your look chic and fresh!  With their semi-antique appeal and their contemporary, elegant style, swarovski crystals are an awesome liasion between antique and modern.

A great place to shop for your swarovski jewelry is at Jeweliette Accessories out of Vancouver.  “Inspired by fashion, yet true to timeless elegance,” they have been pioneering the fashion jewelry industry for 20 years.  They have tons of swarovski jewelry for you to choose from, but if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in their collection, one of their talented desigers will work with you to make custom pieces exactly the way you want them!